I got a warning and the lack of communication is unacceptable.

[keichirou]

So I log in after renewing my sub and retainers to see this strange flashing notice at the top of my screen to find out its a note I have to open from the main menu. What I see is a very generic copy-paste notice that I have been emailed and I apparently harassed someone on 6-28-22 (today) even though the last time I played was the evening before. Further down it further described that I said a bad word.

Now, I have been playing this game since ARR came out, and I have never been notified that anything I have ever said or done was harassment (I don't pick on people, I try to help, but yes, sometimes I make sarcastic comments and if some random person somehow finds offense I apologize and move on, as attempting to explain yourself to someone who finds something offensive is pointless).

I then went to my email to see if there was more information, only to find the same generic statement. It was very clear that there was no way for me to talk to anyone about it, review the log that was used to make the decision, nor was there a way to know who it was that did this "review" and made this decision to give my account a warning.

I have always been careful to keep my language and style of commentary when joking about in parties or alliances to the same level that NPCs in the game express themselves.

Instead, what I am given is a copy-paste email with NO explanation, NO chance for a conversation with the person who took this action, or any idea of why I'm suddenly being targeted for a complaint. I don't want to know who filed the complaint as I don't care, but I do think its important to give people a chance to talk about it. This is a punitive system with no due process and it is unfair. Not to mention the only fact given (the date that the supposed harassment occurred) was during a time I was asleep, and I hadn't logged in until the next evening.

What has me most frustrated, however, is the complete lack of ability to reach out to anyone to even get clarification. So now I am left with a feeling that it's best just not to say anything outside of "howdy" and "gg" anytime I'm interacting with anyone on this game...even when other people are having non-13-year-old conversations as randomly defined by whichever person gets a complaint.

The lack of consistency in the application of rules is an issue. The concept that "Well, it just matters on the person taking offense, but we'll review the comment in context" is clearly not what happened here, as far as I can tell.

this further proves that SE doesnt care about our American Amendments

[Jojoya]

this further proves that SE doesnt care about our American Amendments

If you're thinking of the First Amendment, it's not relevant. It does not give us the right to say what we want, nor does it protect us from consequences related to what we say.

To learn more:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-do...at-does-it-say

The issue is I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT I COULD HAVE SAID/done that would lead to a warning. I used the F word? Really? In a game where sodomy and golden showers is referenced by NPCs on the regular? If it's because I said the f word, then why not just show the post which is a simple copy and paste with just my name and what I said with a comment "This word cannot be used, you can be banned from the game for using it again." That would be fine. I can decide to either never give the company my money again or to adjust my behavior (knowing now what it was).

A warning is just a reminder than we need to be mindful of how we interact with others, that's all.

If you accidentally did something out of character for you, you have nothing to fear. It's unlikely to lead to any future problems. After all, this is the first time you've had a problem after playing for a few years.

As for what the game has NPCs do for purposes of story, that's not an indication of what's okay for players to do in player to player interaction. Any reasonable adult should be able to figure that out.

[AvantGrade]

A warning is just a reminder than we need to be mindful of how we interact with others, that's all.

A warning is NOT "just a reminder". It is an official disciplinary action taken. The lack of explination defeats the purpose of the warning, though it still counts as a step forward to take further and more critical action against the account.

If you accidentally did something out of character

I did not "accidentally" do something out of character for me. I am consistent in my behavior since ARR started.

It's unlikely to lead to any future problems. After all, this is the first time you've had a problem after playing for a few years.

Now you are being completely dismissive of the issue I am attempting to discuss. Unlikely? How Unlikely? Who knows? What if I just said something that some random DM didn't like, and what if they are targeting me now, especially since I've brought it up on the official forum? There is no way for me to know. There is no transparency. There is no Due Process that allows an accused individual to address the complaint.

As for what the game has NPCs do for purposes of story, that's not an indication of what's okay for players to do in player to player interaction. Any reasonable adult should be able to figure that out.

This is a fallacy argument. By the vary nature of the game's creators having characters in the game use language, any reasonable person would assume that that language is acceptable in the game they are playing. The fact that there is a content warning when you start the game up is a clear indication to any player that said warned content is acceptable.


I am not making a freedom of speech argument. Any company has a right to regulate speech on its platform. This is an issue of Due Process in a complaint/disciplinary system that lacks it. Due process, simply defined, is fairness. I have posted and have brought up this issue because this process, which can ultimately deprive a paying customer of access to services paid for without re-imbursement of investment is an issue which may in the USA very well snowball into a very costly process for the company. I'm attempting to get some sort of positive outcome to this issue to avoid that, as I love throwing money at this game in support of the devs, artists and amazing story tellers, and would rather not see a huge issue because of how they allow random US GMs abuse a system that is clearly set up in a way that allows for the abuse of paying customers at the hands of complete and total anonymity. It's bad business.

[keichirou]

If you're thinking of the First Amendment, it's not relevant. It does not give us the right to say what we want, nor does it protect us from consequences related to what we say.

To learn more:
https://www.archives.gov/founding-do...at-does-it-say


A warning is just a reminder than we need to be mindful of how we interact with others, that's all.

If you accidentally did something out of character for you, you have nothing to fear. It's unlikely to lead to any future problems. After all, this is the first time you've had a problem after playing for a few years.

As for what the game has NPCs do for purposes of story, that's not an indication of what's okay for players to do in player to player interaction. Any reasonable adult should be able to figure that out.

Wrong, not the 1st , but keep reading the constitution, you might learn something , but now that we're with the 1st....
True the 1st doesn't allow say anything you want..... as long is not Obscenity,Fighting statements,Defamation (including libel and slander),Perjury Blackmail,Incitement to imminent lawless action,Solicitations to commit crimes

So...which violation is being committed here?...

[LittleImp]

Wrong, not the 1st , but keep reading the constitution, you might learn something , but now that we're with the 1st....
True the 1st doesn't allow say anything you want..... as long is not Obscenity,Fighting statements,Defamation (including libel and slander),Perjury Blackmail,Incitement to imminent lawless action,Solicitations to commit crimes

So...which violation is being committed here?...

The first amendment applies to government actors. It does not apply to private organizations in most cases. This has been established by the courts over and over and over again.