Bye bye turbo craft bots!

[Silvano]

So, I will say I downloaded a bot a while (like....near release while) ago to learn (and confirm people's guides about) the fishing spots for jigging and crafting strategies with certain abilities that was most effective. I never actually used it, just compared it's rules to the guides people had written, so no flaming please? :3 Besides, it didn't change anything; I still do what I did before I researched into it (and the user-made guides, actually xD).

Anywho, back on topic. Yeah this won't stop bots. Looking through the program I had (which was free at the time so probably not the best out there), the program is written to start with you standing: it opens your menu, hits synthesis, etc. etc. So, no, this patch won't help against botters, because the program is coded to start back at the top each time.

At least...I think. Maybe standing up causes a read error in the bot script (like maybe the bot is only designed to do the first few steps once?) *shrug* beats me. Maybe a botter-programmer can enlighten us further.

[Kiote]

Hmmm..

Kiote thinks you people should stop talking about it and go try the new crafting. It's fantastic.

Botting in this system would be a massive waste of money.

[Soulfire]

You actually believe that it's against TOS to play the game without looking at the screen? You're going to have to point me in the direction of where in the rules it says that as I'm a tad unconvinced to say the least.

While I may feel it is silly, it is in the ToS. The specific portion (at least as I read it):

...during the course of an absentee play investigation, players may be requested to respond to or comply with a GMs instruction. Failure to do so is consider a violation and may result in disciplinary action being taken against the account.

That's out of context.

Using third party programs or tools in FINAL FANTASY XIV is strictly prohibited since they allow users to gain an unfair advantage over other players. The use of programs or tools within FINAL FANTASY XIV that allow certain continuous actions to be performed automatically are often referred to as absentee play, which is also prohibited in FINAL FANTASY XIV. Additionally, during the course of an absentee play investigation, players may be requested to respond to or comply with a GMs instruction. Failure to do so is consider a violation and may result in disciplinary action being taken against the account.

A controller, turbo or no, does not fall into the category of program or tool and is therefore outside the bounds of the defined absentee play.

Portions from MeowyWowie's earlier post:

I'm really not surprised with the responses in this thread lol. This isn't a measure against real bots. It's to deter people from afk crafting with turbo controllers or simple enter spam scripts.

Here's an old post of mine that suspected what would happen once they changed synthesis to our current system.

If we're allowed to simply keep spamming enter and ONLY enter then eventually everybody will just buy a cheap turbo controller and tape the confirm button down while they're away/sleeping. (Yea I know, it's no secret that plenty of people are already botting crafts anyways.) But, technically this does not violate the TOS because you wouldn't be using any 3rd party tools. So "everyone" would be cheating even tho according to the TOS they aren't and won't get punished for it.

Half of that, the part about turbo controller crafting, turned out to be true. Now SE is trying to fix the damage it caused by making this change.

By the way, here's something cool.

An official FFXIV controller with an auto function.
http://www.japantrendshop.com/elecom...ad-p-1265.html

Eh, this is pretty annoying. I usually watch TV or read a book whilst tapping X. I'm not botting, I'm not even using turbo, not sure why I am being punished. I'm going to have to come back and check my PC every few minutes now. Well, with any luck it will kick in around 50 synths rather than say...10...

Maybe if SE actually had a crafting system that wasn't grindtacular and boring as all hell I would actually play properly instead of half-assing it just to get the benefits of having a crafting class levelled.

according to what we have been told by reps, what you are doing is actualy considered illegal

if you are not at your computer, you are afk leveling/botting basicaly which is against tos

this change is aimed at people like you

Where do you come up with this stuff? You just say it without providing any actual references.

Over and over, you just shout the most and try to win your arguments that way, and sadly that flies on the Internet, because people buy it, and those who challenge quickly learn contesting illogical beings is pretty darn fruitless.

So I'm not gonna say this to you. This is to the general public.

More or less I see this change being similar to the one made in 1.19a to curb the power-leveling issues that arose in 1.19. What happened was regardless of level differences you could receive the full experience, thus enabling AFK leveling by having a high-level player do all the work. People complained very harshly against this, saying things like people should be banned and whatnot, and that it needs to be fixed. So 1.19a fixed it to a degree, as circumvention is currently possible by having one less AFK person adding/kicking a player providing power-leveling.

The two things I want to be noted from this:
1. The change was made in an attempt to prevent AFK leveling.
2. People are demanding players get banned for not breaking rules.

Now for AFK crafting via a turbo function on a controller, last time I checked this technically fell into a loophole. I'm not gonna get into a detailed explanation, but know it's there. Apart from those who just don't care for rules, discovery of this is would lead to the action being performed. "Legitimately." Yes, thank you. I just pissed a bunch of people off. I accept thrown tomatoes in the form of fire-roasted salsa. But back to the point, the issue that arose once again is AFK leveling, and again came harsh complaints against the ability to do it and how people need to get banned. And then comes 1.21 with a method to prevent abuse.

So here we are again...
1. The change was made in an attempt to prevent AFK leveling.
2. People are demanding players get banned for not breaking rules.

So what's the main problem here? The main problem is the gaping divide being dug between players by the "legit" self-righteous with their shovels. Self-righteous as in they think they have the right of it, and naught can reason, and their idea of divine justice is taking number two, in both the meaning above and what you would think it'd be, and hurling it in undeserving faces.

This is really, really bad for the community. If that gets shot it's pretty much MMO game over.

These "turbo bot" threads make me wonder if we're arguing more for improvement or yelling about how we all hate each other, and I'm definitely leaning the latter.

Thankfully this change will help prevent utter chaos.

[TheVedis]

@Soulfire

yes, thats a turbo control, but guess what, it doesnt play on its own without "modifying" it

thats right, that peice of tape or rubber band people use, is NOT part of the control


also, a tubro control is a tool, its not a program, but it is a tool


you can try to get around the facts all you want, but if you are afk leveling, using tools that are illegal(note that a turbo control in itself is not illegal, its just the way people were using them that is) then yeah....

[Soulfire]

@Soulfire

yes, thats a turbo control, but guess what, it doesnt play on its own without "modifying" it

thats right, that peice of tape or rubber band people use, is NOT part of the control


also, a tubro control is a tool, its not a program, but it is a tool


you can try to get around the facts all you want, but if you are afk leveling, using tools that are illegal(note that a turbo control in itself is not illegal, its just the way people were using them that is) then yeah....

. . .TheVedis needs to get of there high horse.

. . .

I didn't even know getting a controller with "Auto Fire" was an option, until I came across this on the forms!

One thing I find funny is that the official Black controller ( http://www.japantrendshop.com/elecom...ad-p-1265.html ) has an auto button. I did do some digging and it does make any of the buttons go on auto. So hit it once and it'll spam that button, press it again and it'll stop. So if this isn't allowed Square Enix REALLY needs to get there act together for allowing a company to make an Official controller that breaks the rules.

All day, baby! ♪

Not really.
I have quests to take care of and then a mission to turbo-craft in front of you at your linkshell's hangout spot. w

[Soulfire]

Hmmm..

Kiote thinks you people should stop talking about it and go try the new crafting. It's fantastic.

Botting in this system would be a massive waste of money.

Holy...! w

Well, I think that pretty much solves the problem!
I just got back over double the normal worth. w
That's what we should've been seeing last time with the bonus adjustments.

(Well, not the boring and tedious part, but the effort:reward ratio is much better.)

[TheRac25]

A controller, turbo or no, does not fall into the category of program or tool and is therefore outside the bounds of the defined absentee play.

it does constitute a tool, even if it wasn't they still reserve the right to terminate accounts for any reason at anytime they wish

[Kiote]

Holy...! w

Well, I think that pretty much solves the problem!
I just got back over double the normal worth. w
That's what we should've been seeing last time with the bonus adjustments.

(Well, not the boring and tedious part, but the effort:reward ratio is much better.)

I wont say its not tedious, but Crafting Feels a lot more engaging to me since paying attention to what you are doing now award triple what blindly hitting standard does.

If you want fun, try making an HQ item at 100%. Maybe I'm weird or something, but I thought it was a lot of fun.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

This post is mostly responding to the side-topic of the thread.

FINAL FANTASY® XIV User Agreement

2.1 Cheating and Botting.
You may not create or use any cheats, bots, automation software, hacks, mods or any other unauthorized software designed to modify the Game and gameplay. In addition, you may not take advantage of game system bugs and exploits during gameplay.

On Prohibited Activities in Final Fantasy XIV you can read the following:

Activities that destroy game balance
Using third party programs or tools in FINAL FANTASY XIV is strictly prohibited since they allow users to gain an unfair advantage over other players. The use of programs or tools within FINAL FANTASY XIV that allow certain continuous actions to be performed automatically are often referred to as absentee play, which is also prohibited in FINAL FANTASY XIV.

And a CM response.

...
L'utilisation de claviers possédant des fonctionnalités avancées n'est pas prohibée en soit. En revanche, l'utilisation de ces fonctionnalités afin d'automatiser certaines actions sur Final Fantasy XIV l'est. Être présent devant son ordinateur ne rend pas l'automatisation des actions acceptable. Ainsi, les joueurs ayant recours à un logiciel tiers, une fonction "turbo" d'un contrôleur de jeu, des touches de claviers programmables ou une méthode plus artisanale (telle que coincer une touche) prennent le risque de voir leur compte de service Final Fantasy XIV suspendu ou fermé.

The use of special keyboards containing advanced functions is not prohibited. On the other hand, the use of any of these functions in order to automate certain actions in Final Fantasy XIV is prohibited. To be present in front of one's computer does not make the use of these automated action programs acceptable. So, any player who uses third party programs, a "turbo" controller, programmable keyboard keys or any other method (such as taping down the enter key) is taking the risk of seeing their Final Fantasy XIV account suspended or closed.

...

My interpretation is:
Not illegal persay as a law (jail, fine, court). If discovered, the above "could" be interpreted by SE in a way that does not favor the end-user of these devices. And that there is a risk involved if you use of these features.

Special thanks to Umo for prior compilation and Matsume for the translation.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

The way I see this adjustment, it's not meant as a deterrent against bots like the software bots.

It's a small filter to separate players who may interpret the TOS differently and decide to use auto-fire, held down turbo or Enter key. They get interrupted and have to manually return to crafting position.

If a player decides to go a step further, they would most likely use a software to circumvent this. And when they do, they enter a territory of compromising the TOS that may be easier for the STF to pursue.