I'd like to begin my statement with the fact that I've never been suspended and/or banned. However, I and my friends have experienced multiple instances of reports being weaponized against us for matters that have nothing to do with harassment and/or cheating. Simply put, they were personal matters that aggrieved parties chose to take in-game (i.e. RL!stalking and doxxing in my case)
Right now, these are my two biggest grievances with the in-game reporting system:
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Right now, these are my two biggest grievances with the in-game reporting system:
1) A game with an OPT-OUT profanity filter shouldn't allow reports to be filled on filler words such as 'fu**' and 'sh**'. I understand this is in the TOS, that 'profanity' shouldn't be used, but in no country are online interactions rated. I find it a bit hypocritical that you have to toggle the option to see profanity in the first place, yet you can report people for it. I also worry about this situation from a roleplay perspective: some characters are crass and they curse. Yet I've had friends be reported at roleplay venues for curse words such as 'sh**'.
Players with grudges and trolls are already taking advantage of this easily exploitable feature to report those they don't like for grievances as silly as, "This person got a Saint title and I'm salty about it."
2) If I'm being warned/suspended/banned, I should be told what I did wrong so I can correct it (if possible), or at least learn from it. I understand there's a fear of retaliation towards the person who issued the report, but even the most basic systems of justice have mechanisms in place for this situation. It's unethical not to tell a person what they did wrong, not only because it breeds paranoia, but because it lacks transparency as it doesn't allow a person to learn from their mistakes, nor allows the game's community to understand boundaries. Logs should be provided, period, in the name of transparency, regardless of whether I'm a citizen of Europe (GDPR) or California (CCPA).
The reporting system in this game is incredibly flawed. As a victim of stalking in-game not once have I felt any of my reports have helped my situation at all. The blacklist system in this game is beyond weak, and I worry that the blacklist system, combined with my grievances above, will make Data Center Travel a nightmare for those of us who've transferred data centers to avoid abusers and harassers.Players with grudges and trolls are already taking advantage of this easily exploitable feature to report those they don't like for grievances as silly as, "This person got a Saint title and I'm salty about it."
2) If I'm being warned/suspended/banned, I should be told what I did wrong so I can correct it (if possible), or at least learn from it. I understand there's a fear of retaliation towards the person who issued the report, but even the most basic systems of justice have mechanisms in place for this situation. It's unethical not to tell a person what they did wrong, not only because it breeds paranoia, but because it lacks transparency as it doesn't allow a person to learn from their mistakes, nor allows the game's community to understand boundaries. Logs should be provided, period, in the name of transparency, regardless of whether I'm a citizen of Europe (GDPR) or California (CCPA).
Thank you for reading.
Continue reading...