Things Seem to be Getting out of Hand

[Elderban]

I dont think so.

I could post chat from tonight, but I am sure I would get busted for violating the ToS for copy/pasting what they said...

[GV-Tanith]

Coming to the forum does NOT help the situation.

I must respectfully disagree. This forum is where we discuss matters important to us, such as our community. And I consider the F2P'ers who are truly exploring and falling in love with the game to be as much a part of the community as the old-timers. It might be that we all together can come up with a satisfactory and effective solution.

[Lara69690]

I see more nasty in chats in the lowbie areas than in the higher level areas, that's for sure.

To the OP, I'm sorry your kids witnessed this, but I have to agree with some of the other posters...they shouldn't be playing or reading the chat in this game in the first place. Lesson learned, now you can handle it any way you wish.

If you want to continue to let them play, I suggest turning off all chat channels. It's what I did when I let my boys play WoW with me. And they had to group with me as well as it kept them out of trouble and we got some quality time together.

I have watched our lowbie chats slowly de-evolve over the course of the last year and a half and I'm disappointed but not surprised. It's a huge reason why I won't let my kids play this game now even though I could turn off the chats here too. Really they need to focus on school and their own extra-curricular activities and not spend their spare time glued to the computer.

Good luck, OP, I know raising kids is very tough in today's society.

[harrisben]

I feel this was to be expected. Both, the bad behavior in chat and the OP's position.

OP, you have several options at your disposal;

1) The chat-filter
2) The /ignore feature
3) The /report feature
4) Turning off several chat channels

Coming to the forum does NOT help the situation. Using the tools Turbine gave you, will.

It never seems to amaze me when people try to cram their ideas down everyone else's throats, rather than doing something constructive to alleviate the situation.

Despite the fact that I don't agree with the OP that things are particularly worse than they've been at any other time, let the guy have his opinion! Your post comes across as very condescending.

[tkdyoo]

I respect your concern for the chat...but...just turn off the chats (save for kin) when playing. I have plenty of nieces and nephews in that age range, Ive let them play, problems dont come up.

Sometimes...I just feel people are much too sensitive about language/violence in general.

[Aolain]

I do understand that I am in the minority here.

Still, I think it is ok for folks who hold an opinion that most people disagree with to voice their opinion.

I am not saying that the majority is wrong; I am simply giving voice to my opinion.

Seems fair enough to me.

From my perspective, think of what it is like to be a new person coming into the game. To see the various commentary, to see attacks on ethinc groups, etc. I admit that I am, perhaps, too sensitive.

What would a new person say?

Many, if not most, would agree with the majority and shrug their shoulders. I am not saying they would be wrong. Some, however, would be horrified.

Again, this is just my opinion and I know that most completely disagree with me--and that is OK.

[Khementari]

Things are getting out of hand, because Sauron is winning - and no doubt ingame chat and these forums constitute a huge part of his subtle plans to spread fear and corruption among the peoples of the West....

I don't expect it to get better until the Black Captain of the Nazgul, Mr. "Witch-King" himself, gets skewered by a woman and a hobbit on the Pelennor Fields, and the tide begins to turn. Then, perhaps, the purveyors of gloom and the merchants of foul words overrunning this game will look for deep holes to hide themselves - in the Ered Lithui, perhaps, in cracks where the sun don't shine....

[SacredChandelier]

Really they need to focus on school and their own extra-curricular activities and not spend their spare time glued to the computer.

Yes to this.

[SacredChandelier]

to see attacks on ethinc groups, etc. I admit that I am, perhaps, too sensitive.
.

Everyone's sensitive to that. If there's one thing the GM's will squash flat it's that. I haven't seen it at all but if you have a report will work.

[Harry2]

It is getting worse than its been in quite a while. Sadly, there are those who feel glorified in extolling their knowledge of vulgar and demeaning terms and behavior. They feel that this in someway gains them respect, or they just don't care. Either way, it is the Community's responsibility to report them when necessary, as much as possible.
There are those who will defend the actions of these disreputable trolls, using attack tactics, shame, and ridicule. Ignore them, as they are just trying to stir the cauldron. Do what your conscience tells you is right. Then add that person to your ignore list, and enjoy the game. As for children playing the game, that is a call that each parent must make for their own. Some children can be more mature than some adults. Some look to adults to model their own behavior. Some adults can be more childish than children. The internet allows anonymity, but nowhere does it say that it is an automatic license to act stupid. One of the drawbacks of F2P accounts IS the ability to start over, but it is also a plus. After all, perhaps a person might learn a lesson in etiquette, and behave better. Stand fast, all decent and noble players. Do not sink to the level of those who act out, but stick to your principles, and do your duty to the community. Be patient as much as possible, because Turbine has woefully unprepared themselves for these consequences that have occurred since F2P started. Remember this though, a Troll is not limited to just being a new player, because sadly we have older, current, and returning players who seem to have forgotten how to act in public.

[frenchy2999]

It's sadly a bad problem in most mmorpg, I frankly rarely have /trade active in WoW(unless I am looking for a group), there is too much immature/racist/homophobic and simple offensive chat.

My best advice to you is: let you grand children play(would be a shame to cut them off), just turn chat channels off while they are around

[RictrasShard]

I was making a trip through breeland the other day and every other word in the advice channel was an F bomb among other terms. For those that say it never existed, well, I never was THIS bad before.

Ah, so you're the guilty party then!

Your sentence is twofold. First, you must spend fifty hours of community service in the Barrens chat. After that is done, you must watch a Uwe Boll movie.

[VPQRDE]

Normally I'm a fierce and liberal advocate of free speech, but today's Landroval GLFF hit new all-time lows (and I've played A LOT at all hours over three years). I broke down and doubled my normally slim list of 10 or 15 ignored consistent GLFF spammers. I simply assumed at one point that SURELY a GM was going to ban several people any moment now during the juvenile sex physiology spew.

After being there, I just wanted to chime in and agree with the OP. Maybe it's just normal language for kids these days, but it's a fact that it's pathetic and unfortunate in comparison to the past.

[Lochhi]

Perhaps there are people that would like to remain in the aforementioned chat channels?

I have no problem with the occasional goings-on that happen in the chat channels, but when people are there for the sole purpose of "stirring the pot", if you will, then something needs to be done about it.

And the people that the OP mentioned are CLEARLY violating the Terms of Service, so something should be done about them.

So, report them. Situation solved and this thread is totally unnecessary.

[tkdyoo]

oh yes, Im definitely not advocating acting the way Ive seen the chats be. Its sad to think of how different people's experience first coming in to the game may be than the quiet friendly atmosphere I first saw. I will admit though that I havnt been privy to as many crazy discussions as some people seem to have witnessed. Anything like race attacks or violations of TOS should definitely be squashed immediately. However, I dont think they have the man power to quite accomplish that

[Maihgread]

I agree, things on Silverlode have went pear shaped since F2P. From general chat to a new person invited to our kinship who then stole everything they could from the guild vaults the game is losing the wonderful community it has always had.

[Squill2k4]

The game is rated Teen. They are too young to play either way.

[Thalian39]

I respect your concern for the chat...but...just turn off the chats (save for kin) when playing. I have plenty of nieces and nephews in that age range, Ive let them play, problems dont come up.

^^^^This.

I don't care if the trash talking has reached crackhouse proportions, leaving any chat channels on with kids under 12 around is just bad parenting, imho. (Yeah, I went there.)

Thal

[Uwela]

I think that the OP is a liar and provocator. I rarely see any chat going on at all, not to mention mentioned violations.

And for "old-timers" here: don;t forget that you've been scarying away new people for all those years with your attitude, had brought the game on its knees and now brazen enough to continue your ridiculous behaviour. Ridiculous and unwise.

[KelronVladseal]

Honestly not seeing the big deal here, this is common in most MMO's anymore. Why if your this sensitive to just chat would you let your kids play a online game? This is honestly just as common on any online activity(Xbox 360, PS3, any PC game whether it be FPS/MMO/RTS). My son is almost 4, and anytime he is around I normally just mute people(when playing on my 360) and one of these days when he is old enough to play these games(he has taken much interest in watching me play MMO's, but he cannot read yet so no harm done) I will just turn off said chat channels, not the end of the world.

But in all honesty I agree with people above, free speech is part of America and most online gaming.. if this bothers you don't play, or turn off chat. Honestly though your kids/grandkids(whatever) will at some point witness this whether watching movies, playing games, or just going to school.

[Laire]

Honestly? Elendilmir's OOCs have been really clean. And I've been hanging out in the newbie areas very frequently. Maybe our horrible GLFF has desensitized me. But, then again, other than a couple people, it hasn't been too bad in a while. Strange.

Our server's long and complicated name scared off the morons, perhaps. XD

Agreed with other posters on kids around game with OOC going rampart. I just go to my IM tab when I let the little one play (she likes riding the horse). Shouldn't have happened in the first place, because there was always a chance before of chat becoming bad.

Hire more GMs with your new monies, Turbine. XD

[trancejeremy]

Honestly, the only real difference is the sort of stuff that used to be in GLFF is now in public channels. Because the new people don't know about GLFF.

Before, you could just avoid it by not ever using GLFF (I tried it once and left immediately). Now it's admittedly not so easy. But the alternative was literally no one ever talking in public. At least on Landroval, which is like one of those gated communities or private clubs, they don't want to do with you unless you are a member.

Now you do have to put up with some annoyances, but a liberal use of the ignore function takes care of that. On the plus side, it's just great to see people talking and in many cases, helping each other. That is something that had sadly been missing from this game for years.

[Elderban]

So, report them. Situation solved and this thread is totally unnecessary.

Oh yes, you are correct. How thoughtless of me. Heaven forbid someone express their concerns on the forums here.

The only problem is, is that I reported someone for using vulgar, racist langauge and intentionally using characters that would circumvent the in-game censor and they were still online even after the ticket was closed. I would have made my own thread regarding the matter, but I saw this one, so I posted my concerns here.

If you don't like the thread, don't read it or respond to it. Your responses are totally unnecessary.

[KelronVladseal]

Oh yes, you are correct. How thoughtless of me. Heaven forbid someone express their concerns on the forums here.

The only problem is, is that I reported someone for using vulgar, racist langauge and intentionally using characters that would circumvent the in-game censor and they were still online even after the ticket was closed. I would have made my own thread regarding the matter, but I saw this one, so I posted my concerns here.

If you don't like the thread, don't read it or respond to it. Your responses are totally unnecessary.

GM's have been known to close tickets before dealing punishment(at least in Turbine's case), but his opinion is just as important as yours and the OP's if paying for a sub..

[whheydt]

But in all honesty I agree with people above, free speech is part of America and most online gaming.

I see this claim made repeatedly. Free speech rights apply to Government action. They do not apply to business or private individuals. Turbine can, perfectly legally, ban any sort of language it likes on it's own servers and no one can touch them for it legally.

I wish people would get over this idea that "freedom of speech" is an absolute, any more--as it has been said--that "freedom of the press doesn't mean YOUR freedom of MY press."

--W. H. Heydt

Old Used Programmer