I have a video of two guys trolling and admitting their accounts were just for that reason. I also got their Steam pages (but not ids as I don't know how to do that in the game).
Where do you submit these things and do people get banned?
TalesinOur own little well of hateJoin Date: 2002-11-08Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
edited April 2013
The NS forums are not a place to 'name and shame'; if you have evidence of trolling/hacking, submit it to the server owner/group along with the SteamID of the transgressor. In the case of UWE-Official servers, contact Ironhorse here on the forums with the information and evidence. Trolling is also not against VAC, so a Steam-wide ban is not possible. There are a few blacklist-plugins available (use the search function) along with ways to contact their maintainers and how to submit information to them.
Steam names will do no good, in any case. You can change names easily and quickly.
If you can't figure out the server you were on and find the admin there, you're out of luck. But that list is a good place to start too.
Also: the console ( ` ) command "sv_status" will tell you a list of all players, their NS2 ID and some other stuff. Admins need the NS2 ID to ban them. I believe there's a calculator around for finding the ns2 ID with your steam ID or visa-versa.
So in effect I'd have to get the evidence and take it to a number of admins...
That's a lot of effort considering you're trying to improve the community. I suggest the devs set up a sub-forum into which videos and the like can be submitted and trolls or cheaters game-wide banned (not steam-wide).
ScardyBobScardyBobJoin Date: 2009-11-25Member: 69528Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Reinforced - Shadow, WC 2013 - Shadow
Unless they do something that gets them VACbanned, there is no current method. We are working on a wide-spread banning system (ns2bans.com), but its only in it's earliest stages. The best current option is to post the evidence on the forums of the servers you frequent the most.
Also, in-game you can view the steamIDs of all the players by typing sv_status into the console. For people streaming their trolling/hacking, try to find places where they open their console. Your steamID is posted to the console when you start your game and/or join a server, such that the troll likely displayed it on his stream.
As Scardy pointed out , yeah we are working on a way to not have to track down every administrator of every server for problem players. It's in its very early stages , but progressing quite nice.
Our project will require video evidence and inclusion of the NS2ID in your video, but these are always good habits to have if you are going to convince anyone to remove someone from their server. Fraps is just one of a few programs (and it's free) to use to record in game footage and a free account from youtube is a great way to share these recordings.
Remember, anyone can BE ScardyBob, but not everyone can be his NS2ID...
The thing that worries me about these sorts of things is when someone is trolling simply because a game is obviously going nowhere. They get banned they appeal, the appeal is denied and then that's it.
For example, round ends, most people leave the server, there's 3 people left on, one guy decides to muck around as there's only 3 people on so why bother even trying to play properly. Other two people get grumpy and somehow manage to get the other person banned. I admit, this is rarely going to happen but my point is to ban trolls there has to be a very very solid reason to ban them, otherwise you might mistake someone just mucking around for a bit when it doesn't affect the game for a troll.
The thing that worries me about these sorts of things is when someone is trolling simply because a game is obviously going nowhere. They get banned they appeal, the appeal is denied and then that's it.
For example, round ends, most people leave the server, there's 3 people left on, one guy decides to muck around as there's only 3 people on so why bother even trying to play properly. Other two people get grumpy and somehow manage to get the other person banned. I admit, this is rarely going to happen but my point is to ban trolls there has to be a very very solid reason to ban them, otherwise you might mistake someone just mucking around for a bit when it doesn't affect the game for a troll.
The guy said to me, "this is just a throwaway account"
It was set up on the 15th and only had NS2 and his friend had it too.
I am not saying you instantly ban someone for trolling. But some people do it systematically.
If no one thinks trolling is bannable then I won't bother. It just kills servers.
The thing that worries me about these sorts of things is when someone is trolling simply because a game is obviously going nowhere. They get banned they appeal, the appeal is denied and then that's it.
For example, round ends, most people leave the server, there's 3 people left on, one guy decides to muck around as there's only 3 people on so why bother even trying to play properly. Other two people get grumpy and somehow manage to get the other person banned. I admit, this is rarely going to happen but my point is to ban trolls there has to be a very very solid reason to ban them, otherwise you might mistake someone just mucking around for a bit when it doesn't affect the game for a troll.
The guy said to me, "this is just a throwaway account"
It was set up on the 15th and only had NS2 and his friend had it too.
I am not saying you instantly ban someone for trolling. But some people do it systematically.
If no one thinks trolling is bannable then I won't bother. It just kills servers.
Trolling is best handled by the server admin. Some people's idea of trolling is different from others. As previously stated, a few people messing around on a mostly empty server get reported for trolling by a newcomer with a bug up their ass, does not constitute a troll no matter how well their actions fit the description. Back when my friends ran a L4D server, we would often join and mess around trying to get each other killed while trying to be the sole survivor. If some random person happened to join, he could easily have video proof of one of us "trolling". But it clearly isn't the case.
Well could I upload the video here and have you guys have a say on whether or not it constitutes trolling? Or can a specific person tell me if I should PM the video so they can respond?
Trolling can mean different things; I accept that. But porn can have different meanings too. One man's porn might be another's turn off. But what if 90% of people consider x trolling and would leave a game over it?
. As previously stated, a few people messing around on a mostly empty server get reported for trolling by a newcomer with a bug up their ass, does not constitute a troll no matter how well their actions fit the description. Back when my friends ran a L4D server, we would often join and mess around trying to get each other killed while trying to be the sole survivor. If some random person happened to join, he could easily have video proof of one of us "trolling". But it clearly isn't the case.
Except i never have been requested by anyone to ban a user who was so innocently messing around like you depict, nor have I even heard of anyone getting banned over such a thing. (that wasn't by someone they already knew)
Every time its been worth me coming to intervene there was a user who was intent on ruining a server full of players through malicious means, and despite my warnings would not cease.
Again.. This isn't a blanket system, an admin still has to choose which bans they wish to add to their server. So should they review videos of these trolls, they can still make up their mind just like it was occurring in their server. wrong thread.
Personally I feel the trolls lately will diminish regardless of this project due to future fixes already in place.. So who knows it may end up being unnecessary.
. As previously stated, a few people messing around on a mostly empty server get reported for trolling by a newcomer with a bug up their ass, does not constitute a troll no matter how well their actions fit the description. Back when my friends ran a L4D server, we would often join and mess around trying to get each other killed while trying to be the sole survivor. If some random person happened to join, he could easily have video proof of one of us "trolling". But it clearly isn't the case.
Except i never have been requested by anyone to ban a user who was so innocently messing around like you depict, nor have I even heard of anyone getting banned over such a thing. (that wasn't by someone they already knew)
Every time its been worth me coming to intervene there was a user who was intent on ruining a server full of players through malicious means, and despite my warnings would not cease.
Again.. This isn't a blanket system, an admin still has to choose which bans they wish to add to their server. So should they review videos of these trolls, they can still make up their mind just like it was occurring in their server.
Personally I feel the trolls lately will diminish regardless of this project due to future fixes already in place.. So who knows it may end up being unnecessary.
Just trying to illustrate a false positive for something that can be subjective. I wasn't saying that this has happened. Creative demo recording and less than honest reporters can easily skew something to look like "trolling" that really isn't. Another case in point could be the commander recycling which can be viewed as trolling under the right light (personal feelings aside, as I dislike the commander unilaterally deciding that the game is over).
IronHorseDeveloper, QA Manager, Technical Support & contributorJoin Date: 2010-05-08Member: 71669Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester, Subnautica PT Lead, Pistachionauts
edited April 2013
I totally agree.. Just adding that in practicality, that scenario has yet to occur for me in two years administrating ns2 servers. Anecdotal, i know.
But a "good" admin who has the theoretical power to ban game wide, would never do so without irrefutable evidence that they personally observed and judged for them self.
Question: Can UWE technically ban anyone from playing the game? Let's say someone hacks a server with god mode on. Can you stop him with a global server ban, or would this be illegal since you're removing his ability to play the game that he purchased?
IronHorseDeveloper, QA Manager, Technical Support & contributorJoin Date: 2010-05-08Member: 71669Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester, Subnautica PT Lead, Pistachionauts
Like any developer, UWE can remove their product from a steam user, but ensuring you got the right person is more important than allowing that person to continue ruining others' experiences because of potential blowback from false positives.
Question: Can UWE technically ban anyone from playing the game? Let's say someone hacks a server with god mode on. Can you stop him with a global server ban, or would this be illegal since you're removing his ability to play the game that he purchased?
Read the Steam Subscriber Agreement to find out what behaviour can result in you being banned from playing a game for which you have purchased a license.
As for server operators, (including UWE), they can ban whoever they want and no one has the 'right' to play on any servers.
IronHorseDeveloper, QA Manager, Technical Support & contributorJoin Date: 2010-05-08Member: 71669Members, Super Administrators, Forum Admins, Forum Moderators, NS2 Developer, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester, Subnautica PT Lead, Pistachionauts
Its pretty cut and dry @amoral .. are you ruining the experience of all the players in the server despite them pleading for you to stop?
And this doesn't mean your language.. i mean really ruining the gameplay and rounds through irreversible currently exploitable means (that i wont list obviously) that typically empty a server.
Any list would have it's loopholes.
Having someone there to assess the situation and know whether this person is just having fun/screwing around or is intently attempting to ruin everyone's game is crucial and necessary and the judgement is up to the admin. If said banned individual doesn't like it, they can take their shenanigans elsewhere - but i doubt any admin would allow the same behavior.
Common sense dictates if the other 23 players ask you to stop.. you should.
Massive server trolling should be bannable, there's a difference between saying stupid stuff over voice com / typing, and purposely joining with friends to
1) eject the com, get in the seat and recycle everything admist a match?
2) set up a phase gate which when entered throws players outside of the level to their death
3) Prevents players from actually playing the game, causing players to essentially leave and stop playing
4) Massively abusing in-game exploits to end/ruin a match, instead of simply reporting the bug when found
There's a difference between a little bit of fun, and completely ruining the game. You want to do this type of trolling, get your own server and do it there, don't go on official servers where people are looking to enjoy NS2 and destroy their game experience.
What's going on right now is not "just fooling around" stuff that might annoy some overly-sensitive or overly-serious people. Nobody's talking about anything like that. Nobody cares about that.
What we care about is people deliberately preventing others from playing the game. Don't think "troll". Think "denial-of-service attack" carried out via in-game methods.
If you've seen it happen, you know there's no confusion or controversy over whether or not the perpetrators warrant a ban. If you haven't seen it happen yet... well, lucky you. Just wait.
Listen we need an accepted standard of what is crossing the line as a troll. Can I put a video here and let people decide if it is? If not, can just one person in authority let me send them the video (the same guy just came into a game I was in. I alt tabbed to put fraps on so I could record him again and due to the stability of this game it crashed the game and he apparently has already left.
Comments
Steam names will do no good, in any case. You can change names easily and quickly.
http://forums.unknownworlds.com/discussion/129777/ns2bans-com-name-and-shame-here/p1
If you can't figure out the server you were on and find the admin there, you're out of luck. But that list is a good place to start too.
Also: the console ( ` ) command "sv_status" will tell you a list of all players, their NS2 ID and some other stuff. Admins need the NS2 ID to ban them. I believe there's a calculator around for finding the ns2 ID with your steam ID or visa-versa.
That's a lot of effort considering you're trying to improve the community. I suggest the devs set up a sub-forum into which videos and the like can be submitted and trolls or cheaters game-wide banned (not steam-wide).
Also, in-game you can view the steamIDs of all the players by typing sv_status into the console. For people streaming their trolling/hacking, try to find places where they open their console. Your steamID is posted to the console when you start your game and/or join a server, such that the troll likely displayed it on his stream.
Our project will require video evidence and inclusion of the NS2ID in your video, but these are always good habits to have if you are going to convince anyone to remove someone from their server. Fraps is just one of a few programs (and it's free) to use to record in game footage and a free account from youtube is a great way to share these recordings.
Remember, anyone can BE ScardyBob, but not everyone can be his NS2ID...
I'm also available most of the time if you need hackers or trolls taken care of in any official server
EDIT: TY @ezekel
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/ns2serveradmins
For example, round ends, most people leave the server, there's 3 people left on, one guy decides to muck around as there's only 3 people on so why bother even trying to play properly. Other two people get grumpy and somehow manage to get the other person banned. I admit, this is rarely going to happen but my point is to ban trolls there has to be a very very solid reason to ban them, otherwise you might mistake someone just mucking around for a bit when it doesn't affect the game for a troll.
The guy said to me, "this is just a throwaway account"
It was set up on the 15th and only had NS2 and his friend had it too.
I am not saying you instantly ban someone for trolling. But some people do it systematically.
If no one thinks trolling is bannable then I won't bother. It just kills servers.
Trolling is best handled by the server admin. Some people's idea of trolling is different from others. As previously stated, a few people messing around on a mostly empty server get reported for trolling by a newcomer with a bug up their ass, does not constitute a troll no matter how well their actions fit the description. Back when my friends ran a L4D server, we would often join and mess around trying to get each other killed while trying to be the sole survivor. If some random person happened to join, he could easily have video proof of one of us "trolling". But it clearly isn't the case.
Trolling can mean different things; I accept that. But porn can have different meanings too. One man's porn might be another's turn off. But what if 90% of people consider x trolling and would leave a game over it?
Every time its been worth me coming to intervene there was a user who was intent on ruining a server full of players through malicious means, and despite my warnings would not cease.
Again.. This isn't a blanket system, an admin still has to choose which bans they wish to add to their server. So should they review videos of these trolls, they can still make up their mind just like it was occurring in their server. wrong thread.
Personally I feel the trolls lately will diminish regardless of this project due to future fixes already in place.. So who knows it may end up being unnecessary.
Just trying to illustrate a false positive for something that can be subjective. I wasn't saying that this has happened. Creative demo recording and less than honest reporters can easily skew something to look like "trolling" that really isn't. Another case in point could be the commander recycling which can be viewed as trolling under the right light (personal feelings aside, as I dislike the commander unilaterally deciding that the game is over).
But a "good" admin who has the theoretical power to ban game wide, would never do so without irrefutable evidence that they personally observed and judged for them self.
Read the Steam Subscriber Agreement to find out what behaviour can result in you being banned from playing a game for which you have purchased a license.
As for server operators, (including UWE), they can ban whoever they want and no one has the 'right' to play on any servers.
And this doesn't mean your language.. i mean really ruining the gameplay and rounds through irreversible currently exploitable means (that i wont list obviously) that typically empty a server.
Any list would have it's loopholes.
Having someone there to assess the situation and know whether this person is just having fun/screwing around or is intently attempting to ruin everyone's game is crucial and necessary and the judgement is up to the admin. If said banned individual doesn't like it, they can take their shenanigans elsewhere - but i doubt any admin would allow the same behavior.
Common sense dictates if the other 23 players ask you to stop.. you should.
1) eject the com, get in the seat and recycle everything admist a match?
2) set up a phase gate which when entered throws players outside of the level to their death
3) Prevents players from actually playing the game, causing players to essentially leave and stop playing
4) Massively abusing in-game exploits to end/ruin a match, instead of simply reporting the bug when found
There's a difference between a little bit of fun, and completely ruining the game. You want to do this type of trolling, get your own server and do it there, don't go on official servers where people are looking to enjoy NS2 and destroy their game experience.
What we care about is people deliberately preventing others from playing the game. Don't think "troll". Think "denial-of-service attack" carried out via in-game methods.
If you've seen it happen, you know there's no confusion or controversy over whether or not the perpetrators warrant a ban. If you haven't seen it happen yet... well, lucky you. Just wait.
So? Who wants to assess the one I DID get?
And use fullscreen widowed to avoid alt tab issues ;-)