CCP Games, the developers of the space MMO EVE Online, are working on measures to tackle the bot problem. They have now discussed what these “cheaters” can expect in terms of penalties.
The bot problem in EVE Online is getting out of hand. Now, the team has revealed how botters will be punished in the future – and why this problem is currently spiraling out of control.
Botters will face harsher penalties
Those who knowingly exploit and operate bots can expect harsher penalties in the future:
- 1. Strike:
- Initially, there is a three-day ban (previously the 1st strike was a 30-day ban)
- Players are encouraged to reflect on what they did wrong during this time
- They want to give everyone a chance to improve
- 2. Strike:
- Upon the second offense, if caught botting, the account will be permanently banned
- Everything that belongs to the botter will be removed from the game
- Players should report botters immediately
At first glance, one might think that the penalty has been softened – the first strike now only bans players for 3 days instead of 30. However, it is already game over after the second strike. In the past, players received more than two chances.
For particularly serious offenses, players can also be permanently banned on the first strike. The new penalties take effect from March 1.
In addition, players have inquired about a live hunt for botters. Players and developers chase the cheaters while it is being live streamed. CCP Games explained that this has already been done during the fan fest. It is an interesting opportunity because you can see live who is botting. In this live hunt, ships and space stations of botters are to be destroyed. Anyone defending these possessions will expose themselves live as a botter.
Free2Play led to the problems
Furthermore, the developers explained that the bot problem got out of hand with the launch of the Ascension update and the introduction of the Free2Play model. Now, it is such that it is more “profitable” for cheaters to steal accounts that are no longer being played. Because these can now continue to be played. This makes it possible to extract skill points from the players of the stolen account and sell these skill points. All items can also be sold – even for real money. Previously, an abandoned account had little value, as it could no longer be played.
One can be curious whether the new penalties for botters in EVE Online will have the desired effect.
CCP Games means business and declared war on botters in EVE Online.
