We are in the process of updating our vulgarity policy to include some new terms and refreshing some terms we previously monitored to either be more or less severe.

Other terms that may have been on the list are still on the list, I'm just going over the updates.

While I cannot go into details due to the nature of this update (as in saying these things), I will give you some tips.

* Extreme racial slurs are moving into an official warning from just a simple nudge. This does not include Elanthian terms.
* The F-word, all variations, masked and acronyms will be an official warning. Some very common internet acronyms are included here, but we had to make a ruling that was consistent.
* Graphic description of a sexual act against or regarding a non-consenting party is moving into an official warning from a soaping. If you have consent, go somewhere private.
* Additional graphic language in relation to genitalia has been added to the official warning list.
* Not-so-graphic genitalia terms have been separated and are now a soaping instead of an official warning.
* Mild vulgarity that could be related to the genitalia has been dropped to a nudge from a soaping or an official warning.

If you have to ask about something, it's probably not a word to use in GemStone IV.

There will be no leeway going forward. Multiple words in a single form of speech will result in multiple infractions.

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Wyrom, PM

A few clarifications:
- I know I see people using "arse" all the time, and that is definitely an in-period variant. Clean enough?

- "You're an ass," as in a stubborn mule-headed sort of personality... like an ass. (The animal. Extremely similar to a donkey.) Valid?

- Something I got in trouble for here on the boards: "@#$*$&@#&!" (Hold down Shift key, and rummage around on the digit line of keys.) I think my specific usage happened to wind up at exactly five characters, and in context was interpreted as an accurate definition of a female dog.
However, after pointing out that such random characters are routinely used even in the Sunday comics in newspapers distributed to millions of people worldwide, that one was dropped.

.

And hell, I say a lot of things here on the Boards that could edge really close to the line.... :)

>bitch, biatch, biotch, whore, slut

why are these allowed, but dick is not?

To spell it out for at least one of you, why are most of the words used to denigrate women okay, but even the mild ones commonly used against men, including arsehole, not?

>I think the 2nd and 3rd are pretty common in modern slang

Then they have no place in GS

Okay, bitch (as name calling), biatch, biotch, slut, and whore are now added to a minor infraction (we call this a nudge). It's in the same category as dick, dickhead, asshole, etc.

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Wyrom, PM

>Where's my safe space?

how about: women should be given the same consideration for respect as men. Does that bother you so much?

That is the point. Its not an adult game. We do have kids that play not as much as in the past but its there. If anything be more adult in how you act (collective you) and the GMs wouldnt have to put out policy changes like this. The fact events seeemed to have happen to make GMs update the policy is sad in of itself.

By themselves, no. Context, possibly.

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Wyrom, PM

I can honestly say i never once heard that used in game. That said i would like to think we are mature enough that we dont need every single instance spelled out. Be mature and you will most likely never hit this policy.

Thank you. This makes me happy - you and I had a discussion about this exact thing almost a year ago. I'm glad to have been heard. :)

The problem with spelling out every single word against policy is people will find new slurs to use not listed and then say it wasn't listed. I'm sure there are numerous slurs for every race and the list would get kind of ridiculous.

There are equivalent words in other languages that are just as vulgar as the words in English. There are memes, abbreviations, and acronyms that involve vulgar words, or mean something vulgar. There are also players who just act vulgar, regardless of the words they use. Sharing a blacklist just gives players the info to create a script that garbles their input before it goes to the game, and just posting it will offend people.

Really, the bigger issue I see is that the game has an unsupported 3rd party tool that incorporates an unofficial chat system right into the game window, that shares the game input prompt. I think you see where I'm going with this.

Or people will just use the scripts that protect against chat mishaps.

There is absolutely nothing vulgar about the flower girl. Discrediting her female virtues is merely a running gag. Also, I saw her kick a kitten once.

~Land Pirate Maylan~

>Vulgarity placed in the POLICY verb is something likely down the road. I'll need to add new pages or re-purpose one. It's not a trivial addition. Maybe I'll just make a new verb.

Yes, but how many effing nudges, soapings, or warnings would you get for telling us how you REALLY FEEL about the game backend?

A slur?!?

Trust an Elf to get uptight about slurs. I mean, what's so bad a speech impediment?!?

I see giantmen an' humans slurring left an' right alla time after too many stouts or whiskeys. <snort>

Asshole isn't that severe. But some of the stuff that really pertain to this update are. Violence is also rated differently.

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Wyrom, PM

I have been playing this game for almost 20 years. (Dear Lord). This whole time, THIS WHOLE TIME I was allowed to say words I didn't think I could get away with. Not that I have any plan to now but geeze.

Which is funny because my vocabulary outside of the game would make a Marine take pause. I vaguely remember being soaped for saying something in TSC. I was alone, I can't even remember what the word was or why I said it.

Bottom line though...this post gave me the giggle-fits.

A nudge is a GM saying, "Hey, watch the language." It can come in many forms. A [SEND] or canned messaging are the most common. Soaping is when you literally have your mouth washed out with soap and blow bubbles for about 5 minutes. In terms of punishments, there are 3 tiers. Nudging, soaping, and warning. Enough warnings can result in a lockout.

The new system handles things in a more automated sense ONCE you are set up for monitoring. So if you're generally using no inappropriate language, you're not likely being monitored. But don't get yourself set up for it by trying to test the limits. Because once you're locked out, buh bye!

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Wyrom, PM

Piss, crap, ass, arse, balls, bitch, biatch, biotch, damn, slut, whore, hussy, wench, frack, freak, frig, frigging, prick, twit, and sex. None of those words are going to get you in trouble, unless you go off the rails.>>>

bitch, slut, whore should all be soapings, Wyrom.