Community Update #126

Community Update #126
Posted 2024-01-26 21:13:30 #1143182 Community Update Day! Just as a reminder, these updates are smaller and are more focused on the community. Whereas Development updates are centralised on adding in new features, expanding upon or adjusting existing features, and implementing new artwork and coding, Community updates are meant to introduce weekly raffles, new weekly raffle studs, new polls, and showcase some minor changes and bug fixes that have been made in the past week. Official Wolvden Raffle! Our latest weekly raffle is out! Each person can purchase 1 ticket at maximum to have a chance at winning a neat prize for the amazing price of 5 SC per ticket! Good luck! You can find the official raffle here! This raffle will automatically end on 2024-02-02 at 00:30. Cultural Sensitivity A few months ago we polled about the Blue Jay Feather and where to move its position. We did this because it had been raised to us that it was culturally insensitive to Indigenous peoples of America. However, the poll itself also unveiled members of our community who were upset that the small hint at indigenous representation was set to be removed and erased entirely from the game. This left us with a bit of a quandry, and so we contacted a Cultural Consultant to discuss the issue - amongst other past situations that we've encountered surrounding this. Blue Jay Feather Decor We have been advised that as long as it's not an eagle feather, then the positioning of the blue jay feather behind the ear doesn't reveal any kind of unconscious bias or contribute towards a stereotype. Custom Decorations We have had a few members submit designs through the Custom Decoration system that are based on Indigenous designs, which other members have then reported as culturally insensitive. We asked how it would be best that we handle this since most people who submit a design to us often have a personal connection, and we do not want to prevent them from submitting their own representations of their culture to our game. We also do not want to accuse and interrogate members over whether they are authentic in their representation of these cultures. We will (in the next few months) add a field to custom decors to allow members to self-identify the tribe that the design "belongs" to, allowing members to share their culture and hopefully begin to nurture an environment of respect, inclusivity and education surrounding these items and designs. Herbert's Original Design We have been advised that the concern over his original appearance is valid and that clearing his decorative aspects was correct - we apologise for the misstep here. However, we have also been advised that perhaps dressing him in flowers and plants may be a fix for this, and give some flavour back to his design while still remaining respectful. Sage Items We raised our own concerns about the items "White Sage" amongst others, and were reassured that there is no unconscious bias or stereotype surrounding these items, and that they are fine to remain as they are. Halloween's "Corrupted Abomination" A concern was raised about the abomination's resemblance to a folkloric creature among Indigenous culture. We refuted any intention to create the abomination in any likeness to this creature at the time. We since raised the issue with the cultural consultant and she has reassured us that the abomination doesn't resemble any depiction of the creature that she is aware of. To Sum Up Ultimately, we want Wolvden to be an inclusive and diverse environment for players. We don't want to just erase the cultural inclusion to the game in an effort to stay respectful; instead we would rather work with members of those cultures to try and integrate representation into the game in a respectful way. We absolutely do not wish to offend anyone who plays our game; quite the opposite - we hope that all players feel safe here, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, creed. We will always endeavour to release respectful game art, and reject (or subsequently remove) any decors that are obviously disrespectful or harmful towards Indigenous cultures. We recognise that there are thousands of tribes around the world and there will be tribal items that are specific to one tribe and not used the same way for another. We also recognise that there are no generalised Indigenous art/drawings/designs that are going to be respectful to everyone in the Americas. This is hopefully an opportunity for learning and sharing knowledge for us all. We want to thank the cultural consultant, Stacey Parshall Jensen (she has given permission to be named), for her help in reviewing this with us. Raffle Stud Winners and New Raffle Stud! Congratulations to the players that won a breeding with last week's raffle stud! You'll know if you won, as you'll have received a Game Notification in your inbox informing you of such! As a reminder, the previous raffle stud's exclusive attributes were Husky eyes and the Black Cougar, White Orca, and White Wings Heavy markings! White Orca is now able to be applied via Random Marking Applicators and Total Shuffles. Our newest weekly raffle stud has been released! His special attributes are Dark Hazel eyes and the Aspen Inverted Panda, Cream Orca (NEW!), and Dark Brown Lupos markings! Enter for a chance to win a breeding with him by clicking here! Poll Results! Thank you all for voting on the previous poll! Aspen seems to be the most popular new colour - we certainly like it, too! For our new poll: Which of the following new combo colours is your favourite? Let us know by clicking here! Bug Fix * Bug fix confirmed for Double Skua Skulls. * Bug fix confirmed for Expression: Happy not showing for Relaxed Pose. * Bug fix confirmed for Missing Image: Rocky Mountain Mule Deer Buck. * Bug fix confirmed for Raccoon Caracass Decor?. * Bug fix confirmed for Picture Missing?. * Bug fix confirmed for Visible smudge on Relaxed pose with Expression: Happy equipped. * Bug fix confirmed for Recipe: Lunar Glowing Talon Necklace Asks for Claws Instead of Talons. * Bug fix confirmed for Unable to sell Small Bird Meat to Raccoon Wares. * Bug fix confirmed for Recipe was "equipped".

Posted 2024-01-26 21:13:30

#1143182

Community Update Day!

Just as a reminder, these updates are smaller and are more focused on the community. Whereas Development updates are centralised on adding in new features, expanding upon or adjusting existing features, and implementing new artwork and coding, Community updates are meant to introduce weekly raffles, new weekly raffle studs, new polls, and showcase some minor changes and bug fixes that have been made in the past week.

Official Wolvden Raffle!

Our latest weekly raffle is out! Each person can purchase 1 ticket at maximum to have a chance at winning a neat prize for the amazing price of 5 SC per ticket! Good luck! You can find the official raffle here!
This raffle will automatically end on 2024-02-02 at 00:30.

Cultural Sensitivity

A few months ago we polled about the Blue Jay Feather and where to move its position. We did this because it had been raised to us that it was culturally insensitive to Indigenous peoples of America. However, the poll itself also unveiled members of our community who were upset that the small hint at indigenous representation was set to be removed and erased entirely from the game. This left us with a bit of a quandry, and so we contacted a Cultural Consultant to discuss the issue - amongst other past situations that we've encountered surrounding this.

Blue Jay Feather Decor
We have been advised that as long as it's not an eagle feather, then the positioning of the blue jay feather behind the ear doesn't reveal any kind of unconscious bias or contribute towards a stereotype.

Custom Decorations
We have had a few members submit designs through the Custom Decoration system that are based on Indigenous designs, which other members have then reported as culturally insensitive. We asked how it would be best that we handle this since most people who submit a design to us often have a personal connection, and we do not want to prevent them from submitting their own representations of their culture to our game. We also do not want to accuse and interrogate members over whether they are authentic in their representation of these cultures.

We will (in the next few months) add a field to custom decors to allow members to self-identify the tribe that the design "belongs" to, allowing members to share their culture and hopefully begin to nurture an environment of respect, inclusivity and education surrounding these items and designs.

Herbert's Original Design
We have been advised that the concern over his original appearance is valid and that clearing his decorative aspects was correct - we apologise for the misstep here. However, we have also been advised that perhaps dressing him in flowers and plants may be a fix for this, and give some flavour back to his design while still remaining respectful.

Sage Items
We raised our own concerns about the items "White Sage" amongst others, and were reassured that there is no unconscious bias or stereotype surrounding these items, and that they are fine to remain as they are.

Halloween's "Corrupted Abomination"
A concern was raised about the abomination's resemblance to a folkloric creature among Indigenous culture. We refuted any intention to create the abomination in any likeness to this creature at the time. We since raised the issue with the cultural consultant and she has reassured us that the abomination doesn't resemble any depiction of the creature that she is aware of.

To Sum Up
Ultimately, we want Wolvden to be an inclusive and diverse environment for players. We don't want to just erase the cultural inclusion to the game in an effort to stay respectful; instead we would rather work with members of those cultures to try and integrate representation into the game in a respectful way. We absolutely do not wish to offend anyone who plays our game; quite the opposite - we hope that all players feel safe here, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, creed.

We will always endeavour to release respectful game art, and reject (or subsequently remove) any decors that are obviously disrespectful or harmful towards Indigenous cultures. We recognise that there are thousands of tribes around the world and there will be tribal items that are specific to one tribe and not used the same way for another. We also recognise that there are no generalised Indigenous art/drawings/designs that are going to be respectful to everyone in the Americas. This is hopefully an opportunity for learning and sharing knowledge for us all.

We want to thank the cultural consultant, Stacey Parshall Jensen (she has given permission to be named), for her help in reviewing this with us.

Raffle Stud Winners and New Raffle Stud!

Congratulations to the players that won a breeding with last week's raffle stud! You'll know if you won, as you'll have received a Game Notification in your inbox informing you of such! As a reminder, the previous raffle stud's exclusive attributes were Husky eyes and the Black Cougar, White Orca, and White Wings Heavy markings! White Orca is now able to be applied via Random Marking Applicators and Total Shuffles.

Our newest weekly raffle stud has been released! His special attributes are Dark Hazel eyes and the Aspen Inverted Panda, Cream Orca (NEW!), and Dark Brown Lupos markings! Enter for a chance to win a breeding with him by clicking here!

Poll Results!

Thank you all for voting on the previous poll! Aspen seems to be the most popular new colour - we certainly like it, too!

For our new poll: Which of the following new combo colours is your favourite? Let us know by clicking here!

Bug Fix