Yesterday, ArcheAge reacted to the issues in the USA. The long-awaited test server is now set to be launched. Additionally, low-level accounts will be denied access to the shop on the website.
Yesterday was not a good day for ArcheAge. The opening of the northern continent Auroria was overshadowed by numerous issues. Players were unable to log in for hours. As a result, the race for the four castles on each server was determined not by the skills of individuals or the cohesion of a guild, but primarily by chance and luck – in short, players were deprived of the opportunity to compete fairly against each other. The ongoing problem of players who could secure a large number of properties in a short time using supposedly unfair methods further spoiled the mood for players in ArcheAge.
The PTS server is supposed to help find errors in ArcheAge
Although the patch, according to Community Manager Scapes, was reviewed by internal quality control, the intention is to install a “Public Test Server” (PTS) in order to allow a larger number of players to test future patches. This was already discussed before the release of ArcheAge. Back then, players of the Alpha were assured that they would see their Alpha characters again on a test server if Trion Worlds decided that such a testing environment would be necessary. Apparently, it is needed. The PTS is primarily intended to help identify issues that only arise from large-scale testing.
A sensitive topic after yesterday is that of “compensation”, as Trion Worlds has shown willingness in the past to compensate players with bonus patron time for bad days. However, this is not the right time to discuss it. Yesterday, the focus was rather on solving the problems.
Trion Worlds is likely to curb money laundering
In another current announcement, Trion Worlds has announced that it is significantly restricting access to the web store for low-level players, i.e. players below level 15. They can neither purchase APEX nor in-game currency over $5. This aims to reduce the number of fraud cases and better protect players. The changes are effective immediately; currently, it can take up to 90 minutes after leveling up to level 15 for the restrictions to be lifted. Until the end of the week, it is hoped that this 90-minute delay will be eliminated so that players can act directly in the web store upon reaching level 15.
In the past, players below level 15 had already had their chat rights revoked to reduce gold spam.
My MMO thinks: Apparently, the measures now aim to prevent credit card fraudsters from buying credits in the web store, acquiring items in the in-game shop with them, which are then sold to other players for gold in the auction house, and then converting the gold back into real money through gold seller websites, all before the original credit purchase is reversed due to a chargeback. This cycle likely explains how massive price fluctuations for items from the in-game shop could occur in the past.
