Board Game Arena

I am sorry but this is getting so annoying. I am currently in a tournament at table *. The person is going against Article VIII of the ToS ---> use of game blocking tactics in order to force other Users to quit, or otherwise to get me to lose because of time constricts. The player is clearly on this platform as the icon is green next to their name. The player doesn't make a move unless I am off the platform when clearly we both are on so we can continue. Once I log off the player will make a move. And since I have a life in the real world. I won't be back on to make a move in 8-12 hours. So I make a move and the cycle continues.

This player needs to be banned as Article VIII states in ToS which is an user agreement authorized by all users agree at time of sign up for an account. All internet services must have some type of ToS by law. Now if that ToS isn't being followed by another player. What way can I report if I get kicked. I was told by BGA that this is allowed since it's a time based but due to playstyle of opponent just gaping the time out. And not allowing me to play fair. That should be a big no-no. Because I am seeing this more and more.

If I lose due to time lapse which I clearly made attempts to further the game and we are both on at the same time. Can I report the other player by rule broken of Article VIII of ToS?

Furthermore, I can see how the time based games work if we aren't on together, but this isn't the case which needs to be accounted for since we are both on. If we weren't on together this would not be an issue but it's a huge swath of time like 3-6 hours we are both on at the same time with no play.

It's very frustrating because I want to use all the services that your company is providing that I payed for but the inability for fair play is against the ToS at the same time.

Thank you


VIII. Fair Play
BGA will not tolerate any cheating and/or lack of fair play, whether through the use of cheating software, analysis of communication protocols or code, use of multiple Accounts, collusion with other Users, leaving the game before its normal end, **use of game blocking tactics in order to force other Users to quit,** or the use of obscene or foul language, etc.

Any User caught cheating or failing to meet their fair play obligations will receive a warning and then be subject to one of the following sanctions at the discretion of BGA:

◦ freezing of the Account,

◦ resetting of scores and rankings,

◦ suspension of Services,

◦ or even the outright deletion of their Account.

**Violation by the User of the rules of conduct or the essential rules of fair play may have consequences for the User's reputation on the Player Site, under the terms and conditions specified in the Privacy Policy.**

*Moderator edit: the Forums should not be used for calling out specific players.

That definitely sounds unsportsmanlike, frustrating, and like a violation of the ToS. However, it doesn't sounds like something that can be reported. If you try to report a player for issues related to time, you receive a note telling you to red-thumb the player.

You could trick them. Log off for a few mins between games so that they'll make a move, and then when you log back in you can take your turn.

That is also a major issue that BGA needs to fix otherwise they will be out of compliance of their own Terms of Service agreement. If no one is able to report a player per ToS agreement of Article VIII. That can be really bad. I can't say much but I know the rules for my country and the EU and Canada that entails with ToS, privacy and cookie policies. I have an entity online as well, so I know all to well about this.

dizzymisslizzy17 wrote: ↑18 September 2023, 07:13 That definitely sounds unsportsmanlike, frustrating, and like a violation of the ToS. However, it doesn't sounds like something that can be reported. If you try to report a player for issues related to time, you receive a note telling you to red-thumb the player.

You could trick them. Log off for a few mins between games so that they'll make a move, and then when you log back in you can take your turn.

This is likely the way to go. It is not unlikely you are right to assume that the behaviour is malicious but you cannot prove it. The green dot doesn't prove anything. Being on line doesn't mean playing. I use the pc to work, it's almost always turned on and a browser with an open window on bga is
often there in a small icon on the right of my screen. I check it a just few time a days may be 10/20 minutes per day, but if you check you
will almost always find me on even if I am asleep.

Yep, agree with this, if you think that's what they're doing, log off for a bit, then return. It's what I'd do.

And I also have my browser open to BGA often when I'm not in front of my computer. I also might be playing a tutorial, a real-time game (though that is generally indicated in one's profile), or focused on a particular game with my (RL) spouse and ignoring other games while we play that one through. While the behaviour might be malicious, it may just be coincidental.

Also, if you're playing at a table that you can visit within the constraints, it shouldn't matter even if someone is doing what you claim. I play games with 4 turns per day, as I'm on BGA at least 3-4 times per day, and some days more. I'm not always on every 6 hours (I do sleep), and I think I've hit red maybe once outside of tournament play (which works differently), and at that time, I had stuff going on that meant I was only getting on maybe 1-2 times per day. If you only get on twice a day, stick to 2 turns per day tables and you should be fine.

dizzymisslizzy17 wrote: ↑18 September 2023, 07:13 You could trick them. Log off for a few mins between games so that they'll make a move, and then when you log back in you can take your turn.

I did this once when I was in the same position as OP, my opponent in a turn-based tournament seemed to be deliberately waiting until I was offline to move, hoping that I would exhaust my clock since it was the only way my opponent could win. I made sure my Turn-based mode preferences ( https://boardgamearena.com/preferences?section=email ) were set to "When it's my turn to play: Always send me an email." Then I closed the BGA window, waited to receive an email that it was my turn, and reopened the BGA window, played my turn, and won the game.

This seems like another example of the rampant issue of ELO hustling on this website. Maybe this suggestion will help eventually weed out the exploit?

Add a category to red thumb called "out of time abuse".
https://boardgamearena.com/bug?id=97446

As others have said, just use email notifications.

The player could have a browser tab open, and not really be there.
The player could be focusing on another turn-based game.
The player could be playing an alpha game (which won't show up on their profile).
The player could be talking to someone.

I have felt the frustration as well, and it's easy to imagine a malicious internet stranger, but life is better if you don't go through it assuming the worst of people.