Unreasonable chat suspension for advertising in general chat

[Mirasol-mannoroth (Mirasol)]

@Marv-nightslayer

This rule was introduced in patch 9.2.7, meaning it’s buried in patch notes and possibly some support articles

It was thoroughly discussed and communicated at the time the rules changed and there is still a Pinned notice on the top of the General Discussion forums right this second. It is the role of the player to read and understand the rules via the game policy resources. The EULA and the pointed note to go read the policies, is your warning. So is the Social Contract we agree to noting chat infractions have penalties.

New Services Advertisement Policy

This week the 9.2.7 update introduces the new chat channel: Trade (Services). The Trade (Services) chat channel is used for searching and advertising services like raiding, dungeons, or PvP activities, keeping the original Trade chat channel available for traditional buying and selling of items and profession services. With the separation of trade services into its own chat channel, a new policy will take place. Any boosting, carrying, or other similar services offered for gold that’s advertise…

They announced the rule changes through several channels/methods before the rule change, and after the rule change. The changes are still posted and reflected in the policies. There is a Social Contract that does pop up reminding you that violating the chat rules does have consequences. Spamming (advertising in the wrong channels) has a consequence.

You currently have the most minimal penalty which is a 1 week Silence that limits social interactions. That is what anyone gets for a first social infraction on the license.

You don’t see what happens to others because we players don’t have the right to their personal account data. Blizzard is reactive though - they depend on people reporting violations for the GMs to check. They don’t have AI scanning chat in real time looking for violations.

Further infractions will be actual game Suspensions. Continuing on the forums can result in a forum suspension too.

@Marv-nightslayer

Furthermore, the punishment itself—a 7-day chat and mail suspension for a first offense of a trivial rule—is excessive and unjustified.

You can think that is you want. Vrakthris already told you how to suggest changes to the Devs if you wish to make such a suggestion.

@Marv-nightslayer

Rules need to be clearly documented and accessible to everyone before they’re enforced.

They were, and they are. Your failure to look at the rules is not the fault of Blizzard.

• Aug 2022 Forum post BEFORE the rule change. Links to the Support Article. Still pinned on General Discussion RIGHT NOW for easy visibility to wow players. New Services Advertisement Policy
• Policy that was explained and linked in the pinned post https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/000187406
• Gaming News sites https://www.wowhead.com/news/new-advertising-policy-for-boosting-and-carrying-services-in-patch-9-2-7-328354?page=2

Prior to that they also banned organized cross realm boosting communities.

Policy Update for Organized In-Game Services -- January 2022

As the conditions change by which various entities operate in World of Warcraft, we are compelled to update our policies to further our goal of making the gameplay experience as fair and welcoming as possible. Since we last updated our policies, we have found that an increasing disturbance of the gameplay experience has been caused by organizations excessively advertising various non-traditional services in-game. As of today, we will now prohibit organizations who offer boosting, matchmaking, e…

P.S. You were not suspended. You were chat Silenced. Suspension is the second offense and you won’t be able to play the game at all.