The internet is an odd place. You don’t need to be a genius to figure that out.
The oddity I speak of today is one that pertains to posteriors – big ol’ clappers. A butt that can’t quit – but it can apparently be fired, over and over again.
You see, Team Fortress 2 has a Workshop that allows talented individuals to submit items that could be included in the game (I personally have submitted my own nifty item) and these are often voted on, and later included in an update. The items can range from cosmetic goodies, to weapon concepts and even full blown maps from particularly talented individuals.
One of these items however, was a giant ass for the Scout.
New Scout Misc, Big Slappy! Vote now on Steam Workshop: https://t.co/cBOXGKyv4r #TF2 pic.twitter.com/mgjsU2f0U2
— TF2 Emporium (@TF2Emporium) August 29, 2022
The magnificent badonk was met with laughter from many – they appreciated the absurdity and fun that came from an ancient TF2 meme brought to life.
Then, the Valve moderation team banned the item.
While not surprising, it did rile people up. There are many, many items submitted to the TF2 workshop that stand zero chance of being included in the game – but they still persist in perpetuity as a laugh. The kind of action leveraged against Big Slappy was really something that you’d expect from something overtly offensive – not a comically big bum. In fact, it’s reported that not only was the item removed – but a full blown ban had been leveraged against the creator of the item.
BIG SLAPPY IS GONE from tf2
Of course, this was enough to get the community involved – and a huge call of support was put out to Valve to reconsider. Eventually, cooler heads prevailed and an update from the moderation team actually admitted fault, and clarified that it was an automated system that had perhaps overstepped it’s bounds; resulting in Big Slappy (and it’s proud creator) brought back to the internet.
CONFIRMATION BY STEAM SUPPORT pic.twitter.com/pDCWKqV5rD
— Joey (@JoeyCheerio) March 7, 2023
Everyone was happy, a good giggle had been had by all – perhaps now we were ready to move on from those colossal cheeks.
Only, that wasn’t to be the case – as Big Slappy got banned again.
BIG SLAPPY GOT BANNED AGAIN THIS IS A ROLLER COASTER pic.twitter.com/Svn4K0ubqB
— Joey (@JoeyCheerio) March 9, 2023
What has followed now is an epic tale of the item getting routinely banned, then reinstated – over, and over again.
Team Fortress 2 fans have rallied to see this epic clash of bum cheeks and moderation systems – One guy even created a website that does nothing but track the progress of Big Slappy. Is it banned currently? How many bans are we up to? Well, according to isbigslappybanned.din.red the number is Fifteen, with the last ban taking place yesterday.
big slappy has been reportedly banned from the steam workshop for the 15th time pic.twitter.com/GnZ5e9mIjA
— Ashe🏳️⚧️🌹🔆 (@Drowsy_Path) March 20, 2023
People have theories to how this might be happening, with many believing that the automated moderation tool is being abused by people reporting Big Slappy because they want to see the saga continue. Others have donned tinfoil hats and consider it a free marketing tool in use by Valve to get people engaged prior to the upcoming Team Fortress 2 Summer Update.
However you look at it, it’s a bizarre and frankly amazing glimpse into a world of neglected moderation tools and… well, giant asses.
And I just can’t look away.
Are you pro-Slappy? Excited for a Team Fortress 2 update? Let us know in the comments or on social media.
