What would you like to be done about the bots?

ifDoubtNerfIt
ifDoubtNerfIt
✭✭✭
So I'm reading the General discussion sub-forum for a long time now, and every day I see at least one thread about bots, GMs, ZoS in general. That's the reason I want to ask you, the community, what would you like to see being done about the bot problem? As they are clearly ruining the economy of the game and the game in general.
My suggestions are these:
  • ZoS being more open about what they are doing about the issues in the game.
  • ZoS GMs not being invisible to other players.
  • ZoS GMs starting to stream on twitch, at least 1 day a week, so we can see what they are doing ingame.

I understand that ZoS has Morrowind to work on, but still you can't ignore the game and only focus on one thing, that's not the way it should be done. Also I want to hear a constructive opinion from @ZOS_GinaBruno regarding all this.
Edited by ifDoubtNerfIt on March 24, 2017 11:11AM

What would you like to be done about the bots? 141 votes

I want to see changes.
77%
NestorlaurajfElder_Martink9mouseCaligamy_ESOSurragardnick59349b14_ESODestruentNemesis7884Iruil_ESOTurelusAlienSlofdennissomb16_ESONebthet78Calculated_RiskAnath_QSarielisAllu07neb18_ESOgangyzgirlHatchetHaro 109 votes
Other??
22%
TabbycatMoiskormoimiGilvothNewBlacksmurfBigBraggotis67raglauJames-WayneGhost-ShotDMuehlhausenMerlin13KAGLSarevocckarma69nimander99DamianosViolynnenotimetocareRunsOeildefeu91Eshelmen 32 votes
  • Turelus
    Turelus
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    I can't be bothered to retype my whole thing again so I will just copy paste from another thread.


    As Gina has posted twice in this thread I'm holding out hope that ZOS are still reading it, so I will once again try one more time to make my case I have over the years. I also will leave my witty comments out of this post as I want it to be taken seriously.

    Now granted I am very entitled in my view. As I have stated many times on the forums I come from EVE Online which is run by CCP Games. They're a very small company compared to other MMO companies and are their own bosses (no parent company) so they probably have a lot more freedom than ZOS does, but they've been ahead of the others with game security and enforcement for years.

    1. We Don't Understand Your Security.
    As a company you're very tight lipped about how you handle security for the game, whilst some of this make sense in not feeding bots/cheaters information, there is a lot we could know which wouldn't harm defence efforts.
    • Does ZOS have an in house or outsourced GM team?
    • Do you have a head of security, if so can they speak to us on the forums?
    • What are you bans policies, is there a strike system, what are your actual rules?
    Regarding you head of security, I can for example speak with CCP's head simply as going on Twitter, https://twitter.com/ccp_peligro
    Communication is a huge part in changing opinions on this, please start considering releasing figures of accounts banned, gold confiscated, etc. it makes a world of difference to see.

    2. Your System Isn't Working.
    I know that's something you don't want to hear, or may believe you know better (and you might) but right now the percecption from the community is that things don't work.
    • It's too much effort to report a bot, there needs to be a streamlined feature added which handles server, location, ID's, times etc. so we don't have to manually fill that out. Click Button, Submit Report. It should be that simple.
    • Reports never get handled. They just seem to vanish after they're filed, someone within the company needs to look at why a bot report is not being addressed within a week. We shouldn't be seeing the same bots weeks even months later.
    • Consider a direct email for your GM team such as security@elderscrollsonline.com
    • Consider not outsourcing this, seriously outsourced GM staff are not as effective as an in house team which have direct access to the developers and community.

    3. Crack Down on RMT.
    It's not just botting which is an issue. Gold buying and selling is happening a lot and we're not seeing punishments, you need to have an active team working to prevent this, as once again other MMO's tend to do.
    I understand it's not possible to stop every transaction, but right now it feels like nothing is being done.

    Please see some of the links below, and I really hope someone from ZOS can invest some time into reading/watching some of this and taking a case to whatever powers make these choices.

    EVE Fanfest Security Presentations:
    EVE Online Known Exploits Page: https://support.eveonline.com/hc/en-us/articles/204873262-Known-Declared-Exploits

    EVE Online Security Dev Blogs:
    It isn't just EVE Online and CCP Games either:
    Here we can see Blizzard with a statement about a ban wave as well as an email address for reports: LINK
    Guild Wars 2 Security Dev talks about bots: LINK
    SWTOR has posts from Devs but mostly the same as ESO "report it to our CS team".

    To the Community.
    It also lands on us to stop this, with continued reports (though frustrating) in game and on the forums.
    By encouraging and calling out RMT, these bots have no job if we as a community stand up and voice why players taking part in RMT is bad.
    @Turelus - EU PC Megaserver
    "Don't count on others for help. In the end each of us is in this alone. The survivors are those who know how to look out for themselves."
  • RapidUrsa
    RapidUrsa
    ✭✭✭✭
    Other??
    I want them to do what they did in Runescape which was put them in this special arena where everyone got to damage them and finally you chose how they got to be executed!! Then there items were spread out fairly for those who attended! People who reported Bots that were found to be actual got special titles :)
    About Me
    Xbox One - EU
    Gamertag - RapidUrsa
    Overall CP - 500
  • Lieblingsjunge
    Lieblingsjunge
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    There's been some bans recently, at least on EU/PC server. I LIKE IT. People that bought from bots have been banned, some, anyway. I feel like it's coming in waves. There's a period when nothing happens, and then suddenly people get banned. It's nothing that happen continiously.

    Yes. Report the *beep* out of those people and it'll eventually be resolved.
    Ignorance is the greatest weapon of tyranny.
    PC - EU.
    Lieblingsjunge(AD) - Racechanged Argonian :< | AR 50 - No double AP or Bleakers involved |
    Sits-On-Cacti(DC) - Problem?
    Fail-With-Tail(AD) - Healing Springs-spammer :<
    Tiny Liebs(EP) - Very Tiny. Also heals.
    Lieblingsmädchen(DC) - Magplar is love.
    The Dominàtrix(AD) - Chains, whip, whip, whip.
    Fluffy Furball Kitten(DC) - Kittycat, meow.
    Your Face(EP) - People make bad jokes about my name =(
    Liebs-With-Trees(AD) - Male argo with a big tail :>

    Officer/Sandwitch of Zerg Squad
    My title: The Maneater, Destroyer of Maneuvers, Bane of Potatoes, she who devours them, The Black Hole, the humorless, first of her name.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    ✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • RapidUrsa
    RapidUrsa
    ✭✭✭✭
    Other??
    @PelinalWhitestrake
    Tylos001 wrote: »
    I want them to do what they did in Runescape which was put them in this special arena where everyone got to damage them and finally you chose how they got to be executed!! Then there items were spread out fairly for those who attended! People who reported Bots that were found to be actual got special titles :)

    About Me
    Xbox One - EU
    Gamertag - RapidUrsa
    Overall CP - 500
  • ifDoubtNerfIt
    ifDoubtNerfIt
    ✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    If I could ban them bots, I would start another Madness across Tamriel to do so.
    Molag Bal would be nothing compared to you huh? xD
    Tylos001 wrote: »
    I want them to do what they did in Runescape which was put them in this special arena where everyone got to damage them and finally you chose how they got to be executed!! Then there items were spread out fairly for those who attended! People who reported Bots that were found to be actual got special titles :)
    IMO, that would ruin the game even more, to get the items from the farmers, imagine 1M gold, stacks of yellow material "given" to the players who slain the bots. Yes I would love to see a "shame" spot for all the bots and to have fun with them. But not the drops.
  • Marktoneth3
    Marktoneth3
    ✭✭✭
    I'm unemployed

    I wanna be GM for free monthly ESO+
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    ✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Rex-Umbra
    Rex-Umbra
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    Go though boot botters, repeat offenders 1 day bans
    Xbox GT: Rex Umbrah
    GM of IMPERIUM since 2015.
  • notimetocare
    notimetocare
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Other??
    I simply do not care. The bots that really impact the game are harder to catch then they are worth. Dolmen grinders are meh
  • Tabbycat
    Tabbycat
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭
    Other??
    I want Uncle Sheo to grab his Wabbajack and zap bots with it.

    That would put on a better show than just watching GM's stroll around killing bots.

    As a side note, ZOS will never tell you what they are doing to combat bots because if they tell you, they tell everyone including the botters. And that just makes it that much easier for the botters to circumvent any controls ZOS tries to put in place.
    Edited by Tabbycat on March 24, 2017 11:52AM
    Founder and Co-GM of The Psijic Order Guild (NA)
    0.016%
  • Turelus
    Turelus
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    Rex-Umbra wrote: »
    Go though boot botters, repeat offenders 1 day bans

    Considering it's a violation of ToS I don't think 1day bans work.

    I know other companies with a strike rule did 7, 30, perma for some actions.

    The idea is to be harsh and show this will mess with your game, it's also important to remove gold from buyers if they're caught.
    @Turelus - EU PC Megaserver
    "Don't count on others for help. In the end each of us is in this alone. The survivors are those who know how to look out for themselves."
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    ✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    The user and all related content has been deleted.
  • Hand_Bacon
    Hand_Bacon
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    Nobody used the line "Nuke 'em from space..." yet?

    Allow me...
    #AlmostGood@ESO
  • BigBragg
    BigBragg
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭
    Other??
    I want them be joined together to form some kind of megabot, something like Voltron or the Power Rangers. Wondering the land, fighting Molag Bal and his anchors. They could be our patron heros, saving Tamriel from evil invaders one heavy attack at a time.
  • thebattlesaintb14_ESO
    Nuke them from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
  • Tryxus
    Tryxus
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Allow us to attack them
    "Stand strong, stay true and shelter all."
    Tryxus - Guardian of the Green - Warden - PC/EU
  • IcyDeadPeople
    IcyDeadPeople
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    Are they just at dolmens? Haven't encountered any bots at all during the past couple years since launch. I assume this is because the only dolmens I visit are in Cyrodiil.
  • ifDoubtNerfIt
    ifDoubtNerfIt
    ✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    Are they just at dolmens? Haven't encountered any bots at all during the past couple years since launch. I assume this is because the only dolmens I visit are in Cyrodiil.
    They are everywhere, at dolmens, farming hotspots, public dungeons...
  • Nahtal
    Nahtal
    ✭✭✭
    Take a look in to GTAV system :) much ZOS can learn from that. :)
    Love to crind, to sell, to explore, to heal, and to have fun.
    Templar Breton vampire HEAL CP463 Lord Massimo 'fire is his friend'
    Templar Argonian QUAN CHI HEAL CP463: 'the light of friendly'
    Nightblade Breton Sjangsung DPS CP463 'does not take souls'
    Zizeng (new char) DPS/HEAL warden (not chinees char)
  • phileunderx2
    phileunderx2
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    You bot, you get banned. That is how it should be.
  • Everstorm
    Everstorm
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    Nuke them from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

    Collateral damage ftw!
  • clocksstoppe
    clocksstoppe
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Absolutely nothing. I want cheap mats.
  • Hand_Bacon
    Hand_Bacon
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    Nuke them from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.

    How dare you quote it accurately...
    #AlmostGood@ESO
  • Prive
    Prive
    ✭✭✭
    Unfortunately ZOS is not anticipating well enough to the problem and neither does support.
    They are also not willing to participate in solving this problem.

    My main account recently got banned for "gold selling activity". According to support, I've made a transaction of 1.164.000 to a bot ,see image below;

    [img][/img]LSQFejQ.png

    So, let's say I bought from a guy, directly, trough a trade. How am I supposed to know what this young man is going to do with that gold? Do I need to ask it? "hey, before we make this transfer of supplies for gold, can you please guarantee me that you won't sell that gold for real life money"?

    Is that really what I will have to start doing for every trade I make?

    What i'm trying to say here: it is not my job to prevent someone from selling gold. That is something ZOS has to take care of.
    If I see some people selling mats, or whatever else they are trying to sell and it can be lucrative for me as a trader.. Then why on earth should I be careful of who I buy from.

    It gets even worse. Cause in the next e-mail I received from Support, they are telling me that I bought from a "known gold seller". If you KNOW that that is a gold seller, why is he still in the game? @ZOS_GinaBruno . Why is this gold selling account still walking around, when you KNOW who he is?

    [img][/img]QlVgWws.png

    Next.
    As many of us all know, there are a lot of people buying materials and so on from so called "bots". I know of some people that have received "warning mails". Yet, I got a perma ban. I also tried to explain this to ZOS:

    [img][/img]gCIJQXb.png

    Then, I offered them help in "fighting" the immense botting problem we are currently facing in this game. And not just my help, but also the help of other GM's from big trading guilds

    [img][/img]S2Zltmw.png

    OK, admitted, I didn't really expect a reply of them concerning this, since they showed us more than once already that they do not really care about fixing the problem. But the reply I received was way more "unexpected" than initially thought.

    [img][/img]3ALtH7S.png

    So, instead of trying to get info on the botters/goldsellers, they want them to give me info on people that are actually actively playing the game, subscribe to ESO+ and are a great addition to the good community we have in game.

    There's has been a lot more written meanwhile, but i'll spare you all the details.
    For what it matters, @ZOS_GinaBruno , there are many people in this game willing to help and fix you with the current botting problem. But not in the current way you are handling stuff at the moment. You're punishing the wrong people. You're punishing the people that also have put in mass effort and time into reporting the bots and gold sellers. These people have been making a countless numbers of reports, videos, screenshots (even on request) and literally nothing has been done with it. The video's didnt get a single added view. The reports have - apparently - never been looked at and the response to all these efforts was at a bare minimum. I even dare to say there was 0 response.

    I just hope that something can be done. We reached a point of being clueless how to draw your attention to this topic.
    So please, show some will and fix a solution for this. Wether this is WITH or WITHOUT the community.

    We are willing to help, all it takes is someone to reach out to us..
    @AlfonsoV [HODOR}

    Diamond KK Mag Nightblade, dark elf
    *** C Stam Templar, khajit
    Alfonso V Mag Templar, high elf
    Florence N Mag Templar, high elf
    Ke'the Mag DK, dark elf
    Gr'ethe StamDK, redguard
    Luna L Mag Sorc, high elf
    Shark Ira Stam Sorc, redguard
    Po Ca Hon Tas. Mag Warden, high elf

  • Violynne
    Violynne
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Other??
    I selected "Other" because I see no impact these botters have on the game as it relates to my play. They don't affect me, and I couldn't give a care less if they want to level up by "botting".

    Now, if these players do start to affect my play, I'll change my answer.
  • ifDoubtNerfIt
    ifDoubtNerfIt
    ✭✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    Prive wrote: »
    too long to quote...
    @Prive Yeah, seen your post about this on another thread, but yeah, you're right. You can't know if a person is a botter or w/e. Personally I'm thinking that they should start to legally prosecute the botters like WoW does.
    Violynne wrote: »
    I selected "Other" because I see no impact these botters have on the game as it relates to my play. They don't affect me, and I couldn't give a care less if they want to level up by "botting".

    Now, if these players do start to affect my play, I'll change my answer.
    @Violynne Imagine this, (example only) last week Tempering Alloy costs 11k gold, so you start to farm it, you farm 20 Tempering Alloy in 1 weeks, great so far. All of a sudden next week you realise that Tempering Alloy's price dropped to 6k. So now you regret refining those raw materials which you could have sold for a much higher profit.
    That's basicaly what the bots do. Destroying the economy.
    Edited by ifDoubtNerfIt on March 24, 2017 1:49PM
  • NewBlacksmurf
    NewBlacksmurf
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Other??
    I'd rather they fix the game.....bots could also be better addressed but I've lost interest...dropped my sub and other than this event stuff...rarely play

    Who cares about bots when you're having bad experiences due to poor development focus on Xbox one
    -PC (PTS)/Xbox One: NewBlacksmurf
    ~<{[50]}>~ looks better than *501
  • LadyLavina
    LadyLavina
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    Make a cannon that fires infinite sandwiches into the mouths of the bots, giving them type 2 diabetes and shortening their life expectancy significantly.

    As far as an actual answer, I would love to see a Game Master presence in game again to actually make stuff happen and get rid of these things
    Edited by LadyLavina on March 24, 2017 1:46PM
    PC - NA @LadyLavina 1800+ CP PvP Tank and PvP Healer
  • Kodrac
    Kodrac
    ✭✭✭✭✭
    ✭✭
    I want to see changes.
    Violynne wrote: »
    I selected "Other" because I see no impact these botters have on the game as it relates to my play. They don't affect me, and I couldn't give a care less if they want to level up by "botting".

    Now, if these players do start to affect my play, I'll change my answer.

    "If it doesn't effect me personally I don't care." Great attitude to have. You do realize you are part of a community don't you?
Sign In or Register to comment.