RP enforcement? Or not so much?...

[ChronalisMage]

Just a little background, I came here from my old server (earthen ring) primarily because I didn't like the way PvP was heading there. I have to say that I'm lovin twisting nether, met a ton of great friendly folks and I'm havin a ball.

I'm a little curious though... It seems that most of the RP ruleset is basically being ignored by Blizz here, primarily with regards to naming and /s. Speaking personally; I'm not bothered by what other people say or do although I know some RPers who definitely are. If something bothers my immersion I generally just tune it out or /ignore. Somebody said a couple days ago that JustPro's name was changed for violating the ruleset. I saw last night that they have it back, so they probly petitioned or threatened to cancel en masse or whatever.

What shocked me was the debate that the name change sparked off in the channel I was in. The consensus was that the name change was unfair and "ridiculous" And that there was no reason for it. Playing Devil's Advocate I pointed out that technically, any non-rp name of any guild or player is a violation of the server policy which everyone on an RP server tacitly agrees to by creating a character here. At which point I was basically called a liar and/or an idiot by everybody who heard me. :) Like I said, it doesn't matter to me one way or the other, but is there a separate policy I'm not aware of here? Probly 20% of the guild and player names I see would be changed in a couple weeks on the other RP servers I've played. ~I~ don't mind the names but I thought the RP ToS was pretty clear unless it's different for RP/PvP (which is entirely possible).

Any feedback would be appreciated. See you in game.

[Miserae]

I think for some reason that the naming rules on this server are more lax than on others...but they do catch the really bad ones. For example, I interviewed a druid last night for Abaddon who apparently used to be in a guild called McDroods, and his original guild name was Royalwcheese. The guild was disbanded, made to change their names, ect. The really ridiculous some get. However, I've also known someone who used to be called Bloodandbones and they were made to change their names... so. -shrug- I think a lot of it depends on how many times a name is reported before the GMs take notice, and on a PvP (because, despite being a more mature and intelligent PvP server with more options than "RAWR, UBORZSMASH!" that is what we are) server, I think fewer people care.

Just my two cp.

[Gloomberry]

Despite repeated reporting, Stealthrogue is now lvl 36 and Poolpig hit lvl 54 the other day. I think I saw Killemdead running around this week, with whom I started as a newbie many moons ago and had the privilege of competing against for quest mobs in the starting zone, whilst doing my best to ignore Christopherwalken's corpse lighting up the scenery like a Shanghai neon sign. Yesterday I had the honour of meeting Oprahwinfee.

I'm like you, I can ignore a lot of stuff and just play my own game (I'm a casual roleplayer who'll make a better effort when the heavies are around), but the only thing that gets up my goat are names. They can talk in 733t speak all day for all I care, if only they had decent rp names. I report them, but, as exampled by Poolpig and Stealthrogue, Blizzard doesn't enforce the roleplay name policy at all. Thankfully, Horde like Grisch and EnheilRas do.

A RP-PvP server isn't either/or, it's both. There are two types of RP realms. RP-Normal, where you can't gank or be ganked, and RP-PvP, where you can gank or be ganked. Pretty bloody simple really. Even my neighbour's cat could understand it.

EDIT: I just got back from a long conversation with my neighbour's cat, and apparently he doesn't understand any of it, and could I please fill the saucer of milk I leave out on the back steps all the way to the top next time please ...

[Miserae]

-cackle-

Yeah...I've learned to ignore a lot of things, but I'm seriously considering getting that addon that changes l337 speak into actual, recognizable semi-sentences. And the names do rather bother me...Abaddon has a naming policy as far as folks that we'll bring in. There was one that my officers wouldn't even consider letting in til he changed his name (he was level 7-ish at the time) eventhough he seemed like a decent guy to me. -shrugs a bit-

I think I've just got trouble seeing that damn ticket icon on my screen for hours on end as the GMs ignore it...

[ChronalisMage]

I gotcha. I really just wanted to make sure I wasn't "technically" incorrect about it. Enforcement is up to Blizz, I just don't want to quote a rule, followed or not, that doesn't exist :) I'd feel silly.

[Gavril]

For some reason, the non-RPers of the server make it a point to try and quash any RP around them and exclaim it's a PvP server. I don't quite get it, myself, either.

And, yesterday, I saw a guild called "the rofls."

[Ylisaxa]

This issue boiled up on Kirin Tor for [RPPVE]. Despite reporting "elfwarrior" and "Fishtaco" and other similarly unpleasant names, my bf and I were told plainly in an email from Blizzard CS that these names were not inappropriate and would not be changed, on several occasions. (I wish I still had these emails but, alas...). This is where I lost confidence in Blizzard's enforcement of RP rulesets. Now, I seldom take the time to report bad names. I just reflect the policy in my behaviour to these people. I by no means grief, but I will refuse to group with them and be very monosyllabic and cagey in my conversations with them. If and when they ask me what my problem is, I will tell them it is their name, direct them to the RP ruleset page and move along.

[Hifazat]

You have alot of this on the alliance side for two reasons in my opinion. Unlike horde side all the major stuff done was done by the non-rp guilds. Then secondly the one time an RP event was set up the alliance crashed it like no other and since then RP on alliance side has basically with drawn.

If you have a problem with something do what I do to get these losers under control. I warn them in chat. I place a link to the website where it says what the rules are. If they persist after 10 to 15 minutes, i whisper them saying I have reported them and that i am talking to a DM right now.

Even if i am not, it shuts them up. I am really considering to make a list of people who need to have their names changed and just do that for an hour every day.

[Ylisaxa]

I really don't think this is specific to TN. As I have mentioned in my post, I have encounted opposition by Blizz with regards to upholding the RP ruleset on other RP servers.

[Mel]

This is why I am a huge fan of the flagRSP mod:

http://www.curse-gaming.com/en/wow/addons-1028-1-flagrsp.html

It won't even allow you to see a character's name until you add them to your friendlist. If I introduce myself to someone and they respond with "Hi, I'm monkeybutt" I just ridicule them or ignore them.

Not to defend Blizz in any way, but I am sure they get thousands of reports a day, and probably can enforce only the worst offenders.

Keep reporting infractions or idiocy, but you'll probably have to take steps to protect your own immersion.

[Abric]

Bottomline: Blizzard does not change names that do not grossly offend people... typically. Naziboy and TigoleBitties may be changed in a heartbeat... but Backstab and Earthshocker and Elfwarrir and Raistln will stay... because they "aren't that bad." Blizzard may have people who play on roleplay realms, like they typically say... but they don't enforce the policy they have placed, nor will they change that policy to reflect their enforcement.

Yet, they still go about saying that it is the job of the server to police themselves. So, you may see NuckCorris running around... or Ronnorris or whatever it is that guy is I've seen in Gadgetzan, the best thing to do is report. It may not do something now... but it will in the end.

I came from Cenarion Circle, and that place blows ass. I have a character in "the" RP guild on Alliance side... and it's just not worth it. People gave up - and the non-RPer and the "I RP because everybody else does" took advantage of it and just stepped over everything and everyone. Report. Report. Report. Be proactive... don't be an isolationist.

Your own worst enemy is yourself. It's easy to own a house... but it's hard to keep it clean. It will be your own personal choice if you want to be able to see your floor.... or if the pizza boxes are going to be stacking higher and higher.

AbricOOC
~Found a funny rule. It is illegal to have ASCII characters in a character name... but not a guild name. omen or whatever it is the Alliance has around is legit.

[Gavril]

Then, just go to a normal PvP server.

Oh. My. God. I honestly thought people had dignity, until I made a character on Anetheron.

All hope is lost for mankind.

[Vilmah]

I used to do only PVP servers.

My guild name was the Truffle Shuffles.

[Seademond]

Honestly l33t sp33k and silly names don't bug me THAT much. But then again, I'm a casual role-player.
Role-playing is a bit like sex, it's best between consensual partners. And you can't really force it on anyone without breaking the law.

Some names though, I've reported that are VASTLY inappopriate like "Ieadeadbabies" or something similirar. (True story)

Oh and hi! I'm new to the forums.

[Ylisaxa]

Oh and hi! I'm new to the forums.

Glad to see The Serpents slithering in here :) About time, and welcome.

[ChronalisMage]

Role-playing is a bit like sex, it's best between consensual partners. And you can't really force it on anyone without breaking the law.





Ya know. I think I'm gonna steal that for my new sig 0.o

I'll credit you with the creation though :-D

[Grisch]

I gotcha. I really just wanted to make sure I wasn't "technically" incorrect about it. Enforcement is up to Blizz, I just don't want to quote a rule, followed or not, that doesn't exist :) I'd feel silly.

Well technically according to Bliz, they DO NOT police the servers. They only react to things that are reported to them. Which means that the asshole that is cancelling his account in 24 hours is free to spam the LFG channel and any others with obscenities untill someone reports him, AND the GM gets round to doing something about it.

Oddly I've found some GMs seem to do something about names and others don't.

Personally, I just keep reporting. Invariably it's about 15 minutes from when I log on, till I have a ticket open and I just keep adding to that ticket. I'm pretty sure the GMs know me by name by now and shed tears whenever they see a ticket from me.

Additionally our guild has a strict naming policy. I also don't interact with people who have a blatant dis-respect for the naming policy. They will not get group invites, trade or any assistance from me.

I also have a macro setup that I message people with just before I report them, hoping they'll get mad and I can report them for bad language as well.

Macro is: "((Hi there, just a friendly note that your name may be in violation of the RP server naming rules governing this server. If you are unfamiliar with what additional rules apply to you while playing on a roleplaying server, I will be more than happy to help you out.))"

One day hopefully something will snap. They'll either declare RP servers non-enforced, or start perma-banning people that have voilated RP policy for the nth time. Untill then, they'll have my tickets and those of others like me taking that extra few minutes out of their day.

As Abric says, this is your house, you can leave the pizza boxes to pile up, or toss them out periodically, choice is yours.

[Ylisaxa]

I agree with you Grisch, I do, but I am trying to keep the house clean, and I am putting the pizza boxes neatly into the garbage container, but the garbage man never comes, or tells me "I am sorry, Madam. This pizza box is not quite rancid enough yet. Place it back in your house and feel free to put it out for collection if your issue is not resolved" :(

[Grisch]

I agree with you Grish, I do, but I am trying to keep the house clean, and I am putting the pizza boxes neatly into the garbage container, but the garbage man never comes :(

Yeah, I hear ya. Still, every day you toss those pizza boxes out, is a day he might come and collect them. Maybe one day when he drives past and realises how many are waiting for him, he'll considder coming round and getting stuck in.

[Ellsbeth]

Though I have to admit, other than the newbie areas and sometimes in the major cities, TN is a haven compared to the PvE server I was in.

My eyes bled when I saw, "TeddeRxpin" lvl 60.

I shuddered and had to retreat back.

How do people PLAY on those servers?

[Vilmah]

I also have a macro setup that I message people with just before I report them, hoping they'll get mad and I can report them for bad language as well.


lol That's harsh...

[Hifazat]

Does anybody know how long it takes a GM to respond to a ticket? I have had tickets up due to RP griefing and haven't gotten a response 3 hours later. So is their a specific time or period when i can get a reaction within say an hour?

[Grisch]

Does anybody know how long it takes a GM to respond to a ticket? I have had tickets up due to RP griefing and haven't gotten a response 3 hours later. So is their a specific time or period when i can get a reaction within say an hour?

Fastest reaction I've EVER had was 30 minutes. I nearly D/Ced out of shock. Prime play time around mid day seems to be the fastest reactions, late at night when I play is the slowest.

It averages on around 3-4 hours for a response for me. I'm not sure if constantly updating the ticket slows it down though, maybe resetting your place in the queue or something.

I do know it's an impossible expectation to expect a GM to respond to someone RP griefing WHILE they're actually doing it, unless they're amazingly persistent and are willing to keep it up for a few hours.

[Zasu]

It just depends as far as how long for GM tickets. I've had them take upwards of 8 hours, or less than 10 minutes.


Reporting does help. While they may not change all names, or even most of them, they do change some. Like Trickortreat.


Blizzard has said that they are more lax with Guild names than Player names, which I think is perfectly resonable.


However, they have stated time and time again on the customer service forum that you MUST ask the offending RP Griefer to stop before you report them. Otherwise, the GMs cannot act. As an added bonus, as Grisch said, most asshats will just give you more rope with which to hang them. And if they stop griefing after you ask then mission accomplished.


So remember ASk them to stop, then REPORT!

[Xeran]

Fastest GM reaction time: ten minutes. No joke. Some others had reported the griefer before me so there was a GM already dedicated to the issue.

And, yes, report, report, report, report. If nothing else, the jacktards may get sick of getting a "talking to" from the RPers on this server and will flee to one of the useless kiddie servers available to them.

Vigilence is the best weapon. Don't wait until IzALeetRogue hits 60 to report them. Get them in the starter area while they're level 1 and have no time invested in the character. Move them out then and we'll be better off.

For the record, the worst name I've seen to date is "Crapmaster." He only made it to level 6 before leaving us for good. "Crapmaster." On an RP server. Do they teach nothing in schools these days?

[Karkarov]

It may just be me but once upon a time I played a game where I was basically gm support. I got so tired of running around dealing with petty minor issues that were so trivial anyone who cared to even try could overlook or resolve them that frankly I stopped helping people that made those types of complaints because they wouldnt try to resolve it themselves. So dont take this the wrong way, but in my opinon, a GM who spends most of thier time researching name violations (and you better believe over 90% of the tickets on a rp server are name violations) is a GM that wasted most of thier time.

They could have reseached bug, dealt with legitimate real griefing, or any number of real customer issues like being stuck in geometry or broken quests. Instead they sit there having to calmy explain to either an irrate "rp'er" why they wont change name X or explain to an irrate person with a stupid name why they have to change thiers.

I dont care if I run into a guy named roflcopter in the guild "all your base" I am an adult it is really easy for me to just walk right by and ignore it.

[Kaylim]

I, for one, report Name violations often. Not doing so, is saying you approve. Just like in real life, if you do not stand up, when something goes wrong....then people begin to think it's right. Then you have no room to complain when the server goes down hill...because you were part of the root cause. Just my 2 coppers.

That's why I always liked the saying: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good men to do NOTHING.

[Fallacy]

I remember the Frostwolf Brotherhood event, "Decision of Fate", of which I was asked to moderate. Several members of Infamous decided to be the assholes they were, and disturb the event. I whispered each of them to ask them to stop, but they went on doing their little game. I reported all of them, and a GM actually showed up to the throne room to silence them after about 15 minutes. Now, that's enforcement.

*sigh* The good ole days...

[Karkarov]

Just like in real life I also choose my fights. When someone does like what Fallacy describes is the time to go for GM involvment. I hate to break reality on you, but every REAL l33t kiddy you force a name change on just rerolls a new toon with an even more offensive name and then spams LFG general etc. All you are doing is giving them the rise they want to get out of you.