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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsReturn of the Revenge of the Community Policing and Naming Policy Argument: The Addon
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Apr 9th 2008 at 9:00AM
You might recall, if you've followed WoW Insider in the past few months, that I've been a relatively strong advocate of the making sure naming and RP server policies are enforced and have felt that if the community's going to be made to it, we should get better tools for the job. While I even got in a very productive conversation with Belfaire about it, I'm not holding my breath on a lot of my proposed tools and reforms seeing the light of day. After all, I work for WoW Insider, not Blizzard itself, and hey, not everyone agrees with me on how this stuff should work. Which is cool. Variety is the spice of life and all.
That said, for policy reporting curmudgeons like myself, Wachunga of the Maelstrom server has created a pretty good tool: the NameViolation addon.
Essentially, it creates an easy right click interface for reporting naming violations, which was pretty much exactly what I've always wanted, or at least as close as you can get to it in a player-made addon. When you right click your target or a name in the chat window or a who list, one of your options will be "Name Violation." Clicking on this will further allow you to choose the type of naming violation from a list.
Once you have a good list of names built up, or feel like it's time for you to file your report, you go to the ticket interface and copy and paste the information in the box, which is a nicely formatted list of the names you chose and the reason they violate the policy, as well as a note informing the GM that you don't need to be contacted. Tweak it a bit if you need to, then file the ticket. It's the type of system I'd like to actually see in game, myself. Like I've said before, if you're going to make me carry a nightstick and a badge and be a deputy police officer to see that your server policies are enforced, at least make it a bit easier on me!
Thanks, Wachunga, for making something like this. I hope you don't mind me saying that I hope Blizzard puts you out of a job by putting something like this in the base UI some day. It's actually a compliment, I swear!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Add-Ons, RP
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
Cakeordeath Apr 9th 2008 1:32PM
Brittwilson, did you report that player individually, or en masse though?
Blizzard made it up to you to report them, using the system they provided. This allows you to report them in bulk, NOT as Blizzard intended. That's rules lawyering. That's adhering to the letter of the law, often times without any understanding of the spirit or purpose of the law.
I have no problem with you reporting a name you find offensive. I have a problem with you reporting fifty of them in one fell swoop using a system that was not put in place by Blizzard. If you want to use Blizzard's system and report fifty of them in a row, knock yourself out. I still think you're missing the spirit of the law in sticking to the exact letter of the law (which is what rules lawyering is), but if it makes you happy, go for it. You'll not hear a complaint from me about it. But if you use a mod to do it, I put you in the same boat as any other griefer.
Cynra Apr 9th 2008 2:07PM
As a roleplayer and also as an individual that has in the past been fed up with the idiocy of some names on roleplaying servers, I've done my fair share of name reporting in the past. It usually occurs when I'm feeling especially vindictive and have been griefed recently for being a roleplayer by non-rpleplayers on a roleplaying server. On those times that I have reported names, the GMs that I spoke to requested that names be sent in bulk as opposed to individual requests; I made it a point to inquire that once in order to make sure that this was in fact correct. This request has been echoed by numerous other people who have reported name infractions.
So, while playing WoW I keep a notepad next to me. Sometimes it's to jot down notes while raiding. Sometimes it's to put together an idea for work. Sometimes I sketch web layouts for future projects. And, yes, sometimes I write down the names of idiot players I run across with high innapproporiate names or ones that are clearly not roleplaying names. When the list gets to be about fifteen names long and I feel suitably cranky enough (usually around the time I have fifty or sixty hour weeks), that list gets messaged to the staff.
Amanda Apr 9th 2008 7:16PM
rofl, Blizzard didn't put it in place themselves so it auto-matically makes anything you do with it void, elitest, and wrong?
My ass.
You're just looking for a way to make yourself feel right and anyone who doesn't agree with you wrong.
I myself also used to jot names down as I played and report them all at the same time, typing in each name and a reason, ect. This addon may make SOME people trigger happy, but for most of us, it just helps us do what we've always done. And yeah, GMs agree and encourage that we report in bulk, as 1 name every 45 mins is a waste of BOTH of our time.
Next thing you know you'll be saying everyone who did quests with a quest addon/WoWhead should get their exp taken away. *rolls eyes*
Nadrel Apr 9th 2008 11:25AM
I really don't understand some of the hate and flack that the RP community gets at times.
Some of us play WOW for RP. I pay my $50 for the game, $15 a month, and roll on a RP server. If I complained on a PvP or PvE, I'd be a whiner. But since there are dedicated RP servers, why is it outrageous to want the server to conform to the RP rules?
WOW is a complex game that different people get different things from (I, for example, get little or no joy from PvP...) - and since there are servers that let us each select the kind of play we want, I don't see why all the griefing occurs.
Just my $.02.
Babyeater Apr 9th 2008 12:07PM
Don't jump to any conclusions. This isn't hate against the RP community as a whole. This is hate against a crybaby who takes it upon himself to be the hand of justice, reporting players en masse.
Fugmug Apr 9th 2008 12:46PM
Does the RP community of WOW really suck at RPing that badly?
We are talking about things happening in game, which reference an out of game action or entity.
If the alleged RPer really was playing their role and remaining 'in-character', they would have no such reference to the outside world and never make the connection that the "RonMcDonald" trying to sell a Deviate scale belt in trade channel, represents a corporate clown ad mascot.
If your character were really playing a world of warcraft role, they would never have such out of character info.
Sorry, but the only person who can ever force you to break character ---- IS YOU.
So, the alleged lovers of in-character roles take to the out of character methods and go to town reporting people. Sorry but that's weak. If that is your response, then you hands down SUCK at roleplaying.
Sorry but server tards are never going to be in short supply, and if the presence of one requires you to do a little improv, and this ruins your immersion level, then you really do need to find a hobby that you're better at.
PeeWee Apr 9th 2008 3:49PM
You gathered your friends for an evening of Pen n Paper RPG. The situation is pretty tense, your characters are scouting through an ancient crypt. The gamemaster has the mood setting cut out with dimmed lights, even a creepy score on the stereo. You can basically smell the stone dust and feel the tension of the other characters.
The lights go on
"Hey guys, what are you up to lol?!?"
Show stopper right there. And that exact feeling is what comes storming when mr. Toadface comes running with his frigin lollertron buddies and start spamming around.
Even though in theory, you do have some valid points that I agree with wholeheartedly, in practice it fails. In theory, the RP:ers in my example should ignore the lit light and disturbing buddy charging in on them. In reality the session is destroyed.
rummies Apr 9th 2008 2:29PM
And why do you people really care what other people's names are?
Oh yeah, many of you are dudley-do-rights who have nothing better to ruin a chuckle someone else may get out of a name and go crying to mommy. Seriously - get the fuck over yourselves -
Dakira Apr 9th 2008 2:38PM
I think it goes back to those $15 everyone spends to play.
Since we all pay to play we should all expect to enter a world that mostly follows the rules and involve ourselves in populations that have a modicum of respect for each other and themselves.
Names is actually just a small part of a much bigger issue, but its something that people feel than can do something about; it therefore gets a lot of attention.
Dakira Apr 9th 2008 2:44PM
I love the addon, great idea and I hope Blizzard picks up on it, especially for those RP servers out there!
I'm not a hardcore role player myself, but I certainly share many of their opinions. I don't expect in the Real world to have to deal with people called "Asshat" & "Penishead" and therefore I certainly don't expect to pay money to play in a world where those would be acceptable names.
I also think that if rules are outlined (like RP server rules) they should be followed to the best of ones ability. Here in "Real Life" there are a ton of them that the majority follow and those who don't are punished for it, that should equally translate to the virtual world... and if you don't like the rules then either don't play, petition to change them or play somewhere else!
A Apr 9th 2008 2:56PM
As a joke, I created a female blood elf mage named Klamidya. I rather enjoyed playing a mage, kept her leveling up, and have only been reported once. Blizz banned me for a few hours from logging back on, said I would be forced to change the name, but never did. She is now 70 and nearing exalted rep with most factions.
It generates a few giggles when I do a random group for an instance run.
And yes, I'm on a PvP server.
Amanda Apr 9th 2008 7:54PM
Man... After reading all of the comments, I see a big split yet again, where one side is people who care about their community and love the new way to efficiently and easily do what they've been doing for years.
And then there's the other side of people who apparentally got a forced name change from 'doodoolicker' and are all pissy about it to anyone who in any way wants to keep the streets clean.
All of this 'U HAV NO RITE 2 SELF-POLICE DA GAME!!!!111!11@2' is BS.
Blizzard gave us a set of rules, and an in-game interface with which to alert them of infractions of that set of rules. We are NOT self-policing by kicking people and making up new rules. But we ARE self-policing in the idea that police are just people that go out and find the 'bad guys' and bring them to 'The Man's' attention. We are alerting the MAKERS of the game AND the rules of people intentionally breaking the rules BLIZZ made, and then THEY are taking w/e action they feel neccessary.
If you get a name change, YOU are the only person to blame. Ban? All you. Perma-ban? Yep, still all you.
It's on the site, it's in the game, it's shoved in your face every patch, update, and install/xpac...yep, IT'S THE ToS/EULA! It's that thing you scroll down to the bottom of each time, never even bothering to glance at, mashing ACCEPT as hard as you can to get back to your character named 'ifucurmom.'
These RPers, reporters, readers of the ToS/EULA, and users of Blizzards in game reporting UI (until this addon, at least for names) are not the bad guys. Yes, some people get trigger happy and report any and everything. But MOST of us are just trying to keep our server clean of the filth that thinks they're better than the rules.
And for the love of all that is holy STOP USING THE 'lawl i pay mai 15 a mnth lawllawlican do netin i wat'
NO.
A) We ALL pay 15 bucks a month. Everyone. So now it's moot. Gone. Stop using it.
B) We are only RENTING from Blizz. We own nothing in the game. NOTHING. And the terms of this 'pay to play' service are in the ToS/EULA that no one reads.
You can NOT do anything you want. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter if your best friend's mom's sister's second cousin's ex husband's friend of a friend knows a guy who knows a guy who knows someone who works at Blizz.
You STILL can NOT do anything you want. We ALL have to adhere to those rules.
You can say anything you want. You still have to adhere to them. It doesn't matter if you think it's stupid. I think paying for my house is stupid, I still have to do it. Otherwise I have NO house.
I think not being able to blow red lights and go 100 MPH is stupid, but if I do it, I'll get anything from a fine to jail time.
So. Do you get it now? No one cares what you think about them. They're rules. And unless you start accepting them and following them, you're going to get reported, and if you keep doing it, eventually you'll get banned.
You can try and say that the people reporting are the real 'bad guys' all you want. But we're the ones having a good time and you're the ones pissing yourselves because you can't spam trade as 'pstforcyborz' because you're banned.
This addon isn't a new hax that will auto-perma-ban anyone I see who I don't like. It's a way to make it easier to alert Blizzard of the rule-breakers whether on an RP realm or not.
I thank the makers of this addon and pray Blizz starts seeing that RP realms are being abused.
Juliah Apr 9th 2008 8:54PM
Daniel, thank you for this post, and please keep fighting the good fight. Keep bringing this issue up -- don't let it go away. Don't give up. I think it is making a difference -- I've seen more responsiveness from the GMs on naming lately. I really appreciate the visibility you have provided. I'm glad that someone is blogging and speaking up for roleplayers!
rummies Apr 9th 2008 8:57PM
Lets roleplay in this thread!! Yeah!
I'll play the role of the sensible (non roleplaying) observer and some of you guys can be the retarded "I'm telling on you!!" 30 year olds acting like 5th graders.
Wachunga Apr 10th 2008 2:10AM
Those who expressed thanks for the addon -- you're most welcome. I've seen an influx of clear violations on my server recently and finally decided to do something about it.
@Syme: The default report message specifically mentions the RP policy if playing on an RP realm, indirectly mentioning that it is indeed an RP server.
Regarding the diacritics removal -- I'm very sad about that. Although diacritic-heavy names might still violate other categories.
@Cakeordeath: The addon includes several features to discourage "report griefing" or what have you. For example, it includes categories of violation that make the user consider how exactly the name violates policy (e.g., Leet speak, sexual, drug reference, etc.). It does not allow reporting 50 names en-masse.
@Cynra: Yes, reporting several names at once is convenient for players and GMs alike, but 15 seems like a lot. Recently a player asked GM Syndri about the ideal size, and he replied 5 or so: http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=5784380534&sid=1
@Juliah: Couldn't agree with you more. Thanks Daniel for continuing to bring these issues up and showing Blizzard that we do indeed care.
isobelle Apr 10th 2008 3:03AM
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