Sunday, October 26th, 2008
Issue: 97   Editor: NYX2000


Shaggerty: Settling The Rumors Hypnos
In previous rounds of Bootleggers, words like loyalty, respect and trust described the way the game was played. While those words still have a small amount of meaning, one word sums up the current round as we know it. The word that comes to mind is drama. The latest incident involved Shaggerty, one of our own Moderators. It didn’t take long for the rumors to circulate or the forums to fill with slander. The problem lies in the fact that we as players are quick to judge a staff member when something happens, whether it is good or bad.

What we tend to forget, is that they are also people with emotions and feelings. While it may not be right, those emotions and feelings sometimes take over and they make a bad decision, just like many of us have done. I took the time to read both Bootleggers Buzz articles about Shaggy and felt like maybe everyone was a little quick to judge his actions. While I don’t agree with this situation, I think it was blown well out of proportion. I wanted to see the situation from his side and wondered if an interview would be possible. Shaggy was kind enough to provide me with his thoughts and feelings on the hitlistings and suicide.

To get things started, why exactly were Viva and LKP hitlisted? “It was a single act of stupidity, a blind act of rage due to relationship issues,” Shaggy confessed, “After a few seconds, I realized how stupid it was, and bought them off.” I’m sure most of you can agree that this may have been a bad move indeed. But as I once was taught in an ethics class, we are all human at the end of the day and at some point we let our feelings or emotions get the best of us. Yet because he is a Moderator, we look at him like he is a terrible player, for doing something that many of us might have also done in the same shoes. “All I can say is if I meant to cause damage, I could have done much worse than that,” Shaggy added, “I apologize to those involved.”

With the removal of the hitlistings, each worth $5,000,000,000, Shaggy used the suicide option on his account. He explained his reasoning behind this. “At the time, I wasn't in the greatest frame of mind. In the best interest for the game, I didn't feel it needed a Moderator not being able to judge fairly and consistently.” Any possible idea of a return to his Moderator position would rest solely in the hands of BSF. I also asked what his thoughts were in regards to a return. “I'm more than happy to take up the position again,” Shaggy claimed, “however, this is up to him. I'll accept his decision either way.” Now I know that many of you are probably against his return, and that is quite understandable.

As I mentioned before, Moderators are people too. They don’t get a paycheck to do the job and for the most part they seem to take a beating in the forums anytime they are less then perfect. With the exception of being online and the ticket count, I asked what goes on behind the scenes that the average player doesn’t see. “They have no idea how long it takes to deal with appeals, bans, bug reports, crew issues and general Elite Guard stuff, such as keeping Admins up to date on things, etc. This isn't just me, this is ALL the Moderators. I think it's harsh that we're easily bashed and rarely thanked for the efforts we go through on a daily basis in a voluntary position.”

As I mentioned earlier on in this article, I think that the situation may have been blown well out of proportion. I was curious how Shaggy felt about it. “My hitlisting has no effect on game play. It was bought off within 10 seconds of being added.” Like normal, the rumors began to spread across the forums. “Due to previous experience, I know, and understand that any slight 'hiccups' any mod makes gets fully blown out of proportion with another 1,000 rumors added to it,” Shaggy explained to me. While that is partially true, had one final question to ask in regards to the way Shaggy handled his duties.

I asked him if there was anything he would like to have done differently while serving as a Moderator. “I wish I was more patient though, same as in real life. Over the weekends I referee soccer games. I only have a few seconds to make a decision, and sadly I implement that into Moderating, and wish I stepped back a little to hear people out etc.” Whether Shaggerty will return to a Moderator position is only known by BSF. I do appreciate him taking the time to share his thoughts with me in regards to this event. To close out this article, I’d asked him to settle some of the rumors that were spread in the game forum.

1. “I didn't quit as my girlfriend is dating another Bootleggers player.”
2. “I didn't suicide/self harm in real life. I'm not an 'emo' as people said in the forums. I don't encourage self harming. It's an evil thing that has severe consequences.”
3. “Remember Moderators, Admins and Help Desk Operators are human beings with real feelings and emotions. We're real people, just like you.”