SE's inability to protect players from stalking/harassment

[AiUsagi]

There actually is a chat command. Or, was. It was /blist add First Last

Only, it broke when they added world visit. And I think still hasn't been fixed. Doing First Last@Server doesn't do anything either. I THINK <t> does, however, but again that requires you by the person. I'd assume you want the ability to without having to target them.

As of right now, blacklisting a person seems pretty ineffective. I think they should definitely fix it in addition to adding more features.
I'm not an expert on how servers run, but I'm curious as to how hard it is to make blacklisted characters disappear entirely?
Maybe SE hasn't done a lot of these things because of the servers not being able to handle it?

[DynnDiablos]

Unfortunately, there really isn't a way to prevent communication in a decent way. I wish there was but it seems a moot point. Also transferring DC's to get away from someone (which I have done before) leaves you feeling like a fish out of water for a while.

[Theodric]

Online games typically don't allow for players to be removed entirely from a screen because it could easily be abused. Imagine if, say, a popular streamer or influential member of a server's community had a disagreement with someone? They could easily nudge their followers to effectively 'cancel' that player and cause a significant number of people to not see or interact with them.

The issue with a lot of tools is they can and often will be exploited and abused by those seeking to cause drama/stalk others.

[Jijifli]

As of right now, blacklisting a person seems pretty ineffective. I think they should definitely fix it in addition to adding more features.
I'm not an expert on how servers run, but I'm curious as to how hard it is to make blacklisted characters disappear entirely?
Maybe SE hasn't done a lot of these things because of the servers not being able to handle it?

A friend of mine mentioned there's a mod to make blacklisted people vanish, so the game can.

Though, that's mods. And Square don't like mods (I swear if I get smacked just for mentioning such a thing exists)

[Veliaire]

(I swear if I get smacked just for mentioning such a thing exists)

With the amount of bots destroying the economy, that Square Enix doesn't lift a finger to do anything about, I'd be surprised if you got in trouble for mentioning that a certain mod exists. You'd think that one of the most popular subscription based MMOs would use some of that money to, idk, work on that problem.. but you'd be wrong.

[Rannie]

This was a good read. Balmung truly is the Florida of FF14.

Please don't insult us Floridians in that way... we have refined and cultivated our stupidity into a fine art or whine... I mean wine =P

[Mimilu]

A friend of mine mentioned there's a mod to make blacklisted people vanish, so the game can.

Though, that's mods. And Square don't like mods (I swear if I get smacked just for mentioning such a thing exists)

As long as it isn't effecting actual game play, they have a don't-ask-don't-tell policy with mods.

[AiUsagi]

As long as it isn't effecting actual game play, they have a don't-ask-don't-tell policy with mods.

What kind of crap policy is that? :x
Seems to be the answer for a lot of things in this game...

[Mimilu]

What kind of crap policy is that? :x
Seems to be the answer for a lot of things in this game...

Yoshi-P has gone on record saying mods and third party tools are against ToS (this includes "gray-area" tools like ACT and voice chat apps). HOWEVER, the devs can't scan your computer for them. If you aren't using said mods and tools to break the game or do questionable behavior (posting lewd screenshots, harassing people, etc) they won't touch you.

[Veliaire]

What kind of crap policy is that? :x
Seems to be the answer for a lot of things in this game...

They don't even deal with obvious bots. Not even if they are selling from over 30 retainers, never leave their apartments, and are logged in and doing actions 24/7. Do you think they are going to bother with mods that only affect your gameplay? They couldn't care less as long as this game keeps being the cash cow that keeps Square Enix rolling in money.