[2020] Read me: Toxicity infraction changes

We've implemented a Pilot project on the forum in an attempt to reduce or eliminate the toxicity levels especially around dev diaries.

This post is announcing the new policy, so members are aware and given a chance to control their posting.

WHY:
Paradox has a culture of openness and free exchange with our fans that is almost unparalleled in the video game industry, and it's been a vital part of our success that we mean to maintain. We are proud that our community is so vibrant and active, and will not allow the sort of rampant bullying and abuse that plagues some other game communities to spill over to our forums.

To provide a better experience for our fans, Paradox encourages our Developers to participate on the forums as part of their job, which, in turn then makes the forums a De facto workplace. Our Devs have thick skins, but as an employer, Paradox has a responsibility to provide a healthy workplace free from harassment.

What does this mean:
99.9% of forum users will not be affected in any way, just continue to be the great contributing members and readers you are, posting and conversing in a mostly polite and friendly manner as normal.
However, a small number of members are creating an environment that the Devs do not want to participate in, which negatively impacts the experience of the 99.9% who want to interact more with them, not less.

Paradox can take, and in fact actively encourages, disagreement, constructive critique and lively debate and understands that sometimes you need to express disappointment in a change or a bug. But we cannot and will not tolerate hate speech, personal attacks, or generalization/untruths about our Devs.

We will start issuing a new type of infraction called Toxicity. It will result in an immediate short-term ban for the first offence and a permanent ban on a subsequent offence. Because of the seriousness of this type of infraction, only myself and TinyWiking will be issuing them for the time being.

It is our hope that thoughtful consideration before posting a comment about the developers will mean we will not have to issue any, but we will not allow a small number of members to ruin it for everyone.

What is toxicity?
In general any post that is overly negative, doesn't contribute to the forum or simply contains foul language and insults is toxic. If your post doesn't contribute and instead serves as a way to stir up more negativity and rage from other users, it's toxic. Keep this in mind:

• Look at your post history. If the majority of your posts are troll posts against other players or telling other players that the Paradox team doesn't care/doesn't listen/doesn't know what they are doing, that's not productive. Don't reply to posts to say no one will reply. If you aren't looking to help the player with a question please do not respond.
• Posts that contain threats, attacks, insults aimed at Paradox staff or zero-value trolls will be deleted. They may also result in an immediate and permanent revocation of posting privileges. These will not use a time consuming infraction system. A good guideline to use for tone is: If you wouldn’t want someone walking into your living room speaking the words you’re about to post; it’s best to find another way to say it.

In conclusion
We are doing this for the benefit of everyone. This forum is a place of pride for Paradox thanks to all of you, our beloved fans, and we want to make it a place everyone that has a love for our games can enjoy. Toxicity doesn't only affect staff, quite the contrary, it can have a detrimental effect on everyone here on the forum. This is why we want to address this and set the tone for future fans to come.  

Strigoi Tyrannus said: I hope the permanent ban won't be issued easily or as the next step after first temp ban. I don't want the forums to mellow down too much because no one dares to day anything. If that happens, people might just start to make "fake accounts" and troll even more, just because that is the only way to comment and ban means nothing on a fake account. Well, they might keep a more "legit fake account" when making a 100% surely not a bannable post, but when criticising, using a disposable account and being overly toxic compared to what they normally would post.
EDIT: Hope I wasn't toxic.

This was not toxic, you voiced a valid concern . This is also why only I and Castellon will be dealing with these reports to begin with as we are both the most senior forum staff and feel that we should shoulder this responsibility. The permanent ban will actually take effect immediately if someone is reported for toxicity after already being struck for it once. This is also why only me and Castellon will do the infractions, we want to make sure mistakes and "harsh" toxicity strikes are avoided.

Devanor said: Whos dat?

That's me. Nice to meet you . I'm the forum manager .  

I'd also like to point out that we are not the first company to apply this policy to their forum. Blizzard, Wargaming, Trove etc all have toxicity rules in place to minimize the levels on their forums.

- Will people get a chance to explain their behavior?
No. If you make a post that is classed as toxicity the infractions are permanent. Explaining your actions in a way that makes more sense and is acceptable after someone slaps you for it means that you could have phrased your post differently to begin with. In other words, you should have done that from the start.

- Will you update the forum agreement?
Yes, though it will take a little time. I'm also considering expanding them to make them clearer (though compared to for example Steams ToS they are much clearer !).

- Will you go on a crazy "ban everyone that disagrees with the devs!" spree? (This wasn't asked but I figured I'd be preemptive )
No. Toxicity is a small problem, very very few forumites fall into this category. If your post is a complaint that also includes suggestions on how it can be fixed, why you don't like it, what you'd like instead etc you are in the clear. We encourage our fans to share their views (positive or negative) as long as it's done in a civilized, polite and structured way. Posts like that will also make it easier for us to (possibly) change stuff if we feel you've got a valid point and it's something we've overlooked.

Thank you all for your questions and feedback, I'm following the thread and will answer as best I can.