Firstly, let me just say - I love this game. I've loved it since the beta runs, I bought the Imperial Edition of the game, I've played every day since my 5 days early access. I bought six months subscription because I love playing this game. This is not an 'I am leaving' post, as I don't see the point in those. I am just stating the things that are currently causing me to make this decision.
I have just cancelled the renewal this morning.
Zenimax has six months to prove to me that things will improve. If they do, great, I'll re-sub for another six. However, things need to seriously improve.
The bot and gold seller problem is getting worse, so bad now that it is seriously interfering with my gaming and character progression. It's becoming pointless to have a crafting guy, simply because all the materials are so heavily camped and botted. My in-game mail is filled every day with gold seller and power levelling spam. I don't cheat in games. I have NEVER cheated in games and don't intend to start now. I don't see the point of even playing a game if only to not actually PLAY the thing properly!
My Mac client STILL regularly crashes, even when it's claimed to be fixed. Several crashes EVERY DAY, usually when activating something or someone. Still not fixed.
The other little niggles are not important, but the botting situation is now completely out of control and unacceptable to a paying customer who just wants to play her game properly.
If, in six months time, this is still such a crippling issue, I'll be going back to playing and modding Skyrim and no further money will be coming this way. That would be a shame as this game has a lot of evolving potential.
RIP Atherton, my beautiful little gentle friend. I will miss you forever. Without you I am a hollow shell.