Special Task Force Report (07/22/2008)

[Not Kuno]

http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics...58/detail.html

Today's report will outline our actions conducted from June 25, 2008 to July 22, 2008 in dealing with players violating the user agreement, as well as details on the activities, results, and goals of the Special Task Force.

Warning Against Unauthorized Access

Unauthorized access has become a serious problem across the internet, and the number of reports to the Square Enix Information Center and the GM team from victims of such access has been on the rise.
We have strengthened our service's security as a countermeasure against unauthorized access, but we ask that users of the Windows version of FINAL FANTASY XI/PlayOnline take preventative measures to safeguard their accounts.
Information on preventative measures in dealing with unauthorized access, necessary procedures in recovering one's account, and all other such information can be viewed on the "Information Regarding Unauthorized Access" page.

Click here for information on dealing with unauthorized access.


Special Task Force Activities and Future Plans

http://www.playonline.com/pcd/topics...458/3458_6.jpg

Once again, we received more reports regarding illegal fishing than any other violation of the user agreement. The use of cheats to automatically repeat particular actions and the use of tools that allow enhanced character movement are both included in the "illegal fishing" reports shown above. In May, the Special Task Force shortened the periods between bannings for these two violations and strengthened the Force's overall activities. As a result, although we banned an average of 3,000 accounts each month from January to April, in May we banned 2,000 accounts and in June we banned around 900 accounts, showing a gradual decrease in the number of accounts being banned. It is believed that the reason for this decrease comes from a smaller number of violators returning to Vana'diel after having been banned. The content of reports provided by players also supports this.

Next, we move to the subject of hunters (*1) and the use of synthesis and auction houses for RMT (*2).
While we shortened the periods between bannings for hunters in June, we re-evaluated several problematic issues and worked on improving our activities in dealing with them.
Violators of the user agreement involved in the use of synthesis and auction houses for RMT, as well as the organizations involved, have been engaged in synthesis, the supply of materials for synthesis, the auctioning of synthesized items at auction houses, and the appointment of duties to characters involved in RMT. However, after our activities last December, some large-scale organizations utilizing large numbers of accounts and characters gradually shifted to smaller-scale organizations to continue their activities. Because of this, the Special Task Force re-evaluated our methods in order to more effectively deal with these smaller organizations. Keep your eye out for future reports regarding hunters and the use of synthesis and auction houses for RMT.

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


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.

- My account was accessed by an unauthorized third party and, as a result, I lost my gil and items. I contacted Square Enix to get my game data recovered and I was told that it would take about a week for the work to complete, but I still haven't been contacted. About how much longer will it take?
At the moment, we estimate that it may take several weeks for game data to be recovered.
In order to recover game data, we need to closely investigate each user's account log so that we can accurately understand the details regarding the unauthorized access. This is why it can take a long time to recover a user's game data. We are, however, currently looking into ways to increase the speed of the work involved.
We apologize to the FINAL FANTASY XI users waiting for their game data to be recovered and ask that you wait just a little longer for the process to complete.


- There are groups of suspicious players in areas such as Castle Oztroja and Monastic Cavern that log in only when treasure chests appear and continuously go around opening them.
This is an issue that we received a considerable amount of reports regarding in June. The GM team and Special Task Force noticed that certain suspicious characters are using cheats and tools to search for treasure chests and then warp to their locations once they have been found. We believe we will be able to solve this problem through our actions against players using tools that allow enhanced character movement and by closely observing sellers involved in RMT.


Reporting to the Special Task Force

The Special Task Force relies on everyone's information regarding violations of the user agreement to help keep FINAL FANTASY XI an enjoyable environment, and we appreciate your continuing support and cooperation.

Report to Special Task Force

*Please contact the Square Enix Information Center by telephone or through the "Contract Help" e-mail support under Service & Support in regards to unauthorized access or other concerns regarding your account.
If you become aware of unauthorized access outside of the Information Center's hours of operation and possess multiple PlayOnline IDs, log in from another PlayOnline ID and contact a Game Master (GM). The GM will make the accessed account temporarily unavailable.
However, please note that a GM cannot perform account related actions such as changing one's password, so it will be necessary to contact the Information Center at another time.

[Wizerd]

Accounts Banned as well:

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/pol...ews13820.shtml

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 3770 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 660 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.
Week of June 22, Approx. 120 cases
Week of July 1, Approx. 240 cases
Week of July 6, Approx. 310 cases
Week of July 13, Approx. 320 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.
July 22, Approx. 10 cases

- Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
Week of June 22, Approx. 70 cases
Week of July 1, Approx. 100 cases
Week of July 6, Approx. 90 cases
Week of July 13, Approx. 300 cases

- Gil and item exchange for real world money.
Week of July 1, Approx. 60 cases
Week of July 6, Approx. 150 cases
Week of July 13, Approx. 200 cases
Week of July 20, Approx. 230 cases

- Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
June 26, Approx. 160 cases
July 3, Approx. 260 cases
July 10, Approx. 150 cases
July 17, Approx. 150 cases
July 22, Approx. 20 cases

- Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
June 30, Approx. 60 cases
July 7, Approx. 480 cases
July 14, Approx. 340 cases

- Involved in compromised accounts
July 22, Approx. 590 cases

- Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.
July 22, Approx. 20 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 2 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.

[drwaffles]

I wish they'd move their focus from banning gilsellers to banning fucking shitty retarded gilbuyers whom I personally detest infinitely more than the RMT with a stranglehold on Cassie, Bune, Serket and other mobs no one cares about all that much. When I hear things such as "oh they're saving up their RL money for Armada Hauberk!" about known gilbuying cunts it really makes my blood boil. I hope their accounts get jacked by the same RMT they paid thousands of dollars to to cheat in a game they still can't fucking play and subsequently slit their wrists over the fact that they've wasted so much money and so many years of their worthless lives.

/nerdrantoff

[Jkun]

Obligatory.

http://www.elite.uk.com/james/youban.JPG

[Max™]

Hah, nice, I was expecting a "they got Ryko... and he's black!" comic...

WAIT! RYKOSHET IS BLACK AND BANNED?!?!?!

[Octavious]

The whole 'suspicious group' in Castle Oztroja etc, was actually interesting...I noticed a bunch of random low levels in Castle O & the Tree. They were Anon in the regular starting outfit w/lv1 weapons etc, it kind of makes sense now.

[Fhqwghads]

Looks like things are winding down for in-game RMT activity. Seems they've moved on to the new flavor of the day: account hacking. Why go through the trouble of farming/leveling/buying new accounts when you can just steal other people's. :/

[Octavious]

Looks like things are winding down for in-game RMT activity. Seems they've moved on to the new flavor of the day: account hacking. Why go through the trouble of farming/leveling/buying new accounts when you can just steal other people's. :/

That's an interesting point too, I wonder how many account hackings go side by side with accounts being banned. Did SE ever formally release a number on the account hackings? It would be an interesting statistic to look at.

[Dohorehn]

lol @ "Cheater woman" and "You BAN!" I'm not sure why haha

[Linktri]

lol @ "Cheater woman" and "You BAN!" I'm not sure why haha

YOU BAN! Yeah, seconded. Ha, ha, ha!

[Lexa]

I wish they'd move their focus from banning gilsellers to banning fucking shitty retarded gilbuyers whom I personally detest infinitely more than the RMT with a stranglehold on Cassie, Bune, Serket and other mobs no one cares about all that much. When I hear things such as "oh they're saving up their RL money for Armada Hauberk!" about known gilbuying cunts it really makes my blood boil. I hope their accounts get jacked by the same RMT they paid thousands of dollars to to cheat in a game they still can't fucking play and subsequently slit their wrists over the fact that they've wasted so much money and so many years of their worthless lives.

/nerdrantoff

Personally, I prefer they focus on both. My 3+ months straight of camping Cassie for my earring begs to differ - sometimes, people still care about those NMs.

[melbufrauma]

its good to see SE is actually doing something now

[Izzy]

its good to see SE is actually doing something now

They've been doing a good job with this for quite some time. The cliched responses are getting a bit old...

[Ashira]

The whole 'suspicious group' in Castle Oztroja etc, was actually interesting...I noticed a bunch of random low levels in Castle O & the Tree. They were Anon in the regular starting outfit w/lv1 weapons etc, it kind of makes sense now.

Yeah, I ran by a bunch of tarus at that opening in the passage in Boyahda, as it opens to where the Goobbue are; they either are just leeching new characters from level 1 on, or they just don't bother to buy equipment for them anymore, they were all in that bright green starting gear resting, with a few other characters equipped around them.

[ronin sparthos]

- 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.
July 22, Approx. 10 cases

10 people banned for botting.

- Involved in compromised accounts
July 22, Approx. 590 cases

600 stolen accounts banned/frozen.

Awesome. So less than 1 person per server was actively banned for botting.

Lets hope that SE can see that RMT dont give a fuck about farming and grinding as much as they care about getting into peoples accounts, abusing the fuck outta world transfers and leaving the customer high and dry.

Still waiting for the day they magically put some security on the WTS.

[Spekkio]

Yeah, I ran by a bunch of tarus at that opening in the passage in Boyahda, as it opens to where the Goobbue are; they either are just leeching new characters from level 1 on, or they just don't bother to buy equipment for them anymore, they were all in that bright green starting gear resting, with a few other characters equipped around them.

based on what someone was commenting on just the other day on BG, gil found in chests/coffers does not exactly scale inversely with the number of people in party. to make up some numbers here, let's say you got 10k if you opened it solo and if 2 people were in the party you got 8k each. that's an extra 6k total. scale that up to 18 people, and you make a tad more money by having more players in the alliance when the chest is popped.

say a 30 minute repop on coffers (is that right?) and guess maybe 50k a pop with 18, and that's 100k/hr/zone. 2.4m/day/zone and if they're working say QSC, oztroja, monastic, the quad place i can't spell, zvhal, and temple of ugly, that's 6 zones they can work simultaneously. 2.4m/day/zone*6 zones=14.4m/day. idk what gil is atm, but let's just guess 40 bucks a million, so that's 576 bucks a day or 17,280dollars/month. deduct 18 accounts at 13+5 (assuming they use the same 18 accounts and log between the chars so each acct has 6 chars on it) for a total of 324 bucks/month =$16,956/month, for a completely automated solution. when you take into account that they may be spanning several servers too since iirc, the max chars per account is 18, that's a LOT of money.

wow. i wasn't expecting that to turn into such a diatribe, but you guys know how i love to do stupid, pointless calculations like that. ^^

[ringthree]

10 people banned for botting.



600 stolen accounts banned/frozen.

Awesome. So less than 1 person per server was actively banned for botting.

Lets hope that SE can see that RMT dont give a fuck about farming and grinding as much as they care about getting into peoples accounts, abusing the fuck outta world transfers and leaving the customer high and dry.

Still waiting for the day they magically put some security on the WTS.

If they really wanted to bleed the RMT, they would put the 90 day no transfer period on any newly created account. The bans would really hurt the RMT that hack at that point.

EDIT: Ehh, maybe not if they just transfer the hacked account. Bah, there goes that idea. Still it would be nice if there was a 90 day no transfer period on a newly created account to prevent abuse.

[Izzy]

If they really wanted to bleed the RMT, they would put the 90 day no transfer period on any newly created account. The bans would really hurt the RMT that hack at that point.

I think normally the stolen character is the one that's transferred to the mules on another server so the RMT could still pull it off.

[The Stig]

based on what someone was commenting on just the other day on BG, gil found in chests/coffers does not exactly scale inversely with the number of people in party. to make up some numbers here, let's say you got 10k if you opened it solo and if 2 people were in the party you got 8k each. that's an extra 6k total. scale that up to 18 people, and you make a tad more money by having more players in the alliance when the chest is popped.

say a 30 minute repop on coffers (is that right?) and guess maybe 50k a pop with 18, and that's 100k/hr/zone. 2.4m/day/zone and if they're working say QSC, oztroja, monastic, the quad place i can't spell, zvhal, and temple of ugly, that's 6 zones they can work simultaneously. 2.4m/day/zone*6 zones=14.4m/day. idk what gil is atm, but let's just guess 40 bucks a million, so that's 576 bucks a day or 17,280dollars/month. deduct 18 accounts at 13+5 (assuming they use the same 18 accounts and log between the chars so each acct has 6 chars on it) for a total of 324 bucks/month =$16,956/month, for a completely automated solution. when you take into account that they may be spanning several servers too since iirc, the max chars per account is 18, that's a LOT of money.

wow. i wasn't expecting that to turn into such a diatribe, but you guys know how i love to do stupid, pointless calculations like that. ^^

http://www.bluegartr.com/forum/showthread.php?t=60358




Also, I loved how someone in that thread commented on how I ruined his "farming" idea because I mentioned Sky.

AS IF LIKE YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE TO DO THAT.

Not to mention running around sky looking for a coffer is a huge waste of time.

[RKenshin]

EDIT: Wooshed myself, scratch that!

gogo more banned peoplez