Accounts Banned

We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.

Based on the results of our investigation, around 4,220 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 1,370 accounts were temporarily suspended.
Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.

Details of the violations are as follows: - Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
Week of May 25, Approx. 180 cases
Week of June 1, Approx. 410 cases
Week of June 8, Approx. 350 cases
Week of June 15, Approx. 250 cases
Week of June 22, Approx. 150 cases

- Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
June 24, Approx. 40 cases

- Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
Week of May 25, Approx. 70 cases
Week of June 1, Approx. 200 cases
Week of June 8, Approx. 320 cases
Week of June 15, Approx. 230 cases

- Gil and item exchange for real world money.
Week of May 25, Approx. 160 cases
Week of June 15, Approx. 230 cases
Week of June 22, Approx. 700 cases

- Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
May 29, Approx. 290 cases
June 12, Approx. 500 cases
June 19, Approx. 280 cases

- Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
June 3, Approx. 280 cases
June 16, Approx. 280 cases
June 23, Approx. 650 cases

- Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.
June 24, Approx. 40 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 1.8 billion gil from circulation.

We would like to remind players that as well as adversely affecting game balance, the use of third-party tools or cheats can also have consequences that are not immediately obvious, such as introducing damaging viruses, and comprising the security of private account details. Usage of third-party tools will not be tolerated within FINAL FANTASY XI, and we will continue to severely penalize any players found to be in violation of the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

As we continue to ensure a fun and balanced environment for FINAL FANTASY XI, we hope that our players enjoy the game as it was intended and take care to avoid involvement in activities that violate the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

Comments

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gil
# Jul 01 2008 at 4:34 AM Rating: Decent
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61 posts
Nice. 1.8 Billion gil removed. Im not gonna lie to ya. I'm betting the gil they remove during the bannings was used to pay out on the lottery.
gil
# Jul 02 2008 at 6:30 PM Rating: Decent
WTF.... its just a number they type in they can put however much gil they want into the game.
The good ole days...
# Jun 26 2008 at 12:23 PM Rating: Good
Yeah, it is really great that we dont have to pay 12 million for a scorp harness...cannot believe we were paying so much for items like that...thanks SE.
The good ole days...
# Jun 27 2008 at 8:30 AM Rating: Decent
Espirante wrote
Quote:
I also couldn't afford whm spells that i needed to be in party, thus that prevented me from lvling. I've went through 4yrs of this sh*t(no job past 47 because of RMTs raising prices making it even harder to lvl) & now is the time for us low lvls to take a stand & start lvling like we're suppose too!


I'm so sorry that you couldn't level a job past 50 in ..cough cough.. years. I racked up 2 75 jobs in that time because i saw the obvious monetary pitfalls in certain jobs early on. I took drg 1st to 75, during the heart of the I'm a moron era. It was clear that all i needed was a good lance and wal-mart grade gear and i'd be able to avoid the RMT price-raping. Then with a good chunk of change I'd saved up.. and i saved a good chunk mining while lfp (other drgs sitting in AF outside the lower jeuno AH like hobo's that will touch their toes for $1) I mined yughott grotto, skilled up smithing/gsmithing to the point where I made money off the power crafters, buying my stuff. Meaning, uh oh... i actually profited from the RMT, and could now support my burgeoning BLM, which i have farmed nearly all the farmable spells.
- If the RMTs would still be in force... i would consider farming khroma more often cause i would be certain that it would be above 500k a chunk and definately worth the time and aggrevation... and the joy of MPKing botters i'd have to compete with
The good ole days...
# Jun 27 2008 at 6:07 AM Rating: Decent
here here... I agree. Paying that much for a single item? I mean come on, whowould be stupid enough to pay that if they can make it themselves(farming materials, etc.).
Fraidy Cats some1?
# Jun 26 2008 at 10:22 AM Rating: Default
amdgsrt wrote:
Quote:
I miss the rampant inflation of years past... I spent a few hours a week mining and came away with a warchest of 11M gil before SE went on their crusade. Now that i've spent that hard earned cash on 3 level75 jobs, i have to spend nearly 16-18hrs mining a week now in the hope to reach my weekly average of income. RMTs, bots, whatever kept prices high so that ppl like myself who put the time in and did not level a craft would be able to afford quality items with a little effort.
--SE please let Bush the Younger run the FFXI economy for 6months, i need to profit off others misfortune.


Theicemanreturns responded:
Quote:
You and me both my brother..
I used to make millions from the Elemental Ores. now Im lucky to make enough gil for a couple Chocobo rides off stupid gear I farm off mobs.
Some of the rampant inflation of items was good for the rest of us in the game. We could atleast make some money by selling the goods in bazaars or the AH. now, we're screwed




It sounds like more ppl are getting afriad of actually working for a living in this game. I'm personally glad to see the sob GSs & RMTs r being booted off. In the begining, I could nvr nvr nvr get 3/4ths of what I got now because of those !%@#()!@% ppl. Also, I couldn't farm either because the sobs were always hogging mobs, thus leaving me & others in the dust or causing them to quite. Unless ur buying the materials from the AH, & not farming them, u need to stop ur dam complaining @ it. Farming has saved me more gil than I can count then just wasting it buying from AH. I also couldn't afford whm spells that i needed to be in party, thus that prevented me from lvling. I've went through 4yrs of this ****(no job past 47 because of RMTs raising prices making it even harder to lvl) & now is the time for us low lvls to take a stand & start lvling like we're suppose too!

GO SE!! KICK THE RMTs & GSs ASSES! GET THEM OFF TO MAKE THE GAME THE WAY IT WAS INTENDED TO BE PLAYED!!
wtf!
# Jun 26 2008 at 10:20 AM Rating: Default
how the heck did this d.p.?

Edited, Jun 27th 2008 10:04am by Esperanti
hmmm...
# Jun 26 2008 at 2:22 AM Rating: Decent
****
6,424 posts
freshboxers wrote:
I think its great that SE is trying to catching these RMT but catching the wrong people who didn't even do anything is just wrong. I think I have been ban or suspended and now I don't know what to do...


asuviolinist wrote:
My account has been suspended or banned, and I don't know why.

I think it's great that SE is taking action, but I hope they aren't taking action against the wrong people.


Suspicious...

Words used and sentence building very similar...
Both created accounts to post in this thread...

It seems someone got caught buying gil or using 3rd party tools... or perhaps it's RMT coming to Allakhazam in desperation to find out how to get back their farming accounts...
Gay
# Jun 25 2008 at 4:51 PM Rating: Default
I think its great that SE is trying to catching these RMT but catching the wrong people who didn't even do anything is just wrong. I think I have been ban or suspended and now I don't know what to do...
i actually miss the gs and RMTs
# Jun 25 2008 at 9:12 AM Rating: Decent
I miss the rampant inflation of years past... I spent a few hours a week mining and came away with a warchest of 11M gil before SE went on their crusade. Now that i've spent that hard earned cash on 3 level75 jobs, i have to spend nearly 16-18hrs mining a week now in the hope to reach my weekly average of income. RMTs, bots, whatever kept prices high so that ppl like myself who put the time in and did not level a craft would be able to afford quality items with a little effort.
--SE please let Bush the Younger run the FFXI economy for 6months, i need to profit off others misfortune.
i actually miss the gs and RMTs
# Jun 25 2008 at 10:33 AM Rating: Decent
You and me both my brother..


I used to make millions from the Elemental Ores. now Im lucky to make enough gil for a couple Chocobo rides off stupid gear I farm off mobs.

Some of the rampant inflation of items was good for the rest of us in the game. We could atleast make some money by selling the goods in bazaars or the AH. now, we're screwed
1-2 more sweeps
# Jun 25 2008 at 5:21 AM Rating: Decent
I think they need to do at 1-2 more sweeps before the Mog bonanza just to be sure. I mean even though ppl r saying ppl are getting dumbing w/ each generation, things like this proves them wrong. There r probably just as many smart ppl today as there was, if not more.

& Kudos to SE for hearing the complaints of us players against RMTs & GSs. Thanks to SE, I'm on my way to becoming a great whm by being able to finally afford the spells I need to advance in this game. ^ ^
Square Enix
# Jun 24 2008 at 9:18 PM Rating: Excellent
16 posts
/sarcasm
Square Enix - Notorious Monster
Level: 95
Drops: Unknown
Found in areas: All
Aggressive: Sound, Sight, RMT

Important Notes:

Will go beserk after 30 seconds if not killed. Respawn time is noted to be almost immediate although this is just speculation, no one has ever survived who didn't deserve aggro. This mob also seems to be auto-invisible, the only known way to force spawn is to buy gil or do something stupid.

Testimonials:

"Hi my name is Prz*** of the Cerberus server, I'm a full time RMT and we faught this NM the other day. We had a full alliance of 75s, mostly DD with about 4 healers. One day while we were fishing and making arragements to deliver gil to our few customers. (business has been slow lately) and yes we fish in a full alliance don't ask why, this NM popped out of no where. WOW I mean we were all one shotted so hard we didn't even know what to do! We were so shocked we might not come back because RMTing aint easy if you know what I mean. Good luck with this NM it's a tough one!"


/serious moment
suck it RMT

Edited, Jun 25th 2008 1:19am by Sifridus
I think I've been suspended or banned and I don't know why
# Jun 24 2008 at 3:32 PM Rating: Decent
My account has been suspended or banned, and I don't know why. I read all the news about the mass banning that happened today, and all the reasons why people are suspended or banned, but I have no idea what I could've done to get this done to me. I never take part in any RMT or third-party activities. I don't even know how to do the things that I've heard people doing. Has anyone else been suspended or banned and can't figure out why??

I think it's great that SE is taking action, but I hope they aren't taking action against the wrong people. I have done nothing but been an avid player of FFXI for over 6 years. Can someone please explain to me why this would've happened, and what I can do to get this matter cleared? I do not want to lose my account and my character. I have worked way too hard and long to achieve everything I've done to get where I am.

Hope to see you back in Vana'diel soon,
Eelisu

75WHM
42BLM
37SMN
13BRD
I think I've been suspended or banned and I don't know why
# Jun 24 2008 at 3:58 PM Rating: Good
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134 posts
asuviolinist wrote:
My account has been suspended or banned, and I don't know why. I read all the news about the mass banning that happened today, and all the reasons why people are suspended or banned, but I have no idea what I could've done to get this done to me. I never take part in any RMT or third-party activities. I don't even know how to do the things that I've heard people doing. Has anyone else been suspended or banned and can't figure out why??

I think it's great that SE is taking action, but I hope they aren't taking action against the wrong people. I have done nothing but been an avid player of FFXI for over 6 years. Can someone please explain to me why this would've happened, and what I can do to get this matter cleared? I do not want to lose my account and my character. I have worked way too hard and long to achieve everything I've done to get where I am.

Hope to see you back in Vana'diel soon,
Eelisu

75WHM
42BLM
37SMN
13BRD


Tried contacting SE?
I think I've been suspended or banned and I don't know why
# Jun 29 2008 at 2:19 AM Rating: Decent
My account was suspended (72hrs) as well. I wasn't sure either. However I did contact SE about this and when I asked, they said the Adminsistration Department suspended me because of "suspect" use of RMT/3rd party usage. I told them this was crazy since 1: i'm on a console and could never use 3rd party tools and 2:I've never done any RMT activities.

Their response was "Playonline is not responsible for this, the Administrators are. There's nothing we can do to help you".
I asked them is my account suspended or banned at least since I had the right to know. They said suspended for 3 days. I just got it back on saturday, all intact.

What my therory behind my suspension is that I do sell unused equipment and items (synth items, etc) on my mules through the AH on each nation then send the gil sold over to my main character, and I guess they suspect something odd in me doing that. Either that or someone reported me as suspect to the mentioned accusations. Who knows.

Again, I find this odd.

My guess is they are screening/profiling accounts; kind of like when you drive down a road and you have cops make stops to every other vehicle to check things out of the ordinary. It's a sound method but a rather strange and somewhat frustrating one especially if one hasn't done anything wrong.

This will not stop me from playing however. And frankly I'd rather have it suspended than banned anyway.

Best thing to do is grin and bear it but definately contact SE in the future to find out whatever details they can provide and just cooperate. You ARE however are allowed to make any statements you want (ie; rants) on the matter, even if they note it or not.
Ban Hammer
# Jun 24 2008 at 12:11 PM Rating: Good
Yeah it has been nice not to have to compete against them. I rarly ever see someone i believe to be a GS.
Ban Hammer
# Jun 24 2008 at 3:33 PM Rating: Excellent
**
784 posts
Well Ya they had to drop the hammer before the Mog bonanza! 4 days and counting.
Ban Hammer
# Jul 02 2008 at 6:37 PM Rating: Decent
Honestly 1 RMT goes another takes it's place... if ppl didnt buy gil there would be no business for it and therefore noone could make RL money. Blame the ppl that buy it for the up and down economy and the outrageous prices.

Edited, Jul 2nd 2008 10:38pm by Deadlytaru
Ban Hammer
# Jun 24 2008 at 10:19 AM Rating: Excellent
22 posts
Good to see that SE is still proudly wielding that ban hammer =)
Ban Hammer
# Jun 24 2008 at 11:59 AM Rating: Decent
It's becoming harder and harder to spot a RMT running around in the areas I used to see them. I enjoy that greatly.
Ban Hammer
# Jun 24 2008 at 4:21 PM Rating: Decent
Ultre the Charming wrote:
It's becoming harder and harder to spot a RMT running around in the areas I used to see them. I enjoy that greatly.


Very much agreed, when I used to play this a few years back they were literally everywhere and inflation was ridiculous. After leaving and coming back recently ( about 2 months ago) RMT's (or people I would suspect them to be an RMT) are very few and far between.
Ban Hammer
# Jun 24 2008 at 7:20 PM Rating: Decent
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56 posts
Exactly I came back about 2 months ago too. Yet to my surprise, I found MANY items drastically go down. SE is keeping it up and the AH shows. I also went to check up on spook while leveling on bats ... and to my surprise... their weren't a lot of people there at all. Back then, almost every hour trying to claim spook would have 2-3 others trying to claim it. Some would be on it for morning and night.

It is good that SE is on a rampage against bots and RMTers .... (unlike other types of MMOs ^^)
Ban Hammer
# Jun 25 2008 at 1:59 AM Rating: Decent
***
2,626 posts
Quote:
SE is keeping it up and the AH shows. I also went to check up on spook while leveling on bats ... and to my surprise... their weren't a lot of people there at all. Back then, almost every hour trying to claim spook would have 2-3 others trying to claim it. Some would be on it for morning and night.



Lol @ Spook

Spook isnt even NM - he checks like a normal monster. I remember when I first started playing ff there were 2 ppl in my ls that used to spend all their time hunting spook, They competed against each other for days until they eventually fell out big time over him, they never made it up and still dislike each other to this very day.
Ban Hammer
# Jun 26 2008 at 5:29 PM Rating: Decent
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56 posts
Yeah, but the mantle is "worth" it though if your lucky to be able to get the drop. Even if it isn't an NM hehe
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