Forum Admin Calls Kuta “Narcissistic,” Project “Filth”
The Sonic Stadium, which recently realigned itself as nothing more than a fan site and is typically tolerant of most fan work promotion (even having reporters dedicated to such projects on the front page’s Community Blog,) will apparently no longer support efforts to revive Richard Kuta’s Sonic fan film.
That is the stand Sonic Stadium Message Board administrator Roarz, who on Saturday threatened to “instantly” ban any member who posts anything about either the call-in effort to Sega of Japan to get it back off the ground, or the project itself.
“Most people who really have a passion go out and make things happen, they don’t whore themselves on every conceivable Sonic site,” the admin noted.
Roarz himself, who used to assume the name Roarey Raccoon on the forum and whose interests on his profile include “cartoony furry art,” went off in saying the threat was, in his words, “a bit of fun,” calling the project itself “hackneyed, pointless filth.”
Roarz himself called Kuta, who was behind the project until he abruptly put the brakes on it, a “narcissistic prat” who can “bugger off.”
The new, arbitrary policy and its delivery seem to fly in the face of several aspects of the SSMB, which includes, among other things, a Sonic Showcase sub-forum, where members can discuss fan created works, including video. The forum’s rules note a 3 strike system for infractions that include spamming, but rights are reserved to immediately ban individuals who are either “downright obnoxious” or the “worst offenders.” Of note here is Roarz’s personal attack on Kuta himself in the announcement; Kuta is a member of the SSMB, and the rules do not allow member flaming, a rule that apparently doesn’t apply to the forum’s administrators.
This, while Kuta, as far as can be found, has not blantatly promoted the project on SSMB.
If it holds, it would be a major setback in rallying fan support to get the Sonic fan film back off the ground. Several SSMB members have been supportive of the effort, but some discussions have gotten out of hand, forcing topic locks at the hands of SSMB moderators.
It’s not clear whether other SSMB admins or TSS staff agree or support Roarz’s mandate. But while TSS had originally endorsed the effort–and Kuta himself–several years back, later coverage in 2007 had taken a more critical approach.
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Am I a broken record? You people are hanging out in the wrong sects. Open your eyes and realize there are more Sonic the Hedgehog-related forums and collectives on the internet that are not TSSZ or the skewered, emphasized image of conflict that TSSZ portrays to you people. This is why media tabloids are not accurate representations of the real world–they capitalize on overdramatization.
Don’t fall for the trap, people.
@Tweaker – People fail to realize that with any large collection of people individuals are going to create conflicts. Despite it’s size and undeniable drama, the Sonic fan community has accomplished a lot more than many of video game fan communities.
Where is my payment?
A few thoughts.
@Roarz: Quite frankly, this is going to be a hot potato regardless of whether you allow or ban this. To quote WarGAMES “Sometimes the best move is not to play.” You chose to play by banning talk on the fan film and for that, you have none to blame but yourself.
@Tristan: Haters aside, you do tend to get a bad rap for treating the site like a personal soapbox. While it’s impossible NOT to inject opinion into certain topics, a little restraint can do wonders to reputation, in my opinion
@Dreadley: So much for the master plan of ignoring TSSZ, huh? With all due respect, TSSNET as a whole needs to reach a modus vivendi with TSSZ and soon. Mark my words, this rift is going to be even worse for the Sonic community than Sonic 06
@Everyone else: As far as things go, I don’t believe censoring discussion is a viable means of allowing the Sonic community to grow. While I agree trolls and other low forms of Internet life will always crop up where users gather, good common sense needs to prevail when dealing with topics such as these. All-out bans on discussion of certain topics only serve to inflame people rather than create dialogue and keep conversation going between fans.
In short, Tristan and Dreadley: MAKE NICE ALREADY! (apoligies for the shouting)
-Biafra Republic
Pretty much a WTF moment for people that talk about the fan project really.
@ Biafra Republic
I second that to all of what you said. As much as I hate to say it but I have to let my feelings out, the Sonic fanbase is pretty much F*cked up ever since Sonic 06 appeared and it will keep on becoming worse if we argue about topics sonic related. Its been the same b.s. every single time from games to fan made projects. This has to stop now or this fanbase will end up destroyed like Sega in the console business.
@ everyone
All the agruements end in sorrow and pain.
@Biafra: Best move is not to play? That’s no attitude for an admin; maybe someone who has no responsibility. Not blaming anyone anyway, I like the attention :F.
From what I’ve seen on Sonic Stadium, I’m never going to trust that site again with Sonic news or even gossip unless they change their atmosphere around. As the article writer pointed out:
“..that apparently doesn’t apply to the forum’s administrators.”
I know there are rules that dictate major aspects of forum posts to keep a clean and controlled environment for the SSMB community, but you can only stretch admin’s and mods’ rights so far. I had a similar encounter with an admin on SSMB that was very hypocritical. Not only that, but the conversation I had with this undisclosed individual was pretty one-sided and cynical. Finally I said forget it. Not only is it not worth joining a community that smacks the Sonic franchise whenever possible on front page headlines that also proclaims to be a “fansite,” but also because of the negative atmosphere and tone the condescending moderators and admins contribute.
This comment sounds pretty condescending too, so I’ll attempt to lighten it up a little. I don’t believe all Sonic fans are corrupt at all. Certain communities could do a better job in coming across as inviting or more open to others’ views, but once you find a good group of people to talk to in a forum, it’s hard not to enjoy yourself.
What it comes down to is this: I disagree with Roarey being so negligent of Kuta’s work to mouth off and criticize his character on a personal level. He has higher responsibilities as the admin to a “fansite” to just insult someone who is trying so hard to put forth productive effort for the community. He said it himself even!
“Most people who really have a passion go out and make things happen, they don’t whore themselves on every conceivable Sonic site.”
Kuta’s doing both. Not only is he working hard to get that movie out there, but he’s also advertising. Roarey, consult with your community before speaking up. Geez man.
That’s all I’ll say about it.. if you want to comment or critisize or even correct anything I’ve said I’d be honored to have that attention. I just feel like defending myself again by saying I don’t think poorly of the Sonic community or of Roarey as a person, just certain actions of certain individuals drive me up the wall.