Joystiq: How the star system works
by David Hinkle 
{ May 18th 2006 at 10:57AM }
Have you been a long-time poster at Joystiq or one of its awesome network-affiliated sites, only to see others have stars placed next to their name (or negatives) and wonder what exactly dictates that rewarding or stripping of star(s)? Well, Joystiq's Vlad Cole has broken down the star system to show you exactly how it works. These guidelines apply to all the Joystiq network sites:
- Value: Does the comment enhance the topic at hand and add new perspective to the discussion? Is it a good question or interesting insight?
- Impartiality: This is hard, especially for Fanboy sites such as this, but as much as we loudly proclaim this system to be the superior, it detracts from the discussion at hand. It's OK to be touched with Fanboyitis, however try to curb it as best as you can as to not damage the topic at hand whilst commenting.
- Civility: This is just common sense. We all have opinions and want to share them, however as human beings we have the ability to exercise civility, even during the most heated debate.
- Other: Humor, wit, and bribes of cold, fresh chocolate milk. We like chocolate milk.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Kendal @ May 18th 2006 3:22PM
I notice that the stars do not transfer over to all your sites. I currently have 1 star on Joystiq, I do not have one here.
Any plans to make it the same across the board, or will it be per site?
Always,
Kendal
Jeffler @ May 18th 2006 3:53PM
Yeah, how come nobody has EVER gotten a star on this site?
David Hinkle @ May 18th 2006 4:39PM
Kendal,
I do not know how that will be fixed, or if it ever will be. Sorry.
Jeffler,
I've only started blogging here recently, so I cannot comment on it, however I will be watching, and contributing to, topics from here on out. Let the discussion begin! :)
boots (former bd) @ May 18th 2006 10:44PM
How come Cage, nor SFGanja (and all that gang) don't have negative stars?
boots (former bd) @ May 18th 2006 10:53PM
Ok, *this* is unfair. Why the hell do I have a negative star? Cage has been literally harassing everything and everyone related to this site and he has ZERO negative stars.
He is also inciting a flame war against me, just read how he is searching sister blog Joystiq and other forums for posts against me, and inciting other readers, such as SFGanja, NGG, etcetera, to do the same. Furthermore, I mostly see negative comments against PS3 on a PS3 site from "The Guru", "Suicide Ninja", and "Crazy American".
This site is PS3 fanboy and I have posted useful comments with reasonable arguments in favor of PS3's choice of Blu-ray and its notable advantages (among other things, just as an example), as opposed to simply supporting it because I like it. I don't know why are you disregarding that.
The Guru @ May 19th 2006 12:27AM
Kendal,
The stars don't transfer over. Ebophirs (sp?) has like 18 or 19 stars on joystiq, and when he comments on this website, he didn't have any.
Another mod, I believe C. Grant made some comment about something stars related and said that they are independant of each other.
David Hinkle @ May 19th 2006 7:55AM
boots (former bd),
Keep in mind that monitoring comments over at Joystiq is not part of my duties, so I have no frame of reference. As for Cage on PS3Fanboy, his opinions have clashed with yours, however you started attacking him in the "PS3 on Japanese Minds" post. Point in case:
"3. Very close minded in Japan. Maybe it started from American cars? LOL...but anyway...some stats...
Japan population (estimate from CIA site http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2119rank.html):
127,463,611
US population:
298,444,215
Europe population (European Union):
456,953,258
Dont really think Japan controls the market. Just lemmings who follow their fellow countrymen. Just think what US businesses (Xbox 360) would be like if Americans did the same? In summary...sell more in Europe, sell more in the US, you control the industry.
Posted at 1:49PM on May 17th 2006 by Cage 0 stars"
Now that post is enhancing the discussion, whether it is correct, factual information or not. He's on topic and moving the conversation along. Your reaction to his post?
"7. What a dipshit, Cage. Japan controls the market not for its population size, but for its game and console development companies; not just because they are a lot, but because they are actually good, unlike others. Also, the ratio of gamers in japan is bigger than elsewhere.
Sony will also sell in the US and Europe. And by the way, I thought you said that you post before 9 AM and after 6 PM. Unless you are from Europe or somewhere else, you must have been "working" by the time you posted that hilarious comment.
Posted at 3:44PM on May 17th 2006 by boots (former bd) -1 stars"
You start attacking him. That's not condusive to the type of civil discussion we appreciate around the Joystiq network, which is partly why you lost a star. If you have any specific instances where you think his conduct is suspect, please feel free to submit it (http://playstation.joystiq.com/contact/problems/) or respond to this comment. Keep in mind I have not been with PS3 Fanboy long and do not know any history of abuse anyone might be committing, so work with me and we can get this cleaned up.
boots (former bd) @ May 19th 2006 4:01PM
David Hinkle:
"Very close minded in Japan."
Prejudiced comment, not to say racist comment.
"Maybe it started from American cars? LOL...but anyway...some stats..."
Off topic.
Once I was given negative stars at Joystiq for going off topic (even when I wasn't talking specifically to anyone). I got my stars back after a few good comments.
That and the fact that Cage has been trolling the entire site and made us sick of him all the time makes him. Two days before that post:
http://playstation.joystiq.com/2006/05/16/will-sony-charge-for-online-gameplay/#comments
I realized that he wanted me to answer a question on something completely unrelated to PS3 fanboy, old, and off topic. I don't know where else he posted that, but he did that twice. He said: "Don't run from your comments". Regardless of the fact that I made him the favor of responding to those messages (where they belong, where they are *on topic*), I don't have the patience to deal with trolls that think that I'm running away (from my opinion, as if that made any sense).
Furthermore, now that I responded, he asks me to actually post them here, but conveniently says that he won't respond to any of my posts, thanks to my negative star; is he afraid? Nah, he just proved he is a troll.
I say it's very convenient for him to judge me based on my negative star despite the fact that he has been trashing PS3fanboy for the purpose of *antagonizing* everything and everyone on this site. Everyone is tired of him and the other Xbox 360 fanboys. And just for the record, the site PS3Today.com has the same problem.
My insult towards Cage is probably not justified in any way; but giving me a negative star, disregarding ALL my postive and productive comments (have you not read my explanations on Blu-ray? Have you not read my explanations on how graphics will fare on PS3, 360, their pros and their cons? I guess you have not).
I don't see Cage getting any negative stars anyway. It's not about *that* topic in particular. It goes way back, or are you justifying him for my "attack"(which I consider defense)? He has been flaming everyone a long time ago. LongshotX, and SFGanja don't deserve the negative stars as much as Cage does (I'm not saying they don't deserve those, as they are trolls too). This has gotten out of hand.
Just do your research and ban Cage, or at least give him a few negative stars. 1 negative star would pretty much put me on his level, which would equal him to someone that defends himself yet posts something positive; since he has never posted anything productive, rarely on topic, always trolling, and flamebaiting or flaming, I suggest you to give him minus five negative stars. Hell, Jago and Portnoy (at Joystiq) got -5 despite the fact that they were not a pain like Cage.
Example of Cage quotes:
"Kingdom Hearts is for kiddies, not for real gamers" -Broad generalizations, could be considered as an insult.
"Final Fantasy/Kingdom Hearts/et al is for ASians" -Prejudice, racism. Fits perfectly with the comment above.
"Final Fantasy is the last game that means something to Sony" -Not well informed in general.
"Splinter Cell is way better than Metal Gear Solid 4" -Trying to pass an opinion as a fact, speaking about future games with no further knowledge of them whatsoever.
All these were usually accompanied by flames. There are tons of examples of his antagonizing behaviour, and how he simply posts to piss everyone off. He's never said anything good about PS3, nor he is impartial.
On the other hand, I've always tried to be impartial, I've even cited some good things about 360 (such as some of its games, its online service, and how its ease of programming for will make it shine on cross-platform games or indie games).
Again I say, where are his negative stars, and my possitive stars? I hope that cleared something for you. Just look at the history of PS3 fanboy, search the comments, etcetera, and you'll see what I'm talking about.
David Hinkle @ May 19th 2006 4:59PM
boots (former bd):
I see your point and have not seen how confrontational he was to you. I apologize for not noticing it sooner and thank you for patiently pointing out the instances to me. As such, he has had a star taken away, however I still feel justified in you being taken a star as two wrongs do not make a right and such. Valuable members of the community know full well that turning the other cheek and letting the staff handle the trolls and flamers by either submitting grievances via our problems form, which can be found here, or just ignoring them.
Now, as being at -1 star, I do not feel that you are in any way holding back the community. You are contributing and trying to better the community on a whole rather than getting fed up and calling it quits. It shows you are passionate and a stronger individual than most, and for that, I thank you. It's people like you that make the Joystiq network the wonderful thing that it is. As such, you'll be back even, as I hope that we can get this behind us and start off again from scratch. I know how valuable a member you are to this site in the little time I've been a part of it and hope that this resolution will satisfy you so that all parties can walk away from this happy.
As for Cage, well...your examples prove his attitude and code of conduct. Bring up another trespass on his part from here on out and he will be banned, 'nuff said.
Goobers @ May 19th 2006 7:13PM
i have a question about the stars... do they track with the individual comments? like if someone chose to "tally up" any particular person.
personally, and of course this is only my opinion, i feel i deserve at least 1 here, and few more on Joystiq... but you know... saying ain't kewl... so... *shrug* whatever. done tooting my horn.
boots (former bd) @ May 19th 2006 9:20PM
David:
Thank you so much for understanding, and I apologize for overreacting too (yeah, obviously you were not going to give him 5 stars). Now I feel bad for Cage... :(
Anyway, I'll try harder next time to either ignore trolls, or simply not offend them. Or as you said, turn the other cheek. Thanks again.
CrAzY American @ May 20th 2006 12:48AM
I just want to start out by saying that I'm not attacking any one in what I'm about to say, it's what I observe.
First off, I do not think Cage is the only one to blame. As pointed out by David Hinkle earlier, he was advancing the conversation (at least in that one blog)
"On the other hand, I've always tried to be impartial, I've even cited some good things about 360 (such as some of its games, its online service, and how its ease of programming for will make it shine on cross-platform games or indie games)."
As someone who has debated with you many times about consoles, I cannot recall once where you have been impartial.
"Splinter Cell is way better than Metal Gear Solid 4" -Trying to pass an opinion as a fact, speaking about future games with no further knowledge of them whatsoever."
You know, I can see what your saying but its his opinion.
"As for Cage, well...your examples prove his attitude and code of conduct. Bring up another trespass on his part from here on out and he will be banned, 'nuff said."
Cage is not the only instigator on this site, as you have seen.
"Anyway, I'll try harder next time to either ignore trolls, or simply not offend them."
I've seen you on xbox360fanboy.com "trollling". So you hate people who do exactly what you do. It doesn't make sense.
http://xbox.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/darkness-dev-ps3-360-graphics-impossible-to-tell-apart/
http://xbox.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/phony-ps3-screenshots-busted/
http://xbox.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/phony-ps3-screenshots-busted/3#comments
All I'm trying to say is it's like like boots is a victim here. Cage, yes, can be out of line sometimes, but I don't think in any worse of a way then boots can be.
But I do agree in the part where we all just start over and have civilized conversations from here on out.
boots (former bd) @ May 20th 2006 8:25AM
Uh, Crazy American. The difference is that I wasn't trolling there. Let's see here:
"http://xbox.joystiq.com/2006/05/03/darkness-dev-ps3-360-graphics-impossible-to-tell-apart/"
On that thread, I explained the differences between the two consoles. Did anyone respond? No. Did anyone get offended? No. And since the post was about telling graphics apart, I used that video to illustrate my point. The post was about PS3, so how come I'm a troll if they have PS3 info on a 360 site? Next...
"http://xbox.joystiq.com/2006/03/29/phony-ps3-screenshots-busted/3#comments"
It's hilarious that you blame me for being there, given that it is a negative thread about... gee, I don't know. PS3? Oh yeah! That's right, it's about PS3. To my surprise, I was looking for PS3 info and I ended up there. So I was defending PS3, not trolling. That's for the both threads.
On the second thread, just look at the title and how they call the PS3 a "PS2.5", and tell me if it wasn't calling Sony fans to post? After being bashed and flamed, and being called a *moron* despite the fact that some of things I said were true (and I even put reasons; trolls don't do that!). Sure, I wrote "Xbox 1.5", but I wrote it after the thread pretty much said "PS2.5", so it was called for (and you can't say it was wrong, because it's not off topic, much less a flame towards anyone; defense at best, or "flamebait" at worse, but I wouldn't call it like that).
In fact, you could pretty much argue that Xbox 360 bloggers are trolls themselves (I'm not saying they are, I'm saying it's arguable). Just look at how many anti-ps3 posts they put. The Xbox360fanboy blog pretty much calls PS3 fans to actually say something, not to troll.
So, you've shown I've posted a few times on 360. Was I trolling? How could you call me a troll when I put reasons for the things I said, especially when those posts were ABOUT PS3? I'm still waiting for Xbox 360 posts on PS3 fanboy.
Anyway, compare: how many times has Cage posted here? Or LongshotX? Or SFGanja? Or anyone that I'm missing? And why are there so many Xbox fans here, including yourself, Suicide Ninja and The Guru? All of their posts are either "PS3 sucks", or flames to PS3 fanboys. Hell, you've even flamed me before. How many times have I posted there? How many Sony fans are over there? How many Xbox fans have I harassed? Coincidentally, you've posted the two threads that have PS3 info on 360fanboy... that's funny.
I think this pretty much explained everything.
The Guru @ May 20th 2006 1:18PM
boots, all I have to say is that I have never 'flammed' you. I don't think that you have ever really 'falmmed' me either.
I thought for the most part, our conversations were pretty much clean debates. But I found it really interesting that you listed my name about as someone who has attacked you personally.
boots (former bd) @ May 20th 2006 1:59PM
Yes, I know the Guru, that was my mistake, I didn't make myself clear enough. When I mentioned your name, I was talking about Xbox fanboys that come here, not that flamed me. The only ones that have flamed me are LongshotX, SFGanja, Cage and sometimes even Crazy American.
Suicide Ninja hasn't flamed me either. I simply mentioned all the Xbox fans around here to make the point of how more Xbox fans read PS3 fanboy than PS fans read Xbox fanboy. And also how more Xbox than PS fans missbehave at the "contrary" website.