Perma-Silenced from Command and 7 day suspension (LIVID)

[Jownzorz]

So I was going about my business as normal on PlanetSide when BAM I get hit with a three day silence. I sent a tell to the moderator politely asking why. He responded saying I used profanity, etc. I then questioned him about when they started monitoring the chat (I haven't changed the way I've spoken in months). Next thing I know, my game locks up. I assume its a crash, so I restart my client and it said I wasn't subb'd.

I delve deeper by checking to see if my card was declined only to find that I had been suspended. After checking my VERY old email account (since SOE's online account editing won't allow me to change my email) I find an email with the reason why I was suspended. Same thing, profanity.

I can understand the silence, but then promptly being suspended for 7 days without warning? Hell, I wasn't even warned prior to the silence. They said it was my third offense, but I can only find records of one other offense.

They emailed me what I had said, here are the transcripts:


2011-08-31 19:56:01 [16:04:02], Command, PyroV2, fucking hossin is blue
2011-09-01 20:10:09 [15:42:43], Command, PyroV2, Damn, I was going to ask if it was weird knowing your dick was touching your daughter's face while you banged your wife
2011-09-10 15:27:59 [15:14:20], CMD ALL, PyroV2, Looking for an organized outfit? Tired of running around with your dick in your hand? Send me a /tell for more info!
2011-09-11 15:50:25 [13:47:21], Outfit, PyroV2, fucking nc.
2011-09-12 15:13:39 [15:13:26], Command, PyroV2, lol @ 25% TR holding off these NC *******
2011-09-12 15:34:30 [15:22:35], Command, PyroV2, crtl+dick
2011-09-12 15:34:30 [15:10:24], Outfit, PyroV2, \#ff000tits
2011-09-12 15:34:30 [15:10:34], Outfit, PyroV2, \#FF000tits
2011-09-12 15:34:30 [15:16:54], Command, PyroV2, da fuck happened on cery?


Since when can I not speak freely in MY outfit. I am the outfit leader so I set the tone of how the outfit runs. If you don't like it, you have the option to leave.

NOTE: the \FF0000tits was an attempt to change the text to red (noob move)

Advice???

[Hamma]

Contact SOE directly if you believe it's in error. Also review this thread (http://www.planetside-universe.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37303). It appears SOE is going back and reviewing logs all of a sudden :confused:

[Whoknowswhat1]

Same thing happened to me. they recalled a log that was about 3 weeks old and at like 3pm silenced me...

what was the name of the GM that silenced you?

[Zulthus]

I'm pretty sure the reason was the text in command chat. Which, I guess, uh.. is worse than even what I normally see on /c. Still though, really stupid reason to suspend an account for 7 days. I can understand the silence though.

[Graywolves]

They need to give you a warning before they just shut you down like that....

And Outfit chat is private to you and your outfit so as outfit leader you can say whatever you want.

[SgtMAD]

they don't need to warn anyone,everyone has always known that you can't swear in /C,if you get caught you get in trouble

the problem is that no one has been policing /C for years so when someone gets caught they freak out

you got suspended,welcome to the friggin club

and I'll tell ya what, it was probably the ****** comment that got you in trouble,companies these days are so afraid of being sued that anything resembling sexual harassment drives HR nazis nutz


and what kind of a douche bag recruits over global?

[Bags]

SOE: Hackers are fine, but cussing is not.

lol

[Graywolves]

They do need to warn you because you're paying them. It's not a privilidge to play their game and use their chat. You paid that money. There's no room for hard zero tolerance policies in the entertainment industries for trivial things.

[Zulthus]

They do need to warn you because you're paying them. It's not a privilidge to play their game and use their chat. You paid that money. There's no room for hard zero tolerance policies in the entertainment industries for trivial things.

Actually... it is. They expect the customer to follow the TOS, and if a rule is broken, they have the right to take your privilege away. You paid your money accepting the TOS, so you gotta follow it.

[Hamma]

Indeed and I'm pretty sure it isn't stated anywhere they owe you a warning first. Sure it's common courtesy but they don't have to.

[Firefly]

Actually... it is. They expect the customer to follow the TOS, and if a rule is broken, they have the right to take your privilege away. You paid your money accepting the TOS, so you gotta follow it.
This, exactly.

I'm not aware of any sort of tiered punishment - like Mythic's stance on vulgarity, you got a warning. Then you got a one-day. Then you got a three-day, a five-day and a seven-day pending termination. At all times you'd get an email confirmation (with logs) to the email address registered with your account. But what Mythic does and what SOE does are two different things. SOE's not obligated to do shit for you if their policies aren't the same. Presuming that they owe you something is stupid - you pay to play, and when you log in you agree to adhere to the terms of service, player code of conduct and user agreement. You also tacitly agree that action can be taken against you if you break any of those rules.

As for the OP... you probably got busted for command chat - outfits are moderated by whichever levels of officerness are present. Regardless, you broke the rules, got reported, were found guilty, and action was taken. Waa. Lesson learned. Just because the CSRs and whatnot don't police it frequently doesn't mean you're exempt from the rules.

[Graywolves]

In an entertainment industry where you are seeking a wide variety of players, yeah you need to give warning. As a company you just look like an asshole when you boot without notice or warning. And since your product is entirely based off of the interest of the general consumers to do such, it is in your best interest to not appear to be an asshole.


Of course they can do whatever they want with their game. But widdling your customers away through unnoticed bans and suspensions is a great way to exponential lose income for the company in the near and distant future.

[Firefly]

In an entertainment industry where you are seeking a wide variety of players, yeah you need to give warning. As a company you just look like an asshole when you boot without notice or warning. And since your product is entirely based off of the interest of the general consumers to do such, it is in your best interest to not appear to be an asshole.


Of course they can do whatever they want with their game. But widdling your customers away through unnoticed bans and suspensions is a great way to exponential lose income for the company in the near and distant future.
I completely agree with you - but that's not how SOE does business, apparently. So unfortunately for the both of us and the OP I'm working off what I know of CSR policies and what *is* versus what *should be*.

[Graywolves]

I completely agree with you - but that's not how SOE does business, apparently. So unfortunately for the both of us and the OP I'm working off what I know of CSR policies and what *is* versus what *should be*.

Very well, I'm a little ranty and idealist at times.

[Firefly]

Very well, I'm a little ranty and idealist at times.
So am I. But there's nothing that we can do about their policies so I'd rather spend my time ranting about something else.

Like sharks.

I FUCKING HATE SHARKS.

[Death2All]

I'm really surprised I've never been silenced. I've said much worse on global even and I haven't been silenced. I did get banned for a weekend once but that's the extent of my punishment.

Some people just get unlucky I suppose.

[Firefly]

I'm really surprised I've never been silenced. I've said much worse on global even and I haven't been silenced. I did get banned for a weekend once but that's the extent of my punishment.

Some people just get unlucky I suppose.
Again... I don't think CSRs patrol in-game public chat. I think that it takes being /reported and /appealed.

Note: the proper procedure isn't to /report... that's only the first step. You have to actually file an appeal. The report command just does a server-capture of any chat logs.

[SavageB]

Haha, I kinda find this funny, in all honesty, I support the devs on this decision, the way you talk in command is pretty un called for and I woulda suspended ya to :) IF you are gonna be a douche, then prepare to be treated like one, just sayin.

[Raymac]

I do feel kinda bad for the OP because it did come out of the blue, but at the same time, I remember the early days when the chat was much more tightly monitored so I'm not that surprised. Basically, while I swear like a pirate in private, I try to watch what I say in public because there are kids out there. (and I really hate the "think of the children" arguement)

[Firefly]

I try to watch what I say in public because there are kids out there. (and I really hate the "think of the children" arguement)
I hate the argument too, and I never use it - "online experiences not rated by the ESRB" is my personal retort whenever someone mentions how outraged they are that I said "fuck" when there are kids playing.

Bottom line is, if you let your kids play online video games with people like Goon Squad, 4chan/SA rejects and the like, don't get mad when they are exposed to stuff. You can A) teach them how to use /ignore, B) how to use /filter, C) monitor what they are saying, and D) what constitutes appropriate information to say and to tolerate being said. And possibly E) don't say those words at home. Every time I come across some outraged hippie parent whose kid is playing World of Dorkcraft with them and they get all butt-hurt that someone called their kid a fucking ******, I laugh so hard I nearly wet myself. Their excuse to play WoW when you have the kids is letting them play? That's not parenting and/or babysitting, that's teaching them shitty behavior. I'm single-father to two boys. At no point will they be allowed to get on the internet by themselves, whilst they are in my house, until they are maybe 16. And even then, they will be checked after.

Public chat aside... From a professional standpoint, my responses - per company policy - have been something along the lines of "Well, LegolasGirl184, if you don't want TrollyMcTrollington to ask your 14yr old daughter via tell what kind of panties she has on, you should teach her how to use the ignore feature and you shouldn't have the filter off. Private tells are moderated by the user, via the ignore feature. Please re-appeal if TrollyMcTrollington circumvents the ignore feature by creating a new character."

[Raymac]

I agree with ya to a point, Firefly. I guess I'm viewing it more in the context of, I don't want to be the guy yelling "Fuck the ref!" at a sporting event when some dad is sitting in front of me trying to enjoy the game with his kids. But the interwebs is a totally different environment, and it is up to the parents to do their job.

[Firefly]

I agree with ya to a point, Firefly. I guess I'm viewing it more in the context of, I don't want to be the guy yelling "Fuck the ref!" at a sporting event when some dad is sitting in front of me trying to enjoy the game with his kids. But the interwebs is a totally different environment, and it is up to the parents to do their job.
That's a whole different ballgame - you can't type "/ignore assholefather1234" or even look at the dude and say it (without looking stupid/expecting results).

[Graywolves]

So am I. But there's nothing that we can do about their policies so I'd rather spend my time ranting about something else.

Like sharks.

I FUCKING HATE SHARKS.

No way, Shark's are awesome!

http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs47/f/2009/186/a/9/Awesome_Shark_2_0_by_Awesomeshark.jpg

[SgtMAD]

actually anyone lame enough to use globals to recruit should be banned

[Hamma]

Happiest shark ever!

[Jownzorz]

Haha, I kinda find this funny, in all honesty, I support the devs on this decision, the way you talk in command is pretty un called for and I woulda suspended ya to :) IF you are gonna be a douche, then prepare to be treated like one, just sayin.

I do feel kinda bad for the OP because it did come out of the blue, but at the same time, I remember the early days when the chat was much more tightly monitored so I'm not that surprised. Basically, while I swear like a pirate in private, I try to watch what I say in public because there are kids out there. (and I really hate the "think of the children" arguement)

If you noticed the transcript they sent me, they used things from outfit chat as well. What the hell was that about??

[Accuser]

+5000000

I join a server on bfbc2 where in the GAME... It's narration constantly swears... but by GOD if you type the same exact word, you get a shit storm of people saying 'OMG CHILDREN KIDS OMG KIDS WE'RE A CHRISTIAN SERVER'

"Remember what the MPAA says; Horrific, deplorable violence is okay, as long as people don't say any naughty words! That's what this war is all about!"
- Sheila Broflovski (South Park)

[ikon]

lol pyro getting targeted by the devs.

they are happy to take our money and do nothing for the game.

but randomly give out punishments the 10 seconds they are on.

makes sense

[Jownzorz]

lol pyro getting targeted by the devs.

they are happy to take our money and do nothing for the game.

but randomly give out punishments the 10 seconds they are on.

makes sense

haters always gonna hate.

[Traak]

(and I really hate the "think of the children" arguement)

Yeah, it sounds like something a grandmother might say in a movie.

[Baneblade]

If you noticed the transcript they sent me, they used things from outfit chat as well. What the hell was that about??

Get over it bro. You were stupid and it got you banned for a week. Bro.

[Traak]

However, we can let this serve as a warning, we gotta clean things up in our chats to avoid what we may regard as vindictive and unfair application of the TOS.

PS2 will be a new start.

[dm Akolyte]

I'm single-father to two boys. At no point will they be allowed to get on the internet by themselves, whilst they are in my house, until they are maybe 16. And even then, they will be checked after.


You are gonna have some weird, sexually repressed kids.

[Traak]

You are gonna have some weird, sexually repressed kids.

How could children having their internet activity monitored by their father turn them weird and sexually repressed?

Since when are children supposed to be sexually active/liberated/available/whatever it is you have in mind?

[Kalbuth]

You are gonna have some weird, sexually repressed kids.

Holy crap, I'm weird and sexually repressed!! :(

[Graywolves]

Rather have a sexually repressed kid then him turn into one of those people who show off their junk on chat roulette or have a kid before high school is over.

[Firefly]

You are gonna have some weird, sexually repressed kids.
I pray to G-d that you get a clue before you lose your virginity.

[Crator]

Does it matter? They'll just go over to a friends house or somewhere where the Internet is open and looks at porn. Teens like to rebel against these sorts of things. It's natural for humans to desire sex, more so for young humans. IMO, what you really want to do is warn them about all the dangers of sex and ways to prevent those dangers.

I will admit, there's is something about saving yourself for someone you love and kids should be taught that too. But, human curiosity and desire normally trumps that, at least at first.

[Firefly]

They'll just go over to a friends house or somewhere where the Internet is open and looks at porn. Teens like to rebel against these sorts of things. It's natural for humans to desire sex, more so for young humans.
It's hard to rebel when there's nothing against which one can rebel. So what you do is have "The Talk" with your children, starting with the differences between little boys and little girls whenever that subject comes up.

IMO, what you really want to do is warn them about all the dangers of sex and ways to prevent those dangers.
Yes. As I said, it's hard to rebel when there's nothing against which you might rebel.

The whole assertion that kids will be weird and sexually repressed without porn is fucking stupid and, in my mind, speaks of sexual repression. Hopefully that goes away when he finally gets laid.

[Crator]

^^^ Yup, exactly.

[Cegrocks]

Well, there goes all my TR globals... So I'm safe as long as I don't say the 7 dirty words?

[Wahooo]

Well, there goes all my TR globals... So I'm safe as long as I don't say the 7 dirty words?

Who knows, it would seem to SOE there are a lot more than 7 dirty words, but then there is also the issue of sporadic enforcement, which i find the bigger issue.

[Crator]

Yes, sporadic enforcement is bad. It makes others think, "Hey, it's OK to do that thing against the rules that I didn't for sure know was against the rule (unless I had read them) because others do it all the time".