Feedback about Player Harassment in Party Chat
I submitted a harassment report about English-speaking players harassing Japanese-speaking players and clearly making fun of their inability to understand that they were even being harassed. I received this:
Quote:
>Greetings Neuflune,
Thank you for contacting the FINAL FANTASY XIV Support Desk.
We understand that you are contacting us on behalf of another player and we commend you for assisting them.
Unfortunately we cannot take calls on behalf of others. If said player is unable to place their own GM call, please have them contact us via our Support Site at the following address:
http://support.eu.square-enix.com
Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Regards,
- The FINAL FANTASY XIV Game Master Team
So I gave more details and clarified that it was in a party chat in an instance. Everyone could read it and personally, I felt harassed.
Then I received this:
Quote:
>Dear Neuflune,
Thank you for those details.
Unfortunately the GM Team cannot deal with feedback. Therefore we would be very grateful if you could submit any suggestions or comments on our official forums. Your feedback will then be forwarded to the appropriate department by our Community Representatives.
Official forums:
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/
Although individual responses aren't sent, rest assured that all comments submitted are read and considered for future updates.
Thank you for your understanding and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Regards,
- The FINAL FANTASY XIV Game Master Team
So here I am.
First, the incident was in the Party Chat. It affects the whole party, not just the players concerned. Even if the party chat can be ignored and turned off...
Second, it was an alliance in an instance. If we turned off alliance chat or party chat to avoid people who would harass us, then what good is the chat for? Isn't it supposed to be used to communicate with other players so that we can coordinate how to play in an instance?
Third, the harassed players were not from my world and they could not understand English at all. Does that make the harassment just something to forget? It still happened. I know that it happened, and I sent a ticket as it was happening.
I have reported Japanese players who harassed me because I speak English and am a "gaijin". Similarly I will report English-speaking players who make fun of Japanese players especially when they cannot stand up for themselves because of the language barrier.
My feedback is this: At least let Harassment be reportable if done in an instance even if the one who reports it is not the target.
Reason? Because the bad atmosphere affects everyone, not just the players who are directly involved.
In my opinion, harassment reports should be tackled on a case to case basis especially because of the language barriers. Not just Japanese and English but because of the many languages all over the world. This is an international game after all. But I won't suggest that because it might be too much work for the GM team, hey.