Maintenance for the week of April 6:
• ESO Store and Account System for maintenance – April 8, 9:00AM EDT (13:00 UTC) - 6:00PM EDT (22:00 UTC)
• ESO Store and Account System for maintenance – April 8, 9:00AM EDT (13:00 UTC) - 6:00PM EDT (22:00 UTC)
We are currently investigating connection issues some players are having on the European megaservers. We will update as new information becomes available.
GM NEEDED ASAP!! SEND GM TO HOLLOW CITY IN COLDHARBOUR!!!
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Yankee✭✭✭✭2) Frantically try to target one of them to bring up the nameplate and hope you're able to trigger the radial menu in order to hit the Report! option at 10 o'clock. This has to happen within 5 seconds otherwise the mobs is dead, the bot runs off, you lose focus and lose the chance to pop up the radial menu. The reality is most attempts fail because your game is broken and sometimes you can target something an no nameplate appears.
You left out;
As you wait for the clunky reporting system to come up and fill it out, you find out you are standing in a mob respawn point that the bots had killed earlier.
Your screen flashes red and your HP drops as 3 mobs beat on you while you try to submit yet another bot report.
The solution to bots I found is to get to vet zones, and stay there. At least until Zenimax nerfs the main story quests and makes them even easier (and grouped). Then the bots will flood into the vet zones.
I still enjoy the game, but am amazed Zenimax put no system into place before launch to deal with bots.
Edited by Yankee on May 8, 2014 12:52PM1 -
crush83✭✭✭✭Couldn't they eliminate some of the problem by implementing name standards? Rather than a GM needing to go in and manually spot the bots, someone could just go through the name roster (according to some defined standard) and delete characters with nonsense, afkdibilk, names.
*and, at creation, they could be met with "Cannot create character with this name."
It's not difficult for bots to implement sensible names. They don't do it now because there's no point in doing it. However, it's really easy to do. Think about games that have a "random name generator". Same concept.
You build lists of prefixes, suffixes, and the main portions of names. You combine them randomly. You get a sensical name. Add proper casing to it. Now it is indistinguishable from other players.
On the flip side, I've seen legitimate players with gibberish names like "askgskgj"Edited by crush83 on May 8, 2014 12:53PM1 -
GreySix✭✭✭✭✭
✭Couldn't they eliminate some of the problem by implementing name standards? Rather than a GM needing to go in and manually spot the bots, someone could just go through the name roster (according to some defined standard) and delete characters with nonsense, afkdibilk, names.
*and, at creation, they could be met with "Cannot create character with this name."
That briefs well, but creating a name-search and forbid algorithm is butt-pain. I've done it before as an amateur programmer, and it wasn't easy. Needed a sizable database, and have you seen some of the Asian names out there? To Westerners, some of them appear as nonsense.Crotchety Old Man Guild
"Hey you, get off my lawn!"1 -
Affrayer✭✭✭Couldn't they eliminate some of the problem by implementing name standards? Rather than a GM needing to go in and manually spot the bots, someone could just go through the name roster (according to some defined standard) and delete characters with nonsense, afkdibilk, names.
*and, at creation, they could be met with "Cannot create character with this name."
What if one day I had a good trip on bath salts and really wanted a name like fSHgbrfdS? Why persecute me?
Pffffff2 -
Getting rid of bots is no easy task. Even Blizzard, with its huge cashflow and thousands of employees can't rid its games of bots. Having said that, with enough money and effort they can be whittled down to a level that is merely annoying.
If ESO was working perfectly, and the only problem that ZO had to deal with was bots, they still couldn't completely clear them out. Knowing that, I figure ZO is tossing its manpower and resources at problems that it CAN fix, while doing what it can about bots with what's left over.
By all means keep reporting them and complaining, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. Just bear in mind that bots are not a problem that is going away anytime soon.1 -
crush83✭✭✭✭beowulfsshield wrote: »Getting rid of bots is no easy task. Even Blizzard, with its huge cashflow and thousands of employees can't rid its games of bots. Having said that, with enough money and effort they can be whittled down to a level that is merely annoying.
And that's really what the community is after.
Out of sight, out of mind. If we aren't seeing the bots, or we are seeing them much, much less, then I don't think there would be as much outcry about it.
Part of the problem, though, is that the bots are directly hindering the gameplay experience for many problems.
WoW might be full of bots, but they certainly don't hinder your gameplay. In fact, I can't recall ever seeing a bot in WoW (maybe a couple in PvP).0 -
Affrayer✭✭✭We should make banning botters and gold farmers more interesting!
Runescape had a go- let me finish now. Hey hey, Runescape was awesome, I don't care what you say. :l
On the 26th of September 2012, Runescape released an update which included a little place called Botany Bay. http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Botany_Bay
Basically they implemented a system designed to detect accounts that were cheating/botting. Said accounts were teleported Botany Bay to 'stand trial'. Overseeing the trial was an npc named Botfinder General whom then made a speech about the accused. The fate of dirty bot was handed over to the players to decide. There were 3 options to choose from and no mercy to be had; only slaughter. Crushing, Swallowing, or Deity followed by a Permanent Ban.
Players who participated even got an emote and cosmetic rewards.
So I propose this: Every time a GM bans a bot, It's sent to a similar place where we the players get to decide one of MANY fates for the accused. This way we not only get rid of bots, but we get entertainment when quest grinding and pvp gets boring.Pffffff2 -
crislevin✭✭✭✭✭
✭Couldn't they eliminate some of the problem by implementing name standards? Rather than a GM needing to go in and manually spot the bots, someone could just go through the name roster (according to some defined standard) and delete characters with nonsense, afkdibilk, names.
*and, at creation, they could be met with "Cannot create character with this name."
my toon's name is wmfclbd, tell me you won't delete me, it takes me time to get to VR1!0 -
Enkshar✭✭ZOS_AmeliaR wrote: »If you run into a swarm of bots and can't report them all individually, it's totally acceptable to submit a single report with as many names as you're able to identify and a description of the type of activity you're seeing (e.g. camping a dungeon boss, surrounding a resource node, etc.). Keep in mind that you'll need to have targeted at least one of the bots to submit your report, that way the GM who receives your report has the specific location data he/she needs to track down the swarm.
Its easier to report a second bot than to remember its name to add it to a current one.
But whats important is that player are suppose to play the game, not to be Zos police. U cant pretend to have players report every single bot they see. What u can expect is a player reporting a bot and saying in its report "there dozen of bots around" like the OP posted and then u have to take that and do something about it.
ANd whats more, u should be lucky that a player is so concerned about the issue that he takes time that he should be spending playing the game to make a post on the forum, becuase if this continues, player just will get sick of bots and dont care to report or just unsub
Finally, I know bot war is difficult and cost a lot, but thats something u should have known form the begining and u should have taken actions to prevent this from escalating. It not that bot just appeared on this particular mmo or that they would make an exception on this one.
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GreySix✭✭✭✭✭
✭We should make banning botters and gold farmers more interesting!
Runescape had a go- let me finish now. Hey hey, Runescape was awesome, I don't care what you say. :l
On the 26th of September 2012, Runescape released an update which included a little place called Botany Bay. http://runescape.wikia.com/wiki/Botany_Bay
Basically they implemented a system designed to detect accounts that were cheating/botting. Said accounts were teleported Botany Bay to 'stand trial'. Overseeing the trial was an npc named Botfinder General whom then made a speech about the accused. The fate of dirty bot was handed over to the players to decide. There were 3 options to choose from and no mercy to be had; only slaughter. Crushing, Swallowing, or Deity followed by a Permanent Ban.
Players who participated even got an emote and cosmetic rewards.
So I propose this: Every time a GM bans a bot, It's sent to a similar place where we the players get to decide one of MANY fates for the accused. This way we not only get rid of bots, but we get entertainment when quest grinding and pvp gets boring.
Normally I don't care for Yootoob, but wouldn't mind seeing one of those trials.Crotchety Old Man Guild
"Hey you, get off my lawn!"0 -
Elsonso✭✭✭✭✭
✭✭✭✭✭I'm sorry, I really don't want to be rude but saying that just shows you really don't understand the reality at all.
I spent TEN MINUTES reporting a 5-bot train running around a zone the other day. In order to do what you're demanding us to do this is the reality:
I am quite certain that they understand the reality of it since they play the game, too, although right now they are more likely in PTS than Live.
But the bottom line is that if it is stressful to you to report these people, or if you cannot do it, or you don't have time to do it, then don't do it.
No one is holding a gun to your head and forcing you to report every bot you see. If the game takes out of the zones were bots hang out, go ahead and leave.
Some people are using the Fast Report addon. I do not because I have my own custom addon. The main point of an addon like this is to retain target information longer so that a player can be reported later.
XBox EU/NA:@ElsonsoJannus
PC NA/EU: @Elsonso
PSN NA/EU: @ElsonsoJannus
Total in-game hours: 11321
X/Twitter: ElsonsoJannus0 -
GreySix✭✭✭✭✭
✭deleted.Edited by GreySix on May 8, 2014 1:27PMCrotchety Old Man Guild
"Hey you, get off my lawn!"1 -
GreasedLizard✭✭✭I think they are spamming the Groundskeeper quest. 232g reward for a quick trip around town
As for how they are getting there: Pretty sure one L40+ person in a bot guild can be the target to 'travel to' and enter Coldharbour at level 31 -
crislevin✭✭✭✭✭
✭
Would this travel to guildmate trick work in Veteran zone?GreasedLizard wrote: »I think they are spamming the Groundskeeper quest. 232g reward for a quick trip around town
As for how they are getting there: Pretty sure one L40+ person in a bot guild can be the target to 'travel to' and enter Coldharbour at level 3
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reggielee✭✭✭✭the only way they are going to combat them is to hire temporary workers to man each zone and patrol them. insta banning bot farms.
paying 30k per employee will more than make up the hoards of legitimate subbers who are desubbing due to this mess.Mama always said the fastest way to a man's heart is through his chest.0 -
Perseas✭✭✭ZOS_AmeliaR wrote: »We understand that bots can be very frustrating to encounter in-game, but please understand that we cannot assist with these types of issues on the forums. We have an in-game system in place that allows you to report violations of our Terms of Service, including bots and other forms of cheating.
If you haven't already done so, please make sure to use the reporting function to ensure these accounts are investigated by the appropriate team. Thank you!
u speak like Satoru Iwata " Please Understand"
Here is a funny parody video (NSFW)Edited by Perseas on May 8, 2014 1:49PM0 -
gladen5rwb17_ESO✭✭✭jamesharv2005ub17_ESO wrote: »
You have no idea, have you?ZOS_AmeliaR wrote: »We understand that bots can be very frustrating to encounter in-game, but please understand that we cannot assist with these types of issues on the forums. We have an in-game system in place that allows you to report violations of our Terms of Service, including bots and other forms of cheating.
If you haven't already done so, please make sure to use the reporting function to ensure these accounts are investigated by the appropriate team. Thank you!
You have no idea the scale of the problem.
You have no idea how totally inadequate your reporting mechanism is.
You have no idea how long it takes to report even on bot that isn't stationery.
You have no idea!
They aren't paid to have an idea. They are paid to click through a knowledge base screen and deliver a canned response. Sometimes, they'll even append an extra sentence to the canned response in order to make it sound more personal...
Hard to blame them though when they are overwhelmed with tickets because they are vastly understaffed. I will and always have place blame on the suits who are laughing their way to the bank.
No they are paid to moderate the forum. I know everyone thinks their issue should take center stage but they go in order. The bots have been there basically since launch they know about them and are working on a solution. So throwing a tantrum does nothing. The forum mods are not gamemasters.
This forum is called "Customer Support - English". Perhaps they should change to name to "Customer Support read by Moderators Only, No Support Given - English"
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nimbli✭✭✭Would you kindly report these bots for us?
Would you kindly stop complaining these bots are stealing my nodes?
Would you kindly not name and shame these bots?
Would you kindly just play broken classes?
Would you kindly go get stepped on by a big brother?
---Atlas0 -
GreasedLizard✭✭✭
Would this travel to guildmate trick work in Veteran zone?GreasedLizard wrote: »I think they are spamming the Groundskeeper quest. 232g reward for a quick trip around town
As for how they are getting there: Pretty sure one L40+ person in a bot guild can be the target to 'travel to' and enter Coldharbour at level 3
I believe it does not work. There's a nice addon to show what zone all your guild mates are in, and icon to fast travel. Saves time and gold
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Hypothetically speaking as someone who hypothetically botted WoW, there are bots literally everywhere, although they are not nearly as numerous as they once were. Once you have (hypothetically) botted, they are easy to spot. Unrated BGs are rife with them. I would also notice several whenever I spent an hour or so harvesting nodes, even in Pandaria.WoW might be full of bots, but they certainly don't hinder your gameplay. In fact, I can't recall ever seeing a bot in WoW (maybe a couple in PvP).
But I will agree, bots are much more of a problem in ESO than they currently are in WoW. Unless of course you're in a 5 man BG and 3 of your team are bots.
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Vorpedagel✭✭✭rioinsigniab16_ESO wrote: »I think Zeni need to rethink how the UI works. It's never a good idea to prevent the player from doing anything (like looking for other bot names) when a UI window is open.
There's a good reason why other MMO's have UI windows that move and scale and don't impede the player in any way when they are open.
Yes, a "modal" window UI system was fine for Skyrim. But not in an MMO.
I agree with this. Countless times I have gone to report a bot swarm and I start the process, but I get a mob spawn on me or something of the like and I just go "Ahh f*** this I've reported my bot quota for the day".
A movable UI would mean I can take care of said mob whilst sending the report.1 -
crush83✭✭✭✭beowulfsshield wrote: »
Hypothetically speaking as someone who hypothetically botted WoW, there are bots literally everywhere, although they are not nearly as numerous as they once were. Once you have (hypothetically) botted, they are easy to spot. Unrated BGs are rife with them. I would also notice several whenever I spent an hour or so harvesting nodes, even in Pandaria.WoW might be full of bots, but they certainly don't hinder your gameplay. In fact, I can't recall ever seeing a bot in WoW (maybe a couple in PvP).
But I will agree, bots are much more of a problem in ESO than they currently are in WoW. Unless of course you're in a 5 man BG and 3 of your team are bots.
I really never noticed them I guess. At least, I didn't really distinguish them from normal players. I stopped PvPing after WotLK. I didn't really enjoy WoW PVP ever, but I'm more of a FPS guy when it comes to PVP.
The fact that I didn't notice them at all in WoW, yet they existed, seems to get the point across about the difference between the presence of bots in other games compared to ESO.0 -
cerruciub17_ESOSoul ShrivenBeing honest here, a haven't seen bots in a while now. At least in the vet zones.
It's not an easy task to get rid of these ***. A gm cannot simply ban the account, they would keep coming back. They have to find out the glitch or whatever is the hack they are using before doing that.
I agree with you all, it's almost a deal breaker... Anyway, I believe they are solving the issue. With my alt, I've not seen that absurd boss grinding anymore.0 -
crush83✭✭✭✭cerruciub17_ESO wrote: »Being honest here, a haven't seen bots in a while now. At least in the vet zones.
It's not an easy task to get rid of these ***. A gm cannot simply ban the account, they would keep coming back. They have to find out the glitch or whatever is the hack they are using before doing that.
I agree with you all, it's almost a deal breaker... Anyway, I believe they are solving the issue. With my alt, I've not seen that absurd boss grinding anymore.
Maybe the bots are getting banned before they get to the veteran level, or maybe the bot owners don't think it's worth leveling them that high.0 -
Why not add an extra levels of security that requires some sort if identity verification with captcha for new accounts logging in, as well as for accounts logging in from unrecognized IP addresses. I would even say go further than that and add occasional, random verification with re-entry of password and/or captcha. It would be annoying. and realistically wouldn't stop most of the bots, but until the developers are able to create a self-functioning, anti-bot/hacker detection system within the client, or work with a third party security software developer to create one, I don't see many alternatives. For every 100 accounts a GM bans, there are are 1000 more to take their place.
I haven't seen any bots in the past couple of weeks, but one day I saw about 50 of them at least, all level 2-3, zipping through walls and teleporting to quest objectives, completing level 40 quests, leveling up, and warping to their next target.. It was honestly a bit shocking to see so many of them and it made me worry about the stability of the economy within ESO, but my hope is that it's still early enough to level things out, but it must be made clear that these bots are not just a nuisance, they are a critical problem that requires immediate and swift action. Whether or not they can stop them may be a big factor of the infrastructure of the game and it's overall success.1 -
crush83✭✭✭✭hood3311_ESO wrote: »I would even say go further than that and add occasional, random verification with re-entry of password and/or captcha.
SWG had a system similar to this to stop people from AFK macroing resource sampling. I'd say it worked somewhat.
You'd randomly get a popup asking you if you want to recover a concentration of resources located nearby. If you canceled, you'd stop sampling, and you'd have to restart the sampling process. If you accepted, you'd have to move your spot to where the concentration was located.
They had a second popup that you'd get occasionally (part of the same system) that basically required the opposite sequence of operations.
Now, a good botter could get around this, and I don't suggest that they go with this approach. These kinds of systems really just stop casual botters - people who download naive AutoIt scripts and the like.
The real bots have no problem bypassing these counter measures.
Captchas are different, but I don't really want to see a captcha in game. A common alternative suggested is asking questions out of a bank of thousands of questions. The problem with that is:- It's not guaranteed that the player will understand the question.
- It's not guaranteed that the player will know the correct answer to the question.
Edited by crush83 on May 8, 2014 2:48PM0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-KfkoQ0MqA