Tournament of Retribution - Spamming up Threads

[Adam]

The Redcoat VS. Bluecoat battle isn't the only thing that's taken the forum by storm. So has spam, which fills about 99.99 per cent of the Tournament threads.

When I click on a Tournament of Retribution thread, what do I find? OMG your side sucks since flintlocks werent introduced until 1756 and since my car is better than yor car and because you stink and your a fool my side is beating your side. Does anyone else find that annoying? Each thread has about eight pages more than it should have.

I can't vouch for other judges, but I do suspect that some - like L-Space - feel the same. So I've devised a plan to stop this spamming once and for all.

I trust that no one is going to spam up the threads in the future, but if someone does, I've got a trust system. That dusnt make sense u suck. You're docked a point. OMG my side winz. You're docked a point, too. Guys, cut all of this spam. We should be focusing on the MOC, not stupid insults. Yay! You EARNED a point! As you might suspect, people with more points do better in the final judging, because this Tournament isn't just about the MOC, it's about behavior.

So cut the spam!

[Captain Genaro]

Thank you . Eventhough I am just watching the battle it would be a lot nicer with less spam. I was waiting for a judge to do this

[Rick]

As neither a participant nor a judge, I'm also only reading these threads. I agree that the focus should be on discussing the MOCs and I get the idea that some people responding in these threads take it a bit too 'seriously' and can't really take a joke from the other side. Up to a certain point its fun to read the comments, but it quickly gets really annoying and it takes the fun out of the competition. However, I also do realize there's a thin line between funny and annoying and it can quickly get out of hand.

However, I also don't really like your point system. Isn't it an option to moderate these threads more intensively. While I realize the staff has other (better!) things to do, isn't it an option to give the judges moderating abilities for these threads? I'm not sure whether this is feasible, I just try to suggest an alternative.

As a final point, I also think a lot of the spam comes from the fact that only participants and judges are allowed to post in these threads, so it comes down to one, two, or three people chatting, instead of discussing MOCs. So, if there will be another 'tournament', perhaps the rules and whole setup need to be re-thought to prevent this behavior.

But it's good that you take the responsibility of addressing this issue.

[Dr. Steve]

To be honest I don't consider whats going on in the threads to be SPAM...This is spam

I found a great dating site_____http://www.MeetingRich.Com_____.

It is the dating club for seeking the rich singles, beauties and even hot celebs..

what's the most important is:you dont have to be a millionaire.but you can meet one.

I think everyone need to meet some miracle after all the terrible stuff in the news and the economy .You should check it out!!! You got to love that web address

However, I can see how this is not so nice for those of you who are judging or just want to look at the Mocs. Perhaps we should create a separate thread for each match up in the next round that is for trash talking and comments on the Mocs and leave the regular thread for Mocs only. My other suggestion would be to let things continue as they are and then at the end create a new thread where everyone goes and re-posts their MOCS for all to see.

Anyway what do I know...Just my two cents.

[martinsuper]

Fine, I will agree to these terms.

But I think we then need to be judged from here on out when it comes to spam.

I think this should be true because my car is nicer.

I will post only my MOCs.

-Super

Edited August 12, 2009 by martinsuper

[Adam]

Well, this point system is really only a moral system. I'm not ACTUALLY giving and taking away points on a chart. It is a good idea to moderate the threads and move all of the spam posts into another thread (say, this one), but I don't have the authority nor the power to do that. That's a big job, and I wouldn't want to bother Zorro, Phes, Strawberry, or anyone else with it. A Discussion Thread was supposed to have been made for non-participants and others - I had been waiting for Zorro or Super or Hornbricker to create it, but maybe I will...

[L-space]

I agree.

That is why I wrote the same post in all contest threads. It got to the point where the chitchat is taking over the MOCs and the MOC-based discussions.

So I tried to warn the sides off. Someone felt neccesary to comment on this and in doing so just made my point.

I will let the MOCs speak for themselves but in case of a close match the rest comes into account.

Thanks Adam for putting it on the map again.

[Joey Lock]

I shall stop spamming threads. However, you do realise that right at the end of the contest the Moderator e.t.c. can extract the MOC posts and make a big judge thread. Just like they do with any other contest ever on this forum.

[Captain Green Hair]

Special threads with all the entries will be made and only the judges are allowed to post in those.

''Spamming'' up that thread will get one disqualified. I hope that helps, as backtalking each other in the threads can be a lot of fun i must admit.

[Dr. Steve]

Special threads with all the entries will be made and only the judges are allowed to post in those.

''Spamming'' up that thread will get one disqualified. I hope that helps, as backtalking each other in the threads can be a lot of fun i must admit.

Amen. The main reason I play Fantasy Football is to trash talk my friends....I have felt the same way about this and have had a lot of fun with it!

[Commodore Hornbricker]

As the good Captain Blue Hair said we will create easy to read threads just for the judges as we understand that you have a special job to do and we really appreciate your taking your roles seriously. I appreciate your sturggles Adam and I agree there have been some postings that have gotten annoying but there have also been some very funny comments too. At the end of the day who each judge decides a winner is up to them individually and I support whatever way you want to judge the teams.

The distinction between the Tournament and a building contest is. The tournament isn't meant to be about the best build. It is about who does the best job throwing the other side under the bus and that involves some trash talking. My advice is that people focus their comebacks on the scenes (what really happened, what happened next, i'd steer clear of the historical stuff because I think that is where people start to tune out - history happened - there is no changing it and history won't determine a winner here - you gotta make history to do that). A good comeback can be very funny. A good spirited arguement can also be entertaining but it is best when it spills over into bricks (as Lock and Super did). They did plenty of jabbering but they came through big time for us by bringing us a brick fight. My advise is if you have a good comeback then go for it and see where it goes but don't just respond for the sake of responding....and sometimes you just have to laugh and tip your hat to the other side (even though they are a bunch of horse killing/peeing freaks!).

Finally - I would encourage the judges when they get their thread to provide some funny, witty, pointed comments. And judges should feel free to hand out a few of their own special awards, like best comeback line, grossest creation, scene that made the least sense, whatever...use your imagination. Building and talking about a lot of our MOC's on this site is taken very seriously and handled in a very adult way and I think that is a huge reason people like to post their creations here. But the tournament is like recess in school. We are playing with our toys together and getting to know eachother better and expanding our imaginations. The older you get the harder it is to give yourself permission to just play...especially with toys. I am having a blast and I hope the judges will do the same when it is their turn to take center stage. Thanks to everyone who has participated!

[Adam]

I'm glad to see that the spamming has nearly stopped. However, there are some things I would like to clarify.

Having a new thread for the judges was something that I fully intended to have created, if not create it myself. I can assure you also that when the time comes, my inner comedian will come out.

However, the fact that a fun, humorous, and spam free judging thread will be formed is no excuse to put spam in another thread. I know I can be - and am being - overly harsh, but when things got inappropriate and out of hand, I had to step in.

I'd like to compliment those that have made funny MOCs and commentary, and suggest that everyone else continue to follow their excellent example.

And for those of you that are interested, I'm still taking bribes.

[martinsuper]

I have not said one word in any of the threads since this post. But the threads seem to be as spammed up as ever. Its getting really anoying. What I hate is when someone (blue or Red) posts a thread, and then the other side makes a list of reasons why it won't work or something is technically wrong. I wish that the MOCs could speak for themselves, but some like to see themselves type it seems.

Edited August 14, 2009 by martinsuper

[Joey Lock]

I have not said one word in any of the threads since this post. But the threads seem to be as spammed up as ever. Its getting really anoying. What I hate is when someone (blue or Red) posts a thread, and then the other side makes a list of reasons why it won't work or something is technically wrong. I wish that the MOCs could speak for themselves, but some like to see themselves type it seems.

That used to be me but I have stopped now. It was only when the Redcoats were missing a post and the Bluecoats and judges kept saying "Losing Points, tut, tut, tut..." I had to step in and tell them, and that started it. But I stopped now