[Discussion] What ground rules should we canonize in TEST?

[NKato]

I think that it might not be too early to post some very basic ground rules.

Like really simple shit, like no "blue on blue" (for all the other EVE vets) if you're a pirate spotting a TEST Merchant vessel alone in space, just wave and let em be. Or vice versa if you're a bounty hunter and you see some TESTie has a fat bounty posted on em, just pass on it. We're here to have fun, not to screw each other over for having different playstyles! Friendly fire is not friendly.

Likewise, stealing from org members (like there are 2 players that find a big wreck, and one person "snipes" the location and sells it on the open market and pockets all the $$$) is a no-no as well.

This came from another discussion thread in the Professions forum, and I'm taking the initiative to begin a long-term discussion here in General Discussion on what kind of ground rules we need. I will take a "moderator" perspective here for the duration of this thread, and will refrain from controlling the discussion - apart from keeping the discussion on-topic and advancing the subject.

Please bear in mind that this is strictly a discussion/brainstorm/debate thread, and I ask that everyone be civil and respectful of the subject matter.

Now the first question is: What should we have as our ground rules as TEST Squadron? We have existed thus far without needing a lot of rules, and this is amazing. However with the Persistent Universe coming upon us in the next year or so, setting some very basic, simple "golden rule" guidelines will be necessary.

Again, this is a discussion thread: any rules/guidelines proposed here will not be considered official or take effect. The final outcome of this thread should be to accomplish a unified consensus.

 

[Hitsugan]

The golden rule should be "Don't disturb TEST members gameplay, by any means". If other squad has a conflicting playstyle let them be. Merchants should help each other, not compete. Bounty hunters should leave pirates alone and pirates should not attack TEST. If at any point someone is ruining the fun of the others, something is wrong, no matter what's the person playstyle.

 

[AntiSqueaker]

The golden rule should be "Don't disturb TEST members gameplay, by any means". If other squad has a conflicting playstyle let them be. Merchants should help each other, not compete. Bounty hunters should leave pirates alone and pirates should not attack TEST. If at any point someone is ruining the fun of the others, something is wrong, no matter what's the person playstyle.

Basically, don't be a dick to TEST members. It's a shame that we have to even make that a "rule" but christ, EVE online poisoned my trust in big groups. (No offense to anyone in particular)

 

[HellMel]

Wheaton's Law always applies: Don't be a dick.

Further, I think any incidence of TEST on TEST violence should be dealt with most harshly. Unless I personally do not like them, then it's okay.

 

[NKato]

Also, like HellMel said (to paraphrase) in a private conversation with me, there should also be a general rule of "There's a time and place for drunken dickery, and there is a time and place for strat ops and general non-drunk ops. I'm in favor of both."

Basically, random dickery or being detrimental to an operation when the operation's leaders want to accomplish a specific outcome, would be unwelcome. Unless it's absolutely hilarious to a degree.

 

[Jernik]

I think the general rule of "Dont be a dick to people in TEST" is pretty good and covers a lot

 

[HellMel]

Basically, random dickery or being detrimental to an operation when the operation's leaders want to accomplish a specific outcome, would be unwelcome. Unless it's absolutely hilarious to a degree.

I think the distinction is who it's harmful to. If some jackass decides to do something stupid and dies for it, whatever, that's his prerogative. If the same jackass does something stupid and other people die for it, it's no longer okay.

 

[AntiSqueaker]

Right Nkato. There's a difference between getting roaringly drunk and crashing into eachothers ships as a group. Another thing entirely to come on a, for lack of a better term, "serious" operation and just get plastered and crash into things.

If possible, I vote we get a big UEC pot together as an org, and take out fucking HUGE bounties on people who are the aggressors in TEST on TEST violence, and just chase them the fuck down before killing and kicking them. That shit just ain't cool, no matter whether you're a pirate, merchant, Bounty Hunter, etc etc. I know I would (as a pirate) be pissed as hell if Joe Blow was in TEST, saw I had a 200,000 UEC bounty for example, and just cashed it in without caring that I'm in the same org and not, even when I have done nothing piratical towards any TESTie. I bet some merchants/miners would be equally as pissed if I blew up their ship and stole their cargo.

 

[Black Sunder]

Like others have said there is a time for party do what you want fun while we're grouped up and then there are times we need to pull it together to accomplish something important. First one to screw around in a serious op will get his ship blown out from under him as an example. And we won't replace it.

The general rule of "Don't be a dick" I like. It encompasses everything.

 

[Montoya]

Hang on, do we need rules to point out that people in TEST should not shoot other people in TEST?

If anybody here is stupid enough to require rules to tell them that, then they should just leave the org now.

 

[NKato]

Hang on, do we need rules to point out that people in TEST should not shoot other people in TEST?

If anybody here is stupid enough to require rules to tell them that, then they should just leave the org now.

I think my nipples just got hard.

 

[DragonHeart]

Hang on, do we need rules to point out that people in TEST should not shoot other people in TEST?

If anybody here is stupid enough to require rules to tell them that, then they should just leave the org now.

Its a given.
We are party animals, not party of dicks.
Many of us do have one though, and my one's ridiculously fabulously good looking.

 

[NKato]

So, basically we have the golden rule, Don't Be a Dick.

What other rules should be considered for operations and the like? For example: "People who engineer and lead the field ops are the ones that call the shots in the field - follow their rules and guidelines, and you won't have any problems."

The reason why I suggest this, is so that we make it very crystal clear, that all operations/activities are voluntary. That is, we are an all-volunteer org, but the people running the operations will often have an objective in mind. These op-runners - let's call them Field Operatives for now (kinda avoiding "Field Command" or "Fleet Command" at this time) - will want their volunteers to conduct themselves within a certain envelope.

For example, let's say I'm running an Anti-Piracy Operation (operations' purposes would be clearly explained to all volunteers at the rendezvous), and I make it clear that nobody is to open fire outside my defined Rules of Engagement (let's pretend I have a guide book on various rules of engagements to make this easy), and those found in violation of these rules would be subject to some form of disciplinary action - could be a warning, or an outright punting from the fleet.

Let's hear your feedback on this.

 

[Czechmate]

Rules are nice, but less of them makes people happy. Lets keep them simple,
1. Montoya is big daddy. His house, his rules. Rule breakers will be spanked.
(Edit) I'd like to also propose that the spanking may be public. Also, anyone have any suggestions on rules girls would constantly break.)
2. Don't be a dick to people in Org. Punishment dependant on how big and what kind of dickery is involved.
3. When on mission do what FC says. FC can kick you at their discretion for violating rule 3.

And quite honestly those should be it.

 

[NKato]

Rules are nice, but less of them makes people happy. Lets keep them simple,
1. Montoya is big daddy. His house, his rules. Rule breakers will be spanked.
(Edit) I'd like to also propose that the spanking may be public. Also, anyone have any suggestions on rules girls would constantly break.)
2. Don't be a dick to people in Org. Punishment dependant on how big and what kind of dickery is involved.
3. When on mission do what FC says. FC can kick you at their discretion for violating rule 3.

And quite honestly those should be it.

*explosive applause*

 

[Beef Squatch]

Rules are nice, but less of them makes people happy. Lets keep them simple,
1. Montoya is big daddy. His house, his rules. Rule breakers will be spanked.
(Edit) I'd like to also propose that the spanking may be public. Also, anyone have any suggestions on rules girls would constantly break.)
2. Don't be a dick to people in Org. Punishment dependant on how big and what kind of dickery is involved.
3. When on mission do what FC says. FC can kick you at their discretion for violating rule 3.

And quite honestly those should be it.

This is pretty much the perfect rule set for an organization like this. I personally left Imperium due to the massive bloat that they enveloped themselves in. There are many fine people there but they kept making more rules, positions, and departments; it was never ending until they really started bogging themselves down. I honestly felt the same about Reddfaction back in the day. It was a great concept but bogged down by so much bloat that it became very inefficient.

 

[Semphis Rythorn]

Rules are nice, but less of them makes people happy. Lets keep them simple,
1. Montoya is big daddy. His house, his rules. Rule breakers will be spanked.
(Edit) I'd like to also propose that the spanking may be public. Also, anyone have any suggestions on rules girls would constantly break.)
2. Don't be a dick to people in Org. Punishment dependant on how big and what kind of dickery is involved.
3. When on mission do what FC says. FC can kick you at their discretion for violating rule 3.

And quite honestly those should be it.

Essentially the 3 golden rules, anyways too early at the moment for any sort of rules and ideals.

 

[Dranoc]

Rules are dont shit on other test members. We dont really need anything other than that.

 

[NKato]

Essentially the 3 golden rules, anyways too early at the moment for any sort of rules and ideals.

Never too early to discuss the rules. Like I said in the OP, we're not putting anything into practice until the appropriate time. :)

 

[maynard]

I will be watching this thread to monitor the petty authoritarians among us