Japanese FFXIV streamer receives a suspension for using add-ons.

[IdowhatIwant]

Complaining that there's uneven enforcement is silly because they do evenly enforce it when they have proof, most cases just don't have enough proof for them to act on it, and these streamers are offering the proof up on a silver platter by admitting on stream they're using it, going to use it, or by having them visible.

But you are wrong about there has been even enforcement, specially seeing how people have been streaming with add ons turned on for almost 10 years now with 0 enforcement.
I just think it's kind of funny that he was banned for a dps meter and an add on to show buff timers under the buffs on the party list, SE bans him and says he we are going to add some of this stuff into the game.

[Jaquan]

That's the problem, though. The current ToS, both then and now, is incredibly subject to interpretation. And the dev's in-practice interpretation of it has newly changed.

By the definition given, looking up XIV guides online is a violation of the ToS. The use of Discord while playing XIV, Yoshida even clarified, is technically against the ToS. This was already clear, but the question was what, then, is reasonable to enforce.

Originally, use of third-party tools was a charge only in addendum. When Arthurs was banned, it was first and foremost for (inciting) harassment, not for ACT, because the prior was the actual harm done. When suspensions were given for the use of addons that provided data not already visible, the primary charge was quite simply cheating, because that was the actual harm done.

Now --no matter how early on the, by the developer's own admission, vague and excessive bounds of the ToS were set-- that interpretation has shifted.

XIV's way of handling ToS policy, "Let's claim a mile so we can claim an inch, or maybe a foot, or meter... maybe a kilometer," is not good for anyone, especially if that actual, enforced claim notably shifts. It moves focus away from the actual costs of bad addons or bad behavior from the likes of cheating or harassment to empty technicalities and is not stably defined by the XIV team's actions, which matter a whole lot more than boundaries the makers of which admit to being excessive and vague af.

Care to read his last announcement? I found it pretty clear especially when he clearly gave examples of things that are most likely to get a response from them.

The stance been same - you can't use addons. But since SE (thankfully) can't scan your PC to find them the only way they can and will enforce that rule is if there's an evidence. From his perspective at the time, the only way to know if you're using an ACT is if you specifically bring it up (and are reported) which often involves harassing other players. This however is not the case with streamers and some content creators. It's just nobody ever felt the need to report them since yes we view most of those add-ons as harmless (not that we're wrong with it).

And things wouldn't change if World First group didn't use automated callouts they programmed into their ACT and stream their attempt with it on. Because yes we put a lot of value in those unofficial races and "champions" and yes some would justifiable feel that the advantage for PC players was unfair and raised enough stink that SE decided to respond. Sadly this time a disgruntled and bored scourge of 5ch decided to call "check" and we're in this sorry spot.

Tl;dr

Nothing changed from their last statement.
FFXIV GMs don't go on the hunt - they react to reports. 5ch crowd weaponises it for their own amusement/satisfaction and they can't just leave it ingored since that opens another can of worms.

[dapperfaffer]

5ch didn't call check, the doubled down and went all in. And won.

[Jaquan]

5ch didn't call check, the doubled down and went all in. And won.

And what was SE supposed to do? Ignore the reports and send the "We don't enforce out ToS" Message like many other games do with their loose moderation of in game chat?

[hynaku]

I guess ones better not stream when using addons. Says right in ToS no third-party programs allowed use at your own risk. If you get caught using them don't complain about getting banned.

[Punslinger]

and these streamers are offering the proof up on a silver platter by admitting on stream they're using it, going to use it, or by having them visible.

Counterpoint 1: Those streamers were only banned after a bunch of channers decided to brigade and witch-hunt them, going on a mass-reporting spree. Square doesn't actively monitor stream feeds to patrol for add-on usage. We know this because Square didn't bother banning these streamers before the mass-reporting. Which tells me that Square really doesn't give a toss about people using add-ons as long as it's not for harassment.

I'm not sure how to make it any clearer that it's Square allowing themselves to be weaponized as a form of harassment against streamers that's the problem here.

Counterpoint 2: Anybody playing copyrighted music using BRD performance actions is also "offering the proof up on a silver platter" when it comes to their ToS violations, since it's performed "in public" and in-game. Yet the same crowd that considers the ToS sacrosanct when it comes to add-ons is oddly silent about reporting these violations. Curious, especially given that Bard Music Player is an add-on specifically designed to facilitate this.

Counterpoint 3: Anybody posting pictures of their in-game home on Housingsnap or other websites, and showing off furniture placement that is only possible via glitches, is similarly "offering the proof up on a silver platter." Even without using BDTH to automate the floating process, even doing it by hand in-game is still technically exploiting bugs in the code. (Bugs that Square has left in the game for over half a decade now, likely because they're so heavily relied upon by interior decorators.) The only outrage over housing I see is that there isn't enough of it, and that the lottery was badly-coded. I've yet to see people calling for Shei Cloudbank's head over her tutorial videos showing people how to float furniture.

Counterpoint 4: Proportionality is important. Is an automatic 10-day ban for using a QoL UI improvement, like, say, chat bubbles, that has zero impact on the fairness of clearing raids, in any way proportionate to the severity of the "offense?" This is like a judge suspending your driver's license because a cop caught you doing 36 in a 35 zone. It's an inappropriately strong punishment.

Counterpoint 5: "If streamers didn't want to get brigaded, they should've worn a longer skirt just not streamed with add-ons," is a victim-blaming stance that justifies harassment on the mistaken belief that the target "deserves it."

[BrokentoothMarch]

And what was SE supposed to do? Ignore the reports and send the "We don't enforce out ToS" Message like many other games do with their loose moderation of in game chat?

Maybe consider the suspiciousness of a wave of reports on someone when report-brigading is clearly described as also against the ToS, mayhaps?

[kaynide]

…"

That’s a lot of text trying to deflect.

Bottom line: billy got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It is irrelevant who caught who. The GMs still have to investigate and find if the reports are true. And if they are, whoever is at fault should be punished. (I would even say filing a false report should be punishable).

Personally, I’d say let the mob weaponize away. The game has been doing just fine for 10 or so years and doesn’t need streamers to keep chugging along, let alone those who think they are above the rules.

If you want to report people playing music breaking the ToS, that’s your right- go for it.

Also, weird trying to parallel wearing a short skirt and using mods.

[BrokentoothMarch]

That’s a lot of text trying to deflect.

Bottom line: billy got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. It is irrelevant who caught who. The GMs still have to investigate and find if the reports are true. And if they are, whoever is at fault should be punished. (I would even say filing a false report should be punishable).

Personally, I’d say let the mob weaponize away. The game has been doing just fine for 10 or so years and doesn’t need streamers to keep chugging along, let alone those who think they are above the rules.

Also, weird trying to parallel wearing a short skirt and using mods.

The classical "I am going to not address any of the double standards or issues with rule vagueness and instead say I'm right over and over until the wall finally falls over" approach. I must say, does it ever work or does it just make you feel nice?

Since you're so hung up on objectivity, I'm sure you'll join me in my want to see the reporter's heads on a platter as they violated the report-brigading rule. After all, doing otherwise would expose you as disingenuous and you're not that, are you?

EDIT: Haha, I supposed I missed the part where you were all for the mob torching anyone they don't like despite that being, well, against the rules. I suppose they should only be enforced when you're not bearing the target? The OF always has it's share of gross people, I swear. Regardless. You seem to like when people get sniped and all but admitted to witch-hunting. I think it's clear for all to see you're either a troll or someone who can't be reasoned with. Enjoy whatever you came here for.

[kaynide]

What are you talking about [186 posts June 2021]?

If you knew who I was or followed me on this forum at all, you would see I have been in favor of the ToS across the board.

What, if anything, has ever been vague about “don’t do the thing, but if you do don’t get caught.”?

That has been their policy since day 1, in almost all things including mods, ERP, bad language..whatever. If you get reported breaking the rules, and a GM investigates and agrees with the report, you get punished. It’s not rocket science.