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Special Task ForceFollow

#1 Nov 06 2006 at 3:02 AM Rating: Good
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Square is interested in questions, comments, and suggestions. Please use this thread to offer your opinions and suggestions on this topic.


From Playonline

http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/1013/detail.html

We are pleased to announce the official formation of a special task force as of October 2006 that will operate within the greater management team.

Formation of the Special Task Force
The management and development teams have been continuously working to combat the proliferation of RMT and the use of third-party tools within FINAL FANTASY XI. However, it was decided that the formation of a special task force was necessary to specifically address the various occurrences of misconduct that adversely affect game balance.

Focus of the Special Task Force
This special task force aims to reduce or eliminate altogether any elements that adversely influence the world of FINAL FANTASY XI, and to encourage a fun and fair playing environment. The main targets of the task force are as follows:

- RMT (Real Money Trading)
- Third-party Tools

With regards to RMT, we have begun investigation of around 100 web sites in Japan and 50 in North America, and are planning to focus our efforts on the largest and most active sites (30 or so sites in Japan, and 10-15 sites in North America).

We also plan to continue combating the use of third party tools by introducing measures against a wider range of tools (not just those that increase movement speed), and focusing on particularly notorious individuals and organizations.

Specific Duties
The special task force will continue measures currently being taken against tools that increase movement speed, and also expand investigations to include other types of third-party tools. We plan to focus specifically on those tools that allow automated farming, obstruct gameplay for other players, or are related to RMT activities.

We will address the RMT issue mainly through eliminating the presence of gil sellers, but also by warning or penalizing specific players who buy gil regularly and/or in large amounts.

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.

Results of Current Measures
Pursuant to the announcements on the official FINAL FANTASY XI homepage, we have banned multiple accounts in four separate instances and continue to do so. In comparison to the rising and falling numbers of banned accounts, the number of account holders has seen a steady decline.

When canceling accounts, we have seen a trend towards account holders possessing multiple accounts. During the measures taken in July 2006 this trend was prevalent when banned accounts were held by over 2000 users. However, in October 2006 when 1,400 accounts were banned, the number of account holders had decreased to the 300 mark.

Accordingly, the number of accounts being banned per account holder is increasing, and we are progressing in our efforts to remove organized groups of account holders from the game.

As was previously stated, we have adopted a new method of investigation that reaches beyond the in-game limitations, and targets the actual RMT sites.

Within a month, these investigations into RMT sites have resulted in the termination of around 100 accounts, and the removal of several billion gil from the game. At the same time, we have confirmed that several of these sites have shut down or ceased RMT activities related to FINAL FANTASY XI.

To build on this success, we intend to continue refining our measures against third-party tools and RMT, and further expand our field of investigation. We are working on ways to track repeat offenders, and will continue to bring you announcements concerning all account terminations

Your Understanding
The special task force will be making all possible progress towards the goals stated above.

However, even with the new methods we have adopted, there still remain some areas that are difficult to cover. Analyzing the game log is a massive undertaking that takes time to produce results and so we ask for your patience in this matter.

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.

While it may be initially difficult to see any progress, rest assured that we are building a fair playing environment one dungeon and one notorious monster at a time. While the special task force will be independently gathering information, we also hope to enlist the cooperation of the community in our investigations.

We hope that our players enjoy the game as it was intended and avoid involvement in activities that violate the user agreement.


Special Task Force


Hopefully it works we will see

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 4:48pm PST by Pikko

Edited, Jan 8th 2007 4:41pm by Pikko

Edited, Jan 8th 2007 4:43pm by Pikko
#2 Nov 06 2006 at 3:07 AM Rating: Good
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Quote:
We also plan to continue combating the use of third party tools by introducing measures against a wider range of tools (not just those that increase movement speed), and focusing on particularly notorious individuals and organizations.


Finaly ;;
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#3 Nov 06 2006 at 3:08 AM Rating: Good
Very nice. I'm interested to see how exactly they manage to trace transactions to accounts, however...somehow I doubt the sites are just freely giving up the transaction details.
#4 Nov 06 2006 at 3:18 AM Rating: Good
Well, it certainly sounds promising. It's nice to see Square recognising that they cannot just act within the game, they have to act outside, and particularly, then they cann't be seen to be letting gil buyers off scott free either. They are the root of the problem, because if nobody bought any gil, nobody would be able to sell it.
#5 Nov 06 2006 at 3:45 AM Rating: Good
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With regards to RMT, we have begun investigation of around 100 web sites in Japan and 50 in North America, and are planning to focus our efforts on the largest and most active sites (30 or so sites in Japan, and 10-15 sites in North America).

LMAO!

But I thought it was NA that ruinned the game with gilbuying?!

The STF needs to camp Ulli with me.



Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 3:51am PST by Dimmauk
#6 Nov 06 2006 at 3:51 AM Rating: Excellent
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So what they jump out of black airships wearing Black leather armor sporting spiffy Guns that have 200dmg and 1 delay(aditional effect "banned" XD)? or do they just wear suits and look like they talk to themselves alot?


This is just a joke dont kill me >.>
#7 Nov 06 2006 at 4:01 AM Rating: Good
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#8 Nov 06 2006 at 4:01 AM Rating: Decent
Now it is getting interesting let's see how SE is going to go about doing this. I wonder how great the wrath of SE will be on the RMT/cheaters. Will they ban the RMT/cheaters that camp such NMs as: King Arthro, Mee Deggi the Punisher, Behemoth/King Behemoth, Lord of Onzozo, Sozu Rogberry(this would make a all my thief friends happy), and so many others. I wonder if the sky RMT feel SE's wrath (I personally hope so). Well I hope SE isn't all bark and no bite hopefully they follow through with this.

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 4:04am PST by komugichan
#9 Nov 06 2006 at 4:25 AM Rating: Decent
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Does this mean SE will shut down AllakhaZAM?

LOL

Oh wait, SE supports this site. I forgot.
#10 Nov 06 2006 at 4:32 AM Rating: Decent
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Waiting for the "SE never does anything about RMT" and "SE fails" People to show up.

So like I said, and others that translated, that this is going to be a very good step, and no, this site doesn't sell gil so why would SE shut it down?
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#11 Nov 06 2006 at 4:39 AM Rating: Good
#12 Nov 06 2006 at 4:52 AM Rating: Good
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One thing I don't understand - "We will be penalizing players who buy gil regularly and/or in large amounts"

Nail em all, don't just nail the big ones.

If you have the ability to discern which accounts are the bank/sellers, bust everyone who has any sort of transaction with them.

Don't stop short, iron fist! iron fist!
#13 Nov 06 2006 at 4:54 AM Rating: Good
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I wish they talked specifically about Fish-botters, but it def sounds promising.
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#14 Nov 06 2006 at 5:05 AM Rating: Decent
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Tankor wrote:
One thing I don't understand - "We will be penalizing players who buy gil regularly and/or in large amounts"

Nail em all, don't just nail the big ones.

If you have the ability to discern which accounts are the bank/sellers, bust everyone who has any sort of transaction with them.

Don't stop short, iron fist! iron fist!


Lol nail them all? Well say goodbye to 50% of the HNMLS on all the servers ^^.
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#15 Nov 06 2006 at 5:14 AM Rating: Good
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Whoa! I mean, just Whoa!
Not just an announcement, but elaboration, and actual information about earlier, current and possible future events/activities.

Most noticable, as far as I am concerned:
Quote:
With regards to RMT, we have begun investigation of around 100 web sites in Japan and 50 in North America, and are planning to focus our efforts on the largest and most active sites (30 or so sites in Japan, and 10-15 sites in North America).

And I was always tought the Chinese were the troublemakers.....and Japanese would hardly do anything bad....

Quote:
We also plan to continue combating the use of third party tools by introducing measures against a wider range of tools (not just those that increase movement speed), and focusing on particularly notorious individuals and organizations.

Oooohhhh, all cheaters getting their behinds kicked, and the worst of'em first (and probably hardest.)

And my favorite:
Quote:
We will address the RMT issue mainly through eliminating the presence of gil sellers, but also by warning or penalizing specific players who buy gil regularly and/or in large amounts.

Make it hurt where it counts!


Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 5:17am PST by superguppie
#16 Nov 06 2006 at 5:17 AM Rating: Decent
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Lol, oh this is going to be awesome..not just flee/warp users, but most 3rd party users that uses programs that modifies FFXI in any way too? Awesome.

I tried telling you people, it's not just the chinese, though people don't seem to like listening to common sense these days.

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 5:19am PST by Theonehio
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#17 Nov 06 2006 at 5:57 AM Rating: Good
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as dniheb grabbed from the PoL site wrote:


Specific Duties
The special task force will continue measures currently being taken against tools that increase movement speed, and also expand investigations to include other types of third-party tools. We plan to focus specifically on those tools that allow automated farming, obstruct gameplay for other players, or are related to RMT activities.


To me, I honestly don't know whether to cheer or weep. To me this sounds like it could cover several things:

fishbots (automated farming)

farmbots (self-explanatory)

guildbots (obstruct gameplay for others.....no access to guild items b/c always sold out? sound familiar crafters?)

minebots (automated farming)

digbots (automated farming...I don't know about this one b/c I don't know if anyone ever tried, with the limited amount of time allowed on a choco and digging fatigue)

craftbots (no more sushi freeride for melees, but now allow cooks and other crafters to actually have a reward for their skill?)

Certain ones are relatively easy to go after, such as guildbots because it should be relatively easy to see within the code if a person is getting the interval of purchase EXACTLY right every time day after day (almost humanly impossible) to clean out the inventory. Other bots are harder to detect, as long as there is a real person present at the keyboard to answer when receiving a /tell. My big question is....can/will they go after claimbots...the single biggest problem SE has. They took out the second biggest (fleetools/poshacks), but honestly that problem only reached the other players when in conjunction with claimbots. Solve claimbots, make the claiming system fair, and you go a LONG way to making people happy ingame.

Bust buyers and sellers alike. Honestly though, give buyers one warning unless it can be proven they are multiple offenders or have bought some huge sum at one time. Sellers are of course repeat offenders, and deserve no mercy, end of story.
#18 Nov 06 2006 at 6:02 AM Rating: Good
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Quote:

Certain ones are relatively easy to go after


Hollyboyboy FTW :P
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#19 Nov 06 2006 at 6:04 AM Rating: Decent
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scchan wrote:
Quote:

Certain ones are relatively easy to go after


Hollyboyboy FTW :P


This person is on my server too o.O;;
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#20 Nov 06 2006 at 6:04 AM Rating: Decent
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Quote:
With regards to RMT, we have begun investigation of around 100 web sites in Japan and 50 in North America, and are planning to focus our efforts on the largest and most active sites (30 or so sites in Japan, and 10-15 sites in North America).


I have seen Japanese RMT sites, and they are not always buying gil/character business -- a lot is actually a forum or middleman to allow "legit" players to sell item for real yen -- like Dynamis currency and CoP HNM drops, which sterotypical GSs do not go after usually.

I think I read statistics in a JP neutral (anti-RMT) FFXI site still show in raw gil sold NA still rank worse than JP (a lot of NA RMT companies are really large), but JP RMT (in different sense) is as common as NA.

About Hollyboyboy -- there was an old Alla thread that talked about that character being on multiple servers crafting sushi and other food items. I will be very happy if he is gone ^_^ (Esepcially I am 95+2 cooking >_>)

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 6:07am PST by scchan

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 6:10am PST by scchan
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Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
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Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#21 Nov 06 2006 at 6:06 AM Rating: Good
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It could also be that certain NA and JP websites are outsourcing their employees from all kinds of countries. just because the websites are from NA and Japan doesn't mean the people who get the gil for them are from those areas.
#22 Nov 06 2006 at 6:07 AM Rating: Good
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scchan wrote:
Quote:

Certain ones are relatively easy to go after


Hollyboyboy FTW :P



....if I knew what you meant, I might have a reply.


(ahh ty for the clarification- for a moment there I had a feeling someone was implying something negative about my claim that certain hacks are easier to identify compared to others. And what I mostly meant was not so much easy for us to identify, but rather easy for SE to "prove via the code".)

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 6:12am PST by PandyCelebrindor
#23 Nov 06 2006 at 6:10 AM Rating: Good
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Quote:
...if I knew what you meant, I might have a reply.


Go to Lower Jeuno a few times, remove your crafting filter, and watch.

You can use ffxiah.com too to discover who is Hollyboyboy.

Hollyboyboy is the nemesis for all legit cooks in the game on any server :3

http://www.ffxiah.com/player.php?id=106096

About JP RMT... I think I will restrain from posting links here. That is as bad as I G * link here.

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 6:14am PST by scchan
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Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#24 Nov 06 2006 at 6:35 AM Rating: Good
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You mean I might have a fair shot at dalmatica? Oh boy!
#25 Nov 06 2006 at 6:40 AM Rating: Decent
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One thing that worries me is, however, if SE did manage to take very strong action against GSs group and HNMLS bots, what will be the fall out from such HNMLSs and people who buy gil? We are assuming that a fair large population of both NA and JP that buy gil.

It takes a lot of balance to take very strong action that it will not cause FFXI to breakdown because players leave game because their status quo like working with botting HNMLS or gil buying has broken down.

Sorry for the somewhat negative point of view, but you got to consider that being part of SE decision making.

But yeah, I am happy that I may actually get a much fair shot in getting a Dhalmeica and Byakko Hadaite :P

As a personal opinion, I think SE will still get net gain in long term by taking strong action to encourage fair play, but I won't be surprised that we will see a good amount people will leave game for enforcing fair play -- it just disappoint me that people think they cannot play without cheating.

I wish SE can set an example to company like Blizzard (WoW) and Sega (PSU/O) that fighting cheaters are well worth the effort.
Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 6:44am PST by scchan

Edited, Nov 6th 2006 at 6:46am PST by scchan
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Amanada (Cerberus-Retired) (aka MaiNoKen/Steven)
-- Thank you for the fun times in Vana'diel

Art for the sake of art itself is an idle sentence.
Art for the sake of truth, for the sake of what is
beautiful and good — that is the creed I seek.
- George Sand

A designer knows he has achieved perfection,
not when there is nothing left to add,
but when there is nothing left to take away.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
#26 Nov 06 2006 at 6:43 AM Rating: Good
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I assume punitive actions against gil buyers would be suspensions. Socially speaking, it means your going to have hard evidence of who is buying by who doesn't show up after suspensions for a few days.
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