BAN POLICY

@frestallone0092 said in BAN POLICY:

I write this ticket because I want to file a complaint about the new ban policy recently introduced in the Arena game mode.
 
Unfortunately, this kind of limitation is a huge problem for lots of players, like those who have unstable internet services or those who enjoy swapping teams when in large crews (more than 4 people that find themselves all together in the same server). Not only you have to consider that players may lose their connection due to personal technical issues, also the game servers and matchmaking are not optimal enough to let people play flawlessly during a match.
 
Yesterday it happened to me that the game crashed for no apparent reason, so I rejoined the previous session and got a warning; at that point, I was stuck in a lobby that was migrating from a server to another, not letting me play any Arena at all. When I decided to log off and join a different lobby, I got banned for 30 minutes, so I left the game because I didn't want to wait even more to play.
 
Furthermore, large communities such as the ones active on Discord (e.g. the Affiliate Alliances communities) are heavily affected by this ban policy, in a way that prevents them from creating big events, such as tournaments and contests. Although I understand the reasons behind your decision to deter "quitters", I believe you might reconsider your policy to ban people so easily because this kind of approach risks to address your players and communities in the worst possible way, rather than improve the overall experience level.
 
Not as much what I have just said, I do not find coherence between the ban policy you have just implemented and the ban policy regarding those who clearly use Macro or Cheat.
 
** On 12/11/2019 I provided you with videos and evidence of the use of Macros by [Mod edit], even in a Tournament advertised and sponsored by you (Sea of Champions), but the user nowadays still plays Sea of Thieves.
 
** Today I forward you (see attachments), of obvious Cheat by the player [Mod edit], who evidently uses a god mode (it was impossible to kill him).
 
What else to add: I really like this game, but I hope you fix these serious structural deficiencies. Thank you.

I didn't do this to knock on your post, it was just hard to read as one large paragraph. People tend to avoid things like that, and I wanted to help you get your thoughts out there.

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I agree with the punishment for quitting, especially that it completely ignores the games Rejoin Session feature which was longer overdue to be added to the game.

Aside from that, I am still not a fan of it without the implementation of some sort of skill based matchmaking. If players were more evenly matched, they would probably be more apt to follow through with the match as it wouldn't seem like a lost cause moments within a match.

Another issue with it is that if you quit a lobby before the game starts, or even notifies you that it is about to start, you stand a chance of loading back into that same lobby with the match in progress which you will be forced to finish or be punished. This happened to our crew when we joined a lobby with a very toxic player we had already encountered a few days prior. Wanted nothing to do with them, so we left the lobby and waited a few for a new one, but we were thrown into the same one with the match already in progress.

Agreed, this ban policy is really unfair. I had to quit a duo sloop match because I was paired with an imbecile who kept on sabotaging me on purpose (dropping the anchor for no reason, blocking the cannons, wasting cannonballs etc.). Got a warning, didn't want to risk a ban (I wasn't sure whether it would have lasted for minutes, hours or days), switched to a different game.

I don't understand how they possibly thought this was a good feature. I get the idea behind that - I don't want to play with quitters in the first place - but this is poorly implemented, to say the least.

The matchmaking in Arena is so bad that the last thing to do is a ban policy like this one. I think they should reconsider the whole matchmaking process, before stepping forward with a ban policy.

@frestallone0092 said in BAN POLICY:

I write this ticket because I want to file a complaint about the new ban policy recently introduced in the Arena game mode. Unfortunately, this kind of limitation is a huge problem for lots of players, like those who have unstable internet services or those who enjoy swapping teams when in large crews (more than 4 people that find themselves all together in the same server). Not only you have to consider that players may lose their connection due to personal technical issues, also the game servers and matchmaking are not optimal enough to let people play flawlessly during a match. Yesterday it happened to me that the game crashed for no apparent reason, so I rejoined the previous session and got a warning; at that point, I was stuck in a lobby that was migrating from a server to another, not letting me play any Arena at all. When I decided to log off and join a different lobby, I got banned for 30 minutes, so I left the game because I didn't want to wait even more to play. Furthermore, large communities such as the ones active on Discord (e.g. the Affiliate Alliances communities) are heavily affected by this ban policy, in a way that prevents them from creating big events, such as tournaments and contests. Although I understand the reasons behind your decision to deter "quitters", I believe you might reconsider your policy to ban people so easily because this kind of approach risks to address your players and communities in the worst possible way, rather than improve the overall experience level. Not as much what I have just said, I do not find coherence between the ban policy you have just implemented and the ban policy regarding those who clearly use Macro or Cheat. On 12/11/2019 I provided you with videos and evidence of the use of Macros by [Mod edit], even in a Tournament advertised and sponsored by you (Sea of Champions), but the user nowadays still plays Sea of Thieves. Today I forward you (see attachments), of obvious Cheat by the player [Mod edit], who evidently uses a god mode (it was impossible to kill him). What else to add: I really like this game, but I hope you fix these serious structural deficiencies. Thank you.

If you have unstable internet connection then you are an unreliable crewmate.

I wouldnt want you on my ship because you just leave randomly.

So its better to keep you from joining than ruin it for everyone else.

Invest in proper internet and then come back.

30 minutes isnt that bad in the scale of things.

If you have a connection hiccup and manage to rejoin your game you shouldn't get a strike for leaving IMO.

@frestallone0092 while i understand your frustration but its way more frustrating having some wimp leave as soon as things go wrong and more often than not its not just big things its very often they leave due to small mistakes these are the people who put their standards way too high (people who forget its a video game and not real life)

this system reminds me of world of warcrafts dungeon system there was a time where tanks ruled the groups threatening people with leaving if they did not do exactly as he said this was highly annoying being bossed around by another player or he would just leave and then your back waiting another 30 mins to get into a dungeon because tanks are hard to find but here you are waiting for a dungeon thats cleared in 20

if this was not implemented you'd hardly get a good match as the "experienced pirates" will have nothing holding them back from leaving so as soon as they see a weak link bye bye amigos have fun with 3 people or wait longer for another match while having the risk of another quitter who can leave without penalty

Most online multiplayer comp games have this ban feature.

With same issue “not everyone has stable connection”. It’s just how they work.
It better than nothing.

@daringclarky what you're saying is completely misplaced. maybe the unstable connection isn't up to me or my investments (e.g. country). 30 minutes for people who works and have maybe 3 hours a night is a lot.

@bloodybil they still warn you.

@jollyolsteamed your reasoning applies to open crews, but not to closed crews.

@burnbacon Not exactly the same. If you take LOL, for example, it's similar, but at the same time completely different.

@frestallone0092 said in BAN POLICY:

@daringclarky what you're saying is completely misplaced. maybe the unstable connection isn't up to me or my investments (e.g. country). 30 minutes for people who works and have maybe 3 hours a night is a lot.

Couldnt care less if its your fault or not. I wouldnt want this on my ship.

I wouldnt want an alcoholic airline pilot, or a taxi driver with no road sense.

Why would i want a crewmate with an unreliable internet connection.

Its like driving a car thats held together with glue. Sooner or later its gonna fall apart so why get in it in the first place?

If you have unreliable internet take it up with your ISP and stick to a game that isnt so reliant on teamwork such as playing adventure mode as a solo.

The only thing thats misplaced is your total disregard for the other players experience in the consequences of you leaving.

Thats why the ban feature is there and frankly its long overdue in my opinion.

A mild hiccuo here and there is ok but if this is a recurring issue thats consistent then simply put, you dont have the adequate game requirements to play this game, that being a stable internet connection.

You couldnt play this game if you didnt have a high enough CPU or gfx card. Same goes for connectivity.

Theres more than just "you" on the ship so i really think having these things in good working order is expected before hand. The update is to target people who have these stable connections etc but just leave for leaving sake.

Rare didnt even consider people without a stable connection because honestly, they didnt expect them to be there in the first place.

@galactic-geek That is unfortunate. However if you cant play a single session without losing connection why put yourself through that torture?

Gathering all that loot only to lose it as you get Dqed.

Connecticity is a spec like any other. Its to be expected as you play the game.

Having bad connectivity ruins it not just for yourself but your whole crew especially in a competitive mode.

I stand by my point.

Its nobodys fault, ive been there myself before. But it is what it is.

@daringclarky You talk about things you don't know and your arrogance is out of bounds. This is a game I pay for, regardless of my connection and as a client I have every right to express my personal opinion, resulting from my personal experience. If you have a super connection, I'm happy for you. However, this is a problem that affects many players, not just me. My ticket also talks about recognized communities (Affiliates) that organize tournaments, which is my case.

P.S. an alcoholic airline pilot, or a taxi driver with no road sense? Back to the reality: here we are talking about a game and a product sold to customers, not a situation in which you risk your life.

@frestallone0092 said in BAN POLICY:

@daringclarky You talk about things you don't know and your arrogance is out of bounds. This is a game I pay for, regardless of my connection and as a client I have every right to express my personal opinion, resulting from my personal experience. If you have a super connection, I'm happy for you. However, this is a problem that affects many players, not just me. My ticket also talks about recognized communities (Affiliates) that organize tournaments, which is my case.

P.S. an alcoholic airline pilot, or a taxi driver with no road sense? Back to the reality: here we are talking about a game and a product sold to customers, not a situation in which you risk your life.

I think you misunderstand the point i was making. All i have stated is my opinion. Im by no means an expert but i know enough being a consumer.

Im not being arrogant at all.
Its the truth. Its a game i pay for too. Why should my experience be compromised because you dont live in an area with fiber broadband or cant afford it?

Truth is though if you dont have a stable connection you dont have the proper specs for the game.

Thats not rares fault.
Its not my fault.
Its not your fault either.

But why should my game session be disrupted because you havent got the proper gear?

Theres two sides to the coin and although i sympathise with people in this situation, people that have the proper gear shouldnt have to deal with players who are keep losing connection.

Plus mate, its 30 minute ban not 30 days or whatever.

Half of the people here probably spent more than 30 minutes on this forum alone so i really dont see the issue here.

Im glad the ban policy is there and i hope it stays.

Regarding the back to reality.
Regarding airline pilot ect.
I was speaking metaphorically.

So what you did was take that as a literal and think i was actually doing a straight comparison of the two. That would be incredibly stupid to do. I was being metaphorical to kind of cast a picture to easier explain the situation.

I thought that was very clear but i suppose its lost on some. So its not me being out of touch of reality at all, perhaps you just are not as intelligent as you think you are.

Anyways ive said my peace on the issue. Couldnt care if you agree or disagree. Its here to stay and im glad.

@daringclarky As you say, they are two sides of the same coin, and because we pay the same, you must be protected as I must be.

I don't care if I'm not the player you want to play with: I just want to play and take advantage of what I pay. And frankly, I play to pass the time and to get away from the hard work: obviously you don't, but that's not my problem.

As far as metaphors and intelligence are concerned, my wise guy, you have to know how to make metaphors, you are not capable. You have exasperated a situation that has nothing to do with the ones you mentioned, so, evidently, you don't have the intelligence to make certain speeches or metaphors, forget it.

Having said that, I repeat to you for the umpteenth time, that this speech is broader than you and your open crew games: there are Rare affiliated communities that are stuck and can't carry on the scheduled Tournaments and Events. But I don't expect you to understand speeches about +500 players.

@frestallone0092
Haha.
If you say so mate.

@frestallone0092
Disconnect bans are something that pretty much every competitive FPS has. This is what Arena mode seems to be attempting to become.

Personally, I think 30 minute bans are too long. 10 minute bans would be long enough.

However, the bans should have never been implemented without also putting in place some sort of skill based matchmaking. Nobody enjoys being stuck in a game that they know they are going to lose because the teams have such mismatched skill levels. 1st time players should not be forced to play competitively against crews that have been playing since alpha.

Forcing low skilled players to continue to play against high skilled players and then banning them if they quit is a good way to get them to not come back.

@bloodybil said in BAN POLICY:

If you have a connection hiccup and manage to rejoin your game you shouldn't get a strike for leaving IMO.

THIS!

I got kicked out - not because my connection is bad, SoT is notorious for random disconnects that are many times issues on their side not the players - managed to rejoin, yet still got a strike? WTH?!

Gotta fix that load of [Mod edit] ASAP mate.

@little-squash said in BAN POLICY:

@frestallone0092
Disconnect bans are something that pretty much every competitive FPS has. This is what Arena mode seems to be attempting to become.

Personally, I think 30 minute bans are too long. 10 minute bans would be long enough.

However, the bans should have never been implemented without also putting in place some sort of skill based matchmaking. Nobody enjoys being stuck in a game that they know they are going to lose because the teams have such mismatched skill levels. 1st time players should not be forced to play competitively against crews that have been playing since alpha.

Forcing low skilled players to continue to play against high skilled players and then banning them if they quit is a good way to get them to not come back.

Arena already has too few players in their database after the sloop vs galleon split, and x-box vs pc split (when essentially thee player base was split into 4) queue times for gally arena are 15-30 minutes easy... sometimes longer..

Imagine the wait times if you introduce skill-based matchmaking? It’ll kill arena.

I’m all for it IF arena ever has the numbers for it (maybe when Steam launches?) in the meantime, this is just not feasible.

@daringclarky As you can see from the answers, it's a common problem. When you come out of your narcissistic selfishness maybe you'll understand.

@little-squash Exactly. I agree with you.

@motu-is-motu said in BAN POLICY:

@little-squash said in BAN POLICY:

@frestallone0092
Disconnect bans are something that pretty much every competitive FPS has. This is what Arena mode seems to be attempting to become.

Personally, I think 30 minute bans are too long. 10 minute bans would be long enough.

However, the bans should have never been implemented without also putting in place some sort of skill based matchmaking. Nobody enjoys being stuck in a game that they know they are going to lose because the teams have such mismatched skill levels. 1st time players should not be forced to play competitively against crews that have been playing since alpha.

Forcing low skilled players to continue to play against high skilled players and then banning them if they quit is a good way to get them to not come back.

Arena already has too few players in their database after the sloop vs galleon split, and x-box vs pc split (when essentially thee player base was split into 4) queue times for gally arena are 15-30 minutes easy... sometimes longer..

Imagine the wait times if you introduce skill-based matchmaking? It’ll kill arena.

I’m all for it IF arena ever has the numbers for it (maybe when Steam launches?) in the meantime, this is just not feasible.

If Arena has too few players, it is because it didn't have quit bans and skill based matchmaking in place when it was introduced. This made for many lopsided matches that were not fun to play, which motivated players to quit out of matches making things even worse. This made the experience unenjoyable for many people.

Introducing bans without skill based matchmaking is going to kill Arena even more. New/bad/casual players are now forced to play against experienced/skilled/hardcore players or face a ban? That is not fun or inviting.

I say they need to introduce both quit bans and skill based matchmaking, or neither. If they don't introduce them, Arena will continue to stay lackluster at best. They only way to improve Arena is to introduce both.

@frestallone0092 said in BAN POLICY:

@daringclarky As you can see from the answers, it's a common problem. When you come out of your narcissistic selfishness maybe you'll understand.

I was speaking purely about bad internet connection from the users end though.
If its a server problem then obviously thats a totally different issue altogether [Mod Edited]

Its clear that nothing will be achieved speaking about this to each other. Ive made my point and i still stand by it.

@frestallone0092

Sorry to hear that your technical limitations are placing restraints on your gaming experience. Yet you don't need to say "quitters" as the quotation marks are so off, because be real... how often do you see ships leave the Arena? There are a ton of people even in short matches that are just leaving the servers when they fall behind instead of trying to get a comeback. This ends up in pretty boring games, people with undermanned crews... the amount of times I play half the game as a solo because my open crew member just packed up and left. Yeah... they needed to place cool downs on it when leaving a match early.

Also it isn't like they permanently ban you from the game or anything... try to cheat and you are permanently banned. You are given a cooldown, to deter you from leaving a match early, you get a chance to reconnect... the fact that your internet cannot handle it isn't the developers problem. They could also have called it: "Early Leaver Penalty: Unable to join queue for 30 mins." The line between cheating and leaving a game early are on totally different levels, so don't act like your 30 min cannot join queue is anywhere near the same type of punishment.

The system might not be perfect, but the punishment is fine.

@cotu42 I believe, as mentioned above, that an improvement in matchmaking would be more functional. As already said, this ban also affects communities that organize internal activities: I don't think it's right to hit everyone to hit some of them. They can undertake other solutions, even considering that it may happen to abandon the matchmaking due to server or connection crashes. In short, the solution applied seems to me not very effective and resolutive.