Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

[Ameroth]

Nov. 14, 2007 03:00 [PST] From: FINAL FANTASY XI
Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)


We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.

Based on the results of our investigation, around 4,400 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 1,210 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.

Details of the violations are as follows:

- Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
November 6, Approx. 290 cases
November 9, Approx. 400 cases
November 12, Approx. 300 cases

- Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
November 14, Approx. 20 cases

- Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
October 25, Approx. 760 cases
November 2, Approx. 20 cases
November 4, Approx. 780 cases

- Gil and item exchange for real world money.
October 26, Approx. 40 cases
October 29, Approx. 10 cases
November 14, Approx. 510 cases

- Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
October 26, Approx. 350 cases
November 2, Approx. 40 cases
November 4, Approx. 60 cases
November 7, Approx. 280 cases

- Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
November 1, Approx. 1,690 cases

- Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.
November 14, Approx. 60 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 2 billion gil from circulation.

We would like to remind players that as well as adversely affecting game balance, the use of third-party tools or cheats can also have consequences that are not immediately obvious, such as introducing damaging viruses, and comprising the security of private account details. Usage of third-party tools will not be tolerated within FINAL FANTASY XI, and we will continue to severely penalize any players found to be in violation of the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

As we continue to ensure a fun and balanced environment for FINAL FANTASY XI, we hope that our players enjoy the game as it was intended and take care to avoid involvement in activities that violate the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

Source
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The ban stick swings again!

[Murphie]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

Each month I hope that I will be banned for being too awesome, but it never happens.

[Ameroth]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

At least you don't get banned for not being awesome enough.

[Murphie]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

It could happen!

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

Is it me or does it seems like there's an upsurge across almost all category? Is there an increase in the number of cheaters and RMTs?

[Murphie]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

It does seem like a larger number. Though I'd have to go back to earlier announcements to check (not exactly hard to do).

edit: NEWP, less. Overall at least.

Though this is early for them. Their last few updates of this nature have been around the 25th.

[Vyuru]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

There was a spike a little while ago, but it's been going down.

However they seem to be increasing the number of bannings they are doing.

[Ameroth]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

I like this part the most:

- Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
November 1, Approx. 1,690 cases

I like seeing SE at least try to do something in terms of fixing the synthing situation.

[Mhurron]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

Is it me or does it seems like there's an upsurge across almost all category? Is there an increase in the number of cheaters and RMTs?

Well it would make sense at least on RMT side of things if they are banning faster then it takes to level and prepare another character then build a case against it.

For instance someone banned 3 bannings ago comes back the next day and starts over at 1. It would take time to build it up and then fit a pattern of RMT. During this time 2 other bannings happen where they don't get caught but on the third they're gone again.

[Malacite]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

SE's been on the warpath lately O. O

[Necross]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

one thing that you need to take into account is people either wrongly banned or suspended.

a friend of mine got suspended for three days during the ban this week and when he tried to log in he was given an error message and told to call tech support.

he was broke had started cleaning out his mules, just lvl'd his whm to 42 to have all teles and started telewhoring then less than 7 days later hes suspended.

when he talked to the se reps and explained that hed been laid off of work and had more free time to play and was cleaning out old gear and telein to raise his funds since he was almost broke.

thier reply "not our problem, too late now, youll be able to log back in friday"

hes waiting to see when he logs back in if they confiscated his telewhoring money.

poor guy lost his job.. passed some of his time on here and anyone whos telewhored before knows how dull and a huge pain that is but he stuck with it and went from less than 50k on his char to lil over 1 mill..

now he may have that pulled from him. shame.

im not knocking what SE is doing but seems more of a [GM]Dave approach.. ban stick 'em first then ask questions later.. but, oops.. no one there to answer questions..

i feel for my friend and what hes goin through but when he called to tell me what had happened.. i couldnt stop laughin..

[Ameroth]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

I assure you your friend didn't get suspended for simply telewhoring. Going from 50k to 1M in 7 days is hardly enough to get suspicious over.

[Necross]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

well i worked with the guy for two years, still keep in close contact with him. and, to this date several years later i have never once known the guy to tell a lie.

about anything, but, anything is possible.

all i know is what hes told me and hes never given me or anyone else a reason to ever doubt his word. but thats just my humble opinion.

matter of fact me him, and another guy we used to work with that also plays this game met up at hooters last wednesday and got a lil trashed. *shrugs*

if in my position who would you believe? friend you know and trust or corporation?

[Ameroth]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

I'm not saying he's lying, but I'm also not saying he didn't do something else in game to warrant a suspension. Suspension because of tele-taxi doesn't sound right to me.

[Necross]

Re: Accounts Banned (Nov. 14)

well, only thing they would tell him for reason of suspension is "rmt related activities".

and that is the only idea we could come up with.