Should I be concerned or Not? - Guild Wars Forums

Bob Slydell · May 28, 2010, 11:39 PM // 23:39

>>Before we start, YES I still have my account all you "tl;dr jump to conclusion" readers. I did NOT lose it and I am not Q_Q ing here - Read on now.

To start this off, I will be sincerely telling you that I am (despite what you see on the surface) a mature individual who takes a lot of responsibility with his belongings. One of these belongings being my Guild Wars account in it's entirety. My actions on this site are purely...well how shall I put this, for the fun. I really am a decent guy in real life, but of course you don't have to believe me. I don't care either way.

I have been playing since the first quarter of 2006. For 4 long years now I have NOT (to date) used any 3rd party programs (except TexMod) that include bots as extreme as PvP, PvE farming or bots as small as autoclickers/drunkardbots. I've worked hard to keep my passwords out of sight of others, ignore friend's request's to play on my account, I even stopped trading with people right after the big arm brace duping incident. I barely communicate with anyone in the game (day 1 and to today) and have probably 4 people on my friends list 3 being real life friends that still play. I don't associate with the iffy or immature crowd. Oh, and during the crazy hackings I made sure my NC and GW passwords changed weekly in very complicated forms too, unreadable, no words or obvious phrases. Basically, I've done a LOT as a responsible person to make sure the investment in my account does not go to waste and I've taken it very seriously. To think being banned (for no reason) can restrict me access from NC for the rest of my life worries me (Guild Wars 2) and I want to know what you guys think.

After all this work to keep myself completely legit, it's payed off and I still have my account.

DO I have the right to be concerned or should I just take a chill pill? Do I have less or more of a chance at being wrongly banned, innocent and banned?

At this point I'm not fighting to keep my account and goodies a float anymore, as well... I've ringed the game dry of so much and got my fill of everything. I'm trying hard here to keep my rightful access to NC/Anet afloat for the GW2 generation and well... I really think I have the right to be worried.

God, I feel like I need to keep looking over my shoulder for the GM's with their ban scythes and I've done nothing wrong, ever!

Thanks.

*lemming* · May 28, 2010, 11:51 PM // 23:51

Even if you do everything perfectly, yes.

Dzjudz · May 28, 2010, 11:57 PM // 23:57

Take a chill pill and play. You will be fine. Why are you worried exactly? What could possibly flag your account as a bot?

Bob Slydell · May 28, 2010, 11:58 PM // 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemming

Even if you do everything perfectly, yes.

This is just it.. I've been doing everything to by the book and perfect and I'm not even joking when I say this!

It just seems so unfair for my to keep looking over my shoulder (so to speak) with this.

Bad apples in the bunch really suck don't they? It us good guys that have to lose our shit to compensate for their mistakes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzjudz

Take a chill pill and play. You will be fine. Why are you worried exactly? What could possibly flag your account as a bot?

Visibly, nothing at all. I'm just seeing a lot of posts with people explaining that they really did nothing wrong but got Code 45'd.

William C Wallace · May 29, 2010, 12:02 AM // 00:02

Sounds like extreme paranoia issues. That aside, why be afraid of something that hasn't happened, especially when there is no evidence to support it ever happening.

-Vodka- · May 29, 2010, 12:12 AM // 00:12

I actually, in a way, feel the same paranoia as you. After reading all these threads about accounts getting banned, I can't help but feel that it sounds like ANET seem reckless in their banning of accounts. Possibly due to the sheer amount of accounts they have banned, or possibly due to the amount of QQ threads claiming that they have done nothing wrong.

Either way I feel the need to be extra cautious in this game. Part of my paranoia, I think, is due to the sheer amount of time and effort I have put into progressing my character..and the thought of it all being taken away in an instant is a bit of a worry..after seeing the reality kick into some people ^.^

Gennadios · May 29, 2010, 12:31 AM // 00:31

My only concern would be the texmod players. I'm not even talking about the cartographers, but the people using the easier to read adrenaline gage mods and whatnot.

We don't actually know what kind of detection protocols are in place, so this kind of stuff should unnerv quite a few players.

Then again I already have my carto title, and I hadn't used texmod in ages, so it's not my problem, but I'd definitely have to think on it.

Scorpionwitch · May 29, 2010, 12:41 AM // 00:41

yeah, kinda feel the same. I, like the poster, have never used anything on my account. Yet when I read on the Guild Wars website about the bans I immediately logged in hoping everything was still there. Maybe I'm just used to my usual bad luck.

Zebideedee · May 29, 2010, 12:50 AM // 00:50

I'm a little worried too, same as you Bob i've only used texmod (ksmod too tho, no point lying), I do some things that I'm worried could be mistaken for botlike activity. Eg. Killing the 3 bosses outside Altrumm Ruins repeatedly (for Faction) and afk'ing on Amatz Basin challenge mission and letting heroes do all the work while I watch tv (also for Faction).

nicpid · May 29, 2010, 01:07 AM // 01:07

just chillax till u get banned...

Risus · May 29, 2010, 01:11 AM // 01:11

take a chill pill. I play in a laid back fashion and joke around alot in populated towns with very explicit and offensive language, and I hardly ever get banned (72 hour suspensions), except today my friend reported me to mess with me and actually did get me banned (F@*k you Ryan).

Chill, I've had a 14 digit password for 3 years and only changed it when GWG got hacked and I realized my email registers for GW and GWG were the same and had the same password on both. Hackers cannot get you unless you download third party programs or sign up for sketchy sites and use a universal password.

As for Texmod, ANet has stated they don't care if you use it or not, just that they won't help you if you mess you game up.

IlikeGW · May 29, 2010, 01:13 AM // 01:13

If you play the game like a bot, then you might feel a little concern, but it would still be highly unlikely they'd ever target you without a lot of other fishy stuff running on your PC. And even if they did mistakenly ban you I think the likelihood is near 100% they could sort it out.

Also the people griping right now, I can see a few being mistakes, but I see as many who know they used a bot and shouldn't even be around here. They botted, broke the most policed part of the EULA, case closed, bye now.

Lithril Ashwalker · May 29, 2010, 01:28 AM // 01:28

PLZ PLZ i need a laugh...basically your saying your a Guild Wars trade+chat virgin? lol

no need to worry bro just dont use 3rd party programs.

**cosyfiep** · May 29, 2010, 01:39 AM // 01:39

I understand OP...I have the same issues (my hubby doesnt even know my password!!!!)...I ALWAYS worry that my account will get zonko'd for one reason or another (no I dont bot, dont even know how, or have the whatever to even try)....my password is pretty intricate and my guild is only me, hubby and his brother (who doesnt even play anylonger)....
yep paranoia is a biggie----I keep looking over my shoulder!

Skyy High · May 29, 2010, 02:01 AM // 02:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Slydell

Visibly, nothing at all. I'm just seeing a lot of posts with people explaining that they really did nothing wrong but got Code 45'd.

You'd get a lot of that if you visited a prison, too.

Black Metal · May 29, 2010, 02:53 AM // 02:53

I was pretty concerned about my main during the rash of account jackings due to NCSoft security holes earlier this year.

I'm not concerned at all about the mass bannings this week, because like you, I've done nothing wrong and don't associate with *that* crowd.

cormac ap dunn · May 29, 2010, 03:09 AM // 03:09

Well sir, I too do the upstanding GW thing, i did the same semi paranoid password resets and all. That being said I realize this is an MMO, meaning you need to loosen up a little, meet people, make some friends in game. looking over your shoulder day and night doesn't help you do what this game is designed to do, give you an escape. As hard as it is to believe, there is a very upstanding community of folks in this game. been fortunate enough to have run a guild full of those folks for many years now. Just remember, if you can't relax playing the game, then whats the point in playing at all.

As far as the rash of "innocent bans" being handed out, just remember, every guilty man sees himself as innocent

Tom Swift · May 29, 2010, 03:15 AM // 03:15

I'm with Bob

I have never cheated or used a bot. The only 3rd party program I have ever used is GWx2

But this recent set of bannings concerns me because I did buy accounts for both my sons and I'm pretty sure we put the same mailing address in both of their accounts as well as my mule.

Thankfully, I don't think they play anymore. But I have no idea whether they ever used bots when they did. I would hate to have my accounts banned because of something that someone else did.

So yeah

you could be wrongfully banned if you use a shared computer, if you have information in common with your brother, cousin, kid, parent etc or just because ANet made a mistake.

And banning the people who used the drunkbot may be in the rules - but let's face it - if that was the only bot they ever used it was a stupid reason to ban as it does not really affect anything.

Basically I don't trust ANet to be able to make wise decisions

Plus, the habit of giving automated responses and no investigating complaints stinks from a customer service point of view. Lousy customer service and poor security are the only reasons I did not buy Aion. Before I buy ANY software I always check message boards to see how customer service is handled.

Should you worry being banned? Probably not. Chances are small you will be unfairly banned. But the support response is a clear sign to me that staying away from ANet and NCSoft in the future might be a wise move.

wilebill · May 29, 2010, 03:21 AM // 03:21

Bob, I know a bit how you feel. I've played since the day Prophecies was released. Never used a bot nor texmod nor any third party software. Only casual farming, very limited trading with other players. But when you don't really know what triggers the ban stick, it is only natural to be a bit nervous. I am a bit nervous too.

Of course I am happy that ANet is taking strong action against botters. But there is a natural fear that any of us may be a part of the "collateral damage."

HawkofStorms · May 29, 2010, 03:34 AM // 03:34

EVERY game bans botters. A.net no more then any other. The QQers and the "I didn't do anything and got banned" crowd are all liars. Of all the posters, I think only one guy on that botter thread said "yes I botted, I got caught, was fun while it lasted." Now, do you honestly think there was only ONE guy out of those 3700 who botted, and all 3699 others were caught by accident and are actually innocent as they are claiming?

Also, 3700 accounts is nothing. Especially since some of the botters who were banned owned over 50 accounts!!! The number of people actually banned (and not just accounts) is actually quite small. This game has a huge population, despite what all the neigh sayers and people with rose colored glasses say.

May 28, 2010, 11:39 PM // 23:39	#1
Bob Slydell Forge Runner Join Date: Jan 2007	Should I be concerned or Not? >>Before we start, YES I still have my account all you "tl;dr jump to conclusion" readers. I did NOT lose it and I am not Q_Q ing here - Read on now. To start this off, I will be sincerely telling you that I am (despite what you see on the surface) a mature individual who takes a lot of responsibility with his belongings. One of these belongings being my Guild Wars account in it's entirety. My actions on this site are purely...well how shall I put this, for the fun. I really am a decent guy in real life, but of course you don't have to believe me. I don't care either way. I have been playing since the first quarter of 2006. For 4 long years now I have NOT (to date) used any 3rd party programs (except TexMod) that include bots as extreme as PvP, PvE farming or bots as small as autoclickers/drunkardbots. I've worked hard to keep my passwords out of sight of others, ignore friend's request's to play on my account, I even stopped trading with people right after the big arm brace duping incident. I barely communicate with anyone in the game (day 1 and to today) and have probably 4 people on my friends list 3 being real life friends that still play. I don't associate with the iffy or immature crowd. Oh, and during the crazy hackings I made sure my NC and GW passwords changed weekly in very complicated forms too, unreadable, no words or obvious phrases. Basically, I've done a LOT as a responsible person to make sure the investment in my account does not go to waste and I've taken it very seriously. To think being banned (for no reason) can restrict me access from NC for the rest of my life worries me (Guild Wars 2) and I want to know what you guys think. After all this work to keep myself completely legit, it's payed off and I still have my account. DO I have the right to be concerned or should I just take a chill pill? Do I have less or more of a chance at being wrongly banned, innocent and banned? At this point I'm not fighting to keep my account and goodies a float anymore, as well... I've ringed the game dry of so much and got my fill of everything. I'm trying hard here to keep my rightful access to NC/Anet afloat for the GW2 generation and well... I really think I have the right to be worried. God, I feel like I need to keep looking over my shoulder for the GM's with their ban scythes and I've done nothing wrong, ever! Thanks.

May 28, 2010, 11:51 PM // 23:51	#2
lemming The Hotshot Join Date: May 2006 Location: Honolulu Guild: International District [id???]	Even if you do everything perfectly, yes. __________________ Interested in GvG? Want to watch some high-level PvP? Check out some streams and recordings!

May 29, 2010, 01:39 AM // 01:39	#14
cosyfiep are we there yet? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: in a land far far away Guild: guild? I am supposed to have a guild? Profession: Rt/	I understand OP...I have the same issues (my hubby doesnt even know my password!!!!)...I ALWAYS worry that my account will get zonko'd for one reason or another (no I dont bot, dont even know how, or have the whatever to even try)....my password is pretty intricate and my guild is only me, hubby and his brother (who doesnt even play anylonger).... yep paranoia is a biggie----I keep looking over my shoulder! __________________ where is the 'all you can eat' cookie bar?

May 28, 2010, 11:57 PM // 23:57	#3
Dzjudz Furnace Stoker Join Date: Jun 2005 Guild: gwpvx.com/user:dzjudz	Take a chill pill and play. You will be fine. Why are you worried exactly? What could possibly flag your account as a bot?

May 29, 2010, 12:02 AM // 00:02	#5
William C Wallace Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Feb 2010 Guild: Don't Fear The Creeper [BuD] Profession: W/E	Sounds like extreme paranoia issues. That aside, why be afraid of something that hasn't happened, especially when there is no evidence to support it ever happening.

May 29, 2010, 12:12 AM // 00:12	#6
-Vodka- Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: UK Profession: Mo/	I actually, in a way, feel the same paranoia as you. After reading all these threads about accounts getting banned, I can't help but feel that it sounds like ANET seem reckless in their banning of accounts. Possibly due to the sheer amount of accounts they have banned, or possibly due to the amount of QQ threads claiming that they have done nothing wrong. Either way I feel the need to be extra cautious in this game. Part of my paranoia, I think, is due to the sheer amount of time and effort I have put into progressing my character..and the thought of it all being taken away in an instant is a bit of a worry..after seeing the reality kick into some people ^.^

May 29, 2010, 12:31 AM // 00:31	#7
Gennadios Wilds Pathfinder Join Date: Jun 2009 Profession: N/A	My only concern would be the texmod players. I'm not even talking about the cartographers, but the people using the easier to read adrenaline gage mods and whatnot. We don't actually know what kind of detection protocols are in place, so this kind of stuff should unnerv quite a few players. Then again I already have my carto title, and I hadn't used texmod in ages, so it's not my problem, but I'd definitely have to think on it.

May 29, 2010, 12:41 AM // 00:41	#8
Scorpionwitch Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2009 Guild: House Scorpionwitch Profession: N/W	yeah, kinda feel the same. I, like the poster, have never used anything on my account. Yet when I read on the Guild Wars website about the bans I immediately logged in hoping everything was still there. Maybe I'm just used to my usual bad luck.

May 29, 2010, 12:50 AM // 00:50	#9
Zebideedee Jungle Guide Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: 55?? 57' 0" N / 3?? 12' 0" W Profession: N/Me	I'm a little worried too, same as you Bob i've only used texmod (ksmod too tho, no point lying), I do some things that I'm worried could be mistaken for botlike activity. Eg. Killing the 3 bosses outside Altrumm Ruins repeatedly (for Faction) and afk'ing on Amatz Basin challenge mission and letting heroes do all the work while I watch tv (also for Faction).

May 29, 2010, 01:07 AM // 01:07	#10
nicpid Ascalonian Squire Join Date: Dec 2008 Guild: SRB Profession: W/Me	just chillax till u get banned...

May 29, 2010, 01:11 AM // 01:11	#11
Risus Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: 56min UW HM post-2/25 I win Guild: FDR Profession: A/	take a chill pill. I play in a laid back fashion and joke around alot in populated towns with very explicit and offensive language, and I hardly ever get banned (72 hour suspensions), except today my friend reported me to mess with me and actually did get me banned (F@*k you Ryan). Chill, I've had a 14 digit password for 3 years and only changed it when GWG got hacked and I realized my email registers for GW and GWG were the same and had the same password on both. Hackers cannot get you unless you download third party programs or sign up for sketchy sites and use a universal password. As for Texmod, ANet has stated they don't care if you use it or not, just that they won't help you if you mess you game up.

May 29, 2010, 01:13 AM // 01:13	#12
IlikeGW Jungle Guide Join Date: Aug 2005	If you play the game like a bot, then you might feel a little concern, but it would still be highly unlikely they'd ever target you without a lot of other fishy stuff running on your PC. And even if they did mistakenly ban you I think the likelihood is near 100% they could sort it out. Also the people griping right now, I can see a few being mistakes, but I see as many who know they used a bot and shouldn't even be around here. They botted, broke the most policed part of the EULA, case closed, bye now.

May 29, 2010, 01:28 AM // 01:28	#13
Lithril Ashwalker Jungle Guide Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Alabama Profession: A/	PLZ PLZ i need a laugh...basically your saying your a Guild Wars trade+chat virgin? lol no need to worry bro just dont use 3rd party programs.

May 29, 2010, 02:53 AM // 02:53	#16
Black Metal Desert Nomad Join Date: Jan 2009 Profession: N/	I was pretty concerned about my main during the rash of account jackings due to NCSoft security holes earlier this year. I'm not concerned at all about the mass bannings this week, because like you, I've done nothing wrong and don't associate with that crowd.

May 29, 2010, 03:09 AM // 03:09	#17
cormac ap dunn Krytan Explorer Join Date: Jul 2007 Guild: Mystic Empires III [xMEx] Profession: Me/	Well sir, I too do the upstanding GW thing, i did the same semi paranoid password resets and all. That being said I realize this is an MMO, meaning you need to loosen up a little, meet people, make some friends in game. looking over your shoulder day and night doesn't help you do what this game is designed to do, give you an escape. As hard as it is to believe, there is a very upstanding community of folks in this game. been fortunate enough to have run a guild full of those folks for many years now. Just remember, if you can't relax playing the game, then whats the point in playing at all. As far as the rash of "innocent bans" being handed out, just remember, every guilty man sees himself as innocent

May 29, 2010, 03:15 AM // 03:15	#18
Tom Swift Jungle Guide Join Date: Aug 2007	I'm with Bob I have never cheated or used a bot. The only 3rd party program I have ever used is GWx2 But this recent set of bannings concerns me because I did buy accounts for both my sons and I'm pretty sure we put the same mailing address in both of their accounts as well as my mule. Thankfully, I don't think they play anymore. But I have no idea whether they ever used bots when they did. I would hate to have my accounts banned because of something that someone else did. So yeah you could be wrongfully banned if you use a shared computer, if you have information in common with your brother, cousin, kid, parent etc or just because ANet made a mistake. And banning the people who used the drunkbot may be in the rules - but let's face it - if that was the only bot they ever used it was a stupid reason to ban as it does not really affect anything. Basically I don't trust ANet to be able to make wise decisions Plus, the habit of giving automated responses and no investigating complaints stinks from a customer service point of view. Lousy customer service and poor security are the only reasons I did not buy Aion. Before I buy ANY software I always check message boards to see how customer service is handled. Should you worry being banned? Probably not. Chances are small you will be unfairly banned. But the support response is a clear sign to me that staying away from ANet and NCSoft in the future might be a wise move.

May 29, 2010, 03:21 AM // 03:21	#19
wilebill Desert Nomad Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Mt Vernon, Ohio Guild: Band of the Hawk Profession: W/Mo	Bob, I know a bit how you feel. I've played since the day Prophecies was released. Never used a bot nor texmod nor any third party software. Only casual farming, very limited trading with other players. But when you don't really know what triggers the ban stick, it is only natural to be a bit nervous. I am a bit nervous too. Of course I am happy that ANet is taking strong action against botters. But there is a natural fear that any of us may be a part of the "collateral damage."

May 29, 2010, 03:34 AM // 03:34	#20
HawkofStorms Hall Hero Join Date: Aug 2005 Profession: E/	EVERY game bans botters. A.net no more then any other. The QQers and the "I didn't do anything and got banned" crowd are all liars. Of all the posters, I think only one guy on that botter thread said "yes I botted, I got caught, was fun while it lasted." Now, do you honestly think there was only ONE guy out of those 3700 who botted, and all 3699 others were caught by accident and are actually innocent as they are claiming? Also, 3700 accounts is nothing. Especially since some of the botters who were banned owned over 50 accounts!!! The number of people actually banned (and not just accounts) is actually quite small. This game has a huge population, despite what all the neigh sayers and people with rose colored glasses say.