Can we ban Mafia ads outside of the Gameroom?

[Kekvit Irae]

Just what the subject line says. Can we make it a rule that you can't post advertisements Mafia advertisements outside of the Gameroom itself or PMs? Already, a thread was shutdown by Beirut in the Frontroom, and I had to close one in the Arena (news flash: Mafia is NOT Arena material), and god knows where else they are posted. It just annoys the heck out of me that some people have to resort to spamming to get attention. And staff members, no less!

[woad&fangs]

agreed

[Beirut]

I don't mind a visit now and then, especially if they have a big game in the works, after all, we do want to support our friends in other forums.

On the other hand, I am considering a massive spam attack on the Gameroom if it gets out of hand.

Inter-forum warfare... sounds kinda cool really. ~:smoking:

[GeneralHankerchief]

I agree, they do get excessive.

If everyone who starts a game makes several threads asking people to come, then soon the entire .Org will become an advertisement for the Gameroom. Not good.

The game being advertised in question is going to be massive, and the more players it has the better, but there is a line and IMHO it was crossed this time. More subtle methods of recruitment are needed.

For example (and I'm not sure if this has been done already), the Hail! New Members thread would be a great place to recruit. It's not intrusive, being restricted to one thread but still grabs a lot of people, especially as they are coming to the .Org for the first time.

[Xiahou]

I really don't see the problem.... :shrug:

[Kagemusha]

Me neither. The game being advertised is exceptionally large one and its kind are very rare beast´s. I would not fear about mafia advertising in general will take this kind of proportions. But i guess ultimately its up to the moderators of different areas of Org to decide what is appropriate in their sub forums and whats not.:yes:

[Caius]

I don't agree, unless there are 10 threads per forum per mafia game.

[Rodion Romanovich]

They fit in the frontroom, but are a bit disturbing elsewhere (and by PM). Just my :2cents:

[Caius]

Cant we make a poll with options? That would define the matter.

[FactionHeir]

Ever since seeing a certain moderator posting the ads in pretty much every forum I can see, I have believed that this is excessive advertising that sets a bad precedent.

I still stand by that opinion and believe that if you want to advertise a game regardless of its size, do it in its own forum or put it in your signature. There is no reason to annoy reader of other fora and spam them with advertisement, regardless of whether they get read or not.

Its like spam emails. Do you really want them?

[Dutch_guy]

I think the most effective way to punish this crude form of advertisement is to mass lynch Andres in the first round of the game!

On a more serious note, I really don't see why we should get worked up about this. It's just some friendly advertisement. One can argue that it simply doesn't belong in the Arena (and or Throne Room...), but it's a one of a kind game. And as many people should be made aware of that.

:balloon2:

[caravel]

I don't see any problem with it. You can actually choose not to read the thread after all.

:yes:

[Mouzafphaerre]

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So there are people who get annoyed with the spam ads and those who don't.

To find a middle ground I, as a neuter ORGah in this case suggest that the ads be organised and limited. Such as, whenever a game starts one of the initiators make a thread at the Entrance Hall and the Frontroom and announce it. It may even be left sticky for a limited period. Further thread ads would be illegal.

Variations can be made around this core.
.

[CountArach]

as a neuter ORGah
Something I always wanted to know: Does the process hurt?

[Martok]

For example (and I'm not sure if this has been done already), the Hail! New Members thread would be a great place to recruit. It's not intrusive, being restricted to one thread but still grabs a lot of people, especially as they are coming to the .Org for the first time.
I very strongly disagree. There are already enough Gameroom-related posts in that thread as it is -- to actively recruit there would likely drive it completely off-topic (and new members would stop introducing themselves there).



.
So there are people who get annoyed with the spam ads and those who don't.

To find a middle ground I, as a neuter ORGah in this case suggest that the ads be organised and limited. Such as, whenever a game starts one of the initiators make a thread at the Entrance Hall and the Frontroom and announce it. It may even be left sticky for a limited period. Further thread ads would be illegal.

Variations can be made around this core.
.
I like this idea. :yes: I'm definitely not against people getting the word out about a new Mafia game (or what have you) -- I actually think they're a pretty neat idea -- but having multiple threads started in multiple forums is both excessive & irritating IMHO.

[Mouzafphaerre]

Something I always wanted to know: Does the process hurt?
.
:whip:
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[Kekvit Irae]

I am in agreement with Mouzafphaerre. Frontroom, Gameroom, and EH only for maximum exposure and minimum spam. However, if I EVER see another mafia thread in the Arena again, I'm going to go ape:daisy: on the offender.

[Caius]

I am in agreement with Mouzafphaerre. Frontroom, Gameroom, and EH only for maximum exposure and minimum spam. However, if I EVER see another mafia thread in the Arena again, I'm going to go ape:daisy: on the offender.
Calm down. Take it easy.

[sapi]

Calm down. Take it easy.
I'd just leave it up to the local mods as to what to do with it.

Beriut naturally had to axe it - he's got a reputation to keep after all :laugh4: - but in other areas it's not so bad.

Besides, it hardly works, the only two responses the Citadel one got last I checked were from local mods, who had both already signed up :grin2:

[pevergreen]

The way i see it, is the main areas people go. 1 in each.

Since we are talking about Capo 2, its not a normal event. It needs a large amount of players, so we need to recruit.

However, i am not for 3-4 threads in the frontroom. The original was enough. :no:

Perhaps just an announcement in the future?

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Beirut has his axe, Kekvit has her hairpins. Ouch! :surrender:
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[Beirut]

Why the Frontroom? :inquisitive:

The Backroom handles murder and the Arena handles games, why not them

[GeneralHankerchief]

Okay, from the looks of this thread I see:

- sapi, Citadel mod, saying that the posts in the Citadel don't work.

- Beirut, Frontroom mod, semi-complaining about why the Frontoom is the target of most of the recruitment posts (and even if he's joking, it's probably only half-joking).

- Kekvit Irae, "Iron First of the Arena" clearly making her opinion known about the presence of such threads in the Arena.

- Martok, one of the serial welcomers in the HNM thread expressing his disagreement of recruitment there (didn't know mate, I need to visit that thread more often and say "hello").

Clearly, there seems to be a pattern of NIMBY syndrome from the people running areas of the forum. Announcement/short-term sticky probably seems best for all parties.

[Xiahou]

Clearly, there seems to be a pattern of NIMBY syndrome from the people running areas of the forum.I still don't understand why. Who's it hurting? Are we worried it'll sully the prestige of the org by posting a handful of threads about a forum game that's being hosted here? :beam:

Frontroom- 'Off topic forum':
Sounds like it fits there.

Backroom- 'Talk with other members of the community about anything, including civil discussions about politics and religion': Sounds like it's appropriate there as well.

Arena- 'A place to discuss any games not from the Total War series':
If there was only one forum for such notices, this would have to be it- the description is a perfect match. I know I've seen other ads for web-based and post based games listed there many times in the past. A big difference with mafia games is that they're actually hosted on this forum- you'd think that'd be a plus. :shrug:

Unless I'm mistaken, there are already rules against thread spamming and spam-type bumping. There's no need to tailor special rules against mafia games just because some people don't like them. If you don't like a thread, do what I do- don't read it. If someone is spamming out of control, then the mods can deal with it accordingly. :yes:

[Kekvit Irae]

A big difference with mafia games is that they're actually hosted on this forum

Bingo! This is why such threads are no longer wanted in the Arena. Org-based games have their own subforum.
It's like discussing the finer points of Europa Barbarorum II in The Citadel. Sure it's M2TW, but it's not in the right place since EBII has its own subforum.

[Csargo]

I can see why it could get annoying to some people, and some members just spam the threads. But the point is to try to get as many people to play the game as needed or possible.

I think it's pretty obvious that only being able to post ads in the Gameroom is stupid and a waste of time, because the only people who go in the Gameroom are the ones that play mafia or the couple of other games that are hosted there.

I'm not sure what the big deal is honestly, but you mod the forum so you decide what can and can't be in it.

[Husar]

If certain spoilsports would sign up for the game, there'd be enough players that no advertising was needed. ~;p

This pointless topic about how horrible a single thread has been annoys me quite a bit as well but unfortunately I can't close it. I suggest that as long as this almost never happens, some people take a pill and relax instead of making such a fuss about a few threads which weren't meant to bother anyone and intended to spread some fun.
I know that fun is not the official forum description of many fora here so it doesn't really fit anywhere but as we say here, exceptions prove the rule and it's not really like every mafia person would spam every forum, people see this as an exceptional game and so they try exceptional methods to get the players needed, it shouldn't be too hard to live with it...

I'm done, thanks, byebye.

[Rodion Romanovich]

I am in agreement with Mouzafphaerre. Frontroom, Gameroom, and EH only for maximum exposure and minimum spam. However, if I EVER see another mafia thread in the Arena again, I'm going to go ape:daisy: on the offender.
Instagib them! :2thumbsup: :2thumbsup: :yes: :idea2: :balloon2:

[Beirut]

Concerning Gameroom ads in The Frontroom. :sunny:

We'll welcome Mafia ads from Andres only. If he sees there's a big game, or one that's especially interesting and warrants advertising, he's always welcome in The Frontroom. :bow:

All other Mafia ads or discussion threads will be shmooshed on sight.

[Husar]

That sounds sensible Beirut. :2thumbsup:

[LittleGrizzly]

I don't see the problem TBH. maybe make the advertising campaigns a bit more limited to aviod stepping on toes, ive seen several adverts round the place and it hasn't hurt my enjoyment of the .org one bit...

[sapi]

Concerning Gameroom ads in The Frontroom. :sunny:

We'll welcome Mafia ads from Andres only. If he sees there's a big game, or one that's especially interesting and warrants advertising, he's always welcome in The Frontroom. :bow:

All other Mafia ads or discussion threads will be shmooshed on sight.
Sounds good, I'll steal that policy for the Citadel if Andres ever decides to bother there again :laugh4:

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

I've had two infesting the Colosseum (here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=98329) and here (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=97926)). Both of which I've closed within three hours of posting, although only with the aim of keeping questions and comments within the CTDC thread rather than scattered all over the place.

I don't really mind the advertising, unless it becomes excessive. I'd say its up to local staff members to choose what they want to do really - it doesn't happen frequently enough to be worth generating a global policy.

[TinCow]

Actually, some of the PBMs occassionally need to recruit as well. Perhaps it would be good to develop some place to concentrate advertisements for slots in open Throne Room and Gameroom games. Something like a second Announcement bar that shows up in every forum and which displays a rotating list of games that need players. Perhaps also the ability to turn it off for each individual person in the CP (though default would be on). Of course, I have no idea if vBulletin is capable of that.

[Ramses II CP]

The thing about spam posts is that they can become a wedge to larger spam issues. Don't make the mistake of thinking that your spam is special, what makes it any different from KotR spam, MPC spam, GHC spam, AAR spam... those are just the things I happen to be interested in and we've already got five or six more spam threads. If you don't put a limit on it people will start to spam about anything and everything until you've got to load page two just to see a non-sticky, non-spam thread. The Org isn't there yet, but it's a steep, slippery slope. The tragedy of the commons is all too common on 'net boards.

So, look, right down there below what I'm typing. There's a sig line. Lots of people put links to the things they're interested in there. Then you can reply to a post on topic, or even start a new one on topic and still get your advertising in.

My ha'penny's worth. :beam:

:egypt:

[Makanyane]

The mafia ad's haven't bothered me, then again no-ones tried it on in the RTW modding forums (no that is not an invitation :wall: )


Just thought maybe we could use that 'Spam, Eggs, Bacon and Spam..... '
banner slot that's in this forum and maybe some others for this sort of thing, not entirely sure what that is meant to be doing there at the moment!

[Martok]

- Martok, one of the serial welcomers in the HNM thread expressing his disagreement of recruitment there (didn't know mate, I need to visit that thread more often and say "hello").
No need to apologize, GH. (I just wanted to make sure to nip that idea -- no matter how well-intentioned -- in the bud before it could gather momentum.) ~:)

I do rather like the idea of just being able to advertise games in a second announcement slot at the top of the forums (right below where the latest Gahzette and the occasional contests are mentioned). It seems like it could be a good way for Andres and the other Gameroomers to recruit across the boards, but without needing to pepper them with numerous separate threads for them. I don't know how possible that would actually be -- Tosa, Ser Clegane, or barocca would obviously know whether it is or not -- but it might be worth looking into.

[Adrian II]

On the other hand, I am considering a massive spam attack on the Gameroom if it gets out of hand.

Inter-forum warfare... sounds kinda cool really. ~:smoking:Interforum warfare! Brilliant, old chap!! :applause:
I'll bring the corgies, lemon tea and my old man's champion cricket bat. Where do I sign up? :toff:

[Beirut]

Interforum warfare! Brilliant, old chap!! :applause:
I'll bring the corgies, lemon tea and my old man's champion cricket bat. Where do I sign up? :toff:

My dearest AdrianII,

The only thought that might dissuade me from stepping into battle at your side would be the pangs of conscience I would suffer concerning the inevitable fury and devastation that would fall upon our foe. ~:yin-yang:

[Viking]

As long as it does not become an habit. ~D

[CountArach]

Just thought maybe we could use that 'Spam, Eggs, Bacon and Spam..... ' banner slot that's in this forum and maybe some others for this sort of thing, not entirely sure what that is meant to be doing there at the moment!
Ahhh, now that is a good idea! Let the people create their own advertising banners and scroll through them or something.

[FactionHeir]

I do rather like the idea of just being able to advertise games in a second announcement slot at the top of the forums (right below where the latest Gahzette and the occasional contests are mentioned). It seems like it could be a good way for Andres and the other Gameroomers to recruit across the boards, but without needing to pepper them with numerous separate threads for them. I don't know how possible that would actually be -- Tosa, Ser Clegane, or barocca would obviously know whether it is or not -- but it might be worth looking into.

I PMed TosaInu about that back when the spam first hit multiple non Tavern fora whether he could just make it an announcement instead and delete the sam ad threads. I never actually got a reply.

[Mouzafphaerre]

I PMed TosaInu about that back when the spam first hit multiple non Tavern fora whether he could just make it an announcement instead and delete the sam ad threads. I never actually got a reply.
.
Have you carried on the necessary rituals? :inquisitive: You know, the sacrifices, rosaries etc.
.

[sapi]

Actually, some of the PBMs occassionally need to recruit as well. Perhaps it would be good to develop some place to concentrate advertisements for slots in open Throne Room and Gameroom games. Something like a second Announcement bar that shows up in every forum and which displays a rotating list of games that need players. Perhaps also the ability to turn it off for each individual person in the CP (though default would be on). Of course, I have no idea if vBulletin is capable of that.
That's a good idea, if someone could dig up the switch to turn on the display of all active announcements, rather than just the one latest, as we have now :yes:

[TosaInu]

Just thought maybe we could use that 'Spam, Eggs, Bacon and Spam..... '
banner slot that's in this forum and maybe some others for this sort of thing, not entirely sure what that is meant to be doing there at the moment!

It was made to promote mods a bit ( https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=98099 ), but it can of course be used for other things as well.

Just submit an image or images.

[Adrian II]

My dearest AdrianII,

The only thought that might dissuade me from stepping into battle at your side would be the pangs of conscience I would suffer concerning the inevitable fury and devastation that would fall upon our foe. ~:yin-yang:Oh goody! Imagine the garland of broken enemy skulls hoisted atop our Barbarian scythed war-waggon thingamy.
:skull::skull::skull: :charge::viking: :skull::skull:
Ahh, the din of blunt steel clashing with heavy armour! Teh cries of the wounded! Teh smell of blood and gunpowder as we storm once more into the breach and..
Just submit an image or images.Bummer. Issue resolved. :shame:

[Andres]

First of all: if I annoyed or offended anyone with the advertisements for CDCT II then I hereby humbly apologise :bow:

Please, allow me to give some sort of explanation for my actions.

Capo de Tutti Capi (a game which needs +/- 75 players) is a unique phenomena at the Org.

When I signed up for this moderator job, I did it because I love the Org community. I consider it my job to serve the Org and to act for the overall good for the Org, and more in specific for the good of the Gameroom and the (fine bunch of) Gameroom regulars.

The last CDTC game (which was more then a year ago, so saying that this is getting an annoying trend is slightly incorrect), was a blast. Those who participated still talk about it.

The host of the game, Seamus Fermanagh, is a highly respected Orgah.

And so, I tried to help the host out in getting the required number of players by advertising all over the Org. I truly hoped (and I still hope) that the sequel to CDTC will be as great as the first one and that a whole bunch of our Org members will once again have a great time.

Again, if my methods offended or annoyed anybody, I humbly apologise :bow: I should have been more careful and thoughtfull in my actions. For future reference, if I ever want to create a Gameroom related thread in any of the other subfora, I'll first ask permission to the local moderator(s).

[Beirut]

Not at all, Andres, not at all. T'is not a matter that requires an apology.

For our part, the only "concern" was that the Mafia ads become threads (sometimes spammy ones at that), and those threads should be moved to The Gameroom, but then that would move the game advertisement as well.

But you're always welcome to post game ads in The Frontroom. Perhaps you could write a "Please do not respond to post" at the bottom, and we'll lock the thread once we see it. I think after one or two game ads, everyone will be used to the format.

[Mouzafphaerre]

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Can't we introduce the thread tags for that? As at the Citadel, you know...
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[Caius]

I'd propose temp stickies in other parts of the .org within the consent of the respective mod.

[macsen rufus]

Like reluctant consumers, sometimes we actually don't want the product, and will continue not wanting the product no matter how much we're advertised at. Signatures, announcements etc are fine, spam just gets very old very fast :2cents:

[caravel]

This still seems like a non issue to me and this thread is well past it's sell by date. I still cannot see what all the fuss is about?

The mafiosos have now promised not to tread on the toes of oversensitive patrons by posting propaganda, so surely case closed?

:bow:

[Andres]

This still seems like a non issue to me and this thread is well past it's sell by date. I still cannot see what all the fuss is about?

The mafiosos have now promised not to tread on the toes of oversensitive patrons by posting propaganda, so surely case closed?

:bow:

There's no such thing as bad publicity ~:pimp:

Please, follow the link in my sig. Only 8 places left. You'll have to be quick.

[Drisos]

Well, can't say I'm bothered by any ads yet.. Ok, we shouldn't go around screaming about mafia everywhere... but, I would see it as overreacting to warn people for it.

[Mikeus Caesar]

*Big apology here*


Bloody lynch him!

:clown:

[Caius]

I think the thing that Kek not wanted to happen, happened.

[sapi]

Well, can't say I'm bothered by any ads yet.. Ok, we shouldn't go around screaming about mafia everywhere... but, I would see it as overreacting to warn people for it.
We can't, anyway, the spammer is a mod :grin2: