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Menu Chat only for Free to Play

AuthorMessage
Armiger
Feb 25, 2009
2425
As many of you already know, there has been an a problem with a lot of foul language being used in the game that goes against the ToU. It seems that many of those that break the rules of the game and get main accounts muted even for a short time are turning around and making Free to Play accounts very quickly. These players are using them to continue their use of foul language in the game. Some of this language has gone to EXTREME LEVELS GRAPHICALLY. This kind of stuff should be kept at home behind closed doors and NOT IN AN E10+ rated game where young players and their families come to relax and have fun.

I would like to see KI remove the options of open and filtered chat from all Free to Play accounts including those that are already in place in the game. This should greatly reduce the amount of Foul language and prevent those who are using it to make new F2P accounts just for that purpose.The only way a player would be able to get open or filtered chat would be to make a purchase with crowns or sub the account.

I am sorry if this poses an inconvenience to anyone, but at this point, steps need to be taken to clean this game back up. There are some of us that do use F2P accounts to trade TCs between the wizards on our main accounts but, we have no need for chat to do that.


Also, as an after thought, any subs that are cancelled would also revert to menu chat only until the sub is reactivated.

Fallon WinterLeaf a "Wizard City Protector"


Explorer
Jul 31, 2011
95
Our family agrees with you 110%! Some of them are getting bolder and continually balk at the rules and show total disregard and disrespect for other players and the game in general. These are the ones who are laughing in the face of the game makers and moderators and have shown they have no respect for the rules in place, stating they can do what they want and do not care.

Please KI, this type of behavior has NO place in their game at all. We need chat to be a privilege once again, not a free right to be so easily abused over and over and rules that are so easy to circumvent. This idea gives you a hand up in cleaning up the game and preventing much of the filth that children are subjected to, but also all players, adults included have to deal with daily.

Open Chat and Text chat does NOT give us the right to say whatever we want, we must ALWAYS follow KI Terms Of Service and Use. Those rules have been clearly explained and shared time and time again, verbally in game and on various message boards and forums... by KI employees and concerned fellow wizards.

Jennifer LifeHeart " a "Wizard City Protector"

Survivor
Sep 23, 2010
42
An excellent idea Goldendragon, I have seen players be instant muted and ten minutes later come back into the dye shop saying "I'm Back" and start their whole cursing and ranting routine once again. They claim to have been muted dozens of times and taunt other players with "Report me I don't care I will just make another wizard".
Free to play is great way for players to try out the game and see if they would enjoy playing, I feel it is being abused by players who make a wizard they don't want to be accountable for with regard to following the rules.

Mackenzie, Wizard City Protector

Explorer
Jul 31, 2011
95
I do hope that we can receive some more input on this.

Just yesterday one wizard was bragging about his multiple accounts, several muted and that he does not care about the rules or what happens, he will just keep making new accounts and wizards. He then proceeded to use some of the filthiest language I have seen in quite a long time.

There is NO place for that in this game.
We need to have some more preventative measures put into place now that the players are becoming more clever and craftier circumventing the current system.
With over 25 million players and growing it is time for a major chat system overhaul.

Thank you for this wonderful suggestion and I do hope it puts the wheels into motion for an even more kid friendly experience.

Jennifer LifeHeart

Illuminator
Oct 22, 2011
1304
Great posts, everyone!

There really isn't anything more I could add to this. You all were quite good at explaining and responding what needs to be done. The suggestion of Menu chat for F2P players would go a long way in helping to prevent wizards from creating new characters or accounts within minutes, just to continue their abusive behavior.

:)

Archon
Feb 07, 2011
3175
Just showing my support for this as well.

I don't have kids, but have seen some of the explicit, disgusting language that happens in-game (particularly in common areas, like the Dye Shop, school towers, and in front of Merle's house) and agree that it needs to stop. All too often do the perps get muted and reappear only seconds later on another wizard.

As it stands now, it's far too easy for these potty-mouthed wizards to circumvent the system, and I disapprove. Keeping F2P accounts restricted to menu-chat only would be a boon for the rest of the Spiral.

(KI may also want to consider a level restriction for chat privileges~ if level 15 or 20 unlocks open chat, those potty-mouths will think twice before they spew their filth on the rest of us... At the very least, it would make them wonder if it's worth it to keep leveling up, only to lose their chat privileges and have to start over).

Friendly bump!

El Veeb
the Archmage of Awesomeness and a WC Protector

Armiger
Feb 25, 2009
2425
All we can do is hope that KI will tighten the restrictions for F2P accounts. If these players want the priviledges that come with a sub or crowns account, then the purchase will have to be made. Just having a card on file should not be enough to allow them to have filtered or open chat.

Mastermind
Dec 11, 2011
333
Defender
Aug 07, 2011
116
I think this is an excellent idea that would utterly solve at least a large part of the problem. There's really no reason text chat can't be one of the privileges of paying for the game either by membership or crowns. KI is giving the F2P players a way generous area to play in with a lot of the game's extras. Text chat so that the bad apples that would gleefully spoil the game for the whole bunch could abuse the privilege doesn't need to be one of them.

Armiger
Feb 25, 2009
2425
GrammyH wrote:
I think this is an excellent idea that would utterly solve at least a large part of the problem. There's really no reason text chat can't be one of the privileges of paying for the game either by membership or crowns. KI is giving the F2P players a way generous area to play in with a lot of the game's extras. Text chat so that the bad apples that would gleefully spoil the game for the whole bunch could abuse the privilege doesn't need to be one of them.


GrammyH, myself and my friends agree with you on this. In my opinion, if someone starts an account and decides they enjoy playing it by the time they reach the first area that requires it to be purchased by crowns or a sub, then they will do so.

At this point they will gain some of the priviledges such as increased backpack items and friends list. After they have reached a certain level and after completeing the required quests to move to the next world, they would then have the option for filtered or open chat based on registration age.

Having a CC on file for F2P would no longer be acceptable as a way to have open or filtered chat. Those players would have to move forward in the game and buy areas with crowns or a sub and complete all requirements. Since F2P players can not port to other worlds for the purpose of power leveling, there would be no chance of them circumventing the system just for the priviledge of getting Chat.

Delver
Apr 10, 2010
286
I totally agree with you Goldendragon! I too, believe many, if not most, of the badly behaved ones are the Free 2 Play. I have grown weary of being told the "its a free country" , "there's the ignore button, you know", etc. They want other to follow the rules except when the same rules apply to THEM. Then all bets are off, in their skewed way of thinking.

I've had one or two of my wizards treated in a shabby manner by others during quests . After taking their verbal abuse for a little while, my sarcastic streak came out. Its very irritating/funny/intersting to see the response from the nasty characters when they're called out for their behavior. They scream, yell, and tell you to do all sorts of foul things.

One child specialist calls that thinking as "the Almighty Me" syndrom. One that a child SHOULD have been trained out of them by the ripe old age of four years of age.

Mastermind
Oct 15, 2010
315
At level 12 Mortis should call you! :D I think there should be some other way to get open other than being 18.

Mastermind
Feb 29, 2012
323
Another fantastic idea goldendragon. This would solve the other half of the problem that darthjt's impound fee would not. Namely those who create accounts specifically to misbehave.
Great idea!

As a sidebar, Fallon I would like to thank you for your time and effort specifically and the efforts of all the WCPs in general in keeping this world one where I can allow my kids to roam.

Chris Nightwraith
Transcended Necromancer
WCP

Defender
Jul 28, 2009
190
Honestly I think no because KI will probably lose a ton of players for this so i honestly think it won't happen

Armiger
Feb 25, 2009
2425
vaneairdbe wrote:
At level 12 Mortis should call you! :D I think there should be some other way to get open other than being 18.


Vaneairdbe, actually the level would have to be higher. If the requirements are set high enough which should include ALL WC side quests (with the exception of Golem Tower, Nightside and the History books) and including the completion of Colossus Blvd the wizard would be at least a lvl 15 or 16 or higher before being allowed to enter Krok. In fact a wizard would not be able to get that from Headmaster Ambrose until all requirements were met.

By placing these requirements, it would insure that the account maker would be actually playing the game and not just SOCIALIZING in the public areas. Socializing in a respectful manner is great and we don't have a problem with it. We do have a problem with the abuse that many players are getting. Frankly, the abuse in the game is just as bad as what we seen in real life when it comes to the young players that really come here to have fun. The abuse and bullying to a young child in the game is just as detrimental as it is in real life.

So along with the $5 fee that has been suggested in another post and restircting the access to open and filtered chat, it would greatly reduce the amount of abusive behavior we are currently seeing in the game and It is my opinion that KI would also benefit more as well. There would be many accounts that are currently disabled by parents that would be reactivated and more would feel good about reccommending the game again to their friends and families. If these or comparable changes aren't made to correct this problem, the game will be come an "X" rated chat room.

KI, I appologize because you have created one of the best online family games that has ever hit the internet. Something has gone TERRIBLY wrong and needs some serious attention. I humbly ask you to please take the necessary steps to correct it.

Fallon WinterLeaf a "Wizard City Protector"

Armiger
Feb 25, 2009
2425
pods1973 wrote:
Another fantastic idea goldendragon. This would solve the other half of the problem that darthjt's impound fee would not. Namely those who create accounts specifically to misbehave.
Great idea!

As a sidebar, Fallon I would like to thank you for your time and effort specifically and the efforts of all the WCPs in general in keeping this world one where I can allow my kids to roam.

Chris Nightwraith
Transcended Necromancer
WCP


Thank you Pods, and I appreciate the thought. I have to give credit though where credit is due. Yes, this started with only a handful of us and we have put in a lot of time and effort and ideas to try our best to make a difference. Since this movement started we are seeing more and more support from the community and with other groups forming as well. These players are spreading out throught the Spiral to ensure the saftey of our young players of all ages.

It is our opinion that making some changes in the chat options would also make some significant improvements in what we see in the game. We do understand that KI can't just make some changes overnight but we do hope they will be soon.

I want to Thank you Pods and your family for supporting this cause and I do hope your children have not seen any of this bad behavior.


Explorer
Apr 05, 2012
63
goldendragon18 wrote:
I would like to see KI remove the options of open and filtered chat from all Free to Play accounts including those that are already in place in the game.


There was a non-graphical game I used to play a few years ago. You could read what was being posted, but you could not post yourself until you reached level one hundred. With that in mind, I propose a level restriction on text and open chat for F2P accounts.

You should have to reach level fifteen before the text chat is available, and level thirty for open chat. By this time the player should know right from wrong.

And if they do violate the Terms of Use, they should be down graded for five levels (open to text, text to menu).

If KI needs someone to program this, I would do it for "peanuts"!

Survivor
Feb 08, 2009
42
I dont agree with some of this.

I would be very angry at having my chat taken away when my membership expires. Memberships are quite expensive, I cant just immediatly buy another one when mine is done. I like the idea of a level limit too. However, I have a lvl 80 and have started to make new wizards. I wouldnt like waiting till lvl 20 for my new wizard to have chat. I think KI should just make stricter rules. I also wish that there was a place in the menu chat where I could recite the rules, so I didnt have to type it all.

Defender
Jul 23, 2011
117
I know it sounds like a great idea, but let me just give you all a scenario that contradicts it. I, for one have my membership for over a year, and do not use foul language. I have never been reported for anything as far as I know. I've never been banned or muted for sure. I pay monthly using a pre-paid (or reloadable) credit card. A couple of times I have not been able to put money on the card before the renewal date. When this happened, I was reverted to the free to play status until I put money on the card. People were asking me to port like crazy, and I had to explain through open chat that I wouldn't be able to restore my membership to unlimited access for a couple of days. Now, do you really think I should have lost my chat privileges just because of some people violating the terms of use policies? I don't think so. It seems to me that most of these violations occur in the commons. I can asssure you that you will almost never see me there unless I have to be there. My time on the game is too precious to be hanging out in teen town. Instead, I propose that Kingsisle traces the violators back to the e-mail that the account was started with, and ban it from starting any more accounts (paid or free to play) ever again...period.

Mastermind
Jul 28, 2010
312
I don't know. I personally don't like the idea. Yes I understand you don't want your kids seeing profanity and such but in a sense you are also punishing the players who don't want to pay money. I don't feel this is the best solution to the problem.

Maybe have all free to play players stick to certain realms. Then at least there will be some separation. In one game I played there were certain (realms) where it was quick chat only. So maybe you could try it like that.

I just don't feel it is fair to all those f2p players out there. Some people go on games to socialize also, so you are taking there fun away. Also what happens for crown players. All one person has to do is buy a 5 dollar gift card cash it in and then they get open chat? So there is a whole in your system.

Sorry for seeming down on this but just wanted to point out some problems.

Defender
May 21, 2011
104
this is an amazing idea, but they would loose players.apart from that its amazing.

if they dont do this i reckon they should have online admins.
they get users of the game (open chat only cause if this happens and they dont have open, the rude people might purposely mis spell the words so it shows up as dots.) to go around and mute/banish/kick the rude people. mute mutes them for awhile, banish takes them away from that area for a certain amount of time, sometimes that world, or realm. and kick kicks them from the game, and you can do ban for a day things like that.

but the idea of not free to play, ita a great idea, but now i think about it, its sort of like people saying, can we pay to get open chat?

its a good idea though, thanks for bringing it up!

Hero
Jan 24, 2010
705
Snowyandspots wrote:
I don't know. I personally don't like the idea. Yes I understand you don't want your kids seeing profanity and such but in a sense you are also punishing the players who don't want to pay money. I don't feel this is the best solution to the problem.

Maybe have all free to play players stick to certain realms. Then at least there will be some separation. In one game I played there were certain (realms) where it was quick chat only. So maybe you could try it like that.

I just don't feel it is fair to all those f2p players out there. Some people go on games to socialize also, so you are taking there fun away. Also what happens for crown players. All one person has to do is buy a 5 dollar gift card cash it in and then they get open chat? So there is a whole in your system.

Sorry for seeming down on this but just wanted to point out some problems.


@Snowy,

The biggest problems in unseemly behavior originate in the Free-to-Play game populace. I do not agree that the game should cater to free players for any reason. Those of us who pay for expensive sub accounts and devote ourselves to the game are the income generators for this game, not the level 1-12 F2P wizards who stand around the public areas of WC and foul the environment with indecent chat. Those who only pay for PvP are also part of the problem; as evidenced by their chat behavior in the Commons and Unicorn Way (presumably while waiting for matches).

I really DO like your idea of separate realms for F2P wizards. Personally, I prefer the company of paying members who really care about the Spiral. And, such a separation would alleviate the problem with constant begging for crowns, gifts, and tc's in the Commons.

Oh oh, maybe KI should make realms based on membership level: The higher the wizard's membership level, the better realms are available This would be super for high traffic times when the game experience is degraded by all those free players hanging around in the Commons.

Eh, KI, can you tell we really need for you to address this problem? Can you see that we are serious? Do you take your long-term clients seriously?

Qbb

Geographer
Dec 14, 2009
916
Snowyandspots wrote:
Maybe have all free to play players stick to certain realms. Then at least there will be some separation.


I agree 100 %. Having member only realms would allow paying members a needed respite from the problems cause by some of the free players. It would also give us a reason to stay members.

Survivor
May 21, 2012
32
Snowyandspots wrote:
I don't know. I personally don't like the idea. Yes I understand you don't want your kids seeing profanity and such but in a sense you are also punishing the players who don't want to pay money. I don't feel this is the best solution to the problem.

Maybe have all free to play players stick to certain realms. Then at least there will be some separation. In one game I played there were certain (realms) where it was quick chat only. So maybe you could try it like that.

I just don't feel it is fair to all those f2p players out there. Some people go on games to socialize also, so you are taking there fun away. Also what happens for crown players. All one person has to do is buy a 5 dollar gift card cash it in and then they get open chat? So there is a whole in your system.

Sorry for seeming down on this but just wanted to point out some problems.


Crowns players that pay for their areas would be fine, it is the ones that are completely free, i.e. Never pay for an area or an active subscription, and it is stated that gift cards can not be used to unlock open chat so that isn't even a consideration.

Free players are limited to the areas of Wizard City that are free to play, they are there for people to try out the game and then decide if they would like to continue to play or not. And as far as only coming on to socialize there are other venues for that, not a family game that is out of control with players circumventing the chat rules, creating unlimited free accounts with open chat and continuing to spew filth both verbally and visually now in areas that are accessible to everyone.

NO one should feel that they need to disable a part of what they are paying for just to get through an area or shopping just so they don't see the kinds of things going on here now.

Try doing that for a week, as you go through any free to play area, change your open chat to menu and shut off the chat bubbles too and don't forget to do it every time, and see how you like having to do it, after all that is what we are being told to do now so we don't have to see it, when it shouldn't be in any way, shape or form allowed in this game.

Armiger
Feb 25, 2009
2425
Snowyandspots wrote:
I don't know. I personally don't like the idea. Yes I understand you don't want your kids seeing profanity and such but in a sense you are also punishing the players who don't want to pay money. I don't feel this is the best solution to the problem.

Maybe have all free to play players stick to certain realms. Then at least there will be some separation. In one game I played there were certain (realms) where it was quick chat only. So maybe you could try it like that.

I just don't feel it is fair to all those f2p players out there. Some people go on games to socialize also, so you are taking there fun away. Also what happens for crown players. All one person has to do is buy a 5 dollar gift card cash it in and then they get open chat? So there is a whole in your system.

Sorry for seeming down on this but just wanted to point out some problems.


Snowyandspots, apparently you are not looking at the WHOLE picture. Technically you are wrong about punishing players. Outside of a new player creating a F2P just to see if they like the game there is not reason for them to have access to these options. MANY OF US, when we first came to this site and registered and READ THE ToU, did not have open chat at all and very limited filtered chat. Myself, I used Menu chat until I SUBBED my account. There are PERKS in this game that should not be given to F2P until they Purchase a certain amount of areas with crowns or sub an account, and complete certain requirements in the game. Under the circumstances, I think this is very fair. There are other games that tend to lean in this direction for the protection of their player base. If those players don't want to spend money on a sub or the crowns to purchase the areas in the game then there is really NO REASON they should have access to the advantages of the game beyond the free areas of play. Free areas of play are just that.

Restrict F2P players to certain realms? NO, not acceptable either for this reason. Many players use a F2P for transferring TCs from one wizard on their subbed or crowns account to another. Those of us that do this are more than willing to accept not having any kind of open or filtered chat since there is really no need for it among our own wizards in the first place.

Unfortunately, your take on it not being fair to F2P players is unfounded. What is unfair is that those of us that purchase the game by crowns and subs are being basically told to change our own chat options to including turning off bubbles.

If the suggestions are put into place by KI as they have been suggested, this will ELIMINATE having CCards on file, Debit Cards, and ALL gift cards in order to have the options to open and filtered chat. All requirements that have already been suggested would have to be met in order to obtain OPEN OR FILTERED CHAT.

So ACTUALLY, there is NO HOLE in the suggestion.

@Caballo203, I understand your predicament in using a pre-paid CC. And in the suggestion that has been made that would be the one Draw back unfortunately for you and others that pay in this manner. That part of the suggestion also reccommends that accounts that the subs have been cancelled or even temporarily disabled so to speak would also automatically revert to Menu chat until reactivated. This suggestion was not done to be mean, but to prevent some of the offenders from using the account to abuse others in the game. Anytime you cancel a sub, you still have access to the F2P areas of the game.