So for those who don't know me i've palyed Isk on and off for a very long time and never took the time to get to know people until i came back at the end of last year. I was playing in the evening (GMT) and got to know 'the evening people' and everything was cool, but i started noticing that a couple could be quite spiteful to other players.

I distanced myself from them and played later in the night. I should say that it was not directed at me, i never personally had problems, but i didn't like what i saw.

Now i play ISK more often thanks to Rocksie, and that includes the evenings again and these people are still here. What's more from a fresh perspective i've noticed just how bad it can be. What i noticed from these people is that:

They pile into a room (usually 4-5 of them, can be more).
They Sit in Away and don't really play the game.
They will use words in pics and sometimes not draw their word.
Despite this they are hot on voting other people who do use letters.
If someone votes one of their pics for violation they are immediately booted from the room. (Because i know these people i know that more often than not the second or third voter doesn't even know what they are voting, but do so because of the first one.)
If one of them has a problem with someone, they all do and will bully them and eventually boot them etc.
Bullying can often be Sexist, Racist, a personal attack, or more general.

Individually they are fine and more often than not will play and be pleasant, but it's when they get into a group of 3 or more they can be really malicious and spiteful towards other players. Joinning a room, they can easily piss everyone else off who had been playing for a while and when that person questions them they are booted out.

I've told them to behave and had to report them to an admin, i'm also getting IPs and evidence when i see them doing it. It's jsut been weighing on my mind alot recently because i enjoy Isk and knowing they are still here doing all of this, is saddening.

So i have written this post, without the names of those involved to get advice and to bring it up.

Thanks for reading : P

Based on my experiences with such groups I just have to say avoid them. They're not worth the time, energy or consideration imo.

I feel like I sound kind of passive, but that's because I've found that trying to get such players banned isn't really worth it because most of the time they know how to un-ban themselves. And trying to out-boot them and out-vote them is not really hypocritical... but just doesn't seem like an effective way to handle the situation and is kind of a hassle.


Side note: I don't think you can really count being on away against people, even though I completely agree that it does kill a room/is annoying.

Well being away doesn't matter, but it's being away and not playing. They don't take part, but feel it gives them a right to fill up a room, which stops others from joinning and playing and also they still vote and do the rest etc. If there are 6 of them in a room it can leave only 4 playing and that isn't fun, what's more you all leae and they will move to another room :S

It can be annoying I agree.

Ps Dont blame me for your addiction Maltard :P




x

yes, i have known groups like this, and they are annoying as they usually have been playing isketch for a while and feel that they are entitled to different standards than others.

oh and malreynolds, i think ive seen you on lately (i was the one in gray, that voted to boot someone with a few others...) haha jk.

anyways, thanks for the thread post, hopefully these 'shady' players will learn that they do not in fact own isketch. doubtful, but there is always a hope.

oh and p.s. when there are a bunch of gray peeps in the room, you can still invite people with /invite (name) to get more people that actually play into your room. sure you already knew, but just an fyi.

It happens. Sometimes it gets picked up by admins, sometimes it's not. Gotta have patience.

Spoken to a few forumites ingame, seems the group is pretty well known. I didn't name anyone specifically, but you still knew who i meant.

What we need to do is instead of avoiding them when they enter a room is to stay and play and gather evidence so that the admins have something to act on.

It happens. Sometimes it gets picked up by admins, sometimes it's not. Gotta have patience.

The hypocritical pack mentality at work! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! Some people just thrive on conflict/bringing others down to feel superior and better about themselves. Then again, some are just mean like that. Whatever the reson this is what I would do.

2.0 is correct. It can be difficult catching players "in the act" but eventually it catches up to them. getting screenshots and pertinent information and giving it to an admin or submitting it through feedback is very valuable to us admins and we do appreciate the help. We all do our best to try and keep iSk fun and clean for all involved and knowing who (serial abusers especially) to watch out for IS a great help for us to be able to achieve this goal. especially if it is as chronic and severe as you describe. Good, rule abiding players such as yourself are our eyes and ears!

here is my two cents for whatever it is worth: a few tips that will probably help if you find yourself in the same rooms with these players and that will help you get back to enjoying the game as you should if you decide not to leave the room altogether. The following is a very good way to help avoid pesky vote wars and vote/verbal/mental abuse from others in a room. (you are already doing a few of the things but I will re-iterate)

* if they are being abusive and malicious, gather your SS's and pertinent info for admin/feedback. THIS is a VERY good way to make it known to us that there are chronic problems involving these players--that they engage in this behaviour constanty and consistently. (valuable/good info from our players is taken seriously)

*If you feel the severity of the rudeness requires a vote, then vote them for rudeness.

*Try not to be confrontational or engage in any conversation that will aggravate the situation from these players. My experience tells me that they crave causing trouble/attention! Baiting them will only lead to more trouble! These players will almost always pick a fight, no matter what the intentions are by engaging them. If you do not feed the trolls, they cannot grow! Eventually, if admin has not caught them, they will get the "hint" and leave. ( i am NOT saying that you should not or cannot say your peace but more than likely it will fly in one ear and out the other. It does not hurt to try and reason but if you see it is not working just end contact before it gets worse)

*once you have gathered your info satisfactorily and/or voted, place the offending players on IGNORE and if asked why the vote by an admin explain. never forget: The IGNORE feature is your friend! Its there for a reason! be sure to suggest this to the room as well (esp if they already voted too)

*if you MUST engage them in convo, gently suggest that they create a UCR so they wont offended the public at large. ( again I do not recommend feeding the trolls..they will probably argue and be malicious to you over this as well which will then lead to more vote abuse/hilarity)

*Above all else, DO NOT stoop to their level and be abusive in return. It may be frustrating at times, and we are all human and can only take so much BUT doing the very thing you are voting them for is inappropriate. Thier actions may be very wrong but this does not gives anyone carte blanche to get down on that level either. This will only cause things to go further downhill and alot faster too. Be the more responsible and mature party in all that. Again, IGNORE is your friend, it can work miracles sometimes! Besides, not giving them the opportunity to construe something said as rude and a "reason" for them to vote just cuts the chances of being voted abused upon by them anyway. THE KEY IS TO NOT GIVE THEM ANY WAY OR OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ABUSE! IF NO ONE IS ARGUING WITH THEM OR GIVING THEM "REASON" TO GANG VOTE, THEY WILL SOON REALISE THAT THE JIG IS UP FOR THEM. HOW CAN THEY GANG UP ON ANYONE THEY CONSIDER AGAINST THEM IF NO ONE IS GIVING THEM THE TIME OF DAY ANYWAY?

Again, we admins really do appreciate the input provided by our good players. Keeping iSk clean is our top priority after all. Its always nice when admins and players can work together to achieve this goal. Just keep on abiding by the rules and utilise feedback for sure! Hang in there! Sooner or later, it will come back to haunt them. It is only a matter of time! (Just have that patience that 2.0 pointed out, eventually they are caught)

I hope this little bit of input has helped you in some way and will enhance your gaming time on our beloved iSketch. AND on a final note, once you vote (or even if you decide not to vote) please IGNORE. Utilising this feature does not mean you are turning a blind eye to the problem..you are actively choosing not to feed the troll so in reality, you ARE doing something about it. :razz:
hehehe hopefully I did not forget anything! If I did i will add as necassary. My two cents but this is how I would handle these types of situations as a player. Again this is only my view and my opinion. I hope it helps some. There are many ways to approach the goings ons and this is just a few ideas for you to ponder :smile::smile: