Should Blizzard allow 'account amnesty'?

[chazus]

Plain and simple, should Blizzard implement some form of account amnesty for banned accounts?

Obviously, if they did, there ought to be certain criteria.

-Have a different, active account with no offenses for 6+ months (prevents simply 'unbanning' an account. Person needs proof they are an active and responsible member of WoW community)
-Must purchase up to current updates on old account, or 1-2 months gameplay (a 'Fine' effectively)
EDIT: -Amnesty Account stripped of all gold and boe's, preventing duped item/gold to enter economy
EDIT2: -Further infractions on an Amnesty Account results in freezing of entire battle.net account and all games associated (?)

Sometimes people do stupid stuff. It happens. In the real world, we have a legal system that allows people to own up and make reparations.

EDIT: Heck, monetize it further. Instead of "Recruit a Friend"... Get a friend to play wow for 2-3+ months, and get an old account opened.

[Lunareste]

No, people should just stop breaking rules if they don't want to be banned

[chazus]

No, people should just stop breaking rules if they don't want to be banned

Not sure if you even read the post or not. Part of the criteria was, very specifically, not breaking the rules for an extended period of time.

[Mic_128]

I'm with Luna. Dn't wanna get banned? Don't break the rules.

[chazus]

I'm with Luna. Dn't wanna get banned? Don't break the rules.

O_o

...This isn't about how to prevent getting banned.

[Pebrocks The Warlock]

No, I do not want people who broke the rules enough to get banned to come back.

[Togarox]

Don't they already have a system in place? The volcano or whatever the heck it is.

[Mic_128]

O_o

...This isn't about how to prevent getting banned.

Fine, let me reword it.

If you break rules and get banned, then you can stay banned.

[Darsithis]

I could see something like that working out. It is how MMOC works to a degree

[Kuthe]

Why would you want to go back to your old account after 6 months after spending like 80$ on a new one?
6 Months and you'd be right back where you started minus some rare mounts/achieves.

But I see what you mean, honestly I'd say no, it gives a really forceful reason for a person to not do banable offences, you lose something you care about.

[Chillstep]

I see nothing wrong with what the OP has to offer here. If anything blizzard profits from this.

[chazus]

No, I do not want people who broke the rules enough to get banned to come back.

Again, it seemed you didn't read the post.
The people are -already- playing. It's not like logging on a different character/account makes it a different person.

Maybe I should clarify. My account got banned back in ~2005. I was one of the many unlucky people who were using Wine at the time, and got banned for it. Blizzard has made it very clear that they 'dont make mistakes' on that. I've long since given up, but I figured people might have ideas to bring to the fore. Of course, it could also be useful for people who actually did small infringements as well as simply Blizzard being stupid.

[Grummgug]

I didn't know Pete Rose played WoW.

[chazus]

But I see what you mean, honestly I'd say no, it gives a really forceful reason for a person to not do banable offences, you lose something you care about.

It has my first characters, and some items that no longer exist anymore, mainly.

[Uko]

Everyone else suffers because most banned accounts are gold sellers/buyers and it would reintroduce their gold.

[Kudos]

Too much effort on Blizzard's part. What about people that were banned for duping, or botting and gold selling? Should they be allowed their accounts back, with all their items or gold? Blizzard would have to go back, check each individual account and remove the offending items/gold, because I really don't see them reactivating banned accounts with everything intact.

[chazus]

What about people that were banned for duping, or botting and gold selling?

I do agree that there should be restrictions. Perhaps 'malicious' things like duping could be the line. or maybe just have their gold/duped items removed.

[Jackielope]

I imagine this might be on their radar, but they just don't want to bother with it. Further problems might come up because they'd get people whining "My friend got amnesty, why didn't I?" From there it'll turn into people metaphorically flinging flaming poo at Blizz because they feel "wronged" when in fact they were the ones in the wrong. I can definitely see it becoming a huge headache that Blizz would probably be better off simply avoiding in the first place.

Yes, people do stupid stuff, but unlike real life, WoW is a game. If you screw up in WoW, you've still got options for gaming. If you feel WoW is your only option, you'd damn well better tow the line and take responsibility for what you do.

[Lunareste]

It has my first characters, and some items that no longer exist anymore, mainly.

I figured this was your angle.

Don't know what you did to get banned, but you knew what the consequences of your actions would be. Either you thought you wouldn't get caught, or now you're regretting that you did and want your old stuff back.

Sorry, I don't have sympathy for you; deal with the consequences of rule-breaking.

[chazus]

Sorry, I don't have sympathy for you; deal with the consequences of rule-breaking.

Read my above post.