Blocking feature being abused or was it intended to be this way? FDEV?

[MarkAusten]

My (unpopular) opinion is that the way it works at the moment is daft. Im fairly sure the system should be used to block communication from players being rude and abusive via chat/voice, not to filter players who want to kill you in Open out of your instance.

verbal/libel abuse it against the rules hence why there is a block feature; people trying to kill you in open regardless of reason or motive isn't and people shouldent be able to use it as such.

There are several other methods in the form of "game modes" to avoid people who want to play their game within the rules that just happens to different from ones own, i don't think the block feature addition needs to be another.

My 2 credits.

My 2 credits worth is that you can use it or not. If you don't like it then don't use it and vice versa but asking for a feature to be removed that you don't use because you don't like it is, if you don't mind me saying so, nonsense.

So you don't use it but others might wish to do so.

 

[metascrawl]

Is there any evidence that this causes problems with instancing in general? Or is this guesswork?

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Since there's no Open PvE mode it's an excellent feature.

 

[Sandmann]

Why is it a bad thing? If someone doesn't want to instance with you, then they can block you and be less likely to instance with you. In return, you are MORE LIKELY then to be instanced with someone who is happy to share an instance with you.

Seems like a win-win to me. Unless you annoy so many people that you end up having everyone blocking you! :O

It goes to the heart of the sort of gameplay some PvPers indulge in... attacking the people who don't want to be attacked. It's the whole reason behind mode invasions. It also explains why people might want to block them. Seems like a clever tactic to me really... find a place where there's a bunch of people you don't want to play with and where they're likely to be distracted and go there so you can block them all at once. Very efficient.

 

[Jason Lightning]

The block list: because it turns out a Cutthroat Galaxy was too much excitement for some

 

[GreyAreaUK]

The block list: because it turns out a Cutthroat Galaxy was too much excitement for some

* sigh *

 

[StiTch]

How do you feel about people leaving the game while they sleep StiTch? Is it really annoying that you can't rob them while they aren't at the keyboard?

I've spent the last few weeks/few months in the void, so I am in no position to rob anyone

It's amazing how few objections appear to me disdaining a riskless game/Open mode that don't rely on "ur a greef0r!!1!" as the bulk of it. It's an excellent reminder that if you can't put social pressure on someone to appear like a big bad wolf there's actually not much objection to be had.

And here I was thinking this place was all about debating the post and not the poster. You forum griefer, you.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

* sigh *

Some people are excited to meet pillocks. It's a personal preference

 

[CMDR Cosmic Spacehead]

I'm only planning on blocking abusive players.
And station rammers.

They annoy me by stopping me docking at unsafe speeds.

If a CMDR manages to murders me to death, which has only happened once in two years, then that means I need to adjust my exit strategy, also known at Git Gud.

Using the block tool to block "potential" PvPers is going to wind up with a very empty galaxy, in which case you may aswell have stayed in solo and saved yourself the trouble.

CMDR Cosmic Spacehead

 

[ForeverN00b]

How do you feel about people leaving the game while they sleep StiTch? Is it really annoying that you can't rob them while they aren't at the keyboard?

That's a terrible analogy even by strawman standards.

As others have said, I have no problem with blocking comms. Blocking instancing is different, it simply segregates the players in the social mode (open) of the game. Instancing as a mechanic already segregates us enough.

For anyone who would use the block function, if a player is repeatedly harassing you why not report them for griefing? Repeated harassment could be considered actual griefing under the ToS.

 

[Deleted member 38366]

Odd... Once again... "PvP" crowd members are complaining about Players who just aren't there.

Does it matter that someone is not there because they
- are using a Block List (i.e. they might enjoy Piracy or even Anarchy PvP engagements - but i.e. not Station Rammers, Gankers at the Founders World or Farseer Pad-Hogging Exploiters)
- are using a different Platform
- are using a different Game Mode
- are online during another Time-of-Day / Timezone
- are... *gasp* not playing (imagine that... blasphemy!)

Seriously, what's the difference to someone looking at his Left Ship Contacts Panel or Scanner? They're just not there. Carry on. Nothing to see here (literally).

Honestly, I don't have anything against legit PvP seekers - but that constant Forum drive "Open is ours! We rule this place - everybody do as we say and adhere to the rules we make up as we go!" is sure annoying.
And these guys wonder why they're not "the most popular children in the Sandbox to play with"...

 

[Ozric]

Is there any evidence that this causes problems with instancing in general? Or is this guesswork?

No it's entirely guesswork, in a post designed to do just what it's doing, though the outcome so far probably isn't what was desired.

 

[znôrt]

So what is your view on its use and are there any plans to change its working?

would like to see their comments too, but one thing is sure: this game isn't an online persistent world for players to share, fight about and thrive in, but a sort of on-demand aquarium generator. think of it as a game with infinite worlds or private servers. this is set in stone already by design (instancing and game modes), not because of the block feature which merely adds convenience to it.

 

[dognosh]

I am vexed
I want the option to block in Open(which we have)
But it doesn't make sense,in terms of in game, because we are all in the same mode.

 

[StiTch]

As others have said, I have no problem with blocking comms. Blocking instancing is different, it simply segregates the players in the social mode (open) of the game. Instancing as a mechanic already segregates us enough.

For anyone who would use the block function, if a player is repeatedly harassing you why not report them for griefing? Repeated harassment could be considered actual griefing under the ToS.

Well said.

As above, instancing prevention should be a harsh application for those that can't abide by the Ts/Cs. So verbally harassing another player should, after complaints, lead to a shadow ban; temporary or full removal from basically all Open instancing.

Adding a single person at a time to the block list of an individual doesn't actually do anything to stop them doing their thing. Chances are they didn't even see you. So in effect it has become a "choose who I see in Open" option.

 

[Agony_Aunt]

I'd hazard a guess it would be about server usage, will it slow things down as more people block others? Will you sit in a loading screen for longer while the server works out who to put you in an instance with?
If either are yes, then I think its bad for the game. It both are no then I couldn't give a fig, better block and CL.

If its a problem from the technical side, then presumably FD wouldn't have implemented it.

The actual algorithms shouldn't be particularly complex. A list of player IDs that you have blocked is sent to the matchmaking server when you jump, it does a quick check of who you could be instanced with, and then decides if you go into instance A, B, C, or a new one. They could also do multidirectional checking, so checking whether others should be instanced with you. Shouldn't really take much processing at all, perhaps only in the case of extensive block lists.... but if you are blocking so many people, maybe it is time to move to a PG.

Its also perhaps why the block function is not a guarantee of blocking, just a preference thing. A guaranteed block would probably require more cross checking. Should A be instanced with B who doesn't like C, but likes D, who A doesn't like, etc.

 

[DaggerSnake]

I certainly block players who I would rather not be instanced with.

Solo can be lonely.

Mobius has rules I don't agree with.

Open it is.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

So in effect it has become a "choose who I see in Open" option.

Which is bad because ...?

 

[Belthize]

I'm really struggling to understand why anyone cares if some random person blocks every person they see.

I've never used the block functionality, I guess I might someday if the situation warrants it so I can see why some folks might want to use it, but I can't really see what difference it makes if a random person or small group of random people use it to block nearly everyone. Sure it's stupid to do but it doesn't mean the function is flawed.

 

[Smecca is BMFE]

Serial blockers do it because it makes them feel smug and powerful. I bet they pop a little grin every time they hit that button, regardless if the player had every done anything wrong to them