Time to address the real problem - RMT buyers

[Deveryn]

So...any real solutions yet?

You forgot to use "/s"? Look at where you're asking.

It might be easier. I have a friend in FC and I gave him four million gil for a house. Just because I could afford it. Is this a violation of the RMT?

Sorry for my English.

Did you get "real money" in that "trade?" If no, then you're fine. If yes, don't say so here.

[Dubolomus]

Of course I didn't take real money. But how to prove it?

[Deveryn]

Of course I didn't take real money. But how to prove it?

There's nothing to prove. You're fine. No se preocupe.

[Jojoya]

Of course I didn't take real money. But how to prove it?

You have nothing to prove. Your account is going to show that you're a normal player with normal activity helping out someone who's been on your friends list for a long time.

SE knows the accounts engaging in organized RMT since they ban thousands each week. It's the activity initiating from those accounts that must be tracked. Eventually gil is going to pass from one of those accounts to the account of someone who shows otherwise normal game play activity through a suspicious transaction. That is someone who is buying from RMT.

Nothing will ever stop nor will it ever go away there is the answer

If that's the sort of attitude everyone has, of course nothing will ever change.

Considering the measures that SE is taking, including the loss of considerable income from the usual holiday purchases, they've been pushed to the point that they must do something about it.

Players need to do their part by not buying from RMT, securing their account information and avoiding the way too obvious phishing scams.

The best defense is a strong offense. Aggressively pursue those engaging in RMT on both sides instead of only focusing on the sales side where banned accounts are all too quickly replaced.

[Dubolomus]

It might be easier. I have a friend in FC and I gave him four million gil for a house. Just because I could afford it. Moreover, I took this gil from Alt on another server. And the gil was transferred through another player. Is this a violation of the RMT?

Sorry for my English.

[AngelCheese77]

Strengthening Enforcement Against Real Money Trading (RMT) Activity



Players use their services because there is no penalty for doing so.

Because there are players willing to use their services, banning accounts related to RMT sales has little effect. They simply make a new account with part of the profits from their previous transaction, knowing that the profits made with the new account can be used to start yet another account when it gets banned in turn.

If you want to shut down RMT, you need to shut down those who are funding their industry - the buyers. That's only going to happen if you start aggressively pursuing them, penalize them in a meaningful fashion then publicize that pursuit and the resulting penalty. Make it clear to other players who are considering RMT that it is not worth it.

That doesn't have to mean permanently banning an account for a first offense. Some players (especially younger ones) may not really understand the serious problems caused by RMT. But a 30 day ban with an accompanying explanation of how RMT impacts the game for everyone should send the message loud and clear to those willing to listen.

Those not willing to listen that are caught a second time? Permanently ban the account. Take away everything that player has worked to get for the past several months.

Those found to be engaging in RMT would of course have the chance to appeal their bans. False positives can happen.

It's also a good way to collect some very funny stories from the cheaters that can be used to help publicize the actions that are being taken against RMT buyers and the futile excuses some use trying to escape punishment. Player names would not be used since that would be a privacy violation. The player names could be replaced with the names of FF franchise villains for additional entertainment, and potentially attract even more attention in the player community to the problems caused by RMT.

But honestly, SE. If you truly want to do something about RMT activity, you need to go after those who create the need for the RMT services in the first place and you need to make it very clear that you are doing so. Any business will end up going out of business if they can't get enough customers.

That's how you need to fight RMT - drive away their customers.

I agree with this. I don't understand why more companies don't go strongly after the buyers. OSRS does (Jagex). C'mon SE, do the right thing.

[Themarvin]

Strengthening Enforcement Against Real Money Trading (RMT) Activity



Players use their services because there is no penalty for doing so.

Because there are players willing to use their services, banning accounts related to RMT sales has little effect. They simply make a new account with part of the profits from their previous transaction, knowing that the profits made with the new account can be used to start yet another account when it gets banned in turn.

If you want to shut down RMT, you need to shut down those who are funding their industry - the buyers. That's only going to happen if you start aggressively pursuing them, penalize them in a meaningful fashion then publicize that pursuit and the resulting penalty. Make it clear to other players who are considering RMT that it is not worth it.

That doesn't have to mean permanently banning an account for a first offense. Some players (especially younger ones) may not really understand the serious problems caused by RMT. But a 30 day ban with an accompanying explanation of how RMT impacts the game for everyone should send the message loud and clear to those willing to listen.

Those not willing to listen that are caught a second time? Permanently ban the account. Take away everything that player has worked to get for the past several months.

Those found to be engaging in RMT would of course have the chance to appeal their bans. False positives can happen.

It's also a good way to collect some very funny stories from the cheaters that can be used to help publicize the actions that are being taken against RMT buyers and the futile excuses some use trying to escape punishment. Player names would not be used since that would be a privacy violation. The player names could be replaced with the names of FF franchise villains for additional entertainment, and potentially attract even more attention in the player community to the problems caused by RMT.

But honestly, SE. If you truly want to do something about RMT activity, you need to go after those who create the need for the RMT services in the first place and you need to make it very clear that you are doing so. Any business will end up going out of business if they can't get enough customers.

That's how you need to fight RMT - drive away their customers.

You need to address the players who uses them, if no one used these services they would be none existing.

1 month ban if taken, taking part in a RMT thing for first time time offense, second time, account termination, problem solved, if had a house would even lose that or those.

[Velvet_Lunarfang]

Nothing will ever stop nor will it ever go away there is the answer

[Jgarcia]

Posting this in all threads pertaining to the RMT bandaid:

Originally, I didn't give the RMT announcement a second glance until multiple YouTube vids popped up regarding what the changes meant for us. I had skimmed it thinking all items were now available to send directly to friends, which was great, but didn't see that all items were no longer available until these vids brought it to my attention.

Everyone has multiple reasons for hating this. Mine specifically is that online store prizes, given away during FC events, are so limited now. In running my FC for over 6 years, not once has anyone requested an item from this list of things that are still available to gift:
-Costume sets/Weapon/Armor Cosmetics
-Furnishing/Housing Items
-Fantasia
-Story skips/boosts
-Dyes

Mounts & emotes, both and more of which can no longer be gifted, were always what my FC was interested in receiving for their prizes. This is so limiting to my members, and I really hope this bandaid solution is changed. No need to punish the players for a lack of proper RMT control.

[VelKallor]

were always what my FC was interested in receiving for their prizes.

..and this is why those items were limited in this fashion. They were sought after , high volume items.

THAT is why this has to be done as it has been...in much the same way as items that have a high theft rate are secured.

This is temporary, so for now, we wait.