RuneVillage - Removed as gold status because owner is a sex offender

[The Observer]

And Killerred - exactly: Its there so people KNOW if they did something pertinent to the position/situation. A sex offence is something the effected public has a right to know about when that person is exposed to minors etc; in this case the parents and users of runescape have a right to know as they can/are directly exposed to it.

 

Clearly advertising it to the RSOF will only instigate problems further. They had to stop registrations because people registered solely to troll the community and the person in question. Considering the fact that he has his address listed publicly for all to see, I wouldn't be surprised if he wasn't harassed in real life either. Is it really necessary to wash your dirty clothes in public?

 

I personally think that the laws are a bit too much in that state considering this particular case, but there's not much that can be done about them.

[sohkmj1]

I used to use RuneVillage for a bit (maybe a couple of weeks at best). Never went to the forums though.

I find it a terrible move on Jagex's part to suddenly discredit an entire website for having a sex offender as a site admin. While the decision (that is, to remove the gold status as per previous posts) is somewhat understandable, the posting seems a little.. abrupt, as if no thought at all went into the status removal ("OMG SEX OFFENDER REMOVE GOLD NOW").

[BioIce]

From my perspective that man's regained his honour. It's been fifteen long years and he's repented.

 

All reputation is folly anyway.

[Flodder450]

Sucks

[Deathknell]

Completely disagree. It's important to let the community know: think of the severity of the guy's actions (40 year old involved in child porn distribution), and consider that many of the game's users are in the sort of age-group he targets. People need to be aware of this, as far as I'm concerned.

 

...Fifteen years ago.

 

This is one of the problems with society. People are always trying to hold others' mistakes above their heads, no matter how long ago those mistakes occurred. At some point in time, an individual should be allowed to live and operate without whatever they did in the past constantly throwing the proverbial dark cloud over their head.

 

Yes, but in this case we, along with Jagex, know the details. He's not some victim of changing laws. He did some stuff that was clearly very, very immoral. And I'm fine with this coming back to bite him the ass. I don't mesh with pedophiles. Keep in mind, he isn't just a sex offender, he clearly engaged in acts of storing and transfering child pornography.

 

I'm not saying we should chase pedophiles with pitchforks and torches...

 

 

 

 

 

... I'm typing it.

 

On another note, I'm gonna leave this thread. I have trouble staying calm talking about pedophiles and I don't need a suspension.

[pulli23]

Completely disagree. It's important to let the community know: think of the severity of the guy's actions (40 year old involved in child porn distribution), and consider that many of the game's users are in the sort of age-group he targets. People need to be aware of this, as far as I'm concerned.

 

...Fifteen years ago.

 

This is one of the problems with society. People are always trying to hold others' mistakes above their heads, no matter how long ago those mistakes occurred. At some point in time, an individual should be allowed to live and operate without whatever they did in the past constantly throwing the proverbial dark cloud over their head.

 

Yes, but in this case we, along with Jagex, know the details. He's not some victim of changing laws. He did some stuff that was clearly very, very immoral. And I'm fine with this coming back to bite him the ass. I don't mesh with pedophiles. Keep in mind, he isn't just a sex offender, he clearly engaged in acts of storing and transfering child pornography.

 

I'm not saying we should chase pedophiles with pitchforks and torches...

 

 

 

 

 

... I'm typing it.

 

On another note, I'm gonna leave this thread. I have trouble staying calm talking about pedophiles and I don't need a suspension.

Better leave for good then. I have trouble keeping calm around people who try to get justice in their own hands and don't respect law.

 

If you truly believe those things deserve lifelong punishment: stick to your opinion and let goverment change those laws. But don't uphold your own opinion against somebody. I am of opinion that muslims are lazy and only come to drain our taxes. But that doesn't mean I keep this against somebody when he comes to me for a job.

[Hobgoblinpie]

I do not in anyway condone child pornography, but, if 'hiker' is telling the truth, and the offence was a small one committed a decade and a half ago, I really do think Jagex have dropped the ball on this one, in terms of judgment.

 

Okay, so he has a record because of some actions committed a fair time ago, and he runs a RuneScape community (which, we can all admit does attract users under the age of 18), and as such this could be seen as a problem.

 

However, Jagex really had no need to debase him like that. Remove the gold status, fine. But effectively destroying the reputation of a website because of actions that occurred over a decade before its creation? Doesn't seem right to me. The really could have just stated 'We have removed RuneVillage's gold fansite status due to personal conflict' or some-such. Doesn't take that much to avoid the entire issue. But no, being the cads they are, Jagex decide to ruin not only this man's position in the eyes of RuneScape players, but also the reputation of RuneVillage.

 

It's a double edged sword, and to be honest, I really hope the fool who posted that on the RuneScape forums is ashamed of what he/she has done.

 

I can see why Jagex would want to remove the Gold status, and I agree with it. However, in the business world, and personal world, you don't deal with things by airing dirty laundry. It's actually shameful and disgusting to see this.

 

I really hope with all my heart that no-one at Jagex decides to change career path and become a writer or journalist...

 

(oh and just to make it crystal clear, I AM NOT saying that what he did was right or moral, as it clearly wasn't).

 

EDIT: My suggestion to what Jagex could have done, is removed the gold status with an obfuscated post, then discussed a course of action with the site owner & admins. This could have left a satisfactory closure and one that didn't involve the disrepute or both Jagex and RuneVillage.

[Deathknell]

Completely disagree. It's important to let the community know: think of the severity of the guy's actions (40 year old involved in child porn distribution), and consider that many of the game's users are in the sort of age-group he targets. People need to be aware of this, as far as I'm concerned.

 

...Fifteen years ago.

 

This is one of the problems with society. People are always trying to hold others' mistakes above their heads, no matter how long ago those mistakes occurred. At some point in time, an individual should be allowed to live and operate without whatever they did in the past constantly throwing the proverbial dark cloud over their head.

 

Yes, but in this case we, along with Jagex, know the details. He's not some victim of changing laws. He did some stuff that was clearly very, very immoral. And I'm fine with this coming back to bite him the ass. I don't mesh with pedophiles. Keep in mind, he isn't just a sex offender, he clearly engaged in acts of storing and transfering child pornography.

 

I'm not saying we should chase pedophiles with pitchforks and torches...

 

 

 

 

 

... I'm typing it.

 

On another note, I'm gonna leave this thread. I have trouble staying calm talking about pedophiles and I don't need a suspension.

Better leave for good then. I have trouble keeping calm around people who try to get justice in their own hands and don't respect law.

 

If you truly believe those things deserve lifelong punishment: stick to your opinion and let goverment change those laws. But don't uphold your own opinion against somebody. I am of opinion that muslims are lazy and only come to drain our taxes. But that doesn't mean I keep this against somebody when he comes to me for a job.

 

Obviously I was being facetious about hunting them down.

 

I think there is a difference between pedophiles and Muslims. I don't agree with lifelong punishment by government, but a private company in a relationship with this person can terminate it for this. And in this circumstance, I don't mind them telling why. i simply will not sympathize with a pedophile.

 

And I uphold my opinion against everyone. But I hold opinions of individuals and hold my opinion of them aginst them. I don't judge an individual on group stereotypes.

 

If the person came to you for a job, was a Muslim, but clearly lazy, you wouldn't deny them the job because they're a muslim, but because they're lazy. They are merely consequential facts.

[RS_Qet]

I am of opinion that muslims are lazy and only come to drain our taxes. But that doesn't mean I keep this against somebody when he comes to me for a job.

 

I really hope not :S

[Deathknell]

BTW, sex offenders as a group, by definition of belonging to the group, are a pretty crappy group of people.

 

Muslims by definition aren't awful people. Some are, maybe even a lot, but not all.

[Crocefisso]

Completely disagree. It's important to let the community know: think of the severity of the guy's actions (40 year old involved in child porn distribution), and consider that many of the game's users are in the sort of age-group he targets. People need to be aware of this, as far as I'm concerned.

 

...Fifteen years ago.

 

This is one of the problems with society. People are always trying to hold others' mistakes above their heads, no matter how long ago those mistakes occurred. At some point in time, an individual should be allowed to live and operate without whatever they did in the past constantly throwing the proverbial dark cloud over their head.

 

You're assuming that a man who, in his 40s, engaged in child porn has somehow grown out of it in his 60s. I think it's testament to the fact that his paedophilic instincts remain that he set up an RS fan-site.

[Deathknell]

Completely disagree. It's important to let the community know: think of the severity of the guy's actions (40 year old involved in child porn distribution), and consider that many of the game's users are in the sort of age-group he targets. People need to be aware of this, as far as I'm concerned.

 

...Fifteen years ago.

 

This is one of the problems with society. People are always trying to hold others' mistakes above their heads, no matter how long ago those mistakes occurred. At some point in time, an individual should be allowed to live and operate without whatever they did in the past constantly throwing the proverbial dark cloud over their head.

 

You're assuming that a man who, in his 40s, engaged in child porn has somehow grown out of it in his 60s. I think it's testament to the fact that his paedophilic instincts remain that he set up an RS fan-site.

 

Dunno, but I think maybe he should've avoided areas that tend to have lots of kids. Probably woud've been a better fit if he joined some Church in Italy... <_<

 

Like I said, I feel bad for the posters on the forums, but not for Hiker.

[Sly_Wizard]

Completely disagree. It's important to let the community know: think of the severity of the guy's actions (40 year old involved in child porn distribution), and consider that many of the game's users are in the sort of age-group he targets. People need to be aware of this, as far as I'm concerned.

 

...Fifteen years ago.

 

This is one of the problems with society. People are always trying to hold others' mistakes above their heads, no matter how long ago those mistakes occurred. At some point in time, an individual should be allowed to live and operate without whatever they did in the past constantly throwing the proverbial dark cloud over their head.

 

Yes, but in this case we, along with Jagex, know the details. He's not some victim of changing laws. He did some stuff that was clearly very, very immoral. And I'm fine with this coming back to bite him the ass. I don't mesh with pedophiles. Keep in mind, he isn't just a sex offender, he clearly engaged in acts of storing and transfering child pornography.

 

I'm not saying we should chase pedophiles with pitchforks and torches...

 

 

 

 

 

... I'm typing it.

 

On another note, I'm gonna leave this thread. I have trouble staying calm talking about pedophiles and I don't need a suspension.

 

 

Chasing him with pitchforks and torches? Really? He did the crime. He acknowledged he was wrong. He did his time. Ever since, he's apparently been working to piece his life back together. Why should he continue to be reminded of something he did 15 years ago? Everyone makes mistakes; no one wants those mistakes to be constantly lorded over them for the rest of their life and he most certainly shouldn't be subjected to the unbridled hate of people who think he shouldn't be allowed to live any kind of normal life.

 

As it is, this guy didn't deserve to be 'called out' like that by Jagex. That's [cabbage]d up in so many ways. Apparently, Jagex seems to believe that he's still a danger. If they didn't, why else would they call him out like this?

[Carl]

Completely disagree. It's important to let the community know: think of the severity of the guy's actions (40 year old involved in child porn distribution), and consider that many of the game's users are in the sort of age-group he targets. People need to be aware of this, as far as I'm concerned.

 

...Fifteen years ago.

 

This is one of the problems with society. People are always trying to hold others' mistakes above their heads, no matter how long ago those mistakes occurred. At some point in time, an individual should be allowed to live and operate without whatever they did in the past constantly throwing the proverbial dark cloud over their head.

 

Yes, but in this case we, along with Jagex, know the details. He's not some victim of changing laws. He did some stuff that was clearly very, very immoral. And I'm fine with this coming back to bite him the ass. I don't mesh with pedophiles. Keep in mind, he isn't just a sex offender, he clearly engaged in acts of storing and transfering child pornography.

 

I'm not saying we should chase pedophiles with pitchforks and torches...

 

 

 

 

 

... I'm typing it.

 

On another note, I'm gonna leave this thread. I have trouble staying calm talking about pedophiles and I don't need a suspension.

 

 

Chasing him with pitchforks and torches? Really? He did the crime. He acknowledged he was wrong. He did his time. Ever since, he's apparently been working to piece his life back together. Why should he continue to be reminded of something he did 15 years ago? Everyone makes mistakes; no one wants those mistakes to be constantly lorded over them for the rest of their life and he most certainly shouldn't be subjected to the unbridled hate of people who think he shouldn't be allowed to live any kind of normal life.

 

As it is, this guy didn't deserve to be 'called out' like that by Jagex. That's [cabbage]d up in so many ways. Apparently, Jagex seems to believe that he's still a danger. If they didn't, why else would they call him out like this?

 

The chances are still there that he could be a danger. You don't 'change', no matter what - you just get better at not getting caught. No matter how much you punish someone, it won't change who they are and how they work.

[Turnpike]

From my perspective that man's regained his honour. It's been fifteen long years and he's repented.

 

All reputation is folly anyway.

 

I agree. He manned up and took his consequences like a man. Whether he changed or not isn't my concern, but he is doing what he feels best.

[Crocefisso]

From my perspective that man's regained his honour. It's been fifteen long years and he's repented.

 

All reputation is folly anyway.

 

I agree. He manned up and took his consequences like a man. Whether he changed or not isn't my concern, but he is doing what he feels best.

For all we know, what he feels best is trying to lure small children to him via an RS fansite. These are the risks Jagex run by granting him and his site Gold status, and disassociating themselves with him is a sensible move, even if he has truly 'changed'.

[BioIce]

 

For all we know, what he feels best is trying to lure small children to him via an RS fansite.

 

Collective suspicion and lynch mobs are no way to build a proper society regardless of how Jagex handled this matter.

 

EDIT: Might as well place a camera at every home, body scanners in every airport, barricade your homes and keep a potentially lethal weapon like a ballpoint pen on your person at all times.

 

Do not let fear rule you.

[Crocefisso]

 

For all we know, what he feels best is trying to lure small children to him via an RS fansite.

 

Collective suspicion and lynch mobs are no way to build a proper society regardless of how Jagex handled this matter.

 

EDIT: Might as well place a camera at every home, body scanners in every airport, barricade your homes and keep a potentially lethal weapon like a ballpoint pen on your person at all times.

 

Do not let fear rule you.

You've missed the point of my post, which was: a sex offender running a fansite for a child's game is something Jagex can't be seen as supporting. It's far too suspicious.

[BioIce]

You mean Jagex as a company is concerned for their image.

 

That's fine. What's not fine in my book is how they've handled this situation and given rise to all this rabble-rousing.

[Carl]

If they didn't notify us as to why it was removed from support, you'd get another [cabbage] Jiblix style story, only having one side.

[Turnpike]

You mean Jagex as a company is concerned for their image.

 

That's fine. What's not fine in my book is how they've handled this situation and given rise to all this rabble-rousing.

 

I think you and I are in the same lonely boat here.

 

Jagex doesn't give a [bleep] about anything except making that money. They in no way care about making the game better or the people who play it. It's a shame this game was made my the UK.

[BioIce]

If they didn't notify us as to why it was removed from support, you'd get another [cabbage] Jiblix style story, only having one side.

 

They didn't need to do this publicly. They could have entered into private negotiations concerning the matter as Tip.it had done to gain it's platinum status. From there they might've worked out a possible solution that kept it all quiet.

 

Jagex acted in a hamfisted manner, as usual.

 

I think you and I are in the same lonely boat here.

 

Heh. At this point I'm only interested in how long the fiddler will play while Rome burns to the ground, so to speak.

[Earthman]

I never used that website, seems like a nice concept though. I really don't care how they've dealt with it, as long as that pedobear lands in prison.

[Beaumonde]

I have fond memories of RuneVillage back in it's own heyday. I feel bad for RuneVillage's community, but not for Hiker, and I think Jagex had every right to go public if they thought that people were at risk. Honestly, this is another case of how easy it is to criticize from the outside, and so I wont.

[Carl]

If they didn't notify us as to why it was removed from support, you'd get another [cabbage] Jiblix style story, only having one side.

 

They didn't need to do this publicly. They could have entered into private negotiations concerning the matter as Tip.it had done to gain it's platinum status. From there they might've worked out a possible solution that kept it all quiet.

 

Jagex acted in a hamfisted manner, as usual.

 

 

I don't think they should have been the ones trying to negotiate. It's plain and simple,the guy's had a serious histroy - no matter what way you look at it. This isn't going to turn his life upside down, in any way. Unless RuneVillage was his life, and in that case I feel sorry for him. But everything else can go on as normal.

 

I never used that website, seems like a nice concept though. I really don't care how they've dealt with it, as long as that pedobear lands in prison.

 

And sorry Fire, that's just an ignorant and uneducated post.