The farming bots are griefing the hell out of every legit player...

Seravi · May 2014

Just left Stros M'kai. After running all over the island I found one jute plant and one thing of iron ore. That is it. Everything is picked clean and bots are flying through the air, through the hills and coming out of the ground getting everything. Saw the same thing at Glenumbra...ugh..

Westcoast14_ESO · May 2014

YourNameHere wrote: »

First, if bots ruin your entire game, that is just .... sad. There are a TON of things to do in this game. Because they are in EVERY game in some degree. You'll never be able to play MMOs again with such an attitude (and I've played since EverQuest came out).

Yes they are frustrating. Yes they are annoying. They are NOT game breaking (meaning just because they grabbed that jute node before you doesn't mean you can't explore, quest, RP, chat, kill bosses, loot, etc). They aren't locking your main quest out for you. They aren't stopping you from doing a dungeon with other people.

These "fix bots now or I unsub" threads are just turning childish now, like stomping your feet cause you didn't get a candybar.

Second, here is an add-on that I use that has helped me get bots and pinpoint areas they are in for sending reports.
~~~~~
Here is an add-on that was suggested to me by another forum user.

I got it, and it works wonderfully.

http://www.esoui.com/downloads/info181-FastReport.html

If you haven't already, get the addon client used Minion: http://minion.mmoui.com/

Then you can search there for FastReport by thelegendaryof

Once you install that in Minion, go into TESO then go to settings. You'll need to set up the report key (I used F5 in the key bindings).

So when you hover over someone, it will save the last name you captured, even if they disappear quickly. Hitting the key you chose for the report will bring up two windows, as shown in the screenshot http://cdn.eso.mmoui.com/preview/pvw554.jpg

Highlight and CTRL + C the information on the left hand window into the report window on the right hand side, then fill in the rest of what you saw, making sure to click from the drop down menu.

Hope this helps!

This thing is a god send. No need to try and remember the name, just point, click and report. Includes a lot of useful information. Reporting just takes a few seconds.

Chirru · May 2014

epoling wrote: »

Honestly, no - I have not seen nodes vanish in front of me. I am not saying it isn't happening. Only that the extent of the complaining may be exaggerated. The only reason so far I haven't gotten a node I saw was because I was less nimble than the other real person who got it before me.

Well...well...well... aren't you a beauty. Either you are completely blind...or you are trolling us...or you are a bot-owner. I find not other explanation for such (pretend) ignorance in acknowledging there is a problem at all.

There are literally hundreds of reports on the issue and I don't know how many YT videos showing bots at work harvesting and running quests on, and it, and even below the ground.

Therefore I conclude... you ignorance on this issue is a "pretend ignorance" my personal guess...you are trolling the forums.

gladen5rwb17_ESO · May 2014

epoling wrote: »

Not imitating an ostrich. The OP's hyerbole is that it is negatively affecting every legit players. Not affecting me, my wife or people I am usually playing with. Therefore, It is not EVERY legit player. Whether none of us are experiencing it, seeing it or whatever, it is not "griefing the hell" out of us.

I find it impossible that you maintain you have never been affected by bots. Bots take away what the player needs. Mobs and materials. When I stand in a quest hub and see bots killing the quest objectives leaving not a mob standing in a coastal camp or inland ruin and I cannot kill one of those mobs to complete my quest it effects the player. I have seen this time and time again.

Materials are far fewer than intended. Bots harvest at least 90% of the available spawns. This effects the player base on a massive scale. Stress is a factor. Opening mail that indicates it is my crafting container only to see black market offering me rare motif books instead causes my blood to rise. Trying to gain enough materials to level up takes me much longer to gather due to their limited supply.

Watching bots causes a foul taste to rise and anger fuming in my gut. If you are saying you do not see bots or that they do not effect your game, you are not being honest. They are so prevalent it is impossible not to notice them. It is "griefing", it is frustrating, it is stressful.

If you insist that you and your entire family are not effected by these bots, don't bother coming here and defending them then. Go and play your pristine bot free game.

bluesodafizz · May 2014

Sorry to say I have not seen that many bots in low level areas taking nodes. I go to those low level areas all the time for fun and I get harvesting nodes just fine. Not saying they're not there, but I am saying it's not as bad as you make it out to be.

reggielee · May 2014

as the OP said, this is impacting new players who need the low lvl mats in order to progress their crafting tiers. At higher lvls its not so bad... I do see some customers leaving over this as it impacts their initial view of the game, and believing its like this all over they just quit and leave.

that said, they ARE doing ban waves, prob is there is a delay from each wave as they gather info on the bot behaviors, buyers and mules and sellers.

Chirru · May 2014

bluesodafizz wrote: »

Sorry to say I have not seen that many bots in low level areas taking nodes. I go to those low level areas all the time for fun and I get harvesting nodes just fine. Not saying they're not there, but I am saying it's not as bad as you make it out to be.

Please tell us where you go so we can go there also...all those telling that they do not see bots, or many bots...please tell me where they are NOT. I want to go there also and and experience a Bot-free game, as it used to be.
Right now I avoid the starter areas because going there leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I used to go mainly to Bleakrock Island and it is overrun with Bots. So, where do you go...please tell me...

Reykice · May 2014

bluesodafizz wrote: »

Sorry to say I have not seen that many bots in low level areas taking nodes. I go to those low level areas all the time for fun and I get harvesting nodes just fine. Not saying they're not there, but I am saying it's not as bad as you make it out to be.

Trust me they are there they are just hard to see now that they manage to walk under the map or through the air... they are also the reason why you will never find many harvesting nodes....

Of course, with the mega server i can see how some might enter a phase without bots but i find it rare, most of the time you see them everywhere, they were in Khenarthi`s roost near the city circling for the iron ores there, they were in the first delve and so on...

I had a guildie say he was asked if he was a bot by a GM in a dungeon(was asked to say what race he was) so they are trying to stop them but i don`t think they can get them all manually not when they use scripts to get more bots all the time...

Tieberion · May 2014

Yeah, forget the dungeons, please GET GM's ACTIVE DAILEY out in the starter areas and stop the Teleporting bots- Not only are they teleporting, some are invisible, and some all you see is the Top of their head poking out from underground, so it's hard to even get a name.

babylon · May 2014

Tieberion wrote: »

all you see is the Top of their head poking out from underground, so it's hard to even get a name.

Start using two addons that can grab names on mouseover - Fast Report (this one is designed to aid in the reporting of bots) and I Remember You (this one is more for rating people you've met, but an optional setting allows you to grab a whole list of names of everyone you've recently put your mouse over so can also be of use here).

reggielee · May 2014

those of you arguing that your experience with bots has been less are not getting it, there are many who experience this in their game time, they are not lying or over exaggerating. The result is loss of subbers which impacts all of us

today i had a bot free day of gaming, for hours. did not see one. does not mean that its not happening elsewhere, just that I was lucky

Srugzal · May 2014

alexandru987eb17_ESO wrote: »

I could make screen shots or record it but they have this thing where they remove them for naming and shaming... apparently shaming a bot, a script... is not allowed.

@alexandru987eb17_ESO, make screen shots and video captures and send them to CS. They will not object if it's in the context of a report. I've been doing this since day one and I've got nothing but thanks from CS for my efforts.

GattacaGaming · May 2014

I rolled a new Character this morning and went to Kenareth's Roost like I've done several times before. Except this time I noticed the lack of Jute and iron ore. Previously I could acquire a stack of 100 with ease just picking what I saw and not actively looking for it. I got 29 jute in 2 hours. I could get around 200 easily before in the same amount of time. Not only are the nodes hard to find because their being constantly farmed by bots, but the ones I did find I would run up to it to start to harvest it only to see a glimpse of a name and poof the node is gone. I'm seeing this happen ALL the time. I'm fortunate to work from home so I get a lot more playtime than most people which is why It's affecting me so much. For the average person who might game a few hours a night after work I can see how it might not effect them as much.

I know its not affecting all of you and you should be happy. Because for the rest of us it sucks. I'm reporting bots left and right. Now it seems I'm spending more time reporting than playing. I'm not even joking. I want the bots gone so I do the only thing I can do which is report them.

Edit: for spelling

Carnage2K4 · May 2014

just started a new character last night, in bleakrock... and my god... it's just stupid... players (bots) zipping around picking up mats... it's just ridiculous...
ZOS you need to fix this ***, they are owning you.

Ysne58 · May 2014

I'm finding the issue with seeing bots hit and miss. There are rare occasions where I see very few. Lots of times they can be overwhelming. I'm going to give that addon a try.

Jim_McMasterub17_ESO · May 2014

epoling wrote: »

Not imitating an ostrich. The OP's hyerbole is that it is negatively affecting every legit players. Not affecting me, my wife or people I am usually playing with. Therefore, It is not EVERY legit player. Whether none of us are experiencing it, seeing it or whatever, it is not "griefing the hell" out of us.

You're wrong.

Dodece · May 2014

This is purely educated speculation on my part. I am not claiming any kind of special knowledge, or that I am in a position to possess such knowledge. I think the development team is more clever then we have given the credit for. I think they have done the most reasonable thing possible given their resources, and the scope of the problem. They couldn't possibly perform due diligence on all of the bots being reported.

What they could do however is create a list of accused cheaters, and segregate them away from the general public. Effectively putting them out of sight, and thus out of mind. I suspect if enough reports are made against an account. That account gets altered so as to only be phased with other such altered accounts. Surreptitiously hiding the cheaters away from the community at large. While still letting the cheaters think they are part of the real community.

Remember that bots work in one of two ways. The first is they gather up large amounts of in game merchandise, and the second is they block access by the honest gaming community. Forcing them to make use of their services. Putting them in a room by themselves prevents them from harassing other players, and it leaves them advertising to themselves.

I suspect this is a story of a self inflicted wound. I can't help, but notice a lot of the bellyaching is coming from players who report having a significant number of high level avatars to their credit. Something that is usually accomplished by farming bosses. Chances are many of you were mistakenly reported as being bots yourselves. By other users who reported you as you farmed a boss.

I honestly don't expect anyone to acknowledge that this was exactly what they were doing two or three weeks ago, and frankly I wouldn't believe you if claimed yourself innocent of the charges. The reality is most people I talk to in game are not seeing bots anymore, and I know more then a few who are rolling alts. No they just aren't seeing them, but it is the same people on these forums. Griping non stop about them. This should be something of a hint.

You know that the problem really is just your problem. I personally haven't seen a bot in going on three weeks now, and I do return to the starter regions. I like the peace, and I like to help out low level players. I am sorry from my point of view this bot menace is pure fiction.

ciannait · May 2014

coryevans_3b14_ESO wrote: »

I don't see the problem you are describing at all. I have just rolled an alt a week ago after getting to v4 on my main and through to the 2nd zone I have sold off multiple stacks of materials of all kinds, after using a bunch already for my own use. That's not to say it doesn't exist. I just don't see it.

Funny, there are more bots than players in Bleakrock. It's pretty ridiculous.

Dodece · May 2014

ciannait wrote: »

coryevans_3b14_ESO wrote: »

I don't see the problem you are describing at all. I have just rolled an alt a week ago after getting to v4 on my main and through to the 2nd zone I have sold off multiple stacks of materials of all kinds, after using a bunch already for my own use. That's not to say it doesn't exist. I just don't see it.

Funny, there are more bots than players in Bleakrock. It's pretty ridiculous.

You probably should take the time to read my post, and ask yourself if maybe just maybe he is on to something.

ciannait · May 2014

Dodece wrote: »

ciannait wrote: »

coryevans_3b14_ESO wrote: »

I don't see the problem you are describing at all. I have just rolled an alt a week ago after getting to v4 on my main and through to the 2nd zone I have sold off multiple stacks of materials of all kinds, after using a bunch already for my own use. That's not to say it doesn't exist. I just don't see it.

Funny, there are more bots than players in Bleakrock. It's pretty ridiculous.

You probably should take the time to read my post, and ask yourself if maybe just maybe he is on to something.

I don't think so. You say the "bellyaching" comes from people who are already high level - my highest is 17. Call me a newb but I'm spending a lot of legit time in the lower-level zones and spending an immense amount of time dealing with and avoiding and reporting bots. It's become a second job.

thegamekittenub17_ESO · May 2014

I love when players decide to place blame innocent players and use insults like bellyaching for the fact that they are actually experiencing this problem of bots. I tend to think these players are on the defensive mode.

I haven't really been collecting much in lower levels since I just reached Veteran rank 1 (woohoo..sarcasm). I do know Hallow (think that is right, not in game at the moment) City, I watched literally 100s of bots spawning at the wayshrine before the city phased. After the city phased you could see fewer bots, but there were some. Fiancé gathers weeds (ahem plants) and he would go to collect the resource and be told he couldn't because someone else was using it. No one in sight...>.> Guess NPCs are collecting resources now.

There is this problem because Zenimax admitted they didn't expect gold sellers and bots in their game (this is amusing in it's own right, but that is for another discussion). So, they didn't prepare for the infestation that infects every MMO in history. So, the infestation spread so wildly because there were no antibiotics to cure the disease, because Zenimax didn't do their homework.

aufischb16_ESO · May 2014

Dodece wrote: »

I suspect this is a story of a self inflicted wound. I can't help, but notice a lot of the bellyaching is coming from players who report having a significant number of high level avatars to their credit. Something that is usually accomplished by farming bosses. Chances are many of you were mistakenly reported as being bots yourselves. By other users who reported you as you farmed a boss.

I honestly don't expect anyone to acknowledge that this was exactly what they were doing two or three weeks ago, and frankly I wouldn't believe you if claimed yourself innocent of the charges. The reality is most people I talk to in game are not seeing bots anymore, and I know more then a few who are rolling alts. No they just aren't seeing them, but it is the same people on these forums. Griping non stop about them. This should be something of a hint.

You know that the problem really is just your problem. I personally haven't seen a bot in going on three weeks now, and I do return to the starter regions. I like the peace, and I like to help out low level players. I am sorry from my point of view this bot menace is pure fiction.

I am sorry, but I never ever farmed a single boss. I have also (to my best knowledge) never ever been reported by anyone. Additionally I have also never bought any in-game money or merchandise from a low-life bot or even another player.
I have not much money left with my V1 DK and my Level 35 sorc either (around 19'000 in the bank), and currently can't affort to respec my V1 because of that.

I can't believe you are coming to this forum, accusing all the people who do see the many bots on a regular basis (and report them whenever they can!) as being botters or farmers themselves, and then persist on not believing anyone who says otherwise. I would call this trolling, nothing else.

If you do not see many bots then that is because you where lucky that you got placed in a phase where they are not as visible, nothing else. It absolutely certainly doesn't make you a better person than the people who see the bots (honestly, who do you think you are?).

...edit for typos...

Dantonian_Rarstiana · May 2014

I can say the amount of people running around all jittery-like with gibberish names far outweighs the number of legitimate players that I see in the Al'akir desert (level 30ish zone)

It is a very serious issue, just one of many the game is currently facing...

There is a reason the launch on consoles got pushed out 6 months.

This game is kind of a train wreck right now.

I mean... it is so difficult to report a player, that you have to have an add-on to help you do it...

You do remember that we are PAYING to PLAY this game, not to test and moderate it.

thegamekittenub17_ESO · May 2014

daftpunk wrote: »

I can say the amount of people running around all jittery-like with gibberish names far outweighs the number of legitimate players that I see in the Al'akir desert (level 30ish zone)

It is a very serious issue, just one of many the game is currently facing...

There is a reason the launch on consoles got pushed out 6 months.

This game is kind of a train wreck right now.

I mean... it is so difficult to report a player, that you have to have an add-on to help you do it...

You do remember that we are PAYING to PLAY this game, not to test and moderate it.

-stands and applauds-

"You do remember that we are PAYING to PLAY this game, not to test and moderate it."

Well said. Well said.

Zeeed · May 2014

OP I am legit player and i dont care about bots AT ALL they tdont bother me cause i got used to them in every single mmo over last 10 years ...

ausmack2014 · May 2014

I have been playing my level 10 toon today and I believe I found 2 ore nodes in 4 hours of play. I can recall during the early start up period, ore and jute nodes were everywhere. I can't believe that all those nodes are gone purely from player use. It makes it very difficult to level a craft and I refuse to buy from the gold sellers, so the game is being made less fun for me.

mailb16_ESO2 · May 2014

Regarding the vanishing nodes:
I have quite often seen nodes vanishing.
But, and that's a really big BUT, each and every single time this happened, the node did not have the "glow" to it that comes from spending skill points to the "make it glow" skills in the crafting skill lines.
So, my experiences so far:
Glowing node - is actually there, won't vanish.
Not glowing node - it isn't really there, it is most probably just a server artifact and as soon as I try to harvest this node, it vanishes.
I actually tried and looked at such a not glowing node for over a minute. Nothing happened. Then I tried to harvest it, and it vanished.

If invisible or underground bots where responsible for the vanishing nodes, harvesting them just now without me seeing them, then a) the nodes would glow and b) I would get an error message when I try to harvest them and c) the nodes would vanish even before I try to harvest them.

I have made it a habit to harvest all non-glowing nodes I can find - I'm just hoping that this will up the chance that - or reduce the time until - the server will create a new node.

Please understand, I am not saying there are no bots. I have met and reported my fair share of them (though I have to say, the last days it was mostly bots killing fast respawning trash mobs and no harvesting bots). My comment about the vanishing nodes is just an account of my experiences with them and explaining how I do interpret my observations. And this interpretation amounts to: There are lots of bots, they are quite annoying, but they doesn't seem to be responsible for all the vanishing of our beloved nodes.

Of course, it is possible that there are invisible people harvesting nodes, but I have not yet seen this once.

thegamekittenub17_ESO · May 2014

mailb16_ESO2 wrote: »

Regarding the vanishing nodes:
I have quite often seen nodes vanishing.
But, and that's a really big BUT, each and every single time this happened, the node did not have the "glow" to it that comes from spending skill points to the "make it glow" skills in the crafting skill lines.
So, my experiences so far:
Glowing node - is actually there, won't vanish.
Not glowing node - it isn't really there, it is most probably just a server artifact and as soon as I try to harvest this node, it vanishes.
I actually tried and looked at such a not glowing node for over a minute. Nothing happened. Then I tried to harvest it, and it vanished.

If invisible or underground bots where responsible for the vanishing nodes, harvesting them just now without me seeing them, then a) the nodes would glow and b) I would get an error message when I try to harvest them and c) the nodes would vanish even before I try to harvest them.

I have made it a habit to harvest all non-glowing nodes I can find - I'm just hoping that this will up the chance that - or reduce the time until - the server will create a new node.

Please understand, I am not saying there are no bots. I have met and reported my fair share of them (though I have to say, the last days it was mostly bots killing fast respawning trash mobs and no harvesting bots). My comment about the vanishing nodes is just an account of my experiences with them and explaining how I do interpret my observations. And this interpretation amounts to: There are lots of bots, they are quite annoying, but they doesn't seem to be responsible for all the vanishing of our beloved nodes.

Of course, it is possible that there are invisible people harvesting nodes, but I have not yet seen this once.

My fiancé is the only one that harvest weeds. His weeds glow all the time. I've heard him speak and curse when he goes to get glowy weeds and see on his overly large screen the words in white telling him someone is already using said weed. No one is around. I am not saying this to annoy people. I am saying I have seen this many times with my own eyes and it is fact. The same goes with the metal and wood.

Yes, they are invisible, walking through walls and anything that would be in a normal players way, and floating through the sky. They are solely responsible for vanishing nodes when you get that little white tell on your screen that says someone is there and using it the node...Incase it Raz with his poof skill or Cadwell's just appear and disappear skill.

Loxy37 · May 2014

epoling wrote: »

Not imitating an ostrich. The OP's hyerbole is that it is negatively affecting every legit players. Not affecting me, my wife or people I am usually playing with. Therefore, It is not EVERY legit player. Whether none of us are experiencing it, seeing it or whatever, it is not "griefing the hell" out of us.

Well you never see people that cause crashes to scam the insurance companies but a lot do it and watch your policy rise! Just because you don't see it in your face doesn't mean its not affecting you. They destroy the economy, destroy peoples enjoyment that cannot get mats from lower level, destroy the price of things like they have forces Zenimax to decrease drop rates so now motifs are over 100g each. They have destroyed the fact that people grinded the mobs in dungeons, now I'm not saying this is right but a legit player would usually get bored after a hour and go home, a bot does not get bored.

I could go on and on. One of the big issues in society as an whole today is the "It doesn't affect me so I don't care" attitude. Perhaps they should teach empathy and caring in schools! Obviously something is failing society as an whole.

ausmack2014 · May 2014

I was curious to see how bad it was atm, I just went back to Bleakrock - there were single and mob botters with the usual nonsense names running around farming everything, bots vanishing into the ground and I found 1 single iron ore node in around 10m. So yes, still going strong out there in my phased game zone.