Guardian Hobba (modernized helper)

MKR&*42 · 25-06-2012, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by LoveToStack

If it were my show then this is how I'd do it:

- Take core elements from the Hobba program, minimum age ~18 and a phone interview if you make it to the end of the application process
- Don't use badges / quests / achievement point as an incentive for the program
- Most importantly: treat it like a Janitor system*

*No badge, no name on a public list somewhere on the site or client, no bubble to show which 'hobbas' are online, no rewards. They should be completely invisible. Yes it's necessary that they have special privileges (potentially room-override, ability to kick users and ability to send a help message which goes to the top of the list for an actual moderator) but it is not necessary that other users know that they have these privileges. A key component would therefore be removing anyone's privileges if they're caught exposing themselves as a janitor.

People might complain about a minimum age but at the end of the day this sort of program is not about saying "oh why can't I be a hobba just because I'm not old enough abloobloobloo". What matters is that other people are there, enforcing the rules and keeping the hotel functioning. It doesn't matter if it's not you, what matters is that it's being done.

I'm not sure how you'd introduce some form of culpability for abuse but then again there was no such thing for old Hobba's either: it was just trust.

Anyway I feel that this approach would weed out a fair amount of people doing it so they can have another badge in their inventory, another 5k on their achievement score and another reason to have their e-pals stroke their ego. Inevitably you'd still get people applying for the wrong reasons but that's always going to be a problem.

All you need to do to justify anonymity is look at the helper system. I can safely say that for the majority, it is not about helping new players. It's about getting badges and moving up the goal-tree so you can say you're one step ahead of everyone else.

I think you've made a variety of strong points throughout there and I cannot agree more about it not being based upon badges/achievement scores/quests. But going to the point about them becoming completely "invisible", it's a very good concept but would people not start to complain that they can't ever see who is moderating the hotel? Enough already complain that moderators are never seen around the hotel so would the same situation arise with Guardian Hobbas or w.e

I'd say the age limit is a definite yes though. Not sure whether I'd say 16 or 18 (most likely 18) but I just hope they add an age limit onto it if this goes ahead.

Jarkie · 25-06-2012, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by LoveToStack

If it were my show then this is how I'd do it:

- Take core elements from the Hobba program, minimum age ~18 and a phone interview if you make it to the end of the application process
- Don't use badges / quests / achievement point as an incentive for the program
- Most importantly: treat it like a Janitor system*

*No badge, no name on a public list somewhere on the site or client, no bubble to show which 'hobbas' are online, no rewards. They should be completely invisible. Yes it's necessary that they have special privileges (potentially room-override, ability to kick users and ability to send a help message which goes to the top of the list for an actual moderator) but it is not necessary that other users know that they have these privileges. A key component would therefore be removing anyone's privileges if they're caught exposing themselves as a janitor.

People might complain about a minimum age but at the end of the day this sort of program is not about saying "oh why can't I be a hobba just because I'm not old enough abloobloobloo". What matters is that other people are there, enforcing the rules and keeping the hotel functioning. It doesn't matter if it's not you, what matters is that it's being done.

I'm not sure how you'd introduce some form of culpability for abuse but then again there was no such thing for old Hobba's either: it was just trust.

Anyway I feel that this approach would weed out a fair amount of people doing it so they can have another badge in their inventory, another 5k on their achievement score and another reason to have their e-pals stroke their ego. Inevitably you'd still get people applying for the wrong reasons but that's always going to be a problem.

All you need to do to justify anonymity is look at the helper system. I can safely say that for the majority, it is not about helping new players. It's about getting badges and moving up the goal-tree so you can say you're one step ahead of everyone else.

Originally Posted by Intersocial

I think you've made a variety of strong points throughout there and I cannot agree more about it not being based upon badges/achievement scores/quests. But going to the point about them becoming completely "invisible", it's a very good concept but would people not start to complain that they can't ever see who is moderating the hotel? Enough already complain that moderators are never seen around the hotel so would the same situation arise with Guardian Hobbas or w.e

I'd say the age limit is a definite yes though. Not sure whether I'd say 16 or 18 (most likely 18) but I just hope they add an age limit onto it if this goes ahead.

I agree with all the points posted above me; I bealive there needs to be 'something' to show if a user is one or not, due to the fact people could 'brag' that they're one when really then aren't. and the age limit should and must be for over 18s or even over 21, due to the fact they will be given tools that pretty much can control players and so fourth.

Shorty · 25-06-2012, 07:09 PM

Actual Habbo Moderators are 21+, so it's going to be interesting what they decide for the Guardian's age range, if any.

Tidings · 25-06-2012, 07:11 PM

tbh, i think this is a good idea, so yeah maybe teams in the past have been cluttered and "not functioning properly" but just think about it. most of you here will complain that the moderators don't do anything, am I right?
so therefore, if you could do something about it because you care, you can.
and don't be thinking that the "e-famez" will all take over.. yeah there will probably be like one or two, but they are in the same boat as all the others. considering the strict no talking rules, the guardians will probably have full free speach, so each conversation, each word of each message will be reviewed.
I hope the Guardian process is via application, and not an unlock, i dont want loads of kids with mod tools.
the only rule should be is that they are 18+
No matter of ban record, because in all honesty, ive been banned for even telling someone off about going on webcams.

this program will help a lot. You know as soon as it comes out you're all going to want to be one,
just like when the X program came out, everyone on here was raving about applying and hoping to be apart of the team.

habbo need people INSIDE the game, not just people who are paid to flick though a piece of text eating a doughnut.
habbo need people who care. and I care, thats why It will be my achievement to be apart of this team to help out the community.
I don't want bans on words, id rather go around I.P banning everyone who says something wrong towards children or anything of sexual nature.
so Don't judge this on " oh they cant be bothered the dont want to invest" they are taking EVERY precaution on every angle. and they are giving us a chance to help the community. So take the opportunity if you get it.

Oleh · 25-06-2012, 07:17 PM

They could just ask fansite managers/owners to submit a shortlist

Jarkie · 25-06-2012, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by Oleh

They could just ask fansite managers/owners to submit a shortlist

Then that will be almost 100% favouritism. I vote no for this idea, lol.

LoveToStack · 25-06-2012, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by Intersocial

But going to the point about them becoming completely "invisible", it's a very good concept but would people not start to complain that they can't ever see who is moderating the hotel?

But do people really need to know who's moderating the hotel? What benefit is there to knowing that habbo123 is moderating? Yes there is an issue of abusing powers but that has always been an issue.

Just off the top of my head one way of combating abuse: if some 'hobba' wants to take action against another habbo, say kicking them or banning them from a room, then they need to have another (random) 'hobba' agree to take the same action. Specifically another random hobba because this prevents alliances forming among hobbas which enables abuse. Obviously they'd need more powers to do this: something akin to being able to view the chatlog for a room which you haven't been in. Anyway, just one idea.

Originally Posted by Jarkie

I agree with all the points posted above me; I bealive there needs to be 'something' to show if a user is one or not, due to the fact people could 'brag' that they're one when really then aren't. and the age limit should and must be for over 18s or even over 21, due to the fact they will be given tools that pretty much can control players and so fourth.

What harm can come from someone bragging that they're a hobba though? How seriously do you take it when someone in-client tells you that they're a mod or that their dad works for Nintendo?

In my opinion, the drawbacks of having a hobba program which offers a shiny gold badge with complimentary bragging rights outweigh the benefits. People will apply for the status and not because they want to help.

Jarkie · 25-06-2012, 07:23 PM

Originally Posted by LoveToStack

What harm can come from someone bragging that they're a hobba though? How seriously do you take it when someone in-client tells you that they're a mod or that their dad works for Nintendo?

It was just an example.