Curse

Regina Buenaobra · Oct 25, 2008, 01:44 AM // 01:44

A small number of players had their accounts terminated for using bots to farm faction in Melandru’s Hope and Rhea's Crater (HFFF) during the Double Luxon and Kurzick Title Points weekend. As you know, using bots is against the User Agreement, and the penalty is account termination.

That said, the design team is aware that earning the Kurzick and Luxon titles is almost impossible to achieve through normal play. Because of this, a few players felt compelled to use of bots to earn points toward these titles during the special weekend event.

While we do not condone the use of bots, this portion of the game is so unbalanced and difficult, that a few players may have felt they had no other choice.

In this specific instance, the team has decided to convert account terminations to two-week suspensions. This will be on an individual, case-by-case basis, and is expected to take several days. They do not foresee making an exception like this again in the future.

The Live Team is currently working hard to rebalance these titles so that players will not feel as if they need bots to earn them. These title rebalance changes are expected to be integrated into the game with the next big game update.

Puddin Cheeks · Oct 25, 2008, 01:49 AM // 01:49

This is a joke right, I got a two week ban for use the f word, and they botted and get the same sentence, sigh.

EDIT: and the only way i get to experience the halloween event is reading about it on guru.

slowerpoke · Oct 25, 2008, 01:50 AM // 01:50

HFFF should be removed from the game

DarkNecrid · Oct 25, 2008, 01:52 AM // 01:52

Thanks for letting us know Regina.

Will the update go live next Thursday at the end of the Halloween event, or the second week?

The Bard · Oct 25, 2008, 01:56 AM // 01:56

botting is botting, ban them for evah =/

fenix · Oct 25, 2008, 02:00 AM // 02:00

This just in, bot the game and get your acc back!

Racthoh · Oct 25, 2008, 02:07 AM // 02:07

2 week ban? That doesn't exactly send a strong message about enforcing the rules. It's not like botting is the same as the swear filter that we have the option of turning on and off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

Because of this, a few players felt compelled to use of bots to earn points toward these titles during the special weekend event.

People bot during the week too, not just when the double weekends roll around. They're fairly easy to spot too since they are usually several of them at a time running to the exit.

maraxusofk · Oct 25, 2008, 02:09 AM // 02:09

this is mostly in response to the g15 banning. i guess they finally decided to clarify and classify it as botting then. notice the phrase case by case. im assuming this means that those who actually botted wit certain programs will remain banned, while those using the g15 macroes will recieve the 2 week ban.

Puddin Cheeks · Oct 25, 2008, 02:09 AM // 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Racthoh

2 week ban? That doesn't exactly send a strong message about enforcing the rules. It's not like botting is the same as the swear filter that we have the option of turning on and off.

People bot during the week too, not just when the double weekends roll around. They're fairly easy to spot too since they are usually several of them at a time running to the exit.

That is what i thought, how can someone report me for verbal abuse of the f word with there filter turned ON.

Phineas · Oct 25, 2008, 02:09 AM // 02:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puddin Cheeks

This is a joke right, I got a two week ban for use the f word, and they botted and get the same sentence, sigh.

EDIT: and the only way i get to experience the halloween event is reading about it on guru.

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

But still, converting a full-on ban to a 2 week suspension is a complete joke. They broke the EULA, why does it matter what they were doing at the time?

fenix · Oct 25, 2008, 02:10 AM // 02:10

This is just another example of ANet setting a double standard. It's okay to bot, but it's not okay to say words that are on the language filter.

DarkNecrid · Oct 25, 2008, 02:14 AM // 02:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phineas

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

But still, converting a full-on ban to a 2 week suspension is a complete joke. They broke the EULA, why does it matter what they were doing at the time?

The User Agreement (UA, not EULA) says ArenaNet can change it whenever they want on short notice without telling you and get to set bans however they want to for however long they want to. (in essence)

Ergo, if Anet says 2 weeks, it's 2 weeks.

I think it's silly too, and definitely a bad move (what Rac said, you're sending a bad message and gave absolutely nothing vs bots...its like HEH WE CAN GET AWAY WITH IT, which could be good if you decide to randomly go GUNG HO on them, but...), but unfortunately this happens in ORPG's where the UA says they can ban you forever for using the letter E in your character's name and you can't do anything about it. Their servers, their rules, you can't do nothing.

TideSwayer · Oct 25, 2008, 02:15 AM // 02:15

The bot problem largely stems from the cash reward given for HFFF, not the faction.

Daenara · Oct 25, 2008, 02:25 AM // 02:25

I don't understand. The people who botted, whether or not they botted with keyboard macros or using a program, are all very aware of the fact that it is illegal according to the EULA. Yet, they chose to do it anyway.
It's not just the fact that they got the title, they also recieved several million gold.
Why, is this not considered to be an unfair advantage, whereas the Mallyx exploit was? Both are of a similiar nature, using outside programs to change the way that the GW program runs. Both brought unfair advantage to the players who used it by increasing their bank accounts.
Botting is wrong. Full Stop. That is the message that you've been sending to us over the years. This is a very silly move imo.

Kook~NBK~ · Oct 25, 2008, 02:26 AM // 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by TideSwayer

The bot problem largely stems from the cash reward given for HFFF, not the faction.

Ding ding ding!!!! We have a WINNERRRRR!!!!

Tell him/her what he's/she's won, Johnny!

Numa Pompilius · Oct 25, 2008, 02:31 AM // 02:31

It's because Gaile said that it was OK to use the Logitech G15 keyboard scripts - but that keyboard has scripting functions not only for keypresses but for mouse events, delays, and looping. In short, it's got fully fledged bot-creation software, and people subsequently got banned for botting with it.

But Gaile DID say it was OK.

Hence... this.

BuD · Oct 25, 2008, 02:34 AM // 02:34

What a bunch of BS!

2 week ban, WTF!

They were using a FN BOT, this is no different than the bots out of Citadel, or Altrumm Ruins, Bergen Bot Springs or any other gold farming spot. Thats what this bot is used for.....FARMING GOLD! Not faction.

Un FN Believable......

Zinger314 · Oct 25, 2008, 02:37 AM // 02:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

While we do not condone the use of bots, this portion of the game is so unbalanced and difficult, that a few players may have felt they had no other choice.

So...uh...change it?

Daenara · Oct 25, 2008, 02:53 AM // 02:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lycan X

What a bunch of BS!

2 week ban, WTF!

They were using a FN BOT, this is no different than the bots out of Citadel, or Altrumm Ruins, Bergen Bot Springs or any other gold farming spot. Thats what this bot is used for.....FARMING GOLD! Not faction.

Un FN Believable......

This is what I meant

You just put it in better words then me.

Div · Oct 25, 2008, 03:05 AM // 03:05

Translation: The game is too hard.

Solution: We're going to make it easier.

Typical Anet.