Regarding the Gardening Changes (Aug. 3 Update)Follow

Aug. 3, 2009 12:00 [PDT] From: FINAL FANTASY XI
Regarding the Gardening Changes

Beginning earlier this year, an investigation was conducted, looking into suspicious activities related to gil transfers. According to the investigation, a group of players involved in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities have been using a massive amount of accounts in order to perform gardening.

We have been taking the appropriate actions against the accounts found to be engaged in these activities. During this time, we began preparing measures to stop these groups of players from taking further advantage of gardening for RMT purposes.

As a result, we came up with a measure that will be effective against players engaged in these illegal acts, while at the same time will have minimal impact on legitimate players. For any characters that were created less than 90 days previous, the amount of items that can be gathered from each gardening attempt will be limited to 1. These measures will go into effect with the version update on Aug. 3, 2009 at 12:00 (PDT).

Illegal acts such as RMT will not be tolerated in FINAL FANTASY XI, and any violations of the user agreement will be dealt with severely. We would like to assure our players that all efforts are being made to ensure a fair playing experience.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

A version update of FINAL FANTASY XI was performed at the following time.

[Date & Time]
Aug. 3, 2009 at 12:00 (PDT)

[Affected Services]
FINAL FANTASY XI

[Important Update Details]
The following issues have been addressed:

- During the quest "Succor to the Sidhe," rewards sometimes could not be obtained when attempting the quest as part of an alliance.

- During the quest "Succor to the Sidhe," players could obtain rewards with augments that did not match the augments that were originally confirmed.

- Within mazes created using the "Actualization Team" Maze Voucher, NPC "Chaperix" and monsters would not battle if a pet was summoned (Beastmaster's summoned pets, Dragoon's wyverns, Summoner's avatars and Automatons).

The following change has been made to gardening:

- The amount of items that can be gathered from each gardening attempt are limited to 1 for any characters that were created less than 90 days previous.

* Please refer to "Related information" for more details regarding the gardening change.

As a result, we came up with a measure that will be effective against players engaged in these illegal acts, while at the same time will have minimal impact on legitimate players.

Duh? No sh*t? Obviously? What, are you surprised? What did you think was going to happen? A hand delivered envelope with real gold fibers with a five page letter of apology and free tickets to a five day all expense paid vacation to anywhere in the world?

incoming emergency maint when they realize that since they made it so you can only get one item you are guaranteed an ore similar to the old days

... Well, anywhere in North America, at least. I'm thinking Grand Canyon.

Yeah, I hear Flagstaff is nice and temperate this time of year. Do you really want SE to send you to hell?

Aug. 3, 2009 12:00 [PDT] From: FINAL FANTASY XI
Regarding the Gardening Changes

Beginning earlier this year, an investigation was conducted, looking into suspicious activities related to gil transfers. According to the investigation, a group of players involved in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities have been using a massive amount of accounts in order to perform gardening.

We have been taking the appropriate actions against the accounts found to be engaged in these activities. During this time, we began preparing measures to stop these groups of players from taking further advantage of gardening for RMT purposes.

The task force intends to conduct investigations into gil sellers. These investigations seek to eliminate the channels for RMT transactions, as well as sources of gil, and curtail the activities of those who farm gil for the purposes of RMT.

...
To avoid falsely accusing account holders, all investigations will be conducted with equal thoroughness and care. RMT investigations in particular often include organizations formed through multiple accounts, and time must be spent confirming each case.

Well, yea, because expecting an apology would be too much to ask, since they have never done that before. Oh wait...

Also, did they resend all the bans of legitimate players yet? Anyone who lost a mule care to answer that?

This is what I am wondering too. No offense to japanese player but for being known to be atleast humble SE is not this. I expect to see a apology but not anytime soon.

Expect a vague and evasive apology.