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

[ToffeeCoffee]

Lower Limsa X6 Y12
Bots with their spiritbond gear crafter.

[PrimeEvilPanda]

What's sad is this thread.

trolololol~

[zer0patches]

+1.

What's really, really, sad is most people will never even stop to think I have provided some valid points from an alternative point of view.

trolololol~

[Its_Elodie]

I'm done reporting them too. I started reporting when the rmt bots started sending neverending friend requests and when I reported and said that my 200 person blacklist was full, the response I got back both times was "We understand rmt messages and tells can hinder gameplay enjoyment. We think all of these characters are not currently advertising, so please delete some from the top of your list." Wow. Just wow. What a way of dealing with this problem. The patches are great, but the dc's and the lack of follow through with their own rules they've put in place regarding rmt really leave much to be desired.

[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 .

[SalemP]

Even the guy controlling the bots told me in /tell to "hold the your breath".

You should have posted a screenshot of that too :P

[NoF2P]

I was watching a bot camping mobs early this morning while I was gathering in the area. It looked like a normal L50 player and FC member with its chocobo left botting overnight. I was thinking it can't be hard for SE to detect bots automatically (battling mobs while AFK, etc.), but they may have a dilemma if it's a normal (paying) player and may not be bothering anyone. If enough people complained then they might do something, but if people don't see a response to their reports then they will give up complaining and SE will never know for sure how people feel about it. FFXIV might get a reputation as a bot fest and serious players would be put off. How about detecting bots automatically and sending warnings to them immediately? How about preventing them from gaining XP or loot while doing it?

[DizzyDragonfly]

After reporting so many bots for so long and waited for an actual staff member, in their own words, to send me a response, it's boiled down to this for me, I wouldn't even care if they banned the bot's or not at this point , but just give me a legitimate reason why they haven't been banned so I can end this frustration and either accept their answer and continue playing or move on to another game