Hi comrades, it’s yappening again - you’re invited to drop in chat about what’s on your mind in Webfishing!

The server is now closed

Note that the FAQ has been updated.
New questions with answers will be highlighted below:

When is the drop-in server being hosted?
This Saturday, 11:00am PST / 2:00pm EST / 7:00pm UTC
Click on the UTC link to be taken to Bing search results that will localise the time to your specific region.

How long will the drop-in server run for?
I’m planning to run it for approximately two hours unless there is demand for it to run longer and I have the spoons for it.
This post will be marked closed when the server has been shut down.

What happens if the server crashes?

If there was about 20 minutes or less before the server was due to close and things were winding down, sorry folks - the party died a little prematurely. But if it looked like the momentum was going to continue and I could keep going then I’ll fire up a new server and send out a new ping inviting you back. If there was 30 minutes or more to go before the promised close time, I’ll do the same.

How can I join the ping list?

Comment below asking to be added or send me a DM with a request and I’ll add you to the ping list.

Will you notify me in Element when your server goes live next?

I need to do a viability assessment before I can promise anything. If you want to be on the waiting list, send me a DM to let me know and I’ll put you down and if/when it gets launched I’ll let you know via Element.

Will you hold it at a more reasonable time for North America/my time zone?
I plan to. I intend on holding this drop-in server at different times to cover different time zones so that it’s suitable for folks wherever they happen to be.

What is Webfishing anyway?
It’s a new little cozy game that’s based around fishing and feels a lot like Animal Crossing.

How does it work?
It’s basically like a chatroom that has a little game attached to it. You don’t have to play the game if you just want to chat. The game itself has a very relaxed vibe without any time pressure or specific goals you have to achieve.

Where do I get the game?
It’s available on Steam for around $5 USD, less if you’re in a developing country.

What if I can’t afford to buy the game at the moment?
If it’s the one thing that’s stopping you from joining, send me a DM and I’ll buy a code for you to use as long as you are a Hexbear user with an account that isn’t brand new.

Can I join if I am a lurker, if I do not have a Hexbear account, or if I found this via another part of the Fediverse?

What if I do not identify as being neurodivergent?

Of course. As long as you adhere to the Server Ground Rules listed at the bottom of this post you are invited to join the server.
You do not have to identify as neurodivergent to join the server, I’ve just been posting on here as I gradually grow this project and improve it to avoid overextending myself. In due course I hope to start promoting this to the whole site but for now I’ve still got my training wheels on.

You are not expected to be an active Hexbear user with an account in order to join the server - everyone is welcome.

What are the system requirements?
They are reasonably low. You need a device that can run Steam (like a PC, a laptop, or a handheld device such as a Steam Deck or similar.)
You can read more about the specific system requirements on the Steam page to see if your device is up to the task of running the game.

Can I join the server straight after downloading the game?
There is a brief, mandatory tutorial that the game makes you do when you play for the first time. It should only take you a few minutes to play through though. After you have completed the mandatory tutorial you will be able to join a server and start chatting/playing.

Do I have to RSVP? How long do I have to stay if I join?
You don’t need to RSVP, just show up whenever you’re ready to while the server is running.
You don’t have to stay for any longer than you want to. You can even just pop in to say hello and then head off straight after if you like.
If you mention that you are interested in joining the server for this event in the comments section below, I will ping you when it goes live.
If you want to be part of the main ping list, just say so and every time a new post about the next upcoming peer space gets posted I’ll ping you so you get a notification that another one is happening soon.

Do I have to use my Hexbear username?
No. I’d recommend that you don’t so that way you have some separation between your account here and your character in Webfishing.

Will it be moderated?
You bet it will be. I will be in there the whole time and I will moderate the space to maintain its safety.

Is there an age requirement to join the server?
I cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that the server will be safe or suitable for minors so you are only permitted to join if you are 18+.
I will do my best to ensure the server is safe but people may chose talk about heavy subjects or topics that are inappropriate for minors and I do not want to expose minors to undue risks.
I cannot check your ID at the door but please keep in mind that you need to be an adult in order to join.

A Casual, non-Peer Support server are currently being trialled for viability where the rules are stricter on acceptable discussion but which is open to all ages.

If you would like to be added to the non-Peer Support list then please send me a DM requesting to be added to that peer list. All users on the main ping list will also be notified of the casual non-Peer Support server going live.

Please DO NOT comment below letting everyone know that you are a minor – don’t announce your age online in public spaces especially if you aren’t an adult, please.

What’s the difference between the Peer Support server and the casual one?

All users will be expected to keep things age-appropriate in the casual server.
Currently the casual server is going live on an ad-hoc basis without advanced notification, mostly by request at the moment.
I will be there to moderate however my engagement is less intensive to allow me to manage the demands on me. Think of it as a low key hang out space to chat with whoever is in the server but not as a space where I will be able to provide peer support.

Can I make a request for you to start the casual server?

You can try.
I will make no guarantees but if I am available, if I have enough energy, and if checked my inbox, I’ll probably make it happen.

What can I talk about in the Peer Support server?
Almost anything.
Don’t dox yourself or others, don’t be abusive or make threats against others, but basically if it wouldn’t break the rules here then it won’t break the rules in the server.
For more a detailed and explicit explanation of the rules, the Server Ground Rules can be found at the bottom of this post.

What if I don’t have anything to talk about?
I don’t mind. You can just hang out in the server and play the game or be a part of the group.

Why are you offering this?
I used to be a peer worker and I have worked in the disability and mental health sectors. This is something that I have done professionally (only face to face, not online) and it’s a way of providing support to this community if there is anyone who would like to chat or to seek peer support.
It can be hard to access mental health supports for a variety of reasons. This is my modest attempt to make accessing mental health supports a little bit easier.

Is this like a life coaching/neurodivergent coaching thing?
No. While I have been trained in different coaching methods, as it is a group space and as there isn’t necessarily continuity in how your accounts will appear to me in different sessions if you choose to change your details, along with the fact that there is no accountability and goal-tracking being offered alongside consistent bookings (not to mention that I will not be keeping casenotes on my end), formal coaching is beyond the scope of this server.
I may draw upon coaching methods in the server as I see fit but this server is not a suitable space for an ongoing coaching mode of support.

Are you a qualified therapist or doctor?
Absolutely not and I’m not attempting to be one.
I can offer support as a peer, I can share based on my own experiences and understanding of things, but I cannot be more than that.

Is this space a crisis service or an emergency service?
Absolutely not. I am not equipped to handle a mental health crisis for pseudo-anonymous people remotely via an online co-op game.
If you are in crisis, you will need to access the local crisis services available to you.
If it is an emergency, you will need to call your country’s emergency number.

Is it a secure platform? How do I protect my identity in this game?
The public info on your Steam profile page will be visible to others so I strongly recommend setting your profile page to private and choosing a profile pic and setting the username to something that doesn’t identify you and is generic to make it effectively unsearchable (e.g. using a name like Krupskaya or Azerty or Salton Sea). You can also make a burner Steam account for additional privacy if you like.
The platform is not secure (nor is this one that you’re on now), so it is not like Matrix/Element. I strongly recommend using a VPN to conceal your IP. I cannot guarantee what the game has on the back end. Treat it a you would the Hexbear Visual Cuisine on cy.tube.
Be very careful about giving out too much info or info that is too specific. You can be vague, you can throw out false info about your situation, and you can simply choose not to divulge info at all.

How many people are permitted in the server at any given time?
There is a maximum of 12 people allowed in the server currently and it is first come, first serve.
I will try and keep an eye on the numbers and in the unlikely event that the server hits 10+ guests then I will invite people to consider whether they are ready to move on in order to allow other people to join.
I may choose to revise these numbers downwards based on the demands for moderation, my PC’s ability to cope with the demands of hosting the server, and to ensure that people in the server get a chance to chat with me.

What’s the server’s position on ableism?
Ableism targeting another person is strictly forbidden.
The use of ableist slurs and the denigration of people based on ability/disability is strictly forbidden.
Unfortunately our culture and language is deeply ableist. Casual use of ableist language is discouraged but it is not policed; examples of casual ableism are: “Is it dumb to feel this way?”. “I feel like I’m stupid for not figuring this out earlier”, and “My boss went completely psycho at me”.
There are alternative words that can be used however this space recognises that self-expression is fundamental to its functioning and I cannot demand that people change their use of language instantaneously or to treat communication in the server like it’s some sort of crossword puzzle they have to solve in order to get their message across.
“You are dumb” is absolutely not permitted. “[x group of marginalised people] are dumb” is absolutely not permitted. “Why do people have to act so dumb just because they see a guy wearing nail polish?” is a tolerated form of casual ableism in the server—although it is not condoned—while creativity and the use of alternative non-ableist terms is encouraged.
You will be able to prompt me to yap about this topic for as long as you care to listen if you happen to ask me about it in the server.

Are you insured for this?
No.
The pleasure is mine but the liability is yours.

Do you offer refunds?
Sure, but it’s a free service so it’s not worth asking for a refund on that.
Due to the current limitations of the time-space continuum, I will be unable to refund you your time.

Do you wear wigs?

Server Ground Rules:

• No oppressive speech - no racism, sexism, queerphobia (including transphobia) etc.
• Be respectful of others - be kind, don’t be a jerk.
• Don’t record the server, don’t spread the things that another person has said in the server around to others - if you have any concerns or complaints about my conduct or anyone else’s then let me know either in the server or on Hexbear so I can address it.
• Verbal warnings/kicks/bans are up to my discretion - adhere to the first three ground rules, keep the space safe for yourself and others, and you’ll be fine.
• Use of a VPN is strongly encouraged
• Keep your OpSec practices in mind at all times
• Consent is fundamental to every part of the server - you are always allowed to say that you don’t want to do something or that you don’t want to talk about something. Your choice will be upheld in the server.
• I am not a therapist or a doctor and I cannot be a replacement for them
• This is a casual peer support space not a crisis or emergency service.
• There is a maximum of 12 people allowed in the server and it is first come, first serve
• The server is for people who are 18+
• Anyone who agrees to these ground rules is welcome to join the server

Hope to see you there!