Regarding the Revision of the Prohibited Activities and Account Penalty Policy

[Lium]

You just assumed their age. How dare you. That's ageist and against the rules. You should be ashamed.

Then by all means report me and watch as nothing happens.

[WaterShield]

Then by all means report me and watch as nothing happens.

I'd rather people had the ability to talk things out with clearly defined rules dictating what is too far.

Just giving an example of what we're in for with the new rules.

Edit: Also not in the habit of making frivolous reports to make a point. I'd rather not take the chance that you actually get punished.

[Lium]

I'd rather people had the ability to talk things out with clearly defined rules dictating what is too far.

Just giving an example of what we're in for.

We're not in for anything. Nothing is going to change.

[WaterShield]

We're not in for anything. Nothing is going to change.

Hello, Global Community Producer Toshio Murouchi here.

As of some of you may already know, we recently announced a revision to our service policies on the Lodestone. We recommend that everyone read the changes, as they are extremely important.

■Regarding the Revision of the Prohibited Activities and Account Penalty Policy ( NA / EU )

Revised Policies in Question
●Prohibited Activities in FINAL FANTASY XIV ( NA / EU )
●Account Penalty Policy ( NA / EU )

I understand that some of you may feel like account penalties have become much harsher compared to the previous policies, due to changes like the suspension period being extended for certain penalties.

Under the previous policies, some issues were difficult to address due to them being on the cusp, such as actions that were “Negative, but not severe enough to take action.” Additionally, we felt that the 3-day suspension did not have the desired inhibiting effect for some of the more severe issues. Therefore, we decided that a change was necessary. We held numerous discussions internally and ultimately landed on these changes.

We are striving to create a comfortable environment for our players, so that, if they do experience a negative incident, we are able to assist them as much as possible (and, if necessary, get involved in the situation). Please understand that these changes were necessary in order for us to achieve that goal.

On a side note, we have been noticing an increase in issues involving social media, video sites, and live stream channels. Please take this opportunity to go over the FINAL FANTASY® XIV User Agreement and be more mindful of others.
Overall, these policy changes are some of the largest adjustments we have made since the commencement of service, and we will continue to explore ways to provide a better environment for the community. Feel free to let us know if there are certain topics you would like us to improve upon.

Thank you for your continued support of FINAL FANTASY XIV!

Check out the bold parts with special attention to the red.

[Gemina]

I'd rather people had the ability to talk things out with clearly defined rules dictating what is too far.

Just giving an example of what we're in for with the new rules.

Why is it so important for the line to be clearly drawn? Usually the best way to avoid falling off of an edge is just to stay clear of it.

All of this can quite literally pass right over you if you simply play the game and use common sense while doing so.

All of the reactions I have seen in this multi-page topic reminds me a lot of being in a class at school or at work where the rules are continuously bent and broken, until a new teacher or boss comes in and puts a stop to it. It isn't well received because they feel like QoL goes down for them. To all those this applies to, I don't know what to say really. Being an adult isn't always fun, I guess?

[WaterShield]

Why is it so important for the line to be clearly drawn? Usually the best way to avoid falling off of an edge is just to stay clear of it.

All of this can quite literally pass right over you if you simply play the game and use common sense while doing so.

All of the reactions I have seen in this multi-page topic reminds me a lot of being in a class at school or at work where the rules are continuously bent and broken, until a new teacher or boss comes in and puts a stop to it. It isn't well received because they feel like QoL goes down for them. To all those this applies to, I don't know what to say really. Being an adult isn't always fun, I guess?

Adults follow clearly defined laws and are only punished if they break them... and are always able to be aware that they are breaking the law before hand in the majority of cases.

Under the new rules I have no way of knowing if I am breaking the rules or not because they are subjective in nature. Meaning the only way I can be almost certain to avoid trouble is to refrain from speaking to anyone at all. I feel this defeats the purpose of an online game.

My new code of conduct is this: "Michael Scott : Don't ever, for any reason, do anything to anyone for any reason ever, no matter what, no matter where, or who, or who you are with, or where you are going, or where you've been... ever, for any reason whatsoever... "

[Gemina]

Adults follow clearly defined laws and are only punished if they break them... and are always able to be aware that they are breaking the law before hand in the majority of cases.

What? Have you ever heard of contract and/or civil disputes?

Under the new rules I have no way of knowing if I am breaking the rules or not because they are subjective in nature. Meaning the only way I can be almost certain to avoid trouble is to refrain from speaking to anyone at all. I feel this defeats the purpose of an online game.

I keep seeing this tossed around like communicative interactions between players is a common thing. When was the last time you walked up to someone gathering from the same nodes you are and started up a conversation? How about they to you? The lack of interactions between players in this game is something that has been ongoing for a long time now, and discussed in detail on these very forums about how to improve it. Guess what though? You know when you run into a random conversation in Limsa, Gridania, or The Reach between two or more players? That's not going to change. But perhaps when you say, "speak to anyone at all", you're just referring to giving players criticism? If so yeah, I would refrain from it. But it does not defeat the purpose for online gaming. We all have our reasons for playing mmos. Just like irl, players prefer to communicate with others they know, and not strangers.

[WaterShield]

What? Have you ever heard of contract and/or civil disputes?


I keep seeing this tossed around like communicative interactions between players is a common thing. When was the last time you walked up to someone gathering from the same nodes you are and started up a conversation? How about they to you? The lack of interactions between players in this game is something that has been ongoing for a long time now, and discussed in detail on these very forums about how to improve it. Guess what though? You know when you run into a random conversation in Limsa, Gridania, or The Reach between two or more players? That's not going to change. But perhaps when you say, "speak to anyone at all", you're just referring to giving players criticism? If so yeah, I would refrain from it. But it does not defeat the purpose for online gaming. We all have our reasons for playing mmos. Just like irl, players prefer to communicate with others they know, and not strangers.

Generally one reads and agrees to a contract before signing. They usually use clear language to make it difficult to misunderstand the intent. Generally the attempt is made to avoid vague contracts because they are unable to be enforced.

Q: When was the last time you walked up to someone gathering from the same nodes you are and started up a conversation? A: Every day
Q: How about they to you? A: Every other day

"Just like irl, players prefer to communicate with others they know, and not strangers."
I enjoy meeting new people... and speaking to them... ergo communicating with strangers.

[Gemina]

Q: When was the last time you walked up to someone gathering from the same nodes you are and started up a conversation? A: Every day
Q: How about they to you? A: Every other day

"Just like irl, players prefer to communicate with others they know, and not strangers."
I enjoy meeting new people... and speaking to them... ergo communicating with strangers.

That's fine, but you understand that this isn't commonplace, correct? The questions were rhetorical because most players know this already.

That said, I do think that is really cool you reach out to other players like that, and I wish more would do so, myself included.