Bots are back with a vengeance post 1.1.2

Phinix1

Now post patch 1.1.2 and the bots are everywhere. Trains of bots reproducing like rats. Flying bots falling from the sky. Resource farming bots. Teleporting bots. Rubber banding bots. Twisting whirlwind bots. Wrecking everything good about the game from the economy to immersion. Try to report them and they mock you by fluttering circles around you and flying away.

It is Chinese bot torture! Projecting their misery onto the world!

KerinKor

Clearly ZOS have no idea how to tackle them.

I had really hoped 1.1.2 was going to be when they made their first attempt at fixing some of the basic software design flaws that put all control logic on the client where it can be 'hacked'.

Instead the bots are clearly entirely unaffected and I've seen far huger swarms in some delves that I've ever seen, not to mention more speed-hacking and outright teleporting ones. Since these are the easiest to spot server-side it seems pretty obvious ZOS haven't bothered even trying and their never-ending prattle about being a "top priority" is simply vacuous.

There's also what seems like a daily expansion in the number of quests level 2s are abusing, I saw a town in one of the higher zones (Rivenspire maybe) where there was a never-ending flood of level 2s arriving at the Wayshrine, running to a couple of NPCs then logging out.

Phinix1

They are obviously out of their league.

ZOS, why can't you just put players that don't repeat the same behavior over and over in a phase with other legit players and leave all the robotic behavior bots and "legit" farmers in their own phase, so we don't have to constantly see this crap?

ronanh73b16_ESO

The bot problem is really getting out of hand. Hoards of L2 bots in Coldharbour, and in Ailkir farming quests and mobs. Clan member couldn't even do a quest last night because they were zerging the mobs before he could get to them.

I'm back in low level areas on an alt and the place is almost barren of any alchemy resources, they disappear as fast as they spawn.

This is the biggest problem facing the game currently. It needs to be addressed asap.

Lunerdog

Rolled a new char last night and while in Stros Mkai an Argonion Kamikaze Pilot was doing fly bys at Mach 3

Surely these speed hacks must be detectable ?

zeuseason

I've officially rage-quit due to bots. I have 10 or so days left on my sub. Like the game, hate the bots/exploits all up in my space.

Ravinsild

I've been Unsubscribed for quite some time now. Nothing about this game really seems to be improving from no incentives to PVP (no reason to do it outside of fun... Literally no rewards) and no endgame to speak of... Still tons of bugs and bots like no tomorrow... Broken skill trees imbalance between light/staff and any other play style especially melee focused ones....

Just nothing to stay for.

Aldrorius

Yes we need to create a thread about bots everyday, as Zoz probably dont know about the problem yet...

/sarcasm

redwoodtreesprite

It has gotten worse. Some bots seem to have an avoidance scripted into them. I was watching one harvesting. Level 10. When a mob ran at it to attack, the bot did this super fast back and forth thing and then one-shotted the mob. Also, some will log out if you are standing close enough to try and report them.

And yes, we need to keep making a lot of noise about this, as it is basically ruining much of our gameplay experience. They are already in vet areas, and soon enough will be running in packs there as well.

Fairydragon3

redwoodtreesprite wrote: »

It has gotten worse. Some bots seem to have an avoidance scripted into them. I was watching one harvesting. Level 10. When a mob ran at it to attack, the bot did this super fast back and forth thing and then one-shotted the mob. Also, some will log out if you are standing close enough to try and report them.

And yes, we need to keep making a lot of noise about this, as it is basically ruining much of our gameplay experience. They are already in vet areas, and soon enough will be running in packs there as well.

ah explains why that farming bot disappeared on me, though I was hanging back enough cuz I was still unsure it it was a bot or not

but no, no more noise, ZOS totally know how pissed and worried people are, putting more stress on them and the forums isn't going to help

GossiTheDog

There's an open source bot program which support LUA addons, somebody has released an addon for the bot which teleports the bot away if a Gamemaster is near it. It's pretty funny.

Try not to take the bots too seriously, just ignore 'em is my take.

kasain

Don't worry ZOS will gmp players in some way that they say is to control or stop botting. But in the end it will just gimp the player base and the bots will reprogram themselves to a better spot.

Why oh why can they just not have the modif's quest able, and lvl 1-10 cartable sellable by NPCS? Even a horse should be quest reward for finishing the Alamanic or whatever.

FOr a game with 3000x quest its sad that we can't have a quest that in the end leads to something the RMT would sell for big gold. Or that ZOS can't get players into crafting because the npc won't sell lvl one materials.

The more I play this game the more I admire what FFXI is doing and hs done in xi and in XIV



On a side note you should se ethe 100+ players outside the spiders dungeon making parties of four to 28k exp every few minutes. As the mass player base wants to lvl up to get to new zone and doesn't care much about the slow questing.

Tavore1138

AlienDiplomat wrote: »

They are obviously out of their league.

ZOS, why can't you just put players that don't repeat the same behavior over and over in a phase with other legit players and leave all the robotic behavior bots and "legit" farmers in their own phase, so we don't have to constantly see this crap?

I get the bots problem but why should we legitimate crafters who need to spend time harvesting resources and , I suspect, have favourite places to do it have to put up with bots while you don't?

I regularly harvest a long stretch in Rivenspire (like half the map long) because it is one of the few in game places that has a decent range of the resources I need to craft with. It is used by other characters, some of whom are definitely bots - if I see something that is obviously a bot then I report it, otherwise I accept that other players need ore/wood/cloth/runes/flowers too and just suck it up.

At the same time I will play the game... chat in zone, clean out random encounters, help with the dolmen that is on the route when it's up and so on.

The whole point of TES/ESO is to let people have the gaming experience they want as far as possible so unless legitimate players who harvest are stopping you questing or whatever else you wish to do then leave us alone and focus on the bots.

Although I do get it can be hard to tell I think there are some things that make even scripted bots stand out such as behaviour towards random events, behaviour to empty nodes and so on...

Bots are a problem all want to see gone but if you start trying to segregate real players you are just adding to the problem.

zeuseason

Aldrorius wrote: »

Yes we need to create a thread about bots everyday, as Zoz probably dont know about the problem yet...

/sarcasm

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

I make it a point to report the bots I see in game just for the simple fact I hope it floods the heck out of ZOS's ticket system with screenshots.

This is a huge problem in this game right now, and worse than ever with no resolution in sight. I've already rage quit over seeing the bots take over virtually every zone.

jaggedrelief

Hey, ZOS, remind me again what legitimate business a level 2 player has in a level 30 area.

Cathrin

Today I started leveling my new DC character and there where bots flying, walking halfway in the ground and - which was my favorite - running faster than a speeding bullet.

In the first solo dungeon, there was a funny train of bots farming.
Since there seems to be no counter measure, just make the whole zone a PVB zone and allow us, to slay them bots!

Absynthe

Yeah, I've noticed more than a few low level players just sitting beside bosses in dungeons, in a safe niche who pop up to loot the boss every time someone kills it, then go back to their safe niche. Maybe it's my imagination? Lol

SirAndy

KerinKor wrote: »

Clearly ZOS have no idea how to tackle them.

At this point, two months into the game, i think it's clear that ZOS can't bandaid the completely broken client/server mess they created.
That was hands down the worst design decision i have seen in a long time.

The only thing i can see working is to completely redo the client/server code to not allow the client to make any decisions, which will take months.

Evergnar

With a vengeance is an understatement. Needed air traffic control in Reapers March last night.

kasain

I feel so left out. To this day I have never seen a flying player or bot.

I have seen bots of three plus in cold harbor kill everything. I have seen resources just vanish without anyone around. As the bot is under ground. But I never seen a flying character. Are they on dragons? Maybe they Jesus, but walk on air, not water? Clearly we need a museum photo gallery so everyone can see these great wonders.

radiostar

Reported the bot train plus their clanfears in Crosswych yesterday. There were a few players there questing but the majority was this 5-6 bot train with their spawns zooming through town and the mine.

Felt a little guilty, since they saved my char more than once from the bandits.

kasain

radiostar wrote: »

Reported the bot train plus their clanfears in Crosswych yesterday. There were a few players there questing but the majority was this 5-6 bot train with their spawns zooming through town and the mine.

Felt a little guilty, since they saved my char more than once from the bandits.

Yea, but were they flying? I still say it's a myth. You can't fly unless you are on a dragon or Superman!

MeIkor

Not to sound Bad but why doesn't ZoS just block all IPs from china, india, etc where bots are rampant. The game has a NA and EU server so there isnt even an Asia server. When your country cant crack down on rampant cyber hackers then better off just banning the IP from those areas. Saves a lot of hassle.

Sakiri

ronanh73b16_ESO wrote: »

The bot problem is really getting out of hand. Hoards of L2 bots in Coldharbour, and in Ailkir farming quests and mobs. Clan member couldn't even do a quest last night because they were zerging the mobs before he could get to them.

I'm back in low level areas on an alt and the place is almost barren of any alchemy resources, they disappear as fast as they spawn.

This is the biggest problem facing the game currently. It needs to be addressed asap.

Yeah Im noticing theres jute available now but not alchemy ingredients.

Fairydragon3

MeIkor wrote: »

Not to sound Bad but why doesn't ZoS just block all IPs from china, india, etc where bots are rampant. The game has a NA and EU server so there isnt even an Asia server. When your country cant crack down on rampant cyber hackers then better off just banning the IP from those areas. Saves a lot of hassle.

Pretty sure the game isnt offered to china, but I bet they get it any how, But I've had seen stuff where people are being hacked from S. Korea. I thought everyone there was playing starcraft 24/7

Banumu

jaggedrelief wrote: »

Hey, ZOS, remind me again what legitimate business a level 2 player has in a level 30 area.

At the same time, We little levels either get our resources taken by bots or level 30-47 players, which I'm seeing a lot more of now. Was told they are farming here because 1. it's easy 2. because there is bots in those areas now 3. None of my business, they can play any way they want.

Not sticking up for bots but If you don't like bots in your area why do the same thing they are basically doing to the lower level zones?

Had one player actually *** because I got to the jute first. My reply was simple go farm your level area. Clearing out caves and such because you want mats fine, but do it in your level area.

mtaff072b16_ESO

You have to wonder who is buying all the materials/gold they are farming. That is where the problem lies - no market no farmer bots.

liquid_wolf

As far as I can tell... massive bans took place against the bots.

Then they came back with new accounts.

On the one hand... Bots.
On the other hand... Newly Purchased Accounts.

1. Does this imply gold sales are successful in ESO?
2. Is Zenimax Online Studios really making a lot of money off the new accounts?

In Every Single MMORPG I play/played I've reported bots on a weekly basis... so I don't really see a problem here.

I'm certainly reporting MORE bots than other MMORPGs, but given the nature of the Megaserver, that is understandable. It is as if all the bots on all 20 NA Servers of another MMORPG are suddenly all in one spot.

Evergnar

kasain wrote: »

I feel so left out. To this day I have never seen a flying player or bot.

I have seen bots of three plus in cold harbor kill everything. I have seen resources just vanish without anyone around. As the bot is under ground. But I never seen a flying character. Are they on dragons? Maybe they Jesus, but walk on air, not water? Clearly we need a museum photo gallery so everyone can see these great wonders.

Just go on youtube. A picture just doesn't do it justice. When you see it while playing it's not cool. Just immersive breaking and disheatening.

KerinKor

MeIkor wrote: »

Not to sound Bad but why doesn't ZoS just block all IPs from china, india, etc where bots are rampant.

Research IP Proxies, there's your answer.

coryevans_3b14_ESO

Ravinsild wrote: »

I've been Unsubscribed for quite some time now. Nothing about this game really seems to be improving from no incentives to PVP (no reason to do it outside of fun... Literally no rewards) and no endgame to speak of... Still tons of bugs and bots like no tomorrow... Broken skill trees imbalance between light/staff and any other play style especially melee focused ones....

Just nothing to stay for.

LOL, you have absolutely no credibility. There is plenty of xp in pvp now. You're going by old info. Go away.