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by Daniel Whitcomb 
Nov 22nd 2008 at 12:00PM
So it's been a while since I mentioned it, but I'm still pretty gung ho on helping to enforce WoW gameplay policies, especially RP server specific policies, and I will not hesitate to report anyone I see violating them by means of name or conduct. With the recent changes to the report system, I generally just stick their names and a few notes into the Report an Issue and move on, knowing that eventually, a GM will get the report and hopefully decided to be an enforcer that day. But even though I've elected not to speak with a GM, I still often get an email telling me the usual spiel: They looked into the issue, but are not able to tell me what happened due to privacy issues and whatnot.
Then comes the customer service satisfaction survey that asks me if the issue was resolved to my satisfaction.
I know it's probably automatically generated, but it both amuses me and confuses me. I mean, It's not to say I wasn't satisfied per se, but... how can I ever really say that my issue was actually taken care of? I'm not allowed to know what action was taken for "privacy reasons," so all I can do is watch for the dude I reported again. If he doesn't show up, maybe he got disciplined or got that name change. If he does show up, I'm left stewing because it looks like Blizzard didn't do anything, expect this is 3 weeks later and I no longer have access to that survey to tell them.
I suppose I'm still sort of unsure about all this "privacy" stuff. I'm not saying that you announce to everyone every action on a petition, but I'd really like to see some more GM Accountability on these matters. Something like a, "Thanks friend, I'd say the name Longjohnson is inappropriate and in need of a change, we'll get on that,." or a "No, sorry, we don't believe that Mootimer is in violation of our naming policy, rule X does not apply to him because Mootimer could technically be a proper name, and will not be taking action." I mean, you could even do it as a later email so people don't have a chance to sass you in tells or something.
In theory, I'm going to see the results of the inquest in game anyway when I see whether or not the name's changed. Why not let me know if there will be a change, and if not, tell me why the GM subjectively decided not to do it even though I am sure it is a clear violation of server policy? As an RP server player, it might give me a clearer picture of what GMs are doing (or not doing) to protect my playstyle and the rules of RP server. And of course, it'd help me actually be able to fill out those customer service surveys too, finally.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Wrath of the Lich King
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 9)
Brian Nov 22nd 2008 12:59PM
This makes me laugh. I play on an RP-PvP server, and I reserve my right to report name violations for when some prick decides to camp me well beyond what is reasonable.
'So, MrFruitloops has been camping me for the last 30 min. We'll see about that.'
Now, don't get me wrong. I've camped some people into oblivion, but if my name was a violation, I get what I got coming to me.
xenothaulus Nov 22nd 2008 12:57PM
I've had names I've reported on my ignore list for years; Blizzard doesn't give a crap, at least not on my server. They'd rather let people be assholes than risk losing a paying customer. There are mods you can get that extends your ignore list for you; if only there were mods that would make it so you don't even see the idiots. :|
MysterX Nov 22nd 2008 1:00PM
I play on an RP server. I'm not saying my name or which because I am afraid of being reported. My name is neither vulgar or offensive, yet to the like's of you it is not RP enough.
A very good friend of mine, a paladin tank, had a great reputation setup and came to be known as the "go to" tank. He could tank anything and pulled so quick we were done with the instance/raid before we knew it. Unfortunately, last week he was forced to change his name. His original name Thecreation was not RP enough...he's Indian, American Indian. He believes in naming based off of what he first sees. Well to him he seen thecreation screen. I thought it was a good story. The GM's did not agree and said it was a title because of "the" in the name. Now he has so few requests to tank because most persons don't know who this new persons name is. Yes their name will change in their friends list, but it won't tell you their old name. I for one will delete someone from a friends list if I can't remember what they did for me or why they are my friend.
It's sad really because he was really hurt by it and is now primarily playing a priest on a pve realm because of it.
In my personal opinion, if it's not offensive of vulgar, it's not hurting anyone so just let it be. Just let everyone have fun. Some don't realize the extent of how their actions hurt others.
GryphonStalker Nov 22nd 2008 1:19PM
He can dispute it with Account Administration. I had my name reported a long a while ago now. It was a RP name (I do not name my characters lightly), not against any of the rules but it just wasn't someone else's cup of tea. Like your friend, I use the Native American naming convention.
Kia Nov 22nd 2008 1:23PM
Dude, that's his fault for picking such a stupid name in the first place. He had no right to expect being allowed to keep that name from the get go, and he has no right to be angry about having to change it.
If he didn't want to pick an rp appropriate name, then he's got countless other places to go play on. It completely boggles the mind as to how many people think Blizzard is in the wrong for expecting people to adhere to certain rules on a certain type of server. Completely and utterly boggles the mind.
offday Nov 22nd 2008 4:43PM
@Kia
I'm sorry. But you are the biggest idiot here. This guy deserved to be forced to change his name because it was, thiscreation? Are you kidding me? And why? Because people like you don't think it fits in with your little fantasy imagination party? Someone show me somewhere where the rulebook is for what names are and aren't fantasy enough. I'd love to see this. Sadly, though, I have a feeling it doesn't exisit.
And like someone said earlier, if this was your friend, and he or she had this name, you wouldn't do a damn thing about it.
Melchior Nov 22nd 2008 12:59PM
RP Realm gives you an excuse to tattle... Get a life.
Em Nov 22nd 2008 1:07PM
I'm on an RP server, and honestly the only thing that bothers me is when people go out of their way to grief me due to my play style. I don't think I've ever reported a non-rp name before, because I just ignore it if I don't agree with it. But people who try to disrupt me...that's when I open up a ticket.
offday Nov 22nd 2008 4:47PM
This is how it should be. Unless they are actually bothering you, then leave them alone.
A lot of the people in here are reporting names like, Missmoo, just for simply seeing them run across their path. Leave them alone.
Khalis Nov 22nd 2008 1:08PM
It depends on what your goal is when reporting. Are you trying to improve your overall game experience an immersion, or are you trying to punish the people that are interfering with your experience?
If it's the former, then your level of satisfaction should be judged by the quality of your immersion after the report is made, and weather the name/behavior continues. If you aren't bothered by the same things by the same people any more, then problem solved right?
If it's the latter, then you are just being vengeful, and a control freak. That is why most non RPers have the low opinion of people like you that they have.
Just report, and go along your merry way. If you are going to worry about whether there is a toon named Mootimer walking around on Azeroth somewhere, then you really need to relax.
offday Nov 22nd 2008 4:48PM
Totally agree. You are one of the few smart people here.
Osi Nov 22nd 2008 1:14PM
Well, its just a template email. There are NO privacy issues for getting the result of a GM ticket. Whenever I get survey for one of these, I have no choice but say that I was extremely dissatisfied, as the GM never provided the results required for a GM ticket.
Every once in awhile, there is a GM that does it's job and provides the results. But usually, no.
Sean Riley Nov 22nd 2008 4:05PM
I second this motion, and think Osi's the only one here who's really put his finger on the problem. Daniel, you ARE dissatisfied with the response the GM gave, because Blizzard are handcuffing him.
From now on, if you go to report a name and get the standard 'privacy reasons' argument in person from a GM (rare) then refuse to accept it and make the case in person that you can't SEE what the privacy concerns are. You want to know the job's been done.
If you get a satisfaction letter, you need to state in it that you are very dissatisfied, and note in comments, "I cannot tell if my comment was acted upon at all. I want to either have the 'privacy concerns' better explained, or to have the results of the ticket reported to me."
Kia Nov 22nd 2008 1:14PM
@ Cow
Newsflash, genius, we play on rp servers for a reason. There are dozens upon DOZENS of other servers for people who can't come up with a half-original name to go dick around on without bothering us, so they--and by extension, you--can shove right off.
Osi Nov 22nd 2008 1:18PM
The other option as well. Is to have a wall of shame website. With character name, server name, date and time, time reported to gm, and a description of the stuff the idiot kid did. And if possible a copy of the armory data (aka, grab data from the armory, and keep a local (to website) copy of the data.
This way, if the person is still around, you know the GM didnt do it's job :)
offday Nov 22nd 2008 1:24PM
Helping to police the server is one thing. Thinking you are the police and have the right to know the outcome of every exaggerated report you make is another.
Tuhljin Nov 22nd 2008 3:06PM
Your argument would have more weight if you didn't display your anti-RP bias earlier. Clearly, you think most every report is "exaggerated." Just follow the rules and there won't be a problem, 'kay?
offday Nov 22nd 2008 4:50PM
Show me the special rulebook that tells you how to determine whether a name is RP enough. Because as far as I can tell, it's only a matter of whether or not another person likes it, and that's crap. And it really makes the RPers look bad.
Tuhljin Nov 22nd 2008 7:07PM
It's not about what's "RP enough." The fact is, some names are borderline and it's up to Blizzard to determine whether they're going to allow it, and generally they err on the side of allowing things. Other names are blatantly breaking RP naming policy, and those are the kinds of names that the vast majority of RPers I know would bother to file a report about. Are there people go overboard? Sure, but there's a heck of a lot more anti-RP people like you saying everyone goes overboard than those that actually do so.
Badger Nov 23rd 2008 12:05AM
"Show me the special rulebook that tells you how to determine whether a name is RP enough."
The criteria is actually listed toward the bottom of Blizzard's own "Roleplaying Policy" page.
http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20458
There is also an internal link to the original Naming Policy which applies to all Realms regardless of their Realm Type.
I hope this helps.