SE's inability to protect players from stalking/harassment

[Nayout]

If you do not have proof that that person is harassing you they will not do anything and not only from Square Enix it is in almost all games, in World of Warcraft Blizzard where the PVP Open World exists there was a lot of harassment to players. The only way that Blizzard acted with this is when the camping was prolonged and it was possible to show that that person was chasing you around all the maps with a character from the opposite faction.

The difference is that in other MMORPGs, harassing means not being able to play with your character due to PVP systems, harassing in this game allows you to continue playing normally. There are some fixes to the system but those fixes will not greatly avoid the harassment problems of the game, because changing these rules would open the door for any of us to be banned simply for having the bad luck of running into the same person every time.

[Eien713]

I just wanted to add that the blacklist feature in this game is useless, like it's already been mentioned in the thread. The only thing it does (as far as I know) is block messages (and emotes, I suppose) from the person in question. I was so shocked the first time I blacklisted someone back when I was still new to the game then a day after got tagged with them in the same duty. When I blacklist someone, I want nothing to do with them. This person had harassed someone I care about and who was also with me in that duty. I didn't want this dear person to have to deal with this jerk or even see his name so soon after what had happened.

[AiUsagi]

My bad. I didn't know it was yet another troll. Hard to keep track these days :/
This said, the blacklist issue is real.

It isn't. That's literally just another person with nothing better to do with their time than to continue to harass this thread, despite being rejected. They've said nothing constructive and have only judged my situation and personally deemed me a troll. They're pretty much a fine example of exactly what is wrong with this community.
Thank you for the feedback tho, it is important for SE to see that this is a real problem that needs to be taken care of. Players should have more control over their privacy.

[AiUsagi]

If you do not have proof that that person is harassing you they will not do anything and not only from Square Enix it is in almost all games, in World of Warcraft Blizzard where the PVP Open World exists there was a lot of harassment to players. The only way that Blizzard acted with this is when the camping was prolonged and it was possible to show that that person was chasing you around all the maps with a character from the opposite faction.

The difference is that in other MMORPGs, harassing means not being able to play with your character due to PVP systems, harassing in this game allows you to continue playing normally. There are some fixes to the system but those fixes will not greatly avoid the harassment problems of the game, because changing these rules would open the door for any of us to be banned simply for having the bad luck of running into the same person every time.

A lot of my stalking has occured at my personal home. This player seeks me out via player search and comes directly to my FC. This isn't just petty stalking where we "happen" upon each other, though they have stalked me to other locations. I guess I don't understand how giving players more actions would get people banned? If I couldn't have been found through the player search, my stalker wouldn't have even known my FC location to bother me there. If we could blacklist a player and all information is removed, including the physical character, then it seems to me that this would be more beneficial for not only the player being harassed, but the GMs who have to deal with it too. I think if this game had more tools for players to use, then GMs would become last resort for once those tool have been utilized and seen ineffective. I'd think this would actually make it easier.

[Magnedeus]

My bad. I didn't know it was yet another troll. Hard to keep track these days :/
This said, the blacklist issue is real.

The OP wants nothing more than someone to believe this troll story and someone who doesn't believe it to you is a waste of breath because they're not being constructive. It's not about being constructive about being honest and they're not being honest since many people (including myself) have picked apart the flaws in the story and she continues to deny it. People have given her possible solutions to the issues and yet she hasn't done any of them. You know why? Because she's trolling. Because anyone with some sense would have called the authorities on the matter, but she hasn't, and she won't. There is nothing more I hate in this game is a damn troll making up stuff in a forum for attention just because they know SE won't do a damn thing about it. The OP can continue to preach the thread with false BS if she wishes, but I'm telling you it's nothing but false crap.

[AiUsagi]

I want nothing more than for SE to fix their obvious issues with the blacklist system, but your eyes are set on hate. I hope you can find something more productive to do with your time instead of trying, key word: trying, to bring other people down.

[Tsumdere]

Does SE do IP bans or just account bans?
SE should be able to put two and two together via IP addresses, even if it is just a trial account?

I don't think you're a troll, so I'll bite.

Most game companies do not do IP bans unless it is very extreme. Not only do many people use VPNs, but certain places share the same IP address. For example, the entire country of Qatar uses the same IP address. Ban it and you ban the entire country. Schools/university campuses (dorms lol) will also use the same IP address.

Moreover, if they are using the commonly used support desk software that a lot of other companies use, sending in multiple tickets is worthless as they will auto collapse new tickets into the very first one you made. Sending more tickets unless you have updated information will do nothing more than waste your time.

In addition to this, the SE support likely has no direct connection to the main SE office and yelling at the support staff does nothing. It's akin to yelling at the Subway employee that their sandwiches are too expensive. Even if you're right (and you are - the blacklist function DOES need updating), they can't change it and you're just making their minimum wage job more miserable and likely earing a lot of bad rap within the support office.

In this situation, the police ARE an option and a good one at that. I have personally dealt with police with a past online stalker of mine and they were nothing but nice.

[RajNish]

If we want to change how the blacklist works, then the "leave a suggestion" option looks very reasonable. However, the support desk also says that suggestions can be posted on the official FF XIV general discussion forums. So I don't see anything wrong with what the OP writes here about the problems they faced. The only thing that, perhaps, it would be worth to issue as a suggestion with a description of a specific situation.

[AiUsagi]

I don't think you're a troll, so I'll bite.

Most game companies do not do IP bans unless it is very extreme. Not only do many people use VPNs, but certain places share the same IP address. For example, the entire country of Qatar uses the same IP address. Ban it and you ban the entire country. Schools/university campuses (dorms lol) will also use the same IP address.

Moreover, if they are using the commonly used support desk software that a lot of other companies use, sending in multiple tickets is worthless as they will auto collapse new tickets into the very first one you made. Sending more tickets unless you have updated information will do nothing more than waste your time.

In addition to this, the SE support likely has no direct connection to the main SE office and yelling at the support staff does nothing. It's akin to yelling at the Subway employee that their sandwiches are too expensive. Even if you're right (and you are - the blacklist function DOES need updating), they can't change it and you're just making their minimum wage job more miserable and likely earing a lot of bad rap within the support office.

In this situation, the police ARE an option and a good one at that. I have personally dealt with police with a past online stalker of mine and they were nothing but nice.

I haven't said much about what actions Ive taken regarding my stalker (anymore than what Ive already chosen to share) because, 1. My stalker can see this forum (& could already be commenting for all I know) 2. This is advice for everyone facing stalking and harassment & it is my hope to bring about awareness to this issue for developers to do something about for all players, not just me.

I can understand what you're getting at about the IP addresses- it makes a lot of sense. So, I guess my answer is: No. They can't. x.x

[AiUsagi]

If we want to change how the blacklist works, then the "leave a suggestion" option looks very reasonable. However, the support desk also says that suggestions can be posted on the official FF XIV general discussion forums. So I don't see anything wrong with what the OP writes here about the problems they faced. The only thing that, perhaps, it would be worth to issue as a suggestion with a description of a specific situation.

I do not want this thread to be directed towards MY specific issue. SE has my information regarding my stalker, and they're really the only ones who need it, aside from maybe, the police.
The point of this thread is to raise awareness and bring up ideas that might be helpful. To ask questions regarding the problems with the blacklist system & to get SE's attention to provide better means of handling online stalking and harassment. I just mentioned it, but again, my stalker can see this thread and comment, as easily as anyone else, and Id really like to keep some actions that Ive taken regarding my stalker, private. If I could, I would call this person, and the other person involved, out by their names, but I cannot for obvious reasons regarding ToS.
I do not care to discuss my stalker, I care to discuss how people can prevent stalking and harassment in the first place.