general chat

[Yalp]

What would you like them to do? Start banning? They arent even banning people who blatantly cheat. Good luck with that.

People who abuse the terms of service being banned from using that service? Dear god! What are we thinking?

No you don't have to ban them from the game, simply take away their privilege to use the chat channel. First time warning, second time temporarily inability to use the general chat, third time, permanently prevented from using the general chat.

Unless of course we are saying people have no control whatsoever over their own hands on the keyboard and there is no expectation that people will be able to control themselves?

 

[copycon]

I have never cared for UO's stance on these kinds of issues and personally feel that it is a cop out on their part.

Then you have a lot to learn.

The idea that because someone is harassing you should leave, put them on ignore is one that I completely disagree with. All it does is tell the person doing the harassing that it is ok to behave that way. That it is acceptable conduct.

Ignoring someone does not condone their behavior. They will act that way with or without your approval.

So, I am off doing X and someone comes up and starts being an ass, so I should leave and go somewhere else? huh?

Yes.

As for chat, I feel that General Chat, Help chat should me moderated. If people want to show maturity level by spouting off offensive language, they should be the ones to go and create their own channel. Not the other way around.

Maybe so, but it is called general chat for a reason. If it doesn't suit your interests, go elsewhere.

As far as freedom of speech goes (and any other freedom)- Just because you have a freedom of speech doesn't mean you can trample on the freedoms of others.

Have you been in public recently? I see people arguing and acting belligerent all the time. You know what I do? Walk away. It's not my business.

 

[copycon]

How about acting like a grown-up and just treating everyone in chat with respect? Problem solved.

They probably aren't grown ups.

 

[Ls Jax Ls]

These same PvP'ers complain in other threads that there aren't enough people who PvP, UO is dying, on and on. Yet they can't seem to understand that this hate speech of theirs online drives people away, especially new accounts. Who wants to be constantly exposed to that trash talk? Not me.

You're honestly going to sit there and pretend like any part of that is true? Who the hell has ever quit PvP because somebody trash talked them? You're telling us to grow up yet you can't simply ignore something somebody says without crying about it? You have no more right to say what's on your mind than anybody else. Trammel != Entitlement.

 

[Old Man of UO]

Y... You're telling us to grow up yet you can't simply ignore something somebody says without crying about it? You have no more right to say what's on your mind than anybody else. ...QUOTE]

A lot of irony there, but you probably just wouldn't understand it. You just don't understand the term "respect" do you?

For the good of the game, this is one argument we can't let the bullies win. This isn't a "freedom of speech" issue. You are not allowed to say anything you want anywhere you want, in any country, and certainly not in online games.

 

[ingsmsico]

How about acting like a grown-up and just treating everyone in chat with respect? Problem solved.

why not use the tools given to you by the Developer's to deal with these issues on your own? swear filter and ignore option.

and don't think I can't see through your little "tactic" of throwing me in with people who cuss and act rude in-game. I am not one of those people.

old man of UO, you are always making ridiculous assumptions, insinuating things, harassing people and generally putting forth a biased point of view. for example you condone the book droppers simply because I oppose it, despite the activity's disruptive effect on the game. you oppose LS Jax simply because he PvP's. you are a liar, a hypocrite, and a divisive forum thug that spends more time whining on Stratics than playing the game. you are emblematic of the problem on this forum and in UO. you see this as "sport" while many others are simply trying to come to consensus and improve the game.

 

[ingsmsico]

As far as freedom of speech goes (and any other freedom)- Just because you have a freedom of speech doesn't mean you can trample on the freedoms of others.

there's no freedom of speech in UO, the only freedom you have is to cancel your account and stop giving EA money.

 

[Ls Jax Ls]

A lot of irony there, but you probably just wouldn't understand it. You just don't understand the term "respect" do you?

For the good of the game, this is one argument we can't let the bullies win. This isn't a "freedom of speech" issue. You are not allowed to say anything you want anywhere you want, in any country, and certainly not in online games.

This is a video game. If you don't like how it is monitored, then quit. I won't miss you and neither will anyone else. As for respect, this is something you earn. I don't respect grown men who cry on forums because somebody said something they don't agree with. You're supposed to be the mature one here and you're going on and on about cyber bullies. Your opinion is not law.

 

[[JD]]

I can't vouch for the specific words that were said to spark the OP, but I can say that I've read about people getting banned for using certain words...

So, either the offender somehow slipped under the radar, or someone is becoming overly sensitive (again) and wants to turn UO into Sesame Street.

Lol the characterizations, assumptions and stereotypes being used by people are funny because they are so off base. You know what they say when you ASSume...

Yeah people should have a thick skin and should use the tools available to you. BUT, there are children in this game, and, it's unattractive to most other players. Now, what makes more sense.. for the 1% perpetrating stupidity to stop, or for the 99% who find it distasteful to leave chat?

The best solution I think would be an "adult", unmoderated chat group, that you must intentionally join to be a part of. And then moderate the rest. Just like the PVP threads here on Stratics. Stratics is moderated, but the PVP thread for each server is moderated a little less. I can't see how anyone could have a problem with that, unless you're one of the 1% who enjoys frothing at the mouth non stop cussing.

 

[Ls Jax Ls]

Yeah people should have a thick skin and should use the tools available to you. BUT, there are children in this game, and, it's unattractive to most other players. Now, what makes more sense.. for the 1% perpetrating stupidity to stop, or for the 99% who find it distasteful to leave chat?

If you let your child interact in an adult-oriented environment, that's on you. Don't expect me or anyone else to change our behavior because of poor parenting decisions.

 

[copycon]

A lot of irony there, but you probably just wouldn't understand it. You just don't understand the term "respect" do you?

For the good of the game, this is one argument we can't let the bullies win. This isn't a "freedom of speech" issue. You are not allowed to say anything you want anywhere you want, in any country, and certainly not in online games.

I don't know if he does, but I do, and I'm saying that if you are looking for respect in an online game, you are going to be disappointed.

To address your second statement, yes, freedom of speech does allow you to say anything anywhere (within reason). That is the definition. "Hate speech" is different, and I think most would agree that if someone were using hate speech it would not be tolerated.

 

[ingsmsico]

I would like to note that GM's will action your account for hate speech/racial speech. so there ARE rules. everyone knows people who say N word get banned.

 

[Kiminality]

To address your second statement, yes, freedom of speech does allow you to say anything anywhere (within reason).

If by "within reason", you mean "not really allowed to say anything, anywhere" then you're right.
Freedom of Speech, at least as it's defined in the 1st Amendment, applies to what is known as "public forums" - the word "forum" in this case being in the general sense.
If the forum is owned/controlled by a private individual(s), then your freedom of speech goes as far as they want it to.

 

[UOKaiser]

lol profanity. It's the tone of the words not the words itself. I am about to insult everyone right now. You are all PENCILS!!!! Some of you are even PENS!!!!!!!

 

[Lynk]

I don't know what the big deal is. Every time I read general chat it is always polite discussion between two or more players showing each other all the respect in the world.

 

[Kiminality]

lol profanity. It's the tone of the words not the words itself. I am about to insult everyone right now. You are all PENCILS!!!! Some of you are even PENS!!!!!!!

You are such a crayon...

 

[copycon]

If by "within reason", you mean "not really allowed to say anything, anywhere" then you're right.
Freedom of Speech, at least as it's defined in the 1st Amendment, applies to what is known as "public forums" - the word "forum" in this case being in the general sense.
If the forum is owned/controlled by a private individual(s), then your freedom of speech goes as far as they want it to.

I'm failing to see the point of your argument?

You are saying that EA makes the call, which is true. People are exercising their right to freedom of speech by saying what they want. If EA wants to tell people that they aren't entitled to that, then that is their business, but they haven't. From the previous comments, it seems that EA has actually taken the opposite stance.

We don't need to turn this into a political debate though.

 

[Kiminality]

They do, in the ToS.

 

[Aran]

look. i'm no prude. i've occasionally made sailors blush. but even i know there is a time and place for everything.

why are people allowed to use repetitive profanity and use hateful language in general chat?

does it do anything positive for the game?

or is it just another way for griefing hatemongers to try to ruin others' experiences. a la' the bane dragon fiasco. not only that, it fosters hatred and bitterness.

yeah yeah, leave the channel someone will say. most already have. why do you think it's left now filled with people cursing and acting like wild animals?

it's time to enforce some standards of player conduct. moderate the chat and start giving out jail sentences to people for obvious repetitive profanity usage.

If everyone else is doing X and you don't want to be around X, stop going where X happens.

 

[copycon]

I thought I'd do some research...

EA has actually written detailed instructions on what constitutes "verbal harassment".

Source: ANSWER

(Not sure if the link will work)

I think this is the most important part though...


Behavior that is always considered harassment includes derogatory and/or hateful comments that are sexual, racist, religious, or related to gender or creed. Origin has a zero tolerance policy towards harassment of this kind, as stated in our Terms of Service, and violation of the above can result in immediate and permanent account suspension on the first offense.

Behavior that is dependent on circumstance and how you attempt to resolve the situation include most other verbal harassment situations such as name calling. Before you submit a complaint be sure you understand what constitutes harassment and that you have followed these steps:

* You have asked the player to "please stop", and they have continued to repeat the offending behavior.
* You have tried to remove yourself from the situation, for example, by recalling away or moving several screens.
* You have done nothing to instigate or further encourage the harassment.
* You have added the player to your ignore list, which is located in your UO options, under Filter Options.
* You have read and understand Electronic Arts' definition of harassment, and Electronic Arts' Terms of Service.
* Your account information is up to date, including a current email address.


It doesn't sound like any of these things have been done, or if they have they certainly have not been exhausted. Further proof that people are just whining for the sake of whining.

 

[Kiminality]

Doesn't need to be harassment to be against the ToS:
2.You may not use any offensive or sexually explicit language, graphic descriptions, or accounts of sexual acts (including but not limited to sexual language of a violent or threatening nature directed at another individual or group of individuals).

 

[copycon]

So, what you are saying is that you expect EA to take action against someone for saying the word "F--K" or "S--T" even if it had nothing to do with the person that filed the complaint?

That makes no sense...

 

[Ls Jax Ls]

Nowhere does it say anything about swearing, which is the only thing you see in general chat.

 

[MalagAste]

Nowhere does it say anything about swearing, which is the only thing you see in general chat.

Maybe where you are but not where I am... there is far more in General chat than just swearing.

 

[copycon]

Maybe where you are but not where I am... there is far more in General chat than just swearing.

File a complaint and be ready to back it up then.

 

[Evlar]

In the midst of this discussion, I would just like people to pause and reflect upon those unfortunate enough to suffer from tourrettes syndrome.