Language in Voice Chat

[Vilidius]

Someone raised the topic with me that our language in voice chat has been a bit rough.  I'm paraphrasing.  It's up to that individual if they want to raise the topic directly or not, but I've noticed the same and I'm guilty of it myself.

Saga hasn't had voice chat in the past.  So I know there are some new folks here who may be reluctant to step on old issues, but there's no precedent to defend, overturn, or reference.  This is just something we need to figure out.

In the past, the position I've taken is this.  That I don't want to tell people they can't or shouldn't swear, but at the same time we expect people to be aware of who might be listening.  Some people have voices on speakers.  I know I've inadvertently sworn in front of young children in other games as a result.  And I feel bad.

I'm not the best person to lead this topic because my language is often bad anyway.  I can't pretend to set a good example.  But speaking as someone who inevitably will swear sometimes over chat, if we wanted to adopt a rule that we keep a relatively clean channel I wouldn't be opposed to that rule.  I'd fail at it sometimes, but I'd try to respect it.

I guess I'm just saying that I'm open to any outcome here, and I'm not sure what rules, if any, are most in keeping with Saga's general character.  Feedback most appreciated - not least of which from Raven, since he is generously hosting our chat and is there probably more than anyone. 

[Rumze]

Sorry if I have had some rough language. :X

Umm Im all for keeping a clean chat, but we could also have a channel set aside some nights like drunken nights for some relaxing of language or have a time set that watch your language till this hour guys/gals.

The time thing has worked the best in my experience because sometimes you go afk and you come back and there is someone in the channel that you didnt hear come in and if you go back to rougher language , the person goes DOH language and then theres a kerfuffle and what not.

[Tys]

My bad on this one. I tend to let the birds fly when I am gaming and get really into it. I know I've dropped a few bombs during the Beta Weekend. I'll be sure to clean things up  and honor the wishes of the other Saga members. My apologies to anyone I might have offended due to my language. Last thing I want is to ruin the environment for other people. My sincerest apologies.

[Gith]

I care very little about swearing. We are all adults. I do it sometimes and don't mind if other swear every third word if that is how they kick ass and take names if we are in PvP or something. I find it part of the fun to bad mouth the other team if we are doing PvP but I accept that other people that have kids listening in might not think that way.

I know voices and have not linked them with names yet but I know the guy I was PvPing with and I were having a blast in Huttball just him and I and we were swearing all over the place at the other team [and our own team that didn't know how to THROW THE BALL!!!] I think that was Cyrian and myself.

Whatever people decide I will abide by but I would imagine the PvP rooms will be a little more PG than Family rated. I will swear sometimes by mistake and I appreciate it if people let the room know if they are broadcasting throughout their house/apartment on speakers so I know if other people may be listening in or if my comments are directed only to the players in the chat room. As Vilidius said, I know I have probably exclaimed through someone's house before like Raven who has his sound through his TV speakers and I feel bad about that.

[Auric]

Well I do swear alot in general, but I don't speak much in mumble anyways so I doubt I would start cussing in anyone's ear. I'm more likely to swear in text than over mumble. That being said I don't have a problem with people swearing. I'm not offended by it or have children around that could hear, however and I can appreciate that some people do have an issue with it.

We have an older player base, and we're supposed to act our ages(Somewhat anyways). Maturity sort of gifted us all with the ability to swear, and it's not something most people do consciously or with ill intent, it just slips out. I can see a problem if we are sitting in mumble dropping every F-bombs every two seconds, that would obviously be a problem. But if someone lets loose the occasional curse, as long as it's not directed at another person in guild/chat I don't honestly see a problem.

It's a fact of modern life that people swear. My house is a few doors away from an elementary school and you should hear some of the talk those kids throw around :p Sometimes people are going to want to be on voice chat to just shoot the s**t. I'm not sure there's really anything that can be done about that except ask people do their best to keep it clean.

[Gith]

I will replace all of my expletives with this.

[Rumze]

Sigh I cant believe I fell for that. This cute video of a cat face palming is my reaction : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cwvSJr1UrA

[Tys]

I will replace all of my expletives with this.

I second this motion.

[Mixxi]

I will swear if something goes south in a fight, although it tends to be of the mild "what the hell" variety. I think an emotional response to a situation is OK and heightens the intensity to a certain extent, and I like it when my groupmates have a reaction to something that happens to us.

On the other hand, frequent expletives without a particular purpose can get tiresome. I can see that.

[Askari]

1) It is impossible to offend me with vulgarity.
2) I have no children listening over my shoulder as I Mumble.

but...

3) I respect that other people may not share my status on the above two points.

Therefore, I try not to drop f-bombs and other 4-letter words in voice chat, unless I'm in a sub-room with folks I know don't mind (and don't have kids listening).

I think the key is to not get uptight about the issue and just communicate amongst ourselves openly and without judgement, as friends.

If you enter Mumble and have a kid at your side or just don't like the language, mention it! And if there's a few of us who want to continue cursing, we can move to an "R-Rated" Mumble room.

Anyway, that's how I feel on the subject. If you disagree, you can frak off. 

[PinkRose]

I'm vigilant when it comes to swearing.
I don't know why but it just isn't something I enjoy doing or hearing.
Let's say it was me that brought it up. I really was offended by the language. I don't play a game without a language filter in chat and the only way to filter it in mumble is to turn it off, which I did on Saturday and Sunday because of the language.
I understand you are all adults, except for Jealous , and with that I feel you have a responsibility to not offend those that may be listening.
I would prefer not hoping people watch their swearing but rather a PG-13 rated channel so that people don't feel bad bringing it to the attention of the channel.

We don't allow excessive swearing on the boards, I don't think it should be different just because it's live.

[PinkRose]

No strong profanity or obscenity, including pictures and sigs. No adult material. PG-13 language or material is acceptable.

Board Conduct

[Lyrima]

I'm not part of mumble --yet-- and if Ryland hadn't suggested we think it was him, I would have said the same...and repeated what he said.

I prefer not to hear a bunch of superfluous profanity.  The occasional curse because of frustration is totally fine.  But bad mouthing and swearing at opponents or regular cussing will turn me off (and I'll turn off) mumble immediately.

I'm so glad we have a useful precedent in our expectations on the boards to help define what is acceptable.

I'd be open to a time thing, however.  During these hours, little profanity, during these hours, have at it.

If we set up a separate channel for it, does that mean we'll have those that swear in one and those who do not in another?  That feels a lot like 'us' and 'them'

[PinkRose]

Yes an R rated channel would move the R rated people to that channel and we wouldn't hear them in our Disney Ears channel, Lyrima.
That's why I didn't suggest that.
Time is difficult because we aren't all on the same time. Late Friday 4am for me is actually early Saturday 7am for Lyrima and her kids.

[Jhared]

Language in Voice Chat

Clearly we should all talk Danish in voice chat to avoid people getting offended. 

Seriously though, I only swear in jest. Usually. 

[Gith]

I think most of us will be decently responsible with our cussing come game launch. And once people get on Mumble more and express their preferences we will all know who doesn't care and who does and tailor our conversation as such.

That being said, I don't recall anything getting too out of hand during the Beta weekend but then again I worked Friday and Saturday night and was out for most of Sunday so I was playing very late with a limited crowd so I guess I missed all the potty mouthing. [it would be funny if I am the one said unnamed individual(s) complained about heh]

I will admit a few times in PvP I fired a mortal volley into a nicely clustered group of imps and said "suck on that B____ES!!" and that blank didn't spell babies. That is about as bad as it gets and I will remember to let go of the push to talk button when I say stuff like that to myself as I plaster imps to the floor with explosive FURY!!

[RavenMiles]

First off I would like to thank Vil, For bringing this to my attention. I feel that because i started the mumble server. I should be the one to fix this. I would have posted here sooner. But i was at work. So, i spent the rest of work trying to come up with a soulotion. All so i would like to take this time to say. That i am truly sorry if any thing i have said on mumble. Has offended any one. I am all so sorry that i did not forfill my responsibility as the Voice officer and addres this before. So, here are some new rules.


Language in Voice chat

At no time are you to use comments or phrase that is negative to Race, gender. Religion, or sexual preference.
Lobby is G rated no swearing at all. If you post a link in text and it is R rated. Let the room know.
Cantina is R rated. It is ok to swear here. It is a hive of sum and villainy.
If you make your own channel and you know their will be swearing in it. After the channel name put a ratting. Exp. Flashpoint-R
If at any time someone language is in Lobby is offencive. Contact me. I will addres this.
If anyone is offencive all the time they may be band from mumble.
Mumble is their for every one. So please respect this.


I feel that these new rules. Will help to accommodate every one. I know my language can be offencive. So, if i ever say any thing that cause some pain or anger please let me know. I will not hold it against you. I just want every one to enjoy there gaming. I do not want to be the reason you do not. Thank you for your time.

[Allen]

I have a foul mouth at times. 
If I offend you, say something, otherwise live with it.

[Jealous]

I'm vigilant when it comes to swearing.
I don't know why but it just isn't something I enjoy doing or hearing.
Let's say it was me that brought it up. I really was offended by the language. I don't play a game without a language filter in chat and the only way to filter it in mumble is to turn it off, which I did on Saturday and Sunday because of the language.
I understand you are all adults, except for Jealous , and with that I feel you have a responsibility to not offend those that may be listening.
I would prefer not hoping people watch their swearing but rather a PG-13 rated channel so that people don't feel bad bringing it to the attention of the channel.

We don't allow excessive swearing on the boards, I don't think it should be different just because it's live.

Why is it that when someone excuses me from being offensive, I can't think of anything even remotely witty? 

On topic: While I have nothing against swearing per se, and am guilty of the occasional "meecrob" myself, I do find it not only guffaw depleting, but also tawdry. With that said, though, I am hard of hearing, so the chances of me actually using voice chat are slim to only-if-forced.

[Askari]

We don't allow excessive swearing on the boards, I don't think it should be different just because it's live.

On a board (or in a chat channel), you can think about what you are presenting as you type, and you can edit it before you post.

In live speech, most people tend to talk however they talk. I don't use four letter words in public or at work, but when I relax around friends and family... I occasionally do. Because all my friends and family do too.

If all of Mumble were G-rated, I'd have to police how I talk and what I say. In other words, Mumble would become a public/work environment for me, not a social/fun place for me.