Precious

And so instead of trying to create a thoughtful discussion about toxicity and how to fix it, you become part of the problem. The first step to curing AIDS is identifying the cause. I spy one of them.

Oh boy, here we go. For starters, I would like to mention that just like you, staff are not perfect. We all can make mistakes and bad calls from time to time, but we usually learn from them and improve. That being said, I know that there have been times where some actions and mutes can seem questionable. However, I believe most of that has died down, and staff have become a lot less strict about that stuff. People aren't muted because of a "roll of the dice", we have specific rules on what is and isn't allowed on mic and in chat. And while some staff are a bit more strict about it than others, I believe for the most part, we have enforced these rules the fairest we can. If you disagree, you can always record and submit proof of someone abusing their power. I'd say the same about the arguing thing. From what I've seen, most staff are pretty chill about arguments and discussions. Unless things get really heated or they start breaking rules with their argument, I've rarely seen anyone get muted for arguing. At most, we usually have to step in and break it up, because it's getting annoying for everyone to listen to. But hey, that's just what I've seen. I have no idea what you're talking about with the "admins commonly abuse power". In my entire time being a staff member, I've only seen a few cases of people abusing their power in malicious ways. Again, if you disagree, you can always record it going on and submit proof of it happening, so it can be dealt with. Ranting about it with no proof only makes you look bad and won't change anything. I also don't even know why you're mentioning the spray thing. That happened many months ago, you even say yourself that "this is less of a problem now", so I don't know why you're bringing this up unless you're trying to stir up old drama. Yes, there have been problems with sprays over time, but for the most part, things have been more clarified and everyone is on the same page on what is and isn't allowed in a spray. Don't blame current staff for something that happened a while ago. No offense, but you're really grasping for straws if you think staff not having tags in their name is a serious problem. Besides the fact that sometimes staff have to remove their tags to deal with a calladmin, staff members not having tags in their name has been extremely rare. And even if it wasn't, I don't see how that's a big problem. It's a simple fix and not that confusing. Also, I'd like to talk about the problem of "bias" and "favoritism". These terms get thrown around almost every time some kind of drama involving staff pops up. I don't know if you guys realize this, but no human can be 100% unbiased. Despite this, I believe the current staff are good at maintaining a middle ground and not picking favorites, so that things can be resolved fairly. And as said before, if you witness someone making an obviously biased choice or feel like you have been discriminated against, then you should gather evidence and make a report about it. In conclusion, I'd like to say I'm sorry that you have problems with xG. Again, we aren't a perfect clan, there is no such thing. But I like to think that we all try our best to keep the servers and forums in good shape. I disagree with you on many of your beliefs about staff and such, but we are both entitled to our own opinions, and I am an Admin myself after all, so maybe I am a little biased. In the future, I would recommend that if you have a problem with something like staff abuse, record it or gather evidence, then take it up with higher ups. Otherwise, nothing will change, and it will just seem like you're trying rustle people up and start drama. And lord knows we have enough of that here nowadays. But anyways, I wish you the best of luck on whatever you do next. While I may have sounded critical here, I do genuinely hope you come back. -Precious

Before I start, the reason I'm putting this in TF2 Discussion and not General is because I don't know if this is something that happens in the CS:GO division as well or not, and I would prefer to stick to talking about the community I'm more familiar with. Also, this isn't meant to stir up drama or diss anyone who has been "invisibly promoted" in the past, I'm just curious as to what the community thinks on the topic. So in the past, I've heard a term thrown around that some people feel very strongly about, and others don't mind. That term refers to when a person is promoted from Member to Moderator without them actually making a Staff Submission of any kind. I've heard this referred to as "Invisible Promotion", where someone is simply promoted by decision of higher ups without the input of the community. Again, I've heard that some people disagree with this way of promotion, while others are indifferent or completely fine with it. I want to ask, what do you all think of this? Do you agree with it? Disagree? Do you not care? This topic means a lot to me, because to put it bluntly, I am someone who was "Invisibly Promoted" from Member to Moderator. I never applied any kind of submission, nor did I ask anyone for a promotion. To the best of my knowledge, I was promoted by popular demand of the community, and I was messaged by one of the higher ups about it the week after I received Membership to put the Moderator tag in my name. It definitely caught me off guard, as again, I never asked for it or submitted any kind of staff submission. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I got it, and I enjoy being a part of the staff and helping moderate our TF2 servers. That isn't to say everyone was as happy about this as I was though. As said, I've heard some people disagree with this way of promotion, and I kinda understand where they're coming from. Promoting someone who hasn't made a staff submission may rob the community of a chance to voice their opinion, and doesn't give a person a chance to try and prove themselves worthy of the role. But at the same time, if someone is very well liked in the community, and can prove they are mature and responsible enough to be a staff member, should they even have to make a staff submission? Is the input of the community enough? I would also like to say, I am simply an Admin, and I have no power in who gets promoted or demoted, nor do I fully know how higher up staff members make these decisions. For all I know, these "Invisible Promotions" could simply be a thing of the past, and the higher ups no longer do it anymore. I don't remember anyone recently getting promoted to Mod without first making a Staff Submission, though I could simply not have noticed. Even so, what do you all think of this? Do you think it's okay if someone is allowed to be promoted to Moderator without first making a Staff Submission if they are liked enough by the community? Or should everyone have to make a Staff Submission regardless of popularity? I'm genuinely curious to hear what everyone's opinion is on this. Just keep it civil please.

Yeah no this is just going to be #shitposting all over again. You guys do realize that if you want to do things you aren't allowed to do in xG, you can always like, you know, make your own Discord, right? -1

This isn't the place to discuss this. If you have a problem with how people are chosen to become staff on xG, make an independent forum post about it. This is a hello/apology post where spooks herself literally said she's not going for staff right now, so there's no reason you should be discussing that here unless your intention is to start drama. Also hello and welcome back @Ms.Spooks, It's good to see you again! I believe xG is the best it has ever been currently, and I think your return will only make things better. I do hope you stick around, and remember to let staff know if you have any problems or questions! We'd be happy to help! ?

I don't know you that well honestly, but from what I've seen of you, you seem pretty cool. You can be silly at times but I don't believe I've ever seen you break rules or cause problems or anything like that. I think the only thing I would suggest is to try and improve on your maturity a little. Otherwise, I think you'd be a great mod! ? +1

I personally have not used the #shitposting channel much, but it seems to be the stem of a lot of drama and toxicity nowadays, and it's honestly getting annoying. Honestly I don't think it's fair to compare this to that spray situation. We have several rules in place for sprays because we don't want porn or gore on our servers, and sprays didn't end up getting disabled because in the end, we can all be mature enough to choose proper sprays, even if there are a few problems here and there. The shitposting channel however, has very few rules or regulations, and pretty much serves only as a place to be immature and toxic. The channel is literally called shitposting, after all. With the spray situation, sprays were going to be removed because of the actions of a bad few, and that was unfair. But this time, the bad few is the majority. Again, I don't use this channel much, so maybe my input has less value. But I personally don't like the idea of a shitposting server in a community like ours. We have a lot of rules set in place to against immaturity, toxicity, drama, and explicit gore/porn. Yet, we have a channel on our discord where none of those things apply, and people can do everything they can't normally do, like post explicit things, spam, and start drama. I don't like the behavior it encourages, and I don't believe it falls in line with the rest of the server's beliefs. If you really wanna shitpost, talk about drama, or post gore or porn or stuff like that, then you should really keep it off our discord, and make one of your own. +1 for its removal.

I believe everyone has the potential to change and improve. However, saying that you'll change is easier to do than actually changing. I think Tekage hit the nail right on the head, follow what he said and I think you'll become a much better member of our community. I know you can do it!

Congrats and hello to all the new members! Hope you enjoy your time here! ?

It's fun for a while, but due to the layout, snipers and engies can make it obnoxious at times. Otherwise I think it's pretty alright. Better than a lot of other maps we have, anyway.

While I was on our Trade Gaming History server earlier today, I was talking with some other people about what maps they liked and disliked on the server. Needless to say, everyone had their own opinions. Some people said they really enjoyed the competitive, serious maps like Bunker, while others really liked maps like Hyrule for how chill they are and how much there is to explore. And some liked a mix, maps that aren't too serious but still promote fun and quick PvP. I'm making this poll because I'm curious to know, what kind of maps do you all enjoy most on TGH? The serious, choke heavy maps like Bunker? The chill ones like Hyrule? The happy mediums like Rogueport? I'm hoping to not only know where the majority lies, but I also think it'd be great to know for the future, so we know what the general community prefers before we add new maps. If you'd like to go more into detail about what you like in a map, please do let me know! Everyone's input matters! ?

Let me start off by saying that I am by no means trying to start drama or attack anyone by making this. I am simply making this to discuss something that has been bugging me for a while now. Buckle up boys, this is gonna be a long one. Now, with that out of the way, I'll get on with what I was going to say. In recent weeks on both the servers and forums, I've seen people making some hasty decisions in the moment out of pure anger, sorrow, or loneliness that they later on regret, and it lands them in hot water. And I'm not innocent of this. In the past, I've said and done terrible things to people I care about because I am driven in the moment by blind rage. It's how I nearly lost my friend Skelly, how I got demoted to Moderator, and how I almost got completely demoted down to Non-Member altogether. I admit that perhaps one of my greatest flaws is that I sometimes let my emotions cloud my judgement, and only realize the fault of my actions when the damage is already done. Not a day goes by when I wish I didn't take my anger out on Skelly. Not only can I never be trusted the same way again by the other staff and higherups, but I also nearly destroyed my friendship with a guy who didn't deserve what I said to him. But could've would've should've, the past is the past and nothing can change that. All you can do now is try to improve, so that your future may be brighter. When I first got demoted, I was once again almost driven by emotion, this time sorrow, to leave xG and never come back. But I slept on it, and gave myself some time to clear my mind before making a decision. I didn't end up leaving (obviously, or I wouldn't be here writing this), instead, I did my best to make things right, both with the higher ups and my friends. Now look where I am! I'm right back where I was, and I've learned lots of great things to help me improve. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I understand that in the moment, it's easy to let your emotions control you. Something might make you angry and you might take it out on others in xG. You might feel depressed or lonely, and feel like no one here on xG cares for you, so you leave. But believe me when I say you don't want to do that. Clear your mind, go for a walk, take a nap, get some food, listen to music, or do whatever you must to soothe yourself. It's easy to let your emotions get ahold of you, but it's difficult to come back to xG and get membership after you stomp out in blind rage. In my opinion, xG is one of the friendliest communities I've ever been a part of, and I've made so many good friends and had so much fun. Don't let your emotions ruin what you have here. If you feel lonely, I promise there is someone, somewhere on our servers that cares about you and will miss you if you go. Heck, I miss everyone who goes, even if I didn't particularly know/like them. I like to believe we have something here for everyone, and it sucks when someone leaves because they feel left out or unappreciated. Hehe, look at me, trying to sound all deep and smart and stuff. But I mean it, don't let your emotions control what you do. Every mistake can be fixed, every bond can be mended, and every wrong can be set right. Don't let one tiny setback drive you to destroy everything you have here on xG, or in your life, for that matter. Because no matter what you believe, we care about you, and will miss you if you go. If no one else will, then I will. That's a promise.? -Precious

Don't be like that, dude. I'm sure that no matter what you think, odds are, someone somewhere on the servers cares about you and will miss you. I can name one; me. I care when anyone leaves the community, even if I don't know much about them or like them. I believe xG is one of the friendliest communities I've ever been a part of where it's very easy to make new friends and socialize, so it really sucks to see someone go because they feel left out. Being a part of a friendly community is only half the work, you have to be willing to put yourself out there if you want to be known in the community and make friends. That being said, I do hope you come back, I believe everyone has the potential to be a fantastic member of our community. ?

Best of luck on your adventures, Queen! I hope to see you back here real soon ? -Precious

k then

congrats @SegFault and @Tekage ! Also welcome to all of our new members! ?

*sniff sniff* hmmm... you smell a bit odd, just take a bath and you can stay :3 hehe, on a more serious note though, aidy is a pretty cool guy, he's friendly, funny, follows the rules, and is quite active. it's weird, I thought you were already a member! either way, I'm glad you decided to apply, and I think you'd make a fine member of xG. A:8.5 M:8.5