[Resolved] Player Complaint - Garnascus

[Azande]

BYOND Key: XanderDox
Game ID: (N/A)
Player Byond Key: Garnascus
Staff involved: N/A
Reason for complaint: Breach of server rules
Did you attempt to adminhelp the issue at the time? If so, what was the known action taken by administration/moderation? N/A
Approximate Date/Time: Unknown

I'm making this complaint because I have a strong belief that staff should be held to the same, if not a higher standard than players when it comes to adhering to our server rules. They are here to set an example for people as to what a rule-abiding player looks like. The rule in question which is posted directly below is written to sound like a very serious one, to the extent that an individual caught breaking it can be given an immediate permanent ban, possibly without even being contacted by staff. I do not think Garnascus should be permanently banned - but that some sort of punishment, note or warning should be given to him.

Here is an image of Garnascus admitting to a rule violation, specifically this rule:
"

Use of proxy-servers is not permitted. Due to the amount of griefers that use proxy servers in an attempt to bypass punishment, connecting via a dedicated proxy server, or routing your connection through a dedicated server host, can result in an immediate permanent ban.

*NOTE*: The admission of the rule violation is highlighted in yellow.

 

I also consulted Arrow (as I don't have any current admins on my friendslist anymore) to see if VPNs were considered proxy-servers, as I am not versed in techy lingo:

 

[Azande]

Addendum: 

It really sucks to not want to get recognized - as someone who has been permabanned a few times, and with quite a few notes on my record (some of which have been held against me in poor manner, see my most recent appeals and complaint that I 'won') I feel like both players and staff alike treat me differently. People are quick to ahelp me if they feel I have even treaded near the line of the rules, I recieve a bwoink almost every round I play to inquire what I'm doing and why I am doing it. All in all, it feels as if me as XanderDox is treated differently because of who I am, and I've simply had to accept that. I have never considered using alternative accounts or a VPN to bypass my notes and bans - so I do not necessarily think it is appropriate for Garn to do so simply because he does not want to be noticed.

[Garnascus]

The rule may say that but i am the rules. 

 

no but uhh that rule is ancient and actually its kind of obsolete. Looooong time ago when abosh was still here we settled on an internal policy due to tech changes for the server. Right now we just have the system notify us if someone is using a VPN and.... thats it. We do not kick them nor do we ban them. I do not really care if someone else does it.

[Azande]

2 hours ago, Garnascus said:

The rule may say that but i am the rules. 

 

If this is true, Alberyk or another admin can confirm and close this complaint - Rules change sometimes! I'd also suggest striking the rule from the official books, or at least modifying it to not sound so serious.

Also, a brave Jedi Xander faces off against Head Administrator Garn, colourized:

Edited March 25, 2019 by Azande
better meme

[Garnascus]

you guys always pick the time to make complaints on my day off when im knee deep into a new video game. I just want to kill people in dark souls japan. We can probably just change the rule to something like "unless staff say you can" and then just assume everyone has permission until you're ban evading or something.

 

I give myself permission to use a VPN. 

 

[ThatGuyGW]

I also give myself permission to use a VPN.

[Azande]

@Skull132 I feel like you probably wrote the rule on VPNs ye old man, do you have any context in regards to whether our current VPN-tracking system warrants a removal of the VPN rule?

Edited March 25, 2019 by Azande

[Alberyk]

I will handle this complaint.

[Skull132]

The rule could probably use a bit of a rewording. We do have bans and entry denials logged purely off of people using specific commercial VPNs or other forms of proxy. However, this is usually in cases where we've identified a specific provider's subnet as being abused and range-ban them. So the rule should perhaps still exist, but be reworded instead:

Quote

Use of proxy-servers can result in a ban or may not be supported. Due to the amount of griefers that use proxy servers in an attempt to bypass punishment, connecting via a dedicated proxy server, VPNs, or routing your connection through a dedicated server host, can result in an immediate permanent ban.

Also, side-note:

7 hours ago, Azande said:

It really sucks to not want to get recognized - as someone who has been permabanned a few times, and with quite a few notes on my record (some of which have been held against me in poor manner, see my most recent appeals and complaint that I 'won') I feel like both players and staff alike treat me differently. People are quick to ahelp me if they feel I have even treaded near the line of the rules, I recieve a bwoink almost every round I play to inquire what I'm doing and why I am doing it. All in all, it feels as if me as XanderDox is treated differently because of who I am, and I've simply had to accept that. I have never considered using alternative accounts or a VPN to bypass my notes and bans - so I do not necessarily think it is appropriate for Garn to do so simply because he does not want to be noticed.

This, too, is covered in the rules:

Quote

Multikeying with intent to bypass punishment, such as warnings, bans; to deceive server administration in general; or to bypass ingame mechanics, such as respawn timers, is a punishable offence. Using two or more BYOND accounts for playing when you don’t have active punishments to dodge is permitted. Should you have active punishments, but wish to swap BYOND accounts, please contact staff about it. Failure to do so may result in further punishment.

Even if the rule regarding VPNs got removed, then, in your specific case, an attempt to hide your identity may well result in a logging of a multikey attempt and then a ban.

[Azande]

1 hour ago, Skull132 said:

Also, side-note:

This, too, is covered in the rules:

Even if the rule regarding VPNs got removed, then, in your specific case, an attempt to hide your identity may well result in a logging of a multikey attempt and then a ban.

I have never considered using alternative accounts or a VPN to bypass my notes and bans - so I do not necessarily think it is appropriate for Garn to do so simply because he does not want to be noticed.

I believe I said the opposite of such, I have never considered it.

[Skull132]

I might be a bit exhausted, so I'll leave this at a, "Sure, whatever".

Anyways, as outlined, the rule could do with rewording, as the wording I used is its application in practice. And the ultimate goal of it, to inform you of the fact that we may ban you for using any or specific VPNs, proxies, etcetera, without any further elaboration required. De facto, Garn's conduct is in line with the freedoms extended to most of the playerbase, minus those who've banned for abusing this freedom.

[Alberyk]

Taking in consideration what skull and arrow said, do you believe that clearing up, by rewording/rewriting it, the intent of this rule as a satisfying conclusion to this complaint?

[Azande]

1 hour ago, Alberyk said:

Taking in consideration what skull and arrow said, do you believe that clearing up, by rewording/rewriting it, the intent of this rule as a satisfying conclusion to this complaint?

Clearly I want Garnascus to experience being permabanned from Aurora

Yeah, that sounds like the best solution, this can be closed if that's the decision you've made.

[Skull132]

Rules updated as described, as per all heads of staff agreeing to it.

Marking complaint as resolved.