Punctuation, capitalization, grammer

[evilcabbage]

It's a bit of a pet peeve of mine, because I always want to ask OOCly if they can slow down in typing so they can type "better" i.e. have more capitalization and make their sentences sound better. Is this a bad thing to wish? Is there a "safe" way to go about this? It kind of kills my enjoyment when people rp, but they don't take time to capitalize things, or are always spelling things wrong. I totally understand if english isn't their first language, but -still-.

[Malken]

You have a spelling error in your title about your pet peeve of bad grammar.

[RogueGunslinger]

If it's obviously unintentional, deal with it.

[Agent_137]

You could politely make a case for it, such as, "Capitalization and punctuation make emotes more legible. So don't feel pressured to emote fast."

edit: make a case for it... outside the game. Such as, on the gdb. Not using the OOC command.

[RogueGunslinger]

 If you have a complaint use the request tool, otherwise, just ignore it. Seriously even if you're being polite it can come off the wrong way, and end up making people mad. The OOC command isn't really for things like that.

[Cutthroat]

The best thing you can really do in a case like this is lead by example. There's no need to break character for something like this, and 99% of bad grammar cases aren't really complaint worthy for the request tool in my opinion. The only thing I would ever think of reporting along the lines of punctuation, capitalization and grammar is someone spamming capitalized words (which I've only seen once in six years). Or someone using emoticons habitually (which I've never seen at all).

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

When someone fails to use capitalization and punctuation I just pretend they are speaking in a monotone. Invariably I will also find reasons to not be around them. I can't stand it.

[evilcabbage]

You have a spelling error in your title about your pet peeve of bad grammar.

Intentional. I know.

[Lizzie]

The best thing you can really do in a case like this is lead by example. There's no need to break character for something like this, and 99% of bad grammar cases aren't really complaint worthy for the request tool in my opinion. The only thing I would ever think of reporting along the lines of punctuation, capitalization and grammar is someone spamming capitalized words (which I've only seen once in six years). Or someone using emoticons habitually (which I've never seen at all).

The only thing I don't agree with is your first sentence. Leading by example is not always a solution. In fact, in my observation, it's rarely been a solution. I've watched fairly long-lived characters start out, continue, and spend real-life weeks and even months being roleplayed without any punctuation or capitalization at all. Spelling isn't a big deal, because not everyone spells well, and not everyone uses a spell checker (I don't). Even grammar isn't the huge issue to me unless it's totally changing the meaning of a sentence to the detriment of the scene.

Thing is though - it's a text game. You're presenting your roleplay via text. Stubbornly rejecting punctuation and capitalization doesn't make your character look low-life, and doesn't make me "hear" your character talk in slang. It makes me think you, the player, are lazy. It is -especially- frustrating to see, when I and everyone else IS leading by example, and our examples are summarily ignored.

I don't send a player complaint about just someone's typing skills (or lack thereof). Sometimes it's accompanied by other things, and then sure I'll send a "heads up" to the staff. Maybe it's just someone new who is really not noticing that everyone is doing things differently, and maybe there's a reason for it. I wouldn't go OOC about it unless it's a HUGE deal. Like - if they're doing things like...

The tall muscular man says, in sirihish, "were do i find eq"

The tall muscular man laughs.

The tall muscular man says, in sirihish, "exp"

The tall muscular man says, in sirihish, "lol"

The tall muscular man sits.

The tall muscular man drops his tankard.

If I see something like that, then yeah I'll toss up a quick OOC suggesting he check out the emoting system and pasting the link to the website so he can find a helper. This kind of thing doesn't happen often though. I think I've seen something like it maybe - twice in the last year?

[ShaLeah]

When someone fails to use capitalization and punctuation I just pretend they are speaking in a monotone. Invariably I will TOTALLY OOC'ly also find reasons to not be around them IC'ly. I can't stand it.

FTFY

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

When someone fails to use capitalization and punctuation I just pretend they are speaking in a monotone. Invariably I will TOTALLY OOC'ly also find reasons to not be around them IC'ly. I can't stand it.

FTFY

O, hia. Thx.

[MeTekillot]

"You talk like you got a mouth full of kalan jam, Runner."

[Zoan]

rough circle lets go everone

[boog]

I guess this isn't such an issue to me, because I played a MUD for about a decade where people were less than stellar at spelling, remembering to punctuate, and, well, just with being capable in English at all. I also have a learning disability with English, so I tend not to judge people too much. It's not my place, and it's not any of our places: we're not the RP police, and we're not staff.

It's just one of those things. Just try to be gentle and realize some people don't have the mad skeelz you do!

[Zoltan]

I typo and misspell all the time, especially when I'm tired, so pot and kettle, etc etc. I try to ignore lack of punctuation and capitalization when I run into it, though it does bug me. I would never OOC someone on it, that's for damn sure. That'd be so very disruptive. I could see myself submitting a player complaint if it were totally out of hand, but in general I just try to live and let live on it. Grammar in general may be an IC thing, so I don't concern myself with that.

[Pale Horse]

[Not Serious]Were they playing a dwarf?

If so, it's obviously out of their control.

Were they not playing a dwarf?

They're secretly meatsexxing one and it's rubbed off.[/Not Serious]

When I happen to run across a player that has issues with punctuation and grammar, if it is not too disconcerting (personally) I tend to ignore it.  I am all to aware of my own mistakes and less-than-perfect typing skills.  

If they type like a text message, and show that they really do want to adhere to the docs, play a realistic character, etc, then I may try to drop a single, polite suggestion that improving their typing skills/habits would enhance their ability to interact with other players.  If I see that over time they are not improving..then I have done my part.  It takes a great deal to annoy me to the point where it would "ruin" the game for me, and even then I would probably not complain.

[Dresan]

Most people here are way too full of themselves. If you can't enjoy someone's character for some ooc reason, deal with it or put in a complaint to staff.

However considering the game is trying to attract and retain more players perhaps thread and posts that make everyone sound like elitist assholes is probably not the most productive way to go about solving the perceived problem.

[Zoan]

When I do a rare typo I feel like the WORST GUY.

[MeTekillot]

If being unable to take someone seriously in a text based game because they are not particularly apt at literally the ONE way we communicate in the game makes me an elitist asshole, well

[James de Monet]

posts that make everyone sound like elitist assholes is are probably not the most productive way to go about solving the perceived problem.

FTFY

[James de Monet]

I'M SORRY. Someone had to do it. 


You are correct, though. Posting the way we do may make us seem like effete snobs. Does it make the game seem less approachable for new players? Quite possibly.

On the other hand, though, blowing off some steam in witty, snide (but generally still friendly) banter on the GDB increases many players enjoyment of the community, and therefore, the game. So where is the balance struck?

[BleakOne]

To new players: If you are worried that you are not good enough at spelling, grammar and such and will be judged poorly, don't be worried. The mere fact that you are thinking about it means you put enough thought into it to not be anywhere near bad enough for someone to notice. We all make spelling mistakes and typos occasionally.

We like to pretend that we don't mess up on the GDB, because it's part of the fun.

HOWEVER, this isn't to say you shouldn't bother with grammar and such. The more effort you put into the basics like that, the more you can immerse yourself and others in Armageddon goodness.

As for silly GDB memes:
The tall, muscular dwarf says 'lets fite ruff circl' before the tressy-tressed girl heads east, dragging their kill behind them. Pikachu, Christmas feces, waterslides. 

[The7DeadlyVenomz]

This isn't about being elitist. This is about caring enough to try. If you don't care enough to try, gtfo.

say nah i dont care. my name is mill how aRe you IS NOT TRYING.

If you don't care enough to try, then fine. I'm elitist, and you're fucking up my immersions. GTFO.

[Dresan]

I'M SORRY. Someone had to do it.  


You are correct, though. Posting the way we do may make us seem like effete snobs. Does it make the game seem less approachable for new players? Quite possibly.

On the other hand, though, blowing off some steam in witty, snide (but generally still friendly) banter on the GDB increases many players enjoyment of the community, and therefore, the game. So where is the balance struck?

It says thread as well which should be made thread(s) perhaps. Believe it or not though I saw that before I pressed submit, normally I also edit my posts soon after as well. However in this case I wanted to see who wouldn't be able to 'resist' pointing that out because it kinda shows the specific mindset of people when they complain about this subject.  Surprised it was you though I was really thought it would be a couple other people here instead. It has been said before this is a pretty toxic of forum. I believe that and I play league of legends and in other equally toxic communities. In other forums you call people all sorts of things but normally you have proof to back it up or you are labelled a troll. In this place people make comments and often get away with speaking bullshit about others without needing to show proof or risk their own RP being outed. Its easy to make vague comments, especially when they can use the old 'it is too IC to discuss/prove' line to keep themselves from needing to actually needing to make valid arguments. Sorry, but lately this place has become even more mean spirited then usual.

If you don't care enough to try, then fine. I'm elitist, and you're fucking up my immersions. GTFO.

It is simply about being elitist because I've never once encountered a situation where the grammar, spelling or anything else so terrible I couldn't play with the person. On top of that, as you can see above most people here are talking about something things like typing 'is' instead of 'are', or perhaps missing some small punctuation. That isn't to say the situation hasn't existed where you absolutely cannot understand what someone is saying but that can be handled ICly so easily.  Again this an OOC problem, more specifically a person's perceived problem so send a complaint to the staff. Otherwise, what a real fun game this will become when everyone feels they need English degrees so they don't fuck up your immersionzz.

Oh and GTFO?  

[Riev]

I agree with those that are saying it is more about 'worrying' you are doing okay. Dresan, just because you havn't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Sometimes its a newbie to MUDs in general, sometimes its someone from a Hack and Slash, but every so often there is a player that just does NOT capitalize, or use periods, or commas. And when you TRY YOUR BEST to point out that they sound like an idiot, they don't seem to "get it".

Again, maybe it makes someone sound elitist, but the way you type is the ONLY WAY YOU COMMUNICATE WITH THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. This game is just like a book, that everyone can add their own little story to. I would never read a book, or a short story, and krath do I hate poems, that have no semblance of grammar.

Plus, in the spirit of NaNoWriMo, can't we just agree to always be trying our best?