So I'm playing BFBC2 right...
EA,
At the end of a multiplayer match I was abruptly disconnected. It happens sometimes and I thought nothing of it. Until an extra message box popped up. It stated "Your recent form has degraded your skill level. Now get back to the battlefield and start working on your improvement." My skill level was reset to zero. I enjoy the visceral sensations experienced when playing a good game, as in your competitor Modern Warfare 2's single player campaign. But this was not the type of visceral feeling I expected.
So why did this message of punishment pop up? I asked myself that very question. What did I do to deserve it? Nothing. I play an honest game, I don't look for nor do I seek information on exploits or glitches and I follow the Terms of Service. I snuck around and obliterated my opponents as the Recon class. Isn't that an expectation of this character? Actually, I haven't had a game go that well for me in a long time. The only bad part about the game was that I could not enter a squad. The times I tried, I was placed in a squad with three 12 year olds discussing the dilemma of a classmate's mother. I haven't been that age in 24 years and have no desire to spend my gaming time with that demographic. I'm pretty sure trying four times to enter a viable squad is not a qualifying offense for the punishment I received. What then is the answer? I have no idea. I hope that you can give me some sort of insight as to why you would punish someone for playing in the true spirit of the game.
It's very difficult to express my sincere disdain without using almost 18 years of US Navy jargon I have acquired, but I'm trying. It's not that I give a rat's ass about my "skill level", I play to have a good time, rack up some achievements along the way, and perhaps make some new friends. But to be punished for no obvious or discernible reason is well beyond me. And I've been called on the carpet for some stupid $#!% in my lifetime.
I am also copying and pasting this to DICE to see if they will respond. Furthermore, I will post this message on at least one of the gaming forums I use regularly. I vote with my wallet, and if you cannot give some inkling of an idea about why this occurred, you (EA) will no longer carry my vote.
Just in case you need this info... This game occurred on 22APR2010 @ 2100 CST, Conquest game type on the map Panama Canal.
Sincerely,
weekspleen,
(name and email withheld for posting)
At the end of the same message to DICE, I added this statement...
ps. I hate to think that the only times you probably get letters this detailed are about something negative. In hindsight, I would rather have spent my time telling you what a great multiplayer experience you've created. I actually disowned multiplayer first person shooters for the past couple of years because all the other games were "me too's" and nothing new had been brought to the table. You guys made something really great. But this incident really takes away from that. I hope there's a reasonable answer, otherwise, I'm not playing your games anymore.
I'll probably wonder why I posted this later, but just in case anyone else has encountered similar situations while playing this or another game. I thought I would show what happens when someone writes the developers and publishers a letter.
As EA and DICE respond, I'll post their messages too... Unless I get flamed for having sand in my vah-jay-jay and decide to say to hell with it and play something else. Anyway, this was my "taking it personally" soapbox for the day. Peace fools.
The Spleen
EA,
At the end of a multiplayer match I was abruptly disconnected. It happens sometimes and I thought nothing of it. Until an extra message box popped up. It stated "Your recent form has degraded your skill level. Now get back to the battlefield and start working on your improvement." My skill level was reset to zero. I enjoy the visceral sensations experienced when playing a good game, as in your competitor Modern Warfare 2's single player campaign. But this was not the type of visceral feeling I expected.
So why did this message of punishment pop up? I asked myself that very question. What did I do to deserve it? Nothing. I play an honest game, I don't look for nor do I seek information on exploits or glitches and I follow the Terms of Service. I snuck around and obliterated my opponents as the Recon class. Isn't that an expectation of this character? Actually, I haven't had a game go that well for me in a long time. The only bad part about the game was that I could not enter a squad. The times I tried, I was placed in a squad with three 12 year olds discussing the dilemma of a classmate's mother. I haven't been that age in 24 years and have no desire to spend my gaming time with that demographic. I'm pretty sure trying four times to enter a viable squad is not a qualifying offense for the punishment I received. What then is the answer? I have no idea. I hope that you can give me some sort of insight as to why you would punish someone for playing in the true spirit of the game.
It's very difficult to express my sincere disdain without using almost 18 years of US Navy jargon I have acquired, but I'm trying. It's not that I give a rat's ass about my "skill level", I play to have a good time, rack up some achievements along the way, and perhaps make some new friends. But to be punished for no obvious or discernible reason is well beyond me. And I've been called on the carpet for some stupid $#!% in my lifetime.
I am also copying and pasting this to DICE to see if they will respond. Furthermore, I will post this message on at least one of the gaming forums I use regularly. I vote with my wallet, and if you cannot give some inkling of an idea about why this occurred, you (EA) will no longer carry my vote.
Just in case you need this info... This game occurred on 22APR2010 @ 2100 CST, Conquest game type on the map Panama Canal.
Sincerely,
weekspleen,
(name and email withheld for posting)
At the end of the same message to DICE, I added this statement...
ps. I hate to think that the only times you probably get letters this detailed are about something negative. In hindsight, I would rather have spent my time telling you what a great multiplayer experience you've created. I actually disowned multiplayer first person shooters for the past couple of years because all the other games were "me too's" and nothing new had been brought to the table. You guys made something really great. But this incident really takes away from that. I hope there's a reasonable answer, otherwise, I'm not playing your games anymore.
I'll probably wonder why I posted this later, but just in case anyone else has encountered similar situations while playing this or another game. I thought I would show what happens when someone writes the developers and publishers a letter.
As EA and DICE respond, I'll post their messages too... Unless I get flamed for having sand in my vah-jay-jay and decide to say to hell with it and play something else. Anyway, this was my "taking it personally" soapbox for the day. Peace fools.
The Spleen
