Porn Avatars

Bird Of PrAy

Bird Of PrAy

A Little Darkly
Yesterday something occurred in one of the tf2 DARLKY servers that I wish to get clarification on. I understand that porn sprays are not allowed, and I totally agree, but I went to trade with one gamer, his avatar was very graphic, close up shot of a couple having sex. I could explain in more detail, but I am not sure how young the kids are that come here. I brought this to the attention of one of the DARKLY admins who told me that porn sprays were not allowed, but there was no rule on avatars. In my 5 years of gaming and being admin in other servers, this is only the second time this issue has come up, but a rule needs to be made one way or the other about graphic content of avatars. IMHO if porn sprays are not allowed, then porn avatars should not be either. A gamer with a porn spray should be asked to change it, or leave the server till he does. Whether it is a porn spray in public view, or a porn avatar in private view, both should have the same rule to apply. I welcome feedback and clarification. Bird Of PrAy
 
TurboTaco

TurboTaco

TD Admin
To my understanding, dgn is an open gaming community to all but intended for 18+. Enforcing no porn sprays in server is one thing, but forcing players to change their profile picture is going to be too much of a hassle n strain to enforce n monitor. If it isnt racist or hate-based, i cannot hold any gripe; afterall...its just a tiny square depicting some human flesh on flesh. Just my take
 
Shotgun Jesus

Shotgun Jesus

TD Admin
Staff member
While we have no specific rules on avatars, common sense would dictate that the no pornography rule applies to them as well. I probably wouldn't complain if it was "cartoony" or stickmen, but close-ups of genitals, I'd likely say something.

Do you know the guy's name?
 
Fiend

Fiend

Senior TF2 Admin
I was the admin on the server at the time. I asked the player why he would have an avatar like that. Ultimately, you couldn't see or make out anything, so i didn't act on it. The only way to see the avatar was if you traded him, and even then, you didn't see anything. Had genitals or a disgusting act been visible, i would have handled the situation differently.
 
Bird Of PrAy

Bird Of PrAy

A Little Darkly
TurboTaco said:
To my understanding, dgn is an open gaming community to all but intended for 18+. Enforcing no porn sprays in server is one thing, but forcing players to change their profile picture is going to be too much of a hassle n strain to enforce n monitor. If it isnt racist or hate-based, i cannot hold any gripe; after all...its just a tiny square depicting some human flesh on flesh. Just my take
Click to expand...

What I am about to say, is not said as an angry response, but I do not understand the logic of your statements. If this is a "open" gaming community, then why have any rules at all concerning porn sprays, or any other kind of offensive sprays? Someone made the "no porn sprays" rule for a purpose. Unless a person was lock in their bedroom with no contact with the outside world, most all adults (18+) have seen porn and racist and hate-based images, therefore I am assuming the rule was made for preventing younger kids from seeing porn? Am I understanding that you are saying if someone had a really racist avatar you would be against it? If the rule was to protect the younger kids, then how is a racist or hate-based photo worse than a porn photo. Wouldn't it then be too much hassle to be "forcing players to change their profile picture" if it were racist or hate-based? Are you saying it is just not politically correct to be racist or a hater, and porn is not a big deal because everyone does it? The "tiny square" depicting some human flesh on flesh was not that tiny. When viewed in trade, the content is evident, which lead those who want to see more to go to the gamer's profile where they can view a very detailed and graphic close up of a black man's (censored) stuck up the (censored) of a white gal with her legs spread wide. How then is a spray of that image any different than an avatar? I am not saying that admins should now have the job of inspecting avatars or profile any more than they should spend their time inspecting all the walls of the server for porn sprays. I am saying that if they visible find porn in the server, whether it be sprays, or avatars or profile pictures, then it violates the rule and should be dealt with. Giving the offender the option of changing it or leaving till they do is only logical if the rule was made to prevent young kids from seeing it. Rules are made for a purpose. I do believe there should be latitude given to make common sense judgments by the admins, but there need to be a determination on this issue by the senior DARKLY staff about how far the porn rule goes.

If it appears I am looking for things to kick and ban people for, you should see my record on other servers. I have one of the lowest, if not the absolute lowest instance of kicks and ban in all of the other 11 servers I administrate. I do not snatch up my ban hammer at the first sign of a broken rule. I attempt to let the offender know what is wrong in a way that does not challenge their manhood or insult them, but I do maintain control of the conversation. 95% comply with no problem, and after they learn what I will allow and not allow, I usually never have a problem again. In fact, most of the other gamers correct them before I do because they know their limitations. I would love to hear what the senior the DARKLY staff plan to do as far as clarifying this porn rule and how far it is to be applied. Have a nice day. God bless. Bird Of PrAy
 
Bird Of PrAy

Bird Of PrAy

A Little Darkly
Hey, I was told I needed to be involved in the DARKLY forums. This will teach you to ask for my opinion. :) You have a good group of trade servers and admins, otherwise I would not be hanging out here...but they can get even better. Take care. Bird
 
Fiend

Fiend

Senior TF2 Admin
Sprays are one thing, Bird. They are created with the soul purpose of being used on servers. The avatar of the person your messaged me about was not what you describe it as here. At least, it wasn't when i viewed it. However, you think it's an admins job to also police someone's profile picture when it is THEIR profile. We monitor in-game content on our servers. Chats, scams, sprays, hackers etc... Steam monitors profiles. Ultimately, it's not DARKLY's right to monitor or censor someone's personal Steam profile. That'd be like me walking into someones home and taking down their confederate flag. Steam has that right.
 
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