World of warcraft / Blizzard

Tricia_^^

Please could somebody help us... my son & husband totally love this game and both have been playing for quite a few years ~ they have both put in alot of time and money, endless patches etc. My son used it to relax from exam pressure and likes to play at weekends. Anyway, my son has now been permanantly banned! He received an email saying that they have warned him previously about racist / sexist behaviour ~ he did receive the warnings some 2 years ago and challenged them at the time but they did not respond. He now received a total ban and despite asking for evidence (which they refuse to give) they have now looked into it again and decided yes he is banned for good. My husband and my son are totally flabergasted by the whole thing ~ he assures us he as never been racist or sexist ~ and honestly I believe him.

They say now that the matter is closed...... so all those years of building characters buying games, expansion packs~ game cards, etc is all lost.

Do any of you kind techie people have any ideas how we can resolve this?

Tricia ~

ukjoel

No chance - Blizzard are a law unto themselves. A bit like ebay in that they are faceless and there is no two way communication at all.

Having said that they only kill accounts as a last resort as they dont like losing the monthly revenue it brings (can add up to £100 a year per account and sounds like you have two).

My guess is he said something and someone reported it. He probably did say it and it must have been pretty strong to get banned.

I play the game and the problem is kids think what they can get away with in a playground with their mates is acceptable when 1000+ other people are listening in all of whom can report it by pressing one button with the mouse.

I am fairly open minded but probably report 3 or 4 people a month for saying things (that in fairness if they said on the street would cause them to be arrested or punched depending who got to them first) and all have dissapeared presumed banned.

Only option you have is new account, with a different credit card in a different persons name or pre bought monthly cards.

Blizzard keep records of all chat for review in such situations but there decision is the ultimate one. Usually they just suspend account first and it sounds like he had a warning already.

I would try another game - there are others out there which are as good and they may prefer them.

fwor

Sadly I doubt there is much you can do. Companies like Blizzard operate these games under their own Terms and Conditions, and these generally permit them to have the last word in any dispute.

It's quite possible that your son has made enemies within another group, who have responded by making multiple allegations against him. If so it's probably just their word against his, so not much more you can do.

The only other thing would be to check out one of the WoW-related gaming forums to see if they have any suggestions.

PROLIANT

I have had a similar problem with Halo; I have been banned permanently from 4 of my favourite servers - mainly the Funhouse servers, similar accusations although I scored several flags and was in the lead and next thing banned!
And these server hosts are a law to them selves, if you’re not in their little click they will get rid of you because they can. Totally stinks and I can understand how your son is feeling.
:mad:

Tricia_^^

Fwor he did say that he had upset a group recently ~ not sure how (it goes over my head). He has also reported people, as has my husband loads of times. I probably didnt explain that on the other 2 occasions 2 years ago, he reported back to Blizzard and heard nothing back. I do understand what you say UKJoel, they do say and do things that are not acceptable ~ thats why I would like to see what exactly he did do.... I can only go by what he tells me BUT its not fair that they just cancel it without showing us why! He has never had a suspension or any other telling off.

sco0ter

I dont know how you asked about the ban before but this page

http://us.blizzard.com/support/webform.xml

seems to get a better response for some users detailing exactly what they did wrong. Be warned though that simple little things like calling people certain reproductive bodyparts has seen accounts banned without warning and comes under the heading Racist/sexist abuse.

Tricia_^^

Thanks everybody ~ no joy! I have since found out from my son that he had 2 bans in Mar 07 for 2 hours, he still says he doesn't know why he has been banned! I have sent an email Scooter but they said on the phone (as you have all said) that there is no way they will overturn this. I would just like the proof of what he did and I will go away.... until then I will not let it lie!

Thanks again all x

Unstoppable_2

He has been banned because he has continued to do things he was banned for previously. I think you will find there's a lot more that your son hasn't actually told you about. You can rant and rave as much as you want but he has had the warnings and Blizzard quite frankly won't be interested.

piggeh

Lord of the Rings Online is better anyway