Pathetic moderation

[pull lead]

I just want to say I think it's absolutely pathetic what SDHawk posted. As a moderator, whether you think so or not, you represent the CA Staff to the vast majority of people that casually read the boards. Most people don't understand the difference between a dev and a board mod. To just start up some outrageous complaint thread like that was of horrific judgment. Not only is it a pretty ridiculous complaint, but the fact that you make a dev waste her time by having to defend the game and play damage control is remarkably irresponsible. You obviously have never held a position of leadership outside of the internet, so let me let you in on a little secret. It is not your job to start an uprising, it's your job to quell them. If you have a problem that you feel so strongly about, e-mail the devs about it. I'm shocked they are letting you remain a mod after that.

The Guild Battle system is like a month old, is not important at all - it's just yet another aspect of the game, and as they've said they are working on fixing/updating it. We've already seen progress in the past few days anyway. If they never released Guild Battles would you have threatened to quit CA now? Obviously not, so why quit over something that is completely optional and yields virtually no benefit to participating? It makes no sense.

EDIT: Link to the referenced thread - http://www.castleageforums.com/cforum/showthread.php?t=41766

[Captain Ron]

Did this really need it's own thread? Mod's are players just like you and I. They are allowed to get upset when a game they love looks like it is missing a huge opportunity. I am in management and I have disagreements with my superiors all of the time. And believe me, everyone knows it.

[King Hrothbeort]

A link to the thread in question could be helpful here http://www.castleageforums.com/cforum/showthread.php?t=41766.

Please realize that all the moderators are volunteering their time to help make these forums and therefore Castle Age as a whole a better experience for everyone. It is not possible for us to please everyone here. We are human and capable of making mistakes. (For example, I have given out an infraction when I meant to give a warning; when the person let me know I reversed the infraction.) If you have an issue with something one of us has done, please let us know so it can be resolved. Thank you.

[arKRazor]

She felt strongly enough at the time to leave her position and the game over the matter. If that is not the time to be bluntly honest... I don't know when would be better.

[pull lead]

To Captain Ron:

Then you are a bad leader. Dissension from a perceived authority figure spreads like a cancer - as is evident in the Dragon Egg thread. When you wear the mod badge, you aren't just a player, you are a representative of CA Staff to most unassuming people. If a leader has a problem with their superiors, they need to address it in private. Perhaps as a shift supervisor at McDonald's that doesn't really make a difference, but in a place where people are heavily emotionally invested it is totally foolish. People obviously care about CA because we spend our free time playing it which for many of us is extremely valuable.

[janggeum]

I never liked SDHawk but moderators can give their opinions too. They are just players afterall.

[BobicusTheConqurer]

... blah,blah,blah ...Thank you for you opposing viewpoint, even though it is misguided.

The moderation on this board tends to be fair and quite good, I applaud all of the moderators for trying to keep some order during these days of high drama.

[davinity]

I love our mods :)

Some are extremely bouncing me, some are giving good bp´s.

[adam ahman]

I just want to say I think it's absolutely pathetic what SDHawk posted. As a moderator, whether you think so or not, you represent the CA Staff to the vast majority of people that casually read the boards. Most people don't understand the difference between a dev and a board mod. To just start up some outrageous complaint thread like that was of horrific judgment. Not only is it a pretty ridiculous complaint, but the fact that you make a dev waste her time by having to defend the game and play damage control is remarkably irresponsible. You obviously have never held a position of leadership outside of the internet, so let me let you in on a little secret. It is not your job to start an uprising, it's your job to quell them. If you have a problem that you feel so strongly about, e-mail the devs about it. I'm shocked they are letting you remain a mod after that.

The Guild Battle system is like a month old, is not important at all - it's just yet another aspect of the game, and as they've said they are working on fixing/updating it. We've already seen progress in the past few days anyway. If they never released Guild Battles would you have threatened to quit CA now? Obviously not, so why quit over something that is completely optional and yields virtually no benefit to participating? It makes no sense.

Hmmm...interesting?

Lets see...you have been on the forum since when?
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 121

and SDHawk since when?
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,767

Lets get this right too...What level are you?
Point being SD has every right to say what was said...perhaps you should go sit in the corner in time out for 5mins....better yet post your keep link...YES post it! Oh wait someones a bully now huh...LOL!! Your a joke! :cool:

[Dragonomine]

posting so I get notifications of new posts :D

[labalaba]

To Captain Ron:

Then you are a bad leader. Dissension from a perceived authority figure spreads like a cancer - as is evident in the Dragon Egg thread. When you wear the mod badge, you aren't just a player, you are a representative of CA Staff to most unassuming people. If a leader has a problem with their superiors, they need to address it in private. Perhaps as a shift supervisor at McDonald's that doesn't really make a difference, but in a place where people are heavily emotionally invested it is totally foolish. People obviously care about CA because we spend our free time playing it which for many of us is extremely valuable.

excuse me? mods enforce forum rules, not game rules, that's the devs job.
they are no way telling me how to play my game, I can chain the hell out of
mods on the game if I should feel so.

[pull lead]

A link to the thread in question could be helpful here.

Please realize that all the moderators are volunteering their time to help make these forums and therefore Castle Age as a whole a better experience for everyone. It is not possible for us to please everyone here. We are human and capable of making mistakes. (For example, I have given out an infraction when I meant to give a warning; when the person let me know I reversed the infraction.) If you have an issue with something one of us has done, please let us know so it can be resolved. Thank you.

I've editted the first post to add the link. I'd strongly advise deleting both that thread and this one. Please however, take note of my point. Dissemination of a better mod interaction policy would be beneficial.

I've seen nothing but professionalism from you, Hrothbeort and that is exactly how a mod should be acting.

[arKRazor]

To Captain Ron:

Then you are a bad leader. Dissension from a perceived authority figure spreads like a cancer - as is evident in the Dragon Egg thread. When you wear the mod badge, you aren't just a player, you are a representative of CA Staff to most unassuming people. If a leader has a problem with their superiors, they need to address it in private. Perhaps as a shift supervisor at McDonald's that doesn't really make a difference, but in a place where people are heavily emotionally invested it is totally foolish. People obviously care about CA because we spend our free time playing it which for many of us is extremely valuable.

You have intimate knowledge of her conversations with the development team then? You have intimate knowledge of the pains she's taken to support them in the face of growing unrest and dissension? Will calling her actions or motives into question do anything to ease tensions on the forums?

[Skeggy553]

It was a perfectly valid view and many players are getting tired of the complete lack of communication from the devs. And yes I'm saying complete lack since:

1. Apparently it takes a major uproar (like a mod quitting) to get ANY kind of communication from them
2. When a dev does turn up it's like finding a flippin' unicorn. People treat it as a rare, impossibility of an event.

Can I suggest a development blog? I know other games do it, and it helps public relations when a fix or update is delayed, since people can see what you are actually doing. Half the fixes and updates don't get any mention on castle age at all.

[Captain Ron]

So if I am hearing this correctly you should never question authority if you are in a position of power yourself? The country I live in would still be under British rule if everyone followed this kind of advice.

[BobicusTheConqurer]

I'd strongly advise deleting both that thread and this one. I'd be all for locking this one. As for SD's thread, I see nothing wrong about it, and it seems to have been useful and made its point. Dissemination of a better mod interaction policy would be beneficial.Not a bad idea at all, though in simple small words. I don't want to have to put on my lawyers hat again, I don't like, you don't like it, nobody likes it when the armchair lawyers start arguing their cases here.

[pull lead]

Listen, the point of this wasn't to get all of your panties in a wad because a noob has some legitimate criticism of a moderator. It was to point out the unprofessional behavior of someone that represents CA. I have no interest in debating the subject. I am right in this case whether you want to believe it or not. Obviously it's been noticed so this thread has served its intent.

[Cerbykins]

I just want to say I think it's absolutely pathetic what SDHawk posted. As a moderator, whether you think so or not, you represent the CA Staff to the vast majority of people that casually read the boards. Most people don't understand the difference between a dev and a board mod. To just start up some outrageous complaint thread like that was of horrific judgment. Not only is it a pretty ridiculous complaint, but the fact that you make a dev waste her time by having to defend the game and play damage control is remarkably irresponsible. You obviously have never held a position of leadership outside of the internet, so let me let you in on a little secret. It is not your job to start an uprising, it's your job to quell them. If you have a problem that you feel so strongly about, e-mail the devs about it. I'm shocked they are letting you remain a mod after that.

The Guild Battle system is like a month old, is not important at all - it's just yet another aspect of the game, and as they've said they are working on fixing/updating it. We've already seen progress in the past few days anyway. If they never released Guild Battles would you have threatened to quit CA now? Obviously not, so why quit over something that is completely optional and yields virtually no benefit to participating? It makes no sense.

EDIT: Link to the referenced thread - http://www.castleageforums.com/cforum/showthread.php?t=41766

For what it's worth normally I'd agree but GvG has been suffering for a while now and no real sign of fixes (although they were surely being worked on). I'm surprised a bit uprising didn't happen sooner...at least with a mod as community voice it will remain relatively civilised.
Also for what it's worth the mods do have some form of responsibility in being the people who are perceived - rightly or wrongly - as the people with the most pull with the devs.

The GvG mess and now the eggs are a pretty ugly situation but what's done is done.

[BobicusTheConqurer]

So if I am hearing this correctly you should never question authority if you are in a position of power yourself? The country I live in would still be under British rule if everyone followed this kind of advice.For once Captain Ron and I agree about something. People (including moderators, and even developers) have a right to say what they think, like it or not.

[BobicusTheConqurer]

I am right in this case whether you want to believe it or not. As well said by every religious fanatic since the beginning of time.

[Skeggy553]

The country I live in would still be under British rule if everyone followed this kind of advice.

Meh, We'd have given it back anyway. turns out empires are more trouble than they're worth ;)

I am right in this case whether you want to believe it or not.

Okay, I get into philosophical and theological debates a lot and this is the kind of attitude that would have me walking out in disgust.

Edit: Bobicus beat me to that one. Nice.

[arKRazor]

I've editted the first post to add the link. I'd strongly advise deleting both that thread and this one. Please however, take note of my point.

This is separate argument but, here goes. Deletion of debates you find distasteful is tantamount to a deletion of history, especially on a forum. Even within the raging flames, valid arguments were made and the devs made known their will. If the thread deteriorates, lock it, but do not delete it.

[Spellfire]

Listen, the point of this wasn't to get all of your panties in a wad because a noob has some legitimate criticism of a moderator. It was to point out the unprofessional behavior of someone that represents CA. I have no interest in debating the subject. I am right in this case whether you want to believe it or not. Obviously it's been noticed so this thread has served its intent.

It's because she is just a normal player like us and she does not represent CA or the devs. In addition to that, she has volunteered her time to be a mod.. so reflect back upon your words.

[mrwebb8825]

maybe she had PMS (PO's Mod Syndrome) ;)

[adam ahman]

Listen, the point of this wasn't to get all of your panties in a wad because a noob has some legitimate criticism of a moderator. It was to point out the unprofessional behavior of someone that represents CA. I have no interest in debating the subject. I am right in this case whether you want to believe it or not. Obviously it's been noticed so this thread has served its intent.

Um...NO and NO...epic fail...-10 Dev points for you! ;)
Ya know, the way you talk sure sounds like a Dev in disguise!!! :mad:
SERIOUSLY...I'm sick of you DEVS playing these stupid mind games! JUST FIX THE GAME and stop acting like your just some random player...yeah you been caught...time to find a new forum name...!! :eek:

[pull lead]

You guys are acting like CA is your country. It's a completely optional, free online video game, not to mention a business. If you owned a store and one of your managers was complaining over the loud speaker about how poorly the store was run and how the owner didn't care at all about it what would you do?

[labalaba]

Listen, the point of this wasn't to get all of your panties in a wad because a noob has some legitimate criticism of a moderator. It was to point out the unprofessional behavior of someone that represents CA. I have no interest in debating the subject. I am right in this case whether you want to believe it or not. Obviously it's been noticed so this thread has served its intent.

You really don't get it do you, it's exactly the opposite, volunteered mods represent
the community, not CA, not the devs. From professionalism view, SD is the most honest
moderator around, but she's not shouting out loud because she hasn't tried to talk to
them yet, you wouldn't even know how BAD it is if she didn't show up.

[Everything Zen]

The OP is a idiot.

[Punkle]

I agree with the OP. That thread was really bad judgment from a moderator.
Bad language and empty threats.

[arKRazor]

Um...NO and NO...epic fail...-10 Dev points for you! ;)
Ya know, the way you talk sure sounds like a Dev in disgiuse!!! :mad:
SERIOUSLY...I'm sick of you DEVS playing these stupid mind games! JUST FIX THE GAME and stop acting like your just some random player...yeah you been caught...time to find a new forum name...!! :eek:

*Nearly chokes* I doubt the devs would be quite that childish. Even if they had their fun from time to time, I severely doubt it would be in a manner destructive to the goodwill of the players.

[Radiobandit]

maybe she had PMS (PO's Mod Syndrome) ;)

Seems to happen with a lot of the female mods.

[adam ahman]

You guys are acting like CA is your country. It's a completely optional, free online video game, not to mention a business. If you owned a store and one of your managers was complaining over the loud speaker about how poorly the store was run and how the owner didn't care at all about it what would you do?

Are you all reading this??!! Does this not sound like a Dev?? :confused:
I'm waiting for pull lead to double, to double his/her words. :rolleyes:

[Spellfire]

I agree with the OP. That thread was really bad judgment from a moderator.
Bad language and empty threats.

You have known SD longer than me. If currently SD is not a mod and she creates that thread, what is your opinion again? First and foremost, she is still a player and she is who is she.

[pull lead]

Are you all reading this??!! Does this not sounds like a Dev?? :confused:
I'm waiting for pull lead to double, to double his/her words. :rolleyes:

I'm a dev because I actually care about sustaining the game? You all do realize that what keep CA going is largely the motivation of the devs. When all they see when they read the boards are people complaining and whining about how much the devs suck and don't care I'm sure it's very demotivating. After awhile they are just going to say screw it and get another job. I'm sure adam that you don't actually have a job, but if you did and all the interaction you had with your customers was them complaining would that make you want to continue? It blows my mind how some of you people honestly think... it really does.

[adam ahman]

*Nearly chokes* I doubt the devs would be quite that childish. Even if they had their fun from time to time, I severely doubt it would be in a manner destructive to the goodwill of the players.

I don't doubt anything! :cool:

[Captain Ron]

This is one of the reasons I have never applied to be a mod. I am very opinionated about this game and I will not keep my opinions to myself just because some people think I have to go along with the company line. No matter how much I may disagree with it.

Some of the best things in life have come from challenging the Status quo.

[Punkle]

You have known SD longer than me. If currently SD is not a mod and she creates that thread, what is your opinion again? First and foremost, she is still a player and she is who is she.

As a mod SD have responsibility. When SD or ANY mod writes on the forum, they do so as mods.

Way to handle it?
PM to the Admins saying I Quit.
Possibly make thread on the forum saying g'bye.

Not get a tantrum. That's for regular users.

[MarTooth]

Even if it was bad judgement we all make mistakes, personally I'm a case that sometimes we all need to vent and as long as, if we were in the wrong to do so we take a chill out and say sorry all's cool. Did the same thing once on the site I worked and I was what you'd consider a dev (as in I worked on the site it's self helping with some of the more minor content and cheat tracking), sometimes even the best of people (and don't count my self as one of them, lol) blow a fuse.

We're all human (well ignoring any bots out there, lol), question is why start a new thread instead of posting this to the one in question, kinda looses you the argument from the offset when you don't even follow sensible protocols your self :)

[bbernascone]

I just want to say I think it's absolutely pathetic what SDHawk posted. As a moderator, whether you think so or not, you represent the CA Staff to the vast majority of people that casually read the boards. Most people don't understand the difference between a dev and a board mod. To just start up some outrageous complaint thread like that was of horrific judgment. Not only is it a pretty ridiculous complaint, but the fact that you make a dev waste her time by having to defend the game and play damage control is remarkably irresponsible. You obviously have never held a position of leadership outside of the internet, so let me let you in on a little secret. It is not your job to start an uprising, it's your job to quell them. If you have a problem that you feel so strongly about, e-mail the devs about it. I'm shocked they are letting you remain a mod after that.

The Guild Battle system is like a month old, is not important at all - it's just yet another aspect of the game, and as they've said they are working on fixing/updating it. We've already seen progress in the past few days anyway. If they never released Guild Battles would you have threatened to quit CA now? Obviously not, so why quit over something that is completely optional and yields virtually no benefit to participating? It makes no sense.

EDIT: Link to the referenced thread - http://www.castleageforums.com/cforum/showthread.php?t=41766

+1 I agree. A Mod should not have posted such a blantant rant. The Mod is in a position to help guide and MODERATE the forum rules. I firmly belive this Mod is not of a tactful enough disposition to hold the title of MOD. She is to rash and emotionally driven

Did this really need it's own thread? Mod's are players just like you and I. They are allowed to get upset when a game they love looks like it is missing a huge opportunity. I am in management and I have disagreements with my superiors all of the time. And believe me, everyone knows it.

I like you Ron, But i agree with the OP. The responsibility of Mod should be appointed to a more level headed individual

A link to the thread in question could be helpful here http://www.castleageforums.com/cforum/showthread.php?t=41766.

Please realize that all the moderators are volunteering their time to help make these forums and therefore Castle Age as a whole a better experience for everyone. It is not possible for us to please everyone here. We are human and capable of making mistakes. (For example, I have given out an infraction when I meant to give a warning; when the person let me know I reversed the infraction.) If you have an issue with something one of us has done, please let us know so it can be resolved. Thank you.

That was me :D I did deserved the warning, and probualy an infraction point. From my time here on the forum you have always conducted yourself in a professional manner.

She felt strongly enough at the time to leave her position and the game over the matter. If that is not the time to be bluntly honest... I don't know when would be better.

Gripes go up, not out to public. this was completely dis-tasteful and showed a total and complete lack of patience and disregard for her position. She has zero for tact. It was completely uncalled for. More resembled a spoiled child's fit than a rational conversation. Whether she decides to quit CA is her option, regardless she should be stripped of all MODERATOR capabilities and title. She does not hold the mental aptitude for her position. That post was utterly disgusting

posting so I get notifications of new posts :D
+1 for your spam count :D

I've editted the first post to add the link. I'd strongly advise deleting both that thread and this one. Please however, take note of my point. Dissemination of a better mod interaction policy would be beneficial.

I've seen nothing but professionalism from you, Hrothbeort and that is exactly how a mod should be acting.

+1 again

So if I am hearing this correctly you should never question authority if you are in a position of power yourself? The country I live in would still be under British rule if everyone followed this kind of advice.

It is not about questioning authority, it was the way it was presented and displayed. As stated above, it reminds me of a spoiled child throwing a fit. Not a person fit to hold such a position of Moderator. Being a moderator does not allow you speacial rights to rant, throw fits or be so harsh. Personally, I'm happy that she has decided to leave CA and hopefully this forum. There is no need for such garbage. People are here to learn discuss CA and enjoy each other and the game. A moderators job is to guild, enforce the rules and handle themselves in a MATURE manner. Her post was truley disgusting. I let down and disappointment for the other Mod's and the CA Dev's...a shame.

[pull lead]

Even if it was bad judgement we all make mistakes, personally I'm a case that sometimes we all need to vent and as long as, if we were in the wrong to do so we take a chill out and say sorry all's cool. Did the same thing once on the site I worked and I was what you'd consider a dev (as in I worked on the site it's self helping with some of the more minor content and cheat tracking), sometimes even the best of people (and don't count my self as one of them, lol) blow a fuse.

We're all human (well ignoring any bots out there, lol), question is why start a new thread instead of posting this to the one in question, kinda looses you the argument from the offset when you don't even follow sensible protocols your self :)

The point is you can't just say "sorry" and it's all better. I'm sure plenty of people read the initial Salvo then never came back to it. The damage was done. You can't allow people who are supposed to be serving the better interest of the game do that. How many childish Hrothbeort threads have we seen with nothing but emotional, virtually incoherent attacks against the devs?

The point of the new thread is because it is about bad moderators, not Dragon Eggs.

[sighlenti]

this thread should be combined with the other... it's not worth it to have two separate threads dealing with the same issue

[adam ahman]

I'm a dev because I actually care about sustaining the game? You all do realize that what keep CA going is largely the motivation of the devs. When all they see when they read the boards are people complaining and whining about how much the devs suck and don't care I'm sure it's very demotivating. After awhile they are just going to say screw it and get another job. I'm sure adam that you don't actually have a job, but if you did and all the interaction you had with your customers was them complaining would that make you want to continue? It blows my mind how some of you people honestly think... it really does.

At least the cats out of the bag huh? So now that we know your Dev and I have your attention...Players complain and will always complain about some things thats apart of your business man! As far as the bugs...hmmm...you took the potions, you havent fixed grammer in the game, and of course guild wars are, lets just say...out of wack...LOOK...just fix it them is all!
Oh and While your saying I don't have a job....hmm..you can be a rich programmer...never the less you were still a nerd in college...while I weas getting laid as a Superstar! Yeah...thats my job selling records and making money...and by the way I've one of your best customers having spent thousands so guess what my opinion matters...because I buy your booze buddy!! Don't forget it!!!" :cool:

[Mursilis]

Ok, we're not going to be running around second guessing a mod's posts, especially not in a thread dedicated to such criticism. As such I'm locking this thread, I'm sure you understand.