SE: Why Are Gathering Bots Okay??

[Alyx]

There is a FC on Leviathan, <<LOS>>, of nothing but gathering bots.

I know that personally, I have reported one of the bots at least three separate times.

My whole server knows this FC is nothing but gathering bots.

Why is this okay? Should all players utilize gathering bots? Report after report is ignored, so gathering bots and market exploitation is acceptable by TOS?

[Berilein]

Getting a bit fed up of seeing them as well. I reported the first few I seen, but I've given up. The report process is such a chore as well. It's like I have to build a case and present it to them to draw there attention to it. When I should only be the one drawing there attention and them building a case.

Reporting a gil seller at the mb is really simple, and I still do that.

[StouterTaru]

The report process is such a chore as well. It's like I have to build a case and present it to them to draw there attention to it. When I should only be the one drawing there attention and them building a case.

If it was effortless, then 90% of the reported bots would turn out to not be bots at all. Bots are harder to differentiate from legit gatherers nowadays. They don't teleport between nodes, hide underground, or have awkward robotic motion. The only way to see that they're bots is by watching them follow the same route for 20+ hours/day.

[Vnolan]

Edit your post and remove any identifying info of the accused. It's against the rules, even if they are doing what is alleged.

Why is this okay?

Because they pay a sub? Because SE has no bot detection? Because the STF can't tell the difference between bots and regular players and doesn't want to risk punishing the latter? Because SE can't be bothered? Take your pick. Notice the fix for Feast toxicity was removal of chat?

Should all players utilize gathering bots?

DISCLAIMER: Use of botting programs is against the ToS
If more bots means SE will finally do something about them, then sure, otherwise it'll just make the problem worse.

Report after report is ignored, so gathering bots and market exploitation is acceptable by TOS?

No, it's clearly against the ToS; they just aren't enforcing it unless the player is hacking the game or is involved in RMT. If the bots are just automating gameplay, the worst that will happen is a temp ban, but since the same players have been botting for months at least, it's obvious SE can't detect the bots being used.

Bots are harder to differentiate from legit gatherers nowadays.

Nope: https://gfycat.com/UncommonAcidicAmericankestrel

The bots that are used in HW gathering areas stick out like sore thumbs because they all move to the same spot for takeoff after zoning in.

[StouterTaru]

Nope: https://gfycat.com/UncommonAcidicAmericankestrel

The bots that are used in HW gathering areas stick out like sore thumbs because they all move to the same spot for takeoff after zoning in.

That's much less obvious than clearing a node, then teleporting 10 feet above the next node and falling on it. Or underground warping from node to node.

Bots warping to OOB locations takes about 2 seconds to recognize and 5 seconds to investigate. Bots retreading a set route takes a little more time for both, and when you come up with a fast way to detect it, someone will just rework the code to bypass your catch.

[Dre777]

From a master crafter/gatherer bias I would encourage you to see the glass half full and not half empty. The bots keep allot of useful mat prices low for leveling crafters and actually keep the economy from skyrocketing like on smaller servers. Gil's sellers can get cancer for all I care, but the gathering bots don't spam your chat box and don't personally bother anyone. I say ignore em. Enjoy the game. \o/

[Jkap_Goat]

I'm in Levi as well, I'm going to have too look at these bots, I never realized they were bots

[Dre777]

From a master crafter/gatherer bias I would encourage you to see the glass half full and not half empty. The bots keep allot of useful mat prices low for leveling crafters and actually keep the economy from skyrocketing like on smaller servers. Gil's sellers can get cancer for all I care, but the gathering bots don't spam your chat box and don't personally bother anyone. I say ignore em. Enjoy the game. \o/

[Ayerinn]

From a master crafter/gatherer bias I would encourage you to see the glass half full and not half empty. The bots keep allot of useful mat prices low for leveling crafters and actually keep the economy from skyrocketing like on smaller servers. Gil's sellers can get cancer for all I care, but the gathering bots don't spam your chat box and don't personally bother anyone. I say ignore em. Enjoy the game. \o/

Are you condoning botting because it allows you to buy cheap materials? Seriously?
The bots often times ARE THE GIL SELLERS...where do you think they get the gil? Just one of many sources of gil I'm sure - but if you think it is only little private account cheater Billy Bob using a gathering bot, I am willing to bet you are very wrong.

[Choco_Breeder_Twirly]

As a Master Crafter/Gatherer i cannot see why ANYONE would condone Bots in any form. My server has a FC of bots as well and it's infuriating. Of all the bots I have reported i have only noticed one being gone. The main one that spends all day and night farming up the Mats to make Ironworks Gear, which i learned was his pattern b/c i was also farming those mats, is still running around free as a bird and VERY obviously a bot. Seeing as the market is not Flooded with Ironworks Gear this i can be assured that this is some of the gear they are selling to people on RMT sites.

On the topic of "It makes mats cheaper" you are not smart for this idea b/c as a gather/crafter that spent much real time and effort to get the skill to make and gather all this stuff you are now being undercut but a bot that put no real time or effort into gathering/crafting. You lose money b/c of bots you do not save money.