I want to be clear on Terramerge. He switched. It was pointed out to him by the Admins (Enyo and I were both on), that what he did was wrong. He proceeded to argue/bitch and then got kicked, so maybe he initially switched in good faith, but when an Admin tells you No, switch back and you don't do it. Get session kicked. He wasn't banned. IMO he was kicked more for his response to being told No, than the team switch as well. And if Terramerge is still holding a grudge over that after this time..sheesh.
The problem with allowing "good faith" team switching is what happens when you don't agree? Or when say Terramerge switches, his old team gets Cleetus and then the new team's next pickup is Leon/Tater/Enyo? Now the team Terramerge left is going to be pissed as its unbalanced. This is simply why the rule of play on the team the server puts you on...including if the server switches you. This way there's no real judgement involved its more or less random.
he server even has "dont be a dick" in the ticker yet SolidState, Kronix and Cleetus get to be centerstage on the server's atmosphere. I'd take a good bet that if these actions were used on players like these they'd learn to cool it pretty quick.
Solid bitches quite a bit, and Kronix bitches in game about game play (which even swearing and calling people shit stains..is allowed), Cleetus complains to... I'll let the other admins chime in but I have no issues with people complaining in game
while playing about game play... Kronix for example usually plays hard as do I, Enyo and others while sometimes complaining/bitching....
Doing it while Spec'ing is different, you're not helping a team and as I've said that will get some discipline (llama, mute, kick).
We aren't going to police other players calling you a 'goat fucking shit stain" (Actual GTKU quote BTW). Or telling you you're dumb for driving the mino in the trench on minus....while playing. In this case, with Solid, I think a few comments are fine. But damn it if you're going to spec and type, you might as well play...and more than few (say 3-4) comments is going to get you silenced.
From the rules: "Our game servers are not the right place to discuss of our rules, extensive map complaints, politics or generally any drawn out bitching" Key here being drawn out....
And let me play devil's advocate for a minute:
viewtopic.php?p=1670&sid=fa6dc4ea6a3537 ... 9a6d#p1670
Should we discipline "dirty" play, spamming the core or strategically spamming initial nodes (aka Xexx move)? Those are kind of a dick move too... and I think we've all done one or more from time to time. Its really about repeat offenders.
So yes, at times the rules are loosely enforced. I'd say the two things that we are (or at least me) are really strict on (aside from cheating/haxx):
1. Sitting idle - normally the server boots you but you can open the menu and sit. If you're going to be AFK, then simple disconnect and reconnect or get kicked.
2. Mouthing off, or disobeying the admins. (See Terramerge above). His initial team switch wasn't going to get him any discipline (other than to switch back) but his reaction got him a kick.