View Full Version : Salvage Server Exploit needs addressing ASAP
Entry to the Silver Sea Remnants I and II Salvage Server is again denied, because of a group of Automated Bots exploiting the entry Door, the "Gilded Gateway".
On Asura the Door no-longer works and the area is offline with an error "Server not found". A search of the area fails or returns 0.
Currently we have 28 bots jammed on the door for over 5 hours, non-stop attempting to enter all at once. Nobody can enter.
This has happened before.
This needs attention.
Currently, if you click the Door, and select area to enter, and select Yes, what happens is you are placed in a state to enter, where you can't move, you can't exit, you can't do anything.
Now, when someone else shows up and clicks the Door and selects the same area, if they do this while you wait for what seems to be 15 seconds, you are REMOVED from the queue-process. And the next person attempts to enter.
We need something to be done about this, a change to how the entry process works for Salvage. Right now its being exploited to prevent any entering.
Miragem
12-23-2020, 10:36 PM
How long do we need to endure this onslaught from bots and RMT??? Soon there will be no players on Asura, just bots and mercs lol.
Please support my other thread if you can; We need SE to execute countermeasures to address these issues.
Zehira
12-24-2020, 12:23 AM
How long do we need to endure this onslaught from bots and RMT???
Heavily addicted players just can't quit. If they try they will suffer and come back to Vana'diel. Many people don't understand that the STF apparently is non-negotiable. If this offical forum was never made then the STF and GMs would still be around. :)
Soon there will be no players on Asura, just bots and mercs lol.
Not really. 2.8k online players right now. I can understand why FFXI is too old. It really needs a party finder because most of time when players read /yell messages they have no idea what the requirements are. Either you be a lonewolf or in a social/endgame linkshell with others.
We need SE to execute countermeasures to address these issues.
FFXIV is here. Even though, there are bots and RMTs too but they won't impact on your experience at all.
Please support my other thread if you can.
I won't touch your thread.
Miragem
12-24-2020, 04:44 AM
Many people don't understand that the STF apparently is non-negotiable. If this offical forum was never made then the STF and GMs would still be around. :)
You are not saying anything we didn't know before-- the main purpose of these threads is to raise awareness.
Not really. 2.8k online players right now. I can understand why FFXI is too old. It really needs a party finder because most of time when players read /yell messages they have no idea what the requirements are. Either you be a lonewolf or in a social/endgame linkshell with others.
I highly doubt this game can accommodate a PT finder feature, let alone allocate resources towards that. I do believe they tried to add something akin to what you mentioned though, it should be under 'Party' in the main menu and don't think most are using it.
FFXIV is here. Even though, there are bots and RMTs too but they won't impact on your experience at all.
....
I won't touch your thread.
That's fine. You are not obliged to; You don't have to let me know either. This isn't about me, but rather the game itself.
Not long after I made my post all but one Bot was still at the Door, so we know the Character doing this "manipulation" or exploit to prevent anyone from entering, I have reported said player, hopefully the GM actually investigated.
I found the response to be alarming, that someone is able to manipulate game mechanics and remove access to an area and event for everyone, and it doesn't fall into the category of "Disruptive or Harmful" by default.
What the hell? I mean, because it was still going on after ten hours! And might even still be going on.
Entry to Salvage needs attention, and something changed so it isn't possible to replicate, and hold the area hostage.
Still on-going after 24 hours.
(Name REDACTED) which is a known salvage bot, is still jammed on the Door doing something to it, that stops everyone from accessing Silver Sea Remnants.
Shall ask for Senior / Lead Game Master to assist, everyone on Asura needs to do this, we need action!
Catmato
12-24-2020, 07:52 AM
Just Asura Things
http://catmato.com/img/ffxi/justasurathings.png
The matter is being investigated!
Unfortunately, while they do, the Bot's have to stay in place, so no Silver Sea Remnants action for anyone yet.
Game Master's need more direct power in these instances, they should be allowed to remove an obviously disruptive Player/Bot, Obvious because its been going on over 24 hours, Bot because it factually is a Bot, 24/7 same path, KI > Door > Enter Salvage > 365 days of the year, doesn't ever answer /tell, trades, Stands at Doors even when they are Open already, then moves through (Whitegate).
Alhanelem
12-25-2020, 10:21 AM
Once again my advice is move off Asura, this problem is pretty much exclusive to it.
Pixela
12-25-2020, 11:35 PM
The matter is being investigated!
Unfortunately, while they do, the Bot's have to stay in place, so no Silver Sea Remnants action for anyone yet.
Game Master's need more direct power in these instances, they should be allowed to remove an obviously disruptive Player/Bot, Obvious because its been going on over 24 hours, Bot because it factually is a Bot, 24/7 same path, KI > Door > Enter Salvage > 365 days of the year, doesn't ever answer /tell, trades, Stands at Doors even when they are Open already, then moves through (Whitegate).
I disagree, the reason they have a separate entity is because it's a form of think tank. They think through implications of the policies they have and this is why they don't just take action on every bot or RMT group.
A GM just banning every bot and RMT can make the issues worse, it can lead to mass DDOS campaigns that end up costing them tens of thousands of dollars, it can lead to disruption of key endgame content like Ambuscade or dungeons etc.
The point of the special task force (the same people work on ffxi and ffxiv) isn't to destroy bots and RMT in a zero tolerance policy (they tried this 10 years ago and failed miserably), it's to handle them and try to keep them working in a fashion that has the least impact on other players. It's good to report this stuff but you need to put some faith in them that they are spending a lot of effort figuring out how to deal with things that you haven't thought about.
The special task force work from an office, they have meetings every morning and they spend more time coming up with strategies than roaming around banning people. Again, keep in mind they don't just deal with FFXI. They are a Square Enix created group that deal with cheating / rmt in general.
These games bring in tens to hundreds of millions of dollars a year, it's serious buisness.
Resolved, thank you to the GM's for assisting us and getting this expedited to the STF!
Sirmarki
12-27-2020, 12:25 AM
Game Master's need more direct power in these instances
Thing is, I'm pretty sure they did at one point. I remember when some guy was caught fishing by a GM and wouldn't respond. The guy just vanished.
I also went to an area once where someone was botting, years ago, I called a GM and they too just went poof into a cloud of smoke.
Arven
08-02-2021, 04:30 PM
This issue is still ongoing, bots and RMTs are holding the area hostage.
not resolved at all.
there are many bots out there keeping you out of Salvage.
Pixela
08-02-2021, 09:07 PM
report it here, include as many names as you can in the report.
http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/rule/specialtask.html
It does work, it can take a month or so though. Don't expect it to be instant.
Yvone
08-02-2021, 09:37 PM
The fact that it takes more than an hour is insulting to say the least
Alhanelem
08-03-2021, 10:47 AM
The fact that it takes more than an hour is insulting to say the least
It should be handled vastly better than it is, but your expectation is unrealistic, they can't just automatically ban people over an accusation, their policies require an investigation. If they just act without doing so, incorrect bans can potentially be issued by people "caught in the middle" as it were.
Yvone
08-03-2021, 10:52 AM
Yes they can, and should. Nothing easier than verifying a bot. An hour is being extremely generous.
Alhanelem
08-03-2021, 01:01 PM
Yes they can, and should. Nothing easier than verifying a bot. An hour is being extremely generous.
You don't really seem to understand how this works. What seems cut and dry to you isn't on their end.
Yvone
08-03-2021, 01:11 PM
Nothing more cut and dried. They choose to make it a process. That process is unnecessary.
Drop a GM in Dho Gates, I'll give them a personal tour, we'll ban 100 bots in 10 minutes. So simple. Anyone who is actually watching their bot and complains about getting Gaol'd can be set free. The ones that don't, insta ban, no 3 days.
Alhanelem
08-03-2021, 03:21 PM
Nothing more cut and dried. They choose to make it a process. That process is unnecessary.
Drop a GM in Dho Gates, I'll give them a personal tour, we'll ban 100 bots in 10 minutes. So simple. Anyone who is actually watching their bot and complains about getting Gaol'd can be set free. The ones that don't, insta ban, no 3 days.
I mean, that process may be unnecssary to you, but clearly it isn't to them.
your steamroller method is likely to pick up non RMT in the crossfire, and SE clearly isn't willing to take t hat risk. They have their process because they don't want anyone to be banned without 100% confirmation of a violation. And unfortunately, they decide that on an individual basis.
And NGL, I could probably do the exact same thing as you, as quite frankly I might argue that one or two semi-possibly-innocent people is a small price to pay to smack down a bunch of bots in one swoop.
The problem is, those bots will come back, the real players probably won't. It's a game of whack-a-mole you can't win, even with a considerably more efficient process.
Voidstorm
08-03-2021, 04:24 PM
And NGL, I could probably do the exact same thing as you, as quite frankly I might argue that one or two semi-possibly-innocent people is a small price to pay to smack down a bunch of bots in one swoop.
Acceptable losses vs one innocent wrongly convicted makes you guilty as well.
My view tends to be toward the latter, but when emotion kicks in, the former looks so terribly appealing.
Arven
08-03-2021, 05:53 PM
I mean, that process may be unnecssary to you, but clearly it isn't to them.
your steamroller method is likely to pick up non RMT in the crossfire, and SE clearly isn't willing to take t hat risk. They have their process because they don't want anyone to be banned without 100% confirmation of a violation. And unfortunately, they decide that on an individual basis.
And NGL, I could probably do the exact same thing as you, as quite frankly I might argue that one or two semi-possibly-innocent people is a small price to pay to smack down a bunch of bots in one swoop.
The problem is, those bots will come back, the real players probably won't. It's a game of whack-a-mole you can't win, even with a considerably more efficient process.
I see u in every post defending SE, what's your problem?
Pixela
08-04-2021, 06:10 AM
I see u in every post defending SE, what's your problem?
Grow up - 10 chars
Alhanelem
08-04-2021, 06:54 AM
Acceptable losses vs one innocent wrongly convicted makes you guilty as well.
My view tends to be toward the latter, but when emotion kicks in, the former looks so terribly appealing.
I agree. Plus if the salvage bans of the olden days are any indication, one innocent ban would spark massive outrage.
Alhanelem
08-04-2021, 06:55 AM
I see u in every post defending SE, what's your problem?
I'm not defending SE, I'm merely accepting reality. And the reality is, they don't do things the way you would want to and I don't see that as likely to change. Certainly not by spamming the boards with screencaps of STF reports.
I want it to change as much as you do, but your method to promote change is guaranteed less effective than simply complaining about it.
Arven
08-04-2021, 04:30 PM
Grow up - 10 chars
Speak clearly I don't understand your comment.
Zeroths
08-04-2021, 04:46 PM
I'm not defending SE, I'm merely accepting reality. And the reality is, they don't do things the way you would want to and I don't see that as likely to change. Certainly not by spamming the boards with screencaps of STF reports.
I want it to change as much as you do, but your method to promote change is guaranteed less effective than simply complaining about it.
Square Enix has created this forum for us the players/community to improve the game's experience. Accepting reality is merely not appropriate when it comes to Bots and RMTs. We as a community should assist Square Enix in its good effort to fight bots and RMTs. If you have a better and effective way of fixing the bot and RMTs issue, then we shall hear it. However, for the time being, we should assist Square Enix and the Final Fantasy XI team in their fight against Bots and RMTs. Every action against those violating the game's rules and regulations is counted. We are counting on you Galka.
Pixela
08-04-2021, 05:48 PM
Speak clearly I don't understand your comment.
I'm stating you're acting like a child, the "10 chars" part is due to the forum not allowing you to post a comment below 10 characters.
It's not "defending the company" it's just making a argument that makes sense. If you have an argument to make, make it. If someone offers an opinion against you, then refute them if you can.
Don't just fall back on "stop defending the company and refuting my hysterical posts!", it's not a virtue to attack the company that makes the game you're playing.
Alhanelem
08-04-2021, 06:19 PM
Square Enix has created this forum for us the players/community to improve the game's experience. Accepting reality is merely not appropriate when it comes to Bots and RMTs. We as a community should assist Square Enix in its good effort to fight bots and RMTs. If you have a better and effective way of fixing the bot and RMTs issue, then we shall hear it. However, for the time being, we should assist Square Enix and the Final Fantasy XI team in their fight against Bots and RMTs. Every action against those violating the game's rules and regulations is counted. We are counting on you Galka.
They created these forums to discuss the game, offer news, and offer a channel for feedback.
They didn't create these forums to have people spam them with useless images that serve no purpose and won't convince anyone of anything, other than that you may be taking your passion for rooting out botters just a little too far.
Pixela
08-04-2021, 06:28 PM
Square Enix has created this forum for us the players/community to improve the game's experience. Accepting reality is merely not appropriate when it comes to Bots and RMTs. We as a community should assist Square Enix in its good effort to fight bots and RMTs. If you have a better and effective way of fixing the bot and RMTs issue, then we shall hear it. However, for the time being, we should assist Square Enix and the Final Fantasy XI team in their fight against Bots and RMTs. Every action against those violating the game's rules and regulations is counted. We are counting on you Galka.
https://support.na.square-enix.com/contacttop.php?id=20&la=1
Report to Special Task Force at the bottom.
Arven
08-05-2021, 01:35 AM
I'm stating you're acting like a child, the "10 chars" part is due to the forum not allowing you to post a comment below 10 characters.
It's not "defending the company" it's just making a argument that makes sense. If you have an argument to make, make it. If someone offers an opinion against you, then refute them if you can.
Don't just fall back on "stop defending the company and refuting my hysterical posts!", it's not a virtue to attack the company that makes the game you're playing.
First of all we are not attacking the company, We want them to to pay more attention to a subscription based online game, and clean the game from bots.
that's all, thank you for being respectulful dear.
Zehira
08-05-2021, 01:43 AM
They didn't create these forums to have you spam them with useless images that serve no purpose and won't convince anyone of anything
Oh, people love posting images on the official XIV forums. Just because images might get your eyes burned do not mean they are useless.
Alhanelem
08-05-2021, 02:57 AM
Oh, people love posting images on the official XIV forums. Just because images might get your eyes burned do not mean they are useless.
You're right! However, it doesn't mean they aren't useless either. And in this particular case, they are. The user has already recieved an official response from SE on the matter and was requested to discontinue the practice.
Voidstorm
08-05-2021, 03:39 AM
the images posted are mostly of poorly written STF reports that actually don't help SE narrow the range of investigation beyond who is being accused.
They're helpful in letting anyone else checking this forum know that this person is being belligerent to the people who could actually deal with the problem.
beyond that, completely useless pictures, and reports honestly. If I was at work and read "Same bot same report, #14. </ div> 09:39 EST Escha - Zi'Tah" I'd see if that minute had the character teleporting or walking through walls. If that didn't happen, next report; not enough info on that one.
Yvone
08-05-2021, 04:23 AM
More than enough info. Bot is here. at this time. that's all you need to know. Bot is botting. Nothing more to say.
Again though if THEY feel it is insufficient then THEY need to say so, your opinion on "enough" is worth less than dogturds. I'm not going to write a 1000 word essay describing easy farm and how long they've been in the zone using easy farm to kill mobs endlessly running back and forth for hours on end. ALL that is implied by the word bot.
Tharly
08-05-2021, 04:44 AM
Sure am glad my playtime isn't on Asura anymore. Let's me worry about myself more than what others are doing or how they're doing it.
Voidstorm
08-05-2021, 06:36 AM
* Please describe as much as possible in 4000 byte letters. They don't want you to write a 1000 word essay, unless your average word is 3 letters long, it won't fit anyway.
They do want you to give details about why you think they were using 3rd party tools. Since we're talking about bots, then what prompted you to think a human isn't controlling the character.
The more descriptive you are, the more likely you'll hit a keyword they recognize and have tools they can use to pore over server logs instead of wasting a lot of time poring over logs themselves.
Easy cases take less time to complete and are more likely to be completed first (or at least not thrown in the trash).