Players giving items for review?

[NameLess]

Out of curiosity, what if actually a "loyal" player, who has no connection to the staff or whatsoever, announces that he will give some reward to anyone who writes a review and the rewards are coming from his own source?
Meaning, the GMs/Admins have actually nothing to do with that matter.
Would the server still get delisted even though it's not provable that a member of the staff is involved in this matter?

[iIse]

I think we have to make a rule out of it?

[yC]

There is already a rule for this. 

http://ratemyserver.net/TOS_owner.html

# Servers caught allowing third party (including but not limited to: player, GM) sponsored actions or events to affect their server review results will have their servers suspended from the listing.

It's so easy to have someone act as the santa clause and give item for review, we aren't going to let that slip easily.

There were at least one server suspended under this rule.  I can't say too much but depend on the situation, awareness and damage done it could be a timed suspension or full suspension.  In any case reviews involved or believed to be involved will be removed.

It's funny/sad that sometimes when a server GM got screenshoted for giving item for review, I get truthful message from the  owner saying "It wasn't me it was my gm! I'll fire him/her" ... kind of not work =/

[NameLess]

And how do you find out wether a member of the staff was involved or if it was without the staff actually knowing?
I mean, especially on populated servers it's hard to keep an eye on every player on what they do, especially when they do it among themselves or when there's actually no GM around.
But then again, they could as well just have planned that all.

[Cawliflower]

Interesting point, NameLess. I never thought about that.

I'd like to actually have some input on this topic: What if one maliciously attempts to do this said act with intent of getting a server delisted? How are suppose to combat this?

Furthermore, I feel it is rather pathetic that people (including GMs, players, your grandpa's cousin, et cetera) have to "bribe" for reviews. I don't have to bribe for mine and I'm the number 3 mid rate (6 months) and number 1 (3 months) with the smallest population (as we're new). You think I'd like to be on the top of the list because I had to bribe someone to review me? Absolutely not, that would feel foolish and sort of like a joke - I take pride in the fact that while my community is small they're very supportive, reliable, loyal and thoughtful enough to leave a review. That's just me.

However, I will go on record and say, I admire yC and the RMS staff have always stuck to their guns about the rules without letting anyone slide. Also, the fact that they laid out some very tightened rules (not many loopholes, as this topic is an example).

Just my two cents.

[DavionFuxa]

I'd like to actually have some input on this topic: What if one maliciously attempts to do this said act with intent of getting a server delisted? How are suppose to combat this?

Think the rule is pretty straightforward - if caught 'allowing' a third party. IE, if someone does it then it is the duty of the GM/Admin to take action to prevent the abuse. As for combating it when you find out it is probably pretty simple; give them a warning (assuming you don't know they are being malicious) and inform them of the rules for RMS and follow up with further action as required.

As for Nameless' first question, you probably can't find out if a GM or Admin is supporting the action unless someone gives proof of it; else it is hearsay.

[Cawliflower]

Think the rule is pretty straightforward - if caught 'allowing' a third party. IE, if someone does it then it is the duty of the GM/Admin to take action to prevent the abuse. As for combating it when you find out it is probably pretty simple; give them a warning (assuming you don't know they are being malicious) and inform them of the rules for RMS and follow up with further action as required.

As for Nameless' first question, you probably can't find out if a GM or Admin is supporting the action unless someone gives proof of it; else it is hearsay.

No where in the quote yC posted is there any inkling of what you just stated. While you may be right, I was just looking for more official clarification. Your response would make sense and I would proactively handle it because I'm always on RMS.

[NameLess]

So, let's say if a player bribes for reviews and there was no GM around to warn him or anything like that and that player gets screened and reported here, but the server owners then saying they weren't involved in that matter and they would do whatsoever to him, the server still would get banned from the listing.
And, if so, then it would be an easy game for someone to get a server delisted on RMS, like Cawliflower said.

But if RMS handled this like how they mostly do, i.e. according to their saying 'proof or it never happened', then there wouldn't be enough proof of the server actually involved in that matter, so let's say they wouldn't get delisted. But then again, it would make it an easy game for a server to bribe for more reviews, for example one of the GMs could turn into a player and do that all and when he gets caught, there is no proof of him being part of the staff. The owners then just say they gonna punish him and blabla, they delete that character and make a new one or whatever.

I hope I don't give anyone stupid ideas with this, lol.

[yC]

EveryTHING is already said, it is not a clear cut as some if you have discussed.

[Yukino]

Well, the RMS staff wouldn't automatically cut off the server like that. They'll look into it more and discuss with the person who reported the situation and such as they have done so in several of the previous threads. Hence, don't worry about it too much? They probably gained a lot of experience from dealing with these types of people anyways =D (not that it's a good thing to have so many of these types of players, but yeah...).

I would just say, keep up the good work, RMS staff (mainly yC). Owners can always discuss with her regarding these situations and reports XD.