What's your Minecraft Username?: ilovemyplanex2
What's the title of your suggestion?: Server Whitelist
What's your suggestion?:
My suggestion is quite literally what it sounds like: a server whitelist.
A General Explanation.
I have been playing on the server for two or so years and I know that the previously beloved FantasyRP on the general Roleplay Hub had a whitelist to limit who got in. This would require a player to explain their character, the character's lore, as well as OOC things that would make so those approving whitelists made sure the player was mature enough to do so. Sure, FantasyRP was eventually closed because of their varying reasons but SchoolRP remains our current and main server that everyone gets on. Which, without a whitelist, can include younger children who may not be suited to see some of the content discussed within the server (such as large-scale crime, in-city political tensions, alcoholism, and other mature topics). These players are more sensitive to certain information in turn and may not be suited for dealing with such topics on this server.
While having it public is a good thing to get players easier, this can come with huge risks towards the individuals mentioned in regard to those topics. This is why I believe that introducing a whitelist may handle this properly and still retain the players that can handle such themes in the server.
How will this benefit the server and community?:
Community Safety.
There are two people that I need to discuss within this part: the younger audience we have on the server and bypassers.
First, let's start off easy. The younger audience (13 or below) often come onto the server expecting a sort of normal school-oriented roleplay - which is self-explanatory as it is called School Roleplay. However, we all know how SRP can be and some of the topics mentioned - which include what I have listed alongside other things - aren’t appropriate for children to actually see. These young people may be exposed to those topics that they do not want to deal with, nor do they have the maturity to properly handle. That may be something that they do not understand right and think that it is 'normal' or should be something they get involved with (such as the criminal side of the server). A good few younger players may be able to avoid such problems, but that does not mean all of them will be able to. This is not me saying all children will think so, but it is a general example.
Moving on with that in mind, there are adults (such as myself) on this server that will need to provide a good influence for those younger than ourselves. Younger players may not be well off with certain things that the older player base discuss or do within roleplay. The whitelist I am proposing makes sure that our younger audience has a minimum (roughly 13-14 years old, maybe older depending on how we would see fit), much like how our staff has an age requirement at minimum to make sure the person is mature enough to handle such a position. This would also apply for newer players, ensuring that they are able to handle what is discussed.
Now, with bypassers. These are a huge problem within SRP as a whole and I believe that this whitelist would also prevent players that are meant to be punished off of the server. That is, after all, what a ban is for. They would need to go through an application process - which, assuming that there was a check done, they would get denied thanks to their ban. These players are kept off of the server and are meant to learn from their punishment instead of bypassing it, which keeps those who are in the community within an enjoyable environment instead of dealing with others who may cause issues for those involved that simply want a good time on the server.
Focus and Engagement.
Focus and engagement are a huge thing for any server that wants to be able to keep those who they keep in their community there. Oftentimes, that can be downgraded by the lack of interest or even attention to certain things like lore that, as we know, needs to be paid attention to. Some younger individuals may not be able to grasp that, or even be able to sit through everything and make sure it’s accurate, which can lead to issues with their own roleplay and whatever else. This is not saying that our younger audience simply can’t grasp the idea of accuracy in roleplay, it’s just saying that - with some of the stuff mentioned - it may not be able to be taken seriously. This can range from how individuals portray mental illnesses and disorders, physical disabilities, their character as a whole, and many other things. A well written character often keeps people involved and engaged with the story, whilst a not as well written one may drive them away - while they can be improved, this doesn’t mean they may listen.
Community Introduction.
Now, what I have been saying may have sounded like criticism - which, in a way, it was - but I have a proper idea if we do not want the entire Roleplay Hub server closed off from publicity. We could, instead of blocking off the younger audience from everything, allow them to use our Creative and MazeRP servers in order to engage with the community instead of jumping straight into SRP given some of the topics discussed. That way, they can decide how they feel about those that they may be engaging with - as well as their overall interest in the server - and, when they’re ready, try to get a whitelist for SRP. Of course, that would not be something you’d need to pay for, but instead something you’d just apply for. This gives younger and newer players enough time to properly work out what they want to, while also making sure that they can still interact with the community in some way. This can be through reading stuff on the forums, talking to people that are more active and involved, or even just observing what happens from a third-party perspective.
The EULA As a Whole.
Since this has also been something that sort of ties into the whitelist - and I’ve heard plenty of concerns about it - let’s discuss this as well.
The EULA is something that everyone agrees to, especially server owners, and have to go by because of their agreement to it. It’s a huge thing in most, if not all, communities I’ve seen involved in MCRP and it is something that needs to be worked around for some of our storytelling to genuinely make sense. SRP has had its fair share of lore and even money spent on items that the EULA does not agree with, which - as of today - has either been voided, ignored, or removed altogether as to avoid conflicts. This is not saying we should loophole the EULA, but there should be some way to give back what has been taken in a way, if that makes any sense.
SRP does want creative freedom implemented, but that is hard to do when items that are important to their stories, backstories, and even entire storylines are removed or abandoned just to avoid legal conflict. This is in no way suggesting we should break the rules given, of course, but there should be something that could allow staff and the corresponding teams to view what someone wants to have added - which could, of course, be involved in the backstory. Some things, like a custom item, shouldn’t be applied for because that’s a player’s money and I do understand that, but anything else that remains within the EULA rules could be applied for with a whitelist.
For the items and backstories that have been affected, these could be revised to better fit the EULA and respect that it’s, in fact, something that affects anyone who wishes to play the server regardless. This process can be determined by staff, of course, and this is intended to make sure that things are appropriate for the server as a whole. It could be considered as its own whitelist, but there would need to be proof of either thing in order to properly change it.
Ending Notes.
Now this whitelist will not extend to already active players, unless they seem immature or can’t grasp certain things right (and depending on how staff views such). And, once again, the age minimum (in my ideal scenario regarding this server, assuming whitelist was gone through with) will be at least 13. I do accept any sort of critique regarding this, but I figured I should get my thoughts across.
What's the title of your suggestion?: Server Whitelist
What's your suggestion?:
My suggestion is quite literally what it sounds like: a server whitelist.
A General Explanation.
I have been playing on the server for two or so years and I know that the previously beloved FantasyRP on the general Roleplay Hub had a whitelist to limit who got in. This would require a player to explain their character, the character's lore, as well as OOC things that would make so those approving whitelists made sure the player was mature enough to do so. Sure, FantasyRP was eventually closed because of their varying reasons but SchoolRP remains our current and main server that everyone gets on. Which, without a whitelist, can include younger children who may not be suited to see some of the content discussed within the server (such as large-scale crime, in-city political tensions, alcoholism, and other mature topics). These players are more sensitive to certain information in turn and may not be suited for dealing with such topics on this server.
While having it public is a good thing to get players easier, this can come with huge risks towards the individuals mentioned in regard to those topics. This is why I believe that introducing a whitelist may handle this properly and still retain the players that can handle such themes in the server.
How will this benefit the server and community?:
Community Safety.
There are two people that I need to discuss within this part: the younger audience we have on the server and bypassers.
First, let's start off easy. The younger audience (13 or below) often come onto the server expecting a sort of normal school-oriented roleplay - which is self-explanatory as it is called School Roleplay. However, we all know how SRP can be and some of the topics mentioned - which include what I have listed alongside other things - aren’t appropriate for children to actually see. These young people may be exposed to those topics that they do not want to deal with, nor do they have the maturity to properly handle. That may be something that they do not understand right and think that it is 'normal' or should be something they get involved with (such as the criminal side of the server). A good few younger players may be able to avoid such problems, but that does not mean all of them will be able to. This is not me saying all children will think so, but it is a general example.
Moving on with that in mind, there are adults (such as myself) on this server that will need to provide a good influence for those younger than ourselves. Younger players may not be well off with certain things that the older player base discuss or do within roleplay. The whitelist I am proposing makes sure that our younger audience has a minimum (roughly 13-14 years old, maybe older depending on how we would see fit), much like how our staff has an age requirement at minimum to make sure the person is mature enough to handle such a position. This would also apply for newer players, ensuring that they are able to handle what is discussed.
Now, with bypassers. These are a huge problem within SRP as a whole and I believe that this whitelist would also prevent players that are meant to be punished off of the server. That is, after all, what a ban is for. They would need to go through an application process - which, assuming that there was a check done, they would get denied thanks to their ban. These players are kept off of the server and are meant to learn from their punishment instead of bypassing it, which keeps those who are in the community within an enjoyable environment instead of dealing with others who may cause issues for those involved that simply want a good time on the server.
Focus and Engagement.
Focus and engagement are a huge thing for any server that wants to be able to keep those who they keep in their community there. Oftentimes, that can be downgraded by the lack of interest or even attention to certain things like lore that, as we know, needs to be paid attention to. Some younger individuals may not be able to grasp that, or even be able to sit through everything and make sure it’s accurate, which can lead to issues with their own roleplay and whatever else. This is not saying that our younger audience simply can’t grasp the idea of accuracy in roleplay, it’s just saying that - with some of the stuff mentioned - it may not be able to be taken seriously. This can range from how individuals portray mental illnesses and disorders, physical disabilities, their character as a whole, and many other things. A well written character often keeps people involved and engaged with the story, whilst a not as well written one may drive them away - while they can be improved, this doesn’t mean they may listen.
Community Introduction.
Now, what I have been saying may have sounded like criticism - which, in a way, it was - but I have a proper idea if we do not want the entire Roleplay Hub server closed off from publicity. We could, instead of blocking off the younger audience from everything, allow them to use our Creative and MazeRP servers in order to engage with the community instead of jumping straight into SRP given some of the topics discussed. That way, they can decide how they feel about those that they may be engaging with - as well as their overall interest in the server - and, when they’re ready, try to get a whitelist for SRP. Of course, that would not be something you’d need to pay for, but instead something you’d just apply for. This gives younger and newer players enough time to properly work out what they want to, while also making sure that they can still interact with the community in some way. This can be through reading stuff on the forums, talking to people that are more active and involved, or even just observing what happens from a third-party perspective.
The EULA As a Whole.
Since this has also been something that sort of ties into the whitelist - and I’ve heard plenty of concerns about it - let’s discuss this as well.
The EULA is something that everyone agrees to, especially server owners, and have to go by because of their agreement to it. It’s a huge thing in most, if not all, communities I’ve seen involved in MCRP and it is something that needs to be worked around for some of our storytelling to genuinely make sense. SRP has had its fair share of lore and even money spent on items that the EULA does not agree with, which - as of today - has either been voided, ignored, or removed altogether as to avoid conflicts. This is not saying we should loophole the EULA, but there should be some way to give back what has been taken in a way, if that makes any sense.
SRP does want creative freedom implemented, but that is hard to do when items that are important to their stories, backstories, and even entire storylines are removed or abandoned just to avoid legal conflict. This is in no way suggesting we should break the rules given, of course, but there should be something that could allow staff and the corresponding teams to view what someone wants to have added - which could, of course, be involved in the backstory. Some things, like a custom item, shouldn’t be applied for because that’s a player’s money and I do understand that, but anything else that remains within the EULA rules could be applied for with a whitelist.
For the items and backstories that have been affected, these could be revised to better fit the EULA and respect that it’s, in fact, something that affects anyone who wishes to play the server regardless. This process can be determined by staff, of course, and this is intended to make sure that things are appropriate for the server as a whole. It could be considered as its own whitelist, but there would need to be proof of either thing in order to properly change it.
Ending Notes.
Now this whitelist will not extend to already active players, unless they seem immature or can’t grasp certain things right (and depending on how staff views such). And, once again, the age minimum (in my ideal scenario regarding this server, assuming whitelist was gone through with) will be at least 13. I do accept any sort of critique regarding this, but I figured I should get my thoughts across.
