Denied LiveLifeWithaSmile's TTT Staff Application

[Zikeji]

I want to point this out smile, the staff team is aware you have an application submitted and the way we handle staff applications is staff members and users will provide their feedback on the app as they see fit and will tend to not repeat things already stated and addressed.

I understand you want feedback but dming multiple admins on discord and multiple mods on discord for feedback everyday isn't typically the best way to go about application feedback. Try not to advertise your app or pester about it, you only submitted it yesterday and i've personally been asked about it 3 times.

I even told you this word for word in voice yesterday when you asked me and Noctorious; and you asked me the same question again today, so I am posting this here publicly for understanding.

I understand and appreciate your desire to be a mod but I personally do not reccomend it for reasons stated primarily by helix.

I don't know you Smile and I do not mean to offend or otherwise cause harm with my comments here, however a position I've always maintained as long as I've been involved in staffing is that applicants who are persistent, as demonstrated here, are not a great fit. It comes off as desperation & validation seeking, which are not good traits in a staff member.

It also demonstrates a lack of patience and, well, a lack of ability to follow or otherwise be aware of rules.

In the staff application requirements thread it is stated very plainly:

Do not advertise your application. If you have questions, message an Admin privately.
Do not mention your application in public channels or ask staff to review it.

As evidenced by rog's feedback, it is plain to see you are not respecting this last rule. I also included the previous rule as well so I can clarify, questions in that context is not a request for feedback/review, but rather, logistical questions.

As you are applying as staff but have demonstrated a lack of understanding of rules, I feel I must -1 this.

 

[Pierogi]

Hey Smile, after playing TTT with you today I will be leaving a -1 on this application.
The first thing I observed was you making this frivolous report on me for killing someone that was carrying an explosive barrel towards me. You watched me kill the player carrying the explosive barrel, then shot at me and KOSed me before I ended up shooting you.


After my response you then backtracked, claiming the report was "for the trials", despite there being none online.

After the report was responded to, and especially after it was marked as invalid, you proceeded to make an overwhelming amount of attempts to get my attention. I only picked up some of these attempts after reviewing my recordings, but I counted at least 15 attempts over the span of 8 minutes. This was similar to a situation I observed four days ago, where you attempted to grab someone's attention in VC eight times over the span of 80 seconds, even after rejoining and confirming that other people in the VC could hear you. I found out from this person that they actually had you server muted due to repeatedly feeling bombarded by requests for attention.

I want to preface this by acknowledging that I know you do not have malicious intent, but I want to remove intent from the equation and focus on how this behavior is making people feel. If people are feeling exhausted, frustrated, and wanting to be left alone after repeated contact attempts - that's a similar outcome to harassment. Again, harassment requires intent - or at least the awareness that the contact is unwelcome - but this is something that I feel needs to be urgently corrected. If there are players that have felt pestered to the point where they needed to server mute, I'm concerned with how they may feel with a potential moderator Smile - who they will be required to respond to in certain cases.

 

[Zyp]

Hey Smile,

First off thank you for your application. I really appreciate you putting in the time to apply and put yourself in the public's eye here.

I have some concerns about burn out. I say this specifically because nearing the end of your last trial phase, there were many times where you had left, warning or no warning, to do other things. That is not to say that you cant do that, but I did notice that it happened more and more as that trial phase went on. Unfortunately these also were usually while things were there for you to do as a trial mod. I honestly did feel that either you felt overwhelmed at the situation, or honestly as it might happen with many people and even myself at times that you have burnt yourself out, that you were pushing to do things and honestly needed a break. This massive growth in hours you have had personally worries me in this situation with the worry of burn out on my mind. I would like to hear how you feel about this.


My main concern however is this. Over the time I have talked with you, played with you, and more, I have noticed sometime you can get repetitive, and it comes off as not understanding, or avoidant even if this is not your intention. A question will be asked and not fully answered, the question will be reiterated, and instead of getting the full answer we were hoping, we get that same original statement from you. I can see this happening here in this application thread. Helix specifically talked about a issue more on the line of an issue with speed and handling situations outside of reports. Your response was more on the line of you can say no and stop things, and I think it is an indicator of trouble in the future. I think this is a big issue especially when it comes to staffing as when you get asked about a certain thing you do, as a staff member one is expected to be able to answer in a prompt, proper, and understandable manner. That means maybe having to explain in more detail, or less, or word it differently. This is my main worry as it will lead to issues staffing.

Currently your responses and such have been very similar and repetitive. You haven't really answered differently in your responses. I think that what is being attempted to be discussed here is not your understanding of rules, but rather your ability to deal with issues that come up in a proper manner, with good effective, and timely communication and the speed of those things.

With this in mind, and what others have brought up, and your responses, I believe that at this time, the TTT Moderator role might not be the right match, though I really value what you bring to the community

I really do want to highlight that you are fun to play with, I do believe you have good knowledge of TTT rules, and generally bring the vibes and enjoyment of the server up as a player, and that is important. I really do hope that you can continue to be the beacon of pure positivity that you are. I do appreciate your activity and how you are to everyone in this community and I hope that however this application or even future ones go that you stick around and enjoy the community the same.

 

[Muffin]

Hey Smile, after playing TTT with you today I will be leaving a -1 on this application.
The first thing I observed was you making this frivolous report on me for killing someone that was carrying an explosive barrel towards me. You watched me kill the player carrying the explosive barrel, then shot at me and KOSed me before I ended up shooting you.
View attachment 620

After my response you then backtracked, claiming the report was "for the trials", despite there being none online.

After the report was responded to, and especially after it was marked as invalid, you proceeded to make an overwhelming amount of attempts to get my attention. I only picked up some of these attempts after reviewing my recordings, but I counted at least 15 attempts over the span of 8 minutes. This was similar to a situation I observed four days ago, where you attempted to grab someone's attention in VC eight times over the span of 80 seconds, even after rejoining and confirming that other people in the VC could hear you. I found out from this person that they actually had you server muted due to repeatedly feeling bombarded by requests for attention.

I want to preface this by acknowledging that I know you do not have malicious intent, but I want to remove intent from the equation and focus on how this behavior is making people feel. If people are feeling exhausted, frustrated, and wanting to be left alone after repeated contact attempts - that's a similar outcome to harassment. Again, harassment requires intent - or at least the awareness that the contact is unwelcome - but this is something that I feel needs to be urgently corrected. If there are players that have felt pestered to the point where they needed to server mute, I'm concerned with how they may feel with a potential moderator Smile - who they will be required to respond to in certain cases.

Without running the risk of piggybacking off of Pierogi here, I just had a similar in nature situation pop up with Rog, Darktooth, and myself that I think highlights for me perhaps a misreading of social cues on your part in a way that was actually quite rude.

We are open to you and make ourselves very approachable, as you're a friend of many here and we all are glad to have your presence, but you joined our Discord channel in the midst of us being in the middle of something, DEMANDED our attention for 5 minutes straight, asked to speak to one of us through text, and persisted past the point of us saying "yea man message us and we will get to it after this game". If this was a staff-related matter that required the attention of one of us, this would be completely fine. It is not really acceptable however, to interrupt the way you did, INSIST on our undivided attention, just to give us a play-by-play of your nap. I think this demonstrates a certain lack of social awareness that I think WILL end up inflaming players/people at some point. If its irritating someone like me, who likes you, I can only imagine how combative players you may have to reprimand will respond.

I also want to make it clear, I do enjoy speaking to you and I don't want you going anywhere. But the way you engage with people at times is so forceful and demanding of attention that it leaves no room for anyone else. I have rarely ever not responded to you or made myself available, and this was completely un-needed and lacking in tact. I also want to add a little bit to what Zikeji said, on the topic of your relationship with Giant's Lair and how that overlaps with your ambitions of being Moderator. I have long gotten the vibe from you that you're invested in this for reasons that I personally don't feel is appropriate. It feels to me like you're putting too much of your sense of validation into this to be healthy long term, and I only say this because of comments you made to me and Zyp. If any Admins or you, Smile, would like to know more about these comments, I'd be happy to expand in private.

The last thing I will mention, also runs the risk of covering prior ground, but it is this. You are among the most well known people in the community. We all see and notice you, and I think you would agree we are very approachable and accessible to you. Please don't take advantage of this to subject people to actions that I believe you understand are rude. You simply do not NEED to, we know and like you already. There is a lot to be said about subtlety. There is an art to being noticed without being overbearing. You can share without hijacking social spaces, and it doesn't help you to demand the attention of so many staff members so constantly in a way that doesn't take their feelings/situation into account.

Thanks for reading,

-Muffin.

 

[LiveLifeWithaSmile]

I appreciate the feedback all of you. Thank you. I'll be typeing up a response to these last few responses and concerns that I truely understand why they are concerns especially for this position. Thanks for the feedback and hopefully I can address them all shortly.

 

[LiveLifeWithaSmile]

I want to point this out smile, the staff team is aware you have an application submitted and the way we handle staff applications is staff members and users will provide their feedback on the app as they see fit and will tend to not repeat things already stated and addressed.

I understand you want feedback but dming multiple admins on discord and multiple mods on discord for feedback everyday isn't typically the best way to go about application feedback. Try not to advertise your app or pester about it, you only submitted it yesterday and i've personally been asked about it 3 times.

I even told you this word for word in voice yesterday when you asked me and Noctorious; and you asked me the same question again today, so I am posting this here publicly for understanding.

I understand and appreciate your desire to be a mod but I personally do not reccomend it for reasons stated primarily by helix.

Hello Rog the Dog!

Hopefully a good night's rest and day so far! In terms of your first point of note. I have noticed this happen on my part, and apologies to you and others regarding this. I did get excited it I was wanting feedback but the kicker... Patience comes first. I agree 100% with that and will not be doing things like that in the future for non-essential things. Thank you for your feedback.

 

[LiveLifeWithaSmile]

I don't know you Smile and I do not mean to offend or otherwise cause harm with my comments here, however a position I've always maintained as long as I've been involved in staffing is that applicants who are persistent, as demonstrated here, are not a great fit. It comes off as desperation & validation seeking, which are not good traits in a staff member.

It also demonstrates a lack of patience and, well, a lack of ability to follow or otherwise be aware of rules.

In the staff application requirements thread it is stated very plainly:



As evidenced by rog's feedback, it is plain to see you are not respecting this last rule. I also included the previous rule as well so I can clarify, questions in that context is not a request for feedback/review, but rather, logistical questions.

As you are applying as staff but have demonstrated a lack of understanding of rules, I feel I must -1 this.

Hello Zikejc! Thank you for the response.

I'm on the same page in the sense that I don't know you and had the chance to play with you on the server. Please know I appreciate the response and want honest opinions like you gave here and have no offense or harm to what you say! I can share that I don't necessarily agree that in all cases, persistent applicants (such as myself with my third application here), doesn't determine a great fit or not. I am personally not applying out of validation seeking or am desperate, which I agree aren't good traits for staff members! I have had my play on the server for a little bit now and enjoy it every time I play. I'm applying simply because I enjoy the server in it's aspects and truly feel like that now I have more experience and understanding of the rules (yes I make mistakes, like what you mentioned still). But I feel that I can help the server. I admit I'm not the easiest person to train, can forget things, and have my own difficulties like what was mentioned... But this time have a specific group of staff members that mentioned their willingness to help. I have the 13+ days of hours on the server playing and read the rules many times. I feel like that with training and some work, I truly can work things out to where I'd become a good staff member. I enjoyed it so much in the past and think that having this position would help me enjoy the game (given that this all works out this time around - which like I mentioned - I believe it will). This is something that can add so much more to my enjoyment in things and helping others and the server in more ways than I can now. I truly believe that I'm not applying for any negative reasons.

 

[LiveLifeWithaSmile]

Hey Smile, after playing TTT with you today I will be leaving a -1 on this application.
The first thing I observed was you making this frivolous report on me for killing someone that was carrying an explosive barrel towards me. You watched me kill the player carrying the explosive barrel, then shot at me and KOSed me before I ended up shooting you.
View attachment 620

After my response you then backtracked, claiming the report was "for the trials", despite there being none online.

After the report was responded to, and especially after it was marked as invalid, you proceeded to make an overwhelming amount of attempts to get my attention. I only picked up some of these attempts after reviewing my recordings, but I counted at least 15 attempts owas sver the span of 8 minutes. This imilar to a situation I observed four days ago, where you attempted to grab someone's attention in VC eight times over the span of 80 seconds, even after rejoining and confirming that other people in the VC could hear you. I found out from this person that they actually had you server muted due to repeatedly feeling bombarded by requests for attention.

I want to preface this by acknowledging that I know you do not have malicious intent, but I want to remove intent from the equation and focus on how this behavior is making people feel. If people are feeling exhausted, frustrated, and wanting to be left alone after repeated contact attempts - that's a similar outcome to harassment. Again, harassment requires intent - or at least the awareness that the contact is unwelcome - but this is something that I feel needs to be urgently corrected. If there are players that have felt pestered to the point where they needed to server mute, I'm concerned with how they may feel with a potential moderator Smile - who they will be required to respond to in certain cases.

Hello Pierogi,

I hope you're having a good day so far and I apologize anything I may have done that concerns you regarding this application or ruins yours or others fun/attention in the game. Few things here:

1. Regarding the first situation... I would like to see what happened beforehand to determine whether or not I made a mistake on that part. I thought for sure I did it for a reason, and I hope it's known that I don't go around making a ton of false reports or RDM people for the heck of it. Nothing but my apologies if that that report shouldn't of been made.

2. It's known that I like to talk to people and I have gotten this a few times from not just you. I talk to much and can get distracting (especially discord/VC that I truly can't tell if I am heard at times) - and will make sure I let it go and not bug anyone anymore when I am being distracting - to let it go and just let it be/not talk and overwhelm people.

I Hope you truly believe me when I say I will put that into action and stop with the... Talk to much side of me. ESPECIALLY when it's just distracting. I love to talk and I can get out of hand and I understand that. I'm - now that I have clear words from people (again not just you and no hard feelings I hope you know that) - going to tone myself down.

3. I appreciate that you understand that I do none of this with malicious intent. But at the same time, putting myself in y'alls shoes... I know how it would feel (just thinking about it I can tell now). I want you and everyone to know that I FOR SURE have no, zero, intention to harass anyone, even when it comes down to what I can often do. It's all of wanting to be friendly, involved in conversation, and yes I do talk a lot. I know I need to stop all of that and plan to put it into action (already started today earlier).

I hope this addressed concerns and that I show that I understand where you and others are coming from. You will not be seeing/hearing me at the annoying level doing what I have done in the past. Thank you for your feedback.

 

[LiveLifeWithaSmile]

I understand the past two trial opportunities were focused on reports. While that is 90% of the job, but if given the opportunity, how long will learning the 10% take until you feel comfortable to do it alone? Bans, mutes, gags, warnings etc. and what to learn to slide and what not to. I understand you have memory issues and you can have the staff punishment cheat sheet so you know the lengths of punishments, but I’m worried about situations that go off of that. Alts, hacking (understand what is and what isn’t), inappropriate names, etc. Do you feel comfortable with dealing with reports and now the potential other 10%? I don’t want this to intimidate you, or bring you down. I just want to see your POV on potentially focusing on a whole other side of moderating after you’ve been mainly focusing on reports.

I feel like I will be able to overcome my issues and definitely deal with the more obvious other 10% given time to work with and truly read through it all and get myself that experience on doing both. Some of the other stuff is obvious especially with the server rules that I do think I can get to the point where I can handle both. I obviously couldn't in the past. But I hope I can show that with the time and learning I've done now,n that I can.

 

[LiveLifeWithaSmile]

Hey Smile,

First off thank you for your application. I really appreciate you putting in the time to apply and put yourself in the public's eye here.

I have some concerns about burn out. I say this specifically because nearing the end of your last trial phase, there were many times where you had left, warning or no warning, to do other things. That is not to say that you cant do that, but I did notice that it happened more and more as that trial phase went on. Unfortunately these also were usually while things were there for you to do as a trial mod. I honestly did feel that either you felt overwhelmed at the situation, or honestly as it might happen with many people and even myself at times that you have burnt yourself out, that you were pushing to do things and honestly needed a break. This massive growth in hours you have had personally worries me in this situation with the worry of burn out on my mind. I would like to hear how you feel about this.


My main concern however is this. Over the time I have talked with you, played with you, and more, I have noticed sometime you can get repetitive, and it comes off as not understanding, or avoidant even if this is not your intention. A question will be asked and not fully answered, the question will be reiterated, and instead of getting the full answer we were hoping, we get that same original statement from you. I can see this happening here in this application thread. Helix specifically talked about a issue more on the line of an issue with speed and handling situations outside of reports. Your response was more on the line of you can say no and stop things, and I think it is an indicator of trouble in the future. I think this is a big issue especially when it comes to staffing as when you get asked about a certain thing you do, as a staff member one is expected to be able to answer in a prompt, proper, and understandable manner. That means maybe having to explain in more detail, or less, or word it differently. This is my main worry as it will lead to issues staffing.

Currently your responses and such have been very similar and repetitive. You haven't really answered differently in your responses. I think that what is being attempted to be discussed here is not your understanding of rules, but rather your ability to deal with issues that come up in a proper manner, with good effective, and timely communication and the speed of those things.

With this in mind, and what others have brought up, and your responses, I believe that at this time, the TTT Moderator role might not be the right match, though I really value what you bring to the community

I really do want to highlight that you are fun to play with, I do believe you have good knowledge of TTT rules, and generally bring the vibes and enjoyment of the server up as a player, and that is important. I really do hope that you can continue to be the beacon of pure positivity that you are. I do appreciate your activity and how you are to everyone in this community and I hope that however this application or even future ones go that you stick around and enjoy the community the same.

Hello and thank you for your reply Zyp,

First and foremost, there's no denial of one of my past issues, burnout and try need to apply when I was truly ready. I feel that I am at that point.

There's no denying that there where many times where I was getting overwhelmed or couldn't keep up, made a mistake and decided I needed to get offline. I truly believe I'm to the point where that won't happen again and I'll be able to keep up with what is required of me.

I do notice that repetition has been the case as well, and completely understand the concerns with that too. I need to learn how to do things right and not need repetition on how to do it over and over, yet still make mistakes. I feel like now I have a more solid foundation on gameplay, the rules, staff and players... That I would be able to get more focus on learning the details of staffing in general, like the wording in reports/slays and such much easier than prior.

I do feel this time I will be able to handle issues that arise from playing (yes, I'm not going to let myself get overwhelmed and play. Learn and get mentored, but still be the smiling player on the server) Aka. I believe I will be able to do what is needed, communicate as expected in timely manners and handle the issues.

I respect your decision and thank you truely for your response and time.

 

[Spooktorious]

Hello LiveLifeWithaSmile,

First, I want to thank you for your interest in becoming a trial moderator again. You are a joy to have on the server and you have an unending pleasant and upbeat attitude that we appreciate. Unfortunately, we've come to the difficult decision to deny your application.

The main reason for denial is failure to understand and follow one of the main rules of the application process listed in Staff Application Submission as: "Do not advertise or promote your application. Doing so will result in a warning and may lead to denial." and listed in Staff Application Requirements as: "Do not advertise your application. If you have questions, message an Admin privately.". Despite more warnings than we would give the average applicant, you still have promoted, talked about, or mentioned your app both via PM and via VC in public channels. This reflects one of the biggest concerns expressed about your application which is your ability to comprehend and follow rules and procedures as well as the additional concern of being unaware of social norms and communications. While everyone is aware that you come from a good place in your heart with most or all of your actions, we don't feel you are at a capacity to assist the server as a staff member in a way that would be beneficial to the staff and the server.

Your reapplication timeline is 3 months. This means you can reapply again on or after 1/20/2026. Please do not reach out staff asking to reapply early. An Admin+ may reach out to you if it is decided early that you can reapply. If you reach out to staff about applying before 1/20/2026 your reapply date may be extended.

Application: denied
Thread: LOCKED