The 3-Strikes Policy - Is it really a good thing?

[HyperiusUltima]

So, for those who want a premise, read this reddit thread. No, it's not a link to something dumb - but it heavily ties into the big fiasco regarding Party Finder usage and the unreasonable account suspensions.

The thread itself already gives a few points as to why Final Fantasy XIV's policies need some reform, as the current system is built in a way that pushes many people who have made mistakes and gotten account strikes in the past into reclusion.

We're talking like ALLLLLL the way back in 2.X, or even 3.X, when FFXIV was on the rise as an MMO giant. Why can't these strikes be forgiven? As stated from the reddit thread, it has to do with their policies in regards to Account Strikes. Considering you are unable to remove an account strike regardless of your own reasoning, it's basically a zero-tolerance system that is unforgiving.

Humans make mistakes - everyone here knows this to some extent. Yet, why can they not forgive after a set amount of time? Does it have to do with their culture on the developers' side of the world? Does it have to do with how they want to stand out? I don't know the reason, but with how SE is heavy handed in their policy, it forces the thought that if they screw up again for some benign reason or another they basically can't play the game anymore.

I'm looking to open this thread for discussion about this topic because aside from reddit, I want to see what people on the Forums think in regards to how things are.

[Lium]

I've been following that thread a bit. I have to say, I had no idea this was a big problem. I myself have been spit on while standing around in Limsa Lominsa. No idea why. I'm guessing it was because I either bailed on a group, or someone didn't like what I posted on the forum and recognized my name.

But I didn't do anything about it because who cares? I'm also curious to know if this is an equally big issue in the JP community.

[Krotoan]

I think that certain infractions should never fall off your record (harassment, hatespeech, cheating) but things like swearing or other understandably "oops" able things should. Maybe you forgot what chat you were in, maybe you were having a bad day, maybe you even had a technical difficulty that caused you to "AFK" in every dungeon you did that day and people reported you for it.

Infractions of certain types are unforgivable however. People who do these are likely to do them again and any incentive we can give NOT to do it again should be used. Hatespeech should never be used, no matter how "mad" you are. Harassing someone on purpose through game mechanics or systems should be highly stigmatized. Using cheat programs or methods (though i believe this is a one strike and you're out right now) if counted as a strike should always be on your record, otherwise this is a license to wait out the expiry and then cheating again.

[MPK]

How can you break the rules 3 times?! It's insane they even give you 2 warnings!

I haven't broken a single rule yet and don't plan to!

[HyperiusUltima]

I think that certain infractions should never fall off your record (harassment, hatespeech, cheating) but things like swearing or other understandably "oops" able things should. Maybe you forgot what chat you were in, maybe you were having a bad day, maybe you even had a technical difficulty that caused you to "AFK" in every dungeon you did that day and people reported you for it.

Infractions of certain types are unforgivable however. People who do these are likely to do them again and any incentive we can give NOT to do it again should be used. Hatespeech should never be used, no matter how "mad" you are. Harassing someone on purpose through game mechanics or systems should be highly stigmatized. Using cheat programs or methods (though i believe this is a one strike and you're out right now) if counted as a strike should always be on your record, otherwise this is a license to wait out the expiry and then cheating again.

While I do agree that a majority of what you said should be considered permanent, I think that minor offenses would need to be categorized in a manner that would help; and depending on the context of the logs it could escalate to a permanent action. Generally these 'minor' offenses should only stack up twice before become a full offense. And of course, repeat offenders don't get a chance. With how things are, CM post aside in that particular thread, it'd be a good thing for them to consider in terms of leniency - because there is none right now.

[White_Wolf_X]

Is kinda good but the strikes should also have Expiration date ( don't know if they have currently ) so if you got 1 strike but then 1-2 years pass and you don't break anymore rules during that time then the strike should be removed.

Depending on what you did to get that strike ofc it might take longer or less time for it to be removed.

[Awha]

I get the idea and I agree but I do feel if we do a system to remove strikes it should be for everything. Since if we are going to operate under the premise that people make mistakes but are also able to grow and learn from said mistakes to do better in the future then why should we pick and choose. I get in irl certain things go without forgiveness. This is a different space where people generally are more willing to go against social norms not because they believe in those ideals and are said out of pure ignorance or immaturity both of which can change over time and that should be reflected.

[Krotoan]

While I do agree that a majority of what you said should be considered permanent, I think that minor offenses would need to be categorized in a manner that would help; and depending on the context of the logs it could escalate to a permanent action. Generally these 'minor' offenses should only stack up twice before become a full offense. And of course, repeat offenders don't get a chance. With how things are, CM post aside in that particular thread, it'd be a good thing for them to consider in terms of leniency - because there is none right now.

That's also a good suggestion. Having frequent "minor" infractions add-up to an actual strike instead of just counting them outright would be a good addition.

While I've never been warned or jailed, I do understand that humans are humans and we cannot always be completely TOS compliant especially when the terms are so vague. I hear a lot of people complain about how when they do get strikes they have no idea why and while I understand the reason for not being able to reference the exact infractions, when you have such nebulous guidelines to work from, you should get a few chances to refine your behavior as well as forgiveness if you manage to comply for an extended amount of time.

I get the idea and I agree but I do feel if we do a system to remove strikes it should be for everything.

People grow but there are infractions out there that have no excuse. They are blatant and easily distinguishable from "passionate" or "accidental" infractions. Hatespeech, Targeted sexual harassment, hacking/cheating/exploiting.

[Doozer]

I haven't broken a single rule yet and don't plan to!

For some reason I doubt that. Not sure why.

[KenXSSS]

Yeah, this seems pretty insane imo. I'm a newer player so idk too much about this policy, but I've read posts where people are afraid to talk in Duties because they have 2 strikes on their account. Afraid to TALK IN AN MMO, that seems pretty crazy to me. This game has been out for 8 years, and people live in fear of talking just so they don't lose their accounts thats p sad