Rock Band Forums: Code of Conduct

[DeusTrinitas]

*SARCASM*

I don't like these rules. I mean, I was wanting to generally insult people, peppering my speech with words and phrases appropriate to a thirteen year-old, making homophobic slurs, spewing racial epithets, putting down any and all religions, and saying things about everyone's mothers (your mom, too, Johnlok).

After all, I participate in these types of activities on XBox Live all the time along with the majority of XBox Live members, so why can't I do it here?

*/SARCASM*

[Desaevio]

A long time coming. *slow clap* Well played, clerks...

[HMXJohnlok]

I have two questions, one about advertising and another about bumping threads.

The first, advertising. Why can't users advertise a website as long as it contains no offensive material or belittles the game, the site, HMX or MTV games? I just recently began my own fan site, only to find my topic locked because it falls under the terms of advertisement. Can we get an omission for fan sites, or am I just going to have to look elsewhere for members? What about a the link in my sig to my site, is that against the rules as well?

A lot of forums I go to (including my own) allow double posting if a given time period has passed and new information relevant to the discussion needs to be shared. Could something like this be added as an addendum to the rules?

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Edit: The second link is a good read, I can agree with most of the points. I recall playing Rock Band and getting kicked because I used a female avatar. I was also once kicked for not having a usable mic (the adapter doesn't work).

Fansites are fine - mostly this applies to vendors, eBay links, and pyramid schemes.

[HMXJohnlok]

"Objectionable Material: is comprised of any strong language considered to be offensive and/or objectionable, or clearly circumvents the profanity filter."

You've GOT to be joking right? With all of the songs you could pick from last month, you chose to release "Beethoven's C***", and now you want to create a rule banning the use "of any strong language considered to be offensive and/or objectionable, or clearly circumvents the profanity filter"?

Ironic that you chose something that is both objectionable AND that was disguised to "clearly circumvent the profanity filter."

I love this game and this site, but someone needs to pull their head out of their posterior on this one. Take your pick, but if you chose the moral high ground, then don't release songs with the very language you are seeking to ban from the forums.

Hypocrisy thy name is Harmonix.

I should clarify - we let a lot slide on this one. When profanity is relevant and/or non-abusive, we are pretty lenient. If there's profanity for the sake of profanity, and/or it's directed in an abusive fashion, that's when the rule is applied.

[AllIWantIsU2]

AllIWantisU2 --

Got your point the first time.

All they are asking is that you abide by their few and simple rules. HMX's game and HMX's message board, they can "break" the rules if they want. We can't.

Did that make sense? (still haven't had enough caffeine)

So are WE allowed to talk about the song "Beethoven's C***"? It's offensive and deliberately circumvents the profanity filter, right?

I know I'm being a pain, and maybe not making any sense. I fully support making these boards as pleasant a place to post as possible, and I have no desire to use abusive or offensive language on the boards. But I found it ridiculous when they released that song in the first place, and doubly so now that they want to make a rule about profanities.

On a personal note barbaraann72, is Terrapin Station a real location, or are you showing that you are a Terps fan? (asking as a U. of Maryland, class of 88 alum).

[Weeksy77]

"I should clarify - we let a lot slide on this one. When profanity is relevant and/or non-abusive, we are pretty lenient. If there's profanity for the sake of profanity, and/or it's directed in an abusive fashion, that's when the rule is applied."


Very true - it's easily noticable here on the boards when an expletive is being directed towards a particular person or group, as opposed to an exclamatory remark or general description "Holy F**k! You mean Led Zeppelin is really gonna be in the game?" As opposed to "'F' Led Zeppelin, and 'F' the lot of you as well!"

[HMXJohnlok]

So are WE allowed to talk about the song "Beethoven's C***"? It's offensive and deliberately circumvents the profanity filter, right?

I know I'm being a pain, and maybe not making any sense. I fully support making these boards as pleasant a place to post as possible, and I have no desire to use abusive or offensive language on the boards. But I found it ridiculous when they released that song in the first place, and doubly so now that they want to make a rule about profanities.

On a personal note barbaraann72, is Terrapin Station a real location, or are you showing that you are a Terps fan? (asking as a U. of Maryland, class of 88 alum).

Let me quote from the top of the rules:

The Rock Band Community Team (RBCT), including any non-employed community moderator volunteers, reserves the right to interpret and apply the code of conduct on a case-by-case basis

We understand that rules do not (and probably cannot) cover every single case. It's best to live by the spirit of the law rather than by the letter.

edit: I also want to add that these rules have been very loosely in place for a long time now. The purpose in posting them was simply to let people in on what our basic guidelines are when moderating.

[AllIWantIsU2]

I should clarify - we let a lot slide on this one. When profanity is relevant and/or non-abusive, we are pretty lenient. If there's profanity for the sake of profanity, and/or it's directed in an abusive fashion, that's when the rule is applied.

OK, my last post crossed yours, so this is making a little more sense. I guess it raises the spectre of Harmonix deciding what is and isn't acceptable, but I will have to live with that. Thanks for the response.

(I still think Beethoven's C*** was over the line and unnecessary, and hope you'll consider not repeating that type of song in the future. Whatever - Rock on!)

[HMXJohnlok]

(I still think Beethoven's C*** was over the line and unnecessary, and hope you'll consider not repeating that type of song in the future. Whatever - Rock on!)

Fair enough - and believe me, the point is well taken. I usually tug at my collar and glance about when discussing this song (at least the title).

[Weeksy77]

Fair enough - and believe me, the point is well taken. I usually tug at my collar and glance about when discussing this song (at least the title).

Now - forgive me for asking this, obviously the game isn't out here yet, but from the You Tube videos - isn't the title also edited to C***, and from what I can hear, there's no actual use of the word in the song either - is that right?

I just think some people can be a little sensitive on occasion - my apologies if the word is in there - but people may take offense to the line of "Drivin' that train, High on Cocaine" in "Casey Jones" as well, so it's a case of "Where do you draw the line?" - I think the filtering on songs through "Rock Band" so far has been pretty good overall.