Steam - Devs can now ask Steam to dish out VAC bans.

Witcher1979 · 6 May 2015 at 09:38

Banned by Game Developer (Game Ban)

Playing games should be fun. In order to ensure the best possible online multiplayer experience, Valve allows developers to implement their own systems that detect and permanently ban any disruptive players, such as those using cheats.

Game developers inform Valve when a disruptive player has been detected in their game, and Valve applies the game ban to the account. The game developer is solely responsible for the decision to apply a game ban. Valve only enforces the game ban as instructed by the game developer.

For more information about a game ban in a specific game, please contact the developer of that game.

https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=6899-IOSK-9514
https://archive.is/ulN52

Not sure I like this tbh, if the devs had to show 100% proof that a person was hacking then sure issue the VAC ban. But I can see random Devs requesting the odd ban on players. People who maybe give bad reviews on the steam store or troublesome users in the games forum section. Valve will turn a blind eye at the odd 2/3 that claim they were wrongfully banned and you now have a shiny VAC ban on your account... Miscreated Devs are exactly the kind of Devs who would abuse this feature if only once or twice.

The way the info on Steam reads is all they have to do is request a ban, it also goes on to state if it is abused it will be taken away. Devs can't abuse it if they have to prove the cheats so it does seem all they need to do is request a VAC ban.

mid_gen · 6 May 2015 at 09:41

This will self police very quickly, any developer unjustifiably banning players will get crucified.

Witcher1979 · 6 May 2015 at 09:42

mid_gen said:
This will self police very quickly, any developer unjustifiably banning players will get crucified.

Have you ever tried to contact steam

~>Dg<~ · 6 May 2015 at 09:50

yep that's me banned instantly

projectcars =instaban

Dayz instaban

Rust instaban

mid_gen · 6 May 2015 at 09:58

Witcher1979 said:
Have you ever tried to contact steam

I mean it won't need steam to police it. Any dev that abuses the system will see their game review-bombed into oblivion

Raumarik · 6 May 2015 at 10:18

Incoming DIMMDrive VAC bans for anyone who gives a bad review lol

Gimpymoo · 6 May 2015 at 10:19

OH MY WORD.

Valve are becoming more and more anti gamer.

Take for example a developer like Eagle Dynamics who hand out forum bans like sweets if you have a grievance with their product/way of business.

This is no different to what E.A proposed way back when.

Valve need a reality check.

Flubble · 6 May 2015 at 10:27

ubisoft instantly bans everyone because they think all pc gamers are pirates

Sega Mega Dave · 6 May 2015 at 10:46

Another step back for Steam, they're on a roll.

Twirlywoos · 6 May 2015 at 10:50

Awful news, the amount of abuse i give dean sprocket hall for shamblesz will mean I'll get vac banned. :mad:

Gimpymoo · 6 May 2015 at 10:52

Sega Mega Dave said:
Another step back for Steam, they're on a roll.

LOL.

I have said it many times now, Steam used to be a solution to the problem, it itself is now part of the problem.

stopper · 6 May 2015 at 10:54

It's funny. Everyone complains how Valve have too much control over every thing, then they continue to complain when they hand over (some) control to the devs.

Gimpymoo · 6 May 2015 at 10:57

stopper said:
It's funny. Everyone complains how Valve have too much control over every thing, then they continue to complain when they hand over (some) control to the devs.

What is wrong with the current "Opt in" VAC system which is free to developers?

You are assuming all developers are mature, level headed souls?

Good luck when a cretin bans you for saying something constructive about their game in Steam discussions.

As Dave said, Valve are on a roll.

GOG Galaxy cannot some soon enough.

Maybe Steam are trying to kill their own monster?

~>Dg<~ · 6 May 2015 at 10:59

the thing is once you give control to the devs over another system if it effects their product they will act.

its like the steam forums for eg. take a game a guy don't like it bad review the devs can remove the post or ban. that's just censoring reviews or issues. it happens often.

now they can ban you lol.

Witcher1979 · 6 May 2015 at 11:02

Yeah we are not talking about devs going on a ban roll. But we do have a few devs who have games on Steam who would do it at least once to someone, in my book that is one to many. One idea maybe would be to not allow any early access devs to be able to use this feature until the game hits full retail.

Gimpymoo · 6 May 2015 at 11:08

~>Dg<~ said:
the thing is once you give control to the devs over another system if it effects their product they will act.

its like the steam forums for eg. take a game a guy don't like it bad review the devs can remove the post or ban. that's just censoring reviews or issues. it happens often.

now they can ban you lol.

I got banned from the Eagle Dynamics Steam discussion group for some light trolling on a single occassion, A LIFETIME ban - lol.

It does need to be pointed out this only applys to games which use Steams server backend.

ADT · 6 May 2015 at 11:14

What's wrong with steam these days.
Where have the simple days gone?

FrenchTart · 6 May 2015 at 11:35

I don't really see the issue. The bans will presumably be down to actions in games rather than forums. Giving the developers better options to catch cheaters is a good thing imo.

Gimpymoo · 6 May 2015 at 11:37

FrenchTart said:
The bans will presumably be down to actions in games rather than forums. Giving the developers better options to catch cheaters is a good thing imo.

You presume, but as we know by actions of a minority of developers, there are those who can and will use such a system for not so legitimate means, especially as no initial proof is required.

Ban first, act later.

I am not defending cheaters, but a Dev saying "You cheated, I saw you do xyz" is not good enough. A ban should only be implemented when proof is verified.

A developer could easily ban if took offence to a forum comment about their game.

The current VAC system (can of worms, I know) is better in some ways as not as easily abused by others.

The VAC system is free to access. If developers want a cheat system, why not implement VAC?

Witcher1979 · 6 May 2015 at 11:43

FrenchTart said:
I don't really see the issue. The bans will presumably be down to actions in games rather than forums. Giving the developers better options to catch cheaters is a good thing imo.

Yeah agreed 100% but it can't be he said she said. They need to have 100% proof and Steam needs to see and check it out, but reading the above Steam page it seems all they have to do is request it and it is all down to the Devs to choose if they want a ban applied.