Time to address the real problem - RMT buyers

[ForteNightshade]

I bet you my entire life savings what you just suggested was probably one of the first thoughts they had when they ran into this problem. Easier said than done.

Considering the Report RMT Activity feature was only implemented after Yoshida himself got tell spammed when he visited NA datacenters. I wouldn't make that bet if I were you.

[Renalt]

he doesnt need to "impose restrictions" he needs to have a competent team, not the STF since they have proven they cant do anything meaningful, and they need to start account actions on BUYERS.

screw the botting, if the market dries up the bot problem will sort itself out. all they are doing now, is going after the symptom, not the cause.

ban the people who buy gil. period. stop dinking around with the low hanging fruit. they own the servers, they own the data, they have zero excuse NOT to be able to do this. they can track the money, and if you start giving a vacation to real people, and then ban them for a second offense, that sends a better message than banning thousands and thousands of throw away accounts.

Actually now that I think about it...maybe put a fear tactic in. Have people in the guise of a Gil seller and if those people try to put gold...to the GM Jail for you and be like "This is your only warning". Word spreads, people can't tell if a real RMT or if a GM anymore, and they stop risking their accounts to buy gil.

I'd say that is worth testing for a month or so.

[Rolder50]

Actually now that I think about it...maybe put a fear tactic in. Have people in the guise of a Gil seller and if those people try to put gold...to the GM Jail for you and be like "This is your only warning". Word spreads, people can't tell if a real RMT or if a GM anymore, and they stop risking their accounts to buy gil.

I'd say that is worth testing for a month or so.

That wouldn't really work because most gil sellers just spam links to external websites, you aren't buying or interacting with the spammer.

[Shibi]

he doesnt need to "impose restrictions" he needs to have a competent team, not the STF since they have proven they cant do anything meaningful...

I'm rather surprised that they didn't do this first. With a few roaming world-appearing GMs here and there to tackle the problem, jumping world to world in places like Eureka, with public executions, the problem should have been lessened. Less people will buy if there is a stronger chance a GM might appear right next to them and Akh-morn them into the seven hells.

The STF have been forever and continually useless, and the GMs answering our in game tickets have for far too long done a schultz-like "I know nothing, nothing" when it comes to reporting RMT. SE has always given the impression that they are just too busy, and too cheap, to deal with the problem.

They still need to seriously step up the number of staff dealing with this, and they need to make it international, and not just for their home market.

[Kes13a]

I'm rather surprised that they didn't do this first. With a few roaming world-appearing GMs here and there to tackle the problem, jumping world to world in places like Eureka, with public executions, the problem should have been lessened. Less people will buy if there is a stronger chance a GM might appear right next to them and Akh-morn them into the seven hells.

The STF have been forever and continually useless, and the GMs answering our in game tickets have for far too long done a schultz-like "I know nothing, nothing" when it comes to reporting RMT. SE has always given the impression that they are just too busy, and too cheap, to deal with the problem.

They still need to seriously step up the number of staff dealing with this, and they need to make it international, and not just for their home market.

the problem is.. the GM's are PROHIBITED from doing that. the entire existence of the STF is to deal with that. and only a moron would think 4 people can do that for ALL of SE's servers, yet thats the expectation. I am sure the GM's would love the ability to do something, but likely busy with player issues. I wouldnt be surprised if the GM's are not even able to pass things over to the STF.

the STF is honestly god given useless. I dont know if they send people there that have a few months left before retirement or what, but they are VERY overpaid for what they seem to actually accomplish. it needs to be a bigger team to be more effective for anything. right now it appears to just be cronies collecting a paycheque

[Liam_Harper]

What annoys me in this situation is that the only reason they're taking such heavy action is because it costs them money via chargebacks from previously stolen credit cards. The players are the ones affected negatively.

However ingame RMT and botting which don't lose them money (even earns them money via subs) have very little measure taken against them. The players are the ones affected negatively.

[Xaruko_Nexume]

I think going after RMT buyers is legit and fair. I also think the players that do not participate in RMT would be shocked if suddenly everyone who ever bought gil suddenly vanished from the game.

[Ayche]

Yeah, war on drugs taught us to go after the buyers too, am I right?

[Gember]

Is buying from RMT dealers an addictive habit like drugs? I don't think you can put that example towards this, and make a fair statement.

[TMW001]

Is buying from RMT dealers an addictive habit like drugs? I don't think you can put that example towards this, and make a fair statement.

A good question but you gotta think how often would someone want to grind gil selling through the market or running duties? If some folks have an easier option they will take it and those who can offer the cash to do so won't hesitate for some that's like a drop in the ocean to pay look how much other games making selling in game currency cards or from their shop compared to someone who'd earn it by just playing the game.