New research reveals a massive disconnect between what we think players want and the safety net they actually demand.
If you ask the average gamer if they want “more moderation,” they might hesitate. The stereotype suggests they value a “Wild West” where speech is free and interference is low.
But new research paints a very different picture.
According to the “Don’t Tell Us What To Do” report by Shine a Light Gaming and Dr. Rachel Kowert, players aren’t looking for absent landlords. They are looking for something much more complex: a Guided Community.
Visual Insight: The Community Matrix
Controlled Community
High Oversight, Low Autonomy
Guided Community
50% of Players Prefer This
High Oversight, High Autonomy
Unmanaged Community
Low Oversight, Low Autonomy
Wild West Community
Low Oversight, High Autonomy
Source: Shine a Light Gaming Player Expectations Report. 50% of players prefer a 'Guided Community'—defined by High Autonomy and High Oversight.
The “Do It Yourself” Contradiction
75%
of players want to be trusted to resolve conflicts on their own.
76%
of players expect leaders to intervene quickly when conflicts arise.
It looks like a contradiction, but it’s actually sophistication. Players view community leadership as a safety net. They want the autonomy to navigate normal social friction on their own, but they require the **psychological safety** of knowing a leader will catch them immediately if they fall. They don’t want you hovering, but they absolutely want you watching.
Safety Trumps Privacy
When asked to prioritize Privacy vs. Safety on a scale of 1 to 100, the results showed that players clearly view safety as a foundational requirement before privacy can be enjoyed.
The Responsibility Burden
Players don’t just want oversight; they hold leaders to a very high standard. According to the research, the vast majority of players believe community leaders have “High” or “Complete” responsibility for preventing serious issues.
77%
hold leaders responsible for preventing Harassment.
74%
hold leaders responsible for preventing Financial Scams
71%
hold leaders responsible for preventing Unwanted Content.
Conclusion: Architects, Not Janitors
The data is clear: the “Wild West” era of community management is mythology. Modern players demand sophisticated spaces.
“Players don’t just want ‘janitors’ who clean up messes. They want ‘architects’ who build safe structures.”
The winning strategy isn’t choosing between freedom and safety. It is building a Guided Community. A space where the rules are clear, the monitoring is proactive, and the players feel safe enough to be free.
Turn Your Managers into Architects.
Levellr gives your team the tools to build thriving communities that drives deep player retention through data that goes beyond simple community metrics to benefit your wider team.
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