Gravity does not want to air their bot problem all over the first place people look when joining a game. I don't think they are against listening to our ideas for solutions. There needs to be a more 'veteran' forum where we can openly discuss the nasty parts of the game searching for solutions. I say solutions because an unhealthy majority of these threads are flames and rants.
The search for a self-sustaining solution is critical for success. The GMs (to my understanding) are understaffed as it is. Reporting bots through tickets is a waste of time for everyone involved. The GMs know there is a bot problem, and yes there are bots on pretty much EVERY map. They know, stop spamming them. Without bot reports GMs can focus on tickets that matter.
An example of a constructive suggestion would be something like this:
[The idea - be brief]
-For the first global map a character switches to when logging in (field maps / dungeon maps) A chat dialogue appears asking to type the name of the first item in your 'equip' inventory. If you fail to answer correctly then you can't go outside.
[Optional - elaborate on how the system won't hurt real players]
-The system won't harm real players because it would work almost like a captcha system. If a player has no items in their equip window they can just temporarily un-equip some gear. If they aren't wearing gear they shouldn't be entering a field map in the first place. It would take a while for a botter to configure such a complex system with so many variable responses. Botters would only be able to stay on their current field maps for so long before either dying or returning to town.
tl;dr: Bot related threads need to become more constructive. Pointing out bots is redundant and a waste of time after 5 years of the same situation.
I urge the GMs to move this thread to a less mainstream location to avoid bad publicity
*I would be happy to update the original post with strikethrough ideas that have been shot down to avoid redundancy.*
IDEAS:
*Ideas will not be struckthrough until downed by GMs
GM Patrol on common maps
Item check - captcha
Volunteer Work
Color Coded message / Image Clue
Suspicious Vendors
Edited by Scuba, 26 June 2011 - 07:39 AM.