The Community - What's expected and what needs to change
Now I've been a member of the forums for a very long time. I've seen mods come and go and I've done my fair share of contributions to the community. While I spent my time here I did a lot of observing and participating in the "community".
When you think community you believe that it's a bunch of people who are well acknowledge by one another, can make discussions together and can behave correctly, share ideas and cooperate in the bigger picture, with limited or no discrimination.
That's how a good to a great online community should be, however on Z8Games forums it's not like that. It's painfully obvious where we pale to meet that expectation line.
Members of the community have very little to no respect for one another and their opinions. It's true, on any threads instead of positive feedback, there's going to be negative feedback, insults and generally disapproving attitudes.
That being said, what will result is a split community where half support, half don't. The scenario isn't a pretty one, but that's how it is. This really needs to change, it only makes the situation worse and remember, this is your community. You don't want to hurt it any more than it is.
Another issue that arises is that posts/replies made by members of the community are sometimes... ridiculous. Without even noticing it, a legit thread can turn into a battle between individuals to see who has a better .gif or motivational posters in attempt to mock or disrespect the original topic. Another thing to discuss would be the fact that a large portion of the community cannot take criticism. Regarding it as "Troll". Which isn't necessarily the case. The community really needs to learn to take comments, feedback and replies in a more positive than negative way, this will result in a more productive community where most, if not everyone will be benefiting.
And finally the most interesting topic that's very popular as of yet, the discriminating issue. Remember, since this is a community, it works like a real life community. Older members who have more respect act as role models for the rest of the community to follow. Some of the role models however are not so kind on the discrimination thing going on, namely against the Brazilians. Once you see one person who decides that cracking wise jokes about another culture and it's people is funny, it gets the ball rolling. Over time that ball gets bigger and out of control as it is now.
As young adults, which many of you are. You're representing the community of Z8Games crossfire. Going out, throwing tantrums and applying profanity to conversations about Brazilians will only throw a bad image of our community and thus make the communication gap only wider. So in essence, instead of hating on the younger generation of gamers around the world. Welcome the idea of global village and grace other nations to our community.
Just my two cents on, well, The Community.
When you think community you believe that it's a bunch of people who are well acknowledge by one another, can make discussions together and can behave correctly, share ideas and cooperate in the bigger picture, with limited or no discrimination.
That's how a good to a great online community should be, however on Z8Games forums it's not like that. It's painfully obvious where we pale to meet that expectation line.
Members of the community have very little to no respect for one another and their opinions. It's true, on any threads instead of positive feedback, there's going to be negative feedback, insults and generally disapproving attitudes.
That being said, what will result is a split community where half support, half don't. The scenario isn't a pretty one, but that's how it is. This really needs to change, it only makes the situation worse and remember, this is your community. You don't want to hurt it any more than it is.
Another issue that arises is that posts/replies made by members of the community are sometimes... ridiculous. Without even noticing it, a legit thread can turn into a battle between individuals to see who has a better .gif or motivational posters in attempt to mock or disrespect the original topic. Another thing to discuss would be the fact that a large portion of the community cannot take criticism. Regarding it as "Troll". Which isn't necessarily the case. The community really needs to learn to take comments, feedback and replies in a more positive than negative way, this will result in a more productive community where most, if not everyone will be benefiting.
And finally the most interesting topic that's very popular as of yet, the discriminating issue. Remember, since this is a community, it works like a real life community. Older members who have more respect act as role models for the rest of the community to follow. Some of the role models however are not so kind on the discrimination thing going on, namely against the Brazilians. Once you see one person who decides that cracking wise jokes about another culture and it's people is funny, it gets the ball rolling. Over time that ball gets bigger and out of control as it is now.
As young adults, which many of you are. You're representing the community of Z8Games crossfire. Going out, throwing tantrums and applying profanity to conversations about Brazilians will only throw a bad image of our community and thus make the communication gap only wider. So in essence, instead of hating on the younger generation of gamers around the world. Welcome the idea of global village and grace other nations to our community.
Just my two cents on, well, The Community.
Comments
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Really? I feel this just describes everyone on the Internet in general. When I think Internet community, I think a heavily divided group of people. Most communities that are on the Internet are never happy and never respect each other.
Every single Internet forum that I know of consists of the trolls, the users, and the Mods. The community here on Z8, is the same as the general communities on the Internet. As long as anonymity remains, all things will stay the same. It's rare for a good or great online community to exist. I mean look at this http://www.feverbee.com/2009/11/10greatexamples.html. I'm generally sure the community here is better than over half the communities on that list. -
Going out, throwing tantrums and applying profanity to conversations about Brazilians will only throw a bad image of our community and thus make the communication gap only wider.
I am in total agreement with your post. I do not post on the forums, so I cannot call myself a contributor, but I do stalk most of the threads that are popular. The only thing that I want to say about it though, is the part I quoted. I am in no way backing the insulting of Brazilians, but saying that doing so make's the communication gap wider is somewhat stretching it. Regardless of what I do or say, when I find myself talking to a Br ingame. One of two things happen. They understand me, and we can get our points across rather easily, or they do not speak a lick of english, or know so little, that regardless of what I do or say, they regard it as an insult. Obviously, the ladder happens much more frequently. Too many times have a complimented some action that they did, and found myself at the end of an endless amount of Portuguese insults, or attempted english insults that are so incoherent I don't even know what the insult was. My personal favorite insult aimed at me being "You'll be a bull like your dad when get married, kakakakaka" To say "brs lag and hack" 24/7 i feel has nothing to do with the communication gap itself, but increase the generalized stereotype that brs do such things. There will always be insulting and QQing, regardless of language barriers. Just because they don't speak English, nor I Portuguese, means that any insult adds more dead weight to the ever prevalent communication gap. -
Really? I feel this just describes everyone on the Internet in general. When I think Internet community, I think a heavily divided group of people. Most communities that are on the Internet are never happy and never respect each other.
Every single Internet forum that I know of consists of the trolls, the users, and the Mods. The community here on Z8, is the same as the general communities on the Internet. As long as anonymity remains, all things will stay the same. It's rare for a good or great online community to exist. I mean look at this http://www.feverbee.com/2009/11/10greatexamples.html. I'm generally sure the community here is better than over half the communities on that list.
You may think that community means divided groups. But that's not what it is nor should be. The post here is attempting to change the level that we are at, to one that we should be at.
In other words, what a good community needs.
And really, just because they're rare, doesn't mean that they don't exist. This only strengthens the idea that we need to have a better community than other internet forums.xBloodplus wrote: »I am in total agreement with your post. I do not post on the forums, so I cannot call myself a contributor, but I do stalk most of the threads that are popular. The only thing that I want to say about it though, is the part I quoted. I am in no way backing the insulting of Brazilians, but saying that doing so make's the communication gap wider is somewhat stretching it. Regardless of what I do or say, when I find myself talking to a Br ingame. One of two things happen. They understand me, and we can get our points across rather easily, or they do not speak a lick of english, or know so little, that regardless of what I do or say, they regard it as an insult. Obviously, the ladder happens much more frequently. Too many times have a complimented some action that they did, and found myself at the end of an endless amount of Portuguese insults, or attempted english insults that are so incoherent I don't even know what the insult was. My personal favorite insult aimed at me being "You'll be a bull like your dad when get married, kakakakaka" To say "brs lag and hack" 24/7 i feel has nothing to do with the communication gap itself, but increase the generalized stereotype that brs do such things. There will always be insulting and QQing, regardless of language barriers. Just because they don't speak English, nor I Portuguese, means that any insult adds more dead weight to the ever prevalent communication gap.
You know when you have that one friend who always says nothing but bad things about you? So you distance yourself from him to ignore his arrogance? That's how I picture the situation here. I know I wouldn't even touch a community if it were to only discriminate and generally have a bad opinion about me.
That's the point I was trying to make. -
Lack of respect is key to why the community fails. I wen't into a turk clan for a day and well the insults and kicking for no reason kept coming and the fact that no one says nice shot any more which is a problem as instend it is mainly just raging on about you lagging, hacking or being lucky.
The mods can easily do weekly events or something to make the forums better as you then get to know more people better and its an overall better place. And the community is not that bad its just a lot of new people break the rules by mistake and people are just rude to them.
Before the mods can even start with trying to make the community better i think they need to see a improvement from the members as then it is worth it to make the effort to try and i think once the forums are sorted it will be easier to get the rest of the game sorted out to. -
Lack of respect is key to why the community fails. I wen't into a turk clan for a day and well the insults and kicking for no reason kept coming and the fact that no one says nice shot any more which is a problem as instend it is mainly just raging on about you lagging, hacking or being lucky.
The mods can easily do weekly events or something to make the forums better as you then get to know more people better and its an overall better place. And the community is not that bad its just a lot of new people break the rules by mistake and people are just rude to them.
Before the mods can even start with trying to make the community better i think they need to see a improvement from the members as then it is worth it to make the effort to try and i think once the forums are sorted it will be easier to get the rest of the game sorted out to.
That's where it's at, members need to moderate themselves. Like gandhi said, Do the improvement in yourself that you want to see in the world. (Paraphrased)gurpppppppp wrote: »Hi how are you today noob
I'm fine, thanks. -
I agree but negative feedback is more important than positive.
Positive feedback essentially just stokes ones leg and allows them to continue making the same mistakes over and over again as they think they are doing well, whereas negative feedback enables one to improve (especially if there are enough complaints or negative feedback).
Generally if there is no feedback people are happy, and if there is positive feedback they are extremely happy and if there is negative people are obviously not happy, that is just life.
Councils won't get many letters/calls about the good things they do, but when they start doing something controversial or wrong they'll see the response. -
Well, ok but don't bring up the global village please. I remember our history teacher talking about that and I was like "Oo, when will the bell go off so I can just get out of here".
Yes our community, in game and on the forum sucks. That's a well known fact and pretty much 90% of people behind CrossFire accounts (forumers or just gamers) contribute to that BAD community.
I highly doubt it'll ever change.
As for negative feedback on patches, suggestions... I really don't understand why people can't just keep their random anger for themselves. Nobody needs that and since I don't know lets say over a year whenever a patch comes out we see dozens of spam threads about how the patch fails, how they wanted something else... People are ungratefull *******s.
Thankfully we have great people on these boards who know what the word RESPECT means and have read the ToS and even if some of those people tend to sometimes follow the negative attitudes there's always people to pull them back up and make them go straight once again (regualrs, moderators by handing out infractions, warnings... and even uknown forumers sometimes).
Hope it'll change but I'll add some negativiness by saying it probably won't change
EDIT: gurpppppppp... why? Why do people like you do that?
1. If he's your pal and you want to talk to him do that through pm's, vm's or wherever you want but not on a random topic.
2. You spammed.
3. It's annoying as hell.
4. Hope your post gets removed or you get warned for your bad behaviour. -
I agree.
I have noticed something else with our community.
Before a patch everyone says "I want X,Y,Z for GP".
This patch we got GP gun,SnD map and a coupon gun.
Some things that people begged to get.
And after the patch:
"THhe patch sucks bla bla"
Also when Z8 announces a new patch everyone says "I don't want new content I want an X-Trap patch"
When nothing comes "No new content, boring blablabla"
My point is that the community is broken.
We need a lot of time to fix it.
Check the off topic one day.
Troll paradise.
What can we forumers do to fix these things?
I don't know.
Only time will show. -
HyperDaVinci wrote: »I agree.
I have noticed something else with our community.
Before a patch everyone says "I want X,Y,Z for GP".
This patch we got GP gun,SnD map and a coupon gun.
Some things that people begged to get.
And after the patch:
"THhe patch sucks bla bla"
Also when Z8 announces a new patch everyone says "I don't want new content I want an X-Trap patch"
When nothing comes "No new content, boring blablabla"
Exactly what I tried to say. Thanks for making it clear. -
HyperDaVinci wrote: »I agree.
I have noticed something else with our community.
Before a patch everyone says "I want X,Y,Z for GP".
This patch we got GP gun,SnD map and a coupon gun.
Some things that people begged to get.
And after the patch:
"THhe patch sucks bla bla"
Also when Z8 announces a new patch everyone says "I don't want new content I want an X-Trap patch"
When nothing comes "No new content, boring blablabla"
My point is that the community is broken.
We need a lot of time to fix it.
Check the off topic one day.
Troll paradise.
What can we forumers do to fix these things?
I don't know.
Only time will show.
So ture. They can't win. The forums are so messed. You can't do anything here without getting trolled and your treads beings buried by rude senseless comments. 90% of the people come on here just to troll it seems. I love when you see someone post in a tread "way to troll" and nothing else there for trolling them self about a troll lol. And I love how the forum is full of mods that just abuse there power. -
What would help is more active moderators.
One or two which could moderate all day long like from 7am to midnight or something like that (10am-22pm would be good too). One living in the EU and the other one in the USA or Australia. Oh and they'd be low lifers or wouldn't have a social life at all.
They'd check every 15-30minutes or so to keep the forums clean.
That's all I ask and I don't care if it's not me. I just want more active moderators because that's most likely the only thing which could influence the state of things.
I'm not saying these MODs aren't doing a good job but as weird as it can sound the "problem" is they have social lives and can't moderate as much as necessary. -
What would help is more active moderators.
One or two which could moderate all day long like from 7am to midnight or something like that (10am-22pm would be good too). One living in the EU and the other one in the USA or Australia. Oh and they'd be low lifers or wouldn't have a social life at all.
They'd check every 15-30minutes or so to keep the forums clean.
That's all I ask and I don't care if it's not me. I just want more active moderators because that's most likely the only thing which could influence the state of things.
I'm not saying these MODs aren't doing a good job but as weird as it can sound the "problem" is they have social lives and can't moderate as much as necessary.
As well as in game mods and being able to report people that are saying racist remarks in game -
As well as in game mods and being able to report people that are saying racist remarks in game
You already can. Just send it to Saidin or idk which MOD.
I'm sure they'll deal with it but it's true we need a section in the report page.
Well if you're in game and folowing the forums with your phone or laptop then you can be an in game and forum MOD
.
I think you meant more like they can insta ban but that won't happen, I think.
Rex said he had some way to get the replays straight to support instead of going through the support reporting. Seems like MODs can already do the in game MOD thing, in some way. -
Another issue that arises is that posts/replies made by members of the community are sometimes... ridiculous. Without even noticing it, a legit thread can turn into a battle between individuals to see who has a better .gif or motivational posters in attempt to mock or disrespect the original topic. Another thing to discuss would be the fact that a large portion of the community cannot take criticism. Regarding it as "Troll". Which isn't necessarily the case. The community really needs to learn to take comments, feedback and replies in a more positive than negative way, this will result in a more productive community where most, if not everyone will be benefiting.
Even though most threads tend to become a flame war, some actually don't. There are a lot of discussion threads going on and when people try to start flame wars in them, it just won't work. We have gotten a lot of new members to the community that actually knows how to behave. (Also, old members have started to come back) I'm astonished that a lot of discussions have been alive until now and I really hope that it will continue this way in the future. Because the community is more or less getting better and better by ever minute, people aren't just realizing it.
Just think of how the community was some months ago; a total disaster. Now, we can at least discuss a little bit and if someone that has an intension of interrupting join in, people just fend them off in a very good way without starting unnecessary flame wars and such.
Also, I really liked the paragraph I quoted, made me laugh for a bit!
-
Just think of how the community was some months ago; a total disaster. Now, we can at least discuss a little bit and if someone that has an intension of interrupting join in, people just fend them off in a very good way without starting unnecessary flame wars and such.
I don't know why but the first thing which crossed my mind when reading this was "Military Intelligence".
I guess you're right about it improving but it's still not perfect.
Nothing is btw. -
I don't know why but the first thing which crossed my mind when reading this was "Military Intelligence".
I guess you're right about it improving but it's still not perfect.
Nothing is btw.
Indeed, nothing is perfect. And I didn't even think of that ribbon! :S But the community wasn't at it's best before that either, one could say.
But even if it is not perfect, it can be improved even more and I think that it will happen sooner or later. -
Really? I feel this just describes everyone on the Internet in general. When I think Internet community, I think a heavily divided group of people. Most communities that are on the Internet are never happy and never respect each other.
Every single Internet forum that I know of consists of the trolls, the users, and the Mods. The community here on Z8, is the same as the general communities on the Internet. As long as anonymity remains, all things will stay the same. It's rare for a good or great online community to exist. I mean look at this http://www.feverbee.com/2009/11/10greatexamples.html. I'm generally sure the community here is better than over half the communities on that list.
Go hangout in avsforum for a few days. You will know what a respectful, helpful and positive "community" is. -
Indeed, nothing is perfect. And I didn't even think of that ribbon! :S But the community wasn't at it's best before that either, one could say.
But even if it is not perfect, it can be improved even more and I think that it will happen sooner or later.
Well, everything will happen sooner or later.
I'll wait and see what the new MOD is worth and if he/she'll be of any help.
Did you read my post about uber-active MODs / stalkers? That might be the solution to keep trolls/spammers out. -
Well, everything will happen sooner or later.
I'll wait and see what the new MOD is worth and if he/she'll be of any help.
Did you read my post about uber-active MODs / stalkers? That might be the solution to keep trolls/spammers out.
I in fact did not, feel free to PM it to me though since I got loads of time.
Anyhow, let's continue to stay on-topic, shall we? -
I in fact did not, feel free to PM it to me though since I got loads of time.
Anyhow, let's continue to stay on-topic, shall we?
What? pm you what? I'm lost here.
Ain't the topic the bad community, more exactly the problem of this community.
To each problem it's own solution. I'm still on topic ain't I? -
The Community has grown alot in the last year(s) which means more opininons, more arguments/debating about whats write and wrong, the forums needs more active MODS to moderrate the forums to deal with the growing community.
I don't think they are as bad as they used to be but there are still people spamming useless stuff in topics (example: look at the post your black market win/screenshot/rank up thread).
The discriminating threads are usually always removed.
-
I agree but negative feedback is more important than positive.
Depends on the situation. In several other game forums, you will still be congratulated on doing something that feels like an achievement to you, although the others have done greater things before. Here you will get bashed on the low ranks of opponents, the higher scores of other forum members or any other silly reason people can think of.
Negative feedback might also be necessary, mainly when talking about suggestion, statements and gameplay videos, but it doesn't mean that the feedback has to be degrading instead of constructive. Instead of pointing out flaws, people here will just reply "No, you suck/you're dumb/..."
Mods shouldn't need an extra incentive to do their work. They're not carrying a [MOD] tag for nothing. Cleaning out the bad posts/threads while showing a positive, helpful attitude will not only keep the forums cleaner, but will also set an example for others. After all some people look up to the [MOD] tag.Before the mods can even start with trying to make the community better i think they need to see a improvement from the members as then it is worth it to make the effort to try and i think once the forums are sorted it will be easier to get the rest of the game sorted out to.
You should probably visit more forums. I've been on several and on most of those nooby questions were answered, people were friendly and relaxed and you didn't get bashed for your (possibly unimpressing) achievements.Really? I feel this just describes everyone on the Internet in general. When I think Internet community, I think a heavily divided group of people. Most communities that are on the Internet are never happy and never respect each other.
Every single Internet forum that I know of consists of the trolls, the users, and the Mods.I don't know why but the first thing which crossed my mind when reading this was "Military Intelligence".
I guess you're right about it improving but it's still not perfect.
Nothing is btw.
The MI ribbon doesn't really apply in here, the problems caused by the ribbon mainly involved people that were not active on the forums before (and would have disappeared as soon as they had the ribbon.) The actual forum community spammed way less, partially because they already had enough posts. -
-
Oh god, please don't talk about that thread it's my darkside who lives in it.'P wrote:redator;2294447']The Community has grown alot in the last year(s) which means more opininons, more arguments/debating about whats write and wrong, the forums needs more active MODS to moderrate the forums to deal with the growing community.
I don't think they are as bad as they used to be but there are still people spamming useless stuff in topics (example: look at the post your black market win/screenshot/rank up thread).
The discriminating threads are usually always removed.
I must be like the main off topic guy in there although I try to get back on topic verry often with success.
Just go check that thread to see what me and red33mer have been recently talking about. It's madness.
And the MOD has to keep on eye on it even though there's alot of posts in it if they don't want to do what they are called a MOD for then they'd better just quit being a MOD.
MOD tag is in no way a way of getting respect. Being MOD is clearing the boards and showing the example to people.
No, I just went of topic, didn't I?
It's in here XD.The link to the post.
And yeah you kind of are.Phillybear wrote: »Mods shouldn't need an extra incentive to do their work. They're not carrying a [MOD] tag for nothing. Cleaning out the bad posts/threads while showing a positive, helpful attitude will not only keep the forums cleaner, but will also set an example for others. After all some people look up to the [MOD] tag.
I totally agree with everything you said. And that's how I want the new MOD to be.
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