You have all heard of one or more, the game was born with an exploit (the dupe exploit). They have become so ingrained into the very culture of the gaming community, that we wouldnt recognize an ESO without them, at this point. Worse than that, however, is how Zenimax has approached dealing with them. From the beginning cheating/exploiting/abuse of broken mechanics has basically defined the meta of this game, from using the broken trap skill in undaunted to farm VWGT, to standing in caltrops on a breach for immunity to siege, to everyone adopting wall of elements or shuffle, to just name it, its out there, and everyone uses it with impunity.
Why? Because of ZOS's track record dealing with the guilty. The moderators of these forums do a pretty bang up job of making sure youre following ToS or youre out of here quicker than you can blink an eye, I should know, ive been sanctioned before. They do not play.
So why in game is moderation so ineffectual? Ive known people to blatantly exploit and cheat for YEARS on end, without so much as a whisper happening to them. Ive spoken to them in-game, some dont even know the community thinks they are doing so at times. God forbid anyone mentions their names though, because you will get hammered fast.
Why arent the in game GMs as authoritarian as our forum mods? I know over 20 people that probably should have been game banned 2 years ago, still here, still exploiting whatever they can find. I also know 20 people that have been forum banned for doing nothing other than protest the ones ruining the game itself.
Today on the forums we have a new firestorm of in game mismanagement of an exploit. This time, action was taken, granted slap on the wrist, but the fallout is an unthinkable RETENTION OF THE EXPLOITED SPOILS. What? So basically the message sent is more of the same: "Exploit early, exploit often, we dont care lulz, just dont say bad things about it on social media or you will suffer the wrath of 1000 banhammers"
Zenimax, you need to clean your act up. Seriously. its damn disgraceful to watch, knowing full well anything I even post on these forums at this point could get me arbiitrarily banned for a plethora of reasons. I literally fear posting sometimes because I know I am being watched, heavily. But why arent the people IN GAME DOING WAY MORE DAMAGE THAN I EVER COULD able to go about their business as if they had not a care in the world? Exploiting glaring issues and bugs with 100 percent impunity, day in, day out, find the next one, abuse that too.
I got an idea, swap your forum mods and in game GMs. Police the game the way you police the forums. Most of the problems resolve immediately. That or just adopt a zero tolerance policy for this behavior, make a few examples, and scare the living hell out of anyone enough they dont dare abuse things or think to exploit. You know, like I have to do here on the forums, live in perpetual fear of a ban. Thats how an exploiter in game should fear.
its pretty simple really.
@ZoS_GinaBruno @ZOS_MattFiror
Inb4 "wont discuss actions" im not asking anyone to discuss actions, i want to see actions. Just DO IT.
The first thing you should do is delete all of the accumulated mats the exploiters gained unfairly, I mean that just makes sense. Jail a guy for counterfeiting, but leave piles of counterfeit money laying around, seems legit.
@rylanadionysis == Closed Beta Tester October 2013 == Retired October 2016 == Uninstalled @ One Tamriel Release == Inactive Indefinitely
Ebonheart Pact:
Lyzara Dionysis - Sorc - AR 37 (Former Empress of Blackwater Blade and Haderus) ==
Shondra Dionysis - Temp - AR 23 ==
Arrianaya Dionysis - DK - AR 17
Aldmeri Dominion:
Rylana Dionysis - DK - AR 25 == Kailiana - NB - AR 21 == Minerva Dionysis - Temp - AR 21 == Victoria Dionysis - Sorc - AR 13
Daggerfall Covenant:
Dannika Dionysis - DK - AR 21 == The Catman Rises - Temp - AR 15 (Former Emperor of Blackwater Blade)
Forum LOL Champion (retired) == Black Belt in Ballista-Fu == The Last Vice Member == Praise Cheesus == Electro-Goblin