Can something please be done about the Bots?

Tibbearius · May 2014

This game has the worse case of bot infestation I've ever seen. Played many MMO's and this is the worse period.

Knottypine · May 2014

I do honestly believe that the current game mechanics promote more bots to be in the game. Of course since it's new, it's still fresh for them as well.

I am sort of thinking that ZOS is trying too hard to maintain their original ideas, and everything they've tried so far to reduce bots is effecting legitimate players as well. When they keep talking about balance, this isn't what I was expecting!! lol

Badh0rse · May 2014

Knottypine wrote: »

I do honestly believe that the current game mechanics promote more bots to be in the game. Of course since it's new, it's still fresh for them as well.

I am sort of thinking that ZOS is trying too hard to maintain their original ideas, and everything they've tried so far to reduce bots is effecting legitimate players as well. When they keep talking about balance, this isn't what I was expecting!! lol

The more they mess with legitimate players trying to advance the more it seems like they just want that sub money ... cuz guess what .. all those bots are paying them to do what they do in sub fees just like us. I am not saying that is what they are trying to do .. I am saying that as time goes by and they keep punishing the players it starts to feel that way.

Ebonthorne · May 2014

I'm seeing groups of bots running speed hacks as well. nothing as blatant as seeing 4 idiots scurry across the sky 100' above you.

JohnD212 · May 2014

I'm a low level character running around Daggerfall and it's almost impossible to get to any resource nods lately without a bot zooming in from the sky, disappearing into the ground and getting the nod. It is so disappointing in this game. We're not given an AH to sell anything so we have to use a guild store but now the resources which rely on it, are taken. I can barely find any resources compared to before. I seriously think Zenimax has just given up. I know it's a big job but seriously, I'm now a paying customer and won't be paying another $15 to test this game for the console crowd.

Do you wonder why they waited 6 months more to release on console? Because of this crap that we as PC players have to pay to live with. Zenimax should be giving us perks for going through this crap. First it was spammers in chat, then the bots in dungeons and now they speed hacked bots running around the lands. I've even seen them trapped in floors and walls in Daggerfall and other cities. Really a mess. Why do we have to pay $15 to keep testing this for them? The next patch better have something to fight this (and not more endless stupid quest tweaks).

Saerydoth · May 2014

Badh0rse wrote: »

Knottypine wrote: »

I do honestly believe that the current game mechanics promote more bots to be in the game. Of course since it's new, it's still fresh for them as well.

I am sort of thinking that ZOS is trying too hard to maintain their original ideas, and everything they've tried so far to reduce bots is effecting legitimate players as well. When they keep talking about balance, this isn't what I was expecting!! lol

The more they mess with legitimate players trying to advance the more it seems like they just want that sub money ... cuz guess what .. all those bots are paying them to do what they do in sub fees just like us. I am not saying that is what they are trying to do .. I am saying that as time goes by and they keep punishing the players it starts to feel that way.

No, they aren't. Zenimax does not make any money from bots. The accounts used to bot are purchased with stolen credit cards. Not only do they not make any money from it, they LOSE money from it.

Vanathi · May 2014

I just logged out on a lowbie toon because of a train of 20-30 templar bots hogging up all the mobs at Deleyn's Mill in Glenumbra NA server. There are also so many farmer bots there right now there is practically NOTHING left for honest players to harvest. Same on Stros M'Kai. Going to play on a higher level toon and check back tomorrow.

The bot farmers also started advertising Vet 10 gear and mats in chat

Randeth · May 2014

I'm finally starting to see the farming bots. It's crazy and something needs to be done. I spent over an hour running around 4 zones and couldn't find any of the herbs I need to level Alchemy. And even if I wanted to buy the herbs from the bot farmers I couldn't since there is no real Auction House. I like playing the game but there are some major issues that need addressed.

If farming nodes were individualized like in GW2 this issue would literally disappear overnight. They've done it for bags, boxes, and such. Why not farming nodes?

ZOS_TristanK · May 2014

Hey, all. We know that finding bots in-game is frustrating, and want to assure you that this is a top-priority issue for us. We can't divulge much in the way of detail, but we are hard to work battling and bashing bots using both our team of GMs and our Developer team. Again, we know that this can be frustrating, and would like to thank you all for taking the time to report it.

Rocksteady · May 2014

JohnD212 wrote: »

I'm a low level character running around Daggerfall and it's almost impossible to get to any resource nods lately without a bot zooming in from the sky, disappearing into the ground and getting the nod. It is so disappointing in this game. We're not given an AH to sell anything so we have to use a guild store but now the resources which rely on it, are taken. I can barely find any resources compared to before. I seriously think Zenimax has just given up. I know it's a big job but seriously, I'm now a paying customer and won't be paying another $15 to test this game for the console crowd.

Do you wonder why they waited 6 months more to release on console? Because of this crap that we as PC players have to pay to live with. Zenimax should be giving us perks for going through this crap. First it was spammers in chat, then the bots in dungeons and now they speed hacked bots running around the lands. I've even seen them trapped in floors and walls in Daggerfall and other cities. Really a mess. Why do we have to pay $15 to keep testing this for them? The next patch better have something to fight this (and not more endless stupid quest tweaks).

They did give a bunch of us 5 free days for our troubles. And for the record, I can't find any statements anywhere that they say there won't be a massive bot infestation in their game. "Working as intended" as Verant always used to say lol

EDIT - Just to be clear, I feel your pain and it frustrates me sometimes as well. Just trying to stay positive.

Tibbearius · May 2014

Yes, a Auction House, like on Conan, Rift, GW2 (ESO u need one) would be a biiig plus!

Arsvita · May 2014

Rocksteady wrote: »

They did give a bunch of us 5 free days for our troubles. And for the record, I can't find any statements anywhere that they say there won't be a massive bot infestation in their game. "Working as intended" as Verant always used to say lol

EDIT - Just to be clear, I feel your pain and it frustrates me sometimes as well. Just trying to stay positive.

There has been response to the bot problem.
Just above you in fact:

ZOS_TristanK wrote: »

Hey, all. We know that finding bots in-game is frustrating, and want to assure you that this is a top-priority issue for us. We can't divulge much in the way of detail, but we are hard to work battling and bashing bots using both our team of GMs and our Developer team. Again, we know that this can be frustrating, and would like to thank you all for taking the time to report it.

It happens often that the companies do not want to give the people that set and run the bots a heads up of what they plan. Otherwise it would be an effort against a well informed, and ready, "enemy".

virreab16_ESO · May 2014

I noticed more then 20 bots, mayby more, in Windhelm as lvl 2 just invading the town doing quests there. That didnt gave me a good feeling. Seems they found something new in how they progress.

Rocksteady · May 2014

Arsvita wrote: »

Rocksteady wrote: »

They did give a bunch of us 5 free days for our troubles. And for the record, I can't find any statements anywhere that they say there won't be a massive bot infestation in their game. "Working as intended" as Verant always used to say lol

EDIT - Just to be clear, I feel your pain and it frustrates me sometimes as well. Just trying to stay positive.

There has been response to the bot problem.
Just above you in fact:

ZOS_TristanK wrote: »

Hey, all. We know that finding bots in-game is frustrating, and want to assure you that this is a top-priority issue for us. We can't divulge much in the way of detail, but we are hard to work battling and bashing bots using both our team of GMs and our Developer team. Again, we know that this can be frustrating, and would like to thank you all for taking the time to report it.

It happens often that the companies do not want to give the people that set and run the bots a heads up of what they plan. Otherwise it would be an effort against a well informed, and ready, "enemy".

Where does he state that there won't be a massive bot infestation? He's stating that he understands that there is one and that they don't like it and understand that we don't like it. Nowhere does he claim there aren't/won't be huge amounts of bots till the end of time.

steveb16_ESO46 · May 2014

Well, whatever they plan to do they need to do it quick. And it needs to actually work and keep working.

alanspurlock_ESO · May 2014

just a thought.

In minecraft (lol) you have plugins that can catch hackers. Its in java, it checks users for speed, flying, noclip, and so forth.

Maybe they plan to rollout some type of software for them? To where these types of movements flag the player and can be addressed?

Just speculation though, I am more than sure they are hard at work on it.

notepad · May 2014

I've been noticing a steady stream of bots going into the Mage's Guild in Wayrest. Seriously, just stand inside or outside the MG door and watch the constant influx of characters wearing starter armor with wonderful names like nxgmc and aseesaii *

Does anyone have an idea what is of interest to them there? They run in, head to the NPCs in the back, then run out. I'm not sure what they are doing, but it must be something that nets them something easily.

*Not real bot names copied from the ones I saw.

Psychoke · May 2014

alanspurlock_ESO wrote: »

just a thought.

In minecraft (lol) you have plugins that can catch hackers. Its in java, it checks users for speed, flying, noclip, and so forth.

Maybe they plan to rollout some type of software for them? To where these types of movements flag the player and can be addressed?

Just speculation though, I am more than sure they are hard at work on it.

If only is was this easy..
if only..

Catflinger · May 2014

notepad wrote: »

Does anyone have an idea what is of interest to them there? They run in, head to the NPCs in the back, then run out. I'm not sure what they are doing, but it must be something that nets them something easily.

Lotsandlotsandlotsandlotsandlots of gold from having manymanymanymany disposable characters do the same quest for the gold reward, endlessly.

I caught a train in Davon's Watch a while ago doing the quest where you steal the bottle of wine from the bartender in the Fish Stink. Speedhack to the NPC questgiver, speedhack down to the bar and fulfill the objective, speedhack back up and turn in, rinse and repeat forever.

Mefit · May 2014

Ban goldbuyers ! It won't end the amount of bots and goldsellers at first but it will start to dig into their profits and make them less likely to buy more copies of this game .

Every dumb Goldbuyer who buys gold or use a bot program is likely to have his Info hacked , and is likely to sue ESO and the bank for their mistake .

By Banning Goldbuyers we can end this nonsense with less headaches and approach a reasonably less amount of Bots that will be spamming about sucking the life out this beautiful game !

Wolfborn · May 2014

To me they shoud just ban any character with a name like eawdsa. That will kill 80% of them :P

Draconicus · May 2014

I am a new player! My char is lvl 13, and i am yet struggling hard to get sufficient iron ore to reach a puny lvl 5 in blacksmith!!!

Today i have tried to farm iron for 1.5 hours, and i only get like 7 nodes!
Some times the nodes just vanish in the air as soon as i get close to them...
I see ppl flying, running like "The Flash" super Hero, or running under the ground like moles, all the time!!

Even at late hours like 3 or 4 am, they just swarm!!

I don't have any problem with other resources though!

JohnD212 · May 2014

Rocksteady wrote: »

JohnD212 wrote: »

I'm a low level character running around Daggerfall and it's almost impossible to get to any resource nods lately without a bot zooming in from the sky, disappearing into the ground and getting the nod. It is so disappointing in this game. We're not given an AH to sell anything so we have to use a guild store but now the resources which rely on it, are taken. I can barely find any resources compared to before. I seriously think Zenimax has just given up. I know it's a big job but seriously, I'm now a paying customer and won't be paying another $15 to test this game for the console crowd.

Do you wonder why they waited 6 months more to release on console? Because of this crap that we as PC players have to pay to live with. Zenimax should be giving us perks for going through this crap. First it was spammers in chat, then the bots in dungeons and now they speed hacked bots running around the lands. I've even seen them trapped in floors and walls in Daggerfall and other cities. Really a mess. Why do we have to pay $15 to keep testing this for them? The next patch better have something to fight this (and not more endless stupid quest tweaks).

They did give a bunch of us 5 free days for our troubles. And for the record, I can't find any statements anywhere that they say there won't be a massive bot infestation in their game. "Working as intended" as Verant always used to say lol

EDIT - Just to be clear, I feel your pain and it frustrates me sometimes as well. Just trying to stay positive.

Yes they gave us 5 free days but that was due to the extended server down times that happened on weekends and peak hours. That was little consolation for the mess we're now having to deal with. The game is practically unplayable without any resources to gather. My Guild Store doesn't really sell armor so I'm forced to do it myself and the resources I need are gone. Not fun.

LareliRose · May 2014

Draconicus wrote: »

I am a new player! My char is lvl 13, and i am yet struggling hard to get sufficient iron ore to reach a puny lvl 5 in blacksmith!!!

Today i have tried to farm iron for 1.5 hours, and i only get like 7 nodes!
Some times the nodes just vanish in the air as soon as i get close to them...
I see ppl flying, running like "The Flash" super Hero, or running under the ground like moles, all the time!!

Even at late hours like 3 or 4 am, they just swarm!!

I don't have any problem with other resources though!

@Draconicus You advance faster in crafting by deconstructing items than by crafting. You also get more materials from deconstructing than by harvesting.

Yankee · May 2014

ZOS_TristanK wrote: »

Hey, all. We know that finding bots in-game is frustrating, and want to assure you that this is a top-priority issue for us. We can't divulge much in the way of detail, but we are hard to work battling and bashing bots using both our team of GMs and our Developer team. Again, we know that this can be frustrating, and would like to thank you all for taking the time to report it.

With respect, there is no evidence I can see that your battle is having any effect. In fact, the bot problem seems to be getting worse.

They are flying, they are beneath the terrain. They are so fearless that day after day they are right outside the city gates where new players gather their first impressions of the game. It is so in your face blatant as to be depressing. And It is embarrassing to a defender of the game like me.

Bots have been outside starter cities for weeks, farming the mobs your new players need to get to for quests. So where is this epic battle against these bots taking place? That would be a good place to start.

And the method for reporting them is cumbersome given the way the bots operate.

IMO, bots are the single biggest threat to this games success. I hope soon to see results indicating you can win this battle.

This thread is marked Answered, but it is really To Be Determined.

/signed...a fanboy who likes playing ESO a lot.

Draconicus · May 2014

LareliRose wrote: »

Draconicus wrote: »

I am a new player! My char is lvl 13, and i am yet struggling hard to get sufficient iron ore to reach a puny lvl 5 in blacksmith!!!

Today i have tried to farm iron for 1.5 hours, and i only get like 7 nodes!
Some times the nodes just vanish in the air as soon as i get close to them...
I see ppl flying, running like "The Flash" super Hero, or running under the ground like moles, all the time!!

Even at late hours like 3 or 4 am, they just swarm!!

I don't have any problem with other resources though!

@Draconicus You advance faster in crafting by deconstructing items than by crafting. You also get more materials from deconstructing than by harvesting.

I realized that already dear friend, but maybe i was been kinda unlucky, as i get few Black smith items to deconstruct, and most of them i need for research.

It looks my DK is obsessed with woodworking as he finds tons and tons of that items all the time:P

But thank you very much for the tip tough, for a new player like me all the possible info is pure Gold any way:)

Singular · May 2014

Saerydoth wrote: »

Badh0rse wrote: »

Knottypine wrote: »

I do honestly believe that the current game mechanics promote more bots to be in the game. Of course since it's new, it's still fresh for them as well.

I am sort of thinking that ZOS is trying too hard to maintain their original ideas, and everything they've tried so far to reduce bots is effecting legitimate players as well. When they keep talking about balance, this isn't what I was expecting!! lol

The more they mess with legitimate players trying to advance the more it seems like they just want that sub money ... cuz guess what .. all those bots are paying them to do what they do in sub fees just like us. I am not saying that is what they are trying to do .. I am saying that as time goes by and they keep punishing the players it starts to feel that way.

No, they aren't. Zenimax does not make any money from bots. The accounts used to bot are purchased with stolen credit cards. Not only do they not make any money from it, they LOSE money from it.

Wow, that sucks for Zenimax and us, and the credit card person!

Uhm...aren't there also keygens for this game? Maybe botters are using those, too. How do you know they're only using stolen credit cards?

Waseem · April 2017

So many bots still at alikr desert dolmens

Turelus · April 2017

Waseem wrote: »

So many bots still at alikr desert dolmens

Waseem, I know we want a necromancer class or skill line but this ain't the way to promote that.

Also funny how I figured this was a current thread until opening.

Uviryth · April 2017

Eventhough its a Necro, its interesting to see that after 3 years, nothing has changed. I think there are even more bots now, and ZOS is pretty much promoting them with their ridiculous ingame-pricing. I think more people are buying ESO-Gold on the internet than most other mmos.

DaveMoeDee · April 2017

Uviryth wrote: »

Eventhough its a Necro, its interesting to see that after 3 years, nothing has changed. I think there are even more bots now, and ZOS is pretty much promoting them with their ridiculous ingame-pricing. I think more people are buying ESO-Gold on the internet than most other mmos.

Sorry, but a lot has changed. No more nodes disappearing as you approach because they were farmed from underground. The worst we see now is people rubberbanding at dolmen.

Your claim about buying ESO-Gold sounds like pure speculation. What are you basing that claim on? Making stuff up contributes nothing to the forum.