Mature Content in Public Chat

#0 - May 4, 2010, 4:21 p.m.

I see this every day in Trade and General all day every day when I am in any major city. Whether it is in SW, IF, Exodar or Dalaran. People posting ridiculously obscene topics and opinions in reference to race, color creed, sexuality...and of course all of the above simultaniously.

I report dozens of people every day. Most often the same people time and again. Repeating the same subjects over and over. Is there anything Blizzard can really do about what people say in the public chat channels?

When I chose to interact with someone in this game...I make it my sole responsibility...to obtain information...and to conduct myself accordingly...around anyone and everyone in the midst of such a vastly diverse group of people that play this game...based on the information I obtain through casual conversation...no matter what the circumstances. I keep myself in check...but a good number of people who play...can't say the same for themselves.

There is too much not being done about this...and those that do it...whether they be children or adults...don't care who sees it...they are justifying that what children see is due to parents irresponsibility. Most of these people are adults and children alike...talking about a multitude of subjects...that are clear violations of the T&C...agreed upon when you first start the game.

However...I do understand why Blizzard may not with this issue...because of the overflow of hacker and spammer problems across all the WoW realms.

I know that plenty of people who play this game...are parents of children who play this game too...some as young as 7...maybe even younger than that...I know many of them myself...and I know that if my kids were seing all this nonsense...I would want something done to remedy it.

I also know...that a lot of those parents...believe that their child is mature enough to handle a little carton violence...but not what people keep spewing in trade and general chat every single day.

But I am just 1 voice...and 1 voice sometimes isnt enough...many voices being heard, is always better than just 1.

Help me send a message to Blizzard...if people can encourage Blizzard to make changes to toons, class abilities, talents, professions and other parts of the game experience changed...then the same amount of concerned and complaining individuals may also help encourage Blizzard to act on this issue as well.

Anyone and everyone who shares my point of view on this issue...please post your comments here and show your support for a cleaner and more healthy social environment for the impressionable children who play this game. (^.^)

And to those who have nothing nice to say...simple request...please dont post here!!

Syndri

#262 - May 4, 2010, 8 p.m.

Q u o t e:
There is too much not being done about this...and those that do it...whether they be children or adults...don't care who sees it...they are justifying that what children see is due to parents irresponsibility. Most of these people are adults and children alike...talking about a multitude of subjects...that are clear violations of the T&C...agreed upon when you first start the game.

Reporting does make a difference. In the strictest sense, it allows our representatives the opportunity to thoroughly investigate any given situation. Speaking more broadly, it allows us the opportunity to properly address cases of harassment and violations of the Terms of Use.

So, on that note, please keep the following tools in mind: Report Spam, the in-game petition system, and [email protected]. The "Report Spam" feature is ideally used for reporting gold and casino advertisements, phishing attempts (whisper or in-game mail), and any other chat that is clearly repetitive spam—including body part + [ability] discussions. Other forms of harassment—profanity, ongoing harassment, name violations, etc—should not be reported using the "Report Spam" feature. These types of harassment are best brought to the attention of our in-game Support staff via petition or email to [email protected]. :)

With that said, please know that speaking generally in a channel dedicated to a specific topic (Trade, for example)—albeit distracting and, at times, unfavorable—is not a violation, in and of itself. While we do encourage players to remain on-topic, it is by no means forbidden to engage in tangential conversations, even if such conversations may, in fact, digress from the channel's "intended" progression.

Q u o t e:
Help me send a message to Blizzard...if people can encourage Blizzard to make changes to toons, class abilities, talents, professions and other parts of the game experience changed...then the same amount of concerned and complaining individuals may also help encourage Blizzard to act on this issue as well.

Anyone and everyone who shares my point of view on this issue...please post your comments here and show your support for a cleaner and more healthy social environment for the impressionable children who play this game. (^.^)

If you have any thoughts for how we may improve the in-game experience (including that which occurs in public chat channels), let us know by posting in the Suggestions Forum. We're very happy to receive your feedback and would love to hear from you.

Also, just as a parting reminder: Even though profanity is rather commonplace, it is not universally accepted as a means of public communication. It's thus important to remember that the World of Warcraft is shared—and not just with your friends or buddies, people who likely see eye-to-eye with you on what language is and is not appropriate, but with millions of other players from hundreds of different countries, creeds, and cultures who might find your preferred four-letter words insulting and demeaning. To keep this game as fun as it possibly can be, you've got to think globally and respect the individuals with whom you interact. Refraining from using profanity in public chat is one way of doing this. :)