Dear Community, stop being rude to other players.

[Iain M Norman]

Everybody is entitled to have their opinions, disappointments, frustrations related to the game, and this is a discussion forum for Elite, so we are free to discuss the good and the bad about the game. If someone is disappointed with a feature, a recent change in the game, they might have a point, and they should be free to express it, even if you personally don't agree with it. Suggesting that they are stupid, incompetent, weak, is not going to help anyone, and is making the person feel bad for no reason, and you create the image of a bad and hostile community, better to be avoided.

Please try to be considerate of other people that just want to play the game, to have fun, and post here hoping that they will help the game get better.

Thank you.

Hi Dreamer1986

You're right, the rudeness is probably more toxic than the initial negative posts. Yes sometimes the negative posts are badly worded, but often something just went wrong ingame and they've come to the forums to vent some steam, but that doesn't justify the rude, sarcastic and unhelpful replies that have been on the increase lately.

We won't stand for rudeness like that, but we can't be everywhere at once. Those of you that are with us can help stop it. Ignore and report the pointless replies and try to calm the OP down, particularly if their problem is a known one with a known solution, and help them get to the bottom of their issue.

 

[AsukaZ]

There's also the (smaller) problem of being misinterpreted, people sometimes take a meaning from a post that wasn't intended, or hear an insult after passing what they read through their internal 'text to meaning' converter.
They may react badly without seeking clarification and you're left wondering where the hell that attitude came from.
It pays to try to avoid ambiguity and think about the different ways the same piece of text can be interpreted.
Also never respond in kind to nasty posts, it just elevates things.

 

[Iain M Norman]

AsukaZ,

Spot on.

 

[jockmcplop]

I find a little bit of gentle but fun mockery or weird off topic ranting tends to calm most situations down.

Having been a forumite for many years now i can confidently say that the biggest problem is people who take themselves/their opinions far too seriously.
I would encourage everyone to remember that truly, honestly - no one actually cares what you have to say in an internet argument, every single person is venting their own point.
You'll never win someone over to your way of thinking. Think of argument threads as more of a vent board, where people can go vomit rage all over their screen. Don't take it personally, no-one knows who you are.

 

[nosscar]

I am a little sad this morning, i received a PM from a friend on here who says he is done with this forum, he is sick of seeing so many negative posts and threads.
This got me thinking, i have posted occasionally about my feelings on lack of content, so i too am guilty i suppose.
But, i do think that the fdev's are aware of everyones concerns, so more negative threads are helping no one, only serving to depress the mood of the forums.
So if you are not happy with the game as it is, i urge everyone to post the ideas they would like to see in the game, rather than just complain about whats not in the game, be constructive, this makes the forums interesting to read.
If you care about ED, try to help improve it and the forums, report bugs yes, but in a pleasant and constructive way and a ticket.
If you are not interested in playing, and feel let down, negative about the game, just not bothered anymore, and have nothing constructive to say, be a lurker, watching the forums,, and see if things improve in the future.

This forum is probably a first port of call for future buyers, so negativity hurts sales, and the future development, and the game itself, we need to try be more positive if we want this game to improve.
i remember the Egosoft forums going downhill fast due to war posting between fanbios and haters, so sad to see a great community with years of history go downhill so quick within months of release.
So please, respect others ideas, be polite to others, if you disagree, there are ways to nicely express this.
i know i have no right to ask, or influence to change anything, i am just a forum member like you.
But please, lets all help the forum, and the devs, and the game, by being pleasant and constructive. I know i will be in future.
I know the devs are working hard and doing their best, so lets get behind them and give them a push, rather than pulling them back.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Deputy]

...hoping OP means "please stop" so the space- time continuum can continue...

 

[Joe Spivey]

There's also the (smaller) problem of being misinterpreted, people sometimes take a meaning from a post that wasn't intended, or hear an insult after passing what they read through their internal 'text to meaning' converter.
They may react badly without seeking clarification and you're left wondering where the hell that attitude came from.
It pays to try to avoid ambiguity and think about the different ways the same piece of text can be interpreted.
Also never respond in kind to nasty posts, it just elevates things.

While what you say is very true and I agree totally, every poster has a responsibility to do their best to make sure that their post is as clear and concise as possible precisely so that their intention and meaning is conveyed accurately. Yes, posters whose first language is not English require special consideration, of course they do. But to everyone else I advise a slight adaptation of the old 'measure twice, cut once' adage - Read twice, post once.

 

[Flappers]

I think the main problem lies with the OP of these negative threads.

There are 2 types of negative threads:
1. Maliciously Negative
2. Constructive Criticism

I've said it before twice, so here is a 3rd time... there is a massive difference between these two types of posts, and this forum mainly consists of the first.

Here is why:

Example of Malicious Negativity:

OMG FD this game is STUPID. Why would you nerf the python? That's utterly STUPID too. I demand a refund for my python, you OWE me that. You make me pay MILLIONS of credits for now a USELESS ship. If FD don't respond to my request, then I will get a REFUND for this STUPID game.

Sound familiar?
This type of post (although not necessarily word to word) is prevalent on these forums. Shouting at FD for changes they don't like. Demanding refunds and providing no actual discussion point.
This is what causes other players to sarcastically type back and generally try to annoy the OP.
A poster like that is not a type of person to listen to reason, nor accept any facts that are presented to them, because they are blinded by hate and annoyance that a change was made that they don't like.
In times like that, then they are basically asking the community to wind them up further. There is no point trying to explain reason to this type of poster.

Example of Constructive Criticism

Not too sure about these python nerfs. 33% reduction in shields seems quite a bit. If we look at the cost of the ship, compare the numbers I found here <Insert backing numbers of claim> you'll see that the price of the ship, compared to others doesn't quite seem to add up with these nerfs in place.
What my idea is, is to increase X by Y, to counter Z. This way the shield nerfs are still there, but by buffing X, it will still make it more viable for the asking price of the ship.
What do you guys think? Any feedback?

This is a post that would get people to discuss changes. And potential solutions to existing problems.
Don't get me wrong, there might be the few bad apples that will respond with "REFUND ME" but you just need to ignore them.
Most of the community here are open to constructive feedback, as I'm sure FD are too. By providing legitimate solutions to existing problems, the community can come to a consensus that makes sense, and FD may take into consideration.

I do wish we had more constructive criticism on the forums.

(disclaimer: I care not for the nerfs on the Python, was just using it as an example)

 

[Deputy]

I think the main problem lies with the OP of these negative threads.

There are 2 types of negative threads:
1. Maliciously Negative
2. Constructive Criticism

I've said it before twice, so here is a 3rd time... there is a massive difference between these two types of posts, and this forum mainly consists of the first.

Here is why:

Example of Malicious Negativity:



Sound familiar?
This type of post (although not necessarily word to word) is prevalent on these forums. Shouting at FD for changes they don't like. Demanding refunds and providing no actual discussion point.
This is what causes other players to sarcastically type back and generally try to annoy the OP.
A poster like that is not a type of person to listen to reason, nor accept any facts that are presented to them, because they are blinded by hate and annoyance that a change was made that they don't like.
In times like that, then they are basically asking the community to wind them up further. There is no point trying to explain reason to this type of poster.

Example of Constructive Criticism



This is a post that would get people to discuss changes. And potential solutions to existing problems.
Don't get me wrong, there might be the few bad apples that will respond with "REFUND ME" but you just need to ignore them.
Most of the community here are open to constructive feedback, as I'm sure FD are too. By providing legitimate solutions to existing problems, the community can come to a consensus that makes sense, and FD may take into consideration.

I do wish we had more constructive criticism on the forums.

(disclaimer: I care not for the nerfs on the Python, was just using it as an example)

Ahhh man. This was good. Crazy good. Sunrise over a double rainbow good. Cheers. I mean it. Thanks mate

 

[kelticfury]

No. Just no.

 

[robbyp]

Agree wth Flappers.

 

[Midian Cabal]

[video=youtube;wdoGVgj1MtY]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdoGVgj1MtY[/video]

 

[DYSEQTA]

Will you people stop referring to image macros as memes please?

A meme is an in-joke that spreads like a cultural wildfire. An image macro is text on an image trying to be funny. C'mon now lads, I know you're terminology buffs so that kind of mistake should be abhorrent to you.

Are you suggesting we should refer to them as large scale images? Or are you asking us to refer to them as single images that cause multiple other images to appear when viewed? I am a little befuddled by your postulation of the correct term for humorous images.

Reality is that a meme does not have to have anything to do with the internet or images at all. A classic Australian meme for example is the use of the phrase "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!" to which others who know the meme will reply "Oi! Oi! Oi!". A meme is just an element of culture that becomes popular through general acceptance, mimicry, etc. More recently the term has been introduced into popular use due to the proliferation of small humorous images that are spread through internet via social media and often seem to take on a life of their own as they evolve from one use to the next.

^ Example of disagreeing with another forum member without vitriol.

 

[Twelvefield]

I'm still adapting to this community not being all that up to date in internet culture history, I come from somewhere that generally has a better handle on that sort of thing. But it seems the Elite crew are mostly aul'fellas who ain't got time for that, so I'm not gonna dig where there's no gold, if you get me. Let's move on and pretend I said nothing shall we :V

Oooo, so it's all OUR fault. Glad you pointed that out. Tell you what, sport, I'll rally the rest of the planet and we'll just set things straight for you, so sorry about the misunderstanding. Probably take about a hundred years. Can you wait that long?

 

[Tryst]

True, good meme . I just made a point after noticing all the rude posts in so many threads. And I am sure that many of the people posting rude comments just weren't aware they were so. Maybe this thread will help calm them down a little and make them think a little more before posting.

You're not the first person to think of this and it's a certainty you won't be the last. It didn't work all the times others have tried. Trolls will be trolls, there is no changing the nature of them. Responding fuels their existence and the best way to destroy them is to pretend they don't exist.

However, the problem that most people have is their inability to tell the difference between a troll and an angry poster. A troll does not have the intelligence to formulate a reasonable argument and relies solely on insults, an angry poster is venting their frustration and giving reasons for it.