Clarification requested from EA regarding Ultima Online rules.

[Meatbread]

This is the thread where we try to get somone official to explain why the word "****" is bannable. For ages we've heard about this unlisted "shadow policy" being enforced, and I really think it's about time someone from EA at least admit that it exists. Or if it doesn't, dispel this incredibly deeply-ingrained myth.

Firstly, I'm absolutely certain that the UO EULA contains some intentionally vague phrase about 'obscenity blah blah sexual language' that would technically allow them to ban someone for saying 'booby' or 'poopyface' if they really wanted to. This isn't about that. This is about the policy that UO GMs actually enforce.

We know that you can stand at the bank and cuss yourself hoarse without a GM lifting a finger. Trust me on this. I tend to have a very foul mouth when shooting from the hip, and enough people have indignantly screamed that they were paging on me that I know this for a fact. Supposedly public server-wide chat is more moderated, but for purposes of this discussion let's pretend that doesn't exist.

I can stand at the bank calling you a ****, but if some newb says he got ****d by reds trying to do a champ spawn and someone decides to report them, that is actionable. Hey guys, notice which word in that sentence got turned into asterisks, and which one didn't.

I want to know why a word which isn't considered an obscenity by... well... anyone is instantly actionable in this game. No, I haven't gotten in trouble over this word. I'm just tired of having to metaphorically tackle random guildmates and cover their mouths in the occasional instance that one of them says they got ****d trying to solo Slasher or something.

I've been meaning to make this thread for ages. It just took a reference to the Secret **** Rule in another thread to remind me.

 

[Thunderz]

I think that word is held accountable as it is, not for being a rude word but more for the fact of , if someone who plays this game has unfortunately had that happen to them in real life its not very nice for them to be playing a game to have fun and constantly seeing that word and it bringing back nasty memories for them.

Same as if you where to say something nasty about someones relative dying, if that has happened to someone its gona be alot more horrible for them to be reminded of something like **** or car accident than it is to be called a string of swear words.

Thunderz

 

[Berethrain]

You may not use any offensive or sexually explicit language, graphic descriptions, or accounts of sexual acts (including but not limited to sexual language of a violent or threatening nature directed at another individual or group of individuals).

You may not use any unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, hateful, racially, ethnically or otherwise objectionable language toward any other player.

Take your pick.


Ultima Online Service Rules of Conduct

 

[MalagAste]

That word used to bring an automatic PERMA ban... however now I believe it nets you a 3 day vacation...

And it still isn't a good word to use no matter what. And Yes folk can say all sorts of things that aren't nice... but people still get banned for abbreviating the word Japanese. You can not abbreviate that to a 3 letter word because THAT is offensive and will get you banned just like saying other words that are of a derogatory nature however that said you can get around those rules and name your character all sorts of offensive things by circumventing the filters on such things but for some reason this doesn't get you banned and if folk page on you for such an offensive name you can still play. Trust me I've seen it happen... I don't know what sort of lies they tell the GM's about the real "meaning" of their name but it's complete and utter BS. I've seen some incredibly offensive names that circumvent the filter and I myself have paged on them yet they still remain in-game. How I really don't know.

 

[Petra Fyde]

The word is not, technically, profanity - hence not on our profanity filter. It is however a highly unacceptable sexual referrence. It would be a very good idea if people stopped using it as some kind of out of context slang for winning a pvp fight. Since Berethrain has answered quite nicely the question in the title I think this thread is done.