BAD moderators in the Steam community

[kaboomboom]

There was recently a thread called 'Abusive Moderators in the Steam Community' that got locked almost instantly. I am posting this because I think this is a topic worth discussing and I loath the attempt at censorship by the mod who locked the topic.

Mods should be eager to hear criticism and comments so they can reflect and improve.

I for one have never been abused by a moderator, but I have recieved heavy handed treatment once. I was banned for a day for breaking a rule. At the time I did not know that I was breaking a rule (which is no defense I admit, I should have read the rules more carefully).

However, the offense was mild and a polite warning from the mod would have set me straight. However, I would have asked a question because I regulary see others doing the same thing and not getting banned. People who post see what others are doing and think it is OK because others have not been banned...but when someone who is critical of Steam does the exact same thing they get banned. Hypocrisy and double standards are never good, and mod behavior of this sort only hurts Steam.

As I said, I do not feel that I have ever been abused by a mod. However, Mod(s) have done the following things that I find to be bad behavior:

1. Heavy handedness and draconion application of the rules. Warnings would be the respectful thing to do before you ban someone.

2. One sentence...BAN!. That is like having only one punishment for all crimes, execution. How about a warning before you decide to go nuclear?

3. Playing favorites. The rules are not equally enforced. Friends of the mods, industry agents (AKA-Shills), other mods, or groupees of the mods often break the rules with no consequences. This is hypocrisy and definetely causes Steam to lose credibility. Users will not trust the mods/Steam when rules are not applied correctly to everyone.

4. It is not always clear who the mod is in a thread. This is more Valves fault than the mods.

5. I have tried asking the mod a question but never could get a reply. What are they there for if not the help out? I guess answering questions is not part of the job on Steam. On other sites the mods are generally very helpful. Here, they are generally aloof, or worse...hostile and unfriendly.

6. There have been times I have seen mods act in an unprofessional manner.

I would be very curious to hear more comments on this topic, and I will be very sad to see the topic locked.

[Zefar]

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

First, I want to remind you all that I never said I felt abused. I said that I felt the mods are sometimes heavy handed and unfair. I stand by that as truth, and it is fine if others disagree.

But the thing is, you called your ban heavy handed. Which is wrong.

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

Second, I insult when others insult me...but the others were not banned. It is kind of one sided from what I have seen. Yes, I know I was wrong for insulting, but I am human too and when someone is being rude I get angry, just like the mods do.

Seeing how it's only one ban on your account and Spawn already commented on this. Oh and we Global Mods don't get angry, if we did we wouldn't be having these Admin rights for long.

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

Finally, I want to say thanks for the education. I will take this information and attempt to behave better. However it saddens me to see that not one mod acknowledges the problems that some among them have with how they do business. That is a shame, and it hurts Steam.

Generally because we don't see problems within our Global Moderator group. Third party Developers are different and not under our control.

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

From what I know most mods are not paid employees but volunteers, therefore their training is minimal and no professional standards are imposed upon them. Steam tries to do everything on the cheap in order to increase profits. Knowing this, I guess I can't really blame the mods. There is no real incentive to be better, and it seems like a thankless job. All day long you have to put up with rude users and insults. That would certainly explain why they are the way they are. It is kind of like visiting the DMV, everyone is overworked and underpaid...and a little bitter. For people who do not live in California DMV is the state department of motor vehicles, and they are notorious for having poor customer service and angry unhelpful employees. Visiting one of their offices is akin to visiting one of the lower levels of hell.

This might be hard for some people to get but this Moderation position that I and the other Global Moderators have is unique compared to other sites. We're on the biggest digital game provider discussion Moderator list. THAT is pretty special. To the point where I wouldn't want to lose it at all.
Do you know how long it took before I was offered a spot? 5 years of being a good guy in the community. I am not going to throw it away just so that I can insult people. It's just not worth it. Not in a thousand years.

Also all the users who have insulted hasn't changed our behavior at all. It's white noise in the background for us. It's just that unlike some big retail stores we don't need to kiss up to every single customer that shows up and asking to be unbanned while throwing insults left and right.

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

I know I can be difficult at times because I am quite passionate about what I believe. Sorry to any mods I may have offended. I like Steam, and I appreciate what you guys do to keep the place running. I just want you to know that when I make a criticism, it is an attempt to make things better, not tear the place down.

You got a warning ban and instantly blamed all Moderators to be bad. That isn't exactly criticism. More of bashing.

[kaboomboom]

@Koa,

I don't feel that the mod violations are severe enough for me to submit an official complaint. I just wanted to have an open discussion about it. Thanks for the info.

@Start_Running,

I will acknowledge that you are a master regarding Asshat behavior. I have a better idea of what to do and what not to do because of you. Of course it would help my cause if I was pro-establishment as you are, but my limitation is that I can only defend the establishment when they are in the right. I have learned much from watching you and continue to learn. Thanks for the advice.

@Spawn of Totoro,

Yes, I was guilty of bypassing the filter. However, I see that in many other places in the forum with no consequences for the poster. This further supports my point that the mods are selective about who they ban and who they give a free pass.

@Tosei,

Never said I felt abused.

@Zetikla,

I'm not surprised to see you here either. You are like Start_Runnings Shadow. Not to fear, I will not bring in my personal opinion about you either. Trust me, the feeling is mutual.

@Zeffar,

I did not blame all moderators, I simply pointed out that some (not sure how many) are not doing a good job. That is not bashing, but a valid criticism. You are free to disagree, but I stand by my statements. I also appreciate that you took the time to explain your viewpoint to me, and that you are very happy in your position as a mod. I'm sure you are one of the better ones here.

[tmwfte]

The only abuse of power, or what can be considered abuse of power, I ever tend to see is on the game hubs themselves, usually a developer. The volunteer community moderators selected by Valve usually tend to be a good bunch. Even those that don't have a cute plushie avatar or happen to have a penchant for the wrong kind of sammich.

As to worrying about other people being "punished", that way only leads to an ulcer.

[76561198001062896]

Not sure on which right you call others asshats after your behaviour and history of being reprimanded by mods but sure

Cant help but feel that your self righteous behaviour here doesnt have much grounds here.

You wanna wage war with the whole steam community, feel free to do that. Just dont be surprised when even the mods will get enough of this at some point.

You arent reaching anything with this in case you were seeking for supporters.

If you dont agree with moderation, you may feel free not to use the discussions. If all you wish to do is creating a hostile/toxic environment all around you, I would kindly suggest that you do that elsewhere where you will have an audience for this.

Im fairly sure Im not the only one whos getting tired of the constant drama of yours and your "friends" (you know who am I talking about). It serves nothing, it doesnt incite for an intelligent conversation other than the usual rioting and "oh we are so censored and pushed aside"

Honestly? Grow up, grow up because this is pushing the levels of sad.


If you wanna make a point: do so, but without taking a jab at people who dont agree with you, using actual facts to backup your arguments and so on.


PS: I hope you realise that neither you or me or any of us make the rules here, Valve does.



Really had to make some efforts to stay polite because I cant be arsed to argue with someone whos making his hobby to do this.

[Start_Running]

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

@Koa,

I don't feel that the mod violations are severe enough for me to submit an official complaint. I just wanted to have an open discussion about it. Thanks for the info.

Can't be bothered to actually do anything beyond rant.

@Start_Running,

I will acknowledge that you are a master regarding Asshat behavior. I have a better idea of what to do and what not to do because of you. Of course it would help my cause if I was pro-establishment as you are, but my limitation is that I can only defend the establishment when they are in the right. I have learned much from watching you and continue to learn. Thanks for the advice.

Who said I was pro establishment. I've criticized Steam ona number of things. It just makes your case sound better to ignore those since it doesn't paint the picture of yourself as the set upon victim. You knw, that role you always seem to take on out of habit. As said. I have posted ona game hub that the game should be removed from steam. I posted on the sequels hub making snarky remarks. The threads for both those remain unlocked and there was no issue with the developers or moderators. It's all about attitude.

@Spawn of Totoro,

Yes, I was guilty of bypassing the filter. However, I see that in many other places in the forum with no consequences for the poster. This further supports my point that the mods are selective about who they ban and who they give a free pass.

Some people survive falls from ten story buildings. That doesn't mean you should assume you can as well. You may also be missing the subtler contextual dettails., since again you have a habit of disregarding the important points of any scenario or data set that do not support your pre-established conclusion.

@Zeffar,

I did not blame all moderators, I simply pointed out that some (not sure how many) are not doing a good job. That is not bashing, but a valid criticism. You are free to disagree, but I stand by my statements. I also appreciate that you took the time to explain your viewpoint to me, and that you are very happy in your position as a mod. I'm sure you are one of the better ones here.

Your POV on whether or not they are doing a good job seems to be, like most of those who make such posts, that if they're on myside they're doing a good upstanding job and if they're not, they're BAD .

[kaboomboom]

@Start_Running and his follower Zetikla,

Please leave your grudge at the door. No need for this to get ugly.

I'm not waging war with the whole Steam community. Unless you are finally admitting you work for Steam or a dev. You and your lackeys are the only ones with who I have issue with on a regular basis, and it is because you guys come after me every chance you get. We would not be in conflict so much if you were not peddling in deceit and manipulation. I know, you don't like it when people call attention to what you do, it makes your job harder and less effective. I'm going to keep shining that light.

Hey Zet, I have only been banned once, and it was over something minor from a mod you probably know. I'm pretty sure you had something to do with it too. I have since learned my lesson. You need to grow up, and stop grinding that axe. You and Start have this grudge with me and I don't know why. In our arguments you have given as good as you got, so I don't know why you are such a hateful petty person with regards to me. There is no reason for you to be butthurt, especially when you and your posse act with impunity here on the forum. LET IT GO BRO.

[Hwkiller]

I hate those steam mods. Ugh. So infuriating.

[Spawn of Totoro]

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

@Spawn of Totoro,

Yes, I was guilty of bypassing the filter. However, I see that in many other places in the forum with no consequences for the poster. This further supports my point that the mods are selective about who they ban and who they give a free pass.

No, it shows moderators can't be everywhere at one time. There is a diffrence between ignoring an issue and not seeing it. When it is found (usualy through reports) then it is dealt with.

125+ million users, about 9k forums and less then 30 global moderators. While developers are supposed to appoint moderators, there are many that do not, leaving us to fill the void.

I have seen no indication of selective moderation. Several posting in this very thread have had bans/warnings in the past, even through they support Steam/Valve and the moderators. That furthers the point of issues falling between the cracks, not of selective moderation.

[Start_Running]

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

@Start_Running and his follower Zetikla,

Please leave your grudge at the door. No need for this to get ugly.

I'm not waging war with the whole Steam community. Unless you are finally admitting you work for Steam or a dev. You and your lackeys are the only ones with who I have issue with on a regular basis, and it is because you guys come after me every chance you get. We would not be in conflict so much if you were not peddling in deceit and manipulation. I know, you don't like it when people call attention to what you do, it makes your job harder and less effective. I'm going to keep shining that light.

You're doing it again Kaboom. I am not bringing any grudge. Merely making observations as to your pattern of behaviour.. I mean there you go, drawing lines in the sand with yourself on onside and anyone who can see the flaws in your logic and arguement on the other. There you are already going so far as to say I peddle in deceit when I have said nothing decitful in this thread.

Can anyone else point out a decitful statement I have made in this thread. Any observation that Kaboom themselves have not , through their words, and behaviour, provemn to be reasonably accurate? I ask this in all seriousness. Heck my own statements here were more or less along the lines of what everyone else on this thread has said.

Hey Zet, I have only been banned once, and it was over something minor from a mod you probably know. I'm pretty sure you had something to do with it too.

ANd here you go again with the self-victimization; of course, there muist be some grand conspiracy between those you don't like amnd the 'BAD' Moderators to get you in trouble.

I have since learned my lesson. You need to grow up, and stop grinding that axe. You and Start have this grudge with me and I don't know why.

Apparently you have learned nothing. Again you assume we have an axe to grind. Dude, just stip puytting your foot in your mouth and we'll stop pointing it out. Also Zet and I haven't said anything that others havemn't already said in this thread, yet strangely you single us out. Seems like you're the one with the axe to grind.

In our arguments you have given as good as you got, so I don't know why you are such a hateful petty person with regards to me.

And there you go with the name calling.. again.

There is no reason for you to be butthurt, especially when you and your posse act with impunity here on the forum. LET IT GO BRO.

And insinuationg again taht we act as a group and that we are under some special mandate. My friend you're kind of lucky the mods here are so Ghandi-esque. (real life Ghandi not CIv Ghandi), Since that statement basically implies that they are as a group playing favourites, considering the length s to which they go to be balanced and even handed, a fellow might consider that in insult.

And this is about what again? that you were given a warning ban for more or less the same thing.

[Quint the Alligator Snapper]

Start_Running の投稿を引用：

kaboomboom の投稿を引用：

@Start_Running and his follower Zetikla,

Please leave your grudge at the door. No need for this to get ugly.

I'm not waging war with the whole Steam community. Unless you are finally admitting you work for Steam or a dev. You and your lackeys are the only ones with who I have issue with on a regular basis, and it is because you guys come after me every chance you get. We would not be in conflict so much if you were not peddling in deceit and manipulation. I know, you don't like it when people call attention to what you do, it makes your job harder and less effective. I'm going to keep shining that light.

You're doing it again Kaboom. I am not bringing any grudge. Merely making observations as to your pattern of behaviour.. I mean there you go, drawing lines in the sand with yourself on onside and anyone who can see the flaws in your logic and arguement on the other. There you are already going so far as to say I peddle in deceit when I have said nothing decitful in this thread.

Can anyone else point out a decitful statement I have made in this thread. Any observation that Kaboom themselves have not , through their words, and behaviour, provemn to be reasonably accurate? I ask this in all seriousness. Heck my own statements here were more or less along the lines of what everyone else on this thread has said.

Hey Zet, I have only been banned once, and it was over something minor from a mod you probably know. I'm pretty sure you had something to do with it too.

ANd here you go again with the self-victimization; of course, there muist be some grand conspiracy between those you don't like amnd the 'BAD' Moderators to get you in trouble.

I have since learned my lesson. You need to grow up, and stop grinding that axe. You and Start have this grudge with me and I don't know why.

Apparently you have learned nothing. Again you assume we have an axe to grind. Dude, just stip puytting your foot in your mouth and we'll stop pointing it out. Also Zet and I haven't said anything that others havemn't already said in this thread, yet strangely you single us out. Seems like you're the one with the axe to grind.

In our arguments you have given as good as you got, so I don't know why you are such a hateful petty person with regards to me.

And there you go with the name calling.. again.

There is no reason for you to be butthurt, especially when you and your posse act with impunity here on the forum. LET IT GO BRO.

And insinuationg again taht we act as a group and that we are under some special mandate. My friend you're kind of lucky the mods here are so Ghandi-esque. (real life Ghandi not CIv Ghandi), Since that statement basically implies that they are as a group playing favourites, considering the length s to which they go to be balanced and even handed, a fellow might consider that in insult.

And this is about what again? that you were given a warning ban for more or less the same thing.

FYI someone else being wrong doesn't mean you're innocent either. You yourself have shown -- and proudly admitted to -- a consistent pattern of being arrogant, condescending, and intent on showing off your intellectual superiority. And ironically, you do this while also leaving various typos and sometimes broken formatting in your posts, and refusing to go back and fix them.

Would be nice if everyone calmed down a bit and looked ourselves each in the mirror.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Quint the Globular Springtail の投稿を引用：

Would be nice if everyone calmed down a bit.

I agree. Maybe this will help with that too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtRRUEs3o0c

[16]

Hwkiller の投稿を引用：

I hate those steam mods. Ugh. So infuriating.

If youre a mod did you seriosuly just come into this thread and leave a sarcastic trollish comment...

WOW

[Narcoleptic Marshmallow]

☯Martin Mystery☯ の投稿を引用：

If youre a mod did you seriosuly just come into this thread and leave a sarcastic trollish comment...

WOW

Right? It's like mods think they're people and can have fun like the rest of us.

[16]

Eri の投稿を引用：

☯Martin Mystery☯ の投稿を引用：

If youre a mod did you seriosuly just come into this thread and leave a sarcastic trollish comment...

WOW

Right? It's like mods think they're people and can have fun like the rest of us.

Mod breaks rules and youre here defending it. I dont need to see ot hear anymore of this.

Absolute cancer.

[Start_Running]

Quint the Globular Springtail の投稿を引用：

FYI someone else being wrong doesn't mean you're innocent either. You yourself have shown -- and proudly admitted to -- a consistent pattern of being arrogant, condescending, and intent on showing off your intellectual superiority.

Actually that's just what others say. I have never called myself arrogant, just apathetic. There's a difference. As for condescending, meh, the greater my apathy grows the les I am able to see people as rational mentally functional adults and so unless something happens to correct my observation my manner of dealing with them reflects the level of apathuy or outright dislike I have of them.

As for imntellectual superiority. Hey, if that's what you want to call it, you're welcome to do so, those pointing out the flaws in arguments and logic is not about intellectual suuperiority, it's about trying to foster intellectual discourse. Again, there is a difference though those who wind up on the wrong side of of my arguments may see it as something else. I can't help that.

And ironically, you do this while also leaving various typos and sometimes broken formatting in your posts, and refusing to go back and fix them.

If the worst things you can say about my arguements are formating, typoes, and spelling errors. That sort of shows how strong my points are. :-)

Thing is, the typoes have to end up somewhere and since I do well enough to keep it out of my work, I suppose here's as good a place as any for them to wind up no?

In truth i am quite calm. I just find these sorts of posts about Moderator unfairness or bad mods or abusive mods to be hilarious. Those who write them seem to lack any self-awareness. They always try to paint themselves as the victim of some injusrtice or snarkily hint that the Mods aren't doing their job when the very punishment they are salty about sort of proves the Mods are doing their jobs.

As I always say in these threads. If you aren't an asshat or a taint-stain, you never have to worry about mods. Global or dev appointed.