The Botridden Land, Eureka Pyros

[Geruu]

The mods won't see it that way. As long as you don't have definite proof they're all bots in there, there's a chance you're shaming a legitimate player as a bot and they'll crack down on it.

No point in arguing. We don't disagree. It's just friendly advice because your thread may be wiped and the issue will go unaddressed.

Ooh okay! I didn't really take it as anything other than it being friendly advice, i'm just quite new to the forums and don't know yet what is 100% bad (or why it can be seen as bad) although I'm not entirely sure how a screenshot of the player names on the list would be shaming? Is it cause of the implication of like "ah the person has been doing nothing other than this so they must be a bot"?

(all genuine questions, hope I'm being able to convey them that way)

[Padudu]

Why's that if I may ask? it's literally just bots, no actual players character names other than my own are visible so I don't really see why exposing them would bring trouble- they are already the issue that needs to be exposed and brought to light anyway :|

Name & shame is against the rules so it will get taken down regardless if it's bots or not. I think one way to do it is just color code it: block out the bots names in a different color so that way the thread doesn't get deleted and we still see the point from the screenshot

[CandyTicklefingers]

Originally we had two full time bots camped on the southern bunny fate, in Eureka Pyros. But a lot of players got annoyed with them, and I believe they de-leveled them by pulling extra adds into the fate. Once the bots got down too a certain level they ran out of the base too die too adds on the way too the fate. The bot owner clearly doesn't watch them closely, as they run out of the start point for 2 days at Elemental level 10. After a week without them. Another 16 bots were placed on the southern bunny fate in Eureka Pyros on the southern bunny fate. I'm assuming the botter did this too protect his bots. Regardless now players can no longer do NM's with small groups or it takes forever if they can beat them. After countless reports I have been directed here??. Which I don't understand why, as it's great too see the same cheating is happening on all the data centers, but it's also frustrating too see nothing done about it also. Is their anyway that this issue can be addressed, as it's greatly impeding a lot of players game play. I truly feel for them, as not everyone gets as much time as other too play, and is at the mercy of their real life schedules. Most of the bots have lvl 80s, with a lvl 3 off class. The first 2 that were de-leveled had all crafters at 80, the new ones do not, but still have the level 3 off class, which I don't understand, though it's not really the point. Anyway, if this issue could be addressed, then that would be great, as they are most probably gil farmers for someone trying too sell gil, and players will be able too use the instanced areas again, when their is less people about. (This is in regard too the Materia Data center.)

[CandyTicklefingers]

This morning, I've noticed another player that I felt wasn't botting previously, in their botting this morning . I guess their is no end too this, I had thought if SE didn't remove the bots it would embolden others, and it seems it already has. Seeing how many people are noticing the bot problem, it's weird too see SE leave them. You can't even report them, they just direct you too the forums, or the special task force, and then nothing happens. But they claim the special task force is the right way too go, until they decide forums are

[Jojoya]

This morning, I've noticed another player that I felt wasn't botting previously, in their botting this morning . I guess their is no end too this, I had thought if SE didn't remove the bots it would embolden others, and it seems it already has. Seeing how many people are noticing the bot problem, it's weird too see SE leave them. You can't even report them, they just direct you too the forums, or the special task force, and then nothing happens. But they claim the special task force is the right way too go, until they decide forums are

To report a bot, contacting the STF through the website link is the way to go.

https://support.na.square-enix.com/c...382&la=1&fty=2 (bottom of the page)

The forums would be for discussing the botting issue in general and suggestions, like making it easier to report bot activity from within the game instead of having to switch to a browser app to make the report, which would potentially leave out valuable information.

[CandyTicklefingers]

Agreed, but now the in game option is sending me here, telling me this is the place too complain also. Other wise I wouldn't have even known this existed. I've been reporting them too the special task force each day, and yet too no avail. It's sad that other players are now using the same method they were complaining about previously ;(. But I guess if they see the bots not receive any penalty or removal, guess they think it's a good way too make gil I have not put the names of the players that I believe arent RMTs into the special task force but I have asked them too take a look at the instance. The 16 on the actual fate 24/7 shouldn't be rocket science too work out they are bots, who knows maybe this area of the game is under staffed, or the number of bots is too great too address. Thank you for your reply, and I will keep reporting them too the Special task force, until I think it's hopeless. But I truly don't think I am far off that.

[Jijifli]

To report a bot, contacting the STF through the website link is the way to go.

https://support.na.square-enix.com/c...382&la=1&fty=2 (bottom of the page)

The forums would be for discussing the botting issue in general and suggestions, like making it easier to report bot activity from within the game instead of having to switch to a browser app to make the report, which would potentially leave out valuable information.

Better idea. Keep both going.

Because if Square is going to continue to completely ignore the issue, why should we not make it public knowledge? Clearly, it's not a problem, since they hadn't been doing anything about it, so there's no harm, yes?

I'd be more trusting on just the report thing if they actually did anything, but they rarely ever ban bots outside of rtneorbge rjhbtr under the ground teleporting around and chargebacking himself (You know, the lowest of fruits).

[Jojoya]

Better idea. Keep both going.

Because if Square is going to continue to completely ignore the issue, why should we not make it public knowledge? Clearly, it's not a problem, since they hadn't been doing anything about it, so there's no harm, yes?

I'd be more trusting on just the report thing if they actually did anything, but they rarely ever ban bots outside of rtneorbge rjhbtr under the ground teleporting around and chargebacking himself (You know, the lowest of fruits).

Certainly discussing the problem in the forums is something that should continue, and I never said anything to indicate I think otherwise.

But reporting specific bots here doesn't accomplish anything if the intent is to get the bot banned. It's not like we as players can take direct actions against a known bot without potentially landing in hot water ourselves because of ToS violations. As Archlord Pie said, you absolutely could get reported for Monster Player Kill if you intentionally dragged other creatures into the bunny FATEs that really shouldn't be there.

We do know that SE does take action against at least some bots other than the disposable RMT bots. There have been a few that disappeared. Sometimes I wonder if SE deletes bot characters when their accounts are banned instead of leaving them in limbo on the banned account. Deleting them would free up the name, allowing the bot operator to reuse it on a new account and creating the appearance that nothing is being done because the same name is still active. That could explain the occasions when those who track bots notice a specific bot will disappear for a few weeks then reappear.

I'd be curious to hear from players on Aether whether all their usual suspects remained active while Aether was Congested or if many of them slowly disappeared. If some had disappeared, will they suddenly start reappearing next week now that there's been a few days to make new characters again.

[Kolsykol]

I noticed this when I was grinding for my weapons too, all day every day they were there doing the same thing lol.

[KageTokage]

I'm not even remotely surprised this activity is spiking on Materia because being a fresh DC, the RMTers know there's going to be a stronger market and are trying to take advantage of it.

It really isn't just a matter of banning the farmers, though. They need to crack down on the methods being used to traffic the gil so people won't buy it in the first place.