MadMax with a hair trigger

**taco tico** · 07-25-12, 03:38 PM

taco tico
STEAM_0:0:1602847

I've been a regular on this server for as long as I can remember and I have had a reserved slot since 2007 back when this was TTP. I was also a mid level admin for a good chunk of time. I am not writing these things to get special treatment, I am only writing them to show that I have a good base of knowledge about how this server operates and treats its players.

I have never posted on the abuse board before and as far as I can remember, I have never been banned in all my time here.

I was playing on the TPG No AWP/No Auto server earlier today. We were T, dominating the map, and about to win (14-4 at the time). We decided to do a joke call at the beginning of the round and all go through sneaky, go through the CT spawn, and eventually plant at B. We were almost there, when the bomber was killed so I ran back to collect the bomb and meet up with my team at B. Once I got there, I planted and noticed that it was just me and MadMax watching the bomb. We had been dominating the entire match and at this point almost definitely going to win, so the mood was not exactly stressful. Since this round was not absolutely critical and it looked like we were sure to win, I thought it would be funny to throw a flash at MadMax and then hide. Probably not the most adult thing I have ever done, but nothing I would consider an egregious error. MadMax was not pleased. Over the mic he said something to the effect of Why did you just Team flash me? I typed, "eh" and then "i was bored". Again, probably not the most adult response, but due to this situation I honestly did not think he was seriously upset at me. On the mic he said something like You were bored? Then, boom, I was banned.

I have not played on this server that often recently because I am extremely busy so I have to assume that he thought I was a random player coming to troll. But even if that was the case, in this situation, I would at least expect a warning or an admin speak statement threatening a ban. My biggest issue is that there was no warning, no advisement that team flashing is against the rules, no real chance for me to even apologize. Just a knee jerk ban on a player that has been a regular here for 5 years.

Now I don't remember the codes of conduct perfectly from when I was an admin, but I do recall the general idea. The idea was to be rational and non-judgmental. To ban people who were hindering other players enjoyment of the game or who were taking away from the teamplay environment. I agree, that by the letter of the law, I should have been reprimanded for the team flash because it is against server policy, but with all things considered, I believe a knee jerk ban was not appropriate. As a former admin myself, I feel that this was poor judgement on his part and this was probably not the best course of action he could have taken.

I am not expecting an apology, because I know this server and I know that I will not get one. All I am looking for, is for MadMax to consider this situation as he continues his admin duties in the future. To realize that banning someone is not something to just do on a whim. That to be an admin you need to be level headed and take in all the details of the situation before you act. And most importantly, as an admin you need to realize that you have a lot of power. You cannot let your own frustration cause you to abuse that power.

At this point, I believe this was only a 1 hour ban at most due to the circumstances, but that hour has not yet passed and I have not tried to get back on the server. To be honest, if this is a permanent ban I will be exponentially more aggravated by this course of events. If it is a permanent ban, I will post in the banned forum because I do still enjoy playing on this server.

-taco tico

**taco tico** · 07-25-12, 03:40 PM

Just an update, at this point it has been over an hour, so it looks like this is a permanent ban. Honestly, this is a bit disturbing. I will post in the banned forum.

**Madmax (Grape)** · 07-25-12, 04:01 PM

You are correct as to why you were banned and the events leading to your ban. You are incorrect on everything else you have said. I will address it step by step.

Originally Posted by taco tico

I have not played on this server that often recently because I am extremely busy so I have to assume that he thought I was a random player coming to troll. But even if that was the case, in this situation, I would at least expect a warning or an admin speak statement threatening a ban. My biggest issue is that there was no warning, no advisement that team flashing is against the rules, no real chance for me to even apologize. Just a knee jerk ban on a player that has been a regular here for 5 years.

I recognized you and know you are a long time regular which is exactly why I did not give you a warning. Every regular player knows perfectly well that intentional teamflashing under any circumstance is against the rules.

Originally Posted by taco tico

Now I don't remember the codes of conduct perfectly from when I was an admin, but I do recall the general idea. The idea was to be rational and non-judgmental. To ban people who were hindering other players enjoyment of the game or who were taking away from the teamplay environment. I agree, that by the letter of the law, I should have been reprimanded for the team flash because it is against server policy, but with all things considered, I believe a knee jerk ban was not appropriate. As a former admin myself, I feel that this was poor judgement on his part and this was probably not the best course of action he could have taken.

You were hindering another players enjoyment of the game (mine) and were definitely being a detriment to your team. Further, warnings do not have to be given at all. Your actions and comment about how you were 'bored' warranted no warning, just a ban. You weren't apologetic about the teamflash and didn't try to even justify your action. If you are bored while playing a video game (which I don't understand anyway...), go some where else and mess around. TPG is not the place for you to do that kind of thing.

Originally Posted by taco tico

I am not expecting an apology, because I know this server and I know that I will not get one. All I am looking for, is for MadMax to consider this situation as he continues his admin duties in the future. To realize that banning someone is not something to just do on a whim. That to be an admin you need to be level headed and take in all the details of the situation before you act. And most importantly, as an admin you need to realize that you have a lot of power. You cannot let your own frustration cause you to abuse that power.

You weren't banned on a whim. You blatantly broke a rule as a long time regular. If you had done what you did to any other player and I witnessed it, you would be banned just as you are now.

Originally Posted by taco tico

At this point, I believe this was only a 1 hour ban at most due to the circumstances, but that hour has not yet passed and I have not tried to get back on the server. To be honest, if this is a permanent ban I will be exponentially more aggravated by this course of events. If it is a permanent ban, I will post in the banned forum because I do still enjoy playing on this server.

-taco tico

It is a permanent ban, but can be appealed of course.

Also, perhaps not particularly important to your abuse claim, but we did lose that round.

**enf** · 07-25-12, 06:13 PM

This is pretty cut and dry taco, even from just reading the OP, Max was well within his boundaries to ban. As you now know, we never have to give a warning. We act first and then use the forums to hash out the details. Anything else to add before I close this?

**taco tico** · 07-25-12, 07:09 PM

Like I said, I wasn't expecting an apology. I've been on the other side of these and I know exactly how these things work. Just hoping that in the future MadMax will take a deep breath and wait more than 7 seconds before permanently banning a player. Especially a long timer.

-taco tico

**Madmax (Grape)** · 07-25-12, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by taco tico

Like I said, I wasn't expecting an apology. I've been on the other side of these and I know exactly how these things work. Just hoping that in the future MadMax will take a deep breath and wait more than 7 seconds before permanently banning a player. Especially a long timer.

-taco tico

I will not hesitate to ban non-teamplayers.