Special Task Force ?

[Zetsumei_Tsunarashi]

I've noticed a lot of people complaining about the 'Special Task Force' as well as GMs who apparently 'do nothing' about RMTs, bots, etc. even after being reported multiple times.

Quite frankly, I'm pretty curious myself. I've also reported some RMTs and bot crafters in the past and I continue to see them in the game regardless. As these illegal activities can have a big impact on the game we are paying to play, I think we deserve some answers as to what SE is actually doing on their end to respond to and investigate these types of illegal activities.

I've seen dev posts such as these.

I would also like to remind you that a Special Unit is indeed present and active in Final Fantasy XIV. Do not hesitate to report suspicious players/activity directly via the Square Enix Assistance Center (choose "report a violation to the Special Unit" at he bottom of this page. Reports concerning players who violate these rules can be long to process. The measures taken to counteract these players can be invisible to others, this does not mean that nothing has been done.

But if indeed action has been taken, why do I continue to see these players in-game long after a report has been made.

Looking at this page, I can see that there are various levels of penalties for breaking the ToS. However, I believe that actions such as RMT and botting should be considered the worst type of violation, and should be treated with a "zero tolerance" type of policy. In other words, people who engage in RMT activity, especially the sellers, should automatically receive the final penalty of account termination without any prior warnings or temporary suspensions.

I think most legitimate players would agree, that if they report a RMT bot farmer, it is because they want them out of the game immediately, and they don't want to see them in-game again.

I guess what I'm asking for, is to get some more discussion on the topic, so that we can get a more clear definition of what the 'Special Task Force' does in FFXIV. What are these so-called "invisible actions", and why does it seem to me like it has no effect. If these players are being punished with mere suspensions (really the worst is 3 day suspension ?), then I think they need to adopt a stricter policy.

I can understand why, as a company whose aim is to make a profit, SE would be reluctant to ban these people permanently, as the bot farmers are paying the monthly subscriptions as well. However, in the long term, you'll lose subscriptions from legitimate players who feel victimized by RMT, and also from those who feel that SE is not providing adequate customer service by acting on the reports to the 'Special Task Force'.

SE needs to remember that RMT are also out to make a profit, and the monthly subscription fee is a drop in the bucket compared to what they make in sales from simply running a bot program. SE also needs to remember that legitimate players are customers too, and it angers the customer when people can just get away with cheating so easily. If all I have to worry about is a 3 day suspension then heck, why shouldn't I just use a bot to play for me too, 3 days isn't gonna be a big deal if I can max out all my classes and get capped gil while I'm at work all day long.