Good News / Bad News (A Friendly Warning) - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 03:20 - 1

Hi, there,

Holidays are a specialty of Guild Wars, and I think our team does them very, very well. And we know that players love them. Heck, we love them dearly ourselves! Because we know a lot of folks are online and playing, and because we do value your involvement and the specialness of these events, we're very watchful about those who misbehave, who choose this particular day to use a horrible name, to abuse others, to engage in chat that's not acceptable on any day, and is even more likely to be seen, and reported, on a day like today.

We've been getting reports all day. Support has, too. And just about every one of them has, upon investigation, proved to be true. The reports point out foul language, vile names, and behavior that cross the line completely. It's very sad that people would get enjoyment out of trying to destroy the enjoyment of others.

The players who made the poor choices are being blocked as quickly as the team can block them, and that's a shame. For a five second thrill of immature and antisocial behavior, those players are missing the rest of the event. Good call, Bozo Brains!

So the good news is, the event is a tremendous success, the biggest and most well-attended yet! The bad news is that a few people are cooling their heels outside the game, based solely and exclusively on their own poor choices.

Oh, wait... that's bad news?

I guess overall, this is a good news / better news message for the vast majority who are having great fun with us, and with each other, on this wonderful Halloween. As a player, I appreciate the entire team's efforts to create this magical occasion, and the help of others in keeping the game pleasant for the majority of players. As a community manager, I truly hope and pray that those booted this time will step back, think about it, and make better choices in the future.

See you in Elona and Tyria, for the final events!

LiQuId StEeL

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jul 2005

/u/liquidsteel30

Ego Trip From Rank [ZERO]

W/Mo

01 Nov 2006 at 03:23 - 2

<////3 'Bozo Brains'

<3 Witches Hats + FDS Wielding Candy Corn! :O

Kha

Sins FTW!

Join Date: Mar 2005

USA

Angel Sharks [AS]

01 Nov 2006 at 03:25 - 3

Glad to see ANet is always working to keep the game friendly

The racist names and insults being tossed around during this Halloween event were even worse than the early days of HoH in Beta. I was shocked!

And thanks for the wonderful event! That wicked hat completed my monk's costume of A Monk of Abaddon nicely with the Primeval armor.

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 03:29 - 4

A bit more info:

Foul language or inappropriate behavior can (and should!) be reported to Support; exact character name (please check spelling to be sure), time (and time zone) is all we really need. A brief description is helpful, too.

Bad names, though, can be emailed directly to [email protected]. This is for names only, not behavior, not scams. We welcome reports and we'll deal with bad character or guild names as soon as we are able.

EatMoreCarbs

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jul 2006

NJ, USA

Dragons Will Eat Your [Face]

R/Mo

01 Nov 2006 at 03:32 - 5

Thank you, in the district i was in, there were a lot of people going " WTS Mad Kings ******" ( Various ones each time ) The monitoring for towns should be stepped up and im glad Anet is going to do something about. Thank you for the great event. There is one question. I was in Int. District 3 and when the mad king left, i went to Int. District 5, and the mad king was still there. I got double the goodies.

Just wondering if this was an error, or planned? Love the Mad King btw.

/thanks
<3 Anet!
<3 Mad King Thorn

shaolin mind trick

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

Aequitas Deis [AD]

Mo/Me

01 Nov 2006 at 03:33 - 6

Always good to see Anet being active in this kind of thing...
Definately seems like the holiday events bring out the worst in people.
-Cheers! *gulps down yet another absinthe*

Ulivious The Reaper

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

The Shadowed Assassins

W/Mo

01 Nov 2006 at 03:34 - 7

Ah, its good to know Anet does somthing Gaile ^^ as for the halloween event thanks guys

i loved it i kind of like the look of the Wicked hat and Warrior Elite Sunspear <3 so cool

lorenczak

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Aug 2006

Atlanta, GA

M A N Y

01 Nov 2006 at 04:03 - 8

I got banned for using dirty words. Heh heh!! I know it totally serves me right. Truth is, I never really read EVERY word of the user agreement I guess. Just hear/read so much of it it's just kinda second nature. I'm glad you posted this. Helps me understand(even though I should have already known) the rules a bit better. Promis I'll watch my mouth from now on

See ya in 18 or so more hours and enjoy the rest of the event.

Ole Man Bourbon

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

Atlanta

GONG

W/E

01 Nov 2006 at 04:30 - 9

What's Anet's stance on the word "***********?"

Blind Rage

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Sep 2005

New Zealand

Inyurface Gaming [IYF]

01 Nov 2006 at 04:31 - 10

I personally dont see why you should get banned for swearing, (using the "f" word, etc) as their is a swearing filter, if it offends that person they should use a chat filter. i dont see why the filter option has been implemented if it is a violation of the in game rules to use the "f word".

Hockster

Banned

Join Date: Jul 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 04:36 - 11

I'd suspect a ban would be the result of people getting much more graphic than the occasional F Bomb.

tomcruisejr

Banned

Join Date: Apr 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 04:38 - 12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blind Rage

I personally dont see why you should get banned for swearing, (using the "f" word, etc) as their is a swearing filter, if it offends that person they should use a chat filter. i dont see why the filter option has been implemented if it is a violation of the in game rules to use the "f word".

qft. and a.net wont know the whole story anyway. people can just send reports/SS of someone swearing at them AFTER they provoked that person to swear.

DarkCloudInc

Academy Page

Join Date: Dec 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 04:49 - 13

I know, this is pretty much a lawyer's question, but what constitutes as an 'inappropriate' or 'bad' name? I ask this because 'inappropriate' and 'bad' are such relative terms where it is open for mis/interpretation.

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 04:53 - 14

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomcruisejr

qft. and a.net wont know the whole story anyway. people can just send reports/SS of someone swearing at them AFTER they provoked that person to swear.

Nope, we get the full story before we block an account. We're sorta like Santa: We know when you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.

tomcruisejr

Banned

Join Date: Apr 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 04:57 - 15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Nope, we get the full story before we block an account. We're sorta like Santa: We know when you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.

i heart gaile.

Network

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jul 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 04:57 - 16

Whats the point, there is a profanity filter for a reason. If people dont like others swearing than put the profanity filter on. This game is rated T (for teenager) for a reason.

lyra_song

Hell's Protector

Join Date: Oct 2005

R/Mo

01 Nov 2006 at 04:57 - 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Nope, we get the full story before we block an account. We're sorta like Santa: We know when you've been bad or good, so be good for goodness sake.

1984!!!!!

Anet can read anything you type!! Its their server, its their logs.

So, all you guys asking to cyber get lost >.<

shaolin mind trick

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Jan 2006

Canada

Aequitas Deis [AD]

Mo/Me

01 Nov 2006 at 05:00 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyra_song

1984!!!!!

Definately doubleplusgood that Anet monitors this..
Just don't let Gaile take you to Room 101..

M1h4iL

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2005

Perth, Australia

01 Nov 2006 at 05:03 - 19

^Lol 1984, thoughtcrime GW style

Brother Redmund

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Aug 2005

Australia

guildless

01 Nov 2006 at 05:22 - 20

I know I have used the old F-bomb once or twice in order to vent my spleen in reaction to displays of spectacular foolishness in game.

IMO it's all about the context in which such language is used, if it is deliberately malicious and directed at someone, its different than if you go "**** it, mission over" if your team crashes and burns.

Nothing can more succintly convey ones disappointment/frustration (in a non malicious way) as a tactfully placed ****. Conversely, nothing is more infantile than some of the rubbish that has been spewing forth in LA/Kamadan etc over the event.

Its not always the language that is offensive, its the manner in which it is used.

Narutoscryed

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

In the woods

Elite Crew

W/E

01 Nov 2006 at 05:30 - 21

hello gaile.. if i could make a suggestion..

alota folks are totally put off by the reporting process.. i have done it a few times and found it to be to much hassle...

maybee if the person incharge of reporting could make an ingame reporting system.. that can access your screenshots and send them with a detailed report of that timeframe.. alot more folks would report..

i do feel that there is a huge ammount of bad behavior in the game.. i still remember the first time i logged on and read the line "will strip for money"
... it was a lil creapy for that to be the first thing i read ever in gw..

and some behavoir that is downright criminal.. its sad to see in comunity.

ElinoraNeSangre

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Mar 2006

Near Seattle, WA

Talionis De Cineris [EXUR]

N/Me

01 Nov 2006 at 05:47 - 22

I think there's a line between being funny and joking around, and going way too far. I saw some people swearing a lot and being abusive, calling people names if they didn't type fast enough (and I'm thinking to myself, "Oh, so I'm a loser because I didn't type /jump fast enough because I walked off for a minute because I have a life? And *I'm* the loser?!?"). And that's not even the worst of it I'm sure - most of what I saw was pretty minor stuff so far, really. But I'm sure it's worse depending.

It's too bad that this stuff brings out the bad in people.

Linksys

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2006

01 Nov 2006 at 05:48 - 23

I saw some people being immature and racist during the Mad King's game. I thought it was pretty lame. Still enjoyed the game though.

Mercury Angel

Avatar of Gwen

Join Date: Apr 2005

Wandering my own road.

01 Nov 2006 at 05:50 - 24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Network

Whats the point, there is a profanity filter for a reason. If people dont like others swearing than put the profanity filter on. This game is rated T (for teenager) for a reason.

In regards to the chat filter;
Most of the people that would be complained about tend not to have much respect for others. The profanity filter exists, but they seem to think if you don't hear what they have to say, then it's not worth saying it; And to them, it's worth saying it. So the end result?

Instead of GRIS (to borrow from gamefaqs), they say G R I S, GRSI, GR * IS, GR*S, and basically anything to bypass the filter.

But it's not really simply saying a word - it's far beyond that. The first halloween event I went to, some people were cyber-masturbating in the local chat. Yes, I'm serious. THAT is the kind of thing people are complaining about.

People aren't just dropping F-bombs, they're using the local chat for their own filthy little ... I don't even know what to call it. But believe me, there's no way the chat would get less than an MA 18+ rating if it were built in to a game

VitisVinifera

Banned

Join Date: Nov 2005

Northern California

HoTR

N/Me

01 Nov 2006 at 05:51 - 25

good to see.....i just hope this is being applied with a good dose of common sense and understanding of context (not like, **** I just missed the Mad King)

Last night someone with the CE was spawning the disco ball right on the Mad King's head on purpose, was repeatedly asked to stop that (it takes respawning it every 30 sec or so). In this case, the context was there was no cursing, just someone trying to negatively impact the playing experience of others. I hope this situation was dealt with (I didn't report because several others said they would).

Bottom line: I hope the intent is to ban people who intentionally try to negatively impact the playing experience of others (whether this is using abusive language directed towards someone or intended to offend, or by various methods of 'grieving', while NOT just an off-hand slip of the tongue not meant to be abusive but merely as an expression)

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

01 Nov 2006 at 06:03 - 26

problem is many of the 'people' playing ARE immature! (kids....

) so they are acting their respective age......unfortunately for the rest of us.----

Lots of bad language was not read this day, many kids didnt go trick or treating so they could get a pumpkin or witches hat......

I am glad that the people at anet are trying to curtail this, hope it works.

and I have only used one blocked word, and it was a female dog-y...because the person was complaining and complaining.....so we kicked him from the pug.
didnt realize it was a banned word

, now I know.....

and thanks for the event, got lots of new helms for most of my characters due to the lagg.....

manitoba1073

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

ManitobaShipyards Refit and Repair Station

(SFC)Star Fleet Command,(TDE)The Daggerfall elite,(SOoM)Secret order of Magi

01 Nov 2006 at 06:04 - 27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Narutoscryed

hello gaile.. if i could make a suggestion..

alota folks are totally put off by the reporting process.. i have done it a few times and found it to be to much hassle...

maybee if the person incharge of reporting could make an ingame reporting system.. that can access your screenshots and send them with a detailed report of that timeframe.. alot more folks would report..

i do feel that there is a huge ammount of bad behavior in the game.. i still remember the first time i logged on and read the line "will strip for money"
... it was a lil creapy for that to be the first thing i read ever in gw..

and some behavoir that is downright criminal.. its sad to see in comunity.

dont feel bad, i reported a guy for drop stealling with 7 SS of him saying he was doing it and anet didnt do anything. i waited the whole 10 mins SS the guy.

Kidney Licker

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Aug 2005

Europe Server

01 Nov 2006 at 06:17 - 28

Quote:

Originally Posted by manitoba1073

dont feel bad, i reported a guy for drop stealling with 7 SS of him saying he was doing it and anet didnt do anything. i waited the whole 10 mins SS the guy.

TBH I don't see anything wrong with picking up drops like that. He (the drop owner) was probably afk, sleeping perhaps, and just leaving his character there to get a hat. If he's just going to be afk for at least 10 minutes and probably the next X hours, well the risk is up to him. And after the drops are unassigned after 10 minutes he may not pick them up anyway as he wouldn't know they're his.

I've left my character logged on overnight, just for the hat, and if my inventory overflows I just blame myself for not emptying it before I go afk.

Ole Man Bourbon

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2005

Atlanta

GONG

W/E

01 Nov 2006 at 06:24 - 29

Sometimes people, usually monks, deliberately let you die so they can take your loot.

Riesz

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jul 2006

01 Nov 2006 at 06:26 - 30

On one of the Mad King's visits some idiot decided to do his Dervish CE dance in a spot where the disco ball would block out the King's head. Thankfully it peeved the entire crowd and at least 20 people said they'd report him. Good to know something is being done to these idiots only looking to ruin other people's game.

Narutoscryed

Banned

Join Date: Dec 2005

In the woods

Elite Crew

W/E

01 Nov 2006 at 06:36 - 31

^ blocking the mad kings head is not an offence of any sorts.. in fact.. its hillarious.. and neither is ignoring the crowd telling him to stop.. but i hear where your commin from..

now i do think that the
WTS: Req8 15^50 fellblade 100k ++
WTS: Req8 15^50 fellblade 100k ++
WTS: Req8 15^50 fellblade 100k ++
WTS: Req8 15^50 fellblade 100k ++
WTS: Req8 15^50 fellblade 100k ++
WTS: Req8 15^50 fellblade 100k ++
is offensive...

how the heck do they get so many in withought getting the activity message..

Kusandaa

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jul 2006

N/Mo

01 Nov 2006 at 06:43 - 32

Filter FTW; I'm glad it has an option to remove it. I never liked censorship, but really... the ones who don't want to see such language will have the filter on (which is not my case). And due to cultural differences, I use English swear words in French slang as the most normal thing in the world ("c'est f****" = it's so weird/sick/broken/bugged/amazing/etc). It's not considered as "swearing" and since I speak French most of the time when I'm not at home...

And yes, I know about cultural adaptation, and how it's okay in French but not in English. Respecting it is sometimes harder. Guess it's a bad habit that I'd need to fix... but then again, as I said earlier, people who don't wanna see such language should use the filter - that's what it's for.

EDIT: Bleh... seems I'm sleepy enough NOT to have noticed the other posts... ON the other page. GO me! >_<

garethporlest18

Forge Runner

Join Date: Jan 2006

[HiDe]

W/

01 Nov 2006 at 06:55 - 33

The F word is my favorite word so it's very hard for me not to say it :/.

Why does it bother people so much? If you didn't think of it as disrespectful it wouldn't be.

I've seen a bunch of immature things during this event, but I dont' let this kind of stuff bother me..I'm not sure why it bothers others.

manitoba1073

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Jan 2006

ManitobaShipyards Refit and Repair Station

(SFC)Star Fleet Command,(TDE)The Daggerfall elite,(SOoM)Secret order of Magi

01 Nov 2006 at 07:02 - 34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kidney Licker

TBH I don't see anything wrong with picking up drops like that. He (the drop owner) was probably afk, sleeping perhaps, and just leaving his character there to get a hat. If he's just going to be afk for at least 10 minutes and probably the next X hours, well the risk is up to him. And after the drops are unassigned after 10 minutes he may not pick them up anyway as he wouldn't know they're his.

I've left my character logged on overnight, just for the hat, and if my inventory overflows I just blame myself for not emptying it before I go afk.

actually the guy whos drop it was was still there and repeatedly told the guy to die so he could get it. it was on the weekend double drop chest chance.

swiftygem

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Dec 2005

01 Nov 2006 at 09:12 - 35

Quote:

In the Game(s), characters have the privilege of sending server wide messages called "Chat Messages." With this privilege comes a high level of responsibility on the part of the user. Due to the fact that this communication channel has the ability to impact every player on the server, NC Interactive will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior of any sort in this chat channel. This includes but is not limited to: inappropriate language of any sort or any attempt to escape the profanity filter, inappropriate or vulgar content of any sort, repeated "spamming," or "flooding" of the chat messages channel, or any other conduct determined to be inappropriate by NC Interactive Support, in its sole discretion. Any violation of this term or rules of conduct may, in the sole discretion of NC Interactive, lead to the temporary removal of the character's ability to communicate, the account being suspended for a set period of time, or lead to permanent account closure.

So basically if you swear in a way that bypasses the filter (e.g. **** instead of the full word), you can get blocked/banned? Also it seems that this applies only to global chat channels in outposts, not team chat in mission or whispers, right?

fatmouse

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2006

01 Nov 2006 at 09:45 - 36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riesz

On one of the Mad King's visits some idiot decided to do his Dervish CE dance in a spot where the disco ball would block out the King's head. Thankfully it peeved the entire crowd and at least 20 people said they'd report him. Good to know something is being done to these idiots only looking to ruin other people's game.

It sounds like it was a very traumatic experience.

Jongo River

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Oct 2006

01 Nov 2006 at 10:08 - 37

Only thing that bothered me was the constant "NOOB" everytime someone got a Mad King game wrong. What's wrong with these idiots? The game wouldn't be half as much fun, if a third of the crowd wasn't cut down each round.

Linksys

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Apr 2006

01 Nov 2006 at 10:16 - 38

Yeah no kidding. It would be fun to die on purpose to get a laugh.

Addone_Abaddon

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2006

Jersey, Channel Islands

Perfection Is Everything [PiE]

W/

01 Nov 2006 at 10:33 - 39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Riesz

On one of the Mad King's visits some idiot decided to do his Dervish CE dance in a spot where the disco ball would block out the King's head. Thankfully it peeved the entire crowd and at least 20 people said they'd report him. Good to know something is being done to these idiots only looking to ruin other people's game.

I think I was there, god I've been tricked

I thought the mad king conjured up the disco ball

Carth`

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Apr 2006

01 Nov 2006 at 10:36 - 40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Redmund

IMO it's all about the context in which such language is used, if it is deliberately malicious and directed at someone, its different than if you go "**** it, mission over" if your team crashes and burns.

I agree completely. I've been playing for over a year and I've seen my share of bad language, but none of it bothered me. But a few days ago someone was very malicious, obviously intending hurt and harm to someone else, and I reported it.

I only wish we could find out about the result of it. I got the standard "We will use the information you have provided to investigate whether a violation of the rules has occurred and will take the appropriate actions. ..... If we do find any rules to be broken, you will not hear of any rulings related to the incident and the account(s) involved."

I can't help wondering whether the offender got his comeuppance, or whether it wasn't the kind of incident they want reported, or whether they even investigated it, or if they log enough information to know.