Question for GM about Bans

#0 - March 21, 2008, 6:03 p.m.

Last night my guild was in the process of killing Illidan. We were just entering phase3 when one of our healing shamans got DCd. When he tried to log back in he noticed that he had been banned for 3 hours by a GM.

Why you may wonder?

Because he typed the word "moo". He often types the word "moo" in general chat in BT after a certain person in another guild types something. He types it each time. However, has never given reason for doing so...he just responds to what this person says in chat with the word "moo". Now this person from the other guild reported him for using "moo" and the GM though it was wise to ban him from the game because in the other person's mind "moo" was offensive.

Now lets not go into the fact that "moo" is actually even an emote in this game...along with /rude and other emotes that could be deemed offensive.

The real issue here is the fact that by banning someon for using the term "moo" because the receiving party of that emote/text was offended opens up anything and everything to be reported as offensive. This GM should have informed this "offended" person to use /ignore if they did not want to see the text "moo".

So basically you now cannot emote anyone or type anything. Because all they have to do is report you and cry to a GM that they are offended and the idiot GM will ban you.

GG blizzard. We had to kill Illidan with 24 people because some reject in another guild got upset about the word "moo" and your terrible GM thought it was a good idea to BAN my guildy.

Well...I gotta go....I have a lot of people to report that offend me by typing or emoting /lick, /kiss, /rude, /spit, /dance....well you get the idea. Hope your GMs enjoy banning people because it's about to get exploited based on this new policy of yours to Ban anyone for anything.

Oh yeah...my toon has the word "MOO" in it...guess I'll prolly get banned too since it's so offensive.

Syndri

#15 - March 21, 2008, 6:18 p.m.

This is amusing, actually. In effect, yes, your guild mate was suspended for saying "moo." He or she is not being completely forthcoming, though.

That's okay. I'll shed some light on this and note that the important word here is "ongoing."

With that said, your guild mate is welcome to contact Account Administration at his or her earliest convenience to contest the action, if necessary. Simply encourage him or her to hit "reply" to the notification sent and state the dispute therein.

Syndri

#33 - March 21, 2008, 6:33 p.m.

Point, the first—

You were not empirically penalized for pretending to be bovine. You were penalized for repeatedly attempting to insult another member of your realm. Your word choice was largely irrelevant. Congratulations, though, on your unprecedented creativity.

Point, the second—

You are welcome to emote to anyone you wish insofar as that action is not harassing. What is and what is not harassment may vary from person to person, but—given that we're SMRT and know that interpretations are relative—we've established a rather staunch definition to eliminate the majority of the debate.

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20455

Q u o t e:
Ongoing Harassment Harassment takes many forms, and is not necessarily limited to the type of language used, but the intent. Repeatedly targeting a specific player with harassment, either physical or verbal, can lead to more severe action. The idea behind this is to prevent any one player from consistently being made uncomfortable in the lands of Azeroth.

Point, the third —

We do not action blindly. We do not "ban on the word of the reporter." We "really investigate."

The best course of action is to refrain from conversing with the player in question. Likewise, if not done already, place each other on ignore. This will remove temptation and limit instances of unwanted interaction. You're also absolutely welcome to email Account Administration, as noted.

Syndri

#38 - March 21, 2008, 6:36 p.m.

Q u o t e:
Account administration typically takes a bit to respond. They apparently have quite a backlog.

Quite true. Regrettably, I'm unsure of what their turnaround is at present. It tends to fluctuate regularly.

Syndri

#50 - March 21, 2008, 6:44 p.m.

When a report is received, both sides of the conversation are reviewed and penalized (if a violation is, indeed, found to have occurred on either end). I assure you that those involved were handled appropriately and equitably.

As for warning, you were penalized two days ago for this selfsame activity. =/

Syndri

#61 - March 21, 2008, 6:49 p.m.

Q u o t e:
Where was the email?

Did you not receive a letter on this date? =/

Syndri

#68 - March 21, 2008, 6:55 p.m.

It was sent. On that date. That you received an email from the same location three days later suggests that your host is willing to permit our addresses. Have you checked your Spam folders and filters?

Syndri

#75 - March 21, 2008, 7:02 p.m.

Curious. Are you attempting to place accountability on us for the notification not being received? =/

That said, did you see the in-game mail alerting you of an account action? I can confirm that it, too, was sent near the same time as the email itself. I'll have the letter in question re-sent, though. Again, that you received one recently—from the same address and location—suggests that it should go through fine.

Here's an article, though, to help:

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20608

Syndri

#87 - March 21, 2008, 7:08 p.m.

Haha. You're incorrigible. And, I fear, a bit hopeless.

The email has been re-sent. I wish you chivalry and and more anthropomorphic emotes from this point forward. :)

Syndri

#94 - March 21, 2008, 7:12 p.m.

The signature is permissible for the time being, as it's fairly innocuous. Even though it likely possesses back story, it's not visibly targeting another. Should forum behavior, however, lend credence to its intent, this verdict may change as moderators see fit.

Syndri

#113 - March 21, 2008, 7:36 p.m.

Please be civil. Supporters and naysayers alike. Makes the forums gods happy.

Syndri

#125 - March 21, 2008, 7:44 p.m.

You trolled this thread. I am very serious about warnings I issue. Please do not treat this time off lightly.

See how that works?

Syndri

#140 - March 21, 2008, 7:54 p.m.

You haven't been banned. You've been given a cooldown. Three hours hence, you'll be spritely exchanging quips once more. Unfortunately, the sincerity I hoped to convey was lost.

Please know that attempting to circumvent applied suspensions is an extremely severe violation of forum conduct and merits, without warning, a full and permanent removal of one's forum privileges. You're not an unwise person, so I'm issuing one more head's up—continue posting in this fashion and I'll revoke this account's, too.

Your friend—the one who was actually penalized—is conducting himself in a much more reasonable manner; and, since I realize he's frustrated, that fact is overwhelmingly appreciated. I'll give you the same if you just play nice.

Syndri

#150 - March 21, 2008, 8:06 p.m.

Different actions will yield different penalties, Tetsuo; some are viewed more severely than others and will, similarly, produce more severe punishments.

Here's some good references for you (or your friend, whichever)—

Penalty Volcano

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20221

Shows how repeated actions can lead to harsher consequences.

How to stay in the Game

http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=21506

Lists the most egregious of infractions, ones which will likely merit anywhere from a 72 hour to full account closure.

That should help you understand a bit more clearly. I'm your peers will help explain a bit more in detail, as well. :)

Syndri

#160 - March 21, 2008, 8:22 p.m.

It wouldn't have led to his account's suspension/closure, no. I'm unsure whether or not it would have aided his endeavor, though. I apologize for being unable to provide further clarity for you, Tetsuo; as it's not my department, I fear I'm unable to speak wholly on its behalf. =/

Reythur

#193 - March 21, 2008, 11:39 p.m.

Q u o t e:
the link was posted on a blizzard forum here and can be moderated

While this may be the case, we do not moderate outside this forum, nor do we allow the "calling out" of other players on this forum; and your fellow posters are correct in saying that you need to use the appropriate methods of reporting the issue. Please either report it via the Biohazard button, or by e-mailing WoWReportedPost@Blizzard.com.

Reythur

#199 - March 22, 2008, 12:35 a.m.

As already mentioned previously:

Q u o t e:
When a report is received, both sides of the conversation are reviewed and penalized (if a violation is, indeed, found to have occurred on either end). I assure you that those involved were handled appropriately and equitably.

If the player in question wishes to dispute the actions taken, they need to contact our Account Administration department.

Account Administration:

http://us.blizzard.com/support/webform-us.xml?gameId=11

I think that we've established the appropriate methods, and this discussion has run it's course.