Attention devs: Game Surveillance Unit re: open world Bots.

[SalemP]

The fact that you came into this thread to DEFEND botting boggles my mind. You can say what you want, but the bottom line is it is cheating and shouldn't be tolerated. You saying essentially just sit back and accept it is what I find most confounding. I really have to question when someone openly supports botting.


As an aside, it literally takes me 30 seconds to make a post in this thread or make a screenshot. It's hardly a waste of time. If it's a waste of time, then it's bc SE hasn't taken action, and in that case shame on SE, not shame on me. Anyway, if you don't like the thread, don't look at it.

SE does ban bots, they post ban count reports on the lodestone 3 times a month.

I'd like to know more information on this tbqh. I see the numbers, but then why are the same bots that have been reported over and over by several people still running around? What does a bot/account have to do to qualify for banning? Simply botting obviously isn't enough as we can clearly see from this thread. I had a group of bots that I know for a fact were reported by several people (it was discussed in "shout"), and still were there weeks later.

Now on a possibly positive note, the group of Lalas that were on my server have not been seen since 2.4. idk if it's bc of the patch, though I imagine the account runner would have made sure his bots were up and running again. Possibly banned? I can only hope, but I have no way of knowing for sure.

[SalemP]

Now on a possibly positive note, the group of Lalas that were on my server have not been seen since 2.4. idk if it's bc of the patch, though I imagine the account runner would have made sure his bots were up and running again. Possibly banned? I can only hope, but I have no way of knowing for sure.

I spoke too soon.

[zer0patches]

So your mad why?

Cause the bots that you notice didn't get banned and would have gotten replaced instantly anyway even if they were?

The bots these were turning in materials and money to were banned but you don't know that because SE doesn't advertise names for liability reasons because of privacy concerns and potential to be sued for negligence if they make a mistake?

Gold buyers now have to pay more money for gold due to less availability?

What, please explain????

I spoke too soon.

[ToffeeCoffee]

Lower Limsa X6 Y12
Bots with their spiritbond gear crafter.

[ToffeeCoffee]

Lower Limsa X6 Y12
Bots with their spiritbond gear crafter.

They are all doing this routine again right now in Limsa X6 Y12, still not banned.

[ToffeeCoffee]

They are all doing this routine again right now in Limsa X6 Y12, still not banned.

Back in Limsa crafting more spiritbond gear to bot with X6 Y12...
Hello CM's, GM's..anyone from Square Enix?

[Archvile78]

I see a report i've made a mining bot warping from nodes to nodes in East. Than, didn't do anything, she's still not banned.

[MStowastiqVahlshdeh]

--snip--

I'd like to know more information on this tbqh. I see the numbers, but then why are the same bots that have been reported over and over by several people still running around? What does a bot/account have to do to qualify for banning? Simply botting obviously isn't enough as we can clearly see from this thread. I had a group of bots that I know for a fact were reported by several people (it was discussed in "shout"), and still were there weeks later.--snip--

I have no idea how long or what process of criteria to qualify or they go through when they ban or suspend some one for botting or what policies they use other than the ones in the TOS agreement.

I do know from hearing GM's say so, that it takes investigating each individual account no matter the outward appearance because they have protocol to follow that likely allows each account to be proven a violator vs one that is not but may have been reported as one. According to the TOS there is no kind of botting or absentee play or 3rd party tool use of any kind allowed. Just because people may think it is no big deal in this thread or appear not to care, is not an indication of the actual rules so please check the TOS itself for actual detail on their rules.

My point in posting the ban stats was to emphasize that they post up reports three times a month and that they consider it important enough to enforce as well as offer us the options to report it if we see it, that the OP's concerns are legitimate. What I cannot answer is how long or how many are left behind each wave of bans/suspensions, how long it takes to ban a reported account.

[ToffeeCoffee]

I have no idea how long or what process of criteria to qualify or they go through when they ban or suspend some one for botting or what policies they use other than the ones in the TOS agreement.

I do know from hearing GM's say so, that it takes investigating each individual account no matter the outward appearance because they have protocol to follow that likely allows each account to be proven a violator vs one that is not but may have been reported as one. According to the TOS there is no kind of botting or absentee play or 3rd party tool use of any kind allowed. Just because people may think it is no big deal in this thread or appear not to care, is not an indication of the actual rules so please check the TOS itself for actual detail on their rules.

My point in posting the ban stats was to emphasize that they post up reports three times a month and that they consider it important enough to enforce as well as offer us the options to report it if we see it, that the OP's concerns are legitimate. What I cannot answer is how long or how many are left behind each wave of bans/suspensions, how long it takes to ban a reported account.

I'm going on 4+ months of reporting the same bots daily and no action has been taken. I think the first time I saw and reported them was more like 6 months ago, and when I found them botting in a new location I was surprised they hadn't been banned yet. I'd report bots in Aion and get overnight responses saying thank you, bot confirmed and removed. It has since dawned on me that open world bot reports do not get actioned at all.

There is a break in the chain somewhere, I was asked to create this thread to highlight this issue so the devs can become aware of the problem and take some form of action. This is what is taking the most time. Even the guy controlling the bots told me in /tell to "hold the your breath". All we can do is keep the issue in the spotlight so it doesn't go back to being ignored.

If a CM would at least say the issue is receiving some serious attention, we could focus on playing the game instead of posting screenshots of nameless bots on the forums.

[MStowastiqVahlshdeh]

--snip--

There is a break in the chain somewhere, I was asked to create this thread to highlight this issue so the devs can become aware of the problem and take some form of action. This is what is taking the most time. Even the guy controlling the bots told me in /tell to "hold the your breath". All we can do is keep the issue in the spotlight so it doesn't go back to being ignored.

If a CM would at least say the issue is receiving some serious attention, we could focus on playing the game instead of posting screenshots of nameless bots on the forums.

I am probably hardened [read: excessively persistent] and patient due to being around since xi before arr was borne and remembering how it was reporting bots back then but, yep I agree that was the best thing to do in posting the thread to let it be known and just hope the CM's see it. And enjoy the game in the mean time .