About Action Taken Against Third-Party Tool Users (Sep. 26) [Archive] - Final Fantasy XI :: Dreams in Vana'diel

Sasaki

09-26-2006, 05:20 AM

Sep. 26, 2006 04:00 [PDT] From: FINAL FANTASY XI http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/imgs/spacer.gif
About Action Taken Against Third-Party Tool Users (Sep. 26)

Today, a number of accounts which were confirmed to have violated the user agreement by using unauthorized third-party software tools within FINAL FANTASY XI to enable abnormal in-game movement were discovered and have been suspended or permanently terminated.

Based on the results of an investigation, over 3,300 PlayOnline accounts have been either suspended or terminated on Sep. 26, 2006 for the malicious and intentional use of these third-party tools.

We would like to take this time to remind our players that the use of any third-party tools will not only destroy the in-game balance, but will also encourage RMT (real money trading) activities. We will continue to take strict actions against those individuals that we have confirmed to have used such tools.

Please note that some of these third-party tools may cause character information to be altered, erased, or personal information to be leaked to unwanted third parties. If you come across a third-party tool over the Internet, we ask that you please refrain from the download of such a tool, no matter how minor it may appear to be.

To ensure our customers could enjoy the game safely, we will continue to apply measurements to combat these third-party tools and violations.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.
===============
From the POL website.

Someone in my LS just announced that there are suddenly only six people in The Shrine of Ru'Aviatau, and they're an XP party.

Murphie

09-26-2006, 05:24 AM

Illuen

09-26-2006, 05:28 AM

It's not just RMT though. Why does everyone immediately go searching for all the RMT when this happens? Lots of "legit" players and LS's use these movement hacks, which is unfortunate.

Anyway, these mass bannings have been happening a lot lately. I'm all for it.

QFT.

The big bad Evil RMT isn't what you need to worry about, but Joe Shmoe, nice LS member who uses draw-in for Hoo Mjuu, or Speedhacks to travel across vana'diel. To make this an extremely convoluted Metaphor, the characters in Lost don't have to worry about The Hanzo Foundation messing up their lives when they have each other to do so. And with temptation, there are quite a few people (more than would admit to it) that use Speedhack/Draw In/Buy Gil.

Sasaki

09-26-2006, 05:29 AM

I didn't mention RMT =o_O= lol Or were you just making a general point?

Murphie

09-26-2006, 05:35 AM

You mentioned the Shrine, which is generally rather RMT heavy, but it was more of a general point. Every time SE does this, most of the initial posts are like "WELL I CHECKED THE RMT AND THEY ARE STILL THERE GG SE KTHNX", which is obnoxious.

I wasn't using you as an example, however.^^

Davitron3000

09-26-2006, 05:44 AM

It's not just RMT though. Why does everyone immediately go searching for all the RMT when this happens? Lots of "legit" players and LS's use these movement hacks, which is unfortunate.
Anyway, these mass bannings have been happening a lot lately. I'm all for it.
Agreed. Get rid of everyone hacking (RMT, "legit", boyscouts, w/e). Also, do people not learn or just don't care. I would think that if a person cared about playing and saw the first ban then they would stop using movement hacks. Maybe not :cry:

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 06:21 AM

QFT.

The big bad Evil RMT isn't what you need to worry about, but Joe Shmoe, nice LS member who uses draw-in for Hoo Mjuu, or Speedhacks to travel across vana'diel. To make this an extremely convoluted Metaphor, the characters in Lost don't have to worry about The Hanzo Foundation messing up their lives when they have each other to do so. And with temptation, there are quite a few people (more than would admit to it) that use Speedhack/Draw In/Buy Gil.

Just thoughtI'd point out that draw-in is purely a cosmetic change on the players PC much like .dat changing. It doesn't do anything or alow you use abilites further away then you should be able to.

That is all.

Icemage

09-26-2006, 06:58 AM

Also, do people not learn or just don't care. I would think that if a person cared about playing and saw the first ban then they would stop using movement hacks. Maybe not :cry:
I've learned not to underestimate the power of human stupidity.

Icemage

Illuen

09-26-2006, 07:02 AM

Just thoughtI'd point out that draw-in is purely a cosmetic change on the players PC much like .dat changing. It doesn't do anything or alow you use abilites further away then you should be able to.

That is all.

Really? Thanks for informing me. I had always heard that, for instance, if you pulled a NPC to you from across the zone, that you'd be able to speak to it from where you are, Same with chests/coffers.

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 07:04 AM

Yea... I got banned in the first mass banning, since then i've almost completely stopped using movement hacks. I think most people think they are invincible and wont get banned. I did. You don't realize that you're vanurable until you get caught.

I actually feel really good that I've been 3 months without cheating.

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 07:05 AM

Murphie

09-26-2006, 07:14 AM

Almost completely, eh?

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 07:17 AM

Yea, I occasionally use them to get through a few doors. Like after spending two hours hunting a prelate key for the temple the other day while doing 8-2 and never finding it >.>

Davitron3000

09-26-2006, 07:18 AM

Yea... I got banned in the first mass banning, since then i've almost completely stopped using movement hacks. I think most people think they are invincible and wont get banned. I did. You don't realize that you're vanurable until you get caught.
I actually feel really good that I've been 3 months without cheating.
Why is this in there? Just sayin' :)
Really though, I am glad to hear you don't use them.

Grizzlebeard

09-26-2006, 07:26 AM

Yea, I occasionally use them to get through a few doors. Like after spending two hours hunting a prelate key for the temple the other day while doing 8-2 and never finding it >.>
It's funny how some people can find a way to justify actions they should be banned for. Just getting through doors to get to mobs that legit players have to camp the key for is ok and in no way gaining an unfair advantage right?

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 07:26 AM

Occasionally I just get so fucking fed up with the annoying things in the game that I break down and cheat. I know it's not right, but at least I admitted it. I think I can remember 2 times since I got banned that I used it. Once to get through the prelate door and the second because a group of friends died in Promy-Holla and needed a raise. So I took the chance of getting banned and warped myself to the spire and raised them.

It's funny how some people can find a way to justify actions they should be banned for. Just getting through doors to get to mobs that legit players have to camp the key for is ok and in no way gaining an unfair advantage right?
No Grizz. I never said it wasn't unfair.

DakAttack

09-26-2006, 07:30 AM

I'm glad to see these cullings are happening more regularly now. I really hope they're cracking down on the repeat offenders.

Kirsteena

09-26-2006, 07:31 AM

Meh that door I just use the magic aggro method to open that door...

And reraise earrings are friendly.

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 07:36 AM

And reraise earrings are friendly.

Yea, shit happens sometimes. Use your reraise thinking you can kill him and end up dieing again. Just loyal to my friends.

Jei

09-26-2006, 07:48 AM

Only movements? I heard SSG is literally swarming with fishing bots.... and they didn't mention about bots at all.

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 08:00 AM

Only movements? I heard SSG is literally swarming with fishing bots.... and they didn't mention about bots at all.

Well see.. the thing with fishing bots, is they aren't actually against the ToS. As long as you are sitting at your computer while it is running, and are there to respond to a GM call when he sends you a tell, you wont be banned. Even more, with current botting technology it's *very* easy to write a program that will respond to tells and/or make a noise through your speakers to have you come to the computer.

KoukiRyu

09-26-2006, 08:00 AM

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 08:02 AM

I'll bring this up knowing a few people won't want to see it...but, I use the windower, and no plug-ins at all, just the TParty that comes with it and is already loaded...and every time I see one of these I check my account on PoL friend list plus...I guess I'll have to stop, but the windower is so useful to me, I mean I can just grab info, or simply talk to my friends while on XI, it sucks, but instead of getting banned I guess I'll just stop x_x;

Well, if you notice they say in each ban people get banned for illegal movement. I really havn't heard of anyone honestly getting banned just for windower. And I've been reading on alot of hacking sites.

KoukiRyu

09-26-2006, 08:12 AM

Rai

09-26-2006, 08:27 AM

Well the reason I mentioned it is because a few months back, a ton of people were banned mainly for the windower, and it just worries me a little...although those that got banned for it were able to return after I think like 3 days or so? But still I'd rather never get banned once, but after noticing what you said is true, I may just use it for a little longer :x

nope, didn't happen. A few months back people were banned but again it was for movement speed hacks, SE can not detect windower.

It is a setting in the registry of your PC, it does not alter or transmit data, so it is not detectable.

Anyone claiming to be banned for using the windower is either lying or they addmitted to using windower in /t /p /l and someone turned them in for it.

I myself do not use windower, I have a Laptop next to my Destop PC and I simply use that, if I didn't have my laptop I would consider using windower though that's for sure.

Haggai

09-26-2006, 08:34 AM

The first rule of Windower is - you do not talk about Windower. The second rule of Windower is - you DO NOT talk about Windower.

Yeah, good old Fight Club.

DakAttack

09-26-2006, 08:37 AM

GMs can detect whether or not you're using a windower. A lot of people that complain about being banned unfairly were using the windower when they talked to the GM.

KoukiRyu

09-26-2006, 08:37 AM

Oooh...hahaha then that guy was lying. XD He's the only stage 5 relic G.Axe on our server, so I can see that he'd probably be at the point of using movement hacks, etc...all the people that got banned told my LS leader it was cause of windower, and he made sure we all stopped using it for a bit. I feel much better now. XD I'll just never mention it and keep using it, thank you guys so much for the info :D I've talked to several GM's with it on, but haven't ever gotten in any trouble...I've also minimized while speaking to them...so I dunno if they just didn't check, or what's up, but nothing has been ever said to me about it.

Balfree

09-26-2006, 08:41 AM

ifandbut

09-26-2006, 08:48 AM

Really? Thanks for informing me. I had always heard that, for instance, if you pulled a NPC to you from across the zone, that you'd be able to speak to it from where you are, Same with chests/coffers.

Ya, Zamp is correct about the draw-in program. There is a different program that will actualy warp you to the mob/treasure coffer instantly so you can claim/open it.

It would defently be handy to "pull" the AH and delivery NPCs to you every once in a while.

Rai

09-26-2006, 08:52 AM

SE uses the the same methods a cop would use if he suspected you of something, the GM lies and tries to get you to admit you are doing what they suspect. They say I know you are using the Windower, if you are a NA client and are speaking shouting in JP text, or someone turns you in because you said you used the Windower.

A long time ago there was an in-depth post by the creator of the NA windower explaining that as far as he knew there was no way for SE to tell if you were using a windower. I have known tons and tons of people who told me they used the windower and nothing else, no one has been banned.

I aslo know a guy who kept telling people their TP in an EXP party, and about an hour into the party he got a GM tell giving him a warning to stop using the Windower.

don't talk about the windower in game, don't let slip TP of others.
Don't shout in JP text if you registared with NA codes when you bought the game.

Jei

09-26-2006, 08:58 AM

I called GMs and talked to them quite often. And I use windower : /
They never ask or tell me anything about it you know.

I heard they CAN detect what version of the game your running (JP NA EU) but I don't even know if that's true. Because, well, I type japanese all the time... and I use NA version of the game.

Omniblast

09-26-2006, 08:59 AM

Ugh i hope im not banned when i get home :\

I used windower for a couple hours the other day, i was camping guild shop, but had some work to do so i would just check the game every 50~ minutes, and my laptop was too busy frying up, so i had to resort to windower. :0~~

*pray*

Very doubtful you are going to get banned Balfree. I'm fairly certain they are only going after movement hacks. I mean if they can record character positions, and you see most numbers consistantly behind another, then all of a sudden a number is oddly out of place. Sounds like a type of movement hack to me. I'd make that account for suspicious and hand it to a Senior GM to investigate.

sevenpointflaw

09-26-2006, 09:10 AM

The first time they did the "movement" bans I actually called SE; they ban for the hard cheats, not for windower.

Rai

09-26-2006, 09:17 AM

I think pretty much all Windower ban talk comes from the smoke screen of players who were using Fleetool, or the other one that warps you around.

Also I think GMs won't go out of their way to try to tell if a player is using the Windower. If someone does not like you and calls a GM on you, say "hey (insert name) admitted to using a windower!" or "hey (insert name) was typing in JP and he lives in Florida! He is using Windower and that's not fair!" then a GM must investigate.

But I think a GM would do like what happened that time in an EXP party and tell the guy "hey buddy, next time you log on don't use that windower thing."

Zamphire

09-26-2006, 09:18 AM

I think pretty much all Windower ban talk comes from the smoke screen of players who were using Fleetool, or the other one that warps you around.

POS

Icemage

09-26-2006, 10:34 AM

I heard they CAN detect what version of the game your running (JP NA EU) but I don't even know if that's true. Because, well, I type japanese all the time... and I use NA version of the game.
I'm pretty sure they can tell, at least when you make a GM call yourself. I noticed that the players that used JP clients in my LS would always get JP GMs (and they always got a faster GM response than the NA members... but that's a different story).

Icemage

I'm just a guy

09-26-2006, 12:24 PM

neighbortaru

09-26-2006, 12:26 PM

is useing windower considerd a real 3rd part tool if you dont cheat with it or anything? ._> i use it cuse i have to, my comp is stupid and shuts down ffxi in regular mode every 30min, if i get banned, i guess ill just quit =\yes, it's still considered a 3rd party tool. yes, it's still banable.
play smart, if you use it, don't talk about it.

I'm just a guy

09-26-2006, 12:40 PM

aye aye Captin t-t-taru :3

little ninja

09-26-2006, 02:58 PM

Actually the only way Windower can be detected is by the player themselves. If you mention a mobs hp% then your already screwing yourself. same when you call out others tp%. So if you use windower an your worrying about it, Dont refer to anything about windower.

As for Jp text on Na accounts. Actually S.E stated a long time ago that you could actually download a Jpn pol account an use NA key codes. It was talked about ages ago on this site. an there was a place you could download a JPN Pol.

Sadly S.E said fish botting was alright as long as you sat infront of your screen. so u can bet your back side that some mofo's have made 10 accounts that 1 guy monitors. S.E an their gray area effect. fish botting is ok even though its 3rd party. then why isnt other 3rd party tools ok. me fishing for 24/7 in SSG is screwing up the fish market, the alchemy market, an the food market..

As for the 3300 accounts. to me i call bull crap on it. Otherwise tell us what server an what chars were banned. otherwise to me its still FUBAR!!!

Raydeus

09-26-2006, 03:06 PM

Sadly S.E said fish botting was alright as long as you sat infront of your screen.

Can I have the link where SE said this?

We can have a fishing-bot forum right next to the .dat one. :rofl:

Stiker

09-26-2006, 03:16 PM

I think as far as windower goes, SE knows it exsists and know that a lot of players use it, but they aren't going to try and ban every single person that uses it. They are much more worried about the more dangerous 3rd party tools like FleeTool and POS.

I equate it to speeding on the roads. A cop isn't going to pull you over for just doing 5 MPH over, but if you go say 20+ MPH over, you can except to get busted. I'm sure though that if you openly admit/talk to GM about windower, they have no choice but to suspend you, but I doubt a ban would happen for just windower.

And also, I don't think SE ever offically said fish-botting was ok. I think what they were trying to convey was that GMs can't punish a suspected botter if he is at his computer responding to him. Basically, if you can kill the bot when a GM is there, he really can't prove what you are doing. But on the other hand if you are AFK and not talking to the GM and still fishing, you are getting busted.

Aeni

09-26-2006, 03:23 PM

I'm pretty sure they can tell, at least when you make a GM call yourself. I noticed that the players that used JP clients in my LS would always get JP GMs (and they always got a faster GM response than the NA members... but that's a different story).

Icemage

Yep, they can tell. However, Jei was probably careful not to abuse Kaomojis and have it all over his damn character like gold on P. Diddy so that they never really asked.

However, if you happen to get a JP GM, and if you're fluent, it's not like they'll prosecute. Only asshats who spam indecipherable japanese text in shout in Jeuno (read: they don't have an ass of an idea what the hell they're doing) will get banned that very moment without even being tattled on.

KoukiRyu

09-26-2006, 03:26 PM

Actually the only way Windower can be detected is by the player themselves. If you mention a mobs hp% then your already screwing yourself. same when you call out others tp%. So if you use windower an your worrying about it, Dont refer to anything about windower.

A friend of mine assures me that they can check that you're using it, if your resolution (in-game) is any different than your desktop, or if you're using the TP plugin at all...they can check. Now I really don't believe that, but he /insists/ that it's true...so do you guys have any idea? I mean I don't mention other's TP after someone told me not to, but I tend to say a monster's HP %, but generally rounding to like 70, 55, 20, whatever, never like 48% or however you want to say it. But does anyone really know if GM's can detect it?

Jethreal

09-26-2006, 03:47 PM

as far as windower..meh..I play on a ps2,

However to SE on continued bannings... /em cheer

As a side note, it seems that whenever a thread begins stating actions taken by SE against..whoever...it turns into a discussion on windower (whatever that is) and whether or not it's legit, and/or cause for banning. <hmmm>

Clever Ninja

09-26-2006, 03:48 PM

If GM's were able to detect it, we'd have seen mass bannings already. Many people high level use Windower, even people low level. I'll straight up say it; I use windower. Just the base windower with TPParty plugin that it came with, but I use it. I don't have another computer, and I want to be able to check recipes or look up directions to a zone without having to log off every time. Its inconvenient that SE wants to make the game fullscreen only. If I magically get banned one day cause SE doesn't like Windower, I'm not gonna fret. I know its against the TOS since its a 3rd party tool.

My little rant aside, TPParty MIGHT be detectable(and honestly its not needed. If your PT is setting up skillchains, the melees flood the channels with TP messages anyway), but base Windower shouldn't be IMO. I haven't looked at its code though, so I can't say for certain. And if I figure out how, I'll probably get rid of TPPlugin. It might show you if someone is slacking(but if they're a slacker, other things besides them not using WS will become apparent...), but seeing someone have 100TP next to their name isn't needed, especially when they spam 2-4 messages of "TP at 72%/84%/96%/108%" everytime they land a direct hit above 60/70% TP. It actually makes me happy in most parties after a Skillchain happens. No messages for awhile -_-.

If your staticing where everyone uses windower though, I can see it actually serving a purpose.

Murphie

09-26-2006, 05:49 PM

Well, awesome. It only took two pages to start talking about Windower and whether or not SE could detect it. See you guys in the next banning thread for the continuation of the same conversation we have every time they do this!

Neomage

09-26-2006, 07:45 PM

Lol murph.

It's very true though... and don't say that people use windower because they are lazy or anything, some people are litterally FORCED to use windower to play FFXI... I am one of them. Guess what happens when I boot up FFXI without Windower?

Comeon, guess.

It boots me out. I get a "Playonline viewer has encountered an error and needs to close" message witin 5-10 second of logging on. When windower goes down for maitnence or an update interferes with the code, I can't even play FFXI in fullscreen. I have talked to 5 reps about this, 3 of them more then once, and none of them can help me.