October 19th, 2024
As I sit here, sandwiched between two warring factions, each huddled around their respective keyboards like warriors readying their blades, I realize that the battle for Hockey Zone has taken on an air of absurdity that one might expect from a high-stakes chatroom melt-down. What began as discontent over moderator behavior in a seemingly innocent Discord server has morphed into a full-blown civil war, now spanning across two HZ servers — the original “SSCE Hockey Zone” and the newly christened “SSCE Hockey Zone 5.0.”
To outsiders, this might seem like a petty clash over a video game, an exaggerated response to virtual squabbles. But for those in the thick of it, the stakes feel real, with the outcome determining whether they stay invested in the community or walk away for good.
The Battle Begins: Moderation and Mistrust
It all started with some uncomfortable whispers. The original SSCE Hockey Zone Discord had been simmering with frustration over the new rules placed in the server, rules that were meant to stop people from being toxic or demonstrating inappropriate conduct. However, Moderators were accused of abusing their power and going on ‘vigilante justice’ depending on who they deemed worthy of getting their wrath. This was the spark.
Allegations flew: moderators were silencing dissenters, sending members to a virtual jail where they could only communicate in one isolated channel, much like being stuck in a penalty box. To make things easier for the community, the mods set up an “opt-in” channel where people could spew whatever vitriol they wanted (including, yes, the sort of language that might make you question humanity’s future). And yet, the masses were still unhappy.
The opt-in channel didn’t ease the tensions. The real issue, it seems, lay with the mods themselves—specifically, their unprofessional behavior. Mrs. Dege, infamous for her blunt responses, frequently lashed out at the community, calling them “filthy idiots” and “fragile dweebs.” Add to that the so-called “Shadow Council” — a cadre of long-time administrators with names such as Goldeye, BlueGoku, Lawn Dwarf, and Steve Whitmer, often shrouded in secrecy and mystery, making behind-the-scenes decisions without transparency — and the community was ready to revolt and take a different direction.
Enter Big E: The Architect of Insurrection
Into this chaos stepped Big E, a former mod who had been exiled from the inner circle. He saw his chance. Like a general plotting a coup, he began quietly inviting people to his newly-formed server, SSCE Hockey Zone 5.0. The invitation spread like wildfire, and soon, players and mods alike joined the ranks of what many were unaware would become a protest server.
Despite Big E’s attempts to gather support, there remains one glaring fact: most of the people who joined 5.0 didn’t know what they were signing up for. They clicked the invite out of loyalty, curiosity, or simply boredom. Now, these unsuspecting soldiers found themselves on the front lines of an ideological war.
The Grievances: Unfair Bans or Just Hurt Feelings?
The heart of the conflict centers on whether the original moderation team have been acting out of line. Some claim that the bans and kicks are a result of unfair judgment and personal vendettas. Others whisper that it’s simply the consequence of toxic behavior finally getting called out. After all, how many of the “bad apples” really did in fact deserve to be silenced for crossing the line into racist or homophobic territory?
No one really knows the answer. And therein lies the problem. Without transparency, the community feels lost. Who is truly guilty? Who was banned for legitimate reasons, and who was silenced unjustly? The lack of answers has only fueled the flames of discontent.
HZ 1.0’s Perspective: The “Tantrum” of the Century
To the original HZ Discord, this uprising is nothing more than a collective tantrum from a group of players who couldn’t handle a little discipline. Goldeye and the rest of the so-called “Shadow Council” see the loudest voices in 5.0 as instigators seeking to stir up drama. To them, Big E is the worst offender, a rogue operator who never played well with others and now wants to run his own show.
But amidst the chaos, there is one beacon of hope for diplomacy: Steve Whitmer, the only member of the old guard brave enough to enter enemy territory. He has ventured into the 5.0 trenches, asking questions, listening to grievances, and trying to understand the discontent. His goal? To bridge the growing divide between the two servers.
What’s Next: Can There Be Peace?
At this moment, the war rages on. Polls are being cast. Will the 1.0 loyalists stand their ground, or will the 5.0 rebels succeed in making their server the new home of Hockey Zone? Tensions have reached a boiling point. Weeze, the reluctant overseer of 1.0, has announced his resignation, citing the toxic environment as the reason for his departure. His parting words? A damning condemnation of the racism and homophobia that some are willing to tolerate. He does not want to be part of a community that embraces this type of behavior. Edit: Weeze has clarified that he resigned in the hopes that it would lead to peace. Also because he wanted to be free of the role.
In the meantime, Steve Whitmer continues his delicate diplomacy. Rumors swirl that he is drafting a proposal to bring the two sides back together, though Big E remains in the dark about what exactly that proposal entails. I asked Big E if he was in talks with him and he answered that he has not talked to Whitmer thus far. Whether the peace talks will succeed or end in disaster is anyone’s guess.
For now, the fate of Hockey Zone remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that this civil war is far from over, and both sides are digging in for a long fight.
I am Navi, your rshl.blog correspondent embedded in the trenches, and I will continue to document this war as it unfolds. Stay tuned for more updates, and may the pings be ever in your favor.