Formal Letter to SE about RMT situation.

[tocsin]

Well, I will leave it at this then. All I will say in closing is that I respect and understand your opinion, I simply disagree with it.

Wow, I walk away from the thread for an hour, and get a significant argument that I missed.

The point of the thread, is that SE has had a problem for two years now, and we have been telling them about the problem for two years now, and they haven't done or even said ANYTHING about it. Like, even a quick "we are working on solutions, thanks for your input" would be better. They give off the appearance of not listening, and unless we attempt to make ourselves known, they may never listen.

There should be questions brought up about RMT in every single subforum, in every thread. we should have people literally unifying the forum in asking for a response on this, to force SE to respond. Anything less, is defeatism.

[Kuwaitum]

I do not comprehend your complete silence on this matter, SE. Your devs are so friendly and responsive when it comes to almost every other single matter posted on the forums. But when it comes to this, no matter how much people cry out, no matter how much they suggest changes, you remain mute.

That what's hurt the most! Any RMT/BOTs threads are totally ignored.

I'm full support to the letter and the moderate suggustions attached.

Ivory Spirit, Faerie.

[illu45]

I thought this was an interesting (if old) read about the gil-selling situation back in FFXI.

I don't want to restart the argument about the efficacy of threads like this, but I did want to ask, has SE publicly said anything official about the RMT spam in FFXIV? I know that there was a long period in FFXI during which SE effectively chose to ignore gil-sellers, which really ruined the economy. The player experience eventually deteriorated until SE were forced to do something about it (this was when the 'special task force' was created). Thankfully, FFXIV doesn't currently seem to be anywhere near the level FFXI was at before the task force was introduced, but, given that particular history, I think people are right to be concerned if SE has been silent on the issue.

EDIT: After some more googling, it seems like this was the latest word from SE on the RMT issue (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). It's certainly a fairly promising message, in some regards.

[Avenger]

I thought this was an interesting (if old) read about the gil-selling situation back in FFXI.

I don't want to restart the argument about the efficacy of threads like this, but I did want to ask, has SE publicly said anything official about the RMT spam in FFXIV? I know that there was a long period in FFXI during which SE effectively chose to ignore gil-sellers, which really ruined the economy. The player experience eventually deteriorated until SE were forced to do something about it (this was when the 'special task force' was created). Thankfully, FFXIV doesn't currently seem to be anywhere near the level FFXI was at before the task force was introduced, but, given that particular history, I think people are right to be concerned if SE has been silent on the issue.

EDIT: After some more googling, it seems like this was the latest word from SE on the RMT issue (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). It's certainly a fairly promising message, in some regards.

There are regular announcements of account bans under "actions taken against RMT and other illicit activities." I do remember Yoshi-P responding briefly once, possibly in a live letter from the producer (I seem to recall him saying that they needed to "exterminate" the RMT/spammers or something like that.)

Unfortunately I haven't yet seen any forum comments or responses from any of the community team or developers, in spite of the worsening spam problem and the large number of threads. This is very surprising since the community team frequently addresses other topics and concerns, but the 800 pound elephants (spam/RMT/botting) seem to be ignored.

[Eye_Gore]

Unfortunately I haven't yet seen any forum comments or responses from any of the community team or developers, in spite of the worsening spam problem and the large number of threads.

I doubt you/we ever will. Other than the monthly report.

[Felghanna]

Actually your searchs are true.

But "somehow" there is so many RMT accounts that even banning thousands of them, the numbers of spamming bots/RMT accounts seems not to decrease.
For some this may be satisfactory, because some servers doesn't have many bots (Maybe because Square Enix are working especially on these servers). On the other hand, the rest of the servers are blighted with spamming bots since they can share the same space with players without being banned, which is not a good thing to deal with.

You see... More and more those spamming bots degrade the quality of the game, the ideal of an online game where you expects to receive messages of actual players is becoming disappointing.

There are about 7 threads posted by players who are dissatisfied with this situation, none of them has even a single reply from a community representant (A.k.a. staff member).

You can check more about their "deeds" on Final Fantasy XI here:
http://finalfantasy.wikia.com/wiki/RMT

[RezonShinryu]

/sign turned off busy to get a hunt invite, got thirteen spam tells before I could get it back up

[LandricFrey]

Players who discover any confirmed cheats should, under no circumstances, exploit or disseminate such information. Instead, we ask that players file a report by using the in-game command [System Menu] -> [Support & Information] -> [Contact Us] -> [Report Cheating].


This is just a horrible way to go about reporting RMT. Not only is it four menus deep, the last menu requires you to enter a title along with five other sections which must be filled out. We want to enjoy this game and report bots with Right Click> Report, not find and fill out your forms for you SE.

[Thayos]

If RMT are allowed to spam advertisements for their Websites in game with no consequences, then could others spam ads for other purposes too? If so, this game could be a game changer!

Just imagine:

{Thayos Redblade}: I know a mom in my hometown who made 80k last year working from home! Go to this site to learn more!
{Landic Frey}: What your doctor isn't telling you about erectile dysfunction! This site will change your life!
{Rezon Shinryu}: Bad Credit? No Credit? Find your options for low-rate home loans here!
{Toaster Oven}: Can anyone help me with Steps of Faith?
{Sephiroth Ninja}: Someone nearby is searching for you! Get online and find your match now!

[Zabuza]

If RMT are allowed to spam advertisements for their Websites in game with no consequences, then could others spam ads for other purposes too? If so, this game could be a game changer!

Just imagine:

{Thayos Redblade}: I know a mom in my hometown who made 80k last year working from home! Go to this site to learn more!
{Landic Frey}: What your doctor isn't telling you about erectile dysfunction! This site will change your life!
{Rezon Shinryu}: Bad Credit? No Credit? Find your options for low-rate home loans here!
{Toaster Oven}: Can anyone help me with Steps of Faith?
{Sephiroth Ninja}: Someone nearby is searching for you! Get online and find your match now!

I admit I loled. It actually irritates me that these RMTs call me their friend in their advertisements. What's up with that? I'm not your buddy, pal.

"Hello, friend, we have the cheapest gil, come on, my friend."

/rips hair out.