In-Game Conversations Between Players

[Razor42]

Hi there,

I'm not sure if anyones ever come across things like this but if you have you know how funny, strange and disturbing these experiences can be.

On my game I have brothers, girlfriends, boyfriends, aunties, wifes and husbands that all play along side each other and when checking message logs I often find messages that literally have me rolling on the floor in laughter! I have couples arguing about there relationships! We did have a woman who used to send all the players naked photos of herself and tell the players to head on Skype as her husband had left for work and she could go on skype and strip for them!! We have people who are in relationships via finding each other on games but have never met and constantly mention when there going to meet and various other things!!

I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced these kind of things when reading game logs etc?

[Dave]

I always thought having message logs was a bad invasion of privacy within McCodes.

They're private messages for a reason and there's no warning on any game I've seen saying they maybe moderated.

[Razor42]

They are there to stop players breaking rules.

[Razor42]

Probably is wrong that i'v posted this actually could a mod delete this? :)

[Guest]

You haven't mentioned any names nor your game, don't see anything wrong with it ^.^. I have never really checked PM's on my game, though if the need ever came to it, I don't ever state that they are "private" as such, just simply messages.

[Dave]

Probably is wrong that i'v posted this actually could a mod delete this? :)

You've kept the identities of those private, so it's fine. I can still delete it if you'd like?

[Razor42]

Leave it as I would like to see if anyone has had these experiences

[Veramys]

Nothing is really private though and sometimes you have to go into mails even though you hate reading the messages (dreaded cybering). I've found it is easier to be upfront with people though. Tell them their mail isn't private and is subject to have an admin look through it at anytime and it's easier when you have to.

[Dayo]

Nothing is really private though and sometimes you have to go into mails even though you hate reading the messages (dreaded cybering). I've found it is easier to be upfront with people though. Tell them their mail isn't private and is subject to have an admin look through it at anytime and it's easier when you have to.

This would probably be best in a privacy policy what most games should have but most dont (well the small ones dont)

[KyleMassacre]

I only checked mail logs when I had any suspicions that players were cheating or other rule breaks that can happen during a pm like harassment etc

[SRB]

(dreaded cybering)

I'll come monitor mail for you, if you like ;)

[Veramys]

LOL I'm sure you would :P

[Alan]

Personally, I find this highly distasteful; while we do have mail logs; they are *only* available to staff if in the extreme case, somebody wishes to report the sender and even then we can only see the mails that are specifically tagged in the conversation. Why? Simple, we take the privacy of our players *very* seriously. Mail is held in an encrypted form, so even if the server itself is compromised, a highly unlikely scenario, nothing can be gleaned without considerable (30+ years) work.

Logs are not here to prevent players breaking the rules - that is what your game logic is for. Even simple logs like McCodes cash/bank/crystal transfer logs are never needed by any member of staff unless an issue has been raised that cannot be fully understood by following players statements. ""Staff"" have too long at all levels abused their position by having access to and basing their own actions on the content of these.

We treat all our players with the respect that they are due, by maintaining their privacy as much as any service provider or financial house will do and ensure that support staff are their purely to deal with any contention or other problems that may arise.

When player/owners of McCodes et.al. start to take it upon themselves to follow the same rules that they expect their players to follow, the genre, the codebase, and the entire player base may just start to become a little more mature; till then we have children playing the part of "staff" with none of the social skills or responsibility needed to run what is in essence a small business.

Edited August 10, 2013 by Alan

[rockwood]

Personally, I find this highly distasteful; while we do have mail logs; they are *only* available to staff if in the extreme case, somebody wishes to report the sender and even then we can only see the mails that are specifically tagged in the conversation. Why? Simple, we take the privacy of our players *very* seriously. Mail is held in an encrypted form, so even if the server itself is compromised, a highly unlikely scenario, nothing can be gleaned without considerable (30+ years) work.

Logs are not here to prevent players breaking the rules - that is what your game logic is for. Even simple logs like McCodes cash/bank/crystal transfer logs are never needed by any member of staff unless an issue has been raised that cannot be fully understood by following players statements. ""Staff"" have too long at all levels abused their position by having access to and basing their own actions on the content of these.

We treat all our players with the respect that they are due, by maintaining their privacy as much as any service provider or financial house will do and ensure that support staff are their purely to deal with any contention or other problems that may arise.

When player/owners of McCodes et.al. start to take it upon themselves to follow the same rules that they expect their players to follow, the genre, the codebase, and the entire player base may just start to become a little more mature; till then we have children playing the part of "staff" with none of the social skills or responsibility needed to run what is in essence a small business.

you are raising a valid point , and i am fully agree with you.

[danman24]

i've seen players on my game have cyber sex in their messages. quite graphic and disturbing to view.

[DeathsAlive]

During the course of investigations. I have come across various messages. Some amusing, others..disturbing.

But I have modified the admins ability to view messages. A reason must be given, which is then logged.