Hello Blizzard team and fellow players,
I’ve been leveling multiple alt characters recently through Chromie Time dungeons, and I’ve encountered a recurring and increasingly frustrating problem: being unfairly kicked from dungeons. This issue has reached a point where it feels absurd and disheartening, and I feel compelled to share my experience in hopes that it sparks a conversation and action.
The Problem: Unjust Vote Kicks
After numerous dungeon runs, I’ve been kicked repeatedly, and while at first, I didn’t understand why (since the system doesn’t inform you of the reason), I later discovered the reasons thanks to a friend who accompanied me and could see the messages behind the votes. The patterns are deeply concerning:
- “Not Enough DPS” or “Useless” (6/10 cases)
- In a non-competitive leveling dungeon, players are voting to kick others simply for not meeting arbitrary damage thresholds or, even worse, by labeling them as “Useless.”
- This demonstrates that their “criteria” for kicking players is often baseless, relying more on personal whims or a desire to remove someone for no valid reason.
- What’s worse, these kicks often happen right at the final boss of the dungeon, wasting all the time and effort invested.
- Minor Inconveniences or Personal Annoyances (2/10 cases)
- I’ve been kicked for using addons that announce interrupts in chat or for something as trivial as saying “hello” in the group chat.
- It feels like any small thing that a toxic player finds “annoying” can lead to a vote kick.
- Targeted Discrimination (2/10 cases)
- I’ve been kicked purely based on my server. For example, one player said, “Oh, someone from Quel’Thalas? Yikes!” and two minutes later, I was kicked.
- In another dungeon, I was kicked for voting “No” when someone else tried to unfairly kick another player.
These examples illustrate a disturbing misuse of the vote kick system. It’s not being used to deal with legitimate issues like AFK players, trolls, or truly disruptive behavior. Instead, it’s often weaponized for petty reasons or personal grudges.
The Bigger Issue: The Desertion Debuff
The most frustrating part of this situation is the “Deserter” debuff.
- Being kicked for unjust reasons, I still receive a 30-minute penalty as if I had abandoned the group myself.
- Why is there no differentiation between being kicked and leaving voluntarily? This system punishes the victim rather than addressing the root problem.
Imagine being a new player who is trying to learn the game. Instead of receiving support or guidance, they’re punished with a 30-minute penalty simply because they didn’t meet someone’s unrealistic standards. This kind of experience drives players away—both new and returning ones.
The Impact on Player Experience
This situation has profoundly affected my enjoyment of the game.
- As a positive player and guild leader, I always try to foster an inclusive and supportive environment. Yet, this toxic behavior has left me feeling discouraged and even considering quitting altogether.
- Worse, I’ve spoken to several newer players who’ve had similar experiences and have already quit or are considering it. How can we expect players to stay when they face hostility even in casual, low-stakes content?
Suggestions for Improvement
To address this issue, I’d like to propose some potential solutions:
- Transparency in Vote Kick Reasons
- Allow the kicked player to see the reason for the kick. This would provide clarity and allow Blizzard to monitor abusive patterns.
- Reform the Desertion Penalty
- Being kicked should not apply the same penalty as voluntarily leaving. Separate these two scenarios in the system.
- Stricter Review of Vote Kick Patterns
- Implement automated systems to flag players who abuse vote kicks or frequently initiate unjustified votes.
- Encourage a More Supportive Community
- Leveling dungeons should be a safe space for learning, not a competitive environment where only experienced players thrive. Consider in-game prompts or rewards for patience and helpfulness in group content.
Final Thoughts
This issue reflects a growing toxicity within the community that needs to be addressed. Players abusing the system create a hostile environment, and Blizzard’s current mechanics unintentionally punish the victims rather than the perpetrators.
If this trend continues unchecked, I fear more players—myself included—will stop playing altogether. Blizzard, I urge you to take these concerns seriously. We need changes to protect players from unnecessary frustration and to foster a more welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope the community and Blizzard moderators can work together to resolve this issue.
Sincerely,
[JavyWorld]