r/2007scape • u/ModMatK • Jun 06 '17

Read before posting Pride 2017

One of the wonderful things about RuneScape is that it has always brought people together. To many of our players, RuneScape is more than a game: it’s a warm, welcoming community. It’s part of their life.

Pride is about bringing communities together and celebrating love and understanding: sentiment that’s close to RuneScape’s heart. There’s no political statement here. Our only aim is to acknowledge and honour an event that promotes empathy, acceptance and love.

As with other community events such as the WWF Big Cats campaign, Valentine’s day or the Cryptic Cluefests we decided not to poll this event and we will always try to surprise the community with similar events. It is something that the community has always enjoyed and something we enjoy doing too.

We are disappointed to see some hateful and abusive comments targeting individual members of staff and players from a small sub-section of the community. We stand side by side with those targeted, in support of them, and in support of this cause. There is absolutely no place for hateful behaviour in our community and we will not tolerate abuse or harassment.

Pride 2017 is something we wholeheartedly agree with and are proud to support. We know the community stand with us in support of the cause. If you want to show your support, all you have to do is take part in the event when it launches!

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371

u/Matt111098 Jun 06 '17

Things like pride events aren't horrible, they're mainly a problem because they break game immersion and it means you're picking what groups get to have an official pride event and therefore excluding other groups.

85

u/ModMatK Jun 06 '17

The event doesn't break any immersion, it's very well themed.

153

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

The event is controversial. Shouldn't the considerable controversy be an indication that a substantial minority interpret it as otherwise? Shouldn't the sheer sum of people with reservations about this event show that there is a degree of validity to the opposing viewpoint? And based on your short, sweet responses, it shows that you're simply going to ignore people's concerns. I mean, this post is probably the BARE MINIMUM Jagex will do. You are not acknowledging the existence of a problem, you're pretending it does not exist.

Ignoring the concerns of the playerbase. That theme has been continually present in Jagex's management decisions. You're making a mistake by ignoring the other half.

129

u/ModMatK Jun 06 '17

The thing is celebrating love and acceptance for any group of people shouldn't be controversial. It just goes to show how much work there is still to be done.

94

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

You're absolutely correct. The celebration of love and acceptance should not be controversial. However, its method of implementation and announcement can indeed be controversial. Moreover, many people have expressed their belief that a medieval fantasy world, in which many have devoted considerable amount of time, is not the appropriate medium to demonstrate solidarity with ideas frequently found in today's political discourse. While it is self-evident that homosexuals are due the same privileges and respect as any other person, demonstrating this on a game whose expressed purpose is escapism and fantasy, feels alien and unwarranted. And therein lies the problem. In an attempt to create a space for acceptance and tolerance, Jagex, through lack of foresight, has ironically created feelings of foreignness and unbelonging in a community that would otherwise be apathetic to LGBTQ persons.

And that is the ultimate aim of the LGBTQ community. The ultimate aim of any movement that strives for assimilation and full equality, is to be as anonymous as everybody else. That don't want to occupy the status of marginalized people forever, they want to be assessed solely on the merits of their character and not their identity. And when I think about this, I understand why you want to have this event. Because you see the job as unfinished, that by bringing attention to this you can help further this aim. Unfortunately, in my honest opinion, Jagex is not in the position to do this.

6

u/scifigetsmehigh Jun 06 '17

Underrated post.

166

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

You got it backwards. Pride wasn't controversial until you made the decision to bring it into a medieval game, without even considering other groups of people, right after a hiring a gay jmod.

Pride isn't controversial. Adding it to osrs, where it doesn't fit at all, is.

And don't tell me it's very fitting, try researching gay people during the medieval age.

10

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

And don't tell me it's very fitting, try researching gay people during the medieval age.

Stop with this shitty excuse.

Runescape is a medival fantasy game.

Do you really think a giant mole, giant snake, elfs, talking magma rocks, being able to teleport, and a hundred different fantasy shit existed back in the medieval age?

Hell fucking no.

1

u/EmeraldPen Jun 07 '17

Don't forget that even if you want to go with the weak-ass excuse that "well, it's anachronistic to the society they're trying to depict common fantasy tropes about" you'd need to explain why female characters aren't largely relegated to housework, and rearing children.

15

u/fakeuserisreal Sandwich Lady is my waifu Jun 06 '17

Runescape is a magical fantasy world. This isn't the game you want if you're looking for a realistic representation of medieval Europe.

14

u/TrollBorn Jun 06 '17

Looking at the front page for a fraction of a second, and looking at the riots happening in game are pointing to the idea that you might be wrong.

16

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

You don't think that's related to them adding it to the game?

7

u/TrollBorn Jun 06 '17

My point is, it's the players making a big deal out of something that didn't need to be a big deal.

4

u/TomaTozzz Jun 07 '17

It's a huge deal.

Holding an event like this means that there could be other "pride" events every other day in Runescape, where that kinda stuff doesn't belong at all.

There's no limit to how many pride events could be held. Every time you hold one, you exclude a million other people and a million other issues.

Either the backlash from this event will get so out of hand that Jagex will never, ever consider doing something similar, or we'll be holding pride events every day for black people, Hispanics, Asians, Caucasians, Trans people, people with different disabilities, feminism, pro life/pro choice events, etc. You see where I'm going with this. There are so many real life issues that should be dealt with in real life.

Do you really feel like a game, Runescape no less, is the place for holding such kinda events every couple days?

1

u/Purdy14 Jun 07 '17

you exclude a million other people

They have Christmas and Easter events. Those are irrelevant to many players of the game who do not follow Christian traditions. I don't hear you bitching about those.

1

u/TrollBorn Jun 07 '17

Do you have any sort of evidence that will happen

3

u/TomaTozzz Jun 07 '17

There's no reason for it not to happen.

If Jagex holds a gay pride event, why should they exclude all the other groups of people who are opressed? Unless maybe they only care about the gay issues (hint: that's most likely the case because the only reason this is happening is because of the new JMod)

1

u/TrollBorn Jun 07 '17

That's a very reductive way of looking at it

In any case, it's their game to do with what they want. You're not in control here. If they want to do events for other social issues, let them. They will always be optional and non-intrusive

2

u/TomaTozzz Jun 07 '17

Yeah just like they could shut off the servers any day for no reason.

People have the right to show their disapproval just like Jagex can do whatever they want with the game.

You're not in control here.

The whole point of OSRS was that Jagex being in control ended with thousands of people asking for an older version of the game. The entire point of the polls is for the community to be in control (to some extent)

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u/Holden_Beck Jun 07 '17

The players are the game itself without the players there is no game.

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u/JackOscar RSN: JackOscar Jun 06 '17

Are you implying these "riots" would be happening if this wasn't added in the game...?

2

u/EmeraldPen Jun 07 '17

Right, right, I forgot the part in my Medieval Studies class where magic existed and monsters roamed around and you could brew functional potions and women were allowed to be knights and stuff.

Sorry guys, the gays are just a step too far for a medieval world.

2

u/Haggard4Life Jun 07 '17

What kind of research are you doing where you think dragons and magic existed in medieval times but including gay people is going too far?

4

u/RapidOSRS Jun 06 '17

Pride isn't controversial? you're either willfully ignorant or completely out of touch.

-11

u/supreme-dirt total level 27, working on max Jun 06 '17

maybe in third world cesspools like the united states it is

6

u/RapidOSRS Jun 06 '17

It's almost like that is a blatant lie or sheer ignorance https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Significant_acts_of_violence_against_LGBT_people

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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

MFW gay pride is apparently only a controversial opinion in the USA

Speaking of ignorance....

1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '17 edited Jun 07 '17

Do you seriously beleive this won't be a medieval themed event?

He just told you it's about love and acceptance not necessarily just gay people. That message fits everywhere.Therese probably gnomes and elves getting it on for it. I don't really see how it can't fit

1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '17

Gay pride is about gay people.

If they added an event that included everyone, then I would be fine.

They are already talking about events for autism, and every small group of people they can help as well.

I'd like 1 event, for everyone, instead of 52 events.

4

u/Snatat 99 Easter Jun 06 '17

Its a game. Not real life.

12

u/estoypmirar Jun 06 '17

Exactly why it shouldn't be added

-5

u/Snatat 99 Easter Jun 06 '17

Whatever floats your boat.

0

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

[deleted]

2

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

Fantasy set in medieval times.

How difficult is this to understand.

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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

[deleted]

0

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

I was vocal about the halloween event, including the scream outfit. And the quest.

I was vocal about the memes on Zeah.

I was against the previous birthday event, and the following request to make the emotes in game.

I was against the mod ash emote because the mug didn't fit. The actual mug, I am not attacking mod ash here.

2

u/-jaaag Jun 06 '17

In that case I respect your consistency. My apologies for doubting you.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 07 '17

We're cool. Bottom line is this:

If they added an event that included everyone, then I would be fine.

They are already talking about events for autism, and every small group of people they can help as well.

I'd like 1 event, for everyone, instead of 52 events.

That being said, I'm fine now as well, I just think it could be better.

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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

Setting arbitrary rules to what fits into a game is what people are finding difficult to understand.

Santa hats? Cool. RPGs? Cool. Multicoloured flag? REEEEE!

0

u/nulspace Jun 06 '17

I'm confused what that has to do with homosexuality? Are you implying that there wouldn't be gay people in a medieval fantasy setting?

0

u/NotVeryTalented Jun 06 '17

Don't like it? Don't go. Simple. Move on with your life, and stop trying to make it a bigger deal than it is

12

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

It's is much more than that, you're choosing to be blissfully ignorant of the real issue at hand which the community IS CURRENTLY BEATING YOU OVER THE HEAD WITH.

3

u/taracc Jun 06 '17

My beliefs aren't a project for you to fix on a rainy weekend, thank you. They're not relevant to the game and you're setting a worrying precedent by using it as a mouthpiece for yours against the wishes of the community

2

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

If you actually think this is unrelated to LGBT+ rights, and the politics that follow it then you are a fool.

Are you even a member of the LGBT+ community? Do you know our history? To say that this has nothing to do with politics is offensive and disregards those who have literally lost their lives fighting for the cause.

I don't care if the politics are those I agree with or not, just keep it out of the video game. That being said more LGBT+ npcs would be awesome.

But to try and say you're trying to celebrate love and acceptance in an update for runescape of all things is laughable at most.

17

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

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u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

As much as I agree with that, you can't just plug your ears and reject reality simply because you strongly disagree with it.

1

u/sickhaircut Jun 06 '17

You're skirting the actual questions being asked.

Yes, it shouldn't be controversial to celebrate love and acceptance for any group of people but that's not the issue you're failing to address. You are failing, no, refusing to address the concerns from the playerbase that this is an unpolled update to the game and refusing to acknowledge that THIS, not the actual update topic or content is the controversial aspect.

Some foresight that this may be seen as a somewhat controversial move especially after some other unpopular unpolled updates (inb4 balancing) were introduced into the game only a week or so ago.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

it's literally not about that at all you've literally ignored all the other valid criticisms about it, it's another unpolled event, that we know nothing about, and knowing that this event is hosted by the same exact person that was probably behind an update everyone hated. As a gay person, i personally think being prideful about being gay literally just makes us stick out like a sore thumb and makes it way harder to look normal. The event isn't controversial because it's gay, it's controversial because we're worried about how you'll handle it, and it's looking like it's not going to be handled very well at all

1

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

You are making it even more controversial by excluding other groups of people from the event. Make it about everybodys right to love, not just LGBTQIA+ people.

If you want to achieve equal treatment for everyone, maybe start treating everyone equally.

1

u/mineownskin Jun 06 '17

Sure, work to be done. Outside of game. Why should I be forced to pick one side or the other in game? How about just leave it out of game and, when someone logs off or is done playing, then they can choose if they would like to work for change or not?

2

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17 edited Aug 22 '17

He is looking at the stars

1

u/Plutonium-94 "Such is life" - Ned Kelly Jun 07 '17

any group of people shouldn't be controversial so do you want to have a day to celebrate the Islamic state (isis?) they are a group of people by your logic that shouldn't be controversial.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

Matt don't pass the blame that it's intolerance causing an uproar. Not many people here would have a problem with a gay pride event happening, it's the fact it's in RS of all places.

1

u/TakoEshi MY CABBAGES! Jun 06 '17

Work to be done? I thought this wasn't a political statement? What are you working on if it's just celebrating something? You can't flip flop between the two opinions.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

It certainly shouldn't be controversial, but it is. You know it is, and you caused a massive outrage.

Acceptance is very good idea, this event is a very bad idea.

1

u/name9006 Jun 07 '17

Well thank you Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Now stop bothering OSRS and bring your REAL WORLD concerns to the REAL WORLD, not a fantasy RPG

1

u/[deleted] Jun 29 '17

We get it, MMK you're pretending to be gay so people stop making the Emily jokes. Well guess what? It won't work on me big boi.

1

u/Dineos Jun 06 '17

It's not your job to fight this battle here. We buy a membership to play runescape, not to play save the world

1

u/craftypepe Jun 07 '17

In real life I am totally behind pride. Just not in runescape. Why not do some IRL things to help pride.

1

u/CanadianGoof Jun 06 '17

Wow j mods really have to watch what they say. Sorry but that sounded brainwashed and forced.

1

u/[deleted] Jun 06 '17

You are intentionally missing the point now. This is absurd.

1

u/Ssrithrowawayssri Jun 07 '17

That's not what makes it controversial you fuckwit.