He has accumulated years of experience as a moderator of the MMORPG subreddit – Now Protobear shares his impressions with us in an interview.
Protobear or U/Proto_bear has been one of the moderators of the MMORPG subreddit for 7 years. Among the current moderators, he has been there the longest, aside from the AutoModerator from reddit itself.
If you are often in the MMORPG subreddit, you have certainly read his name before. Proto_bear, alongside the title “God of Salt.” What that means exactly can be read in the interview.
We talk with the moderator about changes and issues in MMORPGs. For example, why is it rule number two: “Do not be toxic”?
“The MMORPG community constantly resists changes”
Anny from MeinMMO: You have been a moderator of the MMORPG subreddit for 7 years now. How did you become the “God of Salt” and what does the title mean?
Protobear: I became the admin or “God of Salt” when a new admin was being sought because the previous one had left. I had previously shown initiative and managed to build an engaged community on Discord.
The title refers to the subreddit, which is often called a “salt mine” because people can sometimes become very “salty” about their favorite games [Note from the editor: “Salty” colloquially means something like “angry” or “upset”]. The name “God of Salt” comes from an interview with Steven from Ashes of Creation.
MeinMMO: In recent years, the MMORPG genre has seen many flops and failed releases. What are the biggest changes you have seen as a moderator of the subreddit in recent years?
Protobear: I have noticed some changes. First, I observed that smaller games can exist and a successful launch is not the key to a game’s success. ESO, for example, has developed well because Zenimax Online stuck with the game despite it being anything but a commercial success at launch. It is better to grow slowly than to have explosive numbers at launch.
On the negative side, I have observed that games take the safe route and follow a standard formula, which is why many are very similar. Even if details may differ, small changes seem much more significant due to the slow development of the genre and are therefore welcomed. And when a game tries new things, it is said to have “not enough MMO” even though it possesses the same qualities.
On the positive side, New World has shown the industry that players want MMORPGs. Furthermore, Riot, which is currently gaining weight in the genre, could lead to new MMORPGs appearing on the market. However, if the Riot MMO fails, the genre could go through tough times. […]
MeinMMO: How has the subreddit changed with the genre? Has the community changed?
Protobear: The MMORPG community constantly resists change. This is due to their strong attachment to their favorite games or the fear of losing them. Nevertheless, the subreddit has undergone significant changes.
We have been inspired by other subreddits and collected feedback to make substantial changes to our rules. For more positivity, we are working with developers again this summer and have introduced a spotlight program. [Note from the editor: In the program, developers can participate for free. Their MMORPG will then be pinned in the subreddit for several days, gaining attention and feedback from the community.]
Moreover, there seems to be less emphasis on player numbers now. People are moving away from the idea that a single game dominates a genre. These changes reflect how the community’s attitude regarding the potential of an MMORPG is changing.
In the video, you can see the trailer for the anime MMORPG Blue Protocol:
“Toxic behavior has been tolerated by developers for years”
MeinMMO: Many MMORPG fans believe that the community is becoming increasingly toxic and that everything used to be better. What is your opinion on that?
Protobear: My view is that the subreddit has not become more toxic over the years. Although there are some toxic cases, we have reduced them by promoting positive content and moderating strictly.
The problem with the MMORPG genre, however, is that players can be very passionate about their favorites. This sometimes leads to toxic behavior towards other players who speak out against the game due to negative experiences. For example, this is the case with Black Desert Online. Players feel the need to defend it because they do not want it to disappear.
Moreover, inclusivity in the industry has increased, and marginalized communities are now more visible. This can lead to resistance from individuals who oppose changes. Women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community are becoming increasingly visible. Some players are openly hostile towards them.
This creates a toxic environment in the gaming community, for which developers are responsible for managing and improving. Toxic behavior has been tolerated by developers for years, ironically creating a “safe space” for insults.
My point is that toxicity is a multifaceted problem – on the one hand, with a culture created by MMORPG studios, and on the other hand, with a fundamental us-vs-them mentality of the players.
Nevertheless, there are games that have cultivated a positive community – for example, Final Fantasy XIV and Guild Wars 2. It takes effort and commitment from both developers and players to create a healthy environment. And it will take time for the necessary changes to be fully integrated into the industry.
Which MMORPGs does Protobear play himself?
MeinMMO: Which MMORPGs are you playing?
Protobear: That’s a tough question because I haven’t had much time to play lately. I played Dragonflight at release because WoW has always been very important to me. But due to my work, I am now rarely home and mostly have to resort to my Steam Deck.
ESO has been working very well for me lately because the combat system is designed for controllers, and you don’t always have to invest so much time. Currently, Destiny 2 is my main MMO (if you can even call it an MMO) that I play to fill the void.
In addition, I am looking forward to catching up on Guild Wars 2 and FFXIV now that the main storylines have been expanded.
MeinMMO: Which upcoming MMORPG is the community looking forward to the most and why?
Protobear: It is important to note that I do not speak for the entire community. In my opinion, the Riot MMO and Corepunk are two of the most anticipated MMORPGs. Riot has a huge following, and there are high expectations for their entry into the genre.
Corepunk, on the other hand, has attracted a lot of attention due to its unique blend of MOBA and MMORPG elements.
We thank Protobear for the interview!
Are you often on reddit and did you already know the moderator? What is your opinion on the topics? Feel free to tell us in the comments here on MeinMMO!
