RMT Enforcement - Something Interesting is happeneing

[HaelseMikiro]

This was brought up in another thread about a week and a half ago, but when you look at exactly HOW the numbers have been going up each week (botting numbers, not advertising numbers), it seems possible that someone is forgetting to reset the number to zero after each ban wave.

Oct 12 4665
Oct 19 9059 (+4394)
Oct 26 14567 (+5508)
Nov 2 19980 (+5413)
Nov 9 23299 (+3319)
Nov 16 28080 (+4781)

Those differences between each week are close to the numbers we'd typically expect for single week bans.

[Kosmos992k]

Oct 12 4665
Oct 19 9059 (+4394)
Oct 26 14567 (+5508)
Nov 2 19980 (+5413)
Nov 9 23299 (+3319)
Nov 16 28080 (+4781)

Those differences between each week are close to the numbers we'd typically expect for single week bans.

I am hoping the numbers are the real numbers and not an error. Such an error existing for so long would be difficult to explain away and look very poor. That said, I think SE is sophisticate enough to realize that an intentional policy of inflating numbers like that would ultimately backfire on them.

BTW, I think that the total number of accounts that have received permanent bans for RMT advertising or illicit activity may be pushing a million accounts since ARR launched. I have a excel worksheet somewhere with most of the 1st 3 years RMT action summarized I'll find it and update it and repost once it's done.

Someone in another topic mentioned whether RMTs were using compromised accounts. Given the number of bans involved I have to conclude that the vast majority of RMT accounts are not compromised players, but either trials or paid accounts. Trial accounts come with limitations that prevent RMT from fully exploiting them, so I have to presume a lot of these are paid accounts.

One thing that might work in our favor is that any bots that are banned are a major set back to the RMT because of the obstacles in the way of getting bots all the way to Heavensward areas. So if any RMT manage to bot in Heavensward, they are definitely not please when those bots are banned.

I noticed this too, i too thought it was interesting to see a decline in people participating. It means players are understanding it's wrong and the bans are working. Progress on the problem.

I hope you are correct. If not, I think the next step needs to be some consequence to players beyond a suspension. Something that can galvanize the community against people who use the services provided by RMT.

[HaelseMikiro]

I am hoping the numbers are the real numbers and not an error. Such an error existing for so long would be difficult to explain away and look very poor. That said, I think SE is sophisticate enough to realize that an intentional policy of inflating numbers like that would ultimately backfire on them.

SE in general might be on top of things, but this is what shows up on the news ticker today:

Time Period: Nov. 24, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2016

・Accounts receiving disciplinary action for RMT advertising: 25,682
・Accounts receiving disciplinary action for RMT/illicit activity: 293
・Action Details: Permanent ban from FINAL FANTASY XIV


25k advertisers and 290 actual bots, I still have moderate confidence numbers aren't being inflated, but now I'm CERTAIN that whoever is writing these posts is goofing up. Please SE, fix this T.T

[Kosmos992k]

SE in general might be on top of things, but this is what shows up on the news ticker today:

Time Period: Nov. 24, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2016

・Accounts receiving disciplinary action for RMT advertising: 25,682
・Accounts receiving disciplinary action for RMT/illicit activity: 293
・Action Details: Permanent ban from FINAL FANTASY XIV


25k advertisers and 290 actual bots, I still have moderate confidence numbers aren't being inflated, but now I'm CERTAIN that whoever is writing these posts is goofing up. Please SE, fix this T.T

You think they mistakenly reverse the numbers of advertising vs other illicit activity?