In Loving Support of "Barrens Chat"

Hello exiles,

Due to a recent mute from global chat for antics that I would consider to be "banter", I am using my time away to make an impassioned, powerful plea for the protection, and existence of, "Barrens Chat" as applied to Path Of Exile global chat etiquette.

For those of you who may not be aware, "Barrens Chat" refers to the wonderfully off-the-rails, sometimes toxic, sometimes idiotic, but always highly entertaining chat culture that emerged in the early days of World Of Warcraft, within a low-level zone called "The Barrens".

Barrens Chat was everything one might expect from a massive online congregation of nerds, misfits, dorks, and everything/everyone in between, and it could conjure up the best, and worst, of the internet on any given day. Many memes and memories were made in Barrens Chat, and at times, heartfelt, genuine discussions and a spirit of camaraderie that transcended the format and the genre itself. Barrens Chat can also be applied to the general manner of irreverent discourse that can emerge in any online chat - and it is my humble opinion that Barrens Chat is crucial to the creation of truly timeless and wonderful gaming experiences, of the type that many of us will hold dear in our hearts for our entire lives.

With that said, I feel that the well-intended reporting and disciplinary system that exists in most online games of the modern era, PoE included, do a LOT to diminish or outright destroy "Barrens Chat", while not really "helping" anyone or any cause in particular, except some distinctly modern sense of perpetual outrage for outrage's sake. A simple glance at many/most of the character names flooding PoE global chat at any given time of any given day reveals that good taste is of little concern to anyone with the slightest desire to participate in it. What instead seems to be the case, is that the cheeky inciters use the reporting system as a way to pick on others (for committing the same "crimes" as they do), and GGG is compelled to comply for legal/PR reasons in order to (justifiably and understandably) protect the bottom line and the reputation of the game. When a mute happens, it can often come as a surprise to the player, like "wait what? muted for THAT?!?". At the level that global chat policing exists in its current incarnation, it feels like walking into a dance club/nightclub that has a sign over the entrance that says "no flirting" or "no suggestive dancing" (whatever THAT may mean at any given moment, to the powers-that-be). Simply put, it is TOO EASY to get muted from global chat. It seems that there is too much overlap or ambiguity between what would be a flagrant, justifiably reportable foul, and what could or SHOULD be considered harmless fun/banter that is getting reported for reporting's sake only.

I do believe that there are many of us, perhaps MOST of us here, that deep down, if put to the sword, would admit that Barrens Chat is what we actually WANT, "etiquette" be damned. And I think GGG, or any game studio, would be happy to oblige if there were simply a way to avoid the legal/PR repercussions of doing so.

I am no expert in the legal/PR aspects of managing a game studio or upholding the terms of service in a global chat, but it seems to me that implementing some sort of OPTION to opt-in to a relatively 'unrestricted' global chat, where all but the most flagrant displays of disregard for civility and/or spam would be "fair game". Is such a thing possible? Would it be feasible to split the playerbase between "safe" global chat, and "Barrens" chat? And if so, would a simple disclaimer associated with toggling this option on, suffice to protect GGG from any legal risks of allowing real fun in global chat?

There really isn't any tasteful way to "defend" such a suggestion, as it is a celebration of tastelessness itself. It turns out human beings are quite complex - sometimes we are clean and noble, other times, we are dirty and toxic. Almost like a balancing act, and a necessary one at that. Barrens Chat is the safe psychic release that many of us need, to maintain balance in other areas of our lives. But I might be able to justify the suggestion in a way that makes sense to everyone: I predict that if such a feature were introduced, player retention & community ratings/feedback league after league would dramatically IMPROVE. Because, as the global chat saying goes, "global chat is the real endgame". Implementing this feature would effectively split the playerbase into the clean chat (where anyone with any toxic leanings would naturally move away from) and the not-so-clean chat, for all the rest of us (thereby absolving GGG of legal repercussions, and allowing us to have our fun without overbearing punishment). This would dramatically improve the culture and etiquette of the "clean" chat as well, as all those cheeky trolls capable of juuuuuuust riding the line of toxicity (i.e. knowingly spewing anti-social/disruptive rhetoric without getting "flagged" for it) would leave to the dirty chat where they can have more fun; this would provide a safer space for the hypothetical children that are in such 'dire' need of hand holding/protection, I suppose.

At the end of the day, I suppose I find it a little odd that a company known and respected for their hardline/hardcore stance on game difficulty + player freedom would have such a creatively restrictive global chat where one can get muted for the slightest of offenses or off comments; why not also provide us with a way to go "hard" in chat, as well?

I say all this knowing that it will likely fall on deaf ears, or that there really is no way to truly implement such a thing. And I may even be putting my account at further risk by stating this. But I do this because I HAVE to, because I believe, with all my heart, that Barrens Chat DESERVES to continue to exist, and that, even with the toxicity/tastelessness of it all, it actually does more to help gaming communities than to harm them. I hope that someday, Barrens Chat can see the light of day once more. I think we'd all be better off.

No.

"

ImmortalBeloved83B wrote:

I say all this knowing that it will likely fall on deaf ears

Thats what happens when you aren't concise.

"

Thats what happens when you aren't concise.

The difficulty inherent in this argument (for a very noble cause) requires a bit more elaboration and a bit of poetical flair.

I think i'm precisely the person to champion this cause.

I don't think there is any reason that anybody BELIEVES in not to implement such changes; the "clean" global chat is really forced upon us (and GGG) by the vocal minority of the perpetually outraged. Most everyone knows that it would be a much more enjoyable experience, and that there isn't really anyone that the current over-policing is truly protecting (i'm not sure children should be playing a game that depicts such violence/brutality anyhow).

There's no GOOD reason to be this oppressive of creative/free expression; it's just mandatory to protect the bottom line in a massively over-sensitive world. There's no good reason to be puritan about it. If possible, a simple toggle like i've suggested would beautifully and elegantly allow everyone to win.

The current system is simply too oppressive (gee, have we heard THAT before?). It's difficult to tell exactly what can get one muted/banned, as it seems to be entirely at the whim of global chat and/or the moderators. You could take almost any of the sentences in this post, out of context, and get someone muted from global chat... because the way the rules are ENFORCED is just so hazy and either excessive (or blindly automatic).

I think we'd see higher player retention and overall better ratings with more OPTIONS for players to interact with the game in the ways that they PREFER, whether this involves the endgame, Archnemesis modifiers, or the global chat experience.

There is a real chance i'll lose this account for even suggesting this as an option. I'm legitimately afraid of doing or saying ANYTHING other than NOTHING AT ALL about the state of the game, unless it is mindless robotic praise - anything and everything else can easily be construed as "against the terms of service/code of conduct". And if I do lose this account, I suppose it's for the best - i've honestly got far better things I should be doing, and I can no longer trust in the future of the vision or my ability to enjoy the game in the ways I prefer. And as a fan since the very beginning, I cannot emphasize enough how profoundly tragic and painful this is. Once again, the wonderful dreams of what our world COULD be, run up against the absolutely soulless brick wall that is the modern zeitgeist. And the dreams crumble.

plenty of people have said something similar, but im gonna use a damn DR Seuss quote because i can

"

Dr. Seuss:
“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.”

if you want to get a point across, make your point and let it be judged. dont muddle the thing with another 10k words.


no, PoE does not need an 'unfiltered' chat room.

"

no, PoE does not need an 'unfiltered' chat room.

You sure about that? Sounds so boring

1060 words in the original post... I'm not sure whose gonna read that. Rambling wont get your point across, your audience wont appreciate it.

I'm not even really sure what your main point is.

Something about being muted?

If it was unjust. Should probably contact customer support if you have these kinds of issues, rather than the feedback section.

"

Chickenwink wrote:

1060 words in the original post... I'm not sure whose gonna read that. Rambling wont get your point across, your audience wont appreciate it.

I'm not even really sure what your main point is.

Something about being muted?

If it was unjust. Should probably contact customer support if you have these kinds of issues, rather than the feedback section.

My point is: i'm trying to be a champion for the old-school, (almost) anything-goes, un-moderated, and truly FUN online game chat of a bygone era, I guess.

Times, and people, change. Often for the worst. I guess you never experienced the golden age, and that this creatively neutered, soulless "stay within the lines, or else (PS: we're obligated by management to say this)" modern era is right up your alley.

I wish I could be as easily satisfied as you, I suppose. I wish "meh, this is okay" was good enough for me too. If that's the way you live your life, then I genuinely hope it turns out well for you. But I will continue to at least TRY to tread the road less traveled... towards a world that is better, more enjoyable, more honest, and ultimately (and ironically) SAFER, for EVERYONE - including you, friend.

"

ImmortalBeloved83B wrote:

i'm trying to be a champion for the old-school

Please, don't.

A chat like that will not happen. Australia is pretty strict on a lot of things including something like a barrens chat.

If you really want one you can make your own on a platform like discord and annoy people with invites.

Such a chat wouldn't really see much use, trolls prefer to make unpleasant and unwelcoming environments for people that aren't interested in it.