Name Suspensions A Bit Ridiculous?

#1 - March 25, 2013, 7:07 a.m.

Two weeks ago i was placed on a 72 hour suspension for my character’s name “Fascist Fruitcake”. Yes, I’m fully aware of what both words mean and all alternate meanings to them. However, I had the same name and many other similar names to it for the last 7 years in Guild Wars 1 without any issues. For example, my other GW2 names:

Fruitcake Supreme
Communist Fruitcake
General Fruitcake
Admiral Fruitcake

None of the other characters had any difficulties with name suspensions in the slightest bit in both GW1 and GW2.

Now, after the 72 hour suspension was over, I changed my name to Officer Fruitcake since it appeared to me that Fruitcake wasn’t the infraction due to the rest of my characters, AND my ID having “Fruitcake” in it. NOPE. I was then hit with a 1 week ban for the name “Officer Fruitcake”, and the appeal was denied because of the many cultures and views GW2 players have.

My issue:

If GW2 was supposed to be a causal game, why so harsh and inconsistent with the code of conduct?

(Before anyone posts about it, no I’m not bashing homosexuality or politics. Its just a name!)

Ticket ID: 130322-001474

EDIT: The week long ban was lifted and ALL character names must be changed.

Gaile Gray

#2 - March 25, 2013, 4:59 p.m.

Ok, so I talked about this with the team and in the current day, “fruitcake” just carries a bit too much baggage to be used for a name.

I remember the day when you could say “Nutty as a fruitcake” and everyone would know you meant the person was just a bit bizarre. Like, “My aunt is nuttier than a fruit, she saves pancakes in the attic.” However, today, “fruitcake” just isn’t a good name to use.

I’m sorry that you’re upset, and we did talk about this extensively, but renaming is the way to go. Checking the ticket, it appears you were given access to a free rename for each character that was flagged, and the suspension was lifted. I do believe that your use was not intended in an offensive way, and hope you’ll understand that we’re aiming for a solid common ground with the Naming Policy.