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Happy birthday from microsoft: Banned for no reason. Help?

goldenpp72

goldenpp72

Member
Nov 29, 2005
14,369
380
1,735
I tried to post this on xbox.com under account suspensions, and was told it can not be posted publicly, so I decided to post my stressful story here. Copy and pasted from my xbox.com post :) Btw, the suspension is because they want me to change my name.

"Alright, so this is my last line of defense on this issue, it's like some kind of gamer hate crime or something. My gamertag has been suspended and is being required to be changed otherwise I can not log onto my account. Someone somewhere has misinterpreted my name as something it is NOT. I have been fighting xbox customer support since last night, into my birthday today. Not only did they hang up on me last night because they 'closed', but the person today required me to repeat a ton of redundant information despite the fact I had a reference number, than the supervisor told me I'm screwed and to change my name.

I do not want to change my name, there is a principle to this matter, I wouldn't accept the government changing my real name and this gamertag is my online identity in everything I do. The name is based off of a WEAPON from a game called Goldeneye, developed by Rare, a studio owned by MICROSOFT, yet for some reason this is insanely hard to grasp for the customer support. Here is a link to the name reference http://goldeneye.wikia.com/wiki/Gold_PP7

I find this whole situation offensive, I'm being told my gamertag is offensive, that my 5+ years of straight gold membership (and 2 more in the making unless I cancel) are pointless, and that if I have a complaint about it, who cares? These situations need to have a direct way of appeal, the customer should NEVER be helpless from attacks from a company they support.

This issue needs to be resolved, if I'm forced to change my gamertag I might as well move my business elsewhere, which would be a real shame after spending so much time on the xbox live community (approaching 50k gamerscore). After spending thousands on xbox products, it would be a stupid business move to lose my money over this."

So gaf, am I wrong here? I just find this whole situation dirty, and it is not the first way I wanted to spend my birthday, customer support jerked me around and the forums are acting like some CIA bullshit, I have not been helped in any way. My fandom for the xbox brand is waning, after 2 xbox deaths and having to deal with the shitty CS they have, they go and do THIS? Is THIS the way to treat a customer who spent tons of time and money on your product?
 
A

Annihilator

Member
Jan 19, 2008
1,007
0
850
36
Fargo, ND
PS3 slim $299 it does EVERYTHING.

Edit. Sorry didn't know that was bannable.
If Microsoft is screwing you well you have another option.
 
S

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
May 21, 2006
17,232
4
0
it's pretty clearly stupid that they find your username offensive, but you'd really rather bail on the entire platform than change your username? err, ok.
 
R

RedNumberFive

Banned
Oct 6, 2006
9,555
0
0
Chicagoland
Open up a complaint with the BBB, and they'll get in contact with you ASAP. It's pretty sad that it is often the only way of getting any sort of resolution from Microsoft.
 
Synless

Synless

Member
May 13, 2007
11,528
757
1,470
Michigan
Just curious because I've never thought to look or ask. What is MS's policy on gamertags? I mean you pay a monthly/yearly fee to use the service and you have rights to that name. Is there a legal solution to all of this or is it in their terms of service?
 
C

Cant0na

Banned
Feb 5, 2009
1,436
0
0
you deserved it

and btw, Im the one who reported you. Fuck you


just change the name to goldenpp(some other random number)
 
goldenpp72

goldenpp72

Member
Nov 29, 2005
14,369
380
1,735
I have like 50 retail 360 titles and probably over 70 arcade titles, i even bought xbox originals.

But I already own a ps3, switching to a diff platform is not difficult, but I do not want to change my name because it shouldn't have happened in the first place..
 
B

BenjaminBirdie

Banned
Jan 19, 2005
70,608
2
0
www.benjaminbirdie.com
Honestly, I'm surprise it lasted this long.

A lot of things that have no connotations are spelled certain ways that have plenty. In this instance, I think it's unfortunately futile to have principles against the idea that they don't want everyone to start putting "PP" in their usernames.

It's stupid, sure, but even if I thought Nightwing was the best character in the world, I wouldn't try to make DickGrayson a gamertag.
 
S

Speevy

Banned
Jun 26, 2004
62,858
1
0
Galvanise_ said:
So, what is offensive about your name then? I don't see anything wrong with it.
Click to expand...


Golden pee pee, like urine.


They also won't let me post "speevy" in PS3 chats, even though you can say things like "She peed on her."

Go figure.
 
D

Dunlop

Member
Oct 2, 2007
10,961
3
965
While it sucks that they changed your name (did they give a reason), throwing around words like "hate crime" for something as silly as this,is not going to get people to sympathise with you.

From what you have said (money plus crazy gamer score), I do not think you would be leaving regardless of what they do...so the CSR probably thinks that also, so you need to escalate to someone who might give a shit (see's the bigger picture)
 
V

Volcynika

Member
Dec 17, 2007
21,317
0
0
Speevy said:
Golden pee pee, like urine.


They also won't let me post "speevy" in PS3 chats, even though you can say things like "She peed on her."

Go figure.
Click to expand...

PS3 chat censoring is annoying as hell. I can't even say Hakumen (character in BlazBlue) without it being censored!
 
goldenpp72

goldenpp72

Member
Nov 29, 2005
14,369
380
1,735
bigdaddygamebot said:
At first look...and considering the way the internet is these days.

Misinterpreting "goldenpp72" into something "offensive" isn't that much of a stretch.
Click to expand...

Anything can be twisted into something dirty if you want, we should ban master chief for having a name that can be turned into a toilet reference, it's one thing to misunderstand a name, it's an entirely different issue to not be able to explain my name and get this ban lifted, if this same issue happened on gaf for example, im sure i could explain it to the moderator.

A free forum, but when im paying for a yearly thing, no dice.

Edit: I said gamer hate crime, not a real one. It's not nearly as dramatic as something truly serious, but no one should have to be forced to change their identity, i've seen people with gay killing in their tag somehow, apparently, we should go after the people with game references instead.
 
R

Runus

Member
Dec 8, 2008
1,050
0
0
GA
How bad did you beat the person that reported you? :lol Microsoft CS sucks to the highest level of CS sucking. I think the suggestion with the BBB is your best bet. But honestly you are probably fighting a losing battle. Might just be easier to give in and change it. You could always change it to something nearly identical and switch a few characters around.
 
B

bigdaddygamebot

Member
Sep 16, 2007
8,436
0
0
Sundridge, Canada
goldenpp72 said:
Anything can be twisted into something dirty if you want, we should ban master chief for having a name that can be turned into a toilet reference, it's one thing to misunderstand a name, it's an entirely different issue to not be able to explain my name and get this ban lifted, if this same issue happened on gaf for example, im sure i could explain it to the moderator.

A free forum, but when im paying for a yearly thing, no dice.
Click to expand...

Truthfully, when I first saw your username, my first instinct was "golden pee pee" oh the lulz.

However...reading some of your posts, one day it clicked for me that you meant the golden PP7 from Goldeneye.

So i get it. I really do. I also recognize that people are more than capable of misinterpreting "goldenpp" into something they find offensive.

I also recognize that you are more than capable of coming up with something bulletproof that people won't misinterpret.
 
C

CultureClearance

Banned
Jan 10, 2009
1,135
0
0
Well if you have golden pp then you gotta stop drinking so much apple juice.
Unless you're sean connery or ian fleming or whatever, I don't see the point in fighting about it. For me it would be an opportunity to change my gamertag for free.
But ultimately the ball is in your court and you make the call. Of course it wasn't necessary for microsoft to want you to change your name, so there ya go. Not sure what Gaf is going to do for you other than maybe show you what number to call for these kinds of complaints.
 
S

Stumpokapow

listen to the mad man
May 21, 2006
17,232
4
0
goldenpp72 said:
Anything can be twisted into something dirty if you want, we should ban master chief for having a name that can be turned into a toilet reference, it's one thing to misunderstand a name, it's an entirely different issue to not be able to explain my name and get this ban lifted, if this same issue happened on gaf for example, im sure i could explain it to the moderator.

A free forum, but when im paying for a yearly thing, no dice.

Edit: I said gamer hate crime, not a real one. It's not nearly as dramatic as something truly serious, but no one should have to be forced to change their identity,
Click to expand...

okay but if someone had a username like "RichardCheese", even if it was their name, they'd probably be asked to change it, and yes it's stupid CYA bureaucracy at work but at the same time does it really make sense to get super up in arms about it?

i've seen people with gay killing in their tag somehow, apparently, we should go after the people with game references instead.
Click to expand...

those people are summarily banned for having an offensive gamer tag and if they're not feel free to post their gamertags here and they will be in the next 10-12 hours.
 
goldenpp72

goldenpp72

Member
Nov 29, 2005
14,369
380
1,735
Runus said:
How bad did you beat the person that reported you? :lol Microsoft CS sucks to the highest level of CS sucking. I think the suggestion with the BBB is your best bet. But honestly you are probably fighting a losing battle. Might just be easier to give in and change it. You could always change it to something nearly identical and switch a few characters around.
Click to expand...

Xbox CS suggested this actually, but I don't want to have to deal with it again because my new name is goldenpp73, 4, etc. Look, the main issue here is that i've avidly supported the system since its inception and i'm being told directly that i'm doing something bad, when I didn't. The point is, you shouldn't have to change something that isn't wrong.

If my name was Ipeeonpeople then I could see the point.
 
I

Inarius

Formerly 'GMUNYIFan'
Jun 6, 2004
710
6
1,545
37
East Coast
nobody is banned for no reason. I'm sure there is a flag on your account as to why they are banning your name. Ask to speak with a supervisor, be mature and remain calm, and try and sweet talk it out of them. It sucks that they are trying to change your name, but you're subscribing to a service that they can change at will.

BTW after spending "thousands" on xbox products you're willing to just walk away from the table because you can't keep a name? That's pretty foolish thinking imo. Like I said just relax and think calmly about this whole thing and it will work itself out in the end.

Or sell all your xbox stuff, either way it really won't be a ding in microsofts side, just extra hassle for you to deal with.
 
B

bigdaddygamebot

Member
Sep 16, 2007
8,436
0
0
Sundridge, Canada
goldenpp72 said:
Xbox CS suggested this actually, but I don't want to have to deal with it again because my new name is goldenpp73, 4, etc. Look, the main issue here is that i've avidly supported the system since its inception and i'm being told directly that i'm doing something bad, when I didn't. The point is, you shouldn't have to change something that isn't wrong.

If my name was Ipeeonpeople then I could see the point.
Click to expand...

Don't make the mistake of thinking that it's a public playground and you're allowed to do whatever you want.

It's Microsoft's playground and they can make whatever rules they want. They might not actually be saying you did something "bad". They're just saying that you have a username some people (someone) finds offensive.

That's your bad luck.

They're not exactly being tyrants here.
 
R

Roto13

Member
Dec 5, 2008
26,051
1
820
goldenpp72 said:
I tried to post this on xbox.com under account suspensions, and was told it can not be posted publicly, so I decided to post my stressful story here. Copy and pasted from my xbox.com post :) Btw, the suspension is because they want me to change my name.

"Alright, so this is my last line of defense on this issue, it's like some kind of gamer hate crime or something. My gamertag has been suspended and is being required to be changed otherwise I can not log onto my account. Someone somewhere has misinterpreted my name as something it is NOT. I have been fighting xbox customer support since last night, into my birthday today. Not only did they hang up on me last night because they 'closed', but the person today required me to repeat a ton of redundant information despite the fact I had a reference number, than the supervisor told me I'm screwed and to change my name.

I do not want to change my name, there is a principle to this matter, I wouldn't accept the government changing my real name and this gamertag is my online identity in everything I do. The name is based off of a WEAPON from a game called Goldeneye, developed by Rare, a studio owned by MICROSOFT, yet for some reason this is insanely hard to grasp for the customer support. Here is a link to the name reference http://goldeneye.wikia.com/wiki/Gold_PP7

I find this whole situation offensive, I'm being told my gamertag is offensive, that my 5+ years of straight gold membership (and 2 more in the making unless I cancel) are pointless, and that if I have a complaint about it, who cares? These situations need to have a direct way of appeal, the customer should NEVER be helpless from attacks from a company they support.

This issue needs to be resolved, if I'm forced to change my gamertag I might as well move my business elsewhere, which would be a real shame after spending so much time on the xbox live community (approaching 50k gamerscore). After spending thousands on xbox products, it would be a stupid business move to lose my money over this."

So gaf, am I wrong here? I just find this whole situation dirty, and it is not the first way I wanted to spend my birthday, customer support jerked me around and the forums are acting like some CIA bullshit, I have not been helped in any way. My fandom for the xbox brand is waning, after 2 xbox deaths and having to deal with the shitty CS they have, they go and do THIS? Is THIS the way to treat a customer who spent tons of time and money on your product?
Click to expand...
Grow up.
 
goldenpp72

goldenpp72

Member
Nov 29, 2005
14,369
380
1,735
GMUNYIFan said:
nobody is banned for no reason. I'm sure there is a flag on your account as to why they are banning your name. Ask to speak with a supervisor, be mature and remain calm, and try and sweet talk it out of them. It sucks that they are trying to change your name, but you're subscribing to a service that they can change at will.

BTW after spending "thousands" on xbox products you're willing to just walk away from the table because you can't keep a name? That's pretty foolish thinking imo. Like I said just relax and think calmly about this whole thing and it will work itself out in the end.

Or sell all your xbox stuff, either way it really won't be a ding in microsofts side, just extra hassle for you to deal with.
Click to expand...

I talked to the super visor, he was pretty.. not rude, but not in any way caring about the situation either, I dealt with 2 reps (got hung up on by one) and one super visor.

I also try to remain polite, only making sure they understand my position.
 
D

Deleted member 47027

Unconfirmed Member
This isn't "no reason" - it's pretty obvious what their reasoning is! I don't see why they should make an exception for you, regardless of what it DOES mean to you, it's all in how it gets interpreted.

Change your name. Play by their rules or don't play.
 
B

bigGIRLSblouse

Member
May 9, 2008
1,076
0
0
I went though something similar last year.. Had the tag since Xbox Live Beta in 2002... I also know someone that works right next to Major Nelson and others and she tried to get my name reversed. In the end it was not worth the fight so I changed it. Luckily my tag on the PS3 was something else and was open on Live so I have come to terms with it.

It sucks and I was furious for a few days until I finally just remembered it was not worth my blood pressure going up. What I quickly realized when talking to my friend is you really can not do a damn thing about it. Once they have put their foot down, no matter how pathetic it is you will not get your tag back.

Sucks man and I feel your pain.
 
D

Double D

Member
Jun 28, 2006
6,855
0
0
bigdaddygamebot said:
At first look...and considering the way the internet is these days.

Misinterpreting "goldenpp72" into something "offensive" isn't that much of a stretch.
Click to expand...

Even knowing what your gamertag was referring to, I have always read it as 'Golden Pee Pee'. Just change it to 'GoldenGun72' or something. It makes more sense and this way people won't think you're a huge R. Kelly fan.
 
T

TheChillyAcademic

Member
Dec 3, 2008
11,555
0
0
The BBB seems like your only option if you don't want to change your tag (and I completely understand why you wouldn't). The fact that it wasn't an issue for years and its suddenly become a bannable offense is absolutely ridiculous.
 
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