Post by Shun Minamoto on Feb 8, 2017 18:23:08 GMT -5
Right, so, there's some basic stuff I want to cover here: Tokiyo has stepped down and passed Bleach Gotei back to me. So as my first, great, act, I'm nixing the Code of Conduct and Mission Statement! WHOOOOO!!
No, no, that's absurd.
First, I realize this change is sudden.
EDIT
Oh, and no, I didn't murder Tokiyo. He's alive. Did you know he's actually a literal hippo? What a loser.
But let's all be super real for a moment: We all know the Code is highly ineffective as it is, yeah? I don't think anyone disagrees. It needs a means for clear, up-front enforcement that it simply doesn't have. So what I've done is draft a "new" Code of Conduct, which encapsulates many of our previous values. However, I've provided them, in plain English, as a numerical list. You'll also notice that there are two separate Codes now, one for Out-of-Character Behavior and In-Character Behavior. You'll also notice that each entry has a point value assigned.
The reason for this change is because, while no one raised any real issues with the values espoused by our Code, it didn't have an attached means for enforcing those rules. And rules governing even the most general of in-character behavior have never existed. Which gets to the root of the issue, I think: Bleach Gotei has always been a bit like the Old West. And while I enjoy this, and thrive in it, I do not believe it is good for a community that's threatening to grow as large as Bleach Gotei. So if you're wondering why I, of all people, would be the one making such a thing, that's why.
For instance: Did you know that, even by conservative estimates, we could potentially break 300,000 and 400,000 posts this year?
Actual rules, however basic and "common sense" as they may be, are overdue for Bleach Gotei.
Below is my draft, my proposal, and I'd love input regarding suggestions and changes.
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Code of Conduct
Introduction
All players on Bleach Gotei, whether they’re Staff or not, are held to a very simple Code of Conduct. These are very easy behaviors that we ask for from all our players simply so that way our community remains welcoming, so people can continue to improve, and so everyone can have fun easily. We rarely resort to using moderation tools to keep people in line, but when we do we tend to keep these actions private with the affected party—much like any major employer won’t divulge the HR file on any of their employees or customers.
We hold two, separate Codes of Conduct that govern Out-of-Character Behavior and In-Character Behavior.
Out-of-Character Behavior
Bleach Gotei is meant to be a place where people can grow and change, and it is also a game where people are held to certain standards of maturity while they play here with us. To that end, we have a simple list of behaviors that are, simply, unacceptable on Bleach Gotei.
These rules apply to all of Bleach Gotei, including the public forum, PMs, and our Discord server. Private Discord conversations are outside of the jurisdiction of Bleach Gotei, as are other sorts of conversations, such as voice chat (outside our server), alternative IM services, etc.
1.) There is never a reason to directly insult a fellow player. Jokes are fine, and criticism of behavior and writing is also fine, but there comes a time when you’re simply attacking someone for the sake of it—and that has no place here. If you’re uncertain of where the line is, simply don’t approach it at all. [1 Point]
2.) Harassment, defined as consistent and direct attempts to bother or otherwise impede the experience of another player on Bleach Gotei is unacceptable. [3 Points]
3.) Plagiarism of any sort, including from other work for use on Bleach Gotei and plagiarism of the work on Bleach Gotei, is unacceptable. [5 Points]
4.) Engaging in explicit sexual content with a minor via Bleach Gotei is also completely unacceptable, as are all forms of sexual harassment—consistent, unwanted sexual advances of any nature—that may take place. There’s simply no purpose for this on an online Bleach RP forum, and we’re certain you’ll agree. [7 Points]
In-Character Behavior
Before we list any specific items, we want to take this chance to explain that the only written content on Bleach Gotei that is disallowed is sexually explicit content involving characters (player-character or non-player-character) below the age of 18. Attempting this will get your content swiftly removed and a possible application of points. Other than this, we do not censor in-character stories.
1.) To the best of a player’s ability, player-characters should only act on their own knowledge and not the knowledge of the player behind them. [1 Point]
2.) In-character conflicts on Bleach Gotei should never translate to out-of-character resentment. It is good to remember that in all likely situations, your character(s) is never in danger of dying without the consent of the player. [1 Point]
3.) While you’re in a thread with other player-characters, they and their actions should all be given your utmost respect and attention. While missing details in posts and replying incorrectly is a common, human mistake, habitually ignoring other player-characters goes against the idea of Bleach Gotei’s shared world. [3 Points]
4.) Retired characters of any sort on Bleach Gotei, still occasionally played by their original player, cannot affect change to any player-character without their consent. Any attempt to do so marks one of the rare situations where we will strike that event from record. [5 Points]
Earning Points
Although we abhor having to do this, sometimes players do violate our very simple, straight-forward Code of Conduct. When this happens, they earn themselves a minimum of the listed points—and sometimes more, depending on case-by-case situations; but never less—which only drop off 120 days after their acquisition.
All player’s points, when they were acquired and when they will drop off, are listed in the conflict resolution log.
3 Points: A verbal warning and a reminder that these behaviors we do enforce are what we feel are the basics required for people to coexist on Bleach Gotei.
5 Points: A suspension from the Discord “Chatbox”, if that is the source of the behavior, removal from most Out-of-Character boards, and/or loss of PM privileges.
7 Points: A one-week suspension from Bleach Gotei and loss of any other, relevant privileges.
10 Points: An indefinite ban from Bleach Gotei that can only be lifted by the Site Owner. Sometimes this is effectively a permanent ban, and sometimes this is pending the improvement of a player who has expressed a desire to change.
Do note that these general steps are not all the tools available to Bleach Gotei’s Staff Members. For instance, if the player of a retired character makes it a point to attempt to use said character to force unwanted events upon an unwilling player-character, they can find their privilege to continue to write with that character revoked, regardless of points.
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Do note, if this system were adopted, or if something similar to it were, only one player would be starting with any points: Kyousuke, with seven points. Two points would be set to fall off in August-ish, and the last five in February-ish 2018.
I based this system largely on Kireon's suggestion, but with an expansion. I personally find a simple four-strike rule to be a little much. Quite frankly, I'm not going to ban anyone for any length of time if they call someone "dumb" four different times over their two-year career here. That's why I've created more of a rubric, as I saw suggested, with varying levels of points awarded based on the general code item violated.
Finally, I'd like to leave this largely in the hands of a dedicated staff member that simply isn't me. I haven't decided who, but I do have a couple people in mind.
But before that, please, say your piece. I hope the amount of words put to digital paper show that, yes, I am listening.
