Banning question...from a newbie

[Retroactive]

Okay...so when someone gets "banned" does that mean that they are no longer allowed on a particular server or that they are banned from playing on any server? In other words, does it ban the persons CD key from logging onto the EA master server thus preventing them from playing? It just seems that this would be a good way to prevent cheaters from being able to ruin the game. If their CD key was locked out due to cheating, then they would have to actually go and purchase another game to obtain a new CD key. This would be a minor inconvenience to some of them as the game retails here for around $30 U.S.D. But eventually, it would get expensive for people who consistently cheat...resulting in them just not playing anymore. Am I waaay off base here? I have just been reading so much about cheaters and hackers lately that maybe it's time to fight back. Obviously, this type of CD key lockout would be for those who are blatant and obvious hackers. I'm sorry if this subject is taboo or if I offended anyone. I just thought I would ask.

[WolfAlmighty]

There are different types of bans. A server admin can ban you from his/her server at their discretion, but it does not affect any other servers so you can still play anywhere else. A global ban can render your CD key useless, but this has to be done on EA's end - server admins cannot do this (thank God ). A GUID ban is done by PunkBuster and ensures that you can no longer play any game that are covered by PunkBuster using your current video card (it logs the serial number(?) of your video card and adds it to the master ban list (MBL) ). This requires you to buy a whole new video card to be able to play BF2142, or any PB-enabled game, again.

At least that's how I've always been told it works. :p

~Wolfgang

[FPS[VT_NERD]]

The GUID ban that PB does is related to your CD key, not your video card CPU. PB does have a hardware ban that they can issue for extreme cases, but it relies on generating some number based on the serial numbers of different components in your computer (hard drive is probably one of these components that is used).

The PB GUID ban is tied to your CD key. Buying a new copy of the game circumvents the PB GUID ban (not that people with PB GUID bans deserve to circumvent the ban).

[Catziggy]

If you are banned for doing something the server disallows it is possible that some admins will reconsider the ban if you go to their forum (if they have one) and civilly discuss this possibility.

Take the time to read that servers rules. If you feel that you understand why you were banned and accept it then apologise.

If you think the ban was unjustly made, apologise again for being confused, stating your case with clear arguments and clarify the reason for the ban.

Give you an example.
Baserape on Timeless Gibralter. This includes the second option spawn areas around the barges. It is possible to spam greandes from the crane into these areas. We often ban people for this and they always come to the forum saying they did not think they did wrong. After discussion we decide whether to unbann them or leave them banned.

remember most servers need players online at most times to keep the momentum going but have to juggle banning to keep the server civil and fun to play against losing a regular.

Apologetic players are often the best players because they mostly play with the rules at the forefront of their mind. Unless they are smacktards of course then they soon get banned permantly.

[BigFellor]

We utilize kick much more than bans. One of our rules is No walkers till the round reaches 8 vs 8. Just makes it more fun for the 6 - 10 people in there. Often we will have to kick, but people usually come back, and read the rules.

[Retroactive]

Thanks for clearing that up. I was just curious. I haven't been playing that long, but I have been on some servers where I am ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that a particular person was cheating. (Emptied an entire clip into a player, re-loaded, emptied it again, and he jumped up and down a few times, then knifed me) I guess it shouldn't really bother me that much...but in a way it does. I usually just leave the server if I find that there are people using cheats or hacks. It simply takes the fun out of playing. Does this bother anyone else or have you simply gotten to where you overlook it for the sake of playing the game? Should I just get over it and ignore it? I mean, it's kind of comparable to professional atheletes using steroids. (IMO) At 32, I'm not the kind of person that runs around tattling on people especially over a video game...but I DO feel that BLATANT cheating should be consistently punished...don't you? How would I go about taking a screenshot of someone doing something using an obvious hack? Is it worth even trying? Does it matter? Should I just crawl back into my noob cave?

[Wizrdwarts]

Are server bans and statwipes for entire EA accoutns or just the soldier? Just wondering.

[Skates]

You can't take a SS of it that will prove anything. If there is an admin in the server, they can take a PunkBuster SS of them that may or may not show the players hacks. If there is an admin and you really think someone is cheating you could whisper to them to keep an eye on whoever. However, if you constantly do that you could annoy the admin who is really just trying to play the game.

Remember that there are some really good players out there. For example, I like to whore the walker on armor maps and usually do fairly well. The other day there was this one guy just tearing me up with a hover tank, his name was xhastalavistax. I was never even close to taking him out. I looked at the global rankings and he was ranked 5th in the world in the tank. I told myself, "well that explains it," and stayed out of the walker the rest of the round.:cry:

[Catziggy]

As far as I know there are TWO distinct actions that EA/PB take.

One is a GUID ban. This is where the CD key is banned. Sadly as stated in other threads there are such things as CD key generators. Once a hacker always a hacker.

The second is a stats reset. This is different. One is run bt Punkbuster who are paid by EA to keep up to date with hacks and reports of glitchers and cheats etc and the other is run by EA through their master server which corrleates the info everyday, every match from ranked servers.

In the end its highly likely that if you hack, pad or glitch eventually you will either be banned wiped or universally hated.

I play BF 2142 for the fun and community. I miss playing in a squad with mates. I play better and score higher in a squad with mates. I suspect non of my squaddies to be using any sort of hack and I very much dout they think i am. That to me if the BEST part of the game.

PS to whisper use the tab key to open scores. Then right click to use the mouse on that screen on the manage tab then double left click on the admins name the manage screen closes and you see the admins name in white with the cursor waiting for you to type something

This is a whisper. Only the player you are whispering to will see it

I dont think they explain that in the manual btw lol.

[Wizrdwarts]

So there's from best to worse (in my opinion, at least):
Server kick
Server ban
Statswipe
PB GUID ban
PB Hardware ban

Did I miss anything?

[Catziggy]

yes stats wipe we posted at the same time lol

[DesmondLocke]

I thought the PID could also be banned, independent of the GUID or anything else. That way, if your CD key or IP address is banned, and you get a new one, it wouldn't matter since that unique soldier would still be banned by the PID.