Ban hammer lifted? - Guild Wars Forums

merek · Jun 04, 2010, 06:27 PM // 18:27

After the demanding a response from anet about botting I know that they banned 3,700 botters.. but by some estimates only about 1000 ppl were actually affected. My question is what have they done after that? nothing? or have they continued to ban bots at a incredible rate?.. I would imagine they just went back to their old ways but I would REALLY like to be wrong.

please advise,
Merek

stretchs · Jun 04, 2010, 06:32 PM // 18:32

Well quite likely, they continue to check for dll injection of the variety that was previously used and then remove people if they are silly enough to try it that way, outside of that, they said they have added a bunch of people to help combat that, what that means is a bit vague but I would guess that the current threat of the reaper will slow down the regular user while the mass botter will attempt to find new ways around the reaper

Eragon Zarroc · Jun 04, 2010, 06:53 PM // 18:53

this is what they are doing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Phinney

On the staffing side of things, we???ve increased the number of people dealing with bots and brought in people with a wider range of skills and backgrounds in order to be able to tackle these problems in a more proactive and thorough way.

We???re now working more aggressively to identify hacks and potential exploits much more quickly. In addition to our efforts in house, we???re asking all of you to help us identify issues.

We know that the approaches we used to determine this particular list of terminated accounts did not catch every single bot or hack out there, but we now have many tools and options at our disposal internally, and we have the Guild Wars community itself as a resource to help identify potential exploits. As with this current round of enforcement, we may ban users of a particular hack in batches in order to better disguise our methods, but there is no expiration date for breaches of the User Agreement or RoC. If you cheat today, your account may be terminated at any time in the future.

source: Recent Account Bans | Anet Blog

the 3700 was from months of work on their part for detection. Don't be surprised if it is a few months until another banning announcement is made, if another one is made in the future at all.

merek · Jun 04, 2010, 07:08 PM // 19:08

I realize that but are they actually doing anything about it?.. because anet can sit here all day and say that but until we see more results we will never know until they come back with another report.

Martin Alvito · Jun 04, 2010, 07:11 PM // 19:11

You'll know that there was another round of banning when there is another round of agonized screaming on Guild Wars forums.

Winterclaw · Jun 04, 2010, 07:13 PM // 19:13

BAN THE BOTTERS NOW!

Waa!

Is that agonized enough?

Skyy High · Jun 04, 2010, 07:22 PM // 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by merek

I realize that but are they actually doing anything about it?.. because anet can sit here all day and say that but until we see more results we will never know until they come back with another report.

The days of epic QQ following the announcement was enough proof for me that a heck of a lot of (rich) botters got smacked.

MagmaRed · Jun 04, 2010, 07:29 PM // 19:29

How are we supposed to know? You don't want to take Anet's word on the matter, but what resources do we have to say they are or aren't working on it still? Only thing we can do is tell you what we have seen or heard. Unless you want to be stupid enough to buy accounts, find bot programs, use them, and see if they get banned, nothing can be said other than what Anet has said. But be warned, I am NOT suggesting ANYONE try to test it out by using bots to see if they get banned. Anet will not ban just one account, but any account associated with it (IP, email, character name, etc.).

Unless you want to screw yourself by 'testing' Anet, you can only wait to see what happens.

Eragon Zarroc · Jun 04, 2010, 07:32 PM // 19:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by merek

I realize that but are they actually doing anything about it?.. because anet can sit here all day and say that but until we see more results we will never know until they come back with another report.

We have just seen the most results that we have ever seen in GW with regards to botters, and you are already clamoring for more?! What, do you think that anet is just posturing and only saying that they will ban more? Is 3700 not enough for you to have at least some small trust that they will continue to pursue botters?

Of course they are continuing to pursue botters! It is a non-stop process that never ends. Just because you don't see immediate results every second of everyday doesn't mean it isn't happening. Patience is a virtue, *sigh*.

merek · Jun 04, 2010, 08:06 PM // 20:06

"it is a non stop process that never ends" EXACTLY! and for the past year? two years? Anet has almost COMPLETELY ignored the botting situation and let it get out of control,flood the market and depreciate the value everything guildwars. Now that they finally do something about it I should just lavish them with all sorts of praise?.. no, we need more results and until we see them I will not be impressed they have sold 6million copies and they ban 3700 there are many more out there. It has been almost 2 weeks since the last ban so how about another 4k botters gone? that would be fabulous.

please prove me wrong in my accusations anet that would be a great day when guild wars goes back to actual players not bots.

Lord Dagon · Jun 04, 2010, 08:12 PM // 20:12

hey im preety sure they've been working hard on banning botters. its not as easy to say "that guy is doing the same thing over and over" that could be just a regular guy jsut trying to farm.
so its not as easy as scanning the game saying"Ohhh there's a bot in rata, or theres a bot in kama." you need to have patience and look @ ig patterens...

so jsut wait.. they may take awhile but it will be solved.

Dzjudz · Jun 04, 2010, 08:58 PM // 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by merek

It has been almost 2 weeks since the last ban

False. It has been 2 weeks since the mass ban, not 2 weeks since the last ban...

Schnellburg · Jun 04, 2010, 10:10 PM // 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by MagmaRed

Unless you want to be stupid enough to buy accounts, find bot programs, use them, and see if they get banned, nothing can be said other than what Anet has said. But be warned, I am NOT suggesting ANYONE try to test it out by using bots to see if they get banned. Anet will not ban just one account, but any account associated with it (IP, email, character name, etc.).

Unless you want to screw yourself by 'testing' Anet, you can only wait to see what happens.

I'll test it out, I have a few accounts laying around from the Xunlai House days. Give me a few days and I'll see exactly what happens. I honestly rarely play GW these days, and if it helps the community I have no problem doing it.

Karate Jesus · Jun 04, 2010, 10:11 PM // 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by stretchs

Well quite likely, they continue to check for dll injection of the variety that was previously used and then remove people if they are silly enough to try it that way, outside of that, they said they have added a bunch of people to help combat that, what that means is a bit vague but I would guess that the current threat of the reaper will slow down the regular user while the mass botter will attempt to find new ways around the reaper

Um.....they already have. There's already an undetectable form of GWCA out now (although, it's private for the time being) and a new type of API is being worked on now which will basically make pixel-botting insanely viable (meaning that you could bot-farm PvP/PvE with programs similar to TextMod or hotkeys).

Until they re-hash the client/completely prevent .dll injecting, this will never end. There's no way Anet can keep up with these botters. I don't even want to tell you about some of their plans to hack GM controls in-game......oops

CronkTheImpaler · Jun 04, 2010, 10:16 PM // 22:16

i dont think anyone asked you to do anything. you started this thred didnt ya?? Anet is dealing with the botting issue the best way they can with the resources availble.

If you had them on the lie detector i think they would say " There are much much more pressing issues." However they took a nice whack at all the botters with the last go round.

Further more when did everyone come to the conclusion that Anet some how owes individuals anything. They sold us a game we play it and they maintain it the waythey see fit. Unless you own Stock in the company, let them do their jobs and quash it already.

ban people and they bawl.
dont ban enough or fast enough they bawl.

Cronk

Schnellburg · Jun 04, 2010, 10:20 PM // 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karate Jesus

Um.....they already have. There's already an undetectable form of GWCA out now (although, it's private for the time being) and a new type of API is being worked on now which will basically make pixel-botting insanely viable (meaning that you could bot-farm PvP/PvE with programs similar to TextMod or hotkeys).

Until they re-hash the client/completely prevent .dll injecting, this will never end. There's no way Anet can keep up with these botters. I don't even want to tell you about some of their plans to hack GM controls in-game......oops

KJ I know the way it works, it is similar to the way the old Diablo II bots work based on pixels and colors. Completely undetectable by Anet and NCSoft, and will defiantly be out here in a few months or so to the public I expect. It is pretty neat stuff that has been around for awhile, but it was easier to use GWCA for botting purposes.

shoesbags · Jun 04, 2010, 10:21 PM // 22:21

I'm certain they're still at it

I heard Dhuum as I was loading into Shing Jea Monastery the other day. When I fully loaded, I saw someone dead on the ground on fire near the stairs surrounded by people and disappeared shortly after. General chat was nuts with laughs and banscythe banter, "another noob bites the dust," etc...

I'm sure a lot of it is done when the players are offline or inside an instance as well, so we just can't see it in process. There's no reason to "test" Anet, I'm sure they care a lot more than you give them credit for

Eragon Zarroc · Jun 04, 2010, 11:49 PM // 23:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by merek

It has been almost 2 weeks since the last ban so how about another 4k botters gone? that would be fabulous.

You, sir, are crazy, fanatical and over-demanding. Be happy that Anet is even sharing with us information about bans. They no doubt have banned thousands upon thousands of accounts over the years. Just because they don't tell us about it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

Oleg · Jun 05, 2010, 10:57 AM // 10:57

What are Anet doing about it? Here you are talking about it. Apart from catching the people already botting, they are putting forth a strong deterrent from anyone thinking of starting to use bots. It???s the old justice not only has to be done it has to be seen to be done.

There used to be outposts that were thick with bots. Everyone commented on it. No one did anything about it. Now people will report the char name in the hope that an account using botts will be found and Dhuum will make another appearance in town. Anet have found an incentive for people to report potential botts. Good on them.

It???s not like Anet know of everyone who has used a bot and just can???t be bothered banning them. Banning is a huge thing. They need to be sure beyond the shadow of a doubt that the account is being abused. Ban even one account if someone hadn???t used a bot and the bad PR would be huge. You should applaud them for being thorough and treating the bans with the respect it deserves rather than as some spectator sport.

merek · Jun 05, 2010, 04:32 PM // 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eragon Zarroc

You, sir, are crazy, fanatical and over-demanding. Be happy that Anet is even sharing with us information about bans. They no doubt have banned thousands upon thousands of accounts over the years. Just because they don't tell us about it doesn't mean it doesn't happen.

I am crazy?.... first off you have little to no basis for that accusation second I say dear sir if anyone is crazy it would be the one who is blindly following whatever a video game company tells you. Third we have a RIGHT to know we purchased a product and want our full money's worth.. When I bought Guild Wars it was a quality product but slowly it has been declining into the jaws of oblivion.. another game on the shelf.. another microcosm in history. Also it isn't very kind to call someone crazy fanatical and over-demanding for wanting a company to do their job to the highest level possible. Now does this mean I want them to ban 4,000 a week? No, it means I would like to see a continuation of what they have started.. to finish the job not just appease the masses.

Jun 04, 2010, 06:27 PM // 18:27	#1
merek Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2010	Ban hammer lifted? After the demanding a response from anet about botting I know that they banned 3,700 botters.. but by some estimates only about 1000 ppl were actually affected. My question is what have they done after that? nothing? or have they continued to ban bots at a incredible rate?.. I would imagine they just went back to their old ways but I would REALLY like to be wrong. please advise, Merek

Jun 04, 2010, 06:32 PM // 18:32	#2
stretchs Jungle Guide Join Date: Sep 2007 Guild: Untimely Demise [Err了] - SOHK	Well quite likely, they continue to check for dll injection of the variety that was previously used and then remove people if they are silly enough to try it that way, outside of that, they said they have added a bunch of people to help combat that, what that means is a bit vague but I would guess that the current threat of the reaper will slow down the regular user while the mass botter will attempt to find new ways around the reaper

Jun 04, 2010, 07:08 PM // 19:08	#4
merek Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2010	I realize that but are they actually doing anything about it?.. because anet can sit here all day and say that but until we see more results we will never know until they come back with another report.

Jun 04, 2010, 07:11 PM // 19:11	#5
Martin Alvito Older Than God (1) Join Date: Aug 2006 Guild: Clan Dethryche [dth]	You'll know that there was another round of banning when there is another round of agonized screaming on Guild Wars forums.

Jun 04, 2010, 07:13 PM // 19:13	#6
Winterclaw Wark!!! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Florida Profession: W/	BAN THE BOTTERS NOW! Waa! Is that agonized enough?

Jun 04, 2010, 07:29 PM // 19:29	#8
MagmaRed Furnace Stoker Join Date: Mar 2007 Guild: Our Crabs Know True [LOVE] Profession: R/	How are we supposed to know? You don't want to take Anet's word on the matter, but what resources do we have to say they are or aren't working on it still? Only thing we can do is tell you what we have seen or heard. Unless you want to be stupid enough to buy accounts, find bot programs, use them, and see if they get banned, nothing can be said other than what Anet has said. But be warned, I am NOT suggesting ANYONE try to test it out by using bots to see if they get banned. Anet will not ban just one account, but any account associated with it (IP, email, character name, etc.). Unless you want to screw yourself by 'testing' Anet, you can only wait to see what happens.

Jun 04, 2010, 08:06 PM // 20:06	#10
merek Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Apr 2010	"it is a non stop process that never ends" EXACTLY! and for the past year? two years? Anet has almost COMPLETELY ignored the botting situation and let it get out of control,flood the market and depreciate the value everything guildwars. Now that they finally do something about it I should just lavish them with all sorts of praise?.. no, we need more results and until we see them I will not be impressed they have sold 6million copies and they ban 3700 there are many more out there. It has been almost 2 weeks since the last ban so how about another 4k botters gone? that would be fabulous. please prove me wrong in my accusations anet that would be a great day when guild wars goes back to actual players not bots.

Jun 04, 2010, 08:12 PM // 20:12	#11
Lord Dagon Desert Nomad Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Inside the Oblivion Gate Guild: The Imperial Guards of Istan[TIGE] Profession: E/Me	hey im preety sure they've been working hard on banning botters. its not as easy to say "that guy is doing the same thing over and over" that could be just a regular guy jsut trying to farm. so its not as easy as scanning the game saying"Ohhh there's a bot in rata, or theres a bot in kama." you need to have patience and look @ ig patterens... so jsut wait.. they may take awhile but it will be solved.

Jun 04, 2010, 10:16 PM // 22:16	#15
CronkTheImpaler Jungle Guide Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: midwest Guild: AE Profession: W/Me	i dont think anyone asked you to do anything. you started this thred didnt ya?? Anet is dealing with the botting issue the best way they can with the resources availble. If you had them on the lie detector i think they would say " There are much much more pressing issues." However they took a nice whack at all the botters with the last go round. Further more when did everyone come to the conclusion that Anet some how owes individuals anything. They sold us a game we play it and they maintain it the waythey see fit. Unless you own Stock in the company, let them do their jobs and quash it already. ban people and they bawl. dont ban enough or fast enough they bawl. Cronk

Jun 04, 2010, 10:21 PM // 22:21	#17
shoesbags Academy Page Join Date: Mar 2009 Profession: Mo/Me	I'm certain they're still at it I heard Dhuum as I was loading into Shing Jea Monastery the other day. When I fully loaded, I saw someone dead on the ground on fire near the stairs surrounded by people and disappeared shortly after. General chat was nuts with laughs and banscythe banter, "another noob bites the dust," etc... I'm sure a lot of it is done when the players are offline or inside an instance as well, so we just can't see it in process. There's no reason to "test" Anet, I'm sure they care a lot more than you give them credit for

Jun 05, 2010, 10:57 AM // 10:57	#19
Oleg Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Mar 2008 Guild: The Apologetti Profession: W/	What are Anet doing about it? Here you are talking about it. Apart from catching the people already botting, they are putting forth a strong deterrent from anyone thinking of starting to use bots. It???s the old justice not only has to be done it has to be seen to be done. There used to be outposts that were thick with bots. Everyone commented on it. No one did anything about it. Now people will report the char name in the hope that an account using botts will be found and Dhuum will make another appearance in town. Anet have found an incentive for people to report potential botts. Good on them. It???s not like Anet know of everyone who has used a bot and just can???t be bothered banning them. Banning is a huge thing. They need to be sure beyond the shadow of a doubt that the account is being abused. Ban even one account if someone hadn???t used a bot and the bad PR would be huge. You should applaud them for being thorough and treating the bans with the respect it deserves rather than as some spectator sport.