About the Censoring of "Taboo" Threads in Escapist [NSFW Discussion]

[SweetShark]

Some days ago I created a Thread about a game with the name "Pocket Pussies" because I though it was interesting.

Spoiler

Pocket Pussies is a Pokemon clone game wii be created thank to the help of Offbeatr [NSFW site]. You are trying to catch as many Monster Girls as possible and of course as you guessed already, have sex with them.

After some days this Thread get deleted by the mods of the site.

So, I didn't created this Thread to complain about that. Instead I decided to take this opportunity to discuss about the "Taboo" Threads in Escapist.

First of I must say this: Yes, I know this kind of Thread isn't suitable for children, neither for many people they don't want to get involved with this kind of things. It is very understandable and I respect that. That why I make sure my Threads at least to have a fair warning before a user comment in my Threads.

With that said, I want to talk about the other Threads I see in Escapist. Specifically the Thread they talk about "Taboo" things as well.

Threads about porn, furries [like mine in some parts], transgender, gore, Visual Novels, etc.

These above are also "taboo" to talk about.
But the thing is, a specific Thread is only Taboo if a big amount of users thinks is not suitable for discussion

So in other words, even if Escapist deleted my Thread that it was about a Pokemon clone porn game, we can still discuss more freely about Erotic Visual Novels, Transsexuals, Sexy Nuns, Porn.....

I just want to say isn't there any kind of Taboo here in reality, because we already discuss in many Threads about "bad" and "shocking" staffs we no longer think they are taboo for us....

Did we really reach this kind of point?
The point were we can accept many other Taboos to discuss, but no other kind of Taboos that aren't so appealing to the biggest crowd?

*Sorry if my English confuse you. English is my second Language*

 

[IceForce]

Well, they allow threads about blowjobs, apparently...
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.824085-Poll-Its-not-gay-if

Kinda poor that they completely deleted your thread though. Did they notify you that they'd deleted it?

 

[EeveeElectro]

I suggested a while ago (and I'm not the only one to) they need a update with the CoC.
What is allowed and what isn't isn't very clear. I've seen some threads about sex get locked but others are allowed to go on. A fresh set of rules will benefit us all, and the mods need another rundown on what's lockable and what isn't, while not letting their personal opinion impact on their modding.
Example, a thread they find uncomfortable personally doesn't necessarily mean it's breaking the rules and shouldn't get locked.

Of course you could pm a mod before you make a thread to make sire it's okay but I can imagine some people don't like the idea of having to ask permission.

I'm actually unsure who to pm now Nas isn't in charge to adress these problems :s

 

[SweetShark]

Well, they allow threads about blowjobs, apparently...
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.824085-Poll-Its-not-gay-if

Kinda poor that they completely deleted your thread though. Did they notify you that they'd deleted it?

No, I don't think so.
And the Thread you posted make my point more clear now. Thank you.

 

[EscapeGoat_v1legacy]

I'm actually unsure who to pm now Nas isn't in charge to adress these problems :s

If you have a problem you wish addressed by a member of Staff, you can get in touch with s0osleepie [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/profiles/view/s0osleepie], our Senior Community Editor, or JonB [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/profiles/view/JonB], the Assistant Community Editor.[footnote]Hmm, I should get round to adding that to the forum guide if it's not already been done[/footnote]

snip

I realise this won't be the most useful post here and I apologise. I, personally, didn't see your thread (as far as I can recall), so I can't claim to give a conclusive reasoning behind the deletion of your thread. However, as you consider in the OP, it could have been because the game itself is very clearly unsuitable for discussion on an Age 13+ site like The Escapist - and I say this fully aware of the discussion on these fora about 18-rated games, but I mean in the sense that while violence (and its ilk) is an 'accepted' part of gaming that we accept teens (and by teens I mean anyone 13+, thus meeting the minimum age requirements of this site) experience, but that games heavily based around sexuality, or of a sexual nature, isn't (and which Pocket Pussies, by its own admission, is). I don't have an answer to your question in your OP (as I am not going to speak on behalf of the entire Moderation Team, I'm merely posting my own speculation), but as ever if you want more information, clarification or want to ask questions about this kind of thing in general you are of course welcome to PM me, or any other Red Guard, or the two above-mentioned Members of Staff.

Finally,

snip

It's worth pointing out that that thread is not about blowjobs, per se. It's a question and exploration of sexuality that happens to use oral sex as a framing anecdote, which is a perfectly reasonable discussion to have.

 

[Colour Scientist]

As far as I remember, wasn't your thread just pretty much advertising the game?
That's against the rules, as far as I know.

 

[Phlakes]

snip

You can't come in here with reasonable explanations, now how are we supposed to riot over your fascist corporate oppression?

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

But the thing is, a specific Thread is only Taboo if a big amount of users thinks is not suitable for discussion

Well, yeah... I feel like every site has a bit of a personality and the escapist just doesn't really have threads like your pocket pussies one. I did glance at it and while I didn't have a problem with it, I could see why others would. I don't want to sound like a dick by saying "go somewhere else" but its a big Internet out there with plenty of places to discuss porn parody games. Or maybe the escapist should just get a NSFW board but I don't think they want to attract that kind of crowd

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

I suggested a while ago (and I'm not the only one to) they need a update with the CoC.
What is allowed and what isn't isn't very clear. I've seen some threads about sex get locked but others are allowed to go on. A fresh set of rules will benefit us all, and the mods need another rundown on what's lockable and what isn't.

The problem with that is that the rules are intentionally vague. The site wants to give mods as much freedom and leeway to do their job as possible. And, generally, it has worked fairly well.

The issue with sexual threads does often come down to individual mod reactions. The mods are people - Escapist community members - like the rest of us. They each have their own opinions on what is and is not acceptable, and sometimes those opinions clash. However, to keep a cohesive front, the mods have to stick together and support one another even if they sometimes personally disagree on an issue.

**snip**

One thing you might try is PMing a mod and asking what you can do to talk about the game and its content. Sometimes all it takes is changing how you phrase your discussion. This is a game site, after all - we should be able to talk about all 18+ games, not just the ones centered around violence. How can we have a discussion about feminism when sexual games are pulled off the table?

Again, often context and phrasing make a huge difference. If you're unsure, check with a mod first, and get their approval. As noted above, mods will support one another - if one signs off on your thread before you post it, you should be safe.

Edit:

As far as I remember, wasn't your thread just pretty much advertising the game?
That's against the rules, as far as I know.

Was it? I don't remember the thread, so I was just sort of posting in the dark here.

Then yeah, OP - you need to "discuss" the game, not just state that it exists. If your thread doesn't have a discussion element, then it will get mod-killed even if it's about happy bunnies playing go-fish.

 

[Dismal purple]

So now we are equating transsexualism with pornography?

 

[major_chaos]

I'm actually unsure who to pm now Nas isn't in charge to adress these problems :s

Wait what? What happened to Nas? One of the few mods I never had beef with, so I would be sad if they left.

 

[waj9876]

Was it deleted for being about a pornographic game, or were you just advertising it?

This is a pretty big distinction, if it was deleted because a mod personally doesn't like it, then yeah, that's pretty bad. But there are rules in place about advertising a game. As far as I know at least. You need to find out which one it was.

 

[SweetShark]

As far as I remember, wasn't your thread just pretty much advertising the game?
That's against the rules, as far as I know.

Indeed, it was my Thread and even it seems it was like advertisement, I see it simple as news.
If I remember right there are Threads about games like Corruptions of Champions and Tits: Trials in Tainted Space. This is also advertising? No, I just wanted to discuss about the game because I like it. Maybe you see it like an advertisment, but I only just wanted to discuss about this game.
Plus Escapist doesn't showed this game in its news and I wanted to discuss about this game.
We see Escapist advertise games like Torment or Shadow of the Eternals, etc...why not this game?

 

[Dismal purple]

I don't belong on a pg 15 website, I am harmful to the children. Censor me please.

 

[EeveeElectro]

-snip-

Ah, thank you. I'm sure I heard it was those two, do both of them have involvement in the CoC? I don't want to message people who have nothing to do with what I'm talking about.

-snip-

It works well for the most part. However there's been plenty of times I'm left completely baffled by mod actions and I still think it needs addressing.
Some of them a lot more sensitive to certain subjects and seem to lock threads on impulse without consulting other mods (as far as I know? I could be wrong, I don't know what they do behind the scenes...) There's been plenty of times I don't understand why a thread has been locked, if they always explained why the less obvious ones were locked it would prevent users making the same mistake in the future.
The rules at the minute seem to be very erratic... there seems to be one rule for some people and a different rule for others.

The rules shouldn't be vague if it results in a few slapped wrists from users who don't understand what's allowed and what isn't.
All I can do is message them my concerns, I know a few people who certainly agree with me.

I'm actually unsure who to pm now Nas isn't in charge to adress these problems :s

Wait what? What happened to Nas? One of the few mods I never had beef with, so I would be sad if they left.

This thread should explain it.

 

[Wickatricka]

Honestly I don't know why the escapist wants to be a clean cut forum. Seems like the more interesting conversations happen on taboo subjects.

 

[Kenbo Slice]

So many threads complaining about moderation recently. I think the CoC and moderation needs a complete overhaul since there's so many complaints about it.

As stated above, The Escapist could use a NSFW board, or something a little more on the adult side.