The moderators

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NewClassic_v1legacy

Bringer of Words
Jul 30, 2008
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The moderators? As individuals or a group?

As individuals, the things I could say on each rival my writing thread on the sheer verbosity, so I'll try to go into as much detail while staying brief.

nilcypher's a bit of my hero on the forums. He's not terribly talkative, nor is he around a terrible lot on any form of communication I have, so I don't know much about him. The posts of his that I read are wise as hell, something you can't really learn. I'm sure I could benefit a lot from hunting down his posts and reading them, but as we pass from thread to thread, I'm always impressed by his words.

WilsonsCrazyBed is someone I'd like to consider a friend, given how long I've been harassing him via the various channels. He's a cool guy, and takes his moderation position seriously, not strictly. It makes him easy to be around, easy-going, but effective. Good guy overall, and someone I'll probably one day play Team Fortress 2 with. Or maybe L4D, just to see what getting shotgunned in the back is like.

Labyrinth I've known since I showed up on the forums in any social capacity. Considering how well we know one another, I can't hardly separate old LaCoil from new, so she's as I remember her. A bit of a joker among the mods, as far as I can tell, but otherwise is rampantly determined to do a job that needs doing. Overzealous at times, but when hasn't she been?

Ultrajoe is still very Ultrajoe. It's like trying to describe color to a blind person, everyone has their own poetic vision of what the Ultrajoe is. When, honestly, he's not really Red Guard at all. The blue name is there, but the User Title is not, which I'd think is an important distinction. He's still an overwhelmingly cool guy, who I honestly don't hear much from anymore. I wonder if he spends more time modding or playing WoW?

Baby Tea has been one of the nicest guys I've ever met in my life. I've got a healthy amount of respect for him that borderlines obsession, a point over which he reminds me is creepy. Still, great guy, and someone I feel more lucky to call my friend than I altogether should be. A bit distant lately, I wonder if I've scared him off?

The Moderation Team:
It's a bit like watching a parent in a store, crouched over and firmly snapping at a child to behave. Most of what we see is the point where it becomes needed to chastise on a firm and visible level. Behind the scenes, there's probably birthday cakes being given, love, hugs, cuddles, and all of the great things seen longingly through the window in Dickinson novels. I can't even begin to imagine the scope of things I don't see when watching the moderation team doing their stuff.

On the whole though, they're a generally collected bunch that are bogged down with both public relations for the Escapist as a company and the upkeep of the Escapist as a community. I can respect the work that goes into that, and even more with the Moderation and Behind the Escapist usergroups trying to bridge that knowledge gap. They're great persons as a whole, and great persons as individuals.

Sometimes I have to wonder what all we don't see though, and if there are things more nefarious going on behind closed doors.
 

Neonbob

The Noble Nuker
Dec 22, 2008
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I think they do a great job keeping the forums under control.
There has only been one thing they've done that I didn't somewhat agree with, and that was later overturned after a review.

They get their job done with a minimal amount of fuss.
And, from my experience, most of them are just fine to talk with.
 

Citrus

New member
Apr 25, 2008
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They do some things I don't agree with. For example, on one thread, a person told a tongue-in-cheek sexist joke and he, and everybody who admitted to finding it funny, was punished. That's pretty terrible judgement in my opinion.

They're okay for the most part. There are lapses in consistency and some things that they should try to clarify, but they're only human, so whatever.
 

TheLefty

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May 21, 2008
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Machines Are Us said:
I don't mean this in a negative way, but providing examples of bans/suspensions/probations would probably help them understand what you mean. You won't get into trouble unless you are rude about it.
One that comes to mind is someone being put on probation for quoting someone say "The cake was a jokein 2007 and still is in 2009" or something along those lines and the probationie replied "Why"
 

A random person

New member
Apr 20, 2009
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Sometimes they've been a bit harsh on things I don't think warranted much, but for the most part they do a good job of socializing on the forums while staving off the more unsavory people like trolls and horribly immature people.
 

Sassafrass

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Legacy
Aug 24, 2009
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I have yet to fall foul of them and I don't intend to either. They do their job and do it well.
 

Neonbob

The Noble Nuker
Dec 22, 2008
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TeragRunner said:
Machines Are Us said:
I don't mean this in a negative way, but providing examples of bans/suspensions/probations would probably help them understand what you mean. You won't get into trouble unless you are rude about it.
One that comes to mind is someone being put on probation for quoting someone say "The cake was a jokein 2007 and still is in 2009" or something along those lines and the probationie replied "Why"
That person was probably probated because the mods are starting to crack down on low-content postings.
"Why" certainly qualifies as low-content.
 

NotAPie

Elite Member
Jan 19, 2009
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Shhhh...
They are watching, listening, and planning to destroy us all as we speak.
They are okay, I sometimes don't understand why they ban someone but none of my concern.
 

funksobeefy

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Mar 21, 2009
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HardRockSamurai said:
The Escapist has been called the "New Yorker" of video game websites, so it's understandable that they keep things under such a tight leash.
hahahahahaha! what? your joking right? have you actually read any of the posts? Honestly the other gaming sites must be pure and utter shit if this place is being called the "New Yorker".

I think there use of mod powers is extremely biased but not being a stupid poster I have yet to earn there misdirected wrath.
 

Laura.

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May 30, 2009
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They seem to have a good time every wednesday when Yahtzee posts a new ZP. :p
 

walls of cetepedes

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Jul 12, 2009
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Being a mod myself on another site, I have to say they do the job here better than I could.
I'm too harsh.

Also, Baby Tea's 'Listener Mail' is really great.
 

Zombie_Fish

Opiner of Mottos
Mar 20, 2009
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NewClassic said:
When, honestly, he's not really Red Guard at all. The blue name is there, but the User Title is not, which I'd think is an important distinction.
I actually know why that is. Takes a lot of fun and mystery out of it though.
 

Akai Shizuku

New member
Jul 24, 2009
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I'm glad the mods do their job, but I often find myself feeling that they take things a bit too far, considering things that bother no one to be infractions and dishing out punishment accordingly. Also, sometimes they lock good threads down for seemingly no reason at all. Threads that aren't offending anybody, not causing flame wars, and are actually beneficial.

I think the mods should be a bit more negotiable and reasonable overall. See my latest infraction (I'll usually be suspended or on probation) for details. I almost never flame or say something with the intention to troll. I might even get banned for this post because I questioned the mods' actions.
 

Samurai Goomba

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Oct 7, 2008
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MaxTheReaper said:
Sometimes I wish there were more of them, though.
Not a good plan if you're trying to avoid them. Just saying.

I have less a problem with the mods and more of a problem with seeing these topics pop up every time we have a discussion in a topic somewhere about a disputed lock or ban. I mean, one or two moderation topics is okay I guess, but even one of them tends to herald a wave of Escapist PR threads on subjects we've gone over several times.

I haven't really taken the time to get to know any of the mods, so they're all just mods to me. They do a good job, though, especially compared to other forum moderation I've seen elsewhere. Nothing's perfect, but whatever. I was surprised when Ultrajoe and Labyrinth got their shiny Red Guard status. Especially after a certain annoying Ultraprank.
 

Standby

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Jul 24, 2008
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Apart from the one 'Red Guard' who was slightly up his own arse, all the interactions i've had or seen from the mods have been fine.

EDIT: It does get slightly annoying when i come across a thread i'd like to contribute to, only to find it locked with no given opinion.
 

Ophiuchus

8 miles high and falling fast
Mar 31, 2008
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I have no cause to dislike them as moderators - they've never done anything to piss me off and, as far as I'm aware, they'd say the same of me... so all's good. They have the best interests of the community in mind and they get the job done. Can't ask for anything more than that really.

As for my opinion of them as individuals - absolutely no idea. I've somehow managed to be here a year-and-a-half and over a thousand posts without really making friends or talking to anyone, so generally my opinion of anyone, moderator or otherwise, will be a resounding "idunno". (I mean, there's a few usernames that I spot and think "hey, they're alright" and whatnot, but it's really just a mental list of good guys.) However, I take the fact that they're put in a position of trust as a sign that they're generally good folks.
 

ElephantGuts

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Jul 9, 2008
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I used to have a lot of complaints with the mods here, but after they finally took my advice and recruited several members of the community into their ranks things have been much better.

Good job, guys.
 

Booze Zombie

New member
Dec 8, 2007
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Well, I have trouble understanding why they ban or suspend people, sometimes.
I mean, I got suspended for a non-pornographic image which they deemed pornographic, anyway.
Just two anime lesbians blushing and looking at each other in the eyes.

Other times, I can understand, or at least get that they've had past experiences with a person causing trouble.

I'm glad they banned Indigo Dingo, for instance.
Guy "forgot" to tell me he was suspended when he sent me a paragraph he wanted posted on "his behalf".

Fucker.