Shadowgate

kassius · Site Admin Joined: 17 Aug 2017 Posts: 243

I think we could, Viola.

The issue is we'd probably need a lawyer if we wanted to do it right then we open up ourselves to having a lawyer look at us, do we need to look at all the Forgotten Realms content etc. We should be safe, because we don't make any money on the game, so players couldn't help with a lawyer, we probably couldn't even take one for free, because that would be service, who knows. Its just a sticky situation and maybe I'm over thinking it, but I do think that some of this is easily fixed by just limiting what can be done..

I know very few GAMES that I play where I can have sex.. Witcher, couple others and they all fade to black after the PG13 shit.

Anyway, I get your comments and the reasoning behind them, they aren't invalid, I just think as the internet has grown these type of situations have gotten more attention and will continue to get more attention

Gia · Joined: 03 Feb 2017 Posts: 58

I think an opt-in could be a good solution.

I don't think a "fade to black" in uncomfortable situations would in any way limit a character's evil repertoire, as long as the situation itself is allowed to arise. If we're going to disallow it completely, we might as well disallow PK too and just all get along and get that Klauth party going.

I think it is perfectly possible to "have sex on the mud" without ever going into graphical details, or at least stay well within the boundaries of acceptable behavior.

I think we need to separate graphical sexual content from violent content however. If there is the slightest chance that graphical sexual content can get any one of you in trouble with the law, then by all means, ban that.

In short, we can have the darkness of a superhero movie without going full Deadpool. Or gritty tolkien-esque fantasy without a full on game of thrones vibe.

Lastly, whatever opt-in system may be invented, I strongly recommend we also implement some guidelines taken from live action rp to ensure that everything is consensual. The following commands could be used, either coded or simply said by the player:

"Slow down/back off" to tell the others to dial back any uncomfortable behavior slightly. Game continues but less detailed/deranged based on the situation.
"Pause" Rp stops while you work out the issue oocily and continue.
"Stop" The scene ends. Work it out oocily and fade to black.

I'm not sure about my translation of these terms, but you get the gist of it. Giving the players these tools and instructions on how to use them, could help avoid any future situations.

Saq.
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Lujke · Immortal Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 642

I'm not a lawyer, but I'm not sure this level of alarm about potential legal consequences is justified. If it is, it applies to every chat room, every game that allows interaction between players, every porn site and erotic fiction site and almost everywhere else on the internet.

We have an over 18 policy. I assume we still enforce that if we become aware of any breaches.

We have a mechanism to handle any complaints of harassment or whatever, and we respond to anything that's brought to our attention. That should pretty much cover our duty of care.

An opt in for types of content we are concerned about might be a nice addition, but banning stuff because someone might potentially complain about it in the future just seems a bit, um, draconian.
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saide · Immortal Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 395

Okay. I am not sure if this type of consideration/alarm about potential legal consequences is justified - Lujke has a point there.

However, I am sure that the political and legal climate is changing in the USA - look around you at all of the people speaking out about sexual assault/sexual harassment. I think that this is a good thing - it is an issue that should have brought to light decades ago or longer. The world needs to change.

With that said - I become a bit more concerned since the server is actually in my house. Furthermore, the difference between SG and sex chat rooms is that sex chat rooms exist for a very specific purpose and any user needs to verify that they are 18/21+ to enter before doing so. SG has no such barrier and there is not even (at this point) a question that asks if you are 18 on creating a character. I will change that. So hopefully that will make sure that legally we did our duty.

The difference between WOW and SG as far as sexual harassment goes - you can instantly report someone on WOW - or ignore them - or even both - you no longer need to interact with them. We also have nothing like this on SG - though I want to explore the ability for this to happen as well. Most every other online game in existence (aside from possibly other MUDS) already have this.

Anyway, to the topic at hand.

It does not bother me on a personal level if you are having sex with bob in the middle of the deku haunted house - or in the temple of Oghma - I don't have a tendency to watch players when I'm online with Saide - I never have - with very very few exceptions - either I am tracking a bug or wanting to interact with some type of plot.

It does not bother me on a personal level if you want to chop off each others limbs and then carry them around - I had a character that would rend the heads of goblins/other stuff and carry them - my wife played a character that would carry a goblin head around and talk to it (briefly).

I personally do not enjoy either such types of role play - I wouldn't enjoy having a sexual relationship with someone on SG - I would not enjoy role playing a missing eye/hand - and I would not enjoy inflicting that on someone else - I know that I am not alone.

But basically there is a vote on the game - if you haven't voted log into the mud and vote.

For a yes vote you would type flag feature | vote rp changes yes

For a no vote you would type flag feature | vote rp changes no

If more people vote yes

- RP remains encouraged - instead of enforced. What we mean by this is that we are not spending our time forcing you to RP - you do not have to if you do not want to. Eventually the goal is to provide concrete/positive rewards for RP beyond just plot rewards.

- Relationships still remain - the difference is that any hardcore sexual/graphic content would be fade to black. You and her are kissing - then go do other stuff in the back of the room - hoping you aren't interrupted - for example. However you want to approach this.

- Team evil can still maim - just do a recap - do not RP out the graphic detail of it all - IE I tortured you for x amount of time and then removed your hand. You have no hand until you can find an IC way of restoring it/or die. (If you are not comfortable with RPing having no limb then do not RP it - try to be upfront with the person doing the interaction - talk about it OOC - if we are adults we can find a solution to our problems that does not require immortals to hold our hands)

If more people vote no

- RP remains encouraged - instead of enforced. What we mean by this is that we are not spending our time forcing you to RP - you do not have to if you do not want to. Eventually the goal is to provide concrete/positive rewards for RP beyond just plot rewards.

This essentially means that RP will continue like it has always. However, I will be installing some manner of flag system so that you can either fill out a profile or use color codes to indicate which type of RP you are comfortable with.

Regardless of Votes

You are all going to need to basically fill out a disclaimer saying that you are 18 and agree to potential adult situations. I plan to list ways that you could contact us if something is uncomfortable and explaining the fade to black policy.

The result of ignoring a fade to black request is your character is deleted and you are IP banned from logging into the game.

Sexual diseases will become a reality - since it's an important part for some of you - I think if there is a flag type command to turn it on - then when it's turned on you will be able to be exposed.

If there is no type of flag to turn on then I will just set up something using emotes - so it would check your emotes for things that appear sexual in general.

Gia, I think that your suggestion on creating tools to basically make sure every thing is consensual is very helpful - thank you. Thank you to any others that mentioned similar concepts.

I am going to be locking this thread because I do not think that any more good will come from it. If you want to contribute your opinion to the ideas then please log in and vote.