Discord ID: TozoTozo
How old are you?: 26
When you are most active? (including timezone): Afternoons-Night, EST Time. Which is basically just nighttime for the Europeans
Roughly how much time do you dedicate to the server each week?: Whenever Im really in the mood, usually 15-20 hours. It's not... a lot, especially less of late. But I feel that should change, especially when taking on a mantle that matters.
Names of notable characters you play in Vorestation: Zera Livanne, Uka Kellogg are probably the only names people know of. At least I would hope.
How long have you been playing Space Station 13?: Since... Highschool? Maybe earlier. Ages ago. 10+ Years ago. Genetics Main for life.
How long have you been playing Vorestation?: Not as long as everyone else I can assure you. Started Sometime in February of 2023. I had an extremely brief stint in college when I was closeted and wanted to be a hecking epic troll but HERE WE ARE....
Explain what most interests you about being staff: Being able to make a significant change in players perception of staff and virgo as a whole I'm very much an ideas person, and at least someone charismatic and compassionate enough to be a leader and great mediator. I want to bring a level of energy and compassion to the staff that makes the staff, and virgo more approachable and welcoming. I want to help drum up excitement and energy for the players for new changes, updates and events!
Explain what you think you will least enjoy about being staff: My biggest worry is that I will be too incompetent in my role. Being more of a figurehead than an actual change-maker. Truth be told, I barely know how half of the departments in the game even work, and even less so the actual mechanics of the atmospherics simulation at play. I don't think I will enjoy having to come up with all these great ideas and then ultimately when It comes down to it, I might fail miserably.
Describe what role-playing means to you: Role playing is as it is said is playing a role, a character, a living breathing person who exists in a living breathing world. Its about being conscious of mindsets, other character mindsets, and putting yourself into shoes with great respect and consideration. While ultimately virgo is the vorny server for vorny stuff, I don't think that means the characters; the ROLEPLAY should take a hit in quality. Things are most enjoyable when we think about what we play and how we play them!
Define what a "Problem Player" is in your own words:This term usually varies on a case by case basis depending on...the game, but I see a problem player as a flashing yellow traffic light, if the Toxic player is the Flashing Red. A problem player is someone who is on the path to becoming toxic. These are people who are something to watch out for and step in before things progress to the next level. Players who often don't read the rules and try to push them, Players who don't respect the lore and the role-play, and players who often make other players uncomfortable, even if unintentional. Problem behaviors that might further lead down the road to absolute toxicity.
Define a "Toxic Player" in your own words: These are the most extreme example of the problem players. Where a problem players behavior might make someone uncomfortable, a toxic player is someone whos behavior would be so repugnant and repulsive its actively damaging the player-base. Players who are actively HURTING the community rather than just being a nuisance.
Define "Admin Abuse" in your own words: Using admin status, authority and powers for selfish benefits rather than benefiting the community you are actively an admin of.
In your opinion, what the biggest problem with the server right now?: Player Migration and Staying power. People are leaving virgo to go elsewhere, and new players aren't sticking around for nearly as long.
How would you have it resolved?: I have many ideas on how this could realistically be solved. But the most important part is what any corporate advertising shill would tell you and that's... Hype! To me, it feels Virgo is maybe stagnant. There doesn't feel to be any HYPE up around updates, or changes to the system at large. Its hard to want to play the game as a player when it feels like everything is going to be the same thing over and over, not just on a OOC level but even on a game level. Events only ever get a single announcement, Change logs are shoved off to a part of the channels that 99% of players have muted. Even important and neat lore updates go with little fanfare. I would want to see a greater level of communication and hype-building for the players outside of the actual game itself. Players need to be getting excited to play the game, we should do what we can to make it known that our game is worth playing!
Go through the following scenarios and state how you would deal with it...
- An adminhelp comes in claiming an individual is griefing.
How I'd handle it:
Like any good detective, id start off by just trying together all the facts. Examining event logs and player testimony. I'm cautious, especially in online game spaces for accusations thrown willy nilly. I would not directly intervene, not at first: Just gather information. Observe the accused griefer, but not intervene on them yet. If a griefer is accused and is aware of it, they will try their best to act like they aren't. Their habits, their mannerisms, and even the accuser themselves. I want to keep a close eye on the situation but not to act too quickly. If there is an immediate and obvious evidence that this player IS griefing then its time to pull them aside, question them, and have a chat. When I first came back to this server in February, I very much did the same. I fucked around, trolled people, and was annoying with destruction and griefing. All it took was one serious conversation with the admin (Hell, even In Character) and it really set me straight. Its important to give these people at least A chance before pulling the trigger and getting straight to punishments. If behavior continues, I would likely move for a job ban and short-time ban, before moving to further punishment if behavior STILL continues. - A player is upset about a scenario, but they are clearly in the wrong.
How I'd handle it:
Communication is key. A good admin, is talkative and communicative to their players, not forceful. If someone isn't understanding, its our job to speak to them and make sure they understand the hows and whys of the way things work around here, and how they can avoid these situations next time. Ultimately, if the player IS in the wrong, then they still need to understand this fact as the most important fact. - When interviewing several individuals, one is lying but you cannot tell who it is.
How I'd handle it:
Its funny that this kinda circles back to the first question. This requires VERY delicate and thorough observation. Ultimately I am only one person, so observing multiple people is going to be difficult, however I would likely try to use the assistance of my fellow staff members to keep an eye out on this situation as they develop. I don't know exactly HOW admin-ing works, like, chatlogs and such. But there is always a concrete answer to the problem of "Who shot first" in a game where these actions take place and are printed out into a log. There are almost always multiple witnesses. Information CAN be found. By using my previous mentioned method, it should be easy to find out the culprit. Its a game, people can say things, but a liar will inevitably slip if they think they wont get caught, especially when there are logs that will prove otherwise when lying again.
Even then, its still important to consider the human behind the screen. Do these players have a history of this behavior? Whether it be getting caught in these scenarios, or having a history of being untrustworthy. Its important to know WHO you are dealing with and to factor in this consideration. - After interviewing several individuals, you have a pretty good idea of who is lying, but still lack concrete, infallible proof. Despite your best efforts, some details remain ambiguous. What now?
How I'd handle it:
Things get tricky. You can talk to a problematic player, even if you're 90% sure its them ALL you want, but you lack the proof to actually hit them with a punishment. This is where I would note this scenario on a players record (I am vaguely aware of Admins having a sorta ability to play admin notes to specific players, at least in game.) if the scenario is MINOR enough, like 3 people disagreeing on who actually broke one of the windows and didn't tell anyone. (Even thought he logs would probably show concrete proof of who actually did it) but STILL. When it comes to a much BIGGER scenario with some extreme matters, there NEEDS to be a decision made., In this case I would consult any other current observing admins about this scenario and approach their thoughts on the matter. If no other admins are present, and the situation is immediate, a soft punishment should be made along with said notes about player behavior. Punishments like discord timeout, day ban, etc etc. - An individual is playing a character who has sparked several adminhelps regarding said individual, but they are not in any clear violation of the rules.
How I'd handle it:
This player is what I would define as a problem player. Clearly there is a problem here with the community, but nothing actually rulebreaking. They are a player who should be aware that others find their behavior or..whatever they are being ahelped for problematic. A conversation should be had about their own thought process on why or how they are doing this behavior, and how it can be remedied. - Multiple character deaths have occurred and you are attempting to investigate. One player exhibits poor role-playing skills combined with insulting all those involved, another rushed after trouble started and only used lethal force, and a third went on and attacked several other individuals after the first fight was finished.
How I'd handle it:
Hoo boy. What a doozy. The first player, based entirely on the evidence provided in this case, is probably just a bystander shocked by this occurrence. In an RP environment, people tend to get kinda heated if you kill their friend. The second player is also likely not a griefer. I would make a note of The first players involvement and potential to be a problematic player. For the second, SS13 is a bit of a confusing game and if you aren't totally keyed into the ramifications of what you're doing, its not hard to actually inflict violent force. Still! What the second player did, even from just this base level, was WRONG. They should be told about what happened, how to properly prevent this from happening again, and once again make a note of their involvement in this situation. What the third player did is COMPLETELY wrong. Accidentally harming one person is one thing, but multiple is highly suspicious. Since this is a roleplay heavy server, killing one crewmate is big, But many? This is likely griefing, or something worse. Someone taking advantage of a chaotic situation to further inflict damage and ruin overall player experience. This player must be talked to IMMEDIATELY and interrogated on their actions. At a bare minimum, regardless of their reasoning, this player should likely receive a temporary job ban and a very stern talking to. That kind of behavior should NOT be acceptable in this server.
What prior admin/moderator/management experience do you possess, if any?:
When it comes to video games and discord? Basically zero. I've never done this before. But, leadership wise I DID lead my university's improv troupe for four years. So... I mean thats something, right?
Finally, what unique aspects of yourself can you bring to the staff? What can you bring to the team that is, in your opinion, needed?:
Oh gosh. Gosh I mean, look I dont want to sound rude to the current staff but man... there is an ENERGY lacking here. I think what I can bring to this table is a distinct fun, and excitable energy to things. When I started out, and many people can attest to this...Seeing someone who is an ADMIN is intimidating. Its scary. And sometimes as a staffer you have to be, people need to know that you are ultimately in charge. Yet for many this can be a huge hurdle to get over. Difficulty approaching admins for help, approaching them in casual conversation or even in game. I would love to bring a level of just passion and energy to make the team just fun to be around and interact with. Not only that, but I think I have a LOT of ideas Id love to help push things through. Events, Code changes, Map changes, System Reworks. I'm an ideas kinda person. I may lack the experience and know-how to actually push them through, but I'm great and assembling teams and plans of actions.
Though, in all seriousness. I debated long and hard whether I should apply for a GM role or an Admin role. At the end of the day I decided to sorta... apply to both. But fuck me typing this up was SO hard i hate questionnaires SO much. You have no idea. So consider this, in a way, my sorta declaration of intent to both. Wherever the greater staff team decides I would make best at. I just feel like there's a lot of change I want to see on this team. I love this community. And I know I haven't been the best at even being active. Things happen, time moves away from me, but now I really want to take my best step forward and actually commit real time and effort into this server and into this community to see it grow and flourish. I feel like I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines and watching a community I've come to love over such a short time kinda...peter out. I want to make a difference, and do that in any way I can.
