Better idea for ending RMT bots.

[Vartio]

Require a paid account to initiate a /tell.

Confused?

Free Account:
Can Recieve tells from others, enabling /tell with that individual
Cannot send initial tells.


End Result:
Bots will need to purchase a full account to initiate /tells.
Real players will still be able to /tell their friends, and freebies will be able to too... after the friend /tells them (also doubles as confirming that you have some means to initiate contact with that individual).
Because Bots will need to purchase full accounts, will force them to use /say - making finding them easier for players and staff alike. Let the bothunt begin.
Nobody's really hurt unless the newbie on the free account's friend is anti-social. In which case... why are they your friend again?

Question inb4:
"Why not make it so you can only /whisper friends?"

Answer inb4:
Because there's already bots who are adding people to friendlists, I dealt with one a couple weeks ago. Got sent 3 add requests out of nowhere, as did my former FC.

[Colorful]

You already need to purchase a full account to send a tell iirc.

[PotatoWafflez]

It already works like that

http://support.na.square-enix.com/fa...5382&kid=70929

[Chat Restrictions]
- The chat options /shout, /yell, and /tell cannot be used by Free Trial characters.

[Vartio]

It already works like that

http://support.na.square-enix.com/fa...5382&kid=70929

[Chat Restrictions]
- The chat options /shout, /yell, and /tell cannot be used by Free Trial characters.

That's weird. Since when? Cause I remember sending /tells during my free account... oh well. Someone close this topic...

[Gunspec]

They DO require this. It's just that the GMs are so slow to lock suspicious accounts, that the RMT bots can do a lot of advertising before the paid account becomes inaccessible. So it's like a $15 investment that gets them a month of advertising.

If the accounts were checked immediately after receiving reports for RMT activity, and the guilty accounts were locked pending review prior to account termination, then the cost of using paid accounts would be too high, and RMT would stop with all of the relentless spam. They would be forced to use less overt methods of advertisement.

The problem is entirely that SE takes too long to take action, since they prefer mass bans once per month. Buy an account, harass people for a month. Why bother having faster response when you can get paid each month to let spammers run wild?

[Haoji]

SE should restrict player search. You can just type "a" and it will show you a big list of potential spam victims.

[Bishop81]

The only way is to stop RMT is to pass laws against it and force other countries to adopt them as well via gunboat diplomacy.

Make it like the War on Drugs. Get the CIA involved. Assassinations.

I guarantee you it will stop pretty quick as virtual money isn't worth as much as hard drugs.

PS: Yes, I'm not quite right in the head at the moment.

[Natsuno]

snip

That all depends on how you are reporting them. If you're using the second option, then you're doing it wrong. If you want immediate results, then use the first option: Report Harassment. Because, let's face it, it is exactly that.

Fill in all the details including the /tell or /say (this part is a must do). The GMs are either too lazy, unable to look up the /tell or /say, or scan chat logs themselves and will NOT burn the bot unless the bots spammy advert is included in your report. Then sit back and watch the bot disappear within the next 5-10 mins. Or go about your business. Either way, a GM reply will make its way to you minutes after the bot disappears.

On another note, some of the /say bots have tried to hide/disguise themselves, either by having their bot targeting the summoning bell (like a lv1 can have retainers...), or in the case of Ul'dah markets bots, they are sometimes lalafells instead of the generic midlander. If you're just doing a quick scan for bots, they can be easily overlooked if all you are looking for is the generic lv1 midlander that just stands there doing nothing (and stands out like a sore thumb).

[MilesSaintboroguh]

The only way is to stop RMT is to pass laws against it and force other countries to adopt them as well via gunboat diplomacy.

Make it like the War on Drugs. Get the CIA involved. Assassinations.

I guarantee you it will stop pretty quick as virtual money isn't worth as much as hard drugs.

PS: Yes, I'm not quite right in the head at the moment.

*looks at the war on drugs*
*looks at the current problems still going on with drugs*

Yep, we're done here. Mission Accomplished.

[Bishop81]

*looks at the war on drugs*
*looks at the current problems still going on with drugs*

Yep, we're done here. Mission Accomplished.

Drugs are big money.

You seriously going to risk messing with the CIA to sell gil in a video game?