Rated 'M'for MATURE.

I think we can all agree that FTRP has easily become one of the best fairy tail roleplaying sites you can find on the web. Why? Because of it's well thought out system and rules, tens of areas to roleplay in, welcoming and ever growing community, and little things that always keep you interested. There are a lot of aspects to this site that attempts to appeal to many different roleplayers, may it be the several guilds that may appeal to such a diverse amount of characters, or the types of magics you can acquire, or perhaps the VIP shop if people like to hone on something other purchasable material. Whatever it may be, FTRP has done a fantastic job on doing all of these!

However, let's take into consideration the little things. After spending two years on the site, I can't help but notice the little things, such as plots with character. One may ask why plots are related to this topic at all, well, let me elaborate. Plots and plot content (What the plot contains) are critical to the majority of the community, may it be for dark wizards or legal ones, jobs or backstories, plots build upon a character and make them who they are today.

This then leads up to the question, "Should FTRP offer the community a 'Mature' tag?"

I understand completely that this is a family friendly site, for all ages. And that's perfectly reasonable. However, I have stumbled across people and topics which desire to touch upon more intense subjects in their content. And yes, that is mature content.

Q: Why is this a good idea?
A: It gives people and their characters a chance to truly deepen the atmosphere, seriousness, or impact of their actions or thoughts by being able to describe the reality of it. This gives everyone an opportunity to truly make a character and topics that are in-depth.

Q: But isn't this a PG-13 site? Wouldn't that effect our younger userbase?
A: Alright, I think it's fair that I be as blunt as possible on this question. A tag in a roleplaying title indicates the nature of that topic/thread, so by putting [M] or 'Mature', it blatantly tells the potential readers that this thread contains mature content/ May it be suggestive themes, explicit content, gore, sexual actions, vulgar language, etc. So by all means, if any readers who are sensitive to that content can view it at their digression, hence, not being anyone's fault but the reader's. Don't like it? Don't read it.

Q: How could this help me?
A: Relating to the first Q and A question, this gives the user the ability to truly depict their character through their unrestricted actions. However, all mature topics must contain a tag, so that it is completely fair and honest with potential readers.

Q: So what about our characters?
A: What you do with your characters in your mature threads is none of my beeswax, but in my honest opinion, dark mages can truly be feared, because it will give readers a reason to be menaced by their actions. As legal and neutral wizards can now give their character true depth with any topics, as long as readers are warned. Just like any movie.

Q: What would not be allowed?
A: Following the basic guidelines of the forum, this is a rather obvious answer seeing as staff can regulate how far is too far... though the purpose of this additional tag is so that there aren't as many regulations or restrictions for roleplay, considering that the majority of the community are mature or maturing users.

So, yes or no?

There's one big thing hindering this suggestion from really going through. The whole thing called Forumotion's Terms of Service.

Seijin's rule says PG-13.
So that's a no.

EDIT: Apparently my previous iteration of this post was too hostile, so here's take two:

Seijin once made the rule that this site would be PG-13, however that does not mean that the entire subject is set in stone. While saying that Seijin made the site PG-13 helps as an argument for remaining PG-13 it does not automatically end the discussion. After all, Seijin is still one person who you can talk and reason with, and thus possibly change his mind.

On the other hand Forumation having the rule is a lot more definite.

As a mod, I'm going to say no to this; regardless of whether or not Seijin demanded the site's rating.

I would absolutely hate this site to hell and back if I had to quit because every other job I was reading through contained descriptive sex scenes that make me feel uncomfortable. As for intense violence and gore, I've seen some pretty heavy posts, and made a few myself... So long as it's not Doom level gore then there's not really to much problems w/ the gore/violence area (at least that's what I've noticed)

https://i.gyazo.com/7b6c319f62b33e1c9950d1ef6536f960.png

Forumotion Terms of Service

I agree with this rating but only to an extent. Of course sexual themes should remain limited, but more mature RP'ers should be able to depict their characters' stories thoroughly. This should be especially important for Dark Wizards.

Also, regarding Forumotion rules. This does not apply, as first of all, pornography refers to the personification or image of extreme nudity and/or fully descriptive sexual scenes. I have been on plenty of forums that bear their own limitations on mature roleplaying and none have gotten taken down due to some more mature-level typing. I in fact ran two forums that allowed mature content and they were never taken down for such content. It is the only unregulated and excessive use of pornography and/or sexual displays that would get a site flagged. And like I said, this can easily be regulated by site rules.

This should be regulated but allowed. I could come up with a set of regulations for this sort of thing myself in about 15 minutes if I were asked to do so. It takes little effort to set it up and there are little to no excuses for this to not work, unless there is a majority that do not want this happening.

Agreed with that edit by King. Jobs/exams/official stuff should remain PG-13 for the sake of professionalism and to save the staff some unnecessary trauma.

Yeah, no.

Sorry, not happening.

That's that.

EDIT - I realize I probably came across a bit too harshly, but there's a reason this wasn't a thing in the first place.

Okay.. Mean Mod here with their thoughts on this.

I've been on sites that have tried to rally behind the change-of-rating to M before.  There are plenty of reasons the site isn't or will never even consider going to anything higher than PG-13

1:  Most sites usually aren't allowed to host extreme acts of sexual content or scenes of explicit violence.  While it there are instances where these events slip on by, those are generally frowned upon.
2:  Raising the site's rating also limits our audience.  Considering your age OOC, Isaac, even you wouldn't be technically allowed to RP on this site once it turns into a mature/R Rated site.  Keeping the site rating low ensures that a wider audience is allowed to RP here.
3:  Teenagers will resort to turning their RPs into complete smut; whether it is extreme acts in a sexual nature or extreme acts in a violent nature for no real reason.  Fairy Tail wasn't that sexual or violent of an anime to even warrant this change of rating.
4:  Changing the rating will not bolster RPing.  To be honest, it might deter people from RPing with others.  Being "Oh, so-and-so is too perverted and only want to cyber" or "Such-and-such is too violent and their RPs kinda gross me out" are some potential complaints for this.
5:  Many people, as I mentioned earlier (including Isaac) aren't old enough to be in an RP deemed R or M.  
6:  Even if this site does allow it, it would have to ask for people's ages and well, nobody will tell the truth anyway so it's exposing underaged children to potential smut or violence.  Granted, it's easy to find more on the internet due to the fact that it's the internet, FT-RP isn't the place for that.  

To be honest, if you want to RP ultra-violent RPs or RP putting your ding into a who-ha, find somewhere else to RP.  That kind of content has no place on FT-RP.

Everyone who voted Yes for the M Rating ought to feel ashamed of themselves.

I don't think anyone mentioned changing the rating of the entire forum to Mature, Anastasia-san. What is wanted is a tag for more mature members to have the option of making their plots more realistic/thorough. Adding a "Mature" tag does not equal changing the site rating to "Mature".

Edit: @Chaotic Rumble instead of denying it without giving your own thoughts on the matter, why don't you explain why you feel that way like Ana-san just did? "Sorry, not happening" does not constitute a valid reason for turning down a suggestion.

And what?  Have someone below the age of 18 taking place in smut?

Get real.

"Just because it's Rated M doesn't mean there's be Smut"
>>Of course not.  But it leaves the door wide open for it.  And it shouldn't be allowed.

I'm locking this topic.
Case is closed.
The Rating WILL not go higher than it is now.

You're really saying "get real" in a discussion about a suggestion made by another member? Moderators don't hold positions to speak that way.

Don't worry, I made sure to let you know - there is a reason that it wasn't a thing in the first place. I don't feel the need to explain it when there have already been many things said on the manner because most of what I wanted to say was already said for the most part, but rather you need to know that it's not happening.

That's all.

This topic has been unlocked under admin permissions. Moderators do not lock topics because people had a valid [or invalid] argument. Please do not lock topics that are non-toxic, until they become toxic. Thank you.

I'm not sure what this actually adds to anyone's story. All it takes is a bit of finagling and skill to allude to things without explicitly stating them and keep within the rating. As has been stated people can lie about age n' the like, never mind not knowing who's got chill parents and who's would flip out to find their precious baby potentially reading smut (cause it would happen, not if, just when). Then that can just spiral into some crazy situations with parents and forummotion that could've been easily avoided. I can also imagine some people trying to play out some pretty sick fantasies and while I understand the whole "Don't like? Don't read" deal I can just as easily imagine people who create over-the-top situations or characters that are purely M-rating lobbying to retain the freedom to "act as they please" in event threads despite the fact such things should be open to open to everyone, but such behavior would turn them off for one reason or another (age, being generally uncomfortable, etc).

I'd also like to avoid kicking people off the forum just cause it turns out they're under 18 and I'd hate to see people go until they appropriately rank up in real life =/

If we allow mature content on the site, due to how forumotion works (I believe), then we have to raise the rating. Mature tags just don't fly with forumotion because there is nothing actually stopping people rping on them.

Now if there was a way to...I don't know limit viewing to people who are over the age of 18 on certain threads than maybe, but even then I don't see it happening.

There is no real benefit to it and this is coming from me and if anyone knows what Sinali and Naraku were like...you know that we don't need an M rating.

Okay, I've had my own experiences with this so I would say... kinda?

I feel like vulgar language and violence, minor gore should be okay. It's not as much of a big deal in my humble opinion, and especially regarding missions or dark wizards stuff like that could be useful and help people to actually outlive their characters. I assume that most people realize that there is a line between "staying true to your character" and being ridiculous about it by abusing the fact that you are allowed to swear for example.

Sexual content, however, is something I would really keep away from the site. I mean, first of all who is going to feel comfortable knowing that someone can watch you doing the nasty? Some people like myself feel awkward doing romance-related roleplays knowing that some people might read it so yeah, I assume no one would want that. xD Furthermore, it really isn't necessary. There is absolutely no reason for you to be overly sexual in your threads, it does nothing, fade to black and let it go. You can always go to Skype or PM if you're horny, haha. That this clashes with some site rules ect is a given.

What I can say is that there are ALWAYS people who aren't mature enough to leave you alone. There will always be people who comment on your stuff and for your own sake I'd suggest that you don't do that kind of stuff in public. It might just cause more of a toxic atmosphere than it should and this is what we all want to avoid, right?

TL;DR

Minor Gore, Violence, Vulgar Lanugage: Kinda yay, but stay classy
Sexual Content: Nuuuuuuh

Isaac, thank you very much for addressing this. ♥ Knowing where the limits are is very important, especially for new people.

As one of the lewdest people on site,  just with restraint around here.  

There use to be such a thing,  but only within Hidden groups / Subforums accessed by those who were confidently 18+.  Fun times.    Near anything goes,  and subjects everyone already dances around can be explored and given some care.    Writing is writing,  stories are stories.  Other worlds just as, ideally,  complex as our own, including the shadows and the bedsheets.

But,  an M rating thing topic tag isn't something that can be introduced overnight here.   

I disagree with almost everything said in this topic against the M-tag. (Especially the "Cuz reasons")  But,  I disagree with including an M-Tag.  It's too sudden,  and many many people on this forum are very immature.  (Imagine that)

Is the M-Tag great? Yeah,  but it doesn't fit here in that capacity.  Like trying to convince North Korea that maybe starvation and forced labor isn't great for the population,  it just doesn't mesh well.    Or perhaps that doesn't make sense...  Ah!  Convincing Nintendo to release a... oh right, Bayonetta.   Muppets Gone Wild on Sesame Street?


Much of this topic is just highly opinionated or situational,  dragging the subject down as a whole.  Like lumping consensual romance with hardcore rape and fetishism. Or acting as though it's us as people doing these things,  and not revealing the existing actions of characters in a fictional world.  That's like calling G.R.R. Martin a murdering psychopathic deviant. 

There is always a place for that writing,  you're exploring a world,  exploring characters and relationships,  it's like putting a big censor bar over the world and keeps things from getting very deep,  stagnating in shallow waters and diverting focus to power gain.  (My first RP site had M-Tags and it was extremely peaceful until they were removed,  when suddenly the focus was on power and people bickered)

M-Tag sites are far less toxic in every experience of mine.   Even on this site it could still serve to reduce some of the toxicity,  but it's kind of past its prime. It's already ingrained~ 

If you don't like that content,  that's what the tag is for.  You don't have to read it,  most people don't read other people's topics regardless.


Again though.  I'm all for M-Tags.  I'm just against M-Tags on this site.   Sure I'd love it if they were here.  But I don't think it is a great fit,  though I'd be perfectly pleased to have them here if they do come about.   

(Though Hidden Forums could come back surely,  those were fun.)


Another thing to keep in mind is people already do a lot that would be classified behind an M-Tag on some sites,  certainly plenty of gore to be had.   It's mostly just romance that's barred from being mature.  And of course more aggressive themes behind the fade to blacks or danced around subject matter.   

Just like American ESRB ratings,  lovely.  Definitely not puritanical or anything, who could possibly think that.  /s

Surely the fact that forummotion has a rule against illicit topics is reason enough for this discussion to be closed?

I admit closing the topic wasn't the best solution but on the basis that the forum provider is saying no? Is there any reason to drag this further?

I don't doubt there's solutions to that though. Raising the site's rating (if that's possible) would definitely resolve it.

To conclude though, I'm gonna sit on the fence because I don't really mind if mature topics are introduced (on the condition that it's possible to even raise the age-rating of the site) and I don't really mind if they're prohibited either because I personally don't think they'll be used very often in a place like this. Butt.. the ultimate decision does lie with Seijin regardless of people might say. This is his site and he'll do what he thinks is best, so unless there's an overwhelming majority going for the introduction of mature themes; I doubt this will go much further. If the site owner wanted there to be mature themes in this roleplay then he would have incorporated it in the first place.

That's just my view though, I could be wrong.

I'm going to go ahead and say this. I have some dark as hell stuff. I've decapitated people, ripped their hearts out, and cut them in half. I've done a lot along all of my characters that is heavy on the violence. It hasn't been flagged, taken down, or gotten me in trouble. Why?

Because I know how to write it, I know how to clean it up and make it look pretty.

As a professional writer I have gone above and beyond to practice my art here on the site. This let's me say with confidence that it can be done. Violence, and extreme death can be added. You don't need to go into every little detail of the gore, you don't need an in-depth view of death. You can simply state that "Ibara sliced through the bandit's neck cutting his head off" Because that says what you want it to, it is something that everyone has seen, read about, or can imagine. This is writing the whole point of this is to tell a story that someone can visualize. Guess what the phrase "Cutting his head off" is pretty clear and gives a vivid picture.

As for smut if you aren't talented enough, or smart enough to figure out how to work it in a PG-13 rating. You have no business writing it.

Rohma wrote:I'm not sure what this actually adds to anyone's story. All it takes is a bit of finagling and skill to allude to things without explicitly stating them and keep within the rating. As has been stated people can lie about age n' the like, never mind not knowing who's got chill parents and who's would flip out to find their precious baby potentially reading smut (cause it would happen, not if, just when). Then that can just spiral into some crazy situations with parents and forummotion that could've been easily avoided. I can also imagine some people trying to play out some pretty sick fantasies and while I understand the whole "Don't like? Don't read" deal I can just as easily imagine people who create over-the-top situations or characters that are purely M-rating lobbying to retain the freedom to "act as they please" in event threads despite the fact such things should be open to open to everyone, but such behavior would turn them off for one reason or another (age, being generally uncomfortable, etc).

I'd also like to avoid kicking people off the forum just cause it turns out they're under 18 and I'd hate to see people go until they appropriately rank up in real life =/

Agreeing with this 100%