Accounts Banned (Aug 27) + Special Task Force Report

[Ashira]

Accounts Banned (Aug. 27)

We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.

Based on the results of our investigation, around 6570 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 390 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.

Details of the violations are as follows:

- Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
August 27, Approx. 120 cases

- Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
August 23, Approx. 70 cases

- Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
July 26, Approx. 420 cases
August 2, Approx. 260 cases
August 9, Approx. 400 cases
August 23, Approx. 1300 cases

- Gil and item exchange for real world money.
August 27, Approx. 440 cases

- Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
July 26, Approx. 970 cases
August 9, Approx. 1760 cases
August 23, Approx. 220 cases

- Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
August 27, Approx. 1000 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 2.6 billion gil from circulation.

We would like to remind players that as well as adversely affecting game balance, the use of third-party tools or cheats can also have consequences that are not immediately obvious, such as introducing damaging viruses, and comprising the security of private account details. Usage of third-party tools will not be tolerated within FINAL FANTASY XI, and we will continue to severely penalize any players found to be in violation of the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

As we continue to ensure a fun and balanced environment for FINAL FANTASY XI, we hope that our players enjoy the game as it was intended and take care to avoid involvement in activities that violate the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

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

1300... 1000....

1760...

2.6 billion.

ROCL EDIT: STF REPORT

http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff11us/detail/2226/detail.html

Today's report will outline our actions conducted from July 25, 2007 to August 27, 2007 in dealing with players violating the user agreement, as well as details on the activities, results, and goals of the Special Task Force.

Click here for details on the Special Task Force's activities in dealing with players violating the FINAL FANTASY XI user agreement.

Special Task Force activities and future plans

There have been a few major changes in the reports received through the "Report to Special Task Force" mail form since last month.
As one can see in the graph below, the percentage of "Announcing the sale of valuable items through shouts" reports has significantly decreased, while, in its place, the percentage of "Use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions" reports has increased.

The reason these results can be perceived so clearly in-game is due to the strengthening of our efforts against hunters (*1) and in finding connections between certain characters announcing the sale of valuable items through shouts with organizations involved in illegal activities.
On the other hand, the increase in the percentage of cheats being used to automatically repeat particular actions is most likely due to organizations involved in RMT (*2) moving to methods of collecting gil with lower-level characters.

Based on these results, while we plan to continue dealing with hunters, we will also be strengthening our activities in dealing with the use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions and the use of synthesis or auction houses for RMT (*3). We will, of course, also put measures into effect when necessary to deal with issues caused by any remaining problems.

With the number of hunters having drastically decreased, the FINAL FANTASY XI community is steadily heading in a healthy direction.
The Special Task Force relies on everyone's information to help keep FINAL FANTASY XI an enjoyable environment, and we appreciate your continuing support and cooperation.

Report to Special Task Force
http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics...226/2226_2.jpg

Matters of concern within the community

In the following section, we will be explaining the Special Task Force's direction and plans in dealing with matters of concern within the community.

The number of suspicious groups engaged in leveling up has increased. Are they being dealt with?
According to the information we have been receiving from players, it seems that the actions of these suspicious groups is on the rise. However, since leveling up itself is not a violation of the user agreement, we currently have no plans to act against these groups.
In the same way we deal with other problems, we investigate all reports and information provided and, if any violations of the user agreement are found, we deal with the problem.

Are you seeing results in dealing with players using synthesis and auction houses for RMT? Will there be any relief from deflation?
Since last month, we have been strengthening our focus on dealing with players using synthesis and auction houses for RMT, and a total of 1000 accounts have been banned as a result. We are continuing these measures and believe that actions thought to be involved with RMT will gradually decline.
However, simply solving the problem of players using synthesis and auction houses for RMT will not necessarily fix deflation or inflation.
The Special Task Force considers this problem to be one of the main influences negatively effecting Vana'diel's economy, and we are working with the development team to help make a better gaming environment.

The number of characters fishing with machine-like movements in areas such as Talacca Cove where Goblin Bounty Hunters haven't been introduced has drastically increased. Please strengthen your activities in dealing with this issue.
As was previously mentioned, due to our efforts in dealing with hunters last month, many players engaged in actions violating the user agreement have moved to methods of collecting gil with lower-level characters. As a result, the number of characters engaged in the use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions has temporarily increased.
The Special Task Force is currently strengthening activities in response to these movements and a total of 2380 accounts have been banned as a result.

Additionally, in the August 28 (Tuesday) version update, we will be expanding the Goblin Bounty Hunter's presence into new areas.
As for the measures of introducing Goblin Bounty Hunters to difficult locations such as the inside of towns and in areas besides the ones mentioned above, we are currently considering drastic measures, but even if these measures were temporarily introduced, we are worried about the effect they would have on regular players enjoying the game.
We will be strengthening our activities and planning new measures to deal with the problem. If it is decided at that time that the problem has not been dealt with, we plan on introducing some new system countermeasures.

*1. Hunters
Characters who kill Notorious Monsters, clear quests, and obtain items over and over again with the sole purpose of gathering gil, which is then handed off to RMT groups.

*2. RMT
"Real Money Trading." Selling game data for real money.

*3. Use of synthesis or auction houses for RMT
Actions involving selling large quantities of in-game items for gil, which is then traded for real money.

Interesting I guess.. wanna meld with the Banning thread? Good to see they are concentrating more on crafting related rmt too..

[Eaglestrike]

I think this is their way of relieving the servers when everyone is trying to update.

[Pergo]

in other news.... it looks like the pit is going to be delayed

[Ashira]

Except of course these aren't all from today, but over the last month. ;D

I just find it, I dunno, slightly insane that bannings hit over 1000 in some instances, when banning is more and more frequent.

With these numbers and dwindling GS in general out there, there's bound to be more and more cases "hitting home," as it were.

I wish they'd be more specific though, with like, temp vs permanent type numbers. >.>

[Eaglestrike]

I always figured that they waited for all the "suspected RMT" to line up and banned them around when they make the announcement. But I didn't read the GM guidebook so maybe that's wrong.

[terraflarex]

Owned.

[Delekii]

http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics/ff ... etail.html

Today's report will outline our actions conducted from July 25, 2007 to August 27, 2007 in dealing with players violating the user agreement, as well as details on the activities, results, and goals of the Special Task Force.

Click here for details on the Special Task Force's activities in dealing with players violating the FINAL FANTASY XI user agreement.

Special Task Force activities and future plans

There have been a few major changes in the reports received through the "Report to Special Task Force" mail form since last month.
As one can see in the graph below, the percentage of "Announcing the sale of valuable items through shouts" reports has significantly decreased, while, in its place, the percentage of "Use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions" reports has increased.

The reason these results can be perceived so clearly in-game is due to the strengthening of our efforts against hunters (*1) and in finding connections between certain characters announcing the sale of valuable items through shouts with organizations involved in illegal activities.
On the other hand, the increase in the percentage of cheats being used to automatically repeat particular actions is most likely due to organizations involved in RMT (*2) moving to methods of collecting gil with lower-level characters.

Based on these results, while we plan to continue dealing with hunters, we will also be strengthening our activities in dealing with the use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions and the use of synthesis or auction houses for RMT (*3). We will, of course, also put measures into effect when necessary to deal with issues caused by any remaining problems.

With the number of hunters having drastically decreased, the FINAL FANTASY XI community is steadily heading in a healthy direction.
The Special Task Force relies on everyone's information to help keep FINAL FANTASY XI an enjoyable environment, and we appreciate your continuing support and cooperation.

Report to Special Task Force
http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics...226/2226_2.jpg

Matters of concern within the community

In the following section, we will be explaining the Special Task Force's direction and plans in dealing with matters of concern within the community.

The number of suspicious groups engaged in leveling up has increased. Are they being dealt with?
According to the information we have been receiving from players, it seems that the actions of these suspicious groups is on the rise. However, since leveling up itself is not a violation of the user agreement, we currently have no plans to act against these groups.
In the same way we deal with other problems, we investigate all reports and information provided and, if any violations of the user agreement are found, we deal with the problem.

Are you seeing results in dealing with players using synthesis and auction houses for RMT? Will there be any relief from deflation?
Since last month, we have been strengthening our focus on dealing with players using synthesis and auction houses for RMT, and a total of 1000 accounts have been banned as a result. We are continuing these measures and believe that actions thought to be involved with RMT will gradually decline.
However, simply solving the problem of players using synthesis and auction houses for RMT will not necessarily fix deflation or inflation.
The Special Task Force considers this problem to be one of the main influences negatively effecting Vana'diel's economy, and we are working with the development team to help make a better gaming environment.

The number of characters fishing with machine-like movements in areas such as Talacca Cove where Goblin Bounty Hunters haven't been introduced has drastically increased. Please strengthen your activities in dealing with this issue.
As was previously mentioned, due to our efforts in dealing with hunters last month, many players engaged in actions violating the user agreement have moved to methods of collecting gil with lower-level characters. As a result, the number of characters engaged in the use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions has temporarily increased.
The Special Task Force is currently strengthening activities in response to these movements and a total of 2380 accounts have been banned as a result.

Additionally, in the August 28 (Tuesday) version update, we will be expanding the Goblin Bounty Hunter's presence into new areas.
As for the measures of introducing Goblin Bounty Hunters to difficult locations such as the inside of towns and in areas besides the ones mentioned above, we are currently considering drastic measures, but even if these measures were temporarily introduced, we are worried about the effect they would have on regular players enjoying the game.
We will be strengthening our activities and planning new measures to deal with the problem. If it is decided at that time that the problem has not been dealt with, we plan on introducing some new system countermeasures.

*1. Hunters
Characters who kill Notorious Monsters, clear quests, and obtain items over and over again with the sole purpose of gathering gil, which is then handed off to RMT groups.

*2. RMT
"Real Money Trading." Selling game data for real money.

*3. Use of synthesis or auction houses for RMT
Actions involving selling large quantities of in-game items for gil, which is then traded for real money.

Interesting I guess.. wanna meld with the Banning thread? Good to see they are concentrating more on crafting related rmt too..

[Reapz]

How are 500,000 people still playing this game? They ban like 3000 a month

[Arnwulf]

I swear to god these fish botters are gonna destory what little fun is left of fishing. I like to fish to relax, and if they employ "drastic" measures, that scares me lol.

[Arnwulf]

How are 500,000 people still playing this game? They ban like 3000 a month

RMT are persistent, lol. I ALWAYS see an army of them xping in the newbie zones.

[Wizerd]

What an utterly disappointing news note on the POL website... I'm still hoping there's gonna be something update-related today. There usually is the day of the update.

[niisse]

ohh nice to see they hitting the crafter RMTs. Not paid enough attention to if they had been doing that much before. Looking foward to seeing how many people arnt about when I finally get back to logging back in and the economy shift and price changes (good or bad) relating to the crafter RMT banned.

[Eaglestrike]

What an utterly disappointing news note on the POL website... I'm still hoping there's gonna be something update-related today. There usually is the day of the update.

Wait 4 more hours and we get the full details...

[Foustian]

I wish they'd be more specific though, with like, temp vs permanent type numbers. >.>

Isn't this temp vs. permanent?

Based on the results of our investigation, around 6570 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 390 accounts were temporarily suspended.

Or is that not what you meant?

[Wizerd]

What an utterly disappointing news note on the POL website... I'm still hoping there's gonna be something update-related today. There usually is the day of the update.

Wait 4 more hours and we get the full details...

Can't wait.. stuck bored @ work.. must know now..

[Kaisha]

As for the measures of introducing Goblin Bounty Hunters to difficult locations such as the inside of towns and in areas besides the ones mentioned above, we are currently considering drastic measures, but even if these measures were temporarily introduced, we are worried about the effect they would have on regular players enjoying the game.

Wonder what their drastic measures means. Removing fishing altogether from towns is too straightforward and obvious, which doesn't sound like something SE would do at all....

Regardles, as mentioned, least they're putting priority on Synth-bots now as well.

Also..

The number of suspicious groups engaged in leveling up has increased. Are they being dealt with?

According to the information we have been receiving from players, it seems that the actions of these suspicious groups is on the rise. However, since leveling up itself is not a violation of the user agreement, we currently have no plans to act against these groups.
In the same way we deal with other problems, we investigate all reports and information provided and, if any violations of the user agreement are found, we deal with the problem.

Nice of them to not even bother flagging their names for future check-ups after they hit 75.


Never noticed the Talacca Cove fishbots, was that on all servers or something? Thought disposable fish-bots just wouldn't work for ToA areas due to the difficulty of getting them ToA-access en masse to begin with.

[niisse]

Never noticed the Talacca Cove fishbots, was that on all servers or something? Thought disposable fish-bots just wouldn't work for ToA areas due to the difficulty of getting them ToA-access en masse to begin with.

Nope, Theres loads of them in the area around the last ToA mission BC entrance. Theres no mobs there seemingly and they can fish relatively uniterupted apart from the occasional adventurer walking trough and slagging them off in say.

Also they are getting desperate now, so anywhere they can make some profit, however small they seem to try. Still bemused as to what all these crappy looking low level gilsellers are levelling up for.. as they never seem to actually get very high or do anything at all. maybe just farming seals.

[Ceiyne]

The number of suspicious groups engaged in leveling up has increased. Are they being dealt with?

According to the information we have been receiving from players, it seems that the actions of these suspicious groups is on the rise. However, since leveling up itself is not a violation of the user agreement, we currently have no plans to act against these groups.
In the same way we deal with other problems, we investigate all reports and information provided and, if any violations of the user agreement are found, we deal with the problem.

Nice of them to not even bother flagging their names for future check-ups after they hit 75.

If they were flagging their names for future use, wouldn't it make more sense not to mention that fact publicly? That way, the RMTs keep levelling in the same old obvious ways because they think it's not a problem... yet they're actually making it easy for the STF to identify them.

[Milkymallards]

The permanent fixture I reported to the STF last week no longer seems to be online today, so I'm happy enough.

[Sevilla]

Wonder if they will do anything about the gil you get from doing Avatars. Wife and I do that for quick limbus money whenever there is time to kill. Everytime I went there would always be parties of five BLMS + one WHM doing them. They are the ones that set crazy records like completing the fight in less then a minute.