Chicago by Night ~ View topic - Complaints against other players: suggestions

Woah.. Joined: 29 Feb 2008 Posts: 434

As a game supporting a growing playerbase that functions for the most part independent there are always going to be unresolvable problems that develop between players. It's an unfortunate fact of interactive gaming, and the nature of our particular brand of game (minimal Staff invlolvement) means that there will be problematic situations that other games and their players may not necessarily experience. We, as Staff members, attempt to act as mediators in player-to-player conflicts; more often than not by way of discussion. To make liaising with the Staff more straight-forward, and to ensure the most prompt and helpful responses, here are a few things that'll help us both:

1. Try not to let your temper get the best of you.

This is easier said than done. Where conflicts with other players are involved it is always easier on both parties if you do your part to keep a civil tongue (or typing finger) with the Staff member you're discussing it with. Remember, the Staff aren't (usually) responsible for your problem, and we're doing our best to rectify it.

2. Keep it as impersonal as possible.

While you might think it important to let us know what a bitch that one player was, it really isn't going to give your complaint any credence and takes the whole situation down to a level we'd prefer to avoid. Keep it clean and straight forward, keep it to the point. The simpler the complaint the easier it is to handle.

3. Provide us with proof.

While not every altercation can be proven and you do not have to have proof in order to complain, it is a benefit to you if you can provide proof of what happened. A log of the problem will provide us with irrefutable evidence as to what went on, helping all parties resolve the issue with as little he-said she-said as possible.

4. Petty confrontations are really none of our business.

While it may feel like your OOC argument was a big deal, the fact remains that any player can choose to turn off any channel at will. There is a difference between harassment and crossed words and there is an important line between them. Harassment consists of a single or multiple persons forcing their commentary and involvement onto a person who has made irrefutably clear they do not desire it. Somebody calling you a name on OOC does not constitute harassment. You asking someone who has called you a name to stop sending you tells and having them continue to do so does.