Is a developer allowed to ban me from playing a game?

[Jur]

I got banned on a game hub by the developer (Second time actually, first time I got unbanned by a Steam moderator and I don't want to bother them again tbh), it's not a big issue for me. But he also banned me in-game. Which is an issue because I paid for it so I should be able to play it.

So I'd like to know if a developer is allowed to do this?

Thanks in advance, cheers.

[blackraven1425]

If you broke the ToS, you're ♥♥♥♥ out of luck. Nobody's required to let you connect to their servers, and their ToS will tell you that they can ban you for any reason, at any time, without explaining it to you. You won't get a refund, either.

Protip: Don't be a troll/douche next time, that's more than likely why you were banned.

[Satoru]

Developers have every right to ban users from their games. Dungeon Defenders has TrendyNet. Arma has battleeye. Black Ops2 has TAC. Xbox live will ban you for solicitation. Their game. Their rules.

Those who complain about moderation usually need it the most.

[WraithTDK [TBTPs!]]

Ban you from playing a game? No. Ban you from playing a game on their servers? Absolutely. Next time, read the TOS before you agree to it, and then follow the rules.

If this is the second time this has happened to you, then you probably deserve it. You got a second chance and didn't learn your lesson. Too bad. Wise up next time.

[daldora]

Originally posted by Joh Mahmah:

After reading through this:

http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/7/864973981192487590/

read through your whole conversation and saying that steam support does nothing is complete bunk seeing as how a steam moderator was "supporting" you in your issues with intelligent and well read out answers

i am however curious to see what you where banned for and if it is something like excessive sweaing, hacking, exploitation, or others visable or auditory actions what exactly happened with these

you dont say what exactly you where banned for and i am an avid gamer and know of almsot no one who has been banned via the company meaning you very likely messed with the wrong people with some VERY bad stuff
and trust me ive seen alot ranging from blantant racism and sexism to glitching and raging and still they dont get banned as you have
so what did you do exactly? and i assume you where sent an email of your being banned? copy and paste it here or something? (leaving out personnel info of course)

[Jur]

Amazing on how people overreact on this matter. I actually wanted to leave out the game hub where it happened, but I always have a big urge to defend.

Someone made a thread asking for servers that support 32+ players. I made a silly joke saying 'it would be useless to add such a server as there would never be enough players online to fill it.' after beying inactive for a couple of months. That got me banned. Yes, it was not an appropriate comment but not, in my eyes, worth a perma ban. Besides that that's pretty much my only 'troll' comment (If you can even call it a reall troll), I even dare you to find any 'troll' comment in that hub, you can see all my posts here.

And yes, I've tried to reach the developer by email several times but no response.

Anyway, it seems nobody knows the answer for sure so I'm just going to wait untill the so helpfull Steam support responds... if they respond... Thanks anyway.

[Scrappycocoa]

i dont feel like you have anything productive to say especially when looking at the link of your other chat. you just complain and are not being very reasonable or helpful.

It just comes across as complaining for the sake of getting people worked up or getting attention. I would just ignore you if i was a dev or steam mod and i would probably just shut down your posts, seeing as they are not helpful to anyone.

Maybe work on your delivery of what you are trying to get accross in a more positive or constructive way without throwing the blame around.

[Jur]

Amazing on how you didn't read any of my posts, I never said I didn't complain. It just looks like you post because for the sake of hating on people. Something that isn't really helpful in this thread to anyone.
Anyway, as I've tried to tell people before in this thread, I'm not interested in discussing. I just wanted to know if it's allowed or not to ban people from a game.

[jimmyzen]

If you think you were legitamately wronged start by filing a complaint with the BBB. Just because some dev cooks up a ToS doesn't mean it's legal. If you paid money and then they prevent you from using the service you paid for, you do have rights. As gamers, especially PC, we get a short shaft anyway with install li9mits and the constant closing and change over of game companies. No other consumer product has as much power over the consumer than PC games.

I was getting a total run around with my Steam account and couldn't get anybody to give me the time of day. All I got was a series of sarcastic responses and a clear message nobody was interested in helping me from their support people. Steam support had a terrible, but well deserved, reputation at the time which probably helped me finally get help after I formally complained. I had also filed complaints against them with a couple other alphabet Federal agencies (FTC for one). There were a surprising , even to me, number of complaints already against them for ignoring or flat out not helping people. In my case it was when they split up the different parts of Steam and passwords that once worked stopped and somehow none of my passwords would work. I had to open a different account to even communicate with them- They told me there was no proof i had ever been a member even though I had a lot of posts, and most important to me, I had well over 100 games which was a LOT of money.

Within a week I got help that just appeared one day. Not only was i not expecting it, but it was very polite and professional. They solved my problem in seconds and even followed up.

I don't know why I was treated the way I was at first because I hadn't needed or asked for help before nor had any issues with anybody, other gamers, developers, or Steam itself. The way I was treated to begin with was horrendous and uncalled for. (I was in my late 50s at the time so I'm wondering if they thought i was just some punk kid they could abuse.) But all was set right.

I think support people get that policeman attitude where they deal with so many a**wipes they tend to see and treat everybody that way. Personally, I think companies should keep track of support people and watch for that sour attitude and immediately move them into something else.

You also have to remember when you post it's only your words people see. There are no vocal inflections or facial expressions to add context to your words. I have that problem frequently because I am an extremely extroverted, animated person with a twisted sense of humor and an appreciation for sarcasm. In person, people pretty well always get me; when it's just written words things go awry.

[Jur]

I definitely know what you mean with your second paragraph. I'm kind of the same as you, but on top of that I'm also Dutch. Most Dutch people are seen as 'rude' because we are very straight to the point and we just say what we want to say. We don't make it look better than it is. So I got (get) lot of responds with 'You don't need to start being rude!'t. I'm trying to change it but I have a long way to go..

Anyway, what's the BBB? Main problem with the support is, at least that's what I've read, that they do it internally. We all know how Valve works so who the hell is crazy enough to do support all day if they are also allowed to develop a game.

[Satoru]

The answer is that a developer may ban you from infrastructure they run.

They cannot revoke a game from you unless they can prove fraud, aka you bought the game from them with a fake cc and got a steam key.

[Satoru]

I know Dutch people. And there is a difference between "being straight forward" and "being a jackass". You seem to be unaware you fall in the latter category.

[jimmyzen]

The BBB is The Better Business Bureau which is a sort of 'rating group' for businesses. Member are supposed to adhere to certain business principles and practices which includes customer support. Before doing business with a company it's recommended to check what their rating is. This also can affect investors because if a company gets a tainted reputation is can negatively affect them. If it's a US based company I believe anybody can register a complaint. They contact the company with it and encourage a resolution. They can be surprisingly effective.

@ Jur- I hear you my friend! I was born if Frankfurt and have that same thing tell it straight attitude. I always warn people "Don't ask me if you don't really want to hear the answer." Truth is, too many people would rather be lied to especially if it's about them.

[jimmyzen]

And if what the OP said got him booted- that "32 member servers were unnecessary because there would never be that many players" you mean a Terms of Service agreement means you can't say anything bad about the product or service??? I'd LOVE to see that go to court!

No, things like that -making an off hand comment and being penalized- are gotten away with because few of us have the $$$ to get a lawyer and fight it, All we can do is wait for enough people to be wronged to initiate a class action suit. You think this would be acceptable for ANY other media or product? Crab about a TV show and the cable company cancels your service? Complain about too many dropped calls with your cell and they cancel your service? Consumer Reports makes a living pointing out flaws and problems in products and services.

It's like I said, as PC gamers we get a bigger shaft than any other consumers.

[Spawn of Totoro]

Originally posted by jimmyzen:

And if what the OP said got him booted- that "32 member servers were unnecessary because there would never be that many players" you mean a Terms of Service agreement means you can't say anything bad about the product or service??? I'd LOVE to see that go to court!

I checked his posting history. There is more to it then that. A lot more. That is the post he may have (or not) been banned on, but there were more post before then too.

I don't suggest jumping to conclusions with little to no evidence to back it up.

Originally posted by jimmyzen:

The BBB is The Better Business Bureau which is a sort of 'rating group' for businesses. Member are supposed to adhere to certain business principles and practices which includes customer support.

And non-memebers get a bad rating because they are not part of the club. The BBB has become pointless and useless this day in age. It is there to make someone money and that is it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yo8kfV9kONw

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This threads is tuning out like the other one. Lets not go through this a 3rd time.