[Tee]

Idea:
New console command: /kickvote <player>

Reason:
Players (almost always new to the server) are regularly abusing or flaunting server rules when Staff are not present, but in such a way that they avoid triggering any Server filters. A kick vote system such as that implemented in many online FPS games would go some way to resolving this.

Implementation:
1) A player observes consistent inappropriate behaviour from another player, either in-game or in public chat.
2) The observing player warns the offending player that their behaviour is inappropriate and takes a screenshot of that warning for proof.
3) If the offending player's bad behaviour continues, the observing player gathers evidence of that behaviour, whether by screenshot, screen capture or by ensuring that other players have witnessed it and can provide verification.
4) The observing player types console command: /kickvote <player> <reason>
5) The Server displays message: <Server> Kick vote called for <player> due to <reason>. Type /kick if you support this player being removed from the server. This vote will remain active for 1 minute.
6) If 50% of players respond with a /kick vote then the target player is auto-kicked from the server for 30 minutes. The 50% threshold is recommended as some players are likely to be AFK when the kick vote is called.

Limitations:
To prevent abuse of the kick vote system, the following limitations could be applied:
1) Only Veterans can call a kick vote.
2) A kick vote can only be called for new players (<24 hours on server).
3) The person calling the kick vote is responsible for recording proof that the player was abusing server rules, or have several other players to confirm in the case of non-screenshot friendly abuse (eg speed hacking), and be able to supply this proof or witness details to Staff upon request.
4) If a kick vote is successful but challenged by the kicked player, and the person calling the kick vote cannot justify the kick vote satisfactorily to Staff, then the person calling the kick vote receives an automatic 2 week ban.

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I'm really not sure what the response of other MineRealmians will be to this, or what flaws might be identified in this system. I have observed it in action in numerous FPS games in the past and it generally works well there though, so I believe the outcome would be more positive again in MineRealm where there is a regular player base and community spirit. Feel free to critique or suggest modifications.

[Seratias]

Seems to me that all possible problems are resolved.
The only part I object to is that you can only kick a rookie player. Maybe 2 weeks or younger?
I voted yes, seeing as staff are not on at certain times, and this would be useful during such periods.
However, the community will have to look this over some more.

[eah]

It's a good idea. You have everything well thought out. But the numbers need a little tweaking like the 50% threshold for a kick. But I suppose these can be tweaked accordingly once and if this is implemented. Some players can't read english, don't pay attention to the chat, or plan to isolate themselves entirely from the community. Depending on the time of day, a 50% threshold might be too high. If someone is speed hacking, it's then much more unlikely they'll be kicked because only the 5% of the server will have evidence of the hacking. It'll only be the spammers and rude people who get kicked.

[TornadicManiac]

When Staff are not available to deal with spammers, hackers or other such problems, it's simple:

-Take Screenshots/Frap's
-Post a Ban Request

I vote no for this idea.

[jackavsfan]

This has great potential to be abused. Think of the times in the early morning when there are only 20-30 players on the server. Getting 50% of them to vote would not be very difficult. It wouldn't matter all that much if it was just a kick, but this is more like a temporary ban. We have the bans forum available and you can always post a ban request with screenshots. So what if they're trolling you on the server? "Haaaah I'm flying and not getting banned" "Haaah I'm hacking and not getting banned." You know what they seem not to; ban requests work. Also, if you kick a player off the server, you eliminate the chance that a staff member will be able to catch them in the act and actually ban them.

Then there's the harassment issue. I think you've tried to address this with your "only veterans can call kick votes" plan. But what about all the "veterans?" who are actually noobs? They logged in once last year, forgot about MineRealm, then joined now thinking they were new. They don't care about the server or about getting banned. They'd just move on to another server. And some of them are trolls. Personally, if a noob was slinging accusations at a respected player, I wouldn't vote for a kick, but some other people who don't know the player in question as well might take the person's word for it and vote yes.

[Tee]

@Torn:

Two comments if I may. The first is that, with respect, you're not the typical MineRealm player. If you're playing, then you have the ability to deal with griefers and who people are just generally detracting from the MineRealm experience. I'm not. I'm on Australian time and it's been quite common in recent weeks to go several hours without any staff present. When he-who-shall-not-be-named and similar are logged on and bragging about the damage they're doing via griefing, that is a *long* time. You don't experience the frustration that accompanies such periods.

Further to this, even as Staff you can't reverse all the damage that such griefers have done - you can't reverse the chest looting or animal slaughter, and for many of the server's younger players (typically those who haven't secured a realm yet) that is a huge setback. This doesn't affect me and honestly the implementation of this suggestion wouldn't be of any personal benefit - all of my realms are secured and I'm a loooooong way from spawn anyway.

The second point is that this is not a ban system. It's a temporary kick system to allow an immediate response to an obvious problem. The limitations I've suggested should ensure that it is only used by players as a last resort when someone has obviously logged in to do nothing but cause annoyance and grief. A ban request would still need to accompany it to attract Staff attention and longer term action.

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@jackavsfan:

I don't know what "early morning" is for you, but I can state that I most often play when there are only 20 players or less on the server. This is also the time when there is the least moderation, and when griefers and disruptive players often run riot. A ban request is of little use when someone actively disrupts play for a good couple of hours before Staff log on and act on that request. It's happened several times in recent weeks and it greatly detracts from the enjoyment of other legitimate players, and thereby harms the server.

The harassment issue is one that would need to be monitored. I can only say that this system seems to work well in FPS games. Typically most players can't be bothered participating in the vote unless someone is actively and obviously disrupting play, so only the worst offenders get booted. Plus there would be a level of discernment on the part of the community voting on the result - I've only been on the server for a month (and thus would be excluded from calling a kick vote under my suggestion, by the way ) but already have a reasonably firm grasp of which players value the community and want to see MineRealm grow, versus those who are either more casual on-and-off again players or somewhat immature. If the kick vote stated who called it then that would give me some ability to judge whether it was likely a valid call or a less certain proposition, and that plus chat evidence would be the determining factor as to whether I supported the vote.

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Hope that explains my thoughts a little more completely, and thanks for the feedback

[CidKid]

This is a surprisingly good idea.

[dlgn]

Too abusable.

[jackavsfan]

Another issue: Only veterans can call kick votes, but most people getting griefed are noobs. If a one-week old player who can't yet afford a realm is complaining in chat that a player is griefing him, what do you think is going to happen? "Can somebody please call a kick vote for player1234!?! He's griefing me!" As a veteran, what am I supposed to do? Help him out by calling a kick vote for the player? No, I'm not going to risk a two week ban on the word of a player I don't know and don't trust. I would call a vote if I was able to see the player griefing, but most of this griefing and looting happens nowhere near spawn so it would be difficult to get to in time. So I would say "Sorry, take screenshots and post a ban request on the forums," and I think any sane player would do the same if they were unable to witness the griefing. The only time I can see calling a kick vote would be if a player is flying or speedhacking around spawn, where I can see him and take screenshots. Or, of course, if I'm being griefed personally, which doesn't happen to most active veterans because our realms are private.

The kickvote feature may be helpful 1/10 times, but I have a feeling it would lead to more veterans getting banned for false kick votes than noobs getting banned for griefing.

[Tee]

Another issue: Only veterans can call kick votes, but most people getting griefed are noobs. If a one-week old player who can't yet afford a realm is complaining in chat that a player is griefing him, what do you think is going to happen? "Can somebody please call a kick vote for player1234!?! He's griefing me!"

This system would not catch all griefers - no argument there. It would at least give a way to get rid of the following though:

1) Players deliberately avoiding the swear filter and making repeated inappropriate posts in general chat.
2) Players spamming general chat with IP's or other nonsense, but changing the text up and not posting fast enough to trigger the filter.
3) Players openly admitting in public chat that they are griefing.

They are the specific examples that I've seen in the last couple of nights that caused me to raise this suggestion. I can see your point though and admit it's not perfect, but then no system other than direct staff moderation will ever come close - as demonstrated by the anti-swearing, anti-spamming and anti-griefing filters which help but are nowhere near foolproof. Problem is that staff aren't on and can't be expected to be on 24/7.

Anyways thanks again - I think I'll stop posting in this thread from now on, to allow the community to have their say uninterrupted.

Cheers