Hi everyone,
I’m sharing this not just because of a recent experience I had, but because I believe it reflects a broader issue that affects many of us who use Dueling Book regularly—especially those from marginalized communities.
A few days ago, I received a 4-day ban. I was confused, because I hadn’t had any recent incidents. When I reached out, I was told it was due to an old report, but I wasn’t given any details—no message, no context, just the ban.
The only judge interaction I had that day was when I reported a player for blatant cheating. The judge acknowledged it was cheating but only issued a warning. Then, somehow, I ended up banned. That felt not only unfair, but also deeply confusing.
What makes this harder to accept is that I’ve been on the receiving end of racist abuse during matches—clear violations of the rules—and those players received nothing more than a warning. In one instance, a player repeatedly called me a “monkey” and made mocking noises like “unga bunga” in the chat. I reported it immediately. The response? Just a warning. No ban. No follow-up. That kind of treatment is dehumanizing, and it sends a message that hate speech isn’t taken seriously.
As a Black player, that experience stuck with me. And I imagine others—whether they’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, other racial minorities, or anyone who’s ever felt targeted—can relate. It’s not just about one incident. It’s about a system that feels inconsistent, opaque, and unaccountable.
I’ve taken bans before, and I’ve learned from them. I’ve made a real effort to be more mindful and respectful in how I communicate. But this situation felt different—no transparency, no appeal process, and no accountability. And if it happened to me, it can happen to others. What’s to stop it from happening again?
That said, I want to be clear: I love Dueling Book. It’s the best free dueling platform out there, and I’ve spent countless hours enjoying it. That’s why I care enough to speak up. I want to see it grow and improve—not just in gameplay, but in how it treats its community.
So I’m asking:
Should players be given specific reasons when they’re banned?
Would a simple appeal or review process help make things feel more fair?
How can we ensure consistent enforcement of the rules, especially when it comes to hate speech and discrimination?
I’m not here to attack anyone. I just want to open a respectful, honest conversation about how we can make Dueling Book better for everyone. If you’ve had similar experiences—or even if you haven’t—I’d love to hear your thoughts. POKEJUDAH
