hey guys...

I want to propose a slight addendum to our procedure for reporting problem players. I think it would be helpful (to both admins and players) to establish a simple, standardized format for reporting rules violations over in-game global chat. I suggest we use the following format:

REPORTING: playername - violation - map - gameclock

This is what it might look like ingame:

|TG-12th|WhiskeySix: REPORTING: 1337d00d - not following SL orders - mau - 42:17

It's a simple, "low overhead" change, but I think it would help for several reasons. First, for the admin team dealing with a difficult game to monitor, this format would make violations stand out more clearly in the chat logs. It would also allow admins to look back for rules-violators during off-hours when there may have been no admin coverage. When the same player is reported on multiple occasions, admins can take action after the fact. Also, in addition to any potential gains realized by the admins, I can see several ways that this would benefit us (the players) as well:

1) Standardized reports are official reports - This would elevate them above the status of some random stranger stating a whiny, subjective opinion.

2) Anything we can do to simplify things for players will help increase the number of reports. The game moves quickly, and even just having to think about what to type when filing a report can be enough of a hurdle to make some one say screw it, and move on without reporting the offender. This standard format would let people take 15 seconds to enter a quick, "fire and forget" report.

3) Since these 'official' reports would be made in global chat, hopefully those breaking the rules will notice that they've been reported and stop what they're doing without requiring admin intervention.

4) The snowball effect: By seeing how quick/easy it is to report violations, others (even visitors) may be encouraged to do the same. I think a lot of people are shy about calling others out because they don't want to "get into it" with the violator; perhaps a standardized, objective/emotionless format would help?

5) Perhaps most importantly, it empowers the player. A lot of pent-up frustration has surfaced recently about a perceived inability to improve the server. Maybe this would help mitigate some of that - contrast the following:

|TG-12th|Whiskeysix: h4ckb0t, please do not SL without giving orders!
First, it's likely that I won't get any feedback indicating my 'report' was noticed by an admin - so I feel like I might have just wasted my time. Second, it's not obvious to admins that my text was intended to be a 'report' in the first place! Finally, my statement sounds like a personal, subjective opinion - one which is likely to get an 'immature' response from the violator.

|TG-12th|Whiskeysix: REPORTING: h4ckb0t - not giving SL orders
First, it's not addressed to the violator - it's a report to the admins about a rules violation. Second, I can respond to any potential response by the violator with "it's a server rule", and be done with it. Finally, I feel good about what I just did because I know I haven't just "wasted my valuable gaming time". I know the violation has been noted "on the record", and will get noticed by admins - whether they're currently scanning the global chat or not.

Sorry to take so many words to describe something so simple . Obviously this isn't intended to be a cure-all - we still need to fill leadership roles in the server, refer people to the forums, etc. It's just something simple that I think could really make a difference.