Discussion Insight into Moderator Actions and Ban Appeals

[nraven13]

Cheers Cheysa! RE: "In your own words, what would you say a moderator's job is? To help players? To enforce the rules? To protect players from being harassed by other players? To make sure the game remains a fun place to get away from real life?"

All of the above. It is refreshing to have a game that I do nt have to listen to profanity. It is everywhere in this world but that doesn't make it right. Some people enjoy breaking rules and do not consider it wrong unless they get caught. I hear this too frequently in my work as a Juvenile Probation Officer. Breaking the rules is wrong whether caught or not.

Having a team that is there to maintain the integrity of the game is highly commendable! The fact that they volunteer to deal with it all is simply amazing!
In life we will sometimes pass through very difficult times and as for me TLOPO is a refreshing break from reality at times.

Another positive aspect of TLOPO is the fact that we have guilds that also support play with honor and GM's and officers that really support their members and try diligently to provide their members with all of the above.

LONG LIVE TLOPO AND THE FORUMS!

 

[Cenydd]

Spoiler: Swearing

 

[Cheysa Finn]

When I wrote the post, I was not trying to paint POTCO and Disney as a horrible thing. There were many good things that came out of it too, like this community. But there were some places where Disney fell short when moderating. That's all I was trying to say. Where Disney made mistakes, TLOPO is trying to do better. That's all I wanted people to take away.

I'm sorry to hear that some missed the message I was trying to communicate, but oh well. People are welcome to think what they want to think.

 

[Johnny Telltale]

I can guarantee you no one got hacked. That's just not possible; keylogging is.

You could not walk around in POTCO and be vulnerable to a hacker. I am sure you know that. A user (the victim) had to download a program (by the perpetrator) in order for that to happen. You do not have to be a Disney member to know this. And there aren't statistics for people who got hacked...because it's never happened.

This community needs to stop fear-mongering from both sides.

I am only arguing - or merely pointing out - the wording in the original post, and stating that it cannot be taken literally. I've said before, wording is extremely important, and it is paramount to be nitpicky in this case. If not, people will scan over the first post, and remember only a game by Disney that was riddled with hackers...errr.. I mean keyloggers.

I can guarantee you no one got hacked. That's just not possible; keylogging is.

A user (the victim) had to download a program (by the perpetrator) in order for that to happen.

Did you know certain types of brute-forcing is considered hacking, which would mean they wouldn't have to download a thing? It is certainly possible that people were hacked.

I am only arguing - or merely pointing out - the wording in the original post, and stating that it cannot be taken literally.

You're taking it literally.

If not, people will scan over the first post, and remember only a game by Disney that was riddled with hackers...errr.. I mean keyloggers.

There were many different ways someone could have had their account compromised - social engineering, keylogging, brute-forcing... Cheysa used the term "hacking" as a blanket for all these things, some of which actually DO fall under the term directly. You're nitpicking for the sake of nitpicking.

The "point" of the original post is to portray Disney as lazy and bad at moderation in an attempt to justify questionable moderation tactics used in TLOPO.

Not the point of the post.

If you have a problem with any moderation, message the lead moderator and voice your concerns in private. This post is not the place to do that.

 

[Vinzenz]

Since when bruteforcing required downloading? Bruteforcing is pw cracking/pw guessing until you succeed, and many teenagers use it for steam, minecraft, origin, even instagram. That's not hacking, all you need to do is to download it and make your own "combo" list. I like how you're all saying bruteforcing is hacking which is false. Many got hacked because they were silly enough to open ".exe" files on skype from random people which is hilarious. They got "ratted" and it wasn't hard at all. I've personally talked to this person and all he had to do was to download a rat software, log into his router and do some port forwarding and then make his rat FUD ( undetected by antivirus softwares ). And what is next? We all know someone was UDP flooding your servers, was that hacking too? All he had to do was to get a decent booter or botnet which is quite easy nowdays. I'm not trying to be rude or something but potco players never actually got hacked. Someone got "ratted" because it was their fault. Would you ever open an .exe file from random people on skype? People make mistakes and that's how this happened. Disney made a statement regarding this and they warned us about opening stuff from random people. Also, bruteforcing doesn't work for tlopo so I am just going to wait for players to get "hacked", by hacked I mean "ratted" which I highly doubt will ever happen. We are all adults now (most of us) and I'm sure we all know about trojans, internet security and stuff.

 

[Vinzenz]

People do not need to download something in order to get their accounts "bruteforced" ^

 

[Davy Darkrage]

I'm not saying correcting misinformation and being careful with semantics doesn't have a place in this world, but it seems some people are missing the forest for the trees here. Nitpicking aside, this thread really had very little to do with what is technically hacking and why. Let's try not to derail it much further, please.

 

[Peter Goldbeard]

The "point" of the original post is to portray Disney as lazy and bad at moderation in an attempt to justify questionable moderation tactics used in TLOPO. Technicalities are important and NEED to be corrected when false in this situation.

Disney had a much larger player base than TLOPO, thus increasing the amount of mischief going on by a substantial amount. Yet they banned and terminated MANY people.

POTCO was not how this post portrays it. It was not some havoc-filled game of terror. Portraying it as thus is a little disrespectful. It was a Disney game. Disney of all companies shows a huge emphasis on proper moderation and penalties for violations of their Terms of Use. Feel free to freshen up on the company's Terms of Use.

Compare the game of 2007 to 2013. Huge strides were made in the containment of glitches and faulty parts of the game.

This is not "off-topic" or "derailing." This is a forum member with some serious issues with how Disney and POTCO are being portrayed here. If you want to address mod abuse in TLOPO, stop locking threads and start responding in those posts directly. Please stop blaming it on Disney's lack of moderation or Disney in general. Would you have TLOPO without Disney??

Really? Really? You seem to miss the point of every post on these forums. I don't know how much you played POTCO, but Cheysa's description is very close to what the game was like. I know people who had issues because of not enough moderation effort, although Disney did succeed in many areas, moderation was certainly NOT one of them, no matter how hard they tried. It's not so much what their terms of use said, more so how they enforced those terms.

Also you said "an attempt to justify questionable moderation tactics in TLOPO". I'd really like to know what you think is questionable, please send me a PM, I'm curious on what you could possibly be confused about. Most of the community has no issues with moderation policies, please let me know why you do.

 

[Illuvatar]

Really? Really? You seem to miss the point of every post on these forums. I don't know how much you played POTCO, but Cheysa's description is very close to what the game was like.

Yes, really. YES, REALLY. You might know people who had issues with a lack of moderation in POTCO, while I know people who were on the side of receiving excess moderation. It is not for you to decide whether or not I am "missing the points" on these posts. Please refrain from turning this discussion into personal jabs at me. I will GLADLY send you a PM about issues I am aware of. And for your information, I played POTCO since 2007, up until it closed.

It's not so much what their terms of use said, more so how they enforced those terms.

How can you say that towards POTCO's handling of their Terms of Use, but not towards TLOPO's handling of their Terms of Use. It is hypocritical, because the argument has been made in the past that players in TLOPO have been punished for offenses that don't line up with their Terms of Use. I will not mention any specific instances on this public forum.

Not the point of the post.

What is the "point" of this post then? "Insight into Moderator Actions" is in the title of the post. Then, within the post, are claims that moderators do what they do because Disney failed in that area. These claims are made right after an attempt to thwart the idea of the possibility that mod abuse occurs, because apparently those who attest to that are just riled up players who have it coming to them for their behavior. So essentially the blame for any uproar is put on Disney, for how they lacked at moderation. Feel free to clarify how you interpret it...

There were many parents who played with their young kids on POTCO. MANY parent's were extremely satisfied with the safe environment that Disney offered and enforced in POTCO. I highly doubt Disney would appreciate these types of condescending descriptions of how they moderated.

It seems that the argument about what is hacking and what isn't is irrelevant. The point was, and I agree with this, was that this post's description of the "hacking" in POTCO was exaggerated. EXAGGERATED. An exaggeration which is important to note.

 

[Peter Goldbeard]

I know people who were on the side of receiving excess moderation.

There were many parents who played with their young kids on POTCO. MANY parent's were extremely satisfied with the safe environment that Disney offered and enforced in POTCO. I highly doubt Disney would appreciate these types of condescending descriptions of how they moderated.

So... did you think POTCO had excessive moderation, or perfectly fine moderation?

How can you say that towards POTCO's handling of their Terms of Use, but not towards TLOPO's handling of their Terms of Use. It is hypocritical, because the argument has been made in the past that players in TLOPO have been punished for offenses that don't line up with their Terms of Use. I will not mention any specific instances on this public forum.

If you aren't going to give me any legitimate examples (not those ones that people have already posted on the forums, those have already been worked out), then I don't see whats wrong with TLOPOs moderation, whereas POTCO failed to moderate some "hackers" (I'm using that very loosely) but also apparently (as you pointed out) were a little ban-happy on some occasions. This thread was supposed to be highlighting how TLOPO is trying to improve on POTCOs moderation where they made mistakes.

I will GLADLY send you a PM about issues I am aware of.

Then why didn't you, even when I asked for them? I'd love to know why you have problems with the moderation, but it seems like you're delaying for no apparent reason (unless there are no real issues here...?)

Either way, I believe TLOPO is handling their moderation very well and have improved on the mistakes of POTCO (however small and few their mistakes may have been).

 

[Illuvatar]

So... did you think POTCO had excessive moderation, or perfectly fine moderation?

Perfectly fine. Acute instances of excess moderation or too little moderation existed, yet Disney did an overall good job and that image should not be tarnished.
I sent you your private message. Please refrain from seeking specific instances on this post. Also, just because examples posted on this forum have been locked, doesn't at all mean they were "worked out."

 

[Mark Scurvyfox]

People truly can't see the forest for the trees.

It has been said numerous times but yet people fail to realise this. A lot of discussion takes places behind the scenes prior a moderation action takes effect. Do you really believe I'm anything different that I can moderate you and you cannot? Believe me, I'm not. I'm on the same page as most people are.

Terms of service, Pirate Code or EULAs aren't just for those that joined us later. They apply to all of us. The only thing that separates the community and the moderators is in fact that we try our best to do things for the community's best interest. Sometimes we succeed, sometimes we fail. That's the nature of our job. We are not here to isolate people or to create an unpleasant experience. What do we really have to earn from that? The satisfaction of a particular moment? That's not how it works. At the end of the day, it's only us and our qualms.

We are not here to disorientate people and put the blame on Disney. I won't lie here. For a long time, I was putting the blame on them but I have ultimately realised that not everything in life lasts for as long as we want it to last. And essentially, sometimes things are just business. Whether good or not, they delivered us a great community - and that's something that I'll always boast about.

Looking back then and now, some people's opinions didn't change much in regards to how Disney handled their security and moderation so please allow me to say that a remarkable amount of people believed (some still believe) that moderation could have been handled better.
https://piratesforums.co/threads/important-safety-reminder-for-all-pirates-07-23-13.8871/
Two wrongs don't make a right. We are not getting paid. We are still here after so many years because we love what we do.

Please give TLOPO team space to breathe and let's end this witch's hunt together.

 

[OurGangsDarkOath]

To be honest I believe disney didn't stop hackers because they knew the game would end maybe a year before since they did give us some signs, two examples are they stopped supplying game cards and they removed a ton of districts I believe this happened months before they notified the players about its closing, in the end moderators do make mistakes and can be punished.

 

[Flight1700]

How can you even make this post? All other posts containing the words "mod abuse" are locked or deleted. Ironic.

This, THIS is funny. Worth opening the thread.
I laughed.

NOW MODS, I WANT AN ANSWER AS TO WHY MY REQUEST (and subsequent imagery) GOT ME BANNED FROM THE FORUMS.
...o god. XD.

Srsly tho. You dudes should really lighten up about the whole "no inappropriate" stuff. It's like you believe your audience is still 10-15 years old. THAT age group plays COD now and claims they've assaulted the other's mother with a friendly weapon.

Your audience members are legal adults now. That's how this universal enemy known as "time" works.

It's like every time I come back to these forums I grow a bit more upset XD.

 

[OurGangsDarkOath]

This, THIS is funny. Worth opening the thread.
I laughed.

NOW MODS, I WANT AN ANSWER AS TO WHY MY REQUEST (and subsequent imagery) GOT ME BANNED FROM THE FORUMS.
...o god. XD.

Srsly tho. You dudes should really lighten up about the whole "no inappropriate" stuff. It's like you believe your audience is still 10-15 years old. THAT age group plays COD now and claims they've assaulted the other's mother with a friendly weapon.

Your audience members are legal adults now. That's how this universal enemy known as "time" works.

They want it to be a family friendly game though, even if lets say 80-90% are adults there are still adults who play with their kids.

 

[Remington]

They want it to be a family friendly game though, even if lets say 80-90% are adults there are still adults who play with their kids.

Don't waste your breath my friend... It's more complicated than most of them can know... Disney is still attached as the creator of this thing... If it is remade and does not hold to the same values, the whole thing can be snuffed out in one night. Not to mention, I believe the team REALLY wants this to be a game for everyone. A whole new generation of children can enjoy the memories that so many here have and cherish. And there is even MORE to it... But it is for calmer and more rational minds to understand and appreciate. I appreciate you though OurGangsDarkOath *fist bumps*

 

[Peter Goldbeard]

Don't waste your breath my friend... It's more complicated than most of them can know... Disney is still attached as the creator of this thing... If it is remade and does not hold to the same values, the whole thing can be snuffed out in one night. Not to mention, I believe the team REALLY wants this to be a game for everyone. A whole new generation of children can enjoy the memories that so many here have and cherish. And there is even MORE to it... But it is for calmer and more rational minds to understand and appreciate. I appreciate you though OurGangsDarkOath *fist bumps*

On top of this, this post:

Srsly tho. You dudes should really lighten up about the whole "no inappropriate" stuff. It's like you believe your audience is still 10-15 years old. THAT age group plays COD now and claims they've assaulted the other's mother with a friendly weapon.

Your audience members are legal adults now. That's how this universal enemy known as "time" works.

It's like every time I come back to these forums I grow a bit more upset XD.

Was also highly offensive, whether intended that way or not. Let's just say that I do happen to fall in that age range and do play COD (but rarely curse, and never anything bad), but I really do prefer the non-profane environment. It's not just that though, I know some adult players from in game that prefer the no-inappropriateness attitude and I also know some that play with their children as a fun family game. What do you think really makes the game better by running around screaming curse words and talking about inappropriate topics? This game is not suited for that at all, if it gets us in trouble with Disney or not. Allowing inappropriate discussions would be a mess and does NOT belong in the game.

 

[PlayingAJoKeR]

Who cares if it's non profane? You don't like it? There's discord, skype, teamspeak etc. Don't cry because rules are set in place and you feel like they need to be changed when there are hundreds of alternatives.

 

[Remington]

Who cares if it's non profane? You don't like it? There's discord, skype, teamspeak etc. Don't cry because rules are set in place and you feel like they need to be changed when there are hundreds of alternatives.

Well spoken... Just because the years pass doesn't mean everyone has grown up yet... *drops the mic*

 

[Remington]

On top of this, this post:

Was also highly offensive, whether intended that way or not. Let's just say that I do happen to fall in that age range and do play COD (but rarely curse, and never anything bad), but I really do prefer the non-profane environment. It's not just that though, I know some adult players from in game that prefer the no-inappropriateness attitude and I also know some that play with their children as a fun family game. What do you think really makes the game better by running around screaming curse words and talking about inappropriate topics? This game is not suited for that at all, if it gets us in trouble with Disney or not. Allowing inappropriate discussions would be a mess and does NOT belong in the game.

*fist bumps*