Fair or unfair? - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Hammer Drawn

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2005

11 Mar 2008 at 00:15 - 1

This is not intended to be a whiner thread, I just want your opinion.

I was recently *suspended* for an "inappropriate name". Yes it was me not a "friend"

The character has been on my account for over a year and a half and has over 2 million experience on it. Then out of the blue, my account was suspended for 72 hours. I don't really care about the suspension, just the fact of the timeframe involved.

So, my question to you is, Is it fair to suspend a player for a name after such a long period of time?

*edit* I am suspended not banned

sorry wasnt paying attention when I typed it up

Covah

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2006

Ontario, Canada

Catching Jellyfish With [소N트T ]

Me/Rt

11 Mar 2008 at 00:18 - 2

Someone saw your name, found it offensive and reported you. Thats all.

Bohya

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2008

Vabbi

Farming Crewuk [fcuk]

D/

11 Mar 2008 at 00:24 - 3

Did you have to change your character's name or something? What was this 'innapropriate name' implying?

Btw I find it wrong that you are suspended years after you founded the name.

Hammer Drawn

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Nov 2005

11 Mar 2008 at 00:26 - 4

The name was "Mhenlo Is My Biatch" - most people found it amusing, never had a complaint about it.

I still have 40-50 hours left on my suspension and then I either have to change or delete char.

quickmonty

Ancient Windbreaker

Join Date: May 2005

11 Mar 2008 at 00:27 - 5

Not about being fair or unfair. You got away with it for over a year and a half. You got caught. Now you have to change the name.

There is no "statute of limitations" in the EULA

kunta

Academy Page

Join Date: Jun 2007

Mystic Spartans

W/Mo

11 Mar 2008 at 00:31 - 6

Its pure bs. End of story.

Covah

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2006

Ontario, Canada

Catching Jellyfish With [소N트T ]

Me/Rt

11 Mar 2008 at 00:33 - 7

Just don't make characters with names that "could" in anyway be found offensive.

Lawrence Chang

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2007

United States

[SOHE]

W/

11 Mar 2008 at 00:33 - 8

Unfair. I would understand if it involved something racist or sexist...

unless they can somehow relate to the word "biatch"...haha iono

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

11 Mar 2008 at 00:40 - 9

You wont need to delete the character, you'll get to rename it, so the 2M exp isn't lost.

For what it's worth I personally don't find "biyatch" offensive, but I suppose the world is full of easily offended people.

RavagerOfDreams

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Dec 2007

somewhere over the rainbow....

A/

11 Mar 2008 at 00:40 - 10

this is a dictatorship

if anet feels you had a naughty name (dont really think its bad myself but) then they can ban you all they want

cosyfiep

are we there yet?

Join Date: Dec 2005

in a land far far away

guild? I am supposed to have a guild?

Rt/

11 Mar 2008 at 00:45 - 11

yeah we must follow THEIR rules, doesnt matter what we think---if someone else decides they dont like your name---its toast.

good luck with the rest of your 'time out'....

jonnieboi05

Forge Runner

Join Date: Mar 2006

Mableton, Georgia

Guild Ancestors Reunited [?????????]

11 Mar 2008 at 00:52 - 12

meh... you got caught and finally got nailed for it. what some-1 might consider "humerous" another person might find "disturbing". have fun making a better name. ^^

Bohya

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Jan 2008

Vabbi

Farming Crewuk [fcuk]

D/

11 Mar 2008 at 01:59 - 13

Bitch is a term for the female of a canine species in general. It is also frequently used as an offensive term for a woman, taken to mean that she is malicious, spiteful, domineering, intrusive, or unpleasant. This second meaning has been in use since around 1400.[1] When used to describe a male, it confers the meaning of "subordinate", especially to another male, as in prison. More recent variants of bitch are bitchy, ill-tempered (1925), and to bitch, to complain (1930).[1]

Sometime during the late 1990s or early 2000s, the term "bitch" became more and more accepted and less offensive, and is now very rarely censored on television broadcasts or otherwise. Prior to the term's general acceptance, euphemism terms were often substituted, such as "gun" in the phrase "son of a gun". More generally the term has also acquired the meaning of something unpleasant or irksome, as in the expression "Life's a Bitch".

Taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biatch.

HawkofStorms

Hall Hero

Join Date: Aug 2005

E/

11 Mar 2008 at 02:20 - 14

If you murder somebody, but get away with it and don't get caught for 10 years, you still go to jail.
Yes it fair, even if it took over a year to report you.

pamelf

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2006

Australia

Lost Templars [LoTe]

Me/Mo

11 Mar 2008 at 03:23 - 15

People are so pathetic. Seriously, why would you report someone for a name like that. I hate cry babies like that. They're probably the people who always ran to the teachers just because someone said 'shut up'.

I think there shouldn't be an immediate ban, but maybe a correspondence into if you thought it was offensive when you made the name, how many people have reported you, and a ban if you refuse to change the name after this. Banning without any discussion is just ridiculous. Especially for such a tame name.

Numa Pompilius

Grotto Attendant

Join Date: May 2005

At an Insit.. Intis... a house.

Live Forever Or Die Trying [GLHF]

W/Me

11 Mar 2008 at 03:51 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bohya

Prior to the term's general acceptance, euphemism terms were often substituted, such as "gun" in the phrase "son of a gun".

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't the spellings "biyatch" and "beeyotch" always had a slightly other meaning than "bitch", and been more humorous than insulting?

Operative 14

Forge Runner

Join Date: Nov 2006

Arizona, USA

[OOP] Order of the Phoenix I

11 Mar 2008 at 03:57 - 17

I think there needs to be a definition of the difference between a 'Ban' and a 'Suspension.'

Your character is not lost, your time is not wasted. The only way this negatively affects you is that you get to have 72 hours to think up another witty name; an option many have stated they would pay for might I add.

So, is it fair? I'd have to say yes, because it doesn't affect you in a very negative way. And if at least two people found it nominally offensive (the reporter and the GM that looked it up) then I think there's enough reason to change it.

pamelf

Forge Runner

Join Date: Aug 2006

Australia

Lost Templars [LoTe]

Me/Mo

11 Mar 2008 at 04:30 - 18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Numa Pompilius

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but haven't the spellings "biyatch" and "beeyotch" always had a slightly other meaning than "bitch", and been more humorous than insulting?

Correct... Thus the annoyance at the whiny little tattletale who got so 'offended' by this name they had to go running to mummy and daddy. Sorry for the negativity, but I REALLY hate behaviour like that.

HawkofStorms

Hall Hero

Join Date: Aug 2005

E/

11 Mar 2008 at 05:29 - 19

Quote:

Originally Posted by pamelf

Correct... Thus the annoyance at the whiny little tattletale who got so 'offended' by this name they had to go running to mummy and daddy. Sorry for the negativity, but I REALLY hate behaviour like that.

Keep in mind that there are children playing this game.
It may not offend you and me (the family guy generation) but to a 7 year old, that is quite crude.

Ace2001

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2007

D/W

11 Mar 2008 at 05:32 - 20

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkofStorms

If you murder somebody, but get away with it and don't get caught for 10 years, you still go to jail.
Yes it fair, even if it took over a year to report you.

Eh...that seems wrong to me. I'm pretty sure theres a statue of limitations on evidence or something...but I can't find any evidence for that at all, so I'll just shutup now. D:

arsie

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Jun 2007

N/

11 Mar 2008 at 05:35 - 21

I think Anet should give you a chance to change your name, and give you the boot if you refuse.

And if their system does not allow them to change names, I think there's a severe lack of foresight on their part.

Magic Wut Huh Asdf

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Oct 2006

Our Peaceful Aria [Live]

R/Me

11 Mar 2008 at 05:38 - 22

Quote:

Originally Posted by HawkofStorms

Keep in mind that there are children playing this game.
It may not offend you and me (the family guy generation) but to a 7 year old, that is quite crude.

^^^ T for teen, it means there shouldn't be children playing, only people old enough to handle "mature" themes like alcohol in the game. 13+ plx. I think people over thirteen really shouldn't take that much offense at a name like that, it's not like it was a personal attack on any real people... seems unreasonable to me. But then, I guess it's really Anet's opinion that matters, not mine.

Jam Jar

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2007

[Disc]

W/

11 Mar 2008 at 06:51 - 23

Well they should change it so that you change your name instead of an innapropriate name.

Of course that could upset people's friends list, but personally being suspended for making a name sucks balls.

azzer20

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2006

In Ballerup, Denmark

Me/

11 Mar 2008 at 11:28 - 24

Yes people tend to think that it's "cool" to report players for "allegedly" bad names, you should go and /report everyone with a "normal" name so they aren't so RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOing nitpicks

MagmaRed

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Mar 2007

Our Crabs Know True [LOVE]

R/

11 Mar 2008 at 11:52 - 25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawrence Chang

Unfair. I would understand if it involved something racist or sexist...

unless they can somehow relate to the word "biatch"...haha iono

Then why don't you make a character named "Mhenlos Bitch". The OP spelled it wrong because the game won't allow some words to be used. And it isn't what YOU find offensive, it is what SOMEONE finds offensive.

Go to any major city in the USA, hang out downtown around African American kids. Chances are good you will hear them use the 'N' word with each other. They use it in a way they don't find offensive to themselves. However, if you walk up to them and use it, you'll probably find yourself in the hospital.

There is nothing unfair about this. The OP just managed to go a long time without someone reporting the name.

fenix

Major-General Awesome

Join Date: Aug 2005

Aussie Trolling Crew HQ - Event Organiser and IRC Tiger

Ex Talionis [Law], Trinity of the Ascended [ToA] ????????????????&#

W/

11 Mar 2008 at 13:47 - 26

For the record, Anet dont go out and look to ban people. The reason you got banned was because someone was mad at you, and /reported in rage. Or, some carebear reported because they felt offended (probably ULGG). Either way, Anet don't care until someone reports...which is dumb.

So yeah, I spose just make sure your igns aren't even the LEAST bit offensive.

Kumu Honua

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Feb 2008

11 Mar 2008 at 14:22 - 27

Was it petty that you were reported? Probably. Was it wrong that it was? Apparently not since Anet agreed with the report.

It all boils down to the fact that you have to follow the rules set forth by Anet to the letter, and intent.

They have stated that foul language is not tolerated. They also state that intentional misspelling of foul language is equally not tolerated. Many people cite the existence of filters as license to ignore the rules, but that's been proven time and again to not be the case.

Just make a name that isn't using foul language in any form and you should be fine. Remember that it's Anet's game, and they make the rules.

To those that say that they hate "Tattletale" behavior. There is always a rule violation in these cases. Doesn't matter if YOU don't agree with the rule. It is there and must be followed. The "Tattletale" could very well be a responsible adult that is supervising their child online and when they see a violation (I know, it's a stretch...), they use the tools provided by Anet and the violation gets removed. That's their right. If Anet didn't agree with the /report then nothing would have happened, but obviously they agreed and forced the suspension/namechange.

BTW: There is no statute of limitations on murder in the US. If Jimmy Hoffa was located today, and there was an Axe buried with him that had DNA of the killer. They could arrest, prosecute, and convict the old man of murder.