Poor Bastard on Vega 4

[sbatten]

OK, this is a legitimate question about language in the game. We are not supposed to talk with bad language in game, but I did a white mission on Vega 4 on Solaria server the other day and it was about going down and rescuing a pod and then defending the area for like 2:30 minutes. Anyways, in the mission description in orbit, it says something about the crashed pilot being a poor bastard. Now does this need to be fixed or does SS get to play both sides of the fence here? Or is bastard not considered a bad word now?

Chas88

 

[CapnSanta]

Bastard is not a swear word. In Australia we use it all the time in many ways. Its origins refer to illegitimate children. However, can be used in many instances even humurous.

 

[sbatten]

WOW, the variants in the English language are amazing. I was told by a GM not to say "suck" as in "this mission sucks", but yet bastard is not a bad word?? Our definition in America is the same, yet we consider it to be a very offensive word, especially if you call someone by that word. I guess I will never understand all of the the nuances of the English language. So, if I am reading you correctly Santa, little children playing this game are ok to see the word bastard in public? Now I really really wish SS would post a comprehensive list of "bad words" because I am somewhat lost as to which ones are bad and which ones are not. Another one I am extremely confused about is the word "cancer". The only definition I ever heard of was "an abnormal growth of cells" as defined by the AMA (American Medical Association) and other medical communities. Cancers are diseases like lung cancer, skin cancer, brain cancer, usually fatal. I heard a while back that for some ppl this word is worse than the "f" word. Strange indeed.

Chas88

 

[CapnSanta]

As this is an English forum relating to the english game then an understanding of English is required. Your comment about a GM cautioning you over the word "sucks" in the context that you gave is a little over board - boardering rediculous! I can only suggest they do not have a English background and fail to understand basic common words used today.
Bastard as used in the mission is used in a humorous context as ought to be interpreted as such! It all has to do with "context" of use!

 

[retro]

as sad as this makes me and as much as i cant believe im goin to say this i agree with chas88, that word for the best part of the time is classed as an offesive word and shouldnt be in a game that is classed playable for kids, im sure ss could use another word instead since they are so keen on the no use of bad language rules

 

[passenger8]

-i think that words are words, and words should be free. -and swearing is mostly a good way to get something off your chest. -you poor bastards got to understand that?

 

[schneider43]

Je guys ,You hve problems.

 

[CapnSanta]

The problem here is quite simple - CONTEXT - a word is used in!

The main problem in todays age is that too many "politically correct" people have made a rod for their own backs. English is a language that is made up from several background languages and has the rather interesting ability of meaning many things for any particular word(s). In the case at hand the word can mean a nasty comment towards someone or it can mean a humorous account about someone. What you all need to do is relax and not lose sight of the HUMOUR intended within this game (for there is quite a lot really).

CONTEXT a word is delivered within carries the TRUE interpretation of the MEANING! If you think this word should not be used as you see it as a "bad" word then you need to educate yourself a little MORE! Go look it up in the dictionary ok! See what the OFFICIAL book of words has to say about it!

SURE it can MEAN nasty comments and derogatory inclinations towards others (mainly in the direction of children out of wedlock). This is how the word actually came about to describe it. And yes it carries a negative connotation with it too. It ALSO means "out of sorts", skew wiff, even ruined. Taken from within the context of the game mission it means that the occupant of the pod is in a dire situation!

I think the main reason Chass88 is upset (so to speak) about this word is that he/she was cautioned about using the phrase "This game Sucks". Which is NOTHING compared to the game mission wording of bastard (WHEN looked at from the absolute NEGATIVE interpretation of the word)! And this I CAN understand as it is an UNFAIR caution! Sucks is NO MORE RUDE OR offensive than the word bastard! It DEPENDS on HOW you use it!

I suggest any GMs who do not have a solid grounding in the use of English be a little more considerate in their ingame chastisement of words written. I agree there needs to be control over OFFENSIVE type within the game and forums as it is really a VERY LAZY way to get your message across! Swearing is NOT a suitable method of message delivery - just lazy use of words! Sure it sometimes 'feels' nice to get it off your chest but ... BUT... it is not a suitable way when children ALSO use the same communication system as the adults!

Also, on a slightly different point to do with written words within the game chat.......

When someone writes in CAPITALS all the time it is considered "rude" as it really means you are SHOUTING! When some uses it for ONE or TWO words it means they are EMPHASISING a part of what they are writing ! So PLEASE GMs when in game in chat DO NOT tell players to STOP CAPS when it is used for ONE word or two and especially when it is used as a Capital to a word - such as a Name! Using capitals is the ONLY way we can communicate our feelings of what is going on ...

And quite frankly sometimes, after hunting for a rare for HOURS we do FEEL that "This game sucks!" We don't really MEAN it, just that's how we feel at the time we write it - to communicate our feelings. It is not rude to communicate our feelings as long as we don't abuse others or use swear words!

 

[Delloda]

Yes this is a tricky problem to deal with. I will be discussing the issue of swearing with my GM's soon. I have felt that some of them have been a little over enthusiastic when it comes to this issue.

A swear word to one person isn't a swear word to another. I fully understand how you guys feel and hopefully all our GM's will come to a consensus on how we will proceed on this case.

I am would not consider saying something sucked as swearing.. its more Americanised slang.

I'm goignt o find this mission and remove the contentious word!

 

[Astraeus]

The problem here is quite simple - CONTEXT - a word is used in!

The main problem in todays age is that too many "politically correct" people have made a rod for their own backs. English is a language that is made up from several background languages and has the rather interesting ability of meaning many things for any particular word(s). In the case at hand the word can mean a nasty comment towards someone or it can mean a humorous account about someone. What you all need to do is relax and not lose sight of the HUMOUR intended within this game (for there is quite a lot really).

CONTEXT a word is delivered within carries the TRUE interpretation of the MEANING! If you think this word should not be used as you see it as a "bad" word then you need to educate yourself a little MORE! Go look it up in the dictionary ok! See what the OFFICIAL book of words has to say about it!

SURE it can MEAN nasty comments and derogatory inclinations towards others (mainly in the direction of children out of wedlock). This is how the word actually came about to describe it. And yes it carries a negative connotation with it too. It ALSO means "out of sorts", skew wiff, even ruined. Taken from within the context of the game mission it means that the occupant of the pod is in a dire situation!

I think the main reason Chass88 is upset (so to speak) about this word is that he/she was cautioned about using the phrase "This game Sucks". Which is NOTHING compared to the game mission wording of bastard (WHEN looked at from the absolute NEGATIVE interpretation of the word)! And this I CAN understand as it is an UNFAIR caution! Sucks is NO MORE RUDE OR offensive than the word bastard! It DEPENDS on HOW you use it!

I suggest any GMs who do not have a solid grounding in the use of English be a little more considerate in their ingame chastisement of words written. I agree there needs to be control over OFFENSIVE type within the game and forums as it is really a VERY LAZY way to get your message across! Swearing is NOT a suitable method of message delivery - just lazy use of words! Sure it sometimes 'feels' nice to get it off your chest but ... BUT... it is not a suitable way when children ALSO use the same communication system as the adults!

Also, on a slightly different point to do with written words within the game chat.......

When someone writes in CAPITALS all the time it is considered "rude" as it really means you are SHOUTING! When some uses it for ONE or TWO words it means they are EMPHASISING a part of what they are writing ! So PLEASE GMs when in game in chat DO NOT tell players to STOP CAPS when it is used for ONE word or two and especially when it is used as a Capital to a word - such as a Name! Using capitals is the ONLY way we can communicate our feelings of what is going on ...

And quite frankly sometimes, after hunting for a rare for HOURS we do FEEL that "This game sucks!" We don't really MEAN it, just that's how we feel at the time we write it - to communicate our feelings. It is not rude to communicate our feelings as long as we don't abuse others or use swear words!

Very well put CapnSanta. I myself do not look so much at the words as I do the CONTEXT or how the word is used. If it comes off to me as a derogatory statement or use of a word I WILL say something to the offender. However there is certain words that no matter how used are strictly forbidden & we all know what these words are. Even some ordinary every day words used in the wrong CONTEXT, slang or not, can be considered a derogatory use of the word

 

[retro]

well this sort of thinking leaves alot of ifs and buts doesnt it and alot of miss understandings and what 1 gm thinks is bad language another thinks is ok so i think we need a clear set of rules dont u

 

[Delloda]

I'm working on it.

 

[retro]

i know bud i was just replying to Astraeus last post lol. i do feel for u splitscreen guys cos i know we are a very hard lot to please even more so then most mmo players

 

[Delloda]

I'll be drafting an official language policy which will be inline with our affiliates and a GM language guideline on how to react with to specifics.

 

[CapnSanta]

You don't really NEED to make a new set of rules when it comes to swear words or their use. The current intructions when we sign up are quite clear and sufficent.
We all know the basic swear words not to use and let's face it, there's not that many of them!
The only other thing with word use is "attacking" another person and trying to belittle, humiliate or something of this nature. I have seen this happen many times and not one swear word was used! Let's not do this to each other as it's a GAME ok, not really all that serious to warrant being overly nasty to each other.
For all those who have found themselves at the receiving end of such "attacks" just remember this: some people are wankers (which in Australia means someone is a total and complete idiot! And is used in everyday talk however, I guess it too can be considered rude but also affectionate as well)! Such a strange language really!
But removing the bastard word from the mission text would probably be the easist option. Maybe replace it with "Poor buggar"!?! LOL!! Same problem as bastard but different word!! LOL!! So funny really!

 

[sbatten]

Wow, I didn't mean to stir up a can of worms! I am just trying to understand and broaden my language horizons. I really DO NOT have any problem leaving the bastard word in the mission. I knew exactly how it was meant to come across. I only brought it up because I remember telling someone in game public chat "well that sucks" and I got chastized about it from a GM (I wish I could remember who it was actually). I was not telling them that THEY suck or using it in a derogatory manner. As an Amercan I can attest that our version of "English" is quite messed up from the rest of the world. Our nation is a melding pot of cultures from all over the world, and each culture that comes brings with it a little of their own twist in things. I think by asking about these nuances of the "English" language from people outside of the USA it helps me to be a more understanding and better person. It is like the phrase "just now". My whole life, that was meant as in the past, like I just now completed my chores means I just finished them, they are done. BUT, I once dated an Australian living in London (go figure??) and she told me that "just now" for her meant that it would be done in a little bit in the future. Like "we are going to the store just now" means we are getting ready to leave in a bit, we haven't gone yet. Talk about confusing!!

Chas88

P.S. Since this post has more or less turned into a post about language differences (which is ok with me) can someone PLEASE write up a post explaining why the word "cancer" is such a bad word? I have heard it my whole life and my kids have heard it their whole life (thus far) and I have never ever heard it used in any kind of derogatory manner. This is really perplexing for me. I have heard certain things being called a "cancer to society" like urban blight, but not being used on a person.

 

[CapnSanta]

She really meant "very soon". It is a present tense use of the phrase not past tense. Just now in the shopping example means she is going very very soon! Right now means the same thing.

 

[Delloda]

sbatten, don't apologise for bringing up a relevant topic of interest to all and which has already invited some quality opinions and replies.

I will draw up an official in-game policy and as soon as its finished i will post it.

...For all those who have found themselves at the receiving end of such "attacks" just remember this: some people are wankers (which in Australia means someone is a total and complete idiot! And is used in everyday talk however, I guess it too can be considered rude but also affectionate as well)! Such a strange language really!
But removing the bastard word from the mission text would probably be the easist option. Maybe replace it with "Poor buggar"!?! LOL!! Same problem as bastard but different word!! LOL!! So funny really!

w**ker in UK mean a person that has self love fun and b*ggar means to have bum love. So both are illegal words.

 

[Darkstar]

I think you should change it to "some poor soul" simple.

 

[sbatten]

LMAO, so there is a pilot named OldBugger. Is this name illegal since it translates into old bum lover? WOW!

Chas88