Alright, so I noticed some recent issues regarding the attitude of the server and its members, which led to the removal of FM games (first by de-listing and then deleting packages—though I'm not sure about the state of the links right now). (Update: They will return, so that's cool.) A few developers have also left, so I want to share how I see this situation.
1) On Rude or Problematic Behavior
I don’t want to point fingers, as that could backfire, but you can probably guess who I’m referring to. Here’s my perspective:
1.1) Where were people before?
I remember almost being banned from banter years ago for saying the N-word. However, since I didn’t do anything else bad, I was let off with a warning. It seems people haven’t forgotten how to report or express their opinions, so why weren’t these issues addressed sooner? Worse incidents have occurred where people escaped accountability for their actions. While these individuals are still around, at least some now try to explain themselves. It might be worthwhile to engage peacefully and help them understand why their behavior is harmful.
1.2) What are the limits?
In a world where someone like LowTierGod exists with his infamous "you should kill yourself now" meme, and in a franchise where Freddy forces Foxy into his quest by committing arson without letting him escape (somehow Foxy doesn’t die—shouldn’t he be a phantom since Freddy didn’t save him from Pirate Cove?), it’s tricky to determine where the line is between rudeness and dark humor. The boundaries are unclear, both in the world and within the franchise.
2) On Quality Control and Game Ratings
There seems to be an issue with how games are now rated and expected to meet certain quality standards, even though they’re free games about a bear who swears. Here’s why I think this is happening:
2.1) Modern games
You can compare this to modern AAA games, where people often blame "agendas" for ruining games, but in most cases, the problem is that the game itself is boring, poorly made, or uninteresting to play. The same applies here.
People should absolutely have fun and do what they want with their games. However, if someone releases their game publicly, they should expect not only supportive feedback but also constructive criticism. Some people may enjoy the game but suggest improvements. (I’m not ignoring the flaws in the current rating system, but it exists because there was no prior request for one, so people created their own styles of evaluation.)
2.2) Stagnation
Reusing the same formulas over and over without introducing anything new leads to stagnation—like chewing the same piece of gum for 10 years. That’s why some creators have moved toward more "balanced" gameplay. Since this is a video game, the experience should be fun. If it’s not enjoyable, why bother learning its story?
I’ll use my own games as an example. Most of them, by any standard or rating, are bad. However, I had fun making them, and I still keep almost all of them playable (except one that’s literally unplayable). They’re part of my past, and I don’t avoid them. Despite their flaws, these games have quirky coding and gameplay elements. Sometimes, when people ask me how to do something, I refer to those games as examples. There’s no reason to hide them—they serve as learning opportunities for both myself and others.
3) On the Discord Server and Community Behavior
I only have one main point here, as 1.1 covers part of this already:
To those who think this server is unenjoyable or bad, improvements are being made. Yes, these changes might seem too late to some, and they should’ve happened earlier, but as a member of the server, I can say that progress is being made. The server is slowly finding a middle ground between being "newbie-friendly" and maintaining its own identity. A week is barely enough time for major changes to take effect, and rushing decisions could backfire—this is partly why I’m posting this now.
Conclusion
I hope people can listen to others without dismissing them outright. If you think I’ve made a mistake in any specific moment, feel free to point it out—I’m not going anywhere. I just wanted to share my perspective on this situation. I’ll continue to be part of the FNaFb community, making my own games and contributing. If you have any thoughts or feedback, leave a comment, and I’ll try to respond quickly.
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