Suspension after responding to a bully

CHRISTOPHER PUTNAM · Aug 11, 2023

So, I was playing Overwatch 2 the other day. In a comp match, there was a dude who was throwing. Just standing there doing nothing, which ultimately cost us the game. This happens often in lower elos, which is why it has been so hard to rank up to a place where this isn't happening every other game. We had no dialogue during the game. After the game he dm'd me throught through xbox chat. Here was the dialogue:

Him: GG Easy loss [mod removed]. Oh no I'm getting reported on a dying game. LMAO

Me: Go [mod removed] yourself. Why even play then? It just sucks for everyone else.

Him: Aw still mad over a video game lmao. It's a video game I can play whatever I want.

Me: "That's true. But it still sucks for everyone else. And you're being a part of that. I don't get it. It's a [mod removed] thing to do to people. But yeah, you have the right to be an [mod removed]

Him: Don't worry, you'll still be garbage. Hey, enjoy the suspension.

I am 40+ years old. I have had XBOX live since it came out. I have never had any type of enforcement action before. This guy reported me and I got a 4 day suspension.

So here's my issue... He contacted me after the game. I didn't contact him. I responded to him in a manner that felt appropriate to the tone he set when he kicked off this private chat. He was bullying and I responded. I wasn't making him feel unsafe. He just wanted to make fun of me after the game. I don't really care. I have a block / mute button if I never want to hear from him again. But when you look at the exchange, it seems pretty mutual. That should be ok. I appealed to no avail. This seems wrong.

:)

CHRISTOPHER PUTNAM

Thanks Fernando,

That's what I'm trying to do. Learn together. I don't think that, in this case, the reality reflects the intent of the rules. So I wanted to bring it up so that it could be discussed. Like I said, I've never in the last 20 or so years, had an enforcement action on my account. I don't know if it's normal to get a 4 day suspension on the first offense or not. It just feels inappropriate given the context. I'm not trying to change the outcome. I am trying to generate dialogue with the hope that it generates change in the future. Also, this was a private chat between him and me, not voice or text chat during gameplay.

CHRISTOPHER PUTNAM

Thanks Fernando,

I was already denied my appeal. My intent was to point out what it would seem is a deviation from what the community standards are designed to do. No one was violating the other's ability to have a safe and fun online experience (in the chat, not the game) so I'm a little lost on what exactly I did wrong.

melanie brown2

just take on board the advice incase it happens again

CHRISTOPHER PUTNAM

I get it. I think that the point that I am trying to make is getting lost in translation. I understand the rules and that they apply to everyone. I disagree with the rules. I don't need or want "Big Brother" fighting my battles for me and I don't agree with censorship in the vast majority of cases. I think reporting is similar to tattletale-ing. And I think that the claim that it would be anarchy otherwise is unfounded. The mute / block button is all that you really need in the vast majority of cases. Just my opinion. That's why I brought it up. Thanks for the dialogue.

melanie brown2

it makes total sense and i totally understand where your coming from. some of the messages ive received via xbox are disgusting but i just have to ignore them and report them.

Suspension after responding to a bully