- Limit the games that people on lots of other people's ignore lists can play. AND/OR place limits on those with huge lists themselves.
Specifics:
- When someone is placed on a LOT of ignore lists -- maybe 100, maybe 200 or more OR has a HUGE ignore list themselves (50-100 names), they may start games just like usual, but are no longer allowed to JOIN games already started by someone else with more than 4 players, games with newbies or speed games. They MAY start a multiple player games AND speed games (if premium). Also, newbies may JOIN their games. When people hit "join game", though, a warning will flash "this person is someone over 100 people do not wish to play or does not wish to play with a large number of other CC players. This person may be a bad sport, may use excessive bad language or have other issues. Do you wish to continue?"
This will improve the following aspects of the site:
There are a very few people in CC who basically ruin the game for others.
The ignore list only works when you join a game first and the person on your list tries to join after.
Currently, you can start a game, then not be able to fill it for a long time because one of these "noted jerks" has joined the game.
Because there is no real penalty for excessive use of ignore lists OR for being put on many ignore lists (other than if that person tries to join games with those people in them), the lists have little impact on some people's behavior.
Although I certainly believe in freedom, it is something that must be earned. You have the right to play how you wish, talk how you wish with your friends, but not in the "general public", which CC pretty much is.
I don't know how easy it would be to program an exclusion for being put onto a lot of ignore lists, BUT an exclusion for those who have long ignore lists themselves should be relatively easy. If the other is not possible, then a rating filter should deal with the biggest violators, since overall jerks tend to be rated ... as overall jerks.
I know some folks will say that this is "taking away people's paid right to play". True, to a point. BUT, that is life. You make choices and accept the consequences. If you want to be a jerk ... you will be treated like a jerk! People can still CREATE games, they just cannot join other people's games and effectively block them up.
The limits I am suggesting are pretty high. (maybe too high?) If someone does not want to face these consequences, then all they have to do is act better (apologize to folks who put them on their ignore lists, ask to be removed, etc.) OR use better discretion on their own ignore lists.
The exact numbers can be tweaked ... maybe only games with more than 6 players and speed games with 3 or more should be limited. BUT, the point is that those are the games where having a jerk join can really put a damper on filling the game up. Also, I think the newbie exclusion is appropriate because these are probably not the best people to present the CC "image". OR, at the least, the person should be warned that the person they are about to face is not a typical CC example.
Again, keeping these penalties from being implemented is pretty easy. But, for those who qualify ...well, there is no reason the rest of us should be penalized because of these few.
