Hey everyone,
We wanted to come forward as a team and apologize for a lot of the frustration and uncertainty that has been caused in regards to our policies on naming. We are very aware that our actions have been viewed as excessive, and we can understand why some would feel upset about that.
If nothing more, [i]please [/i]know that our intentions, first and foremost, are to maintain a safe and enjoyable site for everyone. We've seen what can happen when game mechanics are used to cause disruption and harassment to fellow players, either targeted or en-masse, and that's not what we want for anyone. However, in our efforts to protect players from that kind of behavior, we have swung too hard and too wide, and fully recognize that. We are still fallible humans, and humans do err in their judgment.
While we will continue to strive to keep [i]Flight Rising[/i] safe and fun, we want everyone to know that going forward we will be giving thoughtful and heavy evaluation to how we approach and act on this subject.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Update:
Hello everyone,
Thank you so much for feedback regarding this issue. We've been reading your concerns and are working to address them.
[list]
[*]Players need an easy to find policy for what names are and are not acceptable.
[*]Many names that are on the banned names list (Ie: You are unable to enter the name into the name field and hit confirm) have been excessive. On their own, many of these names are not problematic and do not violate our naming policy. Please note that if a name is used with the intent to harass or vandalize another player's offspring list, the account owner may file a report and we will address these instances on a case-by-case basis. Spite exalting is not allowed, but other players should not be punished by being unable to use a name because of the behavior of a few.[/list]
We've taken some time to put together an [b][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=wiki&article=51]article regarding our naming policy.[/url][/b].
In the coming days will be removing several names from the banned names list that were contextual and only problematic when used to harass another player via their offspring list. We will be reviewing each name in the list, and this may take some time. Names that violate our [b][url=http://flightrising.com/main.php?p=wiki&article=51]naming policy[/url][/b] will remain unavailable for use.
Additionally, we attempted to implement the ability for players to toggle whether the dragons in their lair will visually display offspring that have been exalted. Unfortunately, this caused some nasty performance issues, so we backed the feature out so that we can continue to work on it. While we cannot make any promises or estimates right now, we hope to include this or something like it in the future.
Hey everyone,
We wanted to come forward as a team and apologize for a lot of the frustration and uncertainty that has been caused in regards to our policies on naming. We are very aware that our actions have been viewed as excessive, and we can understand why some would feel upset about that.
If nothing more,
please know that our intentions, first and foremost, are to maintain a safe and enjoyable site for everyone. We've seen what can happen when game mechanics are used to cause disruption and harassment to fellow players, either targeted or en-masse, and that's not what we want for anyone. However, in our efforts to protect players from that kind of behavior, we have swung too hard and too wide, and fully recognize that. We are still fallible humans, and humans do err in their judgment.
While we will continue to strive to keep
Flight Rising safe and fun, we want everyone to know that going forward we will be giving thoughtful and heavy evaluation to how we approach and act on this subject.
Update:
Hello everyone,
Thank you so much for feedback regarding this issue. We've been reading your concerns and are working to address them.
- Players need an easy to find policy for what names are and are not acceptable.
- Many names that are on the banned names list (Ie: You are unable to enter the name into the name field and hit confirm) have been excessive. On their own, many of these names are not problematic and do not violate our naming policy. Please note that if a name is used with the intent to harass or vandalize another player's offspring list, the account owner may file a report and we will address these instances on a case-by-case basis. Spite exalting is not allowed, but other players should not be punished by being unable to use a name because of the behavior of a few.
We've taken some time to put together an
article regarding our naming policy..
In the coming days will be removing several names from the banned names list that were contextual and only problematic when used to harass another player via their offspring list. We will be reviewing each name in the list, and this may take some time. Names that violate our
naming policy will remain unavailable for use.
Additionally, we attempted to implement the ability for players to toggle whether the dragons in their lair will visually display offspring that have been exalted. Unfortunately, this caused some nasty performance issues, so we backed the feature out so that we can continue to work on it. While we cannot make any promises or estimates right now, we hope to include this or something like it in the future.
Flight Rising Developer
Project Management | Engineering Team Cheerleader | UI Designer
Does this mean that harmless names like Mulch will be unbanned? I really liked that name and wanted it for a character name.
Does this mean that harmless names like Mulch will be unbanned? I really liked that name and wanted it for a character name.
@
Xhaztol
Thank you for clarifying the issue on naming, however more of us are concerned about the number of users who have been banned in the last two days, allegedly for botting, when we can vouch for the fact they did not. I agree it is a serious issue that needs to be looked into in order to protect the economy, but banning these false positives and then telling them to reopen new accounts next registration window is unfair.
You and the other staff of FR have created, purposefully or not, a community that might be a lot more cohesive and cooperative, even across flights, beyond the website mechanic of dominance battles. Altruistic behavior on the forums is the norm; giveaways, nest rentals, entire flights organising elaborate events for festivals etc. I am personally hoarding large amounts of specific items ahead of the Earth festival and many members also spend huge amounts of time accumulating items on behalf of others. Now for fear of being banned, many people are reducing the time they spend on the coliseum and FR.
I feel this sense of community is much stronger than on other pet sites I have been on. Please unban *redacted* and the other false positives affected by this and not compound your mistake by forcing them to re-register. I am not on Tumblr, where most of the discussion on the issue is occuring, but all of us on the Earth forum are deeply concerned for this and gathering festive items to await her return.
@
Xhaztol
Thank you for clarifying the issue on naming, however more of us are concerned about the number of users who have been banned in the last two days, allegedly for botting, when we can vouch for the fact they did not. I agree it is a serious issue that needs to be looked into in order to protect the economy, but banning these false positives and then telling them to reopen new accounts next registration window is unfair.
You and the other staff of FR have created, purposefully or not, a community that might be a lot more cohesive and cooperative, even across flights, beyond the website mechanic of dominance battles. Altruistic behavior on the forums is the norm; giveaways, nest rentals, entire flights organising elaborate events for festivals etc. I am personally hoarding large amounts of specific items ahead of the Earth festival and many members also spend huge amounts of time accumulating items on behalf of others. Now for fear of being banned, many people are reducing the time they spend on the coliseum and FR.
I feel this sense of community is much stronger than on other pet sites I have been on. Please unban *redacted* and the other false positives affected by this and not compound your mistake by forcing them to re-register. I am not on Tumblr, where most of the discussion on the issue is occuring, but all of us on the Earth forum are deeply concerned for this and gathering festive items to await her return.
DC2.S?GmL-W-TPaPlSkfCbr|br-B-AFr--NpM-H+$-FoR+Ac+J--S--U--I-V?Q---Tc---E++Df+
They can make an attempt to unfreeze their accounts and if they don't try, that's on them.
At least the staff came forward and apologized to the 3000+ people in this site.
That takes a lot and I'm more than certain that they're doing their best to resolve issues.
Thank you @
Xhaztol, @
Undel, and the rest of the FR team.
We appreciate the time you spend on this site and we a grateful for your ability to admit your errors.
They can make an attempt to unfreeze their accounts and if they don't try, that's on them.
At least the staff came forward and apologized to the 3000+ people in this site.
That takes a lot and I'm more than certain that they're doing their best to resolve issues.
Thank you @
Xhaztol, @
Undel, and the rest of the FR team.
We appreciate the time you spend on this site and we a grateful for your ability to admit your errors.
This is really nice to know.
It was unfortunate that your policy of having people report and, as such, get innocent names banned purely because they don't like them in their offspring lists, was allowing people to, in a roundabout way, harass or target other players through you (and I'm not just talking about the obvious, I mean anyone who has one copy/pasted name that they used for exalt fodder that people complained about).
I hope that this means that you'll really be stepping back to evaluate which names should be banned and which ones are banned unnecessarily.
Personally, I'd like to see 'Sacrifice' unbanned. It's unfair to ban something like that, when it has so many diverse meanings. Sacrificed, yes, Sacrifice... what if my dragon has given up his or her place in the clan (sacrificed it) and I want to reflect that in their name? ;n;
Still, regardless of whether you do or not, this is definitely a step in the right direction!
This is really nice to know.
It was unfortunate that your policy of having people report and, as such, get innocent names banned purely because they don't like them in their offspring lists, was allowing people to, in a roundabout way, harass or target other players through you (and I'm not just talking about the obvious, I mean anyone who has one copy/pasted name that they used for exalt fodder that people complained about).
I hope that this means that you'll really be stepping back to evaluate which names should be banned and which ones are banned unnecessarily.
Personally, I'd like to see 'Sacrifice' unbanned. It's unfair to ban something like that, when it has so many diverse meanings. Sacrificed, yes, Sacrifice... what if my dragon has given up his or her place in the clan (sacrificed it) and I want to reflect that in their name? ;n;
Still, regardless of whether you do or not, this is definitely a step in the right direction!
UK time. Sorry for timezone-related delays in responses. They/Them.
[quote name="Greenzaku" date="2014-09-25 16:37:30"]@Xhaztol
Thank you for clarifying the issue on naming, however more of us are concerned about the number of users who have been banned in the last two days, allegedly for botting, when we can vouch for the fact they did not. I agree it is a serious issue that needs to be looked into in order to protect the economy, but banning these false positives and then telling them to reopen new accounts next registration window is unfair.
You and the other staff of FR have created, purposefully or not, a community that might be a lot more cohesive and cooperative, even across flights, beyond the website mechanic of dominance battles. Altruistic behavior on the forums is the norm; giveaways, nest rentals, entire flights organising elaborate events for festivals etc. I am personally hoarding large amounts of specific items ahead of the Earth festival and many members also spend huge amounts of time accumulating items on behalf of others. Now for fear of being banned, many people are reducing the time they spend on the coliseum and FR.
I feel this sense of community is much stronger than on other pet sites I have been on. Please unban StoneFlag and the other false positives affected by this and not compound your mistake by forcing them to re-register. I am not on Tumblr, where most of the discussion on the issue is occuring, but all of us on the Earth forum are deeply concerned for this and gathering festive items to await her return.[/quote]
@Greenzaku -- While I appreciate your concerns, please encourage your friend to contact us themselves to appeal. We're not able to discuss account suspensions or closures in the forums.
Greenzaku wrote on 2014-09-25 16:37:30:
@
Xhaztol
Thank you for clarifying the issue on naming, however more of us are concerned about the number of users who have been banned in the last two days, allegedly for botting, when we can vouch for the fact they did not. I agree it is a serious issue that needs to be looked into in order to protect the economy, but banning these false positives and then telling them to reopen new accounts next registration window is unfair.
You and the other staff of FR have created, purposefully or not, a community that might be a lot more cohesive and cooperative, even across flights, beyond the website mechanic of dominance battles. Altruistic behavior on the forums is the norm; giveaways, nest rentals, entire flights organising elaborate events for festivals etc. I am personally hoarding large amounts of specific items ahead of the Earth festival and many members also spend huge amounts of time accumulating items on behalf of others. Now for fear of being banned, many people are reducing the time they spend on the coliseum and FR.
I feel this sense of community is much stronger than on other pet sites I have been on. Please unban StoneFlag and the other false positives affected by this and not compound your mistake by forcing them to re-register. I am not on Tumblr, where most of the discussion on the issue is occuring, but all of us on the Earth forum are deeply concerned for this and gathering festive items to await her return.
@
Greenzaku -- While I appreciate your concerns, please encourage your friend to contact us themselves to appeal. We're not able to discuss account suspensions or closures in the forums.
Flight Rising Developer
Project Management | Engineering Team Cheerleader | UI Designer
To be honest, I don't mind much about the incident. The only reason this has become a big thing is because someone created a ****storm on tumblr about it, while they should have read the rules and not complained when being kicked for not obeying them, when they were already walking on thin ice. I don't think you guys did anything wrong. You guys are doing a great job maintaining the site, regardless of what some drama-loving users will say. Keep up the good work! :)
To be honest, I don't mind much about the incident. The only reason this has become a big thing is because someone created a ****storm on tumblr about it, while they should have read the rules and not complained when being kicked for not obeying them, when they were already walking on thin ice. I don't think you guys did anything wrong. You guys are doing a great job maintaining the site, regardless of what some drama-loving users will say. Keep up the good work! :)
[quote name="Greenzaku" date="2014-09-25 16:37:30"]
I agree it is a serious issue that needs to be looked into in order to protect the economy, but banning these false positives and then telling them to reopen new accounts next registration window is unfair.[/quote]
Not just unfair, but against the ToS and everything we've been told thus far. Kind of like the naming schemas- there's a lot of confusion and different answers and answers that were never written down anywhere else- such as there being different naming rules for exaltfodder and non-exaltfodder.
Greenzaku wrote on 2014-09-25 16:37:30:
I agree it is a serious issue that needs to be looked into in order to protect the economy, but banning these false positives and then telling them to reopen new accounts next registration window is unfair.
Not just unfair, but against the ToS and everything we've been told thus far. Kind of like the naming schemas- there's a lot of confusion and different answers and answers that were never written down anywhere else- such as there being different naming rules for exaltfodder and non-exaltfodder.
Thank you for listening to our concerns! It's great to know that you do listen to the community and will be more careful in the future.
Personally I think trying to police issues of users just not being nice to others (as opposed to targeted harassment) is going to be far too much work and far too complicated, and isn't worth your time. Different people dislike different things in their offspring lists, including a large number of people who dislike unnamed dragons or even exalted hatchlings at all, and there's really nothing that can be done about that.
One good solution that I've seen proposed before would be to just put the offspring list on a separate page (with a link like "5 offspring" on the dragon's page), so that people don't have to see whatever they dislike all the time.
In addition, it would be really nice to see clearer rules on what does and doesn't at least warrant consideration for a name-ban. Basically, the current state of things seems to be that some users simply report anything they happen to dislike and get some of those names banned, while most of us never report any names unless they're obviously against the rules (slurs etc). It's an unfortunate situation where some people end up having a disproportionate effect on policy, including, as Greyjoy said, essentially harassing other users by reporting their names.
Thank you for listening to our concerns! It's great to know that you do listen to the community and will be more careful in the future.
Personally I think trying to police issues of users just not being nice to others (as opposed to targeted harassment) is going to be far too much work and far too complicated, and isn't worth your time. Different people dislike different things in their offspring lists, including a large number of people who dislike unnamed dragons or even exalted hatchlings at all, and there's really nothing that can be done about that.
One good solution that I've seen proposed before would be to just put the offspring list on a separate page (with a link like "5 offspring" on the dragon's page), so that people don't have to see whatever they dislike all the time.
In addition, it would be really nice to see clearer rules on what does and doesn't at least warrant consideration for a name-ban. Basically, the current state of things seems to be that some users simply report anything they happen to dislike and get some of those names banned, while most of us never report any names unless they're obviously against the rules (slurs etc). It's an unfortunate situation where some people end up having a disproportionate effect on policy, including, as Greyjoy said, essentially harassing other users by reporting their names.
@
Xhaztol, thank you for the clarification. I went ahead and sent in a question via the Contact Us form earlier today with a question about my dragon's name.
In that same e-mail, I also made mention that your naming policy isn't very clear. Yes, the site rules extend to dragon names, but no where on there does it say that you aren't allowed to mass exalt dragons with the same name or that you aren't allowed to use death related names. What's more confusing is that on the last Q&A thread (and Akiri's post
here), you made it seem like there were two sets of expectations for players who want to name dragons to keep them and name dragons to exalt them. It's really confusing.
Could you put a little bullet on the site rules regarding your expectations for naming dragons? We get the no obscenities/slurs/offensive stuff, but some of the stuff you brought to light in
this post isn't mentioned. I wouldn't have known if I wasn't following that particular thread.
Would you please consider unbanning non-offensive words so the rest of us can play normally and only take action against players who are abusing the policy?
@
Xhaztol, thank you for the clarification. I went ahead and sent in a question via the Contact Us form earlier today with a question about my dragon's name.
In that same e-mail, I also made mention that your naming policy isn't very clear. Yes, the site rules extend to dragon names, but no where on there does it say that you aren't allowed to mass exalt dragons with the same name or that you aren't allowed to use death related names. What's more confusing is that on the last Q&A thread (and Akiri's post
here), you made it seem like there were two sets of expectations for players who want to name dragons to keep them and name dragons to exalt them. It's really confusing.
Could you put a little bullet on the site rules regarding your expectations for naming dragons? We get the no obscenities/slurs/offensive stuff, but some of the stuff you brought to light in
this post isn't mentioned. I wouldn't have known if I wasn't following that particular thread.
Would you please consider unbanning non-offensive words so the rest of us can play normally and only take action against players who are abusing the policy?
