Steve_Rhino - Moderator Application

[Steve_Rhino]

Byond ID: Steve_Rhino

Colonial Marines Character: Reece 'Rock' Begum

Age: 22

Gender: Male

Timezone: GMT 00/BST (British Summer Time).

On average, how many hours are you available per week to moderate?
10-40

Do you have any previous experience in being staff (not just SS13)?
Film Society President for University, 2016/2017. It involved making events, keeping social media communication going with the members, organising meetings, listening to guidelines and rules from the Students Union. Delegating tasks, listening to feedback, and keeping events going.
Mentor on SS13 CM. Nov.4 - Present. Helping learn the system, dealing with Ahelps about gameplay and questions, seeing how other staff handle Ahelps as well (From Mentors to Autoresponse to investigating and resolving them).

Did you play any of the previous Colonial Marine servers?
Sadly no. I've been playing since August onwards.

What are the 3 biggest servers you play on besides CM?
None really. I've think I've played on Paradise and Yogs station once or twice? Besides that, none.

Provide links to any previous Colonial Marines applications that you've made:
Mentor: Private message.

Are you currently a staff member elsewhere (not just SS13)? If so, where?
Currently, no.

Have you ever been banned for more than 24 hours on Colonial Marines?
Nope, no bans.

Have you ever been banned for more than 24 hours on ANY server? If so, which server, when, and what for?
To my knowledge, no. I've only played on the other servers once or twice, and that was before becoming Mentor. If I was, I have no knowledge of it.

Are you familiar with the chat program Slack (its use is required)?
Yes I am familiar with it.

Common Staff Situations:
Write a description of what you would do in each of the following situations. Do not write on the same line as the situation - use the space below it or make space as needed. Failure to do this proves your inability to follow instructions and your application will be automatically denied.

1. A player randomly shoots someone at round start and MPs have detained him.
It looks as though it has been solved IC'ly. I would check the logs, see how many times and the circumstances. If they are not wearing armour, I can assume they are new and send them a PM if they are new. If they shot multiple times, I would PM them asking why. If it was once, then it would seem like an accident. It was solved IC'ly according to the MPs.

2. The ship has a breach to space and a bunch of players have died or are dying as a result.
It would depend on where the breach is and how it happened. If it was because of a predator exploding/other IC reason and it was not stopping gameplay completely, then I check to see who is still alive. If any MTs/CE's active still, I could assume they will fix the breach and it will be solved IC'ly. Otherwise, fix the breach either via floors & Floorbots, possibly SM'ing the correct people to fix it. This could be fixed with an ARES message about "Auto repairs in progress".
However, if it is in Cryo area or somewhere necessary to gameplay, then I would fix it asap. This is because it would affect gameplay a lot, especially for new people joining and be less fun. Likewise if it was caused out of grief/a mistake (I.e. Researcher makes a grenade so power it makes a hull breach).


3. You see a player walking around the ship naked and clearly lost.
I would PM them a message, saying if they are new and would need any help as well as they can respond by clicking on my name. I would ask any mentors online if they would like to help them when I confirm that they would like the help. This is because they would need to speak English as well as be able to talk to staff to play the game. If I get a reply, I would tell the person a mentor will be helping them get adjusted to it and let a mentor handle it from there. If I get no reply, then I would try again a few more times, before explaining that they need to respond to staff to be able to play the game. This would be accommodated with a 3 hour ban and a link to the rules & wiki. This would be followed up by placing a note on them. Ideally, I would like them to read it, get involved and enjoy the game. However, if they don't know the rules, can't respond and aren't willing to learn then I can only see them as not helping.


4. A player is being very rude to you in Adminhelps and requesting to speak to an Admin+ staff member.
Even if someone is being rude, I would need to remain calm, polite, and helpful. I will see if I can help out with their situation. Depending on the situation (I.e. MP locked me up for shooting someone accidently, I want to talk to Admin+ about the situation) then it wouldn't require Admin+ unless they're online. However if they would rather speak to someone else, then I would let someone else take over to help with their situation, and Admin+ if online or needing to message via slack.


5. You notice a player with a name that doesn't fit our naming rules. The player is arguing that: They've used the name for several years, no one has told them to change it before, and that they didn't know it was a rule.
I would check the logs to see if they have an exemption. Very rare, but possibly. (Before the naming rules were implemented I mean). Otherwise, I would link them to the rules, and politely explain that they are being told now the rules and to change it. Add note about name change. Server Marine Rule (SMR) 2. Lore-friendly name.


6. You see a Maintenance Tech running around in armor and carrying a rifle. The security level is green with no threat present.
I would PM them, seeing what they're up to and if they have a reason. If they're getting ready to head planetside on aCO's and CE's orders, I would remind them about storing the weapon on their armour slot. Also that they aren't a marine on the frontlines but a supporting staff so extras won't be necessary (I.e. Attachments or whatnot)> Then I would keep track of where they go. If they get onto the dropship, no worries. However, if above does not apply. Check their notes. Try to determine if they are a new player who does not know better, or someone who is causing a problem. If a new person, I would explain about the armour and gun situation, not being allowed to wear them on code green. If not a new person, I would ask them what they are doing, and possibly give a warning/ban on MT. Rule 8, Powergaming potenitally.


7. You see a Squad Medic performing surgery on the planet. He claims it was because there were no doctors in the FOB.
Check notes. If they have gotten notes about it before, PM them and explain they know it's wrong and a ban for a set time, possibly Medic ban. Otherwise, a warning and explaining why they aren't allowed to do it, and what a medic's role is really for (I.e. small-medium heals to ensure the marines don't die and can medivac if need be). Rule 8, powergaming.


8. The round is stagnating. There are 30 marines and 4 aliens. The marines won't leave the ship, and the aliens won't attack. What would you do, to "encourage" the sides to engage each other?
I would try to keep it as ICly as possible. Possibly ARES announcement on potential actions on to attack, or for a Queen Mother announcement. Worst case and neither of these are possible, I would SM the Leader of either side to go on the offensive. Ideally, it's about keeping it fun for all players, both Xenos, Marines, and the dead watching. Keeping it ICly as possible.


9. The round ends, a MARINE starts shooting a hostile IRON BEAR and the IRON BEAR Adminhelps complaining he was killed after the round ended.
Explain politely that due to being hostiles, it is not counted as EORG (Much like Aliens vs Marines when round ends etc).


10. A marine is running around disarming, punching and stealing gear at round start.
Sleep them as priority one. Limit what they can do. Then PM them asking what they are doing and they can reply via clicking on my name. While waiting for a response I would check notes see if they have done anything like this before. If so, potential role ban. If new, then link the Wiki & Rules, and suggest they read them before playing. Next time they come in, if they need some help they can click on the Admin tab > Ahelp Button > Gameplay issue and ask for a mentor. A small amount of leeway for a little disarming, as that can be solved IC'ly via MPs. But if to this extent, then Sleep > PM > Note check > Wait for reply > Go from there. Rule 1.


11. A marine has killed another marine. When you ask him why, he said it was because the other marine had punched him.
PM other marine what happened, see why they had punched in the first place. I would check the FF logs, see if it had escalated properly. Mostly though, this would be considered Improper Escalation for the marine.
Server-Marine rule 1- Lethal force.


12. An issue arises that requires Admin+ abilities.
See if any Admins are online. If so, whether they have seen it. If not, then I would PM them about it. Failing that, I would put onto Slack in the appropriate chat needing an Admin help, and what the situation is. When Admin arrives, check if they put onto Slack that they are here. If not, Write that *admin* is online and solving issue.


13. There are minor racist comments going on IC. 9 of the 10 people are laughing and RPing but one player gets offended and Adminhelps about it.
I know small amounts of it are acceptable. However, I also know that some people can be upset. I would PM them, asking if they have asked the others to stop. If so, or too worked up about it, I would SM someone about it (You hear a voice in your head... You notice some people are looking uncomfortable about the comments you made) and see if it would be handled from there. It could apply to Rule 1, Don't be a dick depending on amount of comments and how they react when they know it's upsetting someone.


14. A marine opens fire at round start in briefing killing multiple marines and instantly logs off.
Sleep the offending marine player, make sure if they log back in they can't cause anymore harm. Check if marines can be revived or healed. If not, Aheal. Then put in for a perma ban appeal, as well as add Note as too why. OOC announcement that it is being handled, and not to worry about it. If someone is dead and can't be healed because of it, to Ahelp. Rule 1 & 7, "Dickish" behaviour and griefing.


15. You see a player playing a xeno larva/chestburster run towards the frontlines and die.
Check notes, see if they have a history of doing it. PM they asking why they did that. If they have an appropriate reason, leave it at that (Queen said to charge, I misunderstood; Marines were behind me I was trying to escape them). Otherwise, if no notes, a warning not too. If they have a previous history, apply a Xeno role ban. (Xeno-Server Rule 3 - You have no free will, I.e. obey queen. Assuming Queen would not send off babies to frontlines).


16. You see a xeno memeing, saying AYYLMAO, REEEEEE etc in hivemind chat.
PM the Xeno they shouldn't be saying that in Xeno chat, as that's not what Xenos say and also that it is a medium-RP server. Xeno-Server rule 1 - Act like a Xeno.


17. A xeno player calls the shuttle a "dropship". A different xeno player complains to you that it's metagaming/failRP to call it a "dropship".
I would assume Xeno-Server rule 1. Hivemind is the English translation of a Xeno's thoughts. I'd possibly SM them about changing to say Metal Bird or Shuttle, as they don't know there is a ship in the sky.


18. A Command staff player at briefing near round-start mentions there are aliens on the planet.
Server Rule 9. No Metagaming or Metacommunication. Marines know nothing about the Xenos. I would sleep them, PM them about it. Adding in they know nothing about Xenos, as well as Server rule 9, no metacomming. See their response and wake them up. Let them solve it IC'ly. Add a note in to say about it. If they don't solve it, then I would give a command role ban, 3 hour ban, and then try to solve IC'ly via ARES message about that Command staff being unfit for service or something like that and MPs to cryo them.


19. A Marine kills another Marine on the EVAC Pod to take the last spot and claims it was RP as he was saving himself.
This would come under Marine-Rule 1, Lethal Force as well as Server rule 7 Griefing. I would PM the dead marine, seeing how they felt about it. If they felt it was okay as they were racing for it or did RP it, then a warning. Likewise if no notes. However, if they do have notes or do not respond accordingly (Such as understanding their actions and the rules) then more punishment would be fit.


20. You see a fellow staff member give wrong information in an Adminhelp or incorrectly enforcing a rule.
It would depend on their staff level and the issue. If it is wrong information on say Surgery, I would message the staff member about the incorrect info, as well as a link if need be to the wiki/rules section. This would allow them to message the player the correct info and not confuse them with multiple people messaging. If it is incorrectly enforcing a rule, it would depend on their rank. I.e. Rule 0 says Admins+ can ignore the enforcement of a rule at their discretion. If I had an issue with it, I would ask them about it, as likewise in Rule 0 they are responsible for their actions. However, I would go along with what they say. I would mention I will make a complaint to the mod head. This is so they can screenshot the necessary information. This way, they can defend themselves properly with the right information and we can get to the bottom of it correctly. If I am in the wrong, I can learn more from what happened, apologise and carry on. If not in the wrong, then it would count as more learning for everyone involved.

20a. You see a fellow staff member abusing his powers in-game.
Again, it would depend on Rule 0. If an Admin is Ahealing someone that is meant to be a boss etc. I would message them about it, asking what they are doing/why. If not a sufficient response/information for me, I would reply I am going along with it but will be talking to the mod head. This again would allow them to get the information to defend themselves as well as the evidence, so it would be a fair report.


21. You see a player talking in OOC chat about what he did with your mom last night.
It would depend on the level of jokiness in my opinion and the detail. For instance, "Yeah me and your mum played games all night long" or something, that I would assume would be jokey. Anything more is treading Server rule 1, don't be a dick, or worse, Server-Rule 4, no ERP. I would PM them asap about bordering the line and mention it would be better not to tread the line at all as ERP = Permaban pretty much. There's no tolerance, especially as there are younger players on the game. I would note it down as well about the warning.


Any additional information you'd like to add?

My third time writing this as I took too long and it signed me out and deleted everything I wrote >>
Also, I am currently a mentor. If I do not get the Mod application, I would like to carry on being a mentor as it is pretty fun and I enjoy it.

[Steve_Rhino]

Edit: 20 & 20a, changed from staff report on forum to staff report to the head of my level (which would be Mod Head) following on from staff procedure.

[Skysoldier]

Another mentor for the slaughter promotion trials.

You seem like a great person and personally, I'll be fine with you being a moderator.

With that said, let me just work through your staff situation thing.

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1. Relatively fine.
2. General consensus nowadays is generally to fix the breaches and we have a command for that purpose, otherwise, what would you do with the person if the breach was caused by them?
3. This is fine, but I would be a bit more lenient with what seems to be the first time players.
4. Good, keep calm and all that, but remember that being overly rude to staff members can also violate rule 1# if excessive and can result in a ban if needed, or a warning, you should also note about the player being rude.
5. Fine
6. This is basically an IC issue in my opinion as long as they aren't causing any other rule breaks, but the part of being a new player is completely fine.
7. This is fine, other than due to the new skill system medics can't surgery.
8. Fine, but we can't do ARES announcements, queen messaging and SM is fine though.
9. Fine.
10. Unless excessive and/or blatantly griefing or causing other rule breaks, this is also really an IC situation that MPs should handle.
11. Fine, don't forget notes.
12. Fine.
13. Fine.
14. You should heal the marines anyway even if they can be treated if it is blatant griefing like this, and banning automatically creates notes to go with it.
15. Fine, but not necessarily related to queen ordering rule, it's basically minor griefing.
16. We have xeno RP rule reinforcement in place, viewtopic.php?f=57&t=14800.
17. Don't even need to SM them, this is completely fine.
18. Fine, but mostly you wouldn't need to sleep them
19. Mostly fine, if they somehow did roleplay it really well they don't have to be warned.
20. Fine
21. Fine.

Basically decent answers, +1 over here.

[Steve_Rhino]

Thanks for the feedback, I'll take it to heart.

[Solarmare]

You seem to prefer acting when something can just be left IC, so I'll give you two questions to see on that.

You see the MT in armor and with the rifle on the planet, inside the FOB. What do you do?

A doctor uses two anesthetic injectors on a wounded marine yelling at a doctor for surgery and following them, the marine ahelps this. What do you do?

[Steve_Rhino]

First one is allowed as they are planetside inside the FoB, no response needed.

Second one that can be done for fast surgery or pain relief also to stop shouting/causing an annoyance in medbay so no response needed on that.

Edit below: Took the next post I had and placed it into this one. Deleting next one to save space.

Also, thank you for your feedback. Would you be able to say what situations I could improve upon so I can improve? If not, no worries. If I do get the position I will likely learn from there specifically via hands-on what can be left ICly and what has to be dealt with in greater detail.

[Emeraldblood]

Try not to reply a tonne as 4/6 replies are just yours; it just clutters up stuff.

To touch on a few questions:

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2. Mods can't use ARES. Things like pred explosions usually need to be fixed as they cause a huge hole. For the dropship, it's usually a good idea to seal up as it can lead to the whole floor losing air which means the Xeno tend to just sit down there, unkillable. Small IC things can be left, but due to the fact that we lack a lot of breach lockdown, certain places can spread out of control. Better to fix if you don't think some MT is gonna be able to grab it.

3. You shouldn't be banning people because they don't reply to you asking for help. I can't think of a case you'd actually ban them. Unless they're actually breaking a rule, they don't have to talk to you. Banning a new player for no reason is going to force away the new playerbase.

6. Uniform is pretty much an IC issue you don't really need to ping people over. People should be wearing their correct uniform and it could fall under LRP for not doing it, but overall there's no set punishment for it.

10. You shouldn't just sleep someone from the start, hit them with a PM and if they keep on doing it, then you can sleep. As for the question at hand, this can/should be dealt with as IC if possible, though talking to them and warning them not to wordlessly troll is a reasonable step. LRP/Being a dick at worse, but not something you'd need to really need to take action unless someone else is ahelping about it.

14. Just to wonder, what punishment would you place for this?

16. This one is actually just wrong. Rules even state that Xeno hivemind is translated into English so it's fine to say stuff like that. That said, you can PM them about words they could use instead.

19. Pods have more wiggle room than most places. As long as there attempted roleplay, you can probably cut them with a warning as long as they don't have bad note history.

Now from what I've seen in-game, you're pretty active as a mentor, so these don't really bother me (aside from may 16, which you should have gotten right but it's a small point overall). One thing I do want to bring up is that aren't you very new to mentor? No more than a month if I recall correctly. Normally we want mentors to wait at least a few months before they apply to become a mod so it's not seen as some way to try to gain a staff bias on becoming one, not that I think you're doing it, but the point still stands. I wouldn't mind having you as mod so the choice is up to Jerk. If you don't make it, I'll support you as a mod in the future, but I feel it may be a little too soon to join now. If you do make it, no problems with me.

[slc97]

I find you to be a pleasure to work with, Steve, but I have the same concerns emerald does. 1 month is a short time to be a mentor and we pretty rarely deviate from that in pulling mods from mentors.

[Steve_Rhino]

Sorry about the reply time.

First off, Thank you for your feedback and concerns. I appreciate them, whether about my answers being correct, incorrect and how I can change them, to the early time being on staff.

Secondly, To give some answers/responses:

Sky:

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2. Thank you for the info. I've heard of the info Fix air command to help solve breaches. The punishment would be rangely from if a pred IC, nothing. If an accident, not so much a warning but a heads up about breach issues. If more, it'd be griefing. But that would be from my opinion purely, and not what I'd do if protocol dictated differently or a superior said otherwise.
8. Thank you for the heads up about ARES, did not know about that. But also what alternative solutions are viable.
10. Ah alright, thank you for clarifying that.

I appreciate the clarification on my answers, especially about not intervening as much for IC solutions, or keeping the game as fun as possible for people who didn't do wrong (I.e. the Aheal people suffering from grief rather than leave it to IC medbay in that situation).

Emerald:

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Thanks for the heads up about the posts. I'll reply to multiple people in one post instead, and wait for a few replies. I've also combined one of my previous two posts, and deleted one to limit how many responses on the post are mine.

2. That is a good point. I remember seeing about the outer hulls and fixing the air when the dropship landed outside before.
3. Ah thank you. I've seen a couple of PMs saying that replying to staff is a necessity on the server (I.e. dealing with grief, or needing to get an answer from someone). But yes, looking back on it that was very strict and not fair.
14. I think Perma would be too far for now, that was me being very strict back then. I think in all honesty it would depend on their notes and the situation. If it was a player that had just found a gun and was shooting randomly, they probably didn't know any better. If this was the case, and there was no notes, maybe a 3-24 hour ban (If they logged off, 3 hours might not do much, but 24 might be too much for a new person) and adding in notes that they hadn't read the rules nor quickstart guide. This would mean that they most likely wouldn't be able to rejoin that round. Ideally, a note on their Ckey what they did, and that they may be new so could use mentor support to get into the game with links to rules and quickstart guide. If they were fully kitted out (Armour, gun etc), then a bit more harsher punishment as they had an idea of how to get the items they wanted (I.e. they read the quickstarter guide, knew which prep to go to and the button controls). If they had notes before, depending on how soon it was would change the punishment.
16. Ah sorry. I misunderstood the Rule as Intended. I had assumed Shuttle and Metal bird would be acceptable, as a shuttle would be common knowledge for the queen mother and hive-mind, or metal bird as it is metal that flies like a bird. Whereas I had thought that dropship would of been considered meta due to the fact that the Xenos would not know that it had dropped from a ship in orbit. I overthought it, and in hindsight it does seem a minor thing that wouldn't warrant a response like the one I suggested. Thank you for the clarification.
19. Got it, thank you.

That is very an understandable concern. I do not wish to come across as using the mentor as a stepping stone to becoming a mod, nor trying to get a staff bias towards others. Ideally, it would be taking on more responsibility so I could help with gameplay question Ahelps but also solve any problems that arise too. However, if it would be considered too early then I completely understand. I would be more than happy to stay as a mentor as I enjoy the system, server, and helping others out. This would also allow me to see how other mods handle Ahelps and get more expertise how the protocol goes. I appreciate your honesty towards being too soon on it.

SLC:

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Thank you, you're always a pleasure to work with too. Thank you for the honesty and sharing of your concern as well. If it is too early for me, or I am lacking in certain responses (I can see I've been a bit too strict or had situations that could be handled ICly via a mod approach) and the application is rejected that's A-okay with me as I can still help with mentoring, gain more experience and interact with everyone as normal. Then, in a few months time I'll have more knowledge under my belt and a better understanding with how staff deal with these situations.

[Jerkface00]

I'm not worried about Steve's having been a mentor for a month before applying for a trial - I'm the one who suggested to him he apply. In fact, he probably would have been posting a trial mod app right out the door but he was grabbed by Jamie first. So while the concern for his short time as a mentor would normally be justified, I don't believe in this case it is something to be held against his application.

That said I had some concerns with some of your responses, though they were brought up by others (most seriously I think numbers 3 and 16), and you addressed them.

I'll check back in a few days to see what others have to say.
~Jerkface

[Jerkface00]

Just so it's on the app; Steve here caught the jerk who was intentionally crashing the server today.

[Thatnewguy1]

Just so it's on the app; Steve here caught the jerk who was intentionally crashing the server today.

+2

[Jay Burns]

Steve has been pretty darn helpful when it comes to in-game stuff and his app is good, he is missing some details here and there, overall it gets my +1, also great job with finding the person crashing the server.

Answers I had a bit of a problem with

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17) Xenos are allowed to say dropship but it's just prefered if they say metal bird.

15)if they were running out to die on purpose that would not be a warning that would be an instant Jban.

[slc97]

When I was seniormod, I always made exceptions when it came to exceptional work. Steve showed some exceptional work the other day, and I'll be more than glad to +1 this.

[Lumdor]

I'll give you a +1 Stevie; I'd suggest you stop doing cocaine though, as you are extremely hyped up in game. 8-)

Most answers you got wrong can easily be fixed with some mod time in-game.

[Steve_Rhino]

Thank you for your replies and feedback. I appreciate them. It will allow me to improve where my weaknesses are (example being some answers, especially being getting involved when it is an IC issue or no responses needed).

To answer some responses, questions, or concerns:

JerkFace00

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Thank you for both the suggestion and the time as mentor not being a major factor.
Yes, I agree with and understand the staff responses. I definitely did make some mistakes there. 3 and 16 was definitely going about it the wrong way. I'm grateful for you and the other staff to question me on them and also provide the correct responses in those situations.

Thatnewguy1

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Thank you.

Jay Burns

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Thank you. Ideally I will improve upon what I am missing or misunderstanding whether as a Trial mod or Mentor.
With the concerns and feedback about the answers.
17) I agree. Looking back at it, other staff responses and the rules it was a misunderstanding of the rules as intended on my part. I had assumed drop ship would've been meta, but that was my overthinking and misunderstanding of it.
15) Thank you for the clarification. I appreciate it.

slc97

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Thank you for your kind words. I hope to keep it up and iron out any misunderstandings I have about the rules.

Lumdor

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Aha thank you. No cocaine here, just good ol' fashioned enjoyment :P I'll take your advice on board, thank you.
Hopefully yes. The feedback from the staff have been really useful so far. The more feedback and criticism I get, the more I can improve.

About the incident the other day as it was mentioned. I won't go into details but it was a group effort. I am glad I was able to help with it and that it was quickly resolved with minimal problems.

[Solarmare]

Overall you seem like you could handle being a moderator and could learn the rest you'd need to do so on the trial period. So I'll give it my +1.

[Jerkface00]

Approved for trial mod.