Curse

Etta · Aug 14, 2007, 07:43 AM // 07:43

I'm guessing for the next few days maybe weeks there'll be a lot of "I got banned! help me pls!" threads. Good thing really, I'm so fed up of "Oh no! There're bots every where" threads.

TheLordOfBlah · Aug 14, 2007, 07:43 AM // 07:43

you were in possession of duplicated items, im not sure what theyre doing with these peoples accounts, i dont know how you didnt suspect anything.

manitoba1073 · Aug 14, 2007, 07:43 AM // 07:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by t_the_nihilst

I would personally like to thank everyone on this forum who came into our vent who wasn't a complete imbred.

Sorry didnt make it, I know some of you guys and gals there and I know most are clean. Wish your guild luck.

clarianaeneas · Aug 14, 2007, 07:46 AM // 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenrirOfSleipnir

Let me clarify, my cousin has been staying at my place since Sunday. The bans happened on Monday. He's been on his account, via my connection, over my IP, on Sunday.
Get my point now? maybe not, but at least I clarified my point.

Also, I don't even get why people would actually spoil the fun in the game just for some in-game pretties. I'd rather stay out of game and become a millionaire (yea right, like that's gonna happen).

Anyways, seeing as I doubt this issue will be fixed in a proper way. And Gaile's information keeps having loopholes and errors, I'll bid the community a farewell in advance for when I stop posting here for several years (or atleast till GW2 comes out).

Just wondering, did you and your cousin happen to disconnect/reconnect while playing at the same time? Maybe the ban script (if there was one) flagged you guys as using the dupe exploit, since it involved the reconnect feature. Just a thought that might be helpful, if you aren't lying, that is.

Patrick Smit · Aug 14, 2007, 07:46 AM // 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenrirOfSleipnir

Let me clarify, my cousin has been staying at my place since Sunday. The bans happened on Monday. He's been on his account, via my connection, over my IP, on Sunday.
Get my point now? maybe not, but at least I clarified my point.

Also, I don't even get why people would actually spoil the fun in the game just for some in-game pretties. I'd rather stay out of game and become a millionaire (yea right, like that's gonna happen).

Anyways, seeing as I doubt this issue will be fixed in a proper way. And Gaile's information keeps having loopholes and errors, I'll bid the community a farewell in advance for when I stop posting here for several years (or atleast till GW2 comes out).

Accounts are not linked to each other via IP addresses, a ban is imposed on the account, not on the IP, as they are very often dynamic these days. You try to discredit another person without arguments. How does this affect your credibility?

I n d e r v i d j o o u l · Aug 14, 2007, 07:48 AM // 07:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by manitoba1073

Sorry didnt make it, I know some of you guys and gals there and I know most are clean. Wish your guild luck.

Appreciate it. :]

Prof Of Black · Aug 14, 2007, 07:48 AM // 07:48

That guy was rich, I knew him for a pretty long time already. I thougt, he just needed money.. Really, I've never thought of a bug.

~Prof.

LONGA · Aug 14, 2007, 07:49 AM // 07:49

Might he be sharing account with those who is guilty.From my experience,those who lose their account usually share account with other people and it happen a lot.

TheLordOfBlah · Aug 14, 2007, 07:49 AM // 07:49

this was a post in response to the guys at [OhNo], of course when im typing there are 80 posts in between :P

Yea, they sound like they did nothing wrong, especialy whoever it was [didnt pay particular attention to names] who was gone during the duping, hope you all get your accounts back. I wanna know what ANet says when they respond to you all.

Skye Marin · Aug 14, 2007, 07:51 AM // 07:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by FenrirOfSleipnir

Let me clarify, my cousin has been staying at my place since Sunday. The bans happened on Monday. He's been on his account, via my connection, over my IP, on Sunday.
Get my point now? maybe not, but at least I clarified my point.

Also, I don't even get why people would actually spoil the fun in the game just for some in-game pretties. I'd rather stay out of game and become a millionaire (yea right, like that's gonna happen).

Anyways, seeing as I doubt this issue will be fixed in a proper way. And Gaile's information keeps having loopholes and errors, I'll bid the community a farewell in advance for when I stop posting here for several years (or atleast till GW2 comes out).

Now that the exploit has been fixed and impossible to do because the reconnects are currently disabled, I'll outline how it has been told to go down:
-you instance into any zone with a friend
-you turn off your internet connection
-log into another computer and sign in on the re-connect on that same character, and you'll end up in the outpost you last existed
-reconnect to your character on the first computer so now you have two copies of the same character in the game, one in an instance with a friend, and the other in an outpost
-give the item you want duped to your friend with the instanced character, then log off

Bam, you and your friend now each have the same thing.

To do this, you need three computers and two accounts. Having it all under the same house would streamline the process, I think.

If you both are innocent, you can send a ticket and get unbanned. I know dozen folks since the game started who were banned and then got unbanned for one reason or another.

Prof Of Black · Aug 14, 2007, 07:55 AM // 07:55

One more question guys, I sent a ban appeal to Ncsoft Ask A Question, is that the good one, or do I need to send a mail to ArenaNet?, If Arenanet, can you gimme the link/address?

~Prof.

The Monkage · Aug 14, 2007, 07:55 AM // 07:55

WTS: Mini Djinn make offer...... someone offered 1750 AoT then the person not knowing about a dup of any kind, accepts the offer. They then get banned? I dont see the reason behing the banneing of the ppl who traded thr goods for the 1750 AoT. I could see maybe removeing the AoT from thr account and giving back the goods they traded(or maybe even loosing thr goods) but banning them? They had no idea that what they were doing was not iligt..... I have played GW since the beta of Proph. i know better then to do stupid stuff, but a 15-18 yr old kid may not.....

Now why dont you do something about the bot? You can tell who is a bot and who isnt, if i can im shure Anet can. I mean my god go into Bergen Hot Springs or The Granite Citadel...you can tell who they are, they useally are going out of town alone they have no guild and thr name useally consists of Osdgsdg Frnbh and they are useally are a Mo/W or Mo/M. They destroy the game economy and most of them are from the websites who sell the in-game gold for real $$......

So, less then 10 ppl (single digits remember) duping AoT are more important than the 1000's of bot out thr destroying the games economy?

Prof Of Black · Aug 14, 2007, 07:59 AM // 07:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkage

WTS: Mini Djinn make offer...... someone offered 1750 AoT then the person not knowing about a dup of any kind, accepts the offer. They then get banned? I dont see the reason behing the banneing of the ppl who traded thr goods for the 1750 AoT. I could see maybe removeing the AoT from thr account and giving back the goods they traded(or maybe even loosing thr goods) but banning them? They had no idea that what they were doing was not iligt..... I have played GW since the beta of Proph. i know better then to do stupid stuff, but a 15-18 yr old kid may not.....

Now why dont you do something about the bot? You can tell who is a bot and who isnt, if i can im shure Anet can. I mean my god go into Bergen Hot Springs or The Granite Citadel...you can tell who they are, they useally are going out of town alone they have no guild and thr name useally consists of Osdgsdg Frnbh and they are useally are a Mo/W or Mo/M. They destroy the game economy and most of them are from the websites who sell the in-game gold for real $$......

So, less then 10 ppl (single digits remember) duping AoT are more important than the 1000's of bot out thr destroying the games economy?

Fully agreed with the first part. I'll be glad to remove my 110e profit out of the game. Maybe I'll even remove 6x50=300e.

~Prof.

Curse You · Aug 14, 2007, 08:00 AM // 08:00

If you're going to blame anyone for the bans, blame Chunky Monkey. He told a multitude of people how to dupe (by posting in a forum). That action likely caused a large increase in the number of people duping. Then, because of the higher number of duped Ambraces going around, more people ended up being banned for accepting them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monkage

WTS: Mini Djinn make offer...... someone offered 1750 AoT then the person not knowing about a dup of any kind, accepts the offer. They then get banned? I dont see the reason behing the banneing of the ppl who traded thr goods for the 1750 AoT. I could see maybe removeing the AoT from thr account and giving back the goods they traded(or maybe even loosing thr goods) but banning them? They had no idea that what they were doing was not iligt..... I have played GW since the beta of Proph. i know better then to do stupid stuff, but a 15-18 yr old kid may not.....

If you don't get suspicious when someone offers you the most money that can be traded in game, you deserve what you get. Greed is one of the biggest sources of grief.

Skye Marin · Aug 14, 2007, 08:03 AM // 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prof Of Black

Hey guys.

I got banned permanently for the armbrace-exploit.

I did not clone or duplicate the armbraces.

This is my story:

I was in Ascalon, International district 1.

I saw someone selling armbraces for cheap, 50ecto each.

I bought 6 of them, because I thought I could make some money.

I 5 armbraces for 70 ecto each.

Then, I heard about the exploit, I wasnt really sure if it was true. But I sold my last armbrace for 55 ecto.

Then, I tried to log in:

You have been banned for an in-game exploit. This ban is Permanent. [Code=45].

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, my question is now, am I really banned for permanent?
Or: if this is true, can I get unbanned then?

I've sent a support message to Ncsoft.

~Prof.

This is where I'd like to draw the line, in terms of banning. That is, I don't think anyone who didn't directly dupe or assist a duper should be banned.

Now, I can't vouch for Prof because I don't know him, but I'm sympathetic to the story he tells. If what he said was exactly true, and I had the power, I'd most likely unbann him, but likely remove his ill-gotten goods, perhaps reverse the initial trade if I could.

Why?

Because, a month ago, any accusations or speculation on a dupe existing would have been, and were simply dismissed. Also, in this case, no real exploit occurred. A person was playing the game, by trading one good for another.

Just playing the game, by the rules. Buy and Sell. If some shadyness (in terms of being involved in an exploit, helping someone using an exploit, etc...) can be proven, by all means, bludgeon with the ban-stick.

Kikuta · Aug 14, 2007, 08:10 AM // 08:10

The number of innocents in this fiasco is far outweighed by the number of those that deserve the ban, I assure you.

I scouted out through all the major trade outposts/towns in the game, and there were hundreds of people seeking to buy Armbraces en mass, or small numbers for incredibly low prices. There were a few people here and there trying to sell their legally acquired armbraces for legitimate prices, and others buying for legitimate prices, but I'd not be surprised if they got caught up in it as well.

Needless to say, I had my fun with these cheap, exploiting, cash hungry dogs. I went through all the towns with people spamming "WTB ARMBRACES 5kea PM ME PLZ" and such, and let them know I knew where the sales were being conducted - of course it was a lie. I told them all "If you're looking for armbraces, I've got two words for you that'll help you get a hold of one. Piken Square".

I had a friend in Piken Square while I sent people there - it was hilarious. Must've been about 50 people that made their way there after he started recording with Fraps! I'll try and get the video off him and post it somewhere.

Either way, good work ANet. Swift and brutal justice, just how I like to see it.

Hott Bill · Aug 14, 2007, 08:13 AM // 08:13

I have just personally finished reading every and all posts on this thread, and I have learned a few things:

1.For a few weeks stay away from AoT.
2.If you plan on buying a AoT do not buy for anything less than 100k 50E.
3.Yes members of [OhNo] were part of this Dupe exploit, should they all be branded cheaters? no.
4.If you have a rare mini (kanaxai, panda ect...) keep it secret until this is all resolved.
5.Be aware of your trades, sales, make sure you are not buying from awroaihfowiha opiafhwpiha fwpoj.
6.If you farm Bergen Hott Springs, stay away from it. Same applies to Arborstone and The Granite Citidale.

P.S. Green Gaile, I can understand why people were banned, but I do believe that some are innocent. I am not agreeing with with them, but I ask that you do take a second look at there accounts because sometimes (not many

) they are truely innocent.

santaclaus66 · Aug 14, 2007, 08:18 AM // 08:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Give me a precise number. Better still, PM me the IGNs and I'll look up each and every one.

A guild can consist of a single individual. Guilds often number in the single digits. Let me have the facts on yours and I'll look up the whole thing. Not because I think you'll be able to appeal, but because I want you to be 100% certain that we were very careful, very conservative and entirely fair.

Well,

I for one have the honor of a permanent ban.
Through this thread I see it was possible to dublicate rate items, without reading into detail it was actually possible. Didn't even cross my mind.
I read now, that somehow fast reconnections allowed the dublication and that is where my newly gained information about that exploit ends.

I have of late been working on my Legendary Skill Hunter title, not trading or anything, and after I gained the title, I went on with my GMC Cantha, need 1,4%.
I was shocked last nite when I found out I got a permanent ban ... as I lately haven't been trading at all, actually been a while.
Yes, I know, I lost my connection a few times the other day and tried to reconnect again .. maybe too early thus I'm banned now.
I don't have more then about 26K all in all, a few items too and that's it.

Yes, I've written to support and still await my answer whether they lift my ban or not .. but to me this is really really getting at me as I find my ban a total error.

I know that some people around here think "Wow, another whiner" and yes, u are entitled to that.
But what if I speak the truth here and am banned only due to fast reconnect and nothing else?
Else I really have no idea why I'm banned, yes, I bought 1000 VT and thereby got the chance to trade for creme brulee to get lvl1 of sweet tooth.

But that is hardly an offense, is it? Well, unless those were duplicated .. yet, how should I have an honest chance of knowing that especially considering the fact that I just now read about the dublicating issue ... yes, I read three forum, my alliance forum daily and often, gwg a few times during the week, just take the current state of newest post and then crossingtyria.com once in a while too.

So based on what I read and where, well, info on the exploit is scarce, as I don't read all and everything due to work and family ...

I do find my ban really misplaced out of ... I don't know.
But, fact is, I cannot agree with Gaile that I for one have been thoroughly investigated prior to my ban.

I await the reply from support.

/Santa

exori · Aug 14, 2007, 08:23 AM // 08:23

Quote:

-log into another computer and sign in on the re-connect on that same character, and you'll end up in the outpost you last existed
-reconnect to your character on the first computer so now you have two copies of the same character in the game, one in an instance with a friend, and the other in an outpost

How should this have worked? That means you are logged in two times with one account simultaneous. AFAIK this has never been possible.*

Btw I dont envy Anet these days. I fear they have to deal with hundreds(?) of appeals. I'm still waiting for my ban. I few days ago, after weeks and weeks of saving money in GW I could afford my desired mini mallyx. So I went to Kamadan and "wtb 50 ectos for max 5k each". I got a dozen offers, so there must have been a few richies in the game, so what. And I bought 80 from one person.

Were they duped or not. Nobody knows........

*relating to #221 it WAS possible and exactly that has been the issue. Never were aware of that.

Karlos · Aug 14, 2007, 08:27 AM // 08:27

Just to recap for those people who started reading recently:

1) There was an item duplication bug related to the reconnection feature. If the rumors are to be believed, the bug was that you could basically make 2 copies of your character in the game world by logging in from two computers and messing with the reconnect feature. Once that was done, you could give items on one copy of your character to the other to duplicate them. This is how WE understand it, it could have been somethign different or more elaborate/easier to do.

2) Given this design, it's obvious that the players could duplicate any item which they already had. They may have stock piled piles of Ectos, Sapphires and Rajazan's Fervors for all we know.

3) This bug existed as far back as mid-July:

http://guildwars.incgamers.com/forum...hlight=ambrace

4) After Max Gladius started this thread, ANet began to actively look into it and through assistance from players (or other means) they were able to determine that the reconnect feature was the primary means for this exploit. They disabled it with a quick game update.

5) The extent of how much this bug was exploited is unknown to us fully. Given some of the posts here, my guess would be that it was fairly wide-spread among those within certain circles, but that those could not have been more than 1% of the player base. The nature of the bug makes it such that even 10 players with 100 stacks of Ectos would be enough to disrupt the economy.

6) ANet has been banning people that it has determined were partaking in this. We should recognize that they will be heavy handed in their retribution against those they believe helped in this problem. If you ARE innocent, then be patient and present your case and you should be able to get through, but if you're not, read the next point.

7) What we do not know also is how much ANet can track and find out the people who did this. Beyond screenshots and the occassional player putting 100 armbraces on Guru auctions, we do not know what flags those people set internally. It maybe that their servers actually took note when someone was on twice in game and thus they can find all those who did it. We do not know how well they can track these things and detect them... However, given how resilient this game has been so far (extremely resilient), I suspect they have very good measures in place.

8) The game's economy is fine provided that there is not that many players with heaps of ectos lying around. People have been speculating that this is the reason Ectos dropped in price and Shards and what not. this is a natural reaction, but it's not a healthy one, nor is it supported by facts. Armbraces and mini-pets are not the backbone of the economy, gold and (to a certain extent) rare materials and any items you sell directly to the in-game traders/merhacnts are.

9) The value of DoA armbraces and tormented items is at an all time low now. It is unknown what ANet will do (if anything) to correct that. If they have blocked everyone with a suspicious amount of Armbraces in their inventory, then prices should go back to normal soon.

10) Until now, the reconnect feature is disabled. It is likely that it will be re-enabled once ANet's developers fix the root cause that allowed the exploit (by design, the reconnect feature is not supposed to allow multiple instances of the same account to be logged on under any crcumstances). As such, we players should expect the reconnect feature to return.

That's about it. Just a small recap in this sea of back and forth accusations.