Suggestion Idea:
Add a "what to do if" and a "manners"/"grey area" section to instructions, either tagged onto the various topics or as a separate topic.
Specifics:
After the list of "do nots", put a disclaimer -- the following are SUGGESTIONS to help us "all get along", but they are not rules. If someone violates these, feel free to put them on your ignore list, but DO NOT file a complaint, pm mods or post on the forum. If you disagree, no one will "oust" you, but you may end up on quite a few ignore lists.
Game type: there are two game types: Casual, open to everybody, and speed, open to paid members. Some folks may be willing to play "real time" (more or less stick around and play until the game is done), but this is NEVER gauranteed and no one may demand that anyone else play "rt". If you want short games, buy a membership
and play speed games.
Cheating: Cheating is limited to .... [x,y,z]
The following are NOT considered cheating. If you do not like these tactics, feel free to put the folk's on your ignore list, but PLEASE do not file a complaint!!!
Waiting until the last minute to fortify/deploy in a freestyle game. Forming and alliance or truce IF it is clearly announced in the chat. As is in "I am forming an alliance with green now".
Feedback:
Feedback is opinion, but observing the following will give some consistency
Neg -- reserve these for the really bad stuff. Intentionally sabotaging a team, repeatedly dropping out of losing games, possible double accounts, etc. Be specific and objective as possible. " This player left 4 games in a row as soon as he began to lose, with no explanation or apology .. but has made moves on his winning games." Leave the "jokes" in Chat. Let ranking sort out strategy and play. If you want to comment on someone's poor playing ability, use a nuetral, but be aware that any strategy can fail and that what you consider "bad strategy" may be a good strategy you don't understand.
Nuetral -- this is the place for opinions/"grey area" comments. Strategies and behaviors you don't like, but that don't make my "no-no" list.
Positive -- was the player funny, especially helpful or just a very good player?? This is the place. However, do note that you can only give each person one positive rating.
What to do IF :
Mostly already posted, I just suggest you move the location. Maybe add a couple such as:
Someone plays poorly/uses a strategy you don;t like -- First, reconsider. Even the best strategy can fail due to really bad dice/drops. Inexperienced players improve. Maybe its a good strategy you just don't understand (or like). If you must, use a nuetral comment in feedback (not a neg) and put them on your ignore list.
Someone is abusive in chat. If it is really bad (threatening, racist, etc.), file a complaint BUT we try to stay out of all but the most serious cases. Put them on your ignore list.
ETC.
Why it is needed:
Differences of opinion or outright misunderstanding lead to conflict. Most of this information is already posted, but putting it right in the instructions, "out front", will make it easier to find and therefore read... and therefore result in fewer complaints for you to resolve. Granted, some folks will just do as they wish. By making these suggestions and not rules, you clarify for those of us who wish it, but let those who don't do their own thing .. and you also clarify the most appropriate responses to these issues. (i.e. put the person on your ignore list).
