Kile Kitmoore
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Posted - 2010.12.15 17:56:00 -
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Wow, I really don't envy CCP's position in this whole RMT/Botter battle. If you start slamming the ban hammer to hard you catch a number of legitimate players/corps. On the other hand if you take a lighter approach to RMT/Botting it starts to spread like a virus, as players feel they have to join them to beat them. One thing is very clear, you have a difficult job ahead. This blog unfortunately is lacking both passion and substance for winning this little war. My biggest fear however is that some at CCP are well aware of large RMT/Botter activities but because these are attached to someone who may be well known or liked they ignore the player/corps. practices. CCP should not rule out that people in it's own organization could be involved. God I hope I am wrong on those last two statements.
Proposals:
1. Who's in charge? Seriously, is there someone in CCP's organization that is responsible for combating this menace? If not, why not? If this person does not exist maybe they should and depending on how serious you take this matter will determine their qualifications. Personally, I would find someone who has the technical know-how to reverse engineer these little apps floating around and can create client/server side tools for detection. This person would also need to be able to analyze logs and track those RMT transactions back to their source. In the end, you have someone or a team you can actually hold accountable when the RMT/Botter disease starts to spread. I would also not rule out hiring someone who actually develops these tools, can't beat them get them to join you in your fight. Find your CCPCSI and give him/her the tools and authority.
2. Examine the way these activities are reported by the player base to your organization. If someone reports a bot through the petition system what happens, where does it end up and with who? Using the petition system may not be the best method for players to communicate these activities. If a new process for reporting needs to be created just take into account that some fools will abuse it. This system should have a way which people who do help report these activities are informed of both the status and outcome. Consider awarding helpful players.
3. Communication to the player base. Clearly layout what will happen to players for using botting tools or buying ISK's through non-approved sources. Clearly layout what happens to a corp. or an alliance who's leadership is aware of such activities. Communicate how the player's can help CCP police these activities, heck offer rewards. The method you use to communicate this information is just as important, forum posts and dev blogs will not reach the masses. Use e-mail in-game and out of game in combination with dev blogs. This communication should be ongoing and not when the masses huddle together with their pitchforks and torches.
4. Create a system that allows a player/corp. to appeal if they are unfortunately caught in a tidal wave of bans.
Good luck in your fight, I look forward to reading CSM's discussions with you concerning this matter.
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