EA Forcing Good Behavior: Banned on Forum and You

[Amodin]

You paid for the media, the right to use he software and the Terms of Service. You didn't buy 'the game', as it is their intellectual property.

If you don't agree with any of that, then don't buy the game.

You did not pay for the game itself, only the rights to use it. It's a totally crappy system, I know, but ultimately it's all them.

[NeoXY]

Seem a bit harsh. You paid for the game, I don't think EA have any rights really to take that away from you. :/

We'll see how it works out. If you start getting power hungry mod holding a ban hammer that tingles at the very thought of banning somebody, you'd not have a very happy experience I'd imagine...

[Amodin]

Seem a bit harsh. You paid for the game, I don't think EA have any rights really to take that away from you. :/

We'll see how it works out. If you start getting power hungry mod holding a ban hammer that tingles at the very thought of banning somebody, you'd not have a very happy experience I'd imagine...

No, you didn't. Read my post just above.

Unfortunately (and in cases - fortunately) this is like that with just about any piece of software, including operating systems.

Here is one of those lines which get people, yet it is in any standard EULA:

"This End User License Agreement ("EULA") describes the terms and conditions under which you may (i) install and use the Software; and (ii) subscribe to, access and use <insert random game name here>."

[ViZioN]

I can actually see the merits of such a system too. Play nice or lose it basically. Although it should not be all down to how the mod is feeling at the time.

Exactly my thoughts. Whats to stop some mod essentially going on a power trip because you don't agree with his line of thinking and he bans your account?

I'm not really worried thought. One I've no need to be on their forums and two, I can't actually think of any EA games I own :p

[Ci7]

Exactly my thoughts. Whats to stop some mod essentially going on a power trip because you don't agree with his line of thinking and he bans your account?

I'm not really worried thought. One I've no need to be on their forums and two, I can't actually think of any EA games I own :p

unless they force you to register in there fourm and visit it to stay activated to play there games :alien:

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

Guys be sensible.

There's obviously going to be warnable offenses and bannable offenses.

A fresh new member is not going to get banned for posting a LOLCATS picture, unless he/she has been warned a lot of times before and still acts out of conduct.

Also remember this is an EA forum specific to first of all gaming, then secondly only EA titles.

People who use the forum aren't dragging up many of the topics/issues people on a forum like NW can get carried away with and banned over. Things like religion/politics and other heavy handed debatable topics.

Fair policy IMO (you agree to the T&C before using forums), and I'm very happy about the ban if given in a game, applying to all EA games.

I think that's something steam should do with cheaters. If they cheat in CS, ban them in TF2/Any other Valve game :yes: It's cheating in relation to the account you own, not game specific. Right now it's like saying if I shot someone on street A, but then ran and occupied street B I can't be banged up for it unless I revisit street A. Just ban cheaters/idiots from all streets (games) under the one city (account).

Or anyone being out of order abusive for that matter.

So many complete and utter retards in the gaming scene, if you hit them hard their bitter tears after being banned would make me silently laugh my ass off. Justice.

[Sethos]

And if the new rules still bother you, stay away from their forums?

( Why would you even bother posting over there in the first place :p )

[auutumn]

I'm a little concerned about the universal ban. If it was a ban for a specific game, then I have no problems I think. I'm can definitely see banning the user on the specific game forum and giving them a probation on all other game forums. If the banning for life? I would hope that there are tiers of banishment, say from 1 day to 6 months depending on the infraction.

I guess I'm concerned about not being able to play my game because I felt the need to be nasty on the forums....maybe not.

[lalalawawawa]

I'm a little concerned about the universal ban. If it was a ban for a specific game, then I have no problems I think. I'm can definitely see banning the user on the specific game forum and giving them a probation on all other game forums. If the banning for life? I would hope that there are tiers of banishment, say from 1 day to 6 months depending on the infraction.

I guess I'm concerned about not being able to play my game because I felt the need to be nasty on the forums....maybe not.

Just don't post on their forums and you will not have problems.

[capr]

i think it's a bit harsh, but if this is what it takes... then i am all for it. people need to control their anger and shut up sometimes.

[Green_Eye]

All up for it (Y)

[Spookie]

If only MS would employ this on their forums and we'd be set.

[Dev Null Zen]

You paid for the media, the right to use he software and the Terms of Service. You didn't buy 'the game', as it is their intellectual property.

If you don't agree with any of that, then don't buy the game.

You did not pay for the game itself, only the rights to use it. It's a totally crappy system, I know, but ultimately it's all them.

So do you think that if I call EA and tell them I want my money back because I bought the game, but don't agree with the EULA, they are going to give it back? Yeah right.

I think that's something steam should do with cheaters. If they cheat in CS, ban them in TF2/Any other Valve game :yes: It's cheating in relation to the account you own, not game specific. Right now it's like saying if I shot someone on street A, but then ran and occupied street B I can't be banged up for it unless I revisit street A. Just ban cheaters/idiots from all streets (games) under the one city (account).

As far as I know. VAC bans are universal. Any games connected to that account cannot use VAC servers.

[|Rapture|]

Didnt EA start Forum banning people talking about Spore bugs and DRM problems? To get banned from playing your games because you said something EA PR don't like would be pretty rough IMO.

[WastedJoker]

This could be great but I have a feeling EA will just ban dissenters rather than the true criminals.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

EA say you won't get banned from their games if you get banned from EA forums

An EA Community Manager recently stated that those who get banned from EA forums would be banned from EA games as well. The Community Manager is now saying that this was a was "inaccurate and a mistake".

Original statement:

Well, its actually going to be a bit nastier for those who get banned.

Your forum account will be directly tied to your Master EA Account, so if we ban you on the forums, you would be banned from the game as well since the login process is the same. And you'd actually be banned from your other EA games as well since its all tied to your account. So if you have SPORE and Red Alert 3 and you get yourself banned on our forums or in-game, well, your SPORE account would be banned to. It's all one in the same, so I strongly reccommend people play nice and act mature.

All in all, we expect people to come on here and abide by our ToS. We hate banning people, it makes our lives a lot tougher, but its what we have to do.

Retraction:

Hey everyone,

If you didn't notice, your C&C Community Manager, me, had a bit of a run-in with the video game blogging media today in reference to a direct quote I made on our forums here a few days ago in regards to how we handle bans and suspensions on the forums and in-game. You all know how we are greatly trying to protect and serve you from those who wish to disrupt our C&C community by breaking ToS on our forums or in-game, and I know everyone appreciates when we take action on those that are the worst.

That said, the previous statement I made recently (that's being quoted on the blogs) was inaccurate and a mistake on my part. I had a misunderstanding with regards to our new upcoming forums and website and never meant to infer that if we ban or suspend you on the forums, you would be banned in-game as well. This is not correct, my mistake, my bad.

If we suspend or ban you from the forums, that does not affect your in-game account and certainly it does not impact your in-game account for other games. Quite often we usually warn you before taking any type of action, suspend you before considering any type of ban, etc. I am sure you guys know that we are fairly tolerant and stress that you please show respect to others, but we also understand the forums are a place to be heard and express your opinion in a constructive manner. Everyone has their "flame" moments.

Your Posting in our Official C&C EA Forums is enabled by an EA Nucleus account (the Master EA Account you typically login with to chose your Persona) -- but access to the forums and access to the games are separate. Players who have been banned from EA Forums are not automatically banned from online access to their other EA games, or the game associated with that particular forum. Players can be warned, suspended, and/or then banned if they breach the Terms of Service or Code of Conduct in a forum, game or service. Each forum, game and service is managed independently by our customer support representatives responsible for that specific forum, game or service.

Suffice to say, when we take action on someone on our C&C forums here, for any number of ToS breaking reasons, it does not impact your C&C game account or any other EA Game Account connected to your forum name. The mods here do a great job of alerting me when we need to warn someone or take further action, if I haven't seen it myself or heard it in a thread from one of you, but any action we take on a C&C Forum User, doesn't impact their in-game status.

I apologize for the misunderstanding, but I hope everyone is able to see the greater good intent in that we are simply trying to keep the forums and in-game as friendly and fun environments as possible, just know that those two environments are treated seperately by myself, the mods, and especially our Customer Support team. =)

Sincerely,

APOC

*hopefully i'll have better historical memorable moments as your C&C Community Manager than this one =) *

Source: http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=33293

[Panacik]

I've seen people banned on the FIFA forums for basically disagreeing with the OP. People get banned for minor offences. Best to just not post on the forum if your opinion is different than others.

Are you sure that is why they got banned? Do you have 100% secure proof that this is why they got banned? My guess would be that they violated a bigger rule or a number of rules after recieveing warnings in other threads, which means that was just another nail in their coffin.

Yeah, they hand out bans like nobodies business there. One guy made a topic asking what happened to one of the members (who had been banned) and he was banned shortly after.

They just eliminate any chance of hassle.

Again, proof that this is why they where banned?

On the topic, i feel this has 50 50 chance of working. It oculd backfire and see the forums simply die or people complain to death over it, or it could make people start behaving.

On the legal side of things, again 50 50. You spend money and expect to be able to use all services that come with the game how you wish, however on the side of EA they made the game so should be able to dictate how you use it.

its a grey area i think.

[Michael1406]

I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it - but what about tempbans? Surely that'd be a more reasonable course of action?

[Amodin]

So do you think that if I call EA and tell them I want my money back because I bought the game, but don't agree with the EULA, they are going to give it back? Yeah right.

Well, here is the way it works. By breaking the seal (and again, I'm going to assume that you didn't read the little words on the seal) you agree to the EULA and/or Terms of Service. This is usually found on retail; however, OEM is a little bit different. OEM can install software for you, but they cannot agree to the EULA. You have to do that as the end user, which is why you get the 'Click 'I Agree' or 'Disagree' to proceed' type messages.

So, no you should not get your money back if you agreed, or opened the software (again, by agreeing to their terms, you did that).

[Dev Null Zen]

Well, here is the way it works. By breaking the seal (and again, I'm going to assume that you didn't read the little words on the seal) you agree to the EULA and/or Terms of Service. This is usually found on retail; however, OEM is a little bit different. OEM can install software for you, but they cannot agree to the EULA. You have to do that as the end user, which is why you get the 'Click 'I Agree' or 'Disagree' to proceed' type messages.

So, no you should not get your money back if you agreed, or opened the software (again, by agreeing to their terms, you did that).

I'm sitting right here looking at my old copy of BF2142. The only sticker has the system requirements on it; and nothing anywhere on it says that I accept the EULA by opening the game. So where exactly are you pulling this info from?

[Brian M. Veteran]

I'm sitting right here looking at my old copy of BF2142. The only sticker has the system requirements on it; and nothing anywhere on it says that I accept the EULA by opening the game. So where exactly are you pulling this info from?

There is usually a point in the installer that says "please return this to the store for a refund if you disagree".

If any product requires you to agree to any sort of terms or conditions before use, they are legally obliged to provide a refund should you refuse them. I am unsure where you stand legally if you suddenly decline them a couple of years down the line (although, theoretically, if the Eula of a game is updated, you can theoretically claim a partial refund for your inability to use the game after declining the new terms - however, it's not really worth going to court to claim a few pounds back IMO).

[Skulltrail-old]

SPORE has so many problems. The game is technically an offspring of EA-related problems. Great game when avoiding such issues though.

EA must have some new CEO or something because they only recently turned into this hardcore phenomena of a video game developer. It's good that they are introducing new methods and perspectives on disciplining players, but bad for players overall; didn't read forum rules? BANNED. <-blatant exaggeration

[what]

Looks like he got it wrong: http://kotaku.com/5072192/ea-getting-banne...ed-in-our-games

[Amodin]

There is usually a point in the installer that says "please return this to the store for a refund if you disagree".

If any product requires you to agree to any sort of terms or conditions before use, they are legally obliged to provide a refund should you refuse them. I am unsure where you stand legally if you suddenly decline them a couple of years down the line (although, theoretically, if the Eula of a game is updated, you can theoretically claim a partial refund for your inability to use the game after declining the new terms - however, it's not really worth going to court to claim a few pounds back IMO).

There is also the Terms of Service which is before the installation of the software which you agree to with retail games. Cipher, each game is different with where the EULA is, whether it's before installation, or during unpacking of the meia to install the game. You are grasping for straws honestly now. Just because your specific game doesn't have a sticker, doesn't mean there is nothing to agree to.

Either way, you are specifically picking a pointless arguement, which you are choosing to ignore the main point of all of this. Just because your copy of a game doesn't have it as a sticker, and has it upon the installation process or even in a book that comes with the game makes you immune from Terms of Service and/or the EULA?

It's there, whether you like it or not, the game developers, publishers and anyone else with their hands in any kind of non-open source software will have it associated with the box you are holding and anything contained within it when you puchased it. It (the game and all conent) is the sole property of the company and the EULA seems to be their only way to be able to protect not only their property, but investors as well. In other words, if you reverse engineer it, they have a legal leg to stand on.

The EULA has been an unstable leg for either party to stand on for years. There have been contests sent to courts to question and invalidate them.

They are still here. We all know it. I don't like it anymore than John Q. Public. However, the gaming companies aren't out to just yank it from us either. They wouldn't be in the business long if they did. EA is trying to touch their toes in some icy cold water with some of their new tactics of ****ing off the consumers.

You notice they back-track - Spore DRM anyone? Retraction of his statement about banning?

[revvo]

Looks like he got it wrong: http://kotaku.com/5072192/ea-getting-banne...ed-in-our-games

That makes more sense, but EA still sucks ass.

Even the largest gaming company full of ******ry would never consider banning gamers who paid hundreds of dollars for their ****ty games because they ****ed off an admin on the forums.

Bans that make sense is in case of cheaters. You cheat, you're out. This is however a free country, not China so customers especially should have the right to voice anything they want to. If the company can't deal with it, GTFO from the market.