I haven't been largely connected with most of the Sylestia community (I'm a casual player that does my own thing). I wanted to pop in and offer my understanding, though, especially seeing as there are people questioning the decision to ban certain individuals under the assumption the malicious comments were only jokes. It's in their right to question so long as everyone is staying respectful and not using harsh, hurtful language.

I don't have a lot of personal feelings as I wouldn't have known any of the banned players except by name, but I wanted to send a message of understanding to any parties that were the target of harmful comments. I hope you are doing well and that you know you're loved and accepted.

To Krin and Fai, who work so hard to provide all the players on Sylestia with an enjoyable time on their site... Your hard work is appreciated, and I'm grateful for your decision to protect both the site and the players on it. I hope that the site will be able to recover from any damage that has been done.

This is a lot to take in... I haven't been present enough on the site as a whole over the past couple of years to say that I've witnessed specific things addressed in this thread, but as a longtime user I've definitely noticed a cultural shift in the tone of the community. When I joined Sylestia was a very friendly, open, and tolerant place. It still remains a kinder space relative to the rest of the internet at large, but I've observed a noticeable uptick in fights and harsh language in the region chat. It's disheartening to see people develop such an adverse and confrontational relationship with this site and this community, and particularly to think that Sylestia users would make coordinated efforts to harass other users. That is so deeply and utterly not what this community is meant to be about.

With regards to the screenshots, I'll admit I'm curious about how they were acquired, but I also have to say I find the content chilling. I have been in groups before that have taken that tone/perspective and it has rarely ended well. Apologies if someone has already disclosed how the screenshots were taken and i missed it.

I hope that eventually we can come up with a solution regarding the lost pets, because that IS a big blow to that aspect of the site, but now isn't the time to address that.

I know these decisions weren't made lightly. I'm very sorry that the situation has unfolded as such.

In banning some of the biggest names on your website (the ones that hold much of the gold, rare pets, diamonds, etc) you have ruined your own economy. All this time of theirs went down the drain- and money as well, given how many of them had purchased diamonds. Which, again, only goes back to ruining your economy, that the biggest players can no longer purchase diamonds. I only spoke briefly to most of them, though was a follower of one's streaming- which, by the way, brought players onto the site, another thing that is affected by the ban. Many players may even end up leaving the site because of this, and I've already seen one new person in this thread leave because of it.

I am very disappointed in this. You shared private conversations that were never meant to leave that server. They were taken out of context, and in censoring the dates, we cannot be truly sure of when they were posted in relation to the bans. I don't feel comfortable with the current state of moderation, and I highly suggest taking a step back and reevaluating your decisions.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=105585&page=19#182 Author: Zisimilewuzz Time Posted: 3/24/2023 at 5:20 PM This is a lot to take in... I haven't been present enough on the site as a whole over the past couple of years to say that I've witnessed specific things addressed in this thread, but as a longtime user I've definitely noticed a cultural shift in the tone of the community. When I joined Sylestia was a very friendly, open, and tolerant place. It still remains a kinder space relative to the rest of the internet at large, but I've observed a noticeable uptick in fights and harsh language in the region chat. It's disheartening to see people develop such an adverse and confrontational relationship with this site and this community, and particularly to think that Sylestia users would make coordinated efforts to harass other users. That is so deeply and utterly not what this community is meant to be about. With regards to the screenshots, I'll admit I'm curious about how they were acquired, but I also have to say I find the content chilling. I have been in groups before that have taken that tone/perspective and it has rarely ended well. Apologies if someone has already disclosed how the screenshots were taken and i missed it. I hope that eventually we can come up with a solution regarding the lost pets, because that IS a big blow to that aspect of the site, but now isn't the time to address that. I know these decisions weren't made lightly. I'm very sorry that the situation has unfolded as such.

To answer your question, Krin has stated that multiple separate groups of concerned users contacted him and Faiona with those screenshots because they were worried about what was being said.

To the people saying that it's easy to get personal information especially about someone who owns a business online...okay this is true *but* actually taking the steps to look up that info or find people on other platforms isn't innocuous? Additionally posting that info even on a "private" group channel in a "private" server is a problem and anyone who was "joking" should've pulled up short and told their friends Hey, This is TOO FAR/We're joking here. Saying these people were joking without taking any action is absurd, I get that they are close friends in some instances, I get that people in this thread feel that their friends wouldn't have acted on their "jokes" and maybe they wouldn't but they also were tacitly going along with things that could or already were doing demonstrable harm.

I mean for all we know that could have happened aha- there's not enough context to what we've been given here to really have any concrete takeaways.

As far as the rest of what's being said goes, I think at this point we're all talking ourselves in circles and there's nothing left to be gained. I don't see the site thriving in this state, or how it's even going to recover from such a loss, but at the end of the day that's neither here nor there.

This whole thing was handled very poorly from start to finish and I wish everyone who is sticking around the best lol - I will not be one of those people. Frankly, this whole situation is just embarrassing, and y'all need to do better.

Link: https://www.sylestia.com/forums/?thread=105585&page=19#183 Author: Arcaneapathy Time Posted: 3/24/2023 at 5:20 PM In banning some of the biggest names on your website (the ones that hold much of the gold, rare pets, diamonds, etc) you have ruined your own economy. All this time of theirs went down the drain- and money as well, given how many of them had purchased diamonds. Which, again, only goes back to ruining your economy, that the biggest players can no longer purchase diamonds. I only spoke briefly to most of them, though was a follower of one's streaming- which, by the way, brought players onto the site, another thing that is affected by the ban. Many players may even end up leaving the site because of this, and I've already seen one new person in this thread leave because of it. I am very disappointed in this. You shared private conversations that were never meant to leave that server. They were taken out of context, and in censoring the dates, we cannot be truly sure of when they were posted in relation to the bans. I don't feel comfortable with the current state of moderation, and I highly suggest taking a step back and reevaluating your decisions.

The game is still in beta. Nothing matters in the end regarding damage because it is still developing. So actively supporting people who want to harass others and game creators is shallow and gross. They are all people at the end of the day. If this happened to you, would you sit back and laugh? What you invest your petty cash into is your responsibility, not others. That is important business. They should be held responsible. Jokes or not, some people take their business very seriously, and you are not the boss at the end of the day, so it is really out of our hands. What they do with public information is up to them as soon as it has become public.

You are disappointed that they got caught, not about anyone who was harmed. That is just a sick way to put it.

So, big reveal, everyone. Xavion is actually poor. Now you all know.

My sister is raising 2 kids on her own. Owns her own house but with her mortgage, the kid expenses etc AND with inflation she is struggling too. Even with a well paid job. Im over here working 12 hours some days and barely getting enough to buy food. I dont think ANYONE would think less of you for not wanting to pay $30 for site art. I feel like most people atm would have the same reaction. I admire you tbh, your little one is more important than anything on this site and that is how its supposed to be as a parent. I can say i didnt have a parent like that and your little one us lucky to have you

Yeah, I can't really speak about the economy one, because while I do understand Krin's reasoning behind it, I consider it a bit less of an issue than the other issues brought up.

I don't know all the ones that were banned, just a few that were mentioned here and a couple that I noticed by looking around at profiles.

I just felt that too many people were focusing on the privacy issue and the economy issue, pushing the issue of doxxing and things like that into the back.

I was just looking at it as someone who *isn't* close to any of these people (again, while some of the ones I know about were kind to me, I didn't really *know* them) but just had a few dealings with them. I am saddened that some of them were banned.

I wish that there was some way for the ones who may have been unfairly banned or were truly just venting (and not planning on doing anything) to appeal, assuming that it is true that they weren't planning on doing anything (I am in general rather skeptical of 'unfairly banned' claims on any site, because while it does happen, few sites I know of want to actually ban players, especially ones that are high profile/likely to bring in revenue towards the site)

However, it isn't up to me, and there really isn't much I can really do about it.

Has anyone read the terms of service? Just saying, it covers a lot of the big "dont do's" pretty clearly.
Terms of Service

Kind of conflicting that the rules of conduct says "You may not discuss banned players anywhere on the Site."
But here we are.
It seems like a point that a few of you are trying to drive home, that the game relies upon those banned players is a rather lofty claim.

Yes there are losses, but that is what happens when users try to have a power trip and think they can get away with bad natured manipulative actions. Im sure there is way more content which added to the decision that was made here. The fact that we saw any of the screencaps is a wonder to me, since most websites would not reveal delicate matters like this to the community.

I doubt any attempts to strongarm the admins into restoring the banned accounts will be successful.

This game belongs to the owner of the site and we are guests here. If people mistreat another person or their property doesn't it make sense for there to be consequences?

Or do you believe that a rich player who owns many pets is somehow more special and above normal rational consequence? Is there any reason that a person should be immune to rules that everyone is expected to follow? Because they are 'nice' or because they fall into the category of 'friend'?

Nobody is disputing the fact that those players were nice, or that they were prolific with breeding projects or good at playing the game altogether. The focus is that not OK things happened and something had to be done.

I believe i've had several interactions with some of the banned players and i am surprised that this is what they decided to do.
If you are bored of the game because of any reason, it makes sense to take a break or find another hobby. You dont have to act like the game is the central focus of whats wrong with your life or the world for that matter. Or to make a game out of ruining the site for others. Find something else to do with that extra energy that is (Hopefully) less toxic.

Too long didnt read...
Rules are there for a reason, when they are broken there are consequences.