0
\$\begingroup\$

I have an online browser game that I am working on in my free time with a couple thousand players total. I want to implement either a private messaging system or some chat so that players will be able to interact with each other in a different way other than attacking one another.

One thing I am weary about though is SPAM. If I went with some sort of a global chat, that would need moderators, so I'm more inclined to just implement private messages. With that though I see an issue that someone could SPAM other players and fill their inbox with junk messages (some advertisement in the better case, some malicious links or something like that in the worse case).

Is it a good idea to implement private messages and if so, how do I prevent players from abusing it?

\$\endgroup\$
4
  • \$\begingroup\$ Do you have players who may be minors or under 13? If so, child safety and COPPA compliance adds an extra layer of considerations. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 3 at 2:07
  • 1
    \$\begingroup\$ It might as well help how your games work to restrict who can chat with whom. If there are guilds/ clans/ groups you could have an official chat for those and pm for the members between each other. If you need a global pm system, you could restrict it by player lvl, strength, account age, daily limit to different people and more \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 3 at 11:39
  • \$\begingroup\$ @DMGregory I'm not sure, I don't ask for age or date of birth, so there's no way for me to know. But it's not targeted at children and contains adult themes (violence, drugs, etc...). Should I put some checkbox during sign-up that confirms user is over certain age - would that be enough? \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 3 at 15:44
  • \$\begingroup\$ There's a good series of talks about COPPA compliance for game developers on the GDC Vault. I'd recommend checking those out for advice from developers who have directly tackled this problem. \$\endgroup\$ Commented Mar 3 at 16:06

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
0
\$\begingroup\$

First consider very carefully the important matter mentioned by @DMGregory in comment: The safety issues go beyond malware links. There are child safety issues, whether by them getting links to obscene material or by stalking or even tracking children down in person. There will also be fishing links. You could be liable legally for some of this.

So private-only doesn't sound optimal. As @Zibelas says in comment, you could include groups. If you have some different global chat channels or player formed groups, then you would be safer, especially if the groups are all public accessible and anyone can come in to check the chat history at any time. Even if you do allow private messages, having these other options also would improve things. Also add a notice that private messages are not private from admins and any illegal activity, including stalking or harassment, may be reported to law enforcement. Then give yourself the ability to actually check those messages. Even if you don't monitor them, that will deter some people from abusing it.

You could also add a system for players to report misuse and you can check on it periodically, preferably at least every morning and evening.

You could block links. Don't make links clickable. Or filter messages that contain http:// or www. or .com, .org,.net, etc.. If you have a system for blocking certain things from being said, like obscene things, then add all the domain suffixes to it.

\$\endgroup\$

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.