BioWare bans SWTOR player for meme post

[raptor2022]

Um... I don't know this meme. But seriously, someone really doesn't understand a good joke. Come on Bioware. We expect more. Also... Why u no bring boxed versions in SA?

[TehBrad]

This is the list of countries that the Old Republic is for sale in, straight off of their website.

United States of America, Canada
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerl and United Kingdom.

So it is a lot of countries that aren't getting the force, yet.

It is pretty easy just to buy a key off of the net and load it into Origin. Not tried it myself. But I'm sure many people do want the box version.

[xeyne]

Someone should test it out and post an image of themselves saying they're a bear/wolf/lolcat. Maybe they'll get banned cos BioWare only allows humans to play and it's a violation of their terms ಠ_ಠ

[madh4tt3r]

rofl.. this is crazy.. i wonder if the banned player would be able to get his/her/it's money back then if he/she/it isnt allowed to play the game (probably not but i personally would fight it)

[Kelerei]

I posted this comment on the egamer blog, but I suspect that the COPPA legislation is why Bioware has to be strict on this:

Before the Bioware hate starts, it needs to be pointed out that they're legally obligated to do this.

The US has a nasty piece of legislation (the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, or COPPA for short), which basically states that online content providers are not allowed to store any information on people under the age of 13 without parental consent. Of course, the whole process is mired in Vogon-style red tape, so a lot of folks find it easier simply to ban under-13 accounts in the first place. That's why the clause in the Terms of Service is there, and why Bioware is proactively enforcing it.

Now sure, you can click on a button to say "I'm over 13", but, hands up folks, how many of us do that to get around it? (Hey, I did when I was that age!) Plus, the person saying "I'm 12 and what is this" may actually be 12. Yeah, on the surface, it seems like a rather stupid ban, but Bioware could potentially open themselves up for all sorts of legal issues if they chose to ignore it.

TL:DR -- yes kids, what you say does have consequences.

Yes, I know that people love to hate Bioware and EA, but in this case, said hate would be better directed at fighting overbearing legislation. Bioware and EA are not the only people to have terminated accounts over the "I'm 12" meme.

[Sillicur]

Lol what an over reaction or they just did not get it

[Dentar]

Why not simply ask for verification of said person's age instead of banning straight away? If they can prove that they're old enough let them go and if not feel free to ban.
I know other companies do it instead of jumping to conclusions straight away.

Embarrassing

[raptor2022]

Why not simply ask for verification of said person's age instead of banning straight away? If they can prove that they're old enough let them go and if not feel free to ban.
I know other companies do it instead of jumping to conclusions straight away.

Embarrassing

I think it comes down to the legislation saying one can not store information of someone under 13 on the server. The image depicts someone under the age of 13 and therefore actually (if somewhat at a far stretch) is storing details of someone under 13.

Yes I agree it's stupid though. They should have deleted the post, asked for verification and gone from there to give a warning stating that nothing to do with "Under 13's" may be posted on their forums.

I stand by what I said, someone at Bioware doesn't understand a joke. If I were a betting man, I'd bet they don't understand wit and/or sarcasm either

[Kryptyk]

Obligatory: I used to be a 12 year old like him, until I took a banhammer to the knee...

I am pretty sure that he can prove otherwise with identification (if he is of age to have it) and get unbanned.