Smurfing

[Kof]

I think that FAF (as an entity) is being too hard on smurfs.

I will explain. Firstly I think it's right to be hard on smurfs, to provide a deterrent, as smurfing is not good for the game for various reason, which I don't think need clarification. If someone wants me to clarify, let me know.

However, if smurf punishment can't be applied consistently to all smurfs, then taking a hard line against some smurfs, is not really appropriate. It has to be consistent IMO.

I don't want to name names, but I know of some recent high profile smurfs that have not been sanctioned. In fact I won't name names. But I just wanted to put my opinion out there.

[Ze_PilOt]

Report them to moderators.

[Kof]

I have pondered this. So I don't speak lightly.

Respectfully no, I don't want to. Also I don't see what it would achieve, as there are probably numerous others using the same detection-free smurf process. So it achieves nothing. The same issue remains.

My point is that it you can't be draconian in smurf punishment/prevention if there are obvious holes in the smurf detection process, that's not fair. Some are punished really badly for it, some get away scott-free. A rating of -9999 (which I assume creates balancing issues in lobby) and the fact that any game played with someone of this rating is un-ranked means that they are effectively (in the main) banned from playing FAF.

I want to re-iterate that I think smurfing should be prevented by draconian punitive measures, but only if it's possible to be consistent.

[Ze_PilOt]

Use two computers is okay. I bet most of the smurf are doing it.
They can't have more accounts than they have computers.

What was punished is going around the system to do it. They can create virtually any number of accounts. That is not tolerated and banned.

The goal :
- Restrict the proliferation of fake account (the detector does a great job at it, and manually punishing those who find a way is not difficult).
- Disallow people to bash noobs using new accounts.

Some other player lose on purpose to lose rating and bash noob, it's not tolerated either.

[Kof]

I respect your opinion, but I stand over what I said.

GL HF

[Ze_PilOt]

To be clear :

I don't really care about smurf when they want to trust the ladder. The league system and trueskill disallow that quite well.

I'm not okay when it's to ruin other people experience.

[FireMessiah]

I'm not okay when it's to ruin other people experience.

THIS !!!

there are several hundreds, if not a few thousand, who have never been banned and follow the rules perfectly.
I have NO SYMPATHY for anyone attempting to break rules/cheat the system/trying to fool Zep.
even the ones "claiming" to have done nothing wrong... read the rules, read the forums.

the smurfing rules deserve to be tough.
I say "good riddance" to anyone whose been caught recently,
the majority of players are HAPPY to see these procedures WORKING!

[prodromos]

There is a more shrewd and politically convenient solution, so that the moderators can have an image both of a benevolent and just administrator; no need to be seen as the bad guy while at the same time allowing the newcomers a pleasant gaming experience away from sick "behaviours".

Detect the smurf and adjust its rating and position in the ladder according to its true skill.
For example is it a t3 with an actual rating of 1400? Make that account a T3 with 1400 rating. Thus you cancel the reason for creating the smurf account in the first place; to spread fear and despair among less skilled players. Let it break its teeth against worthy adversaries; no need for a -9999 rating!
Does it happen to lose on purpose so as to fall in the lower leagues? Readjust its rating

Even simpler, put an avatar ingame to signify that it is asmurf account, or that it used to be!

[RoundTabler]

There is a more shrewd and politically convenient solution, so that the moderators can have an image both of a benevolent and just administrator; no need to be seen as the bad guy while at the same time allowing the newcomers a pleasant gaming experience away from sick "behaviours".

Detect the smurf and adjust its rating and position in the ladder according to its true skill.
For example is it a t3 with an actual rating of 1400? Make that account a T3 with 1400 rating. Thus you cancel the reason for creating the smurf account in the first place; to spread fear and despair among less skilled players. Let it break its teeth against worthy adversaries; no need for a -9999 rating!
Does it happen to lose on purpose so as to fall in the lower leagues? Readjust its rating

Even simpler, put an avatar ingame to signify that it is asmurf account, or that it used to be!

This.

[Ze_PilOt]

The -9999 rating was temporary. It's reverted for a day now. It was warning. There won't be a second one.