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A place to sit back, hang out, and make monkey noises about anything you'd like.

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

yesterday

Hello CYS citizens,

I’ve created 18 questions for you to answer. Feel free to respond directly in this thread or send me a private message. Please be honest in your replies.

1. Do people swear a lot on this site?

2. Are the forums friendly to new users?

3. Do people actually read and rate fairly?

4. Is it hard to get feedback on your story?

5. Are the moderators strict or friendly?

6. Is there a lot of drama in the community?

7. Do users help each other improve?

8. Are short stories welcome here?

9. Do people use AI tools for writing?

10. How often do contests happen?

11. Are low-effort stories usually unpublished?

12. Is the rating system fair, in your opinion?

13. Are there many active story creators right now?

14. Do most people here prefer serious or silly stories?

15. Is there a lot of trolling or spam?

16. Do you think CYS is better than other writing sites?

17. What’s something annoying about the site?

18. In your opinion, what could be added to make the site better?

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!

Mod edit: Leaving this up so people can do whatever with it, but for the benefit of any passing autistic children: for a lot of reasons this is obviously not a person representing Google in any way. So in particular do NOT give them any of your personal info over DMs and let a mod know if they attempt to fish for it. (Just adding this PSA due to a common scam on the wider interwebz, though of course this is more likely to be a garden variety 15 year old troll.)

Celicni

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

24 hours ago

Hello Google Employee! I am here to answer all of your questions.

1. No we fucking don't.

2. Sure we are. Just take a look at the helpful threads in the newbie central part of the forums. We even have an admin abuse hotline!

3. Obviously. The users here take this stuff very seriously, they would never click through to an ending and rate.

4. Feedback is plentiful. Everyone here is very active and reads all of the stories, without any kind of incentive (positive or negative).

5. The moderators take their jobs very seriously, and enforce the rules and the guidelines.

6. Drama? What is that?

7. Telling someone to kill themselves counts as improvement, right?

8. No. 50k words or bust.

9. Yes, we encourage AI usage here, that much should be obvious from reading the pinned post titled "Do not post AI generated text here".

10. As often as the gods of CYS will it.

11. Not if they're funny enough.

12. Of course it is! My lawyer has advised me not to elaborate.

13. I could answer that, but the actual answer is that we do not need any story creators other than the one and only god of writing - Endmaster.

14. CYS takes itself very seriously.

15. We do not allow trolling in the glorious kingdom of CYStia.

16. CYS stands at the very peak of all writing sites.

17. Ace.

18. I personally think we need diversity, LGBTBBQ stories, pronoun selection on profile, and other stuff that helps minorities.

Google_Employee

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

24 hours ago

Thank you for your response. Your answers have been noted and will be forwarded to the higher-ups for further evaluation. Additional responses from the community will help us gain a clearer understanding of the site and determine whether any interventions are necessary.

We appreciate your cooperation.

Mizal

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

Cool man, we look forward to hearing back from Sundar Pichai just as soon as you have time to make the account. :)

Will11

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

23 hours ago

Can you provide any additional proof that this is legitimate (because anyone can say they are a Google employee and the idea that Google controls this site and can intervene at any time they want is one that has never once been expressed before in the site's 20+ year history)? If this isn't fake you must get mistaken for something fake quite a lot.

This whole thing comes across as soft threats with a strong Big-Brother-is-watching-you vibe.

Google_Employee

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

23 hours ago

I’m not claiming Google owns or controls this site, nor am I making any threats (soft or otherwise). I’m just running a light, informal check based on some community reports that caught our attention, mostly about user behavior. Think of it more like internal research than enforcement. No one’s trying to “intervene” or shut anything down.

You’re absolutely right to question the legitimacy, and I respect the fact that CYS has a long and independent history.

Will11

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

Ah, I see you have softened your profile 😊 Well, as impersonating a Google employee is a legal offense with potential consequences including fines and imprisonment it would surely be a ridiculous thing for anyone to do, on par with, say, using AI software to generate reviews. Of course, there is nothing to stop new members from joining and posting a survey for people to answer if they so choose. :D I hope this is a useful experience for you.

Mizal

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

Would it be as silly as making 250 alt accounts in a single night?

Will11

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

That's not silly - that's insane! :D

RKrallonor

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

Ok, that is really hilarious. He must have used bots or something, but that takes a lot of dedication. At this point, I'm genuinely not sure why he(or some other troll) is even bothering. Like, just move on with your life Daiki! But he's probably already on his way to making the next new annoying alt.

Celicni

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

I've been inactive, can I get a tl;dr of this Daiki or perhaps a beginning thread?

RKrallonor

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

sure, it started in the reading contest thread. He was cheating in the contest by using AI to write reviews, simply by summing up everybody else's comments on the stories.

Then when he got caught he denied the whole thing, was super passive aggressive and left the site in a huff.

He then made 2 separate alt accounts, got caught on those, and then left again. But each time he did so, he always used AI or some kind of cheating technique to enter contests just to do extremely well on them, and every single time he was caught, he always just said he'll stop and that all he wants to do is write.

It looks like he's behind this "google account", or maybe it's someone else.

It's in the review contest thread, but you have to scroll down a lot.

CavusRex

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

It pretty much started when he joined the review contest and then so many longform reviews so quickly people started to get suspicious and eventually he got disqualified for being a suspected AI user. In his great wisdom he refuted the accusation my admitting he instead plagiarized other people's reviews. After that he started digging himself in deeper and deeper with alts, this being the newest one.

Mizal

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

https://chooseyourstory.com/member/?Username=Daiki_Aomine

There's really nothing too dramatic to dig into, he was some middle school aged idiot that joined the review contest and proceded to use everyone else's reviews to generate a bunch of "feature worthy reviews" of his own to try and instantly shoot himself into first place.

Got called out on it and disqualified, decided to sulk off (after being rude too Mystic, rare achievement) and came back as TDuck the next day and joined again. Didn't do the spamming thing this time but we told him that disqualified still meant disqualified.

So he abandoned that account too and came back the next day as Wiseman. (The guy who joined the typing club and then true to form immediately bragged that he'd upped his speed by cheating.)

And it was at the point that that was brought up and Wiseman disappeared that we had somebody make a ton of accounts the next night. Not necessarily saying it was him, or that this is, pretty funny timing though.

e: damn i'm late

CavusRex

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

Why is one of the premiere spyware companies interested in this place all of a sudden? Anyway.

1. Freedom of speech is a thing on the site and as such swear words to occur, but they're not prevalent.

2. To actual new users sure, but there is a zero tolerance policy to bots and alts made with the sole intention of being a nuisance.

3. Most people do in their own casually subjective way. We're not professional critics here, but honesty and fairness is valued.

4. Pretty easy between an active reading community and also plenty of people willing to help with proofreading if needed.

5. They're a fine if eccentric bunch and do an exemplary job.

6. That's like asking if grass is green. Every community has instances of drama, but here it's mostly caused by outsiders.

7. That is the entire point of multiple sections of the forum (Writing Workshop, Creative Corner and to a lesser extend Advanced Editor Forum)

8. A notable number of storygames here can be counted as a short story based on word count (<7000). More traditional stories are also welcome, but rarer due to the site's focus on interactive fiction. If somebody tries to submit a linear short story as a storygame they will be justifiably called out on it, but not outright banned or anything.

9. The use of generative AI for writing stories is forbidden. The mere idea is insulting to most writers myself included.

10. There's multiple contests a year usually with a few regular ones and an occasional spur-of-the-moment thing. There's actually one happening right now which is the Summer Review Contest.

11. There's a system for unpublishing stories that don't meet the site's quality standard, it's somewhat lenient, but fair.

12. As fair as any score rating system can be. The only difference is that the scale goes from 1 to 8 instead of the more common 5 or 10.

13. People come and go, but there's a steady stream of new storygames with a more notable amount of the being published whenever a new contest comes around.

14. In my opinion people prefer good stories first and foremost, with them being serious or not depending on each person individually. So basically this is an asinine question.

15. Every once in a while a bot manages to avoid being instantly banned and posts some ridiculous questionnaire in a not particularly impressive attempt to scare people.

16. Better in terms of what? The cafeteria is pretty uninspiring, but the offices are otherwise not bad.

17. Its archaic ass design.

18. I wouldn't mind a decent bar so that I don't have to bring my own drinks from home. Or at least a proper mobile layout to make it easier on the zoomers.

Will11

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

1: Do people swear a lot on this site?
Probably about as much as they probably do off the site.

2. Are the forums friendly to new users?
Usually, except when surveys designed to gather information for evaluation by mysterious, unidentified and vaguely threatening “higher-ups” with unknown powers are the first things they propose.

3. Do people actually read and rate fairly?
Usually, though sometimes people over or under-rate stories.

4. Is it hard to get feedback on your story?
No. There is a brilliant reading competition currently underway that’s generated a fantastic amount of feedback.

5. Are the moderators strict or friendly?
They are fair, diligent and beautiful people.

6. Is there a lot of drama in the community?
No, only slightly and rarely when alts or trolls pop up to try to spread chaos.

7. Do users help each other improve?
Yes, that is what the feedback, forums and private messaging is for.

8. Are short stories welcome here?
Yes.

9. Do people use AI tools for writing?
Most don’t. One person did recently, denied it, admitted it, insulted those who called him out, made an alt, got exposed, denied it again, got banned a few days ago and now we are all really excited to see what guise he appears in next.

10. How often do contests happen?
Every few months.

11. Are low-effort stories usually unpublished?
Yes.

12. Is the rating system fair, in your opinion?
Yes.

13. Are there many active story creators right now?
Probably a few hundred. It depends what you mean by “active” because different people write at different speeds.

14. Do most people here prefer serious or silly stories?
Like Cavus said this isn’t a good question because there are dozens of interconnected genres which different people prefer at different times depending on their different moods.

15. Is there a lot of trolling or spam?
Seldom. The mods try to be vigilant of this kind of thing but the odd spam survey sometimes pops up.

16. Do you think CYS is better than other writing sites?
I actually have never been on another one except for this one. I’m content here.

17. What’s something annoying about the site?
Alts, trolls and people who use AI generating software (often they’re the same thing).

18. In your opinion, what could be added to make the site better?
A soundtrack.

Mizal

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

19 hours ago

CYS Productive Mode soundtrack:

CYS all the rest of the time:

Will11

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

11 hours ago

Thanks :D

Mizal

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

What the hell is this thread lmao

Mizal

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

@RKralloner

PSA only for you: this is not a Google employee.

RKrallonor

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

I appreciate the PSA, but I think Daiki's stupidity has been so obvious even I was able to figure it out. And after last time, I feel like my troll radar is a lot higher now.

Like everyone said above, whoever created the alt account is probably just some kid who doesn't actually know what google's purpose is, nor why it's ridiculously implausible for a search engine/data analytics company to randomly send an employee down to do an audit on a super nice CYOA site.

I do love the way people are answering the questions. I think this has a lot of meme potential, and I do agree with Will, a CYS soundtrack would be legendary!

Liminal

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

14 hours ago

I third the idea of a soundtrack.

DBNB

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

22 hours ago

Ok. I will participate in this retardery, because I am trying to avoid doing actual work at work.

1. Yes

2. Yes, as long as they are not a complete faggot

3. No and Yes (reading, lol)

4. Sometimes, yes.

5. Yes

6. No

7. Yes

8. Yes?

9. No

10. Yes

11. Yes

12. Yes

13. Meh

14. Yes

15. Yes (please see OP of this thread)

16. Yes (this is a retarded question)

17. Stupid people. (again see OP)

18. Beer

enterpride

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

21 hours ago

Commended by Will11 on 7/29/2025 11:25:57 AM

Dear 'Google Employee'

This message constitutes a formal demand that you immediately cease and desist from any and all further actions involving the fraudulent impersonation of an employee of Google LLC, a serious offense that may subject you to civil liability and criminal prosecution under applicable state, federal, and potentially international laws.

Your false claims of affiliation with or employment by Google constitute misrepresentation, fraud, and potentially identity theft, all of which are prosecutable offenses. Be advised that I have secured and documented your IP address, timestamps, and associated network connection information, which have been formally submitted to Google’s internal Human Resources, Legal, and Trust & Safety divisions. They are currently reviewing your actions for possible disciplinary and/or legal proceedings.

You are hereby ordered to:

1. IMMEDIATELY AND PERMANENTLY cease and desist from representing yourself, implicitly or explicitly, as a Google employee or affiliate.

2. Remove any and all content, communications, or representations where such impersonation occurred.

3. Provide written confirmation that you have complied with these demands within 72 hours of the date of this message.

Let this serve as your final warning. Should you fail to comply, or should you continue this behavior in any form, I reserve the right to pursue all available legal remedies, including but not limited to:

Filing formal reports with Google Legal and law enforcement authorities,

Initiating claims for damages,

Seeking injunctive relief,

And supporting criminal charges for fraud, impersonation, and misuse of identity.

This letter places you on notice. Any further unlawful action will be met with swift and decisive legal consequences.

Govern yourself accordingly.

Sincerely,
Enterpride

Anthraxus

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

19 hours ago

No more so that most other public forums.
They can be, provided that the noob does not do something drastic for attention or drama.
Some do, some don't. It's a public forum that allows anonymous responses.
Typically not. There are lots of readers, and with the summer reading contest there is even incentive to leave reviews.
Not compared to many other active forum sites.
Some users try, but you can only offer advice, you can't make some one utilize it.
It is difficult to make a short story length CYOA, although there are many attempts available. Short stories tend to be fairly well received in the forums.
AI tools are strongly discouraged and use of AI has lead to accounts being banned in the past.
There is not a big schedule, but there is almost always some kind of contest or competition going on.
If it is low-effort enough to garner attention, mods will delist it. The weighting system pushes those stories down to ignorability fairly quickly.
The rating system seems mostly fair over time.
There are several active story creators.
That is more dependent on genre than on author.
The fight against trolling and spam is everlasting.
CYS is different than other writing sites. It is hard to objectively quantify better or worse.
The limits of the scripting language can be kind of annoying.
There is a section of the forum about that

Ogre11

Let’s Talk: What’s CYS Really Like?

11 hours ago

I farted when I read that