Knowledge Base Search
KB Article: 12639
KB Category: [In-Game/Game Contents]
KB Sub-category: [Rules and Policies]
About Harassment
[Response Policy]
Under the GM policy, harassment is defined as "Certain types of expression toward other players using character input functions including Chat, Search Comments and Bazaar Comments." This includes ethnic, racial, religious, and sexual discrimination, or obscene expressions. Action and expressions outside of character input functions also fall under this category."
SQUARE ENIX does not tolerate any behavior or comments that infringe upon one's enjoyment of the gaming experience. In cases where harassment is confirmed, we will suspend the offenders' PlayOnline Account or take more severe action.
For harassment cases, PlayOnline Accounts are reviewed by the Account Admin for possible permanent account termination. When a harassment case consists of a group of players, all players involved will receive appropriate punishment. Due to privacy restrictions, details of the punishment will not be disclosed to other individuals.
Any actions reported (including verbal and other forms of communication) that fall into the harassment category will be cross referenced by investigating logs* which contain a record of both verbal and other actions. The material found within the logs will, in turn, be investigated according to our GM Policy.
(* Checking of the logs is conducted with the understanding that this information is of a personal nature, and thus is carefully guarded against misuse.)
[Reasoning]
In FINAL FANTASY XI, much like the real World, there are many different types of personalities and opinions. Every player has the right to freely express their own feelings, but should do so in an appropriate manner. Due to the diversity of opinions, feelings, beliefs and cultures, conflicts may arise. Please note, however, that two parties disagreeing with each other does not necessarily imply harassment.
In real life, there are various definitions of harassment. We define harassment as expressions and comments that infringe upon the ability of other players to enjoy the game. Severe punishment, including the suspension of the PlayOnline Account, will be issued to players who are found to have harassed others. Additionally, expressions intended to discriminate against fellow players will be classified as harassment even if the intended player is not present.
Harassment can take many forms. Many of these acts are aimed to hurt or anger a certain player and force them to leave the game. Harassment is an inexcusable act and should be taken care of. Game Masters (GM) place top priority on such calls.
[Being harassed by multiple people]
An group act aimed to disrupt another player's enjoyment by causing them grief is considered harassment, as stated in the following User Agreement article:
Article 4.4 Revocations of User Rights.
(f) Harassing, tormenting, intimidating, pestering, obstructing, taking advantage of, or any way hurting or damaging other Users or any third parties or their properties utilizing the PlayOnline Service.
[Receiving numerous unwanted items from a player]
Sending a large number of items through the delivery service, or "spamming" a delivery box can result in the revocations of user rights, as stated in the following User Agreement article:
Article 4.4 Revocations of User Rights.
(f) Harassing, tormenting, intimidating, pestering, obstructing, taking advantage of, or any way hurting or damaging other Users or any third parties or their properties utilizing the PlayOnline Service.
Even if the player character happens to be sending the item(s) only once, a GM may determine that the player violated the agreements if he/she used multiple player characters. This behavior is unacceptable and applies to both individuals and groups. Players who participate in this behavior may be investigated, even if the offending character(s) have already been deleted.
[I'm being stalked by someone in the game]
Continuing to harass certain player(s) in a group can be considered a violation of PlayOnline Member Agreement:
Article 4.4 Revocations of User Rights.
(f) Harassing, tormenting, intimidating, pestering, obstructing, taking advantage of, or any way hurting or damaging other Users or any third parties or their properties utilizing the PlayOnline Service.
Please feel free to use the "Blacklist" and "Block Aid" functions if you feel like you’re being harassed or stalked. Blacklist is a function to block messages from any player registered on the list. A player can be added to the list by using the command "/blacklist add." The list can be viewed by using the command "/blacklist."
Block Aid is a function to block magic, trade offers, and party invitations from other players. Use the command "/blockaid on" to activate the function. To deactivate it, use "/blockaid off." To confirm the settings, use "/blockaid."
[Harassment on an out-of-game website]
GMs are unable to involve themselves in issues outside of the game; however, there are other out-of-game options for reporting such situations. The most effective option may be contacting the site administrators of the forums or sites where the harassment is occurring to request direct assistance from them. In cases of email or other contact harassment, setting filters in place to block specific email addresses may help you prevent any further incoming messages. If the harassment is of a violent nature and you fear for your life, please contact your local authorities for further assistance.
[What to do if a certain player keeps harassing you]
If you continually receive items from the same player character, or if you are being harassed, please contact a GM using the /helpdesk function. You can also contact the SQUARE ENIX Support Center by selecting the "Additional Assistance" button located at the bottom of this Knowledge Base article if you are viewing this from the SQUARE ENIX Support Center site.
Players who participate in this behavior may be investigated, even if the offending character(s) has already been deleted or renamed. This can result in a permanent ban of the offender's PlayOnline ID.
Harassment is not taken lightly under the User Agreements and Policies, and if confirmed, will be dealt with swiftly and harshly.
Ensuring the well-being of those being harassed is just as -- if not more -- important to us than punishing the offending party. If the offending party does not desist from harassing the victim, then further levels of punishment can be implemented to protect the victim from any more unpleasantries.
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