Discord Timeout Policy

[risk]

I do want to clarify one point to prevent further escalation driven by speculation. The actions taken were not the decision of a singular staff member and no one person is solely responsible for the mutes, bans, or denied appeals. While I can certainly understand how it may appear that way, painting it as such is asking staff to correct a problem that does not exist in this scenario and it becomes more difficult to address the core of the request given any solution provided will likely not correct a perceived fault. 
 

Our shared goal at the moment is the same and the feedback being raised has been heard and acknowledged. Conversations are actively taking place about how situations like this can be handled more effectively moving forward, particularly around clearer communication about the reasoning behind decisions and the ability to appeal said decisions under certain circumstances as Aldarine mentioned above. 
 

Please understand that these discussions do take some time. We recognize that everyone involved cares deeply about the health of the server, and there is a balance to be found between shared accountability and mutual responsibility as we work toward that goal together.

[Woot_beerfloat]

1 hour ago, risk said:

I do want to clarify one point to prevent further escalation driven by speculation. The actions taken were not the decision of a singular staff member and no one person is solely responsible for the mutes, bans, or denied appeals. While I can certainly understand how it may appear that way, painting it as such is asking staff to correct a problem that does not exist in this scenario and it becomes more difficult to address the core of the request given any solution provided will likely not correct a perceived fault. 
 

Our shared goal at the moment is the same and the feedback being raised has been heard and acknowledged. Conversations are actively taking place about how situations like this can be handled more effectively moving forward, particularly around clearer communication about the reasoning behind decisions and the ability to appeal said decisions under certain circumstances as Aldarine mentioned above. 
 

Please understand that these discussions do take some time. We recognize that everyone involved cares deeply about the health of the server, and there is a balance to be found between shared accountability and mutual responsibility as we work toward that goal together.

I understand and agree with most of it, perhaps this exact situation that everyone is upset about is specifically because we were all timed out/banned by the same person, who that person is also the one who handled the appeals. Even then, not giving a place for an actual conversation to happen instead of putting in a basic appeal only for it to be denied and archived before that person even sees it. 

"You may re-appeal no sooner than one (1) month from the date of this post, I suggest you show more remorse in your next appeal in order to return. Furthermore, any attempts at contacting staff relating to this appeal or any further instances of continued negative behavior may lead to this time being extended"

1. What am I to be "more remorseful" about? Sure ill apologize for going along with the entire channel, not actually saying the stuff (that others only got a timeout for) and take that timeout like a champ. But to fully ban is actual brain rot and a bruised ego. I'm not gonna gonna beg and plead and worship the ground that admin walks on just to get back into a discord channel. (which mind you has 5 YEARS of content, clips and memories). Not to mention all the trouble and setup to get all the roles and benefits attached.

2. So I have to wait a FULL MONTH to even talk about the ban again? and then to top if off again if not "remorseful" enough that exact same admin just denies it again and that's the end of it. That completely removes the ability to get a fair say or even have a conversation "Anymore attempts at contacting staff" basically just lets them force their opinion and not give anybody a chance to tell them they are wrong or honestly not being what a staff member should be

People are upset because that is the status quo, Nobody can claim truthfully and faithfully that some members of staff has bias opinions toward players for a multitude of reasons and nothing is ever done, and if anybody speaks on it, its immediately seen as being toxic or disrespectful which leads for more bans/timeouts,  Its not fair that an admin who crashed out/got upset/ for them to be the only one that is handling/influencing the situation

 

To round it out, I also want to mention that in the 5 years I have been on this server, I have been timed out maybe 5 times and literally for 2 minutes, and that was just me and the staff goofing off. I have never gotten reported,punished for anything IC or OOC, literally spotless. So ill reiterate the fact that going to a full ban over something this insanely small is outrageous and shouldn't be okay 

[Aldarine]

While I hear what you’re saying @Woot_beerfloat I will respectfully say that you are somewhat derailing the purpose of this thread by bringing your personal situation into this as opposed to the original point being made and asked to be reviewed which is the overall ability to appeal and gain staff name/information. We’re not here to bash staff, talk about egos and such.

Back to the original points - the discussion has been opened within the SA+ team and we aim to provide more transparency with timeout/ban reasoning for players in the future.

[Woot_beerfloat]

Your correct @Aldarine

 , on it being mildly derailing the original post and yes I am venting out a little about the situation out of frustration, however its not just "My personal situation" almost every person that commented on this were timed out or banned at the same time by the same person including the poster. Which I apologize for

 

It is frustrating beyond belief that staff and normal people can have those shit posting conversations and post memes about coping or getting good all while teasing with little time outs (I have witnessed this SO many times) but then on the same leaf if something that they don't like gets said they just timeout or ban 

 I don't think that its transparency for timeout/bans just for the reasoning that is the issue, A lot of people want transparency with the staff when the act they way that they do, and when it is brought up not getting the stereotypical HR damage control response.       

Edited December 30, 2025 by Woot_beerfloat

[Aldarine]

I can only speak for the original topic and don’t want to contribute to any derailing so the last I’ll say in regard to your concerns @Woot_beerfloat is 2 things (and yes I completely understand if you view this as an HR type response and I apologize in advance if you do but this is my personal advice to you)…

1 - Please do look at the staff point of contact list and reach out if you have concerns about staff member behavior. We have checks and balances on that front for a reason and conversations do take place on all levels of staff when needed from Support to Executive HA.

2 - While I may not be able to do much in my position as you would hope for, I’m always open to listening if you’d like to reach out with concerns and possible solution brainstorming. I’ll always listen and bounce ideas around as long as it is constructive and not toxic, belittling or demeaning.

I hope this helps even the slightest with your worries and then to the whole topic at hand I hope we see more transparency and communication for Discord reprimands as we work through new potential processes on the staff front as the discussions continue.

[Bala]

10 minutes, an hour, 3 hours etc.. are not significant enough where it would make any sort of sense to appeal a timeout and that restriction is somewhat negligible as you could see it as a sort of 'cooling off' period if conversations go a certain way.

That being said, timing someone out for a more significant period of time, not giving them the reason(s) why or the name of the staff member that issues the punishment is just bad service. For me, the withholding of the information makes it worse, not better which defeats the purpose.

Also, consider that sometimes DMing people and asking them to cool it is sometimes a viable method. 

We all know the reality of our present situation, the community isn't in a good place in relation to where it's previously been and people, including myself, feel a type of way about that. Additionally, some of the recent updates including the VIP have gone down like a lead blimp and again, some people feel a type of way about that. 

There is very little point in coming on these forums to express that because it's a small audience of active users. The forums are essentially for suggestions for the archive and reports now. The discord however, has a platform of hundreds and thousands of users and ECRP General should be a place for people to discuss the community in general. I get that sometimes it gets toxic or escalates but for the most part, people are talking negative because something negative has happened. There is no point trying to gaslight people to pretend things are different to what they are.

Better to acknowledge that and try to do something about it. You'd probably cut the amount of toxicity in half, if these things were handled slightly different.

So, yes, Discord timeouts of 24 hours or longer need to come with the ability to appeal and also, for transparency when it comes to who is issuing them. Doesn't matter if it's a team discussion or just an individual deciding.

I stand by any decision I make as one of the faction leadership of PD and like everyone else, I'm accountable for those decisions, good and bad. Administrators are no different. If it's legit, it's legit. If it's not, better to fix that than continue with it.

Edited December 30, 2025 by Bala

[Woot_beerfloat]

@Aldarine I don't see as just a basic response meant to deter or shut somebody out. As I stated earlier and stated before most of the staff here are great and want to help its not the whole. While I am extremely frustrated by the situation as a whole not just getting banned on the discord. 

 

If this kind of simple conversation could happen instead of just jumping the gun, I could have easily vented the frustration to the staff member and come to a resolution that is fair on both accounts. 

 

Thank you I appreciate it and you reaching out

 

Edited December 30, 2025 by Woot_beerfloat

[MrSilky]

Hey,

So to conclude this, we have implemented a system that ensures players are aware of why they are muted. No longer will you be left asking questions of why you may be muted and having to message multiple staff to get an answer. 

Also, timeouts are appealable but we ask that you only appeal timeouts of 1 day or longer unless you feel the issuing staff member did so maliciously or incorrectly in which case you can either appeal or message myself or another member of Admin Management to review it fully.

Staff members will be required to give proper reasoning for timeouts also and follow guidelines that are in place.

Thank you for the suggestion!