I got termination ban but I thought it was too harsh

[Saraide]

People can smugly point to the ToS all they want but I dont think the reasonable punishment is a perma. Y'all would still point out it being against ToS if SE sent a hitsquad and executed OP.

[DixieBellOCE]

True. But there is not a reliable method to tell if someone uses mouse macros or not. And not so reliable methods could easily trigger false alarms. So i suspect, the thread starter has used other bot software and got caught. The instant perma ban is also an indication for it, that SQEX is really sure, that the thread starter did something.



Cheers

After being reported, a GM most likely observed the person (Who has openly admitted to using mouse software to automate their crafting (AKA BOTTING)) and decided that a permanent ban was in order.

That is all there is to it.

We know Square enix has no way to detect automation software, or else all those people afk crafting in their houses all day with Autocrafters would have been banned back in heavensward when it first started getting out of control.
(And yes, many people still do it today and have never been banned in all the years of automating it).

The only explanation is that the OP was reported and a GM caught them in the act.

[UkcsAlias]

True. But there is not a reliable method to tell if someone uses mouse macros or not. And not so reliable methods could easily trigger false alarms. So i suspect, the thread starter has used other bot software and got caught. The instant perma ban is also an indication for it, that SQEX is really sure, that the thread starter did something.

Its rarely a single alarm.

Keep in mind that those who use those tools often also lie about what they use. Everything not explicitly mentioned in the ban is something they will hide. So trustworthyness is always low in these cases.

And mouse macros that can perform an entire craft are quite the extensive macro. Most macros i hear are for FPS shooters to negate recoil patterns (to some degree). So on that, you could already consider that a 3rd party tool, as in fps games it is also considered as such (some games ban, some dont, but in tournaments its always banned).

Have you guys never seen a company make false bans.

I have seen plenty of cases on this end, especialy early day anti cheats were realy bad here, detecting even an outdated version of their tool as a cheat. But these days that is rare to happen.

Most detections can happen in a short timespan, but thats usualy also blatant usage (cursors hitting the exact same location is an easy pattern to detect, regardless of timestamps). And some requires an extended time (patterns will eventualy still show). But the 2nd one often relies on player reports to truly trigger an extended investigation as false positives are very likely here.

Most of the time anti cheat isnt even ment to stop cheating 100%, 95% is often more than enough to keep the game well playable, as the remaining 5%, while gaining advantages, does limit themselve enough to avoid issues. Most players dont notice that happening. And yet reports can still cause those to get banned. But whether an investigation on them is worth it, thats a diffirent question.

[Larirawiel]

We know Square enix has no way to detect automation software,

They never said that, that the have no ways to detect automation software. They only said, they do not scan the player's computer for bot software. But you can detect some automation software without a computer scan.



Cheers

[hunkygladiator]

Yes, false bans can happen. But the thread starter already admitted, that he used third party software to automate his gameplay. So if he thinks, that the ban was not right then he should contact the game support.






Cheers

Yes, but I have not heard a SINGLE instance where someone gets perma'd for minor botting. I seriously doubt there's been a huge change in moderation policy over at SE, which means that they did not ban them for just crafting with mouse macros (which leads to the two logical conclusions that cover every possible case: 1. OP did something more than crafting with mouse macros and the GMs believe OP did something more than crafting with mouse macros, rightly; 2. the GMs believe OP did something more than crafting with mouse macros, wrongly.)

[qoaewbh10]

Yes, but I have not heard a SINGLE instance where someone gets perma'd for minor botting. I seriously doubt there's been a huge change in moderation policy over at SE, which means that they did not ban them for just crafting with mouse macros (which leads to the two logical conclusions that cover every possible case: 1. OP did something more than crafting with mouse macros and the GMs believe OP did something more than crafting with mouse macros, rightly; 2. the GMs believe OP did something more than crafting with mouse macros, wrongly.)

I thought mouse macros probably was not the whole reason I got perma ban. Maybe it was a little part of the reason. That's why I asked many times to support center what "PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES" I did. But they always answered "we are prohibited from providing information on what kind of behaviors were factored into the decision", this was why I felt really confused. If they could explain those rules I broke, I will be convinced by what they said. In fact, they didn't want to explain at all and didn't want to reveal more information that banned me. As someone said before, this was a ridiculous ban. I don't think I'm innocent just because it's so ridiculous. At least I have the right to know what I did wrong. If it is a bunch of malicious slander that caused me to be banned, then I need to know what "PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES" are.

[Johners]

Hold up, you openly admitted to cheating and think the ban is too harsh? Cope harder OP, cope harder. There's still rampant amounts of cheating in this game though and Square Enix should really start clamping down. The amount of bots you see with idle camera under any major city aetheryte plaza is too damn high (and going out of bounds should be an auto disconnect like other MMOs such as WoW do). The amount of cheating, such as speed hacking, in PvP is very high as well and is a major contributor to why PvP is dead. Hopefully we get a proper anti-cheat in the game client for 7.0, you'd soon see the illegitimate players either quit or suddenly be not as good as they once were. Most of the players you suspect are cheating in some form probably are cheating.

[Larirawiel]

Yes, but I have not heard a SINGLE instance where someone gets perma'd for minor botting.

"Minor botting" is a scenario, which the thread starter tells us. But we do not know the truth. And i remember a case, in which a permabanned user has made a huuuuge drama in the WoW forums because of his ban. He claimed, that this ban was completely wrong and he never ever used bot software. But he was silly enough to post in a bot software forums, that he got permabanned. Other players found those postings and Blizzard did not revoke the ban. So do not assume, that permabanned users will tell you the whole truth.






Cheers

[Saraide]

"Minor botting" is a scenario, which the thread starter tells us. But we do not know the truth. And i remember a case, in which a permabanned user has made a huuuuge drama in the WoW forums because of his ban. He claimed, that this ban was completely wrong and he never ever used bot software. But he was silly enough to post in a bot software forums, that he got permabanned. Other players found those postings and Blizzard did not revoke the ban. So do not assume, that permabanned users will tell you the whole truth.






Cheers

Okay then bring us that evidence you are already going with in your head.

[Larirawiel]

Okay then bring us that evidence you are already going with in your head.

Evidence:

The event was at 2:11 AM on April 11th. I was using my mouse macros to help me craft pots for my TOP static.

And there is not an official definition for "minor botting".

And i wrote earlier, the SQEX support can propably help.


Cheers