How do you determine abuse?

[Dog1]

How does someone determine inappropriate statement/behaviour?

[WHSeward]

Moderators use judgement. Is there something you want to report?

[JonS]

Hi Dog1 - as WHSeward said, it's generally based on the collective judgement of the moderators.

If you're looking to report something, PM one of us, or PM the "Mods" group.

If you're just looking to understand more about how or why a specific decision is made...

If something very clear cut, whatever moderator comes across it will usually act unilaterally. (For instance, most of our cheating investigations do not involve criminal masterminds - one cheater hunter enough to clear the case in most cases). Explicit/profane comments in chatbox or forum fall into this category as well - we don't need a committee to determine explicit profanity shouldn't be in the chatbox.

If more complicated, we'll generally have a discussion amongst the lot of us - we have a number of running conversations at any time, about a broad range of issues. If a situation seems complicated, or if the primary mod wants a second/third/fourth opinion, we'll consult as a group and come to a consensus.

Our primary guidance in all cases is the published rules for conduct in game, in the chatbox, on the forum. We have written rules and standards, and those are what we use. Our collective judgment used for the interpretation of those rules where required.

All of us helping out as moderators on the site do it because we love the community, love the site, love the game of diplomacy. This site has become a special place to us over the years, and we want to do our part to keep it running well.

Hope that's helpful!

Thanks,
Jon

[Dog1]

I just surrendered in game 130030 for personal reasons.
But I wanted to see how the game would end. I was going to Watch the game.
The "German" player had gone a rant about me quitting.
I was wondering if his comments would be considered inappropriate.
I hope younger players don't have to deal with this.
Someone should not have to complain about this, if there is a Moderator.

FYI

[WHSeward]

I just took a look. That wouldn't be actionable. I wouldn't call that a rant. He is actually trying to be humorous.

My advice: dont let it bother you nor take it personally.

[Malarky]

Obviously I haven't seen what was said - by anyone - but I think surrendering is one of the things that's going to trigger players' annoyance.

There are simply a lot of people who play while things are going well. When they find that perhaps they aren't, some people quit. Others just don't understand the game and find they don't like it.

Quitting unbalances games. If you've put time, effort and emotion into a game and someone quits, it is understandably frustrating. This can still be the case when there are genuine reasons to do so.

It makes sense, if there are genuine reasons, to say you need to leave because... You don't need to go into details but an explanation of some sort always helps.

And, of course, the whining of some will always be there. Leave it for the EGS... Sorry AAR.