A buddy of mine was given a 3 day suspension for quoting Dave Chapelle over guild-chat (Dave Chappelle is indeed a WoW player, log on to the Frostmane server and say hello to Woodshelf). This is because the quote included a racially offensive word, and some noble undead warlock decided to stand up to racism at its source: online roleplaying games.
Just how racially paranoid is Blizzard? The word was said over a private channel, it was used in a non-hateful way, and it was a quote from a TV show.
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| "I love the irony of it, every time I hear one white kid call another white kid 'nigger,' it makes me smile. And I think that it might be one of the best things that's happened to race relations in quite a long time." - Dave Chappelle |
But hey, it’s Blizzard’s game and they can ban who they want. My friend is kind of an asshole anyway. What interested me was not the censorship, it was the power Blizzard has given me or any other idiot – If I'm offended, I can get people banned.
My character on a roleplaying server, Elvy, was made with the intent of dancing naked in the middle of Ironforge to see how many people would stop and stare (
not that I'm gay or anything). But this time I roleplayed her as Miss Politically Correct, and became offended at as many things as possible. It’s harder than it sounds, because people on roleplaying servers are awfully nice. After unsuccessfully trying to get offended for comments on my boobs, or going PETA on a hunter for his malnourished tiger, I gave up and started to sell the leftovers of my tailoring career.
This is me, Elvy. Elvy the cloth salesmen. Elvy the dancer. Elvy the elf.
1/4 00:56:37.312 [2. Trade] Elvy: WTS linen, wool, mageweave, runecloth (full and half stacks only)
This is Suprnintendo, someone who does not belong on a roleplaying server.
1/4 00:56:55.562 Suprnintendo waves.
This is Blizzard after a patch.
1/4 00:57:02.015 We are aware of the current issues with the mail system. We are working to resolve this as quickly as possible. Please do not delete your in-game mail.
I was going to delete my girlfriend’s issue of Vogue until I noticed they said the problem was for “in-game” mail, phew!
He’s a pushy little 16-bit bastard.
1/4 00:57:22.265 Suprnintendo says: do u have n e silk?
1/4 00:57:27.656 Chandy whispers: how much for each type / stack
1/4 00:57:37.468 Suprnintendo says: do u have n e silk?
1/4 00:57:52.000 Suprnintendo whispers: do u have n e silk?
It’s time for Miss Politically Correct to strike!
1/4 00:58:03.265 To Suprnintendo: ...
1/4 00:58:12.796 To Suprnintendo: just because im chinese doesnt mean i trade in silk
1/4 00:58:30.390 Suprnintendo whispers: em
1/4 00:58:56.531 Suprnintendo whispers: I will give u 90s for a stack of silk
1/4 00:59:03.312 Suprnintendo whispers: AH is all sold out
1/4 00:59:19.125 To Suprnintendo: because silk comes from the orient right
1/4 00:59:35.687 To Suprnintendo: and you just assumed
1/4 00:59:41.703 To Suprnintendo: because im chinese that I go in silk trading
1/4 00:59:47.281 Suprnintendo whispers: ok bye
I had to stop that racist jerk from ruining the game for someone else. I did what I knew was right; I reported him to the GM’s.
They did their work fast, this came to my non-in-game mail the next day:
Quote:
From: donotreply@blizzard.com < donotreply@blizzard.com>
Date: Jan 4, 2006 6:52 AM
Subject: Blizzard Entertainment - World of Warcraft
To: blart@fuckforforest.com
Greetings Ralph Stinkwidderskeinz,
Thank you for contacting the World of Warcraft Game Master Department.
We were able to investigate the character(s) that you have reported, and are taking the appropriate actions. If you need additional assistance, please submit another petition when you next log in; we will be happy to assist.
Thank you again for contacting us. We hope you continue to enjoy your experience in World of Warcraft!
*** Please do not respond to this email as all conversations on this matter would be best handled online. ***
If you have any comments on the service you have received, please feel free to contact us at wowgmfeedback-us@blizzard.com.
I greatly appreciate your time and patience.
Regards,
Rhaele
Game Master
Blizzard Entertainment
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/
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I’ve put Suprnintendo on my friends list, but have never seen him online since. I even put Gamcube and Rvolution on just in case, no luck. I hope he’s learned a lesson from all of this, perhaps in the future he’ll stop trying to communicate with other players.
(Thank you Mhotl for the idea, it works great)