The bot problem is rising and real.

[Mirhd]

I've seen them on my server, just not to this extent; the fact it happens at all though is simply embarrassing. I am embarrassed for you, SE.

Mostly, I've seen some when I'm out gathering, or occasionally when I return to Gridania for GC turn-ins. They'll talk to the NPC at the guild, then make a 45 degree turn and float away. Clearly, the "wait and ban in waves, don't allow our GMs to actually do anything, etc." methods aren't working. I get that you can't completely eradicate them, but this is worse then some ftp games... Come on, SE.

Edit: Anyone seen people camping the MB for longer than is reasonable? As in, possibly using a bot to purchase items? I know this occurs in other MMOs, but i don't recall seeing it here before this. I've seen the same character standing at the MB outside Shirogane apartments for hours on end. I'll port there, go to my apartment, port out to do something else, port back, they're still there... haven't moved an inch. For hours and hours, days on end, though granted there are times they aren't there. I dunno, either they're a very careful bot, or a player who doesn't mind camping the board... for, uh, hours... Maybe I should just send them a tell.

[Arillyn]

Edit: Anyone seen people camping the MB for longer than is reasonable? As in, possibly using a bot to purchase items? I know this occurs in other MMOs, but i don't recall seeing it here before this. I've seen the same character standing at the MB outside Shirogane apartments for hours on end. I'll port there, go to my apartment, port out to do something else, port back, they're still there... haven't moved an inch. For hours and hours, days on end, though granted there are times they aren't there. I dunno, either they're a very careful bot, or a player who doesn't mind camping the board... for, uh, hours... Maybe I should just send them a tell.

If you are engaged in an interactive menu the game won't kick you out. They could have been looking at something to buy then had to go afk and just hadn't come back.

[ElazulHP]

If you are engaged in an interactive menu the game won't kick you out. They could have been looking at something to buy then had to go afk and just hadn't come back.

There are MB/crafting bots that exist. They'll update prices every 15 or 30 minutes on the dot to be the lowest price down to a set amount then stop. I've reported these before and they're usually associated with a crafting bot(s) that will craft 24/7 inside a house next to a bell so they can craft and list stuff without exposing themselves. These crafting bots will also have gathering bots gathering for them and a lot of the times they're all contained inside of the same FC where all the members are bots or mules of bots. These mules are generally always naked level 20 characters and will log in just long enough to update prices or allow the crafting bot(s) to access their retainers/bags.

[Arillyn]

There are MB/crafting bots that exist. They'll update prices every 15 or 30 minutes on the dot to be the lowest price down to a set amount then stop. I've reported these before and they're usually associated with a crafting bot(s) that will craft 24/7 inside a house next to a bell so they can craft and list stuff without exposing themselves. These crafting bots will also have gathering bots gathering for them and a lot of the times they're all contained inside of the same FC where all the members are bots or mules of bots. These mules are generally always naked level 20 characters and will log in just long enough to update prices or allow the crafting bot(s) to access their retainers/bags.

Yes I know they do exist, believe me. And I REALLY wish SE would finally do something about them. I was just pointing out that someone could have been buying something, the menu is still open and they went afk. The game won't kick you if you are in an interactive menu. I just don't want to see people with pitchforks going after everyone they see that they feel is a bot because they were standing by a MB (or somewhere else) for a long time. As long as an interactive menu is open, you can't be kicked.

[ElazulHP]

Yes I know they do exist, believe me. And I REALLY wish SE would finally do something about them. I was just pointing out that someone could have been buying something, the menu is still open and they went afk. The game won't kick you if you are in an interactive menu. I just don't want to see people with pitchforks going after everyone they see that they feel is a bot because they were standing by a MB (or somewhere else) for a long time. As long as an interactive menu is open, you can't be kicked.

Fair enough and I agree. Solution would be for them to hire more people to the STF assuming that is the current limitation. They need to do something beyond what they're already doing cause what they're currently doing isn't working.