ArenaNet is in no way required to justify such a ban. Guild Wars is on a private server, and the owners (ArenaNet) can do whatever they want with it. If they feel the name is offensive, they can delete it. I don't know how RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOed up you have to be to think that using AIDS in a joking matter is not offensive. Why would you even name a character that? I don't see how it could be funny.... Making 'funny' names with sexual innuendo is one thing, but a 'funny' name that jokes about a disease that millions of people have died from is just stupid.
'Black Plague' is not joking, and could mean a number of things. 'Spanish Flu' is fairly borderline (it's pretty specific), but I've never seen any names joking about it (or even mentioning it) so it's possible Anet would ban it, too.
What Constitutes an "Inappropriate" Name?
Hell Raiser
X89
Ok first off, ALL of my pvp names should be banned. Second, I hope they do offend people. Here is a complete list of character names I use.
Kunt Puncher
Gaping Va Gi Na
Incest Is The Best
My Sistr The Fistr
The Red Ragger
Muffdiver Survivor
Fist Full Of Crisco
Kum Swap Queen
To add to that, any other lewd names I can think of get put on a list, and get used from time to time. As far as the name debate goes, who cares, he put aids at the end of his name.
Kunt Puncher
Gaping Va Gi Na
Incest Is The Best
My Sistr The Fistr
The Red Ragger
Muffdiver Survivor
Fist Full Of Crisco
Kum Swap Queen
To add to that, any other lewd names I can think of get put on a list, and get used from time to time. As far as the name debate goes, who cares, he put aids at the end of his name.
countesscorpula
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Snype
"Snype Has A I D S". .
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And the spacing in A-I-D-S was NOT an attempt to get around the name filter? You knew it was in poor taste, and you tried to make an end run around it. You're lucky you only got a 72 hour ban.
Also, it seems to be a comment on someone named Snype. This is just as likely to get you a ban as having the name Gayle Gray Smells or some such thing. Quit trying to be clever if you don't have the grey matter to back it up.
explodemyheart
Quote:
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Originally Posted by countesscorpula
And the spacing in A-I-D-S was NOT an attempt to get around the name filter? You knew it was in poor taste, and you tried to make an end run around it. You're lucky you only got a 72 hour ban.
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It was in poor taste, but the word is usable.
Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by countesscorpula
And the spacing in A-I-D-S was NOT an attempt to get around the name filter? You knew it was in poor taste, and you tried to make an end run around it. You're lucky you only got a 72 hour ban.
Also, it seems to be a comment on someone named Snype. This is just as likely to get you a ban as having the name Gayle Gray Smells or some such thing. Quit trying to be clever if you don't have the grey matter to back it up. |
Also, look at what the name of the user you are replying to is. XD
Snype
Quote:
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Originally Posted by countesscorpula
And the spacing in A-I-D-S was NOT an attempt to get around the name filter? You knew it was in poor taste, and you tried to make an end run around it. You're lucky you only got a 72 hour ban.
Also, it seems to be a comment on someone named Snype. This is just as likely to get you a ban as having the name Gayle Gray Smells or some such thing. Quit trying to be clever if you don't have the grey matter to back it up. |
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First of all, thank you for everyone who sees my side. I will be sure to include this in my "Ask A Question" email to Arenanet.
For everyone who has called the name immature, stupid, and not funny: I AGREE! The name made no sense, and I feel really stupid after making it. However, my point is that NO WHERE in Anet's Code of Conduct can I find a clause stating that "immature, stupid, or not funny" names justify a ban. I used no vulgar language, inappropriate terms, or offensive nicknames in order to offend anyone. Intent is not the issue here. Banning on the cause of intent is unjustified and unjust.
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Also as a reference note, an Anet employee confirmed that "Snype Has A I D S" was the name that the ban was justified under.
Aera Lure
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Snype
Apparently the name of any disease is considered as such. I will make sure in the future not to create any names with the word "cold" or "flu" in it. Anet might deem it inappropriate.
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Darcy
1. ArenaNet has stated in the past, they do not delete characters. They block them from use. They will unblock a character as soon you comply with their request.
2. OP is of the opinion that the name to which they object is the "A I D S" one. Possibly because he realizes it could be offensive. Otherwise he would be posting his bewilderment over the ban as none of his names could be considered offensive.
3. Many names are offensive to someone else for various reasons. ArenaNet has explained that when a name is reported by a player or observed in-game by a ArenaNet employee, a committee discusses the situation and decides if a ban and name-change request will be issued.
4. Don't like being told what to do? ANet's policy is "their server, their rules." You can always take your marbles and go home. That'll show them.
5. As the Black Plague and Spanish Flu never carried the stigma of AIDS, I don't think the comparison holds. The tragedy is not just contracting the disease, it's what happens to your life while you fight it.
2. OP is of the opinion that the name to which they object is the "A I D S" one. Possibly because he realizes it could be offensive. Otherwise he would be posting his bewilderment over the ban as none of his names could be considered offensive.
3. Many names are offensive to someone else for various reasons. ArenaNet has explained that when a name is reported by a player or observed in-game by a ArenaNet employee, a committee discusses the situation and decides if a ban and name-change request will be issued.
4. Don't like being told what to do? ANet's policy is "their server, their rules." You can always take your marbles and go home. That'll show them.
5. As the Black Plague and Spanish Flu never carried the stigma of AIDS, I don't think the comparison holds. The tragedy is not just contracting the disease, it's what happens to your life while you fight it.
Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Darcy
5. As the Black Plague and Spanish Flu never carried the stigma of AIDS, I don't think the comparison holds. The tragedy is not just contracting the disease, it's what happens to your life while you fight it.
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-.-
Censorship is silly!
Dr Strangelove
The general rule is that if you have to ask, it's probably not ok.
I'd guess they nixed AIDS for the same reason they would nix a name like "Raging Chlamydia"
I'd guess they nixed AIDS for the same reason they would nix a name like "Raging Chlamydia"
Guardian of the Light
Words are Words. They can really only harm you if you let them.
Almost every word can be determined as offensive to someone.
So how do you draw the line inbetween offensive and ok. You can't! The only things that move that line are opinions and Anet's Opinion rules everyone.
If you want to prevent yourself from being banned play on the safe side and be a little more mature.
Almost every word can be determined as offensive to someone.
So how do you draw the line inbetween offensive and ok. You can't! The only things that move that line are opinions and Anet's Opinion rules everyone.
If you want to prevent yourself from being banned play on the safe side and be a little more mature.
Tachyon
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Originally Posted by -.-
Censorship is silly!
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I'd still like to now what's so damn offensive about naming a pet cat 'Bagpuss' after a very famous kid's TV show? Is this somehow an offensive term to Americans, because it seems to me that the majority of so called offensive terms in this game are of American origin.
fog_of_redoubt
Quote:
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Originally Posted by icymanipulator
Some quick facts:
-AIDS pandemic, has killed an est. 25 million worldwide since 1980 with an additional 40 million currently infected. Relative human population ~5.5-6 billion over the course of 1980-2007. Thats less than a half of a percent of the worlds population during this time period. -Black Plague pandemic, killed an est. 75 million worldwide 20 million just in Europe during 1300's. The worlds population is estimated at 443 million during this time period. Roughly 17% of the worlds population died. The black plague is estimated as having killed between 1/3 and 2/3 of Europe's entire population. -Spanish Flu pandemic, 1918-1920 killed an est. 40 million people worldwide. World population in 1918 was an est. 1.8 billion. Just over 2% of the worlds population died with up to 20% of the entire population infected (360 million). How much you want to bet I can log on guild wars right now and make my name any variant of black plague or influenza and I will neither be banned nor complained to for my lack of maturity in name choice? Honestly you can take the politically correct banter and shove it. |
Would You and the OP act like 10 year old kids trying to come up with IDIOTIC names if you weren't hiding in the basement of your parents home?
You really need to let this go, I cannot see why any reasonable adult would stand here and say that rude, explicit, demeaning, racist, etc names are "OK"
Omniclasm
What if some guy was playing the game that had AIDS, and his real name was Snypes? Just because something hasn't devastated your life, doesn't mean that it hasn't devastated someone elses.
Snype
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Omniclasm
What if some guy was playing the game that had AIDS, and his real name was Snypes? Just because something hasn't devastated your life, doesn't mean that it hasn't devastated someone elses.
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Tachyon
What if, there's someone playing the game who actually has AIDS and want's to name their character with some reference to that fact. Would they be allowed to use the name?
Omniclasm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Snype
So if I made the name One Legged John, and a guy on the game named john with a leg missing reported it, I should be banned. Makes perfect sense.
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MrFuzzles
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Series
To the politically-correct police: Get a life.
If a disease offends you so much, maybe we should rename the plague in Cantha "The Nondenominational Highly Contagious Illness", as plague still exists in countries like India and if an Indian man plays this game he may possibly be offended by a reference to a disease that exists. Come on people. |
I have 2 acquaintances who have died from aids. 1 who has died from OD. 1 who has been raped. I do not find people who have named their characters in relation to the above to be funny or amusing in any way whatsoever. It's unneccesary for you to be allowed to name your characters as such. You don't need to be able to play a character named Lolol Aids in order to have fun with GW.
If it's completely unacceptable for you that you can't make fun of aids in GW, then I am not the one who needs to get a life.
explodemyheart
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Omniclasm
People missing a leg isn't nearly as widespread or deadly as AIDS
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So the amount of people affected by something bad is what determines whether using a term is socially acceptable or not?
Omniclasm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by explodemyheart
No, but it happens. What if John lost his leg because he fought in a war? Or what if John lost his leg because he was in a car accident in which his wife and child were killed?
So the amount of people affected by something bad is what determines whether using a term is socially acceptable or not? |
Edit: Maybe I should say upsetting not offending.
fog_of_redoubt
The intelligence in this thread is utterly amazing.
Please tell me all of those of you that think you should not be prevented from naming your characters what you want, are not Adults yet. I really, really, really hope you are still in Junior High where things like this get a laugh. If you are adults and are mingling in society on a daily basis and feel that this is appropriate then you have a major problem.
Please tell me all of those of you that think you should not be prevented from naming your characters what you want, are not Adults yet. I really, really, really hope you are still in Junior High where things like this get a laugh. If you are adults and are mingling in society on a daily basis and feel that this is appropriate then you have a major problem.
WarKaster
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Guardian of the Light
Words are Words. They can really only harm you if you let them.
Almost every word can be determined as offensive to someone. So how do you draw the line inbetween offensive and ok. You can't! The only things that move that line are opinions and Anet's Opinion rules everyone. If you want to prevent yourself from being banned play on the safe side and be a little more mature. |
explodemyheart
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Omniclasm
Yes, offending millions of people is worse than offending 100.
Edit: Maybe I should say upsetting not offending. |
I'm sure your flippancy is offensive to someone who's lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. But that's okay, right? Because more people have/are suffering from AIDS than people who've lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. Wait... what???
Omniclasm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by explodemyheart
Something offensive is something offensive, one shouldn't be okay where another is not just because it just happens to hurt more people's feelings.
I'm sure your flippancy is offensive to someone who's lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. But that's okay, right? Because more people have/are suffering from AIDS than people who've lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. Wait... what??? |
Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by explodemyheart
Something offensive is something offensive, one shouldn't be okay where another is not just because it just happens to hurt more people's feelings.
I'm sure your flippancy is offensive to someone who's lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. But that's okay, right? Because more people have/are suffering from AIDS than people who've lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. Wait... what??? |
explodemyheart
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Omniclasm
Never said that upsetting one person wasn't bad. Killing thousands of people is worse than killing one person correct? Just like upsetting millions is worse than upsetting 100.
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Congratulations, I'm stupefied. That doesn't happen a lot.
Omniclasm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Series
Explodemyheart: "Ignorance is Bliss". Just remember that when dealing with these....... people.
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Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Omniclasm
Ok, you guys win. Making a joke at someone else's expense is hilarious.
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MrFuzzles
If it's not hilarious, then why is it necessary?
arcanemacabre
Quote:
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Originally Posted by explodemyheart
Something offensive is something offensive, one shouldn't be okay where another is not just because it just happens to hurt more people's feelings.
I'm sure your flippancy is offensive to someone who's lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. But that's okay, right? Because more people have/are suffering from AIDS than people who've lost a limb under traumatic circumstances. Wait... what??? |
An individual or group can be as offensive as it wants only if it doesn't hurt them. Think comedians, celebrities, websites, stuff like that. There is freedom of speech, but the masses control what is generally alright to say, and the masses are generally swayed by the media - so it can be said the media controls what the media is allowed to do, to an extent.
But, I digress.
Personally, I don't find any name "offensive" per se. It's all in context. Would that name, or what was said in chat, be offensive to a large enough group, or a loud enough individual? If so, then it needs to be brought to Anets attention, or it could in the long run hurt them with bad publicity. That's really all there is to that.
Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MrFuzzles
If it's not hilarious, then why is it necessary?
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Well, I'm in trouble...
Omniclasm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Series
Whoever said that we found it hilarious? Good straw-man argument you got there, but how about you apply your "superior logics" to something relevant to the discussion?
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MrFuzzles
Come on, don't try to be difficult. I'm obviously referring to names involving Aids and such here. I asked because you replied to someone who gave up on arguing, succumbing to the logic that we should be allowed to use offensive words and terms because they are amusing.
If you're so hellbent on using a name with aids in it, but you don't think it's funny, then why is it such a big deal if Anet won't let you use it?
If you're so hellbent on using a name with aids in it, but you don't think it's funny, then why is it such a big deal if Anet won't let you use it?
Snype
Guys, this thread is going in the wrong direction. The issue I wanted to bring up is the fact that Anet bans people for names that they clearly do not prohibit in their Code of Conduct. I don't care about the name. All they had to do was say "your name is inappropriate, delete it and never make it again". I would have gladly complied.
Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Omniclasm
There's no discussion. If you can't figure out how something that effects more people is worse than something that effects fewer people, then there is nothing to discuss.
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Not to mention this:
http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...8&postcount=55
Heh heh. So how many people named "Snypes" who have AIDS are playing Guild Wars again?
Omniclasm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Snype
Guys, this thread is going in the wrong direction. The issue I wanted to bring up is the fact that Anet bans people for names that they clearly do not prohibit in their Code of Conduct. I don't care about the name. All they had to do was say "your name is inappropriate, delete it and never make it again". I would have gladly complied.
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Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by MrFuzzles
Come on, don't try to be difficult. I'm obviously referring to names involving Aids and such here. I asked because you replied to someone who gave up on arguing, succumbing to the logic that we should be allowed to use offensive words and terms because they are amusing.
If you're so hellbent on using a name with aids in it, but you don't think it's funny, then why is it such a big deal if Anet won't let you use it? |
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Snype
Guys, this thread is going in the wrong direction. The issue I wanted to bring up is the fact that Anet bans people for names that they clearly do not prohibit in their Code of Conduct. I don't care about the name. All they had to do was say "your name is inappropriate, delete it and never make it again". I would have gladly complied.
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Omniclasm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Series
So by this logic, if I went and killed somebody, it shouldn't be a big deal if my neighbor just killed 20? A killing is a killing, just like offending someone is offending someone.
Not to mention this: http://www.guildwarsguru.com/forum/s...8&postcount=55 Heh heh. So how many people named "Snypes" who have AIDS are playing Guild Wars again? |
Series
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Omniclasm
They didn't give you a chance to rename? I've known of people with bad names and they had the chance to rename.
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