What makes admin an admin

[RareGambler]

Hi guys, I'm radugadew1 (aka Lando Baker) and this is my first post on the forums.

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I play SS13 since childhood, but my experience has totally changed since I discovered /tg/station! With its truly unique atmosphere, I tend to play specifically on Terry, which I can describe as somewhat messy, mostly because of its international nature.

The question in the topic subject was overwhelming me for some time already; I had some communication experience with the admins, which I found to be profound in the most genuine way. You see, I percieve gaming by itself as it is described in Huizuingas "Homo Ludens" work. Nothing can help in developing social skills as virtual playground, despite the stakes often being nullified. But when we begin to value own space, that's where real developing begins.

I had myself thinking: what is it - being an admin? Could I ever be an admin myself?

What differs administration from playerbase in my eyes - is being an organized entity with a common goal. This is not an easy dilemma when we start to compare these two different kinds of users, f.e. - who is more important, admins or players? Of course the answer is "both", but let's return to the main topic.

I don't want this post to be considered as part of "the chosen one" discourse, let's just say that most of us can observe certain human qualities manifested in varying degrees of intensity. Some of us like being alone, some mostly enjoy a company. Some like to observe, some - to be observed.

And since there is no such thing as "objective criteria" (since we don't have any kind of God or robot who would chose people to be administrators), and what we have is a willingness and supervision, the question is adressed mostly to the subjects of this topic: what do you think makes you a good administrator? Have you ever noticed anything that distinguishes you from the people that, say, tend to be in need of your administrative skills? Maybe there are any implications, expenses of being capable in developing such skillset?

Without being too personal, is there any relation between your server status and real life routine, be it a job or a hobby? Did it develop gradually, like f.e. only after certain age you understood that you can be a leader/guide someone else (if these words relate to your experience in any sense)?

Regular player opinions are welcome too, and thanks for your attention and responses.

[dragomagol]

Patience and not taking myself too seriously. Communication skills are big, too. But I think the admin team thrives having a diverse team with different strengths and weaknesses.

[conrad]

Congratz on joining the forumite scourge.

If you're thinking about joining the bad guys, the usual requirements is that at least one trainer likes you, and you're at least somewhat consistent. I've seen admin applications fall short 'cos in the application the candidate is the most well spoken and polite lil' princess and in discord or in game they get on SHOUTING MATCHES WITH PLENTY OF CAPS LOCK LESGOOO WOOOO.

Actually getting to the purplename stage require you to have good ticket conduct and be pleasant, or at least informative, when talking in the admin channels, and not use your position to be a dickhead. Reason for the trialmins I've seen fall short are a mystery locked behind the INTERNAL DISCUSSIONS halls of admin trainers but I assume it's usually lack of activity (if you're not interested in being an admin after discovering what it's like is totally fine, also).

Really it's nothing extravagant, being an admin. The most fun part for me is pushing the funny buttons and giggling as people go "wait this isn't in the game". The admin community itself is also really chill, you end up making friends and that's dope.

I think my best trait as an admin is being stupid, but also very quick in being stupid. Asking dumbass questions and making mistakes is a good way to pave comprehension so someone else doesn't do the stupid thing. So I ask a lot of questions. Really, I'm surprised more people on the admin team don't hate me already.

[Not-Dorsidarf]

purple name

[RareGambler]

Very fast answers, thank you very much! Will have something to think about...

[dragomagol]

I think my best trait as an admin is being stupid, but also very quick in being stupid. Asking dumbass questions and making mistakes is a good way to pave comprehension so someone else doesn't do the stupid thing. So I ask a lot of questions. Really, I'm surprised more people on the admin team don't hate me already.

Jokes on you, asking a bunch of good-faith (if silly) questions is a great way to build familiarity and cohesion. And, of course, your own knowledge! As long as someone doesn't come in swinging like a freight train and going "I don't make mistakes and will not listen" people will give you quite a bit of leeway.

[TheRex9001]

I think you have to know how to de-escalate a situation well, you don't want players to talk themselves into bans/get abrasive/etc. I also think its important to remain within the community and play regular rounds of ss13 and just in general talk with folks. Not being an asshole is an important one, don't use your role with a mindset that you are somehow "worth" more than a player.

[kinnebian]

be willing to listen and actually enjoy the game
if you dont enjoy the game youre adminning for dont admin out of obligation
i quit the second time because i realized i didnt have fun with the game
im trying to come back now because i play the game and like it

[Chadley]

A fun gauge. Maximize fun, recognize unfun, then maximize fun for yourself only.

(Event running is the best part of being an admin.)

[Cheshify]

Leadership & communication skills, the ability to recognize what's fun and let it roll, the ability to make tough judgement calls and handle a lot of people screaming at you for no reason. Also play Felinid or Moth.

[yttriums]

the thirst for power. the desire to judge and punish others. an adolescence spent in student councils and monitoring halls

[oranges]

being able to work with people you dont like

[wesoda25]

I think anyone with sufficient social skills could be a half decent admin if they care enough. Some naturally have better dispositions but ultimately as long as you care enough to fit the image of what an admin should be, you can become and excel as one. Some people think being an admin would be cool, so they go for it. Some choose to contribute in other ways. It's all just a way of giving back to the community, although reasons for doing so do vary.

[Cheshify]

Actually, more than anything else an admin needs to be able to admit fault, to learn from mistakes, and to work with others

[TheBibleMelts]

blood

[TheBibleMelts]

you know, to pump their heart

[TheBibleMelts]

also good vibes. so blood, and vibes. final answer.

[conrad]

also good vibes. so blood, and vibes. final answer.

blibes

[warbluke]

purple name

Sometimes it's yellow or orange-yellow too.

[dendydoom]

unsupervised access to the internet as a child

[conrad]

purple name

Sometimes it's yellow or orange-yellow too.

Those people don't admin the game what are you on about

[Scriptis]

give players stockholm syndrome from grief and you win

[Timonk]

i have almost no experience with being an admin but i once crashed a minecraft server where i had mod rights by creating a huge pyramid with world edit (i got banned for that)

[RareGambler]

blood

"I was born in an admin family: my father was an admin, my mama too was an admin... even my grand-grandfather was an admin"

Aside from that, I'm mostly satisfied with your answers. They were honest and despite some kind of deleuzian indifference that is going on, I think I'm getting the whole picture.

One more question though: do you see MSO as, uhh, admins admin?

[Cheshify]

blood

"I was born in an admin family: my father was an admin, my mama too was an admin... even my grand-grandfather was an admin"

Aside from that, I'm mostly satisfied with your answers. They were honest and despite some kind of deleuzian indifference that is going on, I think I'm getting the whole picture.

One more question though: do you see MSO as, uhh, admins admin?

Oh no, it's not OUR blood.

As for your second question, MSO is an Eldritch Entity that shows up and blasts things with his laser vision it's pretty awe inspiring.

[Riggle]

People provided some excellent answers and I can't really add much more.

Most of what admins do are resolving petty disputes and trying to make the game more fun, by for example running events.

Other than what was already said, clicking this link helps.

[kieth4]

I think it depends on what you want out of it.

Some people become admins to hold kickass events, others become admins to enforce the rules that they don't feel are currently being enforced and so on and so forth, it's a huge spectrum.

Just love the community man that's the most important thing

[dragomagol]

One more question though: do you see MSO as, uhh, admins admin?

Nah, that's more headmin domain than anything. MSO is generally pretty hands-off when it comes to admin affairs.

[Fikou]

i think i can usually empathize with both sides and i try to help out everyone in the way i can