Do you think such consensus rules are good? Or should there be strict rules everywhere – even in private chats of a game?
We have extensively covered the issues players have had with stalking in Final Fantasy XIV on MeinMMO:
Players wish that Final Fantasy XIV would protect them better from clingy ex-partners
Erotic role-playing in MMORPGs is actually a taboo topic. Final Fantasy XIV addresses the topic of “eRP” and even has rules for it.
Just yesterday, we reported on MeinMMO that Final Fantasy XIV has changed some of its terms of service. Our article mainly discussed that offering services for in-game money – such as assisting with particularly difficult tasks – has been prohibited in the LFG tool.
However, a few other details have also changed: Final Fantasy XIV allows erotic role-playing – as long as it is kept private and everyone involved agrees.
What’s happening with Final Fantasy XIV? The terms of service for Final Fantasy XIV have been updated. Some sections have been renewed, while others have been articulated more clearly. As an example of allowed behavior, a scenario involving eRP (erotic role-playing) has also been described, which goes as follows:
In the case of role-playing that includes mild sexual expressions (such as in erotic role-playing), with a consenting group of two or more players, when conducted in a private area, this will not be considered a violation unless someone reports it.
However, if you encourage or invite other players to participate in such role-playing without being sure that they want to, then there is a high probability that you will be reported and punished. Please be cautious.
Boundaries are the lowest common denominator: Similarly, this applies to jokes or remarks that could be perceived as offensive. As long as there is a consensus in a free society (essentially guilds in FFXIV) that certain humor is accepted and okay, there are no sanctions.
However, each player should be aware that humor is subjective. What some find funny, others may find hurtful. As soon as even one player no longer finds such remarks humorous, that behavior should be corrected – or it may lead to sanctions if reported.
No tolerance for stalking: It is particularly noteworthy that FFXIV has added several lines regarding in-game stalking. It is not allowed to constantly follow other players or repeatedly message them when asked to stop such behavior. Apparently, some players have had negative experiences with this.
Are these rules so unusual? No, not really. While it is rather unusual for a developer to address specific content like “erotic role-playing,” these rules exist in one form or another in many other games. Most conversations that take place within a closed group are hardly monitored or not monitored at all, but are only investigated upon reports from players. Still, it is refreshing to read that developers seem to know very well what goes on in their game worlds.
Do you think such consensus rules are good? Or should there be strict rules everywhere – even in private chats of a game?
We have extensively covered the issues players have had with stalking in Final Fantasy XIV on MeinMMO:
Players wish that Final Fantasy XIV would protect them better from clingy ex-partners
