Overwatch: A Lifetime Ban is Ridiculous

Lifetime bans without any means of redemption feels too excessive. Punishing players for mistakes they could have made years ago just seems wrong. How should Overwatch handle cheaters? Is a one strike you're out policy the way to do it, or do you have sympathy towards hackers and the like?

[JakeNoseIt]

Lifetime is too long for anything. People make mistakes, especially in a game with such a kid-friendly aesthetic.

[TacticAce]

Wait a second, did you just say people make mistakes? Someone walking in a bank and robbing it is not a mistake... It was an intended action, premeditated... Yes this is just a game and it is not the same as committing a crime but the same principle holds true here, and the fact that your mind would even think this way shows that there is a problem... Why are teachers/parents not teaching their kids simple basics of right from wrong...

[AnubisG]

And you don't get to go to jail for a lifetime for robbing a bank. You get a few years depending on many factors than you are free. The punishment should fit the crime. And however intentional it was for someone to rob a bank, later on in life it can be looked upon as a mistake that person made. People make mistakes, intentionally or not a mistake can be made.

[Zeromoniker]

Agreed. It seems that basic rights-and-wrongs are apparently seen by many as 'optional' these days. I think that delivering a clear message with a clearly defined result should that message be ignored is a good thing. I hope to see more of it IMHO.

[jessionpc]

TacticAce has it 100%

These aren't people walking into the residential industry with a hope and a dream, who make honest mistakes based on economy or location, therefor it doesn't work out like they planned... These are people who are INTENTIONALLY cheating just to get a laugh out of it. They are hurting other people, they don't care, and this, "it's just a game", mentality is absolutely retarded. Location or outlet means NOTHING, peoples hearts and minds and emotions are at play here. Real people, not a tv, "like some retards think", and they should be held accountable for their wrong doings.

Once and cheater, ALWAYS a cheater. Get outa multiplayer, go play Skyrim and mod where it's fun to mod the experience for your tastes.

[Utalkin2me]

@TacticAce

While that is true, if you make a mistake you should be punished. A person doesn't get punished a lifetime for robbing a bank. So that made your whole comment inaccurate.

[ravinash]

Think of it another way...

It's not about punishing the person who did the cheating.
It's about the rest of us including the games publisher who don't want to be involved with the cheater.

[InTheZoneAC]

you can't even teach this...it's called integrity and it shows the overall sad state of these broken minds.

[NarooN]

Some of you are doing some really kindergarten-level mental gymnastics to try to downplay what's going on here. These losers are DELIBERATELY cheating and thus ruining the experiences for other actual people here. It's Blizzard's game and they can enforce whatever rules with whatever stipulations and punishments they so desire. If people don't wanna get perma-banned, then they shouldn't cheat, it's that simple.

[kayoss]

@anubis,
yes you dont go to jail for a life time for robbing a bank, thats why some people go back to robbing banks when they are released.
This is why rapists, murderers, etc.. continue to do what they were doing after leaving prison.

[BlackTar187]

it's a self inflicted disease these kids have been given by the soft bleeding heart PC nonsense of this future generation. not a hrad days work has ever been given to the new kids. O it's hard? Take a break.
The everyone gets a trophy generation is a horrible future we set up.

[Servbot41]

If you went to jail for life for armed robbery of a bank, maybe less people would do it, which would be a GOOD thing.

[JackBNimble]

TacticAce

Even bank robbers aren't punished for life ... well, most of the time.

@Serbot41
Life sentences have never stopped anyone from commiting crimes or we wouldn't have crime .

[Playable_Gamez]

Cheating is not making a mistake. I don't feel remorse for any cheaters getting banned for life.

[Liqu1d]

No. Cheating isn't a "mistake", it is 100% deliberate and cheaters don't deserve to play online with others. If you don't want to get banned then don't cheat, no excuses.

[Freeball]

Lifetime ban is the consequence Blizzard decided on for their game. You may not agree with it, but it's their game and they set the rules. If you don't like it, don't cheat or don't play. You have that choice, just like it was their choice to lifetime ban anyone that breaks their rules.

Basic rule of life: Not everything will be the way you want it to be. Learn to deal with it.

[JackBNimble]

The article states that thousands have been permanently banned , that is thousands of people out $60 . Now you may think that's fair enough but I am sure the people who lost their money don't think so. All I am saying really is if Blizzard is going to permanently ban people , they are going fined themselves in an ugly mess . Unless they decide to refund Peoples money that is or fined another way to deter cheaters with out perma bans .
You get enough of these people together and you have a class action law suit and I highly doubt that the terms and service agreement actually allows blizzard to take thousands of customers money and the permanently ban them. I don't think everything in a terms of service agreement is legally binding .

[Okan-Ru]

so i take it if i find out where you live, go to your home and try to kill one of your family members. i just made a mistake? No. your scenario only works if people only "accidentally" do something wrong. Which is not the case majority of the time. Most people when doing something wrong are intentionally doing it. It would be silly and naive to suggest that a murderer who killed your family member who "made a mistake" that only implies if it was an accident. If there was intention behind the killing like, for the pleasure of hurting others, or they wanted something like money or whatever then it was no accident and no "mistake" in the situation. I can make a mistake and accidentally drop a small wood crate on your feet or spill milk on your shirt for example that would be an example of making a mistake/accident. etc.

you can generally tell if they are doing things with intentions of doing something versus if it was an actual accident/mistake they made.

the same principles holds true here. Someone does not just "Accidentally" download third party software in order to evade an Anti-cheat system in place and/or gain a competitive advantage against other players whatever there reason for doing so is.

In short, your argument that "people make mistakes and therefore should be excused/given a second chance" is flawed. and would lead to justifications for even the most serious of crimes. like robbing, rape or murder or fraud.

[xPaYDaYx]

Are you kidding me? Make mistakes lol? "Oops sorry Blizzard, I accidentally downloaded and ran some illegal software that was modifying the way your game was working. 許してください" GTFO of here with that.

[supes_24]

Not too harsh if you knew he rules and decided to break them anyway. Besides, why cheat in a game? It's a damn game, meant to challenge you and make you think and come up with different tactics. Cheaters aren't good at anything in life and nobody likes a cheater besides like minded losers. They are the bottom of the barrel gamers. Life time ban is warranted, no matter your age. If you didn't learn your lesson at an early age not to cheat from sports and parents, I guess leave it up to a game developer to teach your dunbass how to have good sportsmanship.

[Shillmeister]

The example given in the article is perfect of why a permanent ban is a bit over the top, but simultaneously it does set a precedent that cheating is not allowed nor will be tolerated. Especially in a multiplayer game cheating sucks! So it's a hard one to call

[Goldby]

No its not. If people are actively going online to doenload and buy hacks they knew exactly what they were doing. And they should be banned

[Utalkin2me]

So by that thinking. If a kid cheats on his test, he should automatically be banned from school his whole life?

[Goldby]

@youtalkingtome

No. If a kid cheats on a test in schools hes penalized for it. Normally a zero which can effect them. The easy route is rarely the good route

[Nineball2112]

"So by that thinking. If a kid cheats on his test, he should automatically be banned from school his whole life?"

Really? I mean, really??? lol

Talk about false analogies.

[Ra3v3r]

@utalkin2me

Kid won't get banned from school but he won't be able to sit the exams which is potentially as bad as a life sentence.

I'm pretty happy with the hardline stance on cheating - if you're gonna do it be prepared for the consequences. Don't wanna waste the £50 you've just spent, don't do it. I also don't care if its a kid or an adult. If it's an adult they should know better, if it's a kid, then hopefully it's something that can teach them that taking shortcuts and being dishonest can have a negative impact on them.

Also a lifetime ban is nothing really unless you plan on never leaving the basement as address changes, new bank accounts, different web providers, completely new PC's and many other things that happen as we grow older mean there will be a way to get access to that content again, just not on that Blizzard account. You burned that one...

[Volkama]

Are you also quite happy to accept that you have no ownership or rights to play the games that you have bought?

A lot of the people posting to support these lifetime bans have previously been adamant that we should fight against any publisher that tries to encroach on our consumer rights. Now suddenly they're happy to see publishers have total control over our ability to play our own games.

Personally I've accepted online only games and all the rights issues attached a long time ago, but it's surprising to see the topic dismissed like it's not even worth a discussion when people are usually so adamant and vocal about it.

[DeusEx-Machina]

@Utalkin2me

If a kid cheats during a test, he fails the test and is awarded no points. He doesn't get to write the test again and the result will affect the end-results of the entire year. The only thing he can do is to learn from it and try not to cheat in the next test.

So by that analogy, someone who cheated in a game and gets banned should learn from it and try not cheat in the next game he plays.

[dudeOplenty]

@Utalkin2me

Expulsion is standard practice for plagiarism and cheating at many colleges and universities. You will most likely be "banned for life" from all credible schools.

[Gardenia]

You think players accidentally use hacks and cheating in multiplayer? Every developer should ban players instantly, it is ruining other gamers fun

[gepugg]

Something needs to be done and it's the only way people will learn.

[thomasprince2326]

A life time ban is far to excessive.

[Playable_Gamez]

For cheating and attempting to break the game? No it's not.

[ravinash]

If the person is warned up front that they will be banned for life and they do it anyway.... they deserve all they get.

[SUCKxITxEZ]

I would say sacrificing other peoples time who are playing fair is far to excessive for someone that just sucks at video games.

[lociefer]

you willingly took time out of your schedule to mod an online game and make playing against you unfair for tens and thousands of ppl around the globe just for the ''lolz'' or to make you seem more skillful, it's not so ridiculous imo

[pompombrum]

There are always ways around lifetime bans. I have little sympathy for hackers but I can understand this article, even I messed around with speed/wall hacks on cs ages ago as a teen for a few laughs. Perhaps lifetime bans are excessive but I stand by Blizzard's zero tolerance policy towards hackers, perhaps one month bans would be better with one year bans given to repeat offenders.

[SUCKxITxEZ]

Since I don't cheat and expect no one else to cheat in my games because i hate it and have honestly stopped playing a game altogether because of 1 or 2 encounters with cheaters, I am glad they ban them for life. Its not like they are getting banned from pc games or even blizzard games, and to cheat in this game would require quite the effort and risk so it couldn't possibly be a mistake.

[Psychotica]

For the most part doing something intentional is not a mistake..

[Relientk77]

No its not. Don't cheat and make it not fun for others.

[UltraAtomic]

Weather it be kids or hackers. They will never learn unless more things like this happens.

[Aries83]

If you commit a serious enough crime in real life, you go to jail for life. One of the worst, if not thee worst crime you can commit is murder. Especially multiple people. The most heinous and serious crime you can commit in gaming is cheating. You violate the terms of use that are given and are lucky legal action isn't take against you also. I think a perm-a-ban is the right form of justice. What gives you the right to manipulate a game and play it in a way that was unintended to give you an unfair advantage?

[Majin-vegeta]

Na more games need to make an example of cheaters.Showing that cheating will not be tolerated.

[Playable_Gamez]

Then don't cheat and you won't get ban. That freaking simple.

[TimeSkipLuffy]

No it is not. If you want to cheat buy an offline game and cheat the hell out of it because you don't have the skill to play the game. But for MP lifetime ban is perfect to prevent massive use of cheating. Let those who love gaming play this game. Not those who only can play when they cheat.

[IGiveHugs2NakedWomen]

Cheaters deserve whatever they get. They no it's wrong and 90% of them know they will get banned for cheating, but they still do it. I have no sympathy for any of them.

BAN THEM ALL!

[MrSwankSinatra]

No it's not. Don't cheat and you won't get banned it's that simple.

[Dixiedevil]

If you're actively cheating with hacks and shit like that, yes. Ban the MF'r forever. Exploits are a BS pussy way to play but that's on the dev.

[Wrex369]

Why do you think they're being so hard on cheaters? To keep the community's confidence in the game. Don't cheat and you won't get banned, simple enough.

[Greyfoxdbz]

I don't think a lifetime ban is ridiculous. if you don't want to get banned don't cheat. simple. more companies need to be this rigorous.

[Braxmapoutras]

No it's not ridiculous....this is the best way to prevent the game to be ruined like so many other multi-player games...and especially on PC....it's the perfect punishment....if you can't abide by the rules and the fairplay...and it's not like it's a secret...everyone knows it...so...it's reasonable....

[senorfartcushion]

No:

STOP CHEATING

Really. This is the first I've heard of this type of ban so i find it funny that this is the extent Blizzard are going to.

[namEuser]

no its not, here's a great answer...its called dont cheat...its that simple

[kranker]

If u cheat u get banned simple. Nothing wrong with that.

[Kalebninja]

If people know cheating gets them a lifetime ban, they just need to not cheat, its that simple.

[Neonridr]

The article doesn't really make sense. It talks about getting a ban when you were 13 (for some game that isn't overwatch) and then not being able to play Overwatch 10 years later. That isn't an Overwatch lifetime ban, that would be a Blizzard lifetime ban.

Anyways, as for bans, I guess it comes down to what you are guilty of. Using an aimbot type program if it is your first offense I could see maybe a timed ban like 2 weeks or a month. But if you are a repeat offender, or doing something severe enough then a lifetime ban is justified.

Don't cheat and play the game it was intended to be played and you will be fine.

[Eiyuuou]

It's very simple:

You play by the rules or you don't play at all.

[GearSkiN]

lol I'm glad they are banned

[gamertk421]

Nope. No room for cheaters.

[Theguardianwave]

We didn't make the game ultimately argue all you want but the decision has already been made.

[Axonometri]

It is flabergasting how many people in this world feel like rules should not apply to them. Its far more shocking to then see authorities just sit and watch rules being broken. However, if one says anything about this breaking of rules and or failed authority, one gets beaten in the back of the head, blindsided with heavy makeshift weapons.

Then you get told your a hateful person and should feel sympathy for those less fortunate who attacked you, because its not their fault they are not as good... it's your own fault for working hard for what you have.

Good for Blizzard. Hoorah. This world needs rules. And rule breakers need severe and swift punishment. Ever standing punishment. Build that wall blizzard.

[BLKxSEPTEMBER]

In the words of Low tier God...Get That Ass Banned!!!

[CrimsonWing69]

No it's not, you decide to cheat this is the consequence...so don't flippin' cheat!

[InTheLab]

You people advocating 2nd chances need to go play the old CoDs or other hacked and ruined games. Cheaters in gaming are the worst type of scum...

[ASBO-5]

"Punishing players for mistakes they could have made years ago"
Years ago? The game ain't even a month old!!

[mzupeman]

Sounds like salt from someone who was banned.

Look, it's an online game and cheating means you essentially break the experience for everyone else you're playing with. It's an asshole thing to do... Incredibly sefish.

You cheat, and you knowingly run the risk of being banned. Sayonara and never return, I say.

[dragonopt1]

The sad part is this game's so fun to play I don't see how anyone would want to cheat. I'm always getting plays of the game and having a blast, plus they don't show a K/D ratio at the end of the game so I don't see what the point of cheating would be. They warned people this would happen, if they don't want to listen and keep cheating anyways they should be banned for good.

[Liqu1d]

If someone gets caught cheating 3 times they should be banned from every online multiplayer.

[InTheZoneAC]

people that cheat in online games tend to cheat or try to cheat in the rest of the games they play. You ban these morons because you already got their money and you don't tolerate their stupidity in that they ruin everyone else's experience.

maybe they'll be a better person from this and refrain from being the biggest moron in the next online game they play.

and they can easily make another account and explain like an idiot to their friends that they have multiple names because they were banned just to play a game.

[MCTJim]

If you are knowingly engaging in cheating, ban hammer, no redemption.

[kayoss]

Cheating doesnt happen by accident. The majority of the time its a decision that a player makes and this decision requires more than one step to apply the cheat. Like most people say, its only a video game but with anything that involve others, you need to protected the people who are playing by the rules. If cheaters get away with it easy, they will most likely cheat again because the consequences are not severe enough. When a permanent ban is issue, i see it this way.
Banning a cheater permanently is not the important part, its protecting the honest players that is important.

[Dirtnapstor]

If you make the conscious decision to enable a cheat that violates the rules as clearly stated, you should be banned as they (developer) sees fit.

As for those who coin this violation as a "mistake", give it up... You don't accidentally stumble into this type of folly. You search and enable it.

[Pullmywaffle]

Are you kidding? They're not banned for life. Like in the real world, you can create a new account (get your records exponged) pay your fines (if a separate account requires ps plus or live, or game comes with unique code) and continue on as normal. Quit being so damn dramatic.

[EjWarrior]

OMG the author of this article was drunk while making it!
-->
Imagine being a 13 year old kid. Your friend or older sister shows you a program that automatically gives you perfect aim. Blizzard bans you and uses their technical wizardry to make sure that ban follows you for life.

Now, you’re 23. You’ve graduated from college and you have a sweet new job writing the captions to the photos in Time Magazine. Some buddies from work want to play Overwatch together every Thursday night, they invite you to their squad. You can’t play. You cannot play Overwatch because of a mistake you made when you were 13. Awkward.

[Sircolby45]

I could not disagree more. Hackers are selfish pricks that are only doing it to ruin everyone else's good time. They should revoke their key with no refund if they are not already and revoke their account for life and anything less is too lenient.

[EDKICK]

Just don't cheat. It's really not that hard.

[Mr_Luke]

It's not ridiculous. As in other games where cheaters reign supreme and normal players are penalized by that, a "1 week, 1 month, 1 whatever" ban isn't enough. When the cheater is back, he/she finds a way to cheat again, in a more subtle way maybe. So it's deserved, i'm so tired of those people.... There are rules to follow and if you're a good at playing, you don't need cheats. If you're a goat with boxe gloves on your paws, then try to get better and train. If you want to cheat, get your ban and goodbye, the game will be a better place.

[Ethereal]

Nope. Anyone using hack or modified code should not be able to play the game. Period.

[BrandanT]

It's not as bad as Nintendo's Miiverse.

[mochachino]

10 years and a $10,000 fine should suffice.

[DarXter]

They made it very clear from the start they would ban all cheaters, so I don't understand why people are so surprised when they actually follow through with it.

[N8]

I was playing this today and had a guy voice message me twice telling me how bad I suck because I killed him a bunch of times. I haven't had that happen in a long time. I'm loving this game.

[N8]

If you buy a game that says you get a lifetime ban if you cheat and you get banned them it's on you. That's what's wrong with America now people breaking the rules and then when they get punished for it they cry it's not fair.

[sarlucic]

Are people really complaining about this!?!?! Look at the shitfest The Division on pc became because of cheater and first giving a 3 day ban, then 7 days, and then 2 weeks, and then life time ban. It destroyed the game, made the player base drop by 70% or more. If you cheat, you get banned for life, you proven that you can not handle a online game and the responsibility it takes to be part of a community. In fact, they should take away your entire account and all the games you own on the account.

[shaenoide]

Years ago ? The game is only 2 weeks old... Cheaters being punished is just normal.

[Servbot41]

It's one thing to use/abuse a glitch in the game, it's a whole different thing to actively use outside programs and injectors to cheat. If you are using such things, chances are you are a cancer on the community anyway and deserve to be kicked out permanently.

[Gatsu]

Cheaters are the cancer of multiplayer gaming. Lifetime ban is the right thing to do and for some people it is the only way to learn not to cheat. Play the game like everyone else or don't play at all.

[pecorre]

If you don't want to be banned, don't cheat. It's actually very simple.

[Kidmyst]

More companies need to have lifetime bans, when I used to play COD on PC, every other match had someone hacking or cheating. I just don't get the point, use it on single player if you want but MP competitive play, everyone knows the cheaters and no one is impressed. To be honest, i'm there to game and have fun, if you are good or suck, I look at you the same, as a gamer unless your trying to ruin it for everyone.

[Kenshin_BATT0USAI]

I like how people are trying to make analogies to real life as if these things can be 1:1.

Reality is that this is an online only game based around PvP interactions. Cheating not only is frowned upon in normal gaming but in this instance ruins the experience for others that paid for one. Saying that it's unfair because they spent money is stupid. So did everyone else that has to deal with it.

[eldingo]

Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.

[InTheZoneAC]

but BLM, i mean C(cheater)LM

[CrimzonRazor]

I wish all devs would follow and give out lifetime bans and who could feel sorry for these cheaters they were warned before release.

[VTKC]

Why should a cheater be given any chances? Its not like they didnt know what they were doing. This life time banning should be introduced to rage quitters. Cant play by the rules and disconnect before results? Well no need you to carry on playing others online then because clearly you think you are above everyone else as you think other players aint worth your time.

[aerisbueller]

It's really not that hard to not cheat. If you go through the trouble of installing an aimbot, that's not exactly a mistake. The 13 year old example is such an outlier it's ridiculous. In 9999 cases out of 10000, if you're savvy enough to find and install an aimbot, you're savvy enough to see the example Blizzard set with this first batch. Good riddens.

[shaun mcwayne]

Make a laggy dial up server call it the moon, put all the cheaters together on the moon. Let them cheat each other.

[tanukisuit]

I think GTA IV did something like that... if I recall correctly.

[bsmith61]

They warned they would be giving out indefinite bans to hackers, yet people like this author still feel they have to complain. Everyone who runs those illegal mods knows fully well what they are getting into. It would be like if I robbed a store then complained saying "going to jail is ridiculous."

[SmokingMonkey]

Did you hit "Accept"?

[Pledius]

Lifetime Ban is very necessarily the hackers/cheaters need to have a fear that what they're doing can get them banned from it forever.

Although I think it would be better if Blizzard banned per game base instead of the whole account/player

so someone could have cheated in Overwatch but not in heartstone and etc..

[Circuitburnout]

Once a cheater always a cheater. Doesn't get much simpler than that.

[jmac53]

Ban them and then brick their console!

[WhoCaresWhatMyNameIs]

Like the old saying goes, "Once a cheater, always a cheater." Lifetime ban was needed to send a message and they deserve it.

[Duke19]

Totally justified - there needs to be a deterrent for cheating, and a warning doesn't cut it anymore. I wish more games would implement this stuff to crack down on people that ruin it for the rest of the community.

[Dan_scruggs]

I sure wont miss em. It's simple. Don't cheat. If that's too much to ask then find another game.

[kevnb]

I think it would be great if people that cheat are banned from all online games, maybe one second chance but thats it.

[ziggurcat]

I don't see how a lifetime ban on cheaters is excessive.

edit: if they're caught once, that's all it should take to ban them - they don't deserve a second or third chance, they're just going to cheat again anyway.

[Okan-Ru]

No permanent banning is not too harsh of a punishment. it's only too harsh if there is no appeal process to try and make the case you weren't actually cheating.

[RoseSapphire]

Don't cheat. It's a life lesson, learned by a lifetime ban.

[Atomicjuicer]

Forced onto a cheaters server. Like prison. That would be better than complete ban.

[Sunny_D]

If the cheating or hacking has become detrimental to the entire online community, then a lifetime ban shouldn't be out of the question. That's because they ruined the foundation of the game and probably made many people leave the game and never play it again. But, if it something that a person thought would only benefit him, then I guess wiping their stats and a temporary ban would be best.

[GrimDragon]

Lol did a hacker/cheater ask this question? The ban hammer has no mercy! If you spend 65 dollars to knowingly cheat your way to victory only a merciless ban will make you think twice about possibly losing your money. Temporary bans will only make cheaters cheat again because once a cheater always a cheater. I feel no pity for the banned.

[kpanda]

Damn right. Ban all hackers for lifetime. Most of these people crying victim about being accidentally banned are full of sh*t anyways.

[Satyre28]

Not at all. You cheat you deserve to not be able to play the game, simple as that. Cheating in online games is something that should never have strikes and should always lead to a perm bann forever.

[Cartman55125]

Couldn't you just make a new account? It's not really a lifetime ban, it's shutting down that account, which I think is fair as hell.

[Pro_TactX]

People know that cheating in a competitive multiplayer game is wrong. They know going in that a lifetime ban is the consequence for being caught cheating. I have no sympathy for people who are banned for cheating. They accepted that risk when they decided to cheat. Dealing with the consequences of our choices is just part of being an adult, and for the kids who are playing who haven't learned that yet, well it's a good life lesson for them.

Why should people need more than one strike? Cheating isn't a mistake. It's a choice.

Maybe a lifetime ban is too extreme. Ultimately it doesn't matter if it is too extreme though, because the consequence has been explained. If I know that I am going to suffer an extreme consequence for cheating, but make the choice to cheat anyway, then I have only myself to blame, right?

[filipakos]

its not like they didnt warn you

[FullmetalRoyale]

The cheaters will cry about it, but the people that they are doing this for, their loyal fans, will simply become more loyal. That's how you treat the people that butter your bread. Loyalty breeds loyalty.

[Kallisti]

This article is right, cheaters should be banned in the afterlife too

[Valenka]

I completely disagree with this article for several reasons, but I'll tl;dr: one, if your argument is "because of a mistake you made when you were 13" well you probably shouldn't be playing games that are meant for ages older than 13, by which point, you should know the difference between playing a game legitimately and illegitimately. Find me one person who has never used a cheat code in any video game in their present lifespan, with proof. Don't worry, I'll wait.

Second of all, Overwatch is Blizzard's game. Blizzard has the right to do what they want. Are you going to complain to the developer of Upsilon Circuit for their perma-death feature, when you willingly purchased and played the game knowing that if you die/fail whatever once, you can never play the game again? You knew what you were signing up for and if you didn't know, that's your own fault for not either doing research on the game before purchasing it or reading the disclaimer they post about the experience.

Lastly, and most importantly, you shouldn't be hacking/cheating whatever in the first place! You want to mod and hack your way through a single-player experience? Go ahead. No one is stopping you and no one will police you. It's fine and dandy. But don't try and take that crap online just because you suck at the game and are tired of losing to people better than you.

The other reasons for my disagreement with this article are petty and uninteresting, but I'm sure my drift is easily caught here. Bottom line: don't like it? Don't cheat. End of story.

[CoDsuperstar]

if i knew anything about hacking i'd have my own private cheats. BAN ME LOSERS

[iTechHeads]

I kinda agree. You did pay for the game after all.....
The PC is an open platform and there are negatives to that as well as positives.

I'm sure those buying games and playing on PC know that there is a possibility for hackers.

[windblowsagain]

Kinda reminds me of Quake3.

I played and played and got good like many others. But the amount of botting in the game was unreal, COD was always like it as well. Just spoils it for people with skill and payed money to play a competitive match against others with skill.

Ban should be 3months. Then if you commit said offense again. Then it becomes 6months and finally full lifetime ban.

I think people would learn quite quickly.

[Rhezin]

lifetime ban ridiculous?! No I'd say that's getting off easy. How about a ban for the next life after that.

[gigoran]

punishment is fine. its easy to not be punished. just DON'T CHEAT

[Scottyxboxoneandps4]

Simple, dont cheat. I cant see why people cheat it must be so dull, so lifetime bans are a must to stop this from happening again.

[franwex]

No sympathy for cheaters.

[JustGamin85]

All for it!!! Its one thing to get owned by a better player, however its total BS if a cheater/hacker has is rigged up. I stay by their choice.

[Kyoshi]

If someone is so stupid to buy a damn multiplayer game just to cheat, then f*ck em. They deserve it.

[joab777]

Fine. If you can prove you are under the age of 15, you are banned until you are 21. Otherwise, lifetime is fine. Move on...no cheaters here.

[Mithan]

Bye. Don't cheat.

[sdcard4gb]

I got a leaver penalty because Blizzard servers crashed on me... Fix your shit, Blizzard.

[Blacklash93]

I agree with this zero tolerance policy and I think it will do a good deal to discourage cheating.

That said, Blizzard makes it sound like they're not going to pay much attention to appeals and I hope that doesn't prevent them from rectifying potential mistaken bans or forgiving players who have learned their lesson after a reasonable (maybe a year or so) period of time.

[irishyort]

If Destiny and CoD had have done this with all the LAG idiots I may be still playing

[r3f1cul]

being a cheating f bag is also ridiculous and should be unacceptable on any level, good job blizz ban them all, forever

[Csauer14]

First off, you can't compare an actual crime like rape and murder to cheating in a video game. They aren't even close to the same. Secondly, it's pretty cut and dry, folks. Cheat and you get banned. Nobody is accidentally downloading bots or doctoring their internet connection. This wasn't a surprise lifetime ban. Its their IP, they can do with it what they want.