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

[ToffeeCoffee]

This is a call to the devs to give the GSU a well deserved talking to about their lack of effort when it comes to actioning open world bot reports. People think it takes them a while to investigate or often question whether the accusations of running automated tools have merit, irrespective of this the harsh reality is that they aren't banning these bots at all.

I've been in back and forth discussions with GM's about this, they've told me their hands are tied, they can't make the GSU do anything other than escalate to their attention. Their advice was to create a complaint forum post under General Discussion which will hopefully alert the right people to take action. No naming and shaming allowed or forum ban will result.

As I've said in other posts, I have reported the same 4 bots on Tonberry and their spiritbond gear crafter every single day, sometimes twice a day, for over 2 months and they are still online right now happily botting away.

I'll be updating this thread with details, screenshots and hopefully video footage when I get time (as it would be pretty sad if I spent more time on this than actually playing the game).

[Spot]

I just gave up reporting them. I'm starting to think that they are not banning them just because of there are so many that it would hurt sub profits. Some of the same ones that have been around for half a year or more are still here. It seems like there isn't a single zone that doesn't have a few at any given time.

[Niqote]

I don't know if they are using the same tactic here.... but I remember long ago in FFXI SE made a statement saying that they were going to use a particular ban style.

One where they basically watched the account to be banned for a long time, gathered info on where all the gil etc was going - then when it had accumulated a great accomplishment of Gil or such - then is when they banned them.

They said something like... causing more devastation to the account this way deters the behavior from happening again or something... again I don't have a clue if they kept using the strategy or if they use it here... but its something to think about.

[Beetle]

I don't know if they are using the same tactic here.... but I remember long ago in FFXI SE made a statement saying that they were going to use a particular ban style.

One where they basically watched the account to be banned for a long time, gathered info on where all the gil etc was going - then when it had accumulated a great accomplishment of Gil or such - then is when they banned them.

They said something like... causing more devastation to the account this way deters the behavior from happening again or something... again I don't have a clue if they kept using the strategy or if they use it here... but its something to think about.

Yeah but this isnt XI where it takes you months to level up. This game is super casual where only takes 3day-1week. They really dont take a big blow from it like they did before.

[ToffeeCoffee]

I'd like to believe there is a concerted effort going on in the background where they are hitting bot runners and gil sellers where it hurts but it seems to be just a pipe dream.

[joshsecret]

I'd like to believe there is a concerted effort going on in the background where they are hitting bot runners and gil sellers where it hurts but it seems to be just a pipe dream.

wow....
why have a report function if this is the response.
'my hands are tied" ... i just cant.

can i please have a job on the Task Force SE? please!
you wont even need to pay me. just cover my sub from time to time.
ill catch tons.

[willibra]

I don't want to be confrontational, as the title would supply, I just want to apply my perspective.

I craft. A LOT. I have striven to use the skills to garner Gil so as to allow me to reach higher points in crafting. In order to get that Gil, I have to perform tasks somewhat similar to what a Bot might do. Spend hours running a rotation on high end mats, run around a kill mobs for mats, etc. I may even have spent the time to write a macro (which is an in game tool) that can run me through a crafting rotation for 1- and 2- star items.

Now a lot of that activity seems bot-ish, but I'm right there doing it all. But if someone saw it and reported me multiple times I would be justifiably upset about it. I suppose you can tell by the toon's name that they're a Gil seller. But remember there are people out there who genuinely like the economy of the game as much as others love the PvP. Where do you think these Gil sellers swipe their ideas from?

[Brine_Gildchaff]

What're they doing to you?

Well for starters, they're cheating. Isn't that reason enough?

As for your crafter analogy, as a 3* crafter on two different classes myself I have to object. There is a vast, vast gulf of difference between a crafter using a macro and a bot walking in an exactly predefined pattern between 4 gathering points endlessly, while in AFK status the entire time. The one I bumped into the other day even got stuck on a cactus for about half a minute, and instead of doing the obvious thing that any actual player would do, ran in place against the cactus for several seconds and then started jumping, never actually chnging direction, until collision detection forced him past.

[AutumnLeaves]

wow....
why have a report function if this is the response.
'my hands are tied" ... i just cant.

can i please have a job on the Task Force SE? please!
you wont even need to pay me. just cover my sub from time to time.
ill catch tons.

I'll join too, I hunt bots out everyday and report them to no avail, I'd love to be on a team to kick these bots asses