I know I’ve seen a lot of people express concern about the social contract in Retail. I quit playing retail for that reason. Not because I wish to cause offense to anyone or that I ever would but these social contracts drag politics into the game and force people to conform to ideals they may not agree. Mostly the censoring of free speech. These social contracts punish many people on the broad to try to correct the behaviors of the small, who will do it any way. The social contract is also filled with vague language that can be abused with a broad interpretation. And while I have accepted that Retail is now gated by this social contract, to introduce it into classic I feel is the greatest mistake, and while I never have been reported for offending anyone and most times would not I feel this is an infringement on the player base that has gone to far.
Given the behaviour of many both on these forums and in game I would think the social contract is needed.
I agree that there is a great amount of horrible things that have and can be said, and thank you for giving a very honest point of view and discussing it. My problem is not that moderation is unexceptable my problem is actual about what Voltaire just posted. As many people have pointed out, most of what we are talking about with moderation being necessary was already in the Terms and Conditions of game play, that then should make the Social Contract and unnecessary document unless there is more to it. The topic is broad and by signing that it allows a broader interpretation that the T&C provided.
I mean… in the end the contract is meaningless without people to enforce it.
Until they turn away from automated player support and invest in GMs it doesnt really matter what they put in there, it wont really accomplish anything.
Ironically adding GMs would also probably make the contract redundant so long as they actually moderated things.
So I need to sign a contract that is either useless or made redundant by enforcement? But if I do not sign I cannot play? Not trying to offend but truly are you debating for or against my point?
Neither, just pointing out that the signing of the contract has zero impact on anyone because it might as well not even be there.
Do i think it should be there? No. But without any kind of enforcement behind it
… it basically isnt there so its not worth caring/worrying about it.
Maybe i’m not understanding what you guys are on about for this wow related subject but in the greater more general sense a social contract is not actually a written contract, nevertheless it is what one adheres to to for a society to function.
I have heard this same argument since it was being tested on retail, I get where most people are coming from just like the T&C that most people do not read; however I have, I was taught from an early age to never enter into a contract lightly, a contract ceeds power from each one who signs it. While it might not make a difference to game play it is the very problem of sign it or exit that gives me pause. Even though it be redundant and unenforced, unless I agree I should Exit.
you will taste the body type 2 and you will like it ok bigot?
As pointed out before, I have signed the T&C I have not argued here that society requires rules, my argument is why give yet another contract that many view as redundant and gate players to either accept or quit.
What kind of free speech is being censored?? 
Within the same post I address it slightly, but I will clarify. Due to the broad terms of the social contract, there are many offenses that can be taken by a person to person interpretation of such, which will cause people insulate themselves afraid of offending, people who normally would not offend anyone will withdraw to only personal know clicks. A lot of work is going into trying to not kill the social interaction of players but while many see the benefit of self censorship and I agree, those who wish to be offensive will do so with or without signing said contract but for people with anxiety about social situation they will withdraw more from the social element of the game.
Like what? Give us some examples please
like telling you you’re stupid for needing an example
for example
I can give you one on this thread alone. And when I am able to pull up the full social contract again I will elaborate more. Because I don’t agree with the contract I’ve already been called a POS for not just signing it and creating waves. And while that might not get me banned someone using the terms as being nice to people is a requirement and now I’m just a POS could easily be interpreted as that because I’m not ok with signing the contract.
there are broad terms used without placing limits on what is to far.
There are a lot of what would be nice written in the contract and now I have it pulled up I’ll point out yes little things that won’t effect most people day to day, but some could and have abused the system in the past so for the bulleted points that blizzard has put the most emphasis on I’ll start with the first one
Assit other players that you encounter in the world. Maybe they need some help defeating a tough monster, or maybe they could use a little healing. Ok I agree that the whole point of a social game is to interact and help someone its called not being a jerk, but when someone decides that you ran right by them or worse yet you killed and tagged the mob they were going for and reports you. That breaks that first “rule”
if you would like I am willing to go point by point. I hope its not necessary but I am willing
“Hey sign this contract promising that you wont say or do anything bad”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Cuz of the implications!”
Why have a contract that leaves implications when a simple reminder of hey be nice would have sufficed. While gate the game behind agree or quit, when a simple hey be nice to one another and the T&C would suffice