143 replies to this topic

[InnerSphereNews]

Greetings MechWarriors,

Matt Newman here, Live Operations Manager at Piranha Games where my duties include managing the Customer Support Team. As some of you will know, there is a growing concern in the community with our application of the ToS and CoC for MWO.

First, let me say, there is zero bigotry or ill will toward the trans community from Piranha Games, myself, or the Customer Support Team. We do our best to apply the ToS and CoC in the fairest way possible. We are not perfect.

In particular, moderation action was taken to rename a competitive team using the names Trans Fights and Trans Rights. This was not the correct decision. We should have asked more questions and determined the true intent behind the name selection, and those having issues with them.

Our actions obviously hurt and offended people, I apologize. We will do better. With the understanding that trans rights is not a political issue, we will allow the team to use either of their original choices as their team name. Additionally, we will be reversing any moderation actions taken in connection with this moderation.

Finally, regarding symbols of hate and oppression in the game. Images that are created out of the decal system have no moderation tools due to their dynamic placement. Please report these issues to customer support using screenshots and we will do our best to remove them.

Sincerely,

The MechWarrior Online Team

[Golli]

Hi Matt,

Russ might want to sort this retweet then...
https://twitter.com/...826908446121991

Edited by Golli, 03 October 2021 - 09:22 PM.

[1DEWPOINT1]

Golli, on 03 October 2021 - 09:20 PM, said:

Hi Matt,

Russ might want to sort this retweet then...
https://twitter.com/...826908446121991

Real and true

[Odins Steed]

InnerSphereNews, on 03 October 2021 - 09:11 PM, said:

Finally, regarding symbols of hate and oppression in the game. Images that are created out of the decal system have no moderation tools due to their dynamic placement. Please report these issues to customer support using screenshots and we will do our best to remove them.



Sincerely,
The MechWarrior Online Team

This would seem more sincere and less like damage control if PGI's president wasn't retweeting confederate flag decals.

[trans catgirl]

Oh, hey cool. A good start. I do think we need a specific comment on whether or not saying it in game will continue to get people's accounts banned, and a general statement on the actions within the tweet that's going around.

But still, a solid start.

[Nightbird]

Russ probably didn't look at the image, I wouldn't take it any other way...

Keep in mind PGI is Canadians, probably doesn't know American flags.

[Davohax]

Nightbird, on 03 October 2021 - 09:32 PM, said:

Russ probably didn't look at the image, I wouldn't take it any other way...

Keep in mind PGI is Canadians, probably doesn't know American flags.

I don't see any American flags in that post.

[Nightbird]

Davohax, on 03 October 2021 - 09:37 PM, said:

I don't see any American flags in that post.

Here are all the Crusader Clans flags in BT lore:
https://www.sarna.ne.../Crusader_Clans

And also here are the merc company flags with the name crusader:
https://www.sarna.ne...v%27s_Crusaders
https://www.sarna.ne...imson_Crusaders
https://www.sarna.ne...n%27s_Crusaders


Here is the confederate flag:


Here is the twitter image:


I don't really see a big deal with people using the confederate flag, but here it's not anything but.

Ops, you forgot to switch accounts before hitting that like button...

Edited by Nightbird, 03 October 2021 - 10:00 PM.

[h1n1gundam]

LOLOLOL

[Davohax]

Confirmed then, no American flags...lol

[MyriadDigits]

Nightbird, on 03 October 2021 - 09:59 PM, said:

Ops, you forgot to switch accounts before hitting that like button...

Not sure what that screenie is meant to prove, as Davo didn't like his own post, and me, trans catgirl, and davohax are 3 separate pilots.

Or I'm some eldritch horror with enough eyes, limbs, and mouths to play 3 people at once.

[Temporary Axis]

Well that's refreshing.

From the twitter reactions, your post has also made some of the more intolerant players leave for 'safer' pastures. Who'd have thought someone's gender identity could scare them so much.

Bless.

Edited by Temporary Axis, 03 October 2021 - 10:10 PM.

[Nightbird]

MyriadDigits, on 03 October 2021 - 10:09 PM, said:

Not sure what that screenie is meant to prove, as Davo didn't like his own post, and me, trans catgirl, and davohax are 3 separate pilots.

Or I'm some eldritch horror with enough eyes, limbs, and mouths to play 3 people at once.

Trans catgirl is meant to play the part of the trans person and wouldn't be liking that post.

To me it's obvious it's all alt accounts meant to troll PGI.

I put 10$ on it being the guy who was banned for saying "hello ladies" I forget his/her name.

[Davohax]

MyriadDigits, on 03 October 2021 - 10:09 PM, said:

Not sure what that screenie is meant to prove, as Davo didn't like his own post, and me, trans catgirl, and davohax are 3 separate pilots.

Or I'm some eldritch horror with enough eyes, limbs, and mouths to play 3 people at once.

Would be super cool if we were tho.

Nightbird, on 03 October 2021 - 10:14 PM, said:

Trans catgirl is meant to play the part of the trans person and wouldn't be liking that post.

To me it's obvious it's all alt accounts meant to troll PGI.

I put 10$ on it being the guy who was banned for saying "hello ladies" I forget his/her name.

You owe me $10

[The Chancelor]

Am I to european to understand these problems?

Edited by The Chancelor, 04 October 2021 - 02:29 AM.

[MyriadDigits]

Nightbird, on 03 October 2021 - 10:14 PM, said:

Trans catgirl is meant to play the part of the trans person and wouldn't be liking that post.

To me it's obvious it's all alt accounts meant to troll PGI.

I put 10$ on it being the guy who was banned for saying "hello ladies" I forget his/her name.

Good job throwing away 10 bucks.

If you want proof I can find a VOD of the 3 of us playing together in comp.

[Vercors]

Nightbird, on 03 October 2021 - 09:32 PM, said:

Russ probably didn't look at the image, I wouldn't take it any other way...

Keep in mind PGI is Canadians, probably doesn't know American flags.

I'm european and I know the signification of confederation flag.
Do we know if Russ Bullock react to the Mark Hanna reaction? Stay silent is a way to assume the tweet.
Also, if some players have racist flag, how can we have anti-racist flag?

Edit on my last sentence, reading better Matt Newman let me know it's possible but I don't know how to do this.

Edited by Vercors, 03 October 2021 - 11:07 PM.

[catgirl]

Nightbird, on 03 October 2021 - 09:59 PM, said:

I don't really see a big deal with people using the confederate flag, but here it's not anything but.

Sorry, I think you missed an important part of that tweet, he calls it the "General Lee".
General Lee was in the confederate army: https://en.wikipedia...i/Robert_E._Lee

Russ 100% retweeted racist confederacy flags. PGI is Canadian, but it's disappointing to see this on his profile in combination with his lackluster response to the community about trans rights.

Edit:
I appreciate Matt for reaching out about this issue. I encourage PGI to have an open discussion with trans community members about steps forward in the future.

Edited by catgirl, 03 October 2021 - 11:09 PM.

[Samuli Salonen]

Glad to see you committing to reversing the ban and forced name change. You should compensate alpacagirl and KDCM for having to go through this ridiculous ordeal in some way.

[Kaio-Kerensky x10]

dumb that it went this far but i'm glad alpaca and trans catgirl and anyone else whose accounts got messed with are being set right