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COMPLAINT PROCEDURE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The most common complaint concerns disagreements on the interpretation of rules during combat or judged scenes. These situations take enough time as it is, and it is IMPERATIVE the RP not become bogged down in prolonged debate over rules. However, such disagreements DO occasionally arise, and players DO have a right to express their opinion and/or contest the Judge's decision. If such a disagreement occurs, please use the following procedure: * The Judge running the scene makes a ruling, and they may or may not explain the reason behind it. That decision is often based upon information not known to all players involved that somehow affects the scene. * If all parties involved accept the Judge's ruling, RP continues smoothly. If not, the dessenting player(s) should OOCly make known their disagreement to the Judge -- ONCE. The Judge will take the player's point(s) into consideration and then either reassert their ruling, or alter it accordingly. Regardless, at this point, the Judge's ruling will stand. If the player(s) still disagree with the ruling, they have the right to submit a formal complaint AFTER the scene ends. As stated above, combat-related or judged scenes can run for hours, and compounding them with an OOC descent into rules debating is not only counter productive, but highly irritating for everyone involved. Insisting on a debate, hence prolonging the scene, runs the risk (at the Judge's discretion) of being ejected from the scene, at which point the PC will be run by the Judge for the duration of the scene. This procedure may seem somewhat harsh, but it has evolved over years of Staff experience, and has been proven successful to handle disputes in TimeStopped situations. It prevents all participants from being "frozen" while the case and counter-case are prepared. Neither the players nor the Judge want to be caught in an 18-hour long TmS. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= COMPLAINT PROCEDURE =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Occasionally, situations arise between players that have nothing to do with an IC situation. It is common for friendships to develop between players. It is also common for the opposite to occur, in that not everyone on a game will like one another, agree with one another, or get along with one another. For whatever reason, dislike or disagreement with another player should NEVER be allowed to go IC, i.e., there should NEVER be a case where an OOC disagreement is taken IC. Personal opinion and personality conflicts should be left OOC and not bring about IC actions against the other player. Staff dislikes in the extreme being involved in situations like these, but if a case arises where one player's OOC dislike for another player is taken IC, then Staff Arbitration sometimes becomes necessary. In such situations, it is IMPERATIVE that logs be provided as evidence to prove IC actions were based on OOC problems between the players. A clear-cut, concise @mail should be sent to the appropriate Sphere Head and/or Complaint Staff, outlining the stuation in a polite, non-hostile manner. It is highly recommended that the players do not have either IC or OOC contact during investigation process, as this will keep the situation from escalating. Once evidence from both sides has been reviewed by the appropriate Staff, all parties made aware of the final decision. Again, as with other formal complaints, the Staff decision is FINAL, and the players should make every effort to comply with that decision, even if they feel it is unjust. FINAL WORDS: Neither the Complaint Staff nor Game Staff on Shadowed Isles are professional counselors. We cannot wave magic wands and patch up broken friendships, or solve personal problems between players, or advise players beyond the scope of the game. We will listen, review ALL formal complaints, and try to make the best decision possible on the factual evidence provided. While the Complaint Staff has many years of combined game experience, as well as assistance from Game Staff and their knowledge of game mechanics, we are quite human. Mistakes happen. We have Real Lives which can delay response time to player complaints. We also have our own opinions and points of view on any given subject and situation. However, that being said, we have made a solid commitment to providing players on Shadowed Isles with fair, ethical and equitable treatment. For example, NO member of Complaint Staff will deal with any situation or issue in which they are personally involved. We work damned hard to be as fair as humanly possible in each and every issue. Each of us have had many negative experiences as players dealing with Staff on other games, and will make every effort to treat players as we wish to be treated. We are far from perfect, but we try to provide our players a gaming environment they feel is fun, fair and safe, with avenues of recourse when things don't run smoothly. From what we can tell, we've been at least partially successful, because otherwise, our player base would be much smaller. In the end, let us say it is our fervent hope never to hear from ANY player in an official capactiy, but we are more than willing to discuss any aspect of Shadowed Isles when not busy with our other Staffly duties. *** SI Complaints Staff *** =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Return to News Files |