Devlog [04.04.25]

Sindonic - Apr 4th 2025 06:30

NEWS


Hello, Sprouts!

We hope April is going well for you. Part of the team is sick, so we are a bit behind schedule but still have time to catch up. Today's progress shot is a quick one.

Mass Editing 2.0
Users cannot always see all the changes we make, but we want to let users know we have improved the back-end code for mass-distributing items to users! 

Beania Environments
We’re halfway through the Beania Settlement reworks and aim to complete them by the end of April.

(This image is representative of the progress on all Beania Settlements.)

General Support, Image Support, and HR (@Griffiabot) on Site - Live
General Support, Advanced Support (@Griffiabot), and Image Support have been automated and moved from DeviantART to KoG through our new Ticket System! This means users no longer need to check DeviantART for important messages from the team or @Griffiabot. However, porting will remain on DeviantART as it is a temporary system. This system is designed to be flexible, allowing us to create as many ticket options as needed to assist users efficiently. 

We’ve added new ticket types to make it easier to contact us about sensitive issues or mistakes. Please use them as needed—we’re here to support all our users. If users have any ideas for new tickets, please let us know in Feedback.

The ticket system can be accessed on the same page: https://www.kingdomsofgriffia.com/home/help-desk. However, users will notice a new module and text box at the bottom of the page for submitting tickets.

In addition to the new Ticket System, the Notification System has been updated so users can view their tickets separately from other notifications. A yellow notification will represent this. We've also added the ability for users to reply to moderators directly when working to resolve issues. Once the case is complete, the ticket will be closed.



Free NO-Griffolk (Indigenous/Prototype) Theme Changes - Live
We are making the first retheming for any non-CYO Indigenous/Prototype Griffolk free based on user feedback. We don’t mind putting in the extra effort to offer this quality-of-life improvement. It feels fair, as users who waited to purchase these Griffolk would have received themes automatically. We also agree that it would be unfair to continue to charge Griffolk Theme Biscuits for this first time change.

We know some users have already spent Griffolk Theme Biscuits to make this change, and we will refund them via the Help Desk: https://www.kingdomsofgriffia.com/home/help-desk. This offer will be open indefinitely, so feel free to decide at your leisure. 

List of Impacted Non-CYO subtypes: 
- Cruxfaunt - Perfaunt
- Dream - Guardian
- Fest - Foolee
- Field - Bagbean 
- Hunter - Bavom
- Ion - Terradragon
- Jollytox - Kryptox
- Pond - Fashion Fishy
- Prometheus - Parasplicer
- Runelee - Fornlee
- Sirius - Caster


Open Species Rule Clarification - Live
Open Species have always been intended to be free, and users cannot create or redesign them for profit. We are not changing this policy. They exist as a free option for users who cannot spend funds on Companions and will remain that way.

That said, we understand our previous policy on this was unclear. To be fully transparent, we will not ban or penalize users who have unknowingly engaged in this before. This was a gap in our communication, and we take responsibility for that. To ensure clarity moving forward, we have added a dedicated section, 3.4b, Open Species Character Sale and Commission Rules, to the rules.

Minor Rule Edits - Live
 A few other rules have been altered to reflect recent feedback. For more details, see the changes and additions log below. The rules need to be reviewed for 2025, so if you find errors or unclear passages, let us know in Feedback.

Addressing Concerns, Acceptable Communication, and Tickets 
With the ticket system update, we want to address sensitive topics, primarily bans. Misinformation about ban policies and user ban statuses circulates frequently. When rules are updated or discussed openly, some users worry they may be banned over simple matters that were never clear, such as the recent open discussion about the Open Species Policy. We understand that our community is highly rule-conscious, and many users feel stressed about the idea of being “in trouble” with KoG or accidentally violating an unclear policy. This is completely understandable, and we want to clarify our approach openly.

We designed the new ticket system to ease concerns and clarify that we are open to addressing any topic. Site bans are rare and only issued for severe violations such as harassment, stalking, theft, or illegal conduct. Most issues go through warnings and strikes before a ban is even considered. We do not use public blacklists, and instant bans are only used when absolutely necessary. If a rule does not explicitly cover an issue, no one will be punished.

Secondhand information can often be misleading. Additionally, moderators blocking users on social media is sometimes mistaken for a site ban—but this is not the case. A moderator's personal block has no effect on site services and does not impact how we support or treat members.

All policies are outlined in our rules, and users are encouraged to reach out for clarification. Banned users are not entirely shut out and can still communicate with us using the ticket moduel. The new ticket system is accessible to all users, regardless of account status. Our policies has been revised since our inception for fairness and clarity, and we remain open to improvements. 

DEVLOG

Addition
Rules - 3.4b Open Species Character Sale and Commission Rules added.
Rules - 5.3b2 Human Splicing - Humanoid Ears Exception added.
Rules - 7.6c Offical Art Editing Procedure added.
Pets - Mus - Graphite Added

Changes
Site - We have removed the item restriction for upgrades on Chronopods, so charged Chronopods can be part of the Chrono-Combo payment.

Site - Improved UX of various timestamps to make them more transparent when it's in Griffia Time or Local Time.
UI - The decline title changed to gray instead of red. Red is used in the ARPG to signify temporary important information and bans. In a Decline it implies a level of severity not intended.

UI - The declined message has removed its exclamation point and replaced with a period. The exclamation point made the message read passively, aggressively, when that was not the intent at all.

Rules - 3.4a Character Sale Rules updated to reference Open Species.
Rules - 4.2c Ban Etiquette—Moderators Updated to reflect the current game. Previously, it implied that you needed another mod to reply for you if you had been blocked by a mod. This is no longer the case. Mods blocking users on social media have no bearing on users' status with KoG. 
Rules - Edited 7.6b Offical Slot Submissions to reflect the new Help Desk System. 
Rules - Updated contradiction in 9.2a Basics: Theme Rules and Conduct that implied Hollow Bagbeans could not be themed after part sof Griffians despite it being listed as an allowed theme.

Removal
TOS - Removed a disclaimer referring to old site name removed
Privacy Policy - Removed a disclaimer referring to old site name removed
Misc - The link to the old contact email has been removed now that the ticket system is completed.

Bug
TOS - Fixed a broken link that led to the home page.
Privacy Policy - Fixed a broken link that led to the home page.

Misc
Misc - Updated Current Dev Projects
Misc - Broken Contact Us links repaired.  

Tickets are a new way to lodge issues with us!