Bots
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Please be assured that we're very much aware of bots (automated game play through third party programs) and are constantly working on investigating and removing these. While we won't go into details and can't promise immediate visible improvement, we're working diligently to track down and sanction those cheating, especially those negatively affecting the realm economies.
Here are some quotes from us regarding bots, giving out as much information as we are able to:
Original Post
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Lately ive been seeing alot of botters on tichondrius, i report them in game and these people are still there everyday and night for about 2 days after i reported them, nevermind that theyve been there for another 3 days straight before that, last time i checked third party programs are illegal, these people are obviously botting and still havent been dealt with, so does blizzard have an excuse why botters run wild?
Blizzard Reply
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Run wild" is a bit harsh, Vex. There's method to our perceived madness, I assure you.
Think of it this way: A band of cops are attempting to bust a drug distribution ring. They don't just want to catch one or two low level dealers, but effectively cripple the ring as thoroughly as possible by arresting and convicting all members involved in the production, trafficking, and use of this one particular drug. What's the best way to do this? Through investigation and planning, mate. Door-busting, hat-waving, shoot-from-the-hip vigilante tactics would probably yield more immediate results in this situation, but the efforts wouldn't be as lucrative in the long term. Know what I mean?
So these cops send in two or three of their own undercover. They spends months observing and watching the ring's habits, learning about who's in charge, who's buying, who's selling, and how the product gets trafficked. Now, even though these cops could probably bust a plethora of lower echelon dealers and buyers, they know that bringing a few of these guys downtown won't do anything?it'll get them off the street, sure, but unless the entire network is nailed, they'll just be replaced shortly after their arrest.
And so the cops wait. They wait until they've got enough evidence to bring the whole thing down in one fel swoop. Why? Because not only will it hopefully catch everyone involved, but, by forgoing more timely arrests, it'll also prevent the bosses and ring leaders from learning about our plans prematurely and then using that information to cover their tracks.
This is exactly how we behave and respond, and you'll notice that when we mete out punishment, that it comes in big waves. By tracking and observing these guys for months?instead of pouncing immediately?we can see just how deep the rabbit hole goes. And, what's more? We can do it without these guys knowing. The developers of the software in question are wily, and will adapt their programming immediately should there be any hint that we're onto them. So, in the end, proceeding with caution will yield more results. Slow and steady wins the race, eh?
I know it's probably frustrating on your end, having to witness these guys day in and day out?and for that I do apologize. I know it's rough. Even so, I encourage you to just report them, ignore them, and then let us do our thing. Know that our Hacks Team is working ever so diligently behind the scenes and that one day? One day they'll swoop in again and smite the exploitative as mightily as we've done in the past. Just takes time.
Blizzard Reply
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...I assure you that whether you believe it or not this is a matter that we take extremely seriously and have dedicated teams working 24/7 on combating the scourge. However, our priority is the ?bigger picture? so, just because you have not seen action on that particular character it does not mean that nothing is happening at all. We are making constant improvements in the way that we handle this situation, and are fully aware that further development is needed, both in our action and our transparency.
We will not compromise though, this ?bigger picture? comes first and foremost, for the integrity of our game world. In the meantime I sincerely apologise for the frustration caused by the dishonourable actions of other players and remind all readers of the instantly accessible solution to this problem;
1. Don?t buy gold.
2. Secure your computer and account.
If all players did just those 2 things, there would be no bots or advertising spam.
----
Please be assured that we're very much aware of bots (automated game play through third party programs) and are constantly working on investigating and removing these. While we won't go into details and can't promise immediate visible improvement, we're working diligently to track down and sanction those cheating, especially those negatively affecting the realm economies.
Here are some quotes from us regarding bots, giving out as much information as we are able to:
Original Post
------------
Lately ive been seeing alot of botters on tichondrius, i report them in game and these people are still there everyday and night for about 2 days after i reported them, nevermind that theyve been there for another 3 days straight before that, last time i checked third party programs are illegal, these people are obviously botting and still havent been dealt with, so does blizzard have an excuse why botters run wild?
Blizzard Reply
-------------
Run wild" is a bit harsh, Vex. There's method to our perceived madness, I assure you.
Think of it this way: A band of cops are attempting to bust a drug distribution ring. They don't just want to catch one or two low level dealers, but effectively cripple the ring as thoroughly as possible by arresting and convicting all members involved in the production, trafficking, and use of this one particular drug. What's the best way to do this? Through investigation and planning, mate. Door-busting, hat-waving, shoot-from-the-hip vigilante tactics would probably yield more immediate results in this situation, but the efforts wouldn't be as lucrative in the long term. Know what I mean?
So these cops send in two or three of their own undercover. They spends months observing and watching the ring's habits, learning about who's in charge, who's buying, who's selling, and how the product gets trafficked. Now, even though these cops could probably bust a plethora of lower echelon dealers and buyers, they know that bringing a few of these guys downtown won't do anything?it'll get them off the street, sure, but unless the entire network is nailed, they'll just be replaced shortly after their arrest.
And so the cops wait. They wait until they've got enough evidence to bring the whole thing down in one fel swoop. Why? Because not only will it hopefully catch everyone involved, but, by forgoing more timely arrests, it'll also prevent the bosses and ring leaders from learning about our plans prematurely and then using that information to cover their tracks.
This is exactly how we behave and respond, and you'll notice that when we mete out punishment, that it comes in big waves. By tracking and observing these guys for months?instead of pouncing immediately?we can see just how deep the rabbit hole goes. And, what's more? We can do it without these guys knowing. The developers of the software in question are wily, and will adapt their programming immediately should there be any hint that we're onto them. So, in the end, proceeding with caution will yield more results. Slow and steady wins the race, eh?
I know it's probably frustrating on your end, having to witness these guys day in and day out?and for that I do apologize. I know it's rough. Even so, I encourage you to just report them, ignore them, and then let us do our thing. Know that our Hacks Team is working ever so diligently behind the scenes and that one day? One day they'll swoop in again and smite the exploitative as mightily as we've done in the past. Just takes time.
Blizzard Reply
-------------
...I assure you that whether you believe it or not this is a matter that we take extremely seriously and have dedicated teams working 24/7 on combating the scourge. However, our priority is the ?bigger picture? so, just because you have not seen action on that particular character it does not mean that nothing is happening at all. We are making constant improvements in the way that we handle this situation, and are fully aware that further development is needed, both in our action and our transparency.
We will not compromise though, this ?bigger picture? comes first and foremost, for the integrity of our game world. In the meantime I sincerely apologise for the frustration caused by the dishonourable actions of other players and remind all readers of the instantly accessible solution to this problem;
1. Don?t buy gold.
2. Secure your computer and account.
If all players did just those 2 things, there would be no bots or advertising spam.
