Child Safe & Solo Play
by Jack Nunn · in ThinkTanks · 12/27/2003 (9:02 am) · 49 replies
Can anyone tell me exactly what the "Child Safe Filter" does? This feature is disabled in the demo so I can't tell exactly how "safe" it makes the game. Other games I've tried with language filters and similar "child safe" features are generally useless as people will just add spaces or otherwise get around the filter. My son loves the demo but I'm not sure I'm willing to let him venture into the on-line world. I think turning off this feature in the demo was a mistake as it could be a good selling point. Getting kicked off every few minutes you can't really get more than a taste of on-line play with the demo anyway and my son will not get even that.
Also, how well done are the solo games? The three levels that come with the demo are very easy. Are the additional levels more of the same just more and more opponents, or is there some attempt to add variety. If the solo levels are any good I may buy him the full game just for these.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Also, how well done are the solo games? The three levels that come with the demo are very easy. Are the additional levels more of the same just more and more opponents, or is there some attempt to add variety. If the solo levels are any good I may buy him the full game just for these.
Thanks in advance for your help.
About the author
#2
The solo play is more of the same, except harder, but it does include some levels where you collect brains (to gain life) and a Flying Saucer 'boss' to battle against.
Additionally, one can launch a game, password protect it (so no one without the password can join), and play against the bots, or launch into quickplay, which is just the player against the bots. The game rules here are exactly the same as online battle mode (but the game never goes online)
Joe
12/27/2003 (10:09 am)
The Child Safe filter basically turns off chat and obscures player names. With the filter on, children will be able to play online and no language will get through.The solo play is more of the same, except harder, but it does include some levels where you collect brains (to gain life) and a Flying Saucer 'boss' to battle against.
Additionally, one can launch a game, password protect it (so no one without the password can join), and play against the bots, or launch into quickplay, which is just the player against the bots. The game rules here are exactly the same as online battle mode (but the game never goes online)
Joe
#3
Also know that NONE of the other tanks know that your tank is in child safe mode. The problem being that if we try to talk to you or give instructions (for example if you just joined a team game and we need you to change sides for a balanced game), you may be deemed arrogant by not replying with us.
We often congratulate each other, or apologize for making a mistake, and that makes a big difference in how we feel about each other. I have often thought that there should be some kind of modified name that indicates a tank is in child safe mode.
Maybe you should include [ChildSafe] in the name of your tank so we all know?
Just a thought.
TG
12/27/2003 (10:34 am)
You will want your son to play with Child Safe filter on. Some of the in-game chat can be very vulgar. Unfortunately, the in-game chat is also a key element of the whole experience. We get to know each other and talk and make jokes in the game. I think the whole experience would be greatly diminished without the chat element.Also know that NONE of the other tanks know that your tank is in child safe mode. The problem being that if we try to talk to you or give instructions (for example if you just joined a team game and we need you to change sides for a balanced game), you may be deemed arrogant by not replying with us.
We often congratulate each other, or apologize for making a mistake, and that makes a big difference in how we feel about each other. I have often thought that there should be some kind of modified name that indicates a tank is in child safe mode.
Maybe you should include [ChildSafe] in the name of your tank so we all know?
Just a thought.
TG
#4
It turns off chat, Disables server names and Takes out player names, i dont with it . Though im only 9, i can handle the language in the game, its not a big problem to me. But i think all "Un-mature" kids should have this on.
I have been trying to alter the Filter so it only take bad words out, it doesent do that yet. But i have gotten it to not show chat, but shows everything else.
Though, with a bit of help on the forums, i am now a well-known skin maker :)
About Solo Mode.
Its, in my opinion, the thing in the game that needs the most work. When getting 500,000 points (i think) gets you the ufo to use in some servers, Like HomeLan Or PTT ones. Its not that Great.
A Tip.
DONT TAKE ANY OTHER'S REG CODE! If anyone tells you one, report it to BraveTree!
Racer
I Love This Game..
12/27/2003 (10:55 am)
About the "Child Safe Filter".It turns off chat, Disables server names and Takes out player names, i dont with it . Though im only 9, i can handle the language in the game, its not a big problem to me. But i think all "Un-mature" kids should have this on.
I have been trying to alter the Filter so it only take bad words out, it doesent do that yet. But i have gotten it to not show chat, but shows everything else.
Though, with a bit of help on the forums, i am now a well-known skin maker :)
About Solo Mode.
Its, in my opinion, the thing in the game that needs the most work. When getting 500,000 points (i think) gets you the ufo to use in some servers, Like HomeLan Or PTT ones. Its not that Great.
A Tip.
DONT TAKE ANY OTHER'S REG CODE! If anyone tells you one, report it to BraveTree!
Racer
I Love This Game..
#5
12/27/2003 (11:25 am)
Thanks for all your replies. I like the [ChildSafe] name idea. It can be frustrating to talk to a teammate and get no reply. I know chat is a big part of on-line gaming but my son is not yet ready for that experience. I am impressed that Brave Tree has taken such a hard line with their Child Safe option. Better 1/2 of the on-line gaming experience than none, which is my only option with other games.
#6
12/27/2003 (12:34 pm)
The [ChildSafe] tag in front of the name is a good idea. I have put automatic addition of a child safe tag on the front of the player name on the list for review for the next update of the game. 
#7
As a parent the online language is a troubling issue.
There is the crudeness, vulgarity and bigoted statements that are very hard to have to co-exist with. My sons are African American so the racist taunts and language are especially hard to see.
Nonetheless I have chosen not to use the filter as there is alot of good exchanges and conversation, banter that goes on. On balance much more good than offensive.
That's a pesonal decision and good arguements exist for deciding either way.
My kids are pretty grounded in their ethics and knowledge of right from wrong. They have older siblings so exposure to "offensive" lyrics in pop culture is not a new thing. My wife and I discuss issues of intolerance and bigotry often, so when it comes up there is a context for them to view it in.
Truthfully, I think I have the harder time dealing with the pea-brained comments than my kids, When players emboldened by the anonymity of the online games exercise their first ammendment rights in perverse and vulgar ways I tend to get rather upset. My kids dismiss it with "that is so stupid". They keep scoring goals whereas I'm lecturing or trying to "teach a lesson" to the social deviants...lol.
Either way you decide it is a great game for young and old.
In fact it is a rare instance where old and young can play together on a relatively level playing field (so to speak).
see you on the slopes!
Baba
12/27/2003 (1:09 pm)
My two sons (ages 7 and 10) play TT and enjoy it immensely. They have joined various league teams and are certainly "part of the community" of players. As a parent the online language is a troubling issue.
There is the crudeness, vulgarity and bigoted statements that are very hard to have to co-exist with. My sons are African American so the racist taunts and language are especially hard to see.
Nonetheless I have chosen not to use the filter as there is alot of good exchanges and conversation, banter that goes on. On balance much more good than offensive.
That's a pesonal decision and good arguements exist for deciding either way.
My kids are pretty grounded in their ethics and knowledge of right from wrong. They have older siblings so exposure to "offensive" lyrics in pop culture is not a new thing. My wife and I discuss issues of intolerance and bigotry often, so when it comes up there is a context for them to view it in.
Truthfully, I think I have the harder time dealing with the pea-brained comments than my kids, When players emboldened by the anonymity of the online games exercise their first ammendment rights in perverse and vulgar ways I tend to get rather upset. My kids dismiss it with "that is so stupid". They keep scoring goals whereas I'm lecturing or trying to "teach a lesson" to the social deviants...lol.
Either way you decide it is a great game for young and old.
In fact it is a rare instance where old and young can play together on a relatively level playing field (so to speak).
see you on the slopes!
Baba
#8
So I imagine that a small stipend will be sent to me every time the Child Safe feature is enabled. Nothing major, how bout 50 cents for every occurance. Thanks. :-)
@ Baba,
One of your sons tank names is Dar (who is an impressive player I might add). What is the tank name of your other son?
As you know, I don't hold much back in the in-game chat, but I try to watch it when Dar is playing. (You probably don't know it, buy you and I had long conversations months ago about you and Dar. Dar was just starting to play and I was under a different name.) I want to know the name of your other sons tanks so I don't accidentally teach him a thing or two about the birds and the bees through flirtatious banter :-)
Also, what is the origin of your and your sons tank names? (Is Baba what your sons call you?)
TG
12/27/2003 (3:14 pm)
@ Joe, that is good news! So I imagine that a small stipend will be sent to me every time the Child Safe feature is enabled. Nothing major, how bout 50 cents for every occurance. Thanks. :-)
@ Baba,
One of your sons tank names is Dar (who is an impressive player I might add). What is the tank name of your other son?
As you know, I don't hold much back in the in-game chat, but I try to watch it when Dar is playing. (You probably don't know it, buy you and I had long conversations months ago about you and Dar. Dar was just starting to play and I was under a different name.) I want to know the name of your other sons tanks so I don't accidentally teach him a thing or two about the birds and the bees through flirtatious banter :-)
Also, what is the origin of your and your sons tank names? (Is Baba what your sons call you?)
TG
#9
ya Dar is (just turned) 10 years old.
kj is my other son who plays regularly. He is 7 years old, bless his heart.
Yeah please don't learn 'em too much too quick, lol. They are precocious enough now.
Dar is short for his name DarAmani ( means "haven of peace" in Swahili)
kj is short for Karama Jabali ( Karama means "gift from god", Jabali means "rocky mountain" - named after my oldest brother who was a well known trekker, traveler in the Himalaya's who passed away over 10 years ago- also Swahili)
Baba means father in Swahili - ya you are right it is what my sons call me (especially when they were very young)
Why Swahili?
Aside from being cool (imho) names. I lived in Tanzania, East Africa when I was growing up - part of my past.
Their mom is African American - part of their past.
There you have it!
Baba
12/27/2003 (3:36 pm)
Hehe..ya Dar is (just turned) 10 years old.
kj is my other son who plays regularly. He is 7 years old, bless his heart.
Yeah please don't learn 'em too much too quick, lol. They are precocious enough now.
Dar is short for his name DarAmani ( means "haven of peace" in Swahili)
kj is short for Karama Jabali ( Karama means "gift from god", Jabali means "rocky mountain" - named after my oldest brother who was a well known trekker, traveler in the Himalaya's who passed away over 10 years ago- also Swahili)
Baba means father in Swahili - ya you are right it is what my sons call me (especially when they were very young)
Why Swahili?
Aside from being cool (imho) names. I lived in Tanzania, East Africa when I was growing up - part of my past.
Their mom is African American - part of their past.
There you have it!
Baba
#10
12/27/2003 (4:11 pm)
Baba, thanks for your comments. It is good to hear from a father facing the same questions and issues as me. My son is 6 and an only child so he is probably a bit more sheltered from things than your boys. I think I will leave the filter on for now and see how it goes. As with your sons he has a strong sense of right and wrong and would probably be less upset by the language than I am but it would upset me. If he gets into the multiplayer aspect I may turn off the filter as a way to add an extra dimension to the game. (After having a good long chat about what to expect and how to handle it.) Until then he will have ChildSafe as part of his name to let the other players know why he is not talking to them.
#13
12/27/2003 (7:16 pm)
Welcome aboard Mr. Nunn... :-)
#14
you all might say why are young children playing tt? so far as im aware of there is no age limit to stop them from playing. you might also say why dont their parents use the child safety filter? ill ask you this why should they have to use them.the game is designed for in game chat not verbal abuse.
what i am asking from all tt members is to send an email to
havefun@garagegames.com
asking them to sort this problem out within the game by designing a suitable in game lock to stop any foul language being used. at the moment garagegames and thinktank are aware of this problem but it is not their number 1 priority. which from what i have seen it should be their number 1 priority.
one suggestion that has been made is to take a screen shot and email it to them ,so they can see for themselves who the offenders are.
so please help to put a stop to this abuse, then we can all get back to playing an enjoyable game of thinktank without any abuse.
so please email your suggestions or screenshots to
havefun@garagegames.com
12/28/2003 (5:17 pm)
As you are all aware there is too much verbal abuse going on in thinktank.recently there has been a number of cases where regular members who will be namless for now have verbally abused and harrassed young children and other players .this must be stopped you all might say why are young children playing tt? so far as im aware of there is no age limit to stop them from playing. you might also say why dont their parents use the child safety filter? ill ask you this why should they have to use them.the game is designed for in game chat not verbal abuse.
what i am asking from all tt members is to send an email to
havefun@garagegames.com
asking them to sort this problem out within the game by designing a suitable in game lock to stop any foul language being used. at the moment garagegames and thinktank are aware of this problem but it is not their number 1 priority. which from what i have seen it should be their number 1 priority.
one suggestion that has been made is to take a screen shot and email it to them ,so they can see for themselves who the offenders are.
so please help to put a stop to this abuse, then we can all get back to playing an enjoyable game of thinktank without any abuse.
so please email your suggestions or screenshots to
havefun@garagegames.com
#15
as we are all aware children do play tt
you also say to ignore the chat but this is easier said than done. these obscene words still come up on the screen for children to read as a friend has experienced himself . his 7 year old was playing tt with him monitoring what they were doing when a tt member who will be namless for now, who knew how old this child is made suggestions to this child about ANAL SEX so his child asked him what ANAL SEX was which put him into an awkward situation so therfore he has done what you have suggested by monitoring his child which proves that you can not expect a child to ignore what has been put on the screen especially when they see their name mentioned.
i ask you all if you see this happening to take a screen shot and email it to garagegames at
havefun@garagegames.com
so they can see it for themselves
please keep posting on here your suggestions and also email them to the above address
lets hope we can stamp this problem out once and for all .
12/28/2003 (5:18 pm)
Hi all , thank you all for your responses to this situation . as several of you have made comments about children playing tt and their parents not monitoring there activities online as a parent myself it is impossible to watch what they are doing 24/7 so therfore you cant lay the blame on the parents. the blame is to be put on the offenders as we are all aware children do play tt
you also say to ignore the chat but this is easier said than done. these obscene words still come up on the screen for children to read as a friend has experienced himself . his 7 year old was playing tt with him monitoring what they were doing when a tt member who will be namless for now, who knew how old this child is made suggestions to this child about ANAL SEX so his child asked him what ANAL SEX was which put him into an awkward situation so therfore he has done what you have suggested by monitoring his child which proves that you can not expect a child to ignore what has been put on the screen especially when they see their name mentioned.
i ask you all if you see this happening to take a screen shot and email it to garagegames at
havefun@garagegames.com
so they can see it for themselves
please keep posting on here your suggestions and also email them to the above address
lets hope we can stamp this problem out once and for all .
#16
BraveTree developed the game, and we would be the ones addressing the issue. We are looking at the problem and we will possibly take some steps to address it. I will note again, for those particualry offended, that we do have a Child Safe Filter in the game. We implemented as we did because of this issue.
Joe
12/28/2003 (6:52 pm)
Instead of emailing it to havefun@garagegames.com, just email any screenshots to info@bravetree.comBraveTree developed the game, and we would be the ones addressing the issue. We are looking at the problem and we will possibly take some steps to address it. I will note again, for those particualry offended, that we do have a Child Safe Filter in the game. We implemented as we did because of this issue.
Joe
#17
I don't agree. I already paid twice for this game and I am willing to contribute more if it helps the company revise its philosophy.
- Can you start by recording all chat conversation allowing for the possiblity of transcript reviews.
- Put up a warning at launching mentioning that all chat is recorded.
- Find a way to suspend or cancel registration when the abuse is flagrant and totally out of line.
- Allow for the possibility of further legal action if necessary.
12/28/2003 (7:42 pm)
If I understand well enough, we should be content with the solution of frustating every child who wants to play and interact with others just because we're too lazy as adults to provide a deterrent to the ones that are creating the trouble.I don't agree. I already paid twice for this game and I am willing to contribute more if it helps the company revise its philosophy.
- Can you start by recording all chat conversation allowing for the possiblity of transcript reviews.
- Put up a warning at launching mentioning that all chat is recorded.
- Find a way to suspend or cancel registration when the abuse is flagrant and totally out of line.
- Allow for the possibility of further legal action if necessary.
#18
Not without creating and deploying new builds on six distribution channels, violating some agreements we have with some of the ditribution channels regarding 'their' customers, and designing a back end solution to handle it all.
Not without violating agreements we have with a few of our distribution channels.
This would again involve our distribution channels. They are protective of their customers and we have no way at all to contact their customers and we have no control of how they would deal with it. I suspect that they would not want to devote resources to it.
And what would this be? What type of action could we take and on what grounds?
I am not saying the parents are lazy, but this is not a simple issue to solve. We do not want to get into a race where we are constantly adding to the game, adding features and authentication and registrations and requiring that people be registered to solve an issue that is not 100% solvable. Anything we do will have a hole in it. If we allow chat through, it is possible to exploit it.
how will we filter a child predator form asking for a phone number or address? We can't..
We are searching for a solution, and we are open to ideas, but I want to point out that we DO HAVE a solution now. It is not optimal, but it works and that is why it is there.
I will agree that not having chat is less fun than having it.
We are willing to listen, but we cannot be placed with the entire burden of fixing this issue. We have limited resources, and the issue is not an issue that can be solved just by a snap of the fingers.
12/28/2003 (8:15 pm)
Quote: Can you start by recording all chat conversation allowing for the possiblity of transcript reviews.
Not without creating and deploying new builds on six distribution channels, violating some agreements we have with some of the ditribution channels regarding 'their' customers, and designing a back end solution to handle it all.
Quote:- Put up a warning at launching mentioning that all chat is recorded.
Not without violating agreements we have with a few of our distribution channels.
Quote:- Find a way to suspend or cancel registration when the abuse is flagrant and totally out of line.
This would again involve our distribution channels. They are protective of their customers and we have no way at all to contact their customers and we have no control of how they would deal with it. I suspect that they would not want to devote resources to it.
Quote:- Allow for the possibility of further legal action if necessary.
And what would this be? What type of action could we take and on what grounds?
I am not saying the parents are lazy, but this is not a simple issue to solve. We do not want to get into a race where we are constantly adding to the game, adding features and authentication and registrations and requiring that people be registered to solve an issue that is not 100% solvable. Anything we do will have a hole in it. If we allow chat through, it is possible to exploit it.
how will we filter a child predator form asking for a phone number or address? We can't..
We are searching for a solution, and we are open to ideas, but I want to point out that we DO HAVE a solution now. It is not optimal, but it works and that is why it is there.
I will agree that not having chat is less fun than having it.
We are willing to listen, but we cannot be placed with the entire burden of fixing this issue. We have limited resources, and the issue is not an issue that can be solved just by a snap of the fingers.
#19
Personally I think that they are just as keen on protecting children while providing more fun into a game and they might just welcome such well intended features.
Moreover, this last post is troubling. What comes out of it is that Brave Tree is powerless on this matter. If that's the case, let us know. We will not waste time sending screen shots to you. We will send them to the distribution channels instead.
Please try to improve the game on this issue instead of systematically pointing to the difficulty of solving it. Just because it can't be solved by a snap of the fingers doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything.
The child safe filter is a solution that punishes the all the kids instead of the very few offenders. It is cumbersome, it creates frustration by turning it on every time the child plays and turning it off when we parent plays. It's just not practical. It is a source of frustration and conflict.
In addition, the chat on TT is a wonderful way to have a child read and write for hours on end. It turns a simple game into an educational experience especially for foreign parents.
There are also lots of wonderful people on this game with whom I'm very happy that my daughter interacts. She's part of the SA team (thanks to Ben who's an extraordinary 15 yr old kid), constantly chatting with a whole bunch of great people young and old.
In my opinion you should be on the side of the large number of concerned parents instead of protecting the very few sick perverts that will end up spoiling the reputation of this game.
12/29/2003 (5:07 am)
Why be so negative ? If the distribution channels are really key in all attempts to get an improvement on this issue, why not at least try to contact them before assuming that they'll be reluctant to even look into the matter.Personally I think that they are just as keen on protecting children while providing more fun into a game and they might just welcome such well intended features.
Moreover, this last post is troubling. What comes out of it is that Brave Tree is powerless on this matter. If that's the case, let us know. We will not waste time sending screen shots to you. We will send them to the distribution channels instead.
Please try to improve the game on this issue instead of systematically pointing to the difficulty of solving it. Just because it can't be solved by a snap of the fingers doesn't mean that we shouldn't do anything.
The child safe filter is a solution that punishes the all the kids instead of the very few offenders. It is cumbersome, it creates frustration by turning it on every time the child plays and turning it off when we parent plays. It's just not practical. It is a source of frustration and conflict.
In addition, the chat on TT is a wonderful way to have a child read and write for hours on end. It turns a simple game into an educational experience especially for foreign parents.
There are also lots of wonderful people on this game with whom I'm very happy that my daughter interacts. She's part of the SA team (thanks to Ben who's an extraordinary 15 yr old kid), constantly chatting with a whole bunch of great people young and old.
In my opinion you should be on the side of the large number of concerned parents instead of protecting the very few sick perverts that will end up spoiling the reputation of this game.
#20
Agreed. I can type these longer messaeges *Alot* Faster now than ever! I am happy that i didint have to use a expensive typing program to learn how to type fast, I tryed using JumpStart typing when i was 5. Could not even play it, i tryed The Mavis Becon Typing Program 7 (I think) It Stunk! The only things that helped me were TT And Mario Teaches Typing (I LOVE MARIO!)
That last paragrhaph would have taken me 20 mins! it only took me 4!
This game does not only have alot of Aholes in it, lots of nice people i have met such as Ben (SA) There are some very kind people around here, that dont call names or anything!
---
Racer
12/29/2003 (6:15 am)
Quote:In addition, the chat on TT is a wonderful way to have a child read and write for hours on end. It turns a simple game into an educational experience especially for foreign parents.
Agreed. I can type these longer messaeges *Alot* Faster now than ever! I am happy that i didint have to use a expensive typing program to learn how to type fast, I tryed using JumpStart typing when i was 5. Could not even play it, i tryed The Mavis Becon Typing Program 7 (I think) It Stunk! The only things that helped me were TT And Mario Teaches Typing (I LOVE MARIO!)
That last paragrhaph would have taken me 20 mins! it only took me 4!
Quote:There are also lots of wonderful people on this game with whom I'm very happy that my daughter interacts. She's part of the SA team (thanks to Ben who's an extraordinary 15 yr old kid)
This game does not only have alot of Aholes in it, lots of nice people i have met such as Ben (SA) There are some very kind people around here, that dont call names or anything!
---
Racer
FreeLoader
I believe Baba and Dar are a Father/Son team within this comunity. Hopefully you'll have a chance to hear from him on the subject. The game is a load of fun and for the most part, the people are really great. But we do have our fair share of dopes, so beware.