My WoW Forever beta access account was banned because “one or more characters have names that violate the rules.” At first, I was very confused, as I did not create any character with the intention of using a suggestive name or violating any of Blizzard’s conduct guidelines. I am Brazilian and barely speak English, so any violation of the guidelines—if one actually occurred—was completely unintentional.
Since the criteria for evaluating names were based on the English language—which I do not speak fluently—I had to use an AI to analyze my character names and check if any of them violated the rules. According to the AI, the character “GHILTER” might have been flagged by the system because its name sounds similar to “Hitler.” I want to make it clear that this was entirely unintentional; as I mentioned, I barely speak English and was not familiar with the phonetic similarities of words in the language.
I chose the name “Ghilter” in an attempt to combine my standard nickname, “Ghiller” (derived from my real name, Guilherme), with the “Hunter” character class:
GHILler + hunTER = GHILTER
I have already tried opening a ticket to appeal my situation, but I was informed that customer service does not have the authority to reverse the ban. So who can I turn to in order to have my case re-evaluated? Blizzard banned me for “advocacy of a dictator,” yet by imposing penalties without offering a channel for people to defend themselves, the company adopts the same intolerant, totalitarian behavior as such dictator.
I have been eagerly anticipating World of Warcraft Forever, and participating in the beta test is a truly important experience for me and being banned for a not intentional reason is feeling unfair.
Unfortunately, there is no appeals process for Beta nor is CS involved in any way with these actions or decisions. I know that’s not what you’re hoping to hear, but there’s no recourse for this.
It will not effect your ability to access the Live Version of Forever either, just Beta.
So that’s it? I’ve been playing since BFA and never received a warning, suspension, or ban, and now, as far as Blizzard is concerned, my account will be forever marked as supporting a dictator?
Well, WoW Forever hasn’t even started yet, and it’s already become a completely frustrating experience.
Don’t you think they keep a record of violations? I feel like I lost my “first-time offender” for a completely unfair reason, and that could prejudice me in the future. Anyways, my doubt was answered. Not in the way I was hoping, tho. Im marking it as solved. Thank you for the ones that responded.
In the Live versions of the game, yes. For this beta, yes. But it won’t even effect your ability to get into future betas. Once Forever Beta is over, my understanding is that this will no longer have any impact whatsoever on your account.
I asked vrak this awhile back it will have no affect on any betas going forward just this beta. Yes black marks stay on accounts unless apealed successfuly but there wont be one for the beta.
None of that means anything in regards to the sanction you have been given. If it were in the Live games, you would have some recourse.
Beta? They had folks from Dev team literally going through lists upon lists of names. Forever Beta is only temporary. Everything you’ve done and might have done would be 100% wiped from existence before the game goes live. Nothing you’ve done (or haven’t done) to date has no bearing on anything - save for participating in this Beta.
While your case may be innocent due to the language barrier, there are dozens (if not hundreds or even thousands) who aimed to make the most offensive things they could manage. Those people were banned with the character never even having logged in. Or was deleted right after making it.
While it may suck that you’re unable to continue participating in the Beta, you will be able to play on November 4th with everyone else.
Also, as an aside?
Not always. Over the years, I know I’ve seen people come here fussing because they tried to have something unsavory in a different language, and then were mad they got caught. English may be used over large swaths of players, but it is a wide and diverse gaming community.
I’m sorry you’re in this position, but as has been stated above me? There is nothing that can be done. All the best to you.
I’m sorry this happened to you OP. I am dealing with a random ban as well due to “One or more of the Character names on this account included highly offensive language.”
I received this while on vacation and could not think of what name might have been a violation. I was not advised which name was flagged, nor given any chance to change it, suggesting it was “far outside” of their code on conduct. The only one I could maybe see as being flagged was Dee Spair (a play on Despair, as it is an undead character). I’ve seen much worse out in the Beta world than that lol.
It’s just so frustrating that Blizz can implement such a ban with out any appeal or CS for a PAID service. There should be some recourse for customers who have done no wrong and whose case will not be heard. They claim each name is personally reviewed but this is either a bad AI ban or intentional targeting.
Actualy its stated in the eula that they and will close any account that violates policy at will if a player has a rap sheet so long its not worth keeping them.
Blizzard is not obligated to inform you which name was in violation of policy. If you feel that’s unfair, that’s your prerogative, but it’s their game and their rules so that’s just how it goes.
Additionally, someone else’s topic regarding actions against their account is not the appropriate place to soapbox about your own. If you want your voice heard, you’re going about it entirely the wrong way, to be blunt.
Beta is not a paid service and does not require a sub. It has no monetary value. It is a perk of getting the fancy pre-order of Forever char/zone/cosmetics. The price of that pack won’t change when the game goes Live and Beta is no longer available. It is literally free.
Live game does cost money, but you can and will be suspended or banned from that too if you break the rules. You don’t need to have logged in to the char that caused the ban. ANY name you created on Beta that violated the game rules could have caused it.
Profanity, masked profanity, sexual innuendo, references to certain body parts/functions, explicit content, violent content, illegal drugs/activities, hateful speech, references to controversial hateful or violent figures in history or their movements, real world person references - esp politics that cause unrest and don’t suit the game world, advertising, trolling, etc.
Something does not have to be offensive to be inappropriate for the game. Beta is not something we are entitled to, just like the live game. Breaking the rules means penalties and getting kicked out.
That did not get you a ban from Beta. I know that much.
I doubt this was the name that got you banned. The only thing I can think of, and it’s quite a stretch, is if they saw it as Dees Pair (a less obvious reference to Deez Nutz). Even then, that’d only be a forced name change. The bans were for only the most egregious names and Blizz has said that only 1% or so of the name violations actually rose to the level of being ban worthy. So… I’m pretty sure it was another character name that got you banned. I’d suggest you think through all the names you used in the Beta and figure out which one was so foul that it got you banned and learn from this experience.
Incorrect. Legally speaking, it’s sold as part of a $60 bundle and thus considered a paid service. The monetary value is a proportional component of the whole $60 even if beta is not sold as an individual item.
You should probably think a bit harder as to which name it was. Keep in mind that it could be a character you never logged into. I have my own opinions about that, but regardless, it is still subject to the naming ToS.
You can try to request a refund for the pre order bundle, but there is no CS involvement or appeals for beta.
No, they are correct. The beta is not a component of the 60.00 price. It is a freebie that is included if you buy the bundle early. Anyone buying the bundle after launch will still pay the same 60.00 and not receive the beta. It isn’t part of the monetary value. It is not a proportional component of the price tag at all.