[ScarecrowVT]

I don't know, on one end this all makes sense because IC announcements and changelogs and other news are important...

.. But on the other if you unban them and give them access to only those they can just invite an alt account and effectively circumvent the IP ban (if there's any).

Plus, I'm not sure we can trust the kind of ruffians who refuse to use proper appeal forms. That seems risky!

I mean they might not have realized that proper appeal form existed. OR they may not have been getting a proper reply if they did appeal there. Either way IC announcements and patchnotes are important. 

Maybe even let them suggest stuff in game suggestions (but not see the discussion channel)