1. There’s no first amendment here…
Let’s remember that this is a European server, Rexxus tries to make it feel as international as he can be ultimately the bones of this thing will be European, even on NA simply as it derives from EU ownership. What I mean is that there’s no first amendment on here that says people can say and do what they want, I’m not trying to bait or bash anyone or the US constitution (which was a work of political genius and is still studied today, albeit is starting to look somewhat archaic, but hey us Brits right now really wish we had some kind of constitution so I can’t really comment!) but I see a lot of it reflected in how people are kind of reacing to this rule, instead pointing to fears of ‘censorship’ and such.
I love my NA brothers…But this HAS to stop!
The only reason I’m bringing this up is because this toxicity thing is uniquely an NA problem, and Rex can back me up here. For every 1 EU case of ‘toxicity’ there seems to be 5 NA cases, and before you say ‘NA is more active’ that may be true but it doesn’t make up for the change in proportion. This is an NA problem, I hope you guys can find a solution that works for everyone, but remember it will apply to both servers, hence my involvement.
Hatespeech is Hatespeech, Toxicity is Toxicity, it’s easy to identify with some self-awareness.
In Europe we have laws against hatespeech which is another form of toxicity and I think David has made it clear that he and Rex will have the final say over what is/isn’t allowed. I know that this ambiguity may make some people uncomfortable but that’s how ALL laws work, nobody can act with certainty that they’re on the ‘right’ side of the law, there’s always a variable, however small that states the opposite is true. I imagine we’ve ALL played games where admins decide and lay down the law, we’re especially lucky to have cool-headed admins that aren’t ban happy, let’s appreciate that instead of becoming paranoid!
There’s an irony to those saying they aren’t ‘easily offended’ whilst hand-wringing over Admins deciding outcomes.
We’re grown adults (most of us anyway) and should be able to resolve things without requiring ANY kind of arbitration, the fact that it has got this far is very sad, especially from the perspective of a former teacher myself, if my angsty teenage students can work through this then why not grown adults, what excuses do us lot have? Other than ignorance or insensitivty?
Treat people with respect, the minute they stop engaging in the back and forth banter is the time to stop. Moreover if they ask you to stop in private or in public you need to respect that. Furthermore, if you’re dissing someone and they’re not even online then shame on you, that’s not banter but backtalk and it’s really lame.
What’s with the ‘I’m impossible to offend’ stuff?
Moreover it’s especially sad with others trying to ‘out-man’ eachother over how hardcore they are and how impossible it is to be offended by being called an NPC, people are different, some will get more easily offended and some less so, that doesn’t make the more easily offended people any less valuable than the others. It’s a shame we’re having to masculinity-signal (instead of virtue signal, which tbh would be preferable!).
Finally, Rex is incredibly careful when punishing people.
Those worrying about over-reach needn’t, Rexxus is extremely careful regarding bans and other forms of punishment. As David has already shown, verbal warnings will be given out providing players with a chance to change their ways, that’s their responsibility, if they fail to improve then further action will be taken. Which is fair enough.
Overall I think this toxicity rule is a step in the right direction and will aid player retention in the long term whilst teaching some of our less civilized members some much needed manners. (No digs at any one person here as I don’t actually know who’se doing what).
I really hope it doesn’t come off like an attack or anti-NA post as it’s not. You folks make up HWS, I love all of ya in my cold heart, and I believe that you folks can help find a solution once we restructure the conversation.
And If I have offended anyone, Then I unconditionally apologise, it’s not my intention, if you wish to discuss how this post offended you so I can learn for the future then please feel free to post here or PM me.
Best regards
Wise.
EDIT: Also in regards to Kittiez ‘That’s the nature of PVP’ suggestion I recommend otherwise. We PVPers have a moral obligation in my opinion to help change the ‘nature of PVP’ to be more accomodating. And if morality isn’t going to win people over (at least, my own subjective morals) then necessity should: This game’s playerbase will shrink over time, be it sooner or later. Therefore for those hardcore fans of PVP amongst us we should do ALL we can to keep a varied and healthy PVP community going for as long as possible.
On EU this translated to us giving ships/resources to our fallen enemies (sometimes more than they lost) when they were from unknown factions to prevent them from feeling ‘wiped’ and rage-quitting. It also meant not crap talking them when they’re ships burst into flames but instead giving them constructive advice (instead of constructive criticism which to the more easily offended or recently flattened might not be seen as very…constructive). I imagine this is already mirrored on NA but perhaps it should be done more-so, especially in the language used during PVP.
Edit 2: If someone is being toxic and has failed to heed guidance then put them on a one week ‘probation’, one step out of line in terms of toxicity during this warning period and BAM a one week ban. It’s sure as hell stop this nonsense in its tracks. But it’s admin intensive and this whole thing should be getting resolved by people talking to one-another in a more respectful manner.
i am merely explaining where my position is coming from. tell just about any american citizen they are not allowed to say something and it will usually be met with quite a bit of resistance. i would like to point out that a lot of time has been spent on policing what is said. time that could be redirected to resolving server stability issues, new features, and more (side note: thank you very much 
we all have the tools to block/ignore what we do not like to see.