An Open Letter - FHU
| Event | |
|---|---|
| Event: | An Open Letter - FHU |
| Participants: | |
| Date(s): | August 28, 2022 |
| Type: | Online furry MMO discourse, callout post |
| Fandom: | FeralHeart Unleashed, FeralHeart, Feral (fandom), Furry |
| URL: | Google Doc |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
An Open Letter - FHU is a Google Doc callout post created by the FeralHeart Unleashed ex-moderator Sito on August 28th, 2022, a few days after developer Rappa took over FHU from xSpirit. The document detailed Sito's experiences and grievances with the FHU development and both xSpirit and Rappa. It was shared on the FHU Discord.
Document Content
The document is organized by criticism, which go into detail under large highlighted headers. There are least six main criticisms presented. Below is a general list of some of the points discussed.
- Carrying out actions without input/inconsistent discipline; an example given is one user being IP banned for ban evading while another was not.
- Disrespectful discussions about community members and fellow moderators (and developers); an example given are screenshots of a moderator privately mocking a community member for having a panic attack caused by moderator comments.
- Favoritism and improper/no disciplinary action on moderators; an example given is Sito having to persuade Rappa to discipline a moderator who insulted her by calling her "mopey," instead of Rappa doing it on her own.
- Rappa's lack of video game developer experience and not wanting to receive help for it.
- Displeasure with how she was demoted and accusations that Rappa and/or the moderation team refused to listen to suggestions on the betterment of FHU
Community Reaction
Most of its reception was from current and ex-moderators. While the community did not really comment on the document itself, many of them were more distressed by Juno's mention of xSpirit being a predator. Another player addressed that it was announced in the Patreon server that Spirit had seemingly took off with the earnings, and many players were upset by this not being addressed or public knowledge, and that only patrons were privy to such knowledge.
The staff had to place the channel on "slow-mode" due to the amount of messages and conflict between community members. Much of the criticism was directed towards staff not being transparent and dismissive. The allegations that xSpirit sexually harassed many of the female members of his team was well known in the community, and considered "up for debate."
In the coming weeks, admin 4SABOTAGE made an announcement on the discord server about the future of the game.
Rappa's Document and Response
Many of the community concerns, as well as Sito's criticisms, were addressed by Rappa in a response document titled "Response to "An Open Letter - FHU". However, xSpirit has not commented on any allegations and seems to have disappeared online.
Rappa prefaced by saying that she intended to take accountability where needed but also to provide context, not shift blame or belittle those involved. The document went point-by-point responding to Sito's comments. The general responses to some of Sito's points are below:
- Agreement that discipline had been carried out inconsistently, but that they were not made rashly or without reason.
- Agreement that moderators and Rappa herself had been making disrespectful comments about others behind their backs. Rappa stated this issue would be worked on and consequences were being created. However, Rappa denied ever stating that she explicitly said "moderators should be able to speak disrespectfully about members, developers, or other moderators."
- Denial of favoritism, with Rappa stating that they are not friends with anyone on the moderation team, only friendly with them.
- On Sito's demotion, stating that they simply did not have a place for Sito on the team after they found someone else to take their place, because Sito was no longer a good fit. This was in part due to fear that conflict between Sito and another mod would leak into Sito's policies and work, because they believed they could not trust Sito to remain neutral nor did Sito trust the other moderators.
- Addressing the disuse of Sito's suggestions, saying that the team was not obligated to accept every proposal suggested nor respond to all of them. And, that suggestions and feedback were not Rappa's to consider alone.
- Warnings not to spread rumors about xSpirit being a child predator, because as far as Rappa and her team know he is not. However, Rappa addressed inappropriate conduct by xSpirit being overly flirtatious or sexual.