Accounts Banned (03/22/2007)

Over 7,900 accounts in violation of the FINAL FANTASY XI user agreement were suspended or banned today. These accounts belonged to users that engaged in RMT activities or made use of third-party tools or "cheats".

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, over 6,800 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while over 1,100 accounts were temporarily suspended.

Details of the violations are as follows:

- Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
Approx. 1,050 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.
Approx. 500 cases

- Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
Approx. 2,650 cases
* The above number reflects the total number of accounts banned within the period of a month. This does not include individual cases handled by GMs.

- Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.
Approx. 2,500 cases

- RMT-related activity
Approx. 1,200 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 134 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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Mostly ineffective
# Mar 25 2007 at 4:01 PM Rating: Decent
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103 posts
For the last few months, I've been keeping an eye on almost every RMT on Fairy server. Chalk it up to morbid curiousity more than anything else. Every time this ban stick comes around, about 10% of the RMT's on Fairy are removed. Some RMT have managed to be around for over two years. With his Special Task Force in place, you'd think they wouldn't be as ineffective about removal of RMT as much as they are.

Oh. And for those of you who aren't aware. This site is reportedly owned by cannotlinkto. Putting money into this website is the same as supporting RMT.
job well done
# Mar 23 2007 at 3:27 AM Rating: Decent
Another point for SE, RMT has gotten a dent put into it again. Good Job SE
SE > RMT
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:47 PM Rating: Decent
If an account was up and running on the first of the month, canceled on the 21st, and signed back up on the 22nd or before the end of the month, SE keeps the 12.95 from the first account, and the money from the 2nd signup, if this is what RMT really do with thier accounts, so wouldnt that be more money in SE's pocket?? Just a thought.
Hey, we can fish now
# Mar 22 2007 at 6:08 PM Rating: Decent
35 posts
I was wondering why Buburimu was suddenly flushed out today. Great stuff.
Windower
# Mar 22 2007 at 3:58 PM Rating: Default
So they always take actions against RMT and 3rd party tools which is awesome in itself... but are they trying to prevent windowing or is the rumor of possibly incorporating it into the POL package not far off. Any word?

Good job again SE.. hopefully the 64 RMT's I reported in qufim island the other day won't show back up anytime soon.
Love for SE!
# Mar 22 2007 at 3:13 PM Rating: Decent
32 posts
Of all the MMOs I've played, FFXI is the only one I've come across that actively does something about RMTS/cheaters/etc AND reports to its player base about it.

Keep up the good work SE!
nice
# Mar 22 2007 at 12:51 PM Rating: Decent
The current trend is directly after a mass banning prices drop steeply. Now don't forget this banning comes after a major anti gill sellers patch. So honestly it's no way to foresee the fall the prices are about to take. One can only speculate and hope the normally expensive item you want will dip in price a little thus making it obtainable.
nice
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:47 PM Rating: Decent
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252 posts
RMT being removed would not make the price dip, it would increase it because the availability will decrease.
nice
# Mar 23 2007 at 4:52 AM Rating: Decent
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6,424 posts
moddrogg wrote:
RMT being removed would not make the price dip, it would increase it because the availability will decrease.

It will return prices to a normal level, be it below or above the current level.
RMT will increase prices because higher prices means more demand for gil. That's why RMT will try to dominate markets.
By controlling crafted goods selling them at dump prices, they prevent crafters from earning gil. By buying and price hiking rare items they force people to buy gil.
The backlash
# Mar 22 2007 at 12:20 PM Rating: Good
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61 posts
One thing i must say is that im happy that SE is banning the rmt/gilbuyers/bots. Its good to see there bringing the game back to what it should be. Only thing that i have noticed since the bannings is partying has become a bit harder. Mostly in the mid lvl range. With all the lost RMT its not as easy to get a mid lvl party going. I did a search last night for all players in the 44-48 lvl range. There were only 11 server wide ppl in that range. Not just seeking, the entire server. The only thing i can say is, its great the rmt's are going away, But the ppl still around are sticking to there lvl 75 stuff. Don't forget that there are 18 jobs in-game. Its nice your SAM is 75. Now go try RDM or something so ppl like me can actually get a party going lol!

GREAT JOB SE!
Everyone else, Go lvl another job now and again. Help ppl like me get out of my lvl 46 rut lol ^.^



Edited, Mar 22nd 2007 4:27pm by Deminious
Thanks SE
# Mar 22 2007 at 10:39 AM Rating: Decent
Scholar
19 posts
That is great news. I agree with taking out the RMT's and the cheaters. Makes for a better gaming experience, if you want to cheat, play single player games, where it does not affect other people.
____________________________
Ignorance = Uneducated; Teach Them.
Stupidity = Taught, but chooses otherwise; Shoot Them.
rmt
# Mar 22 2007 at 9:30 AM Rating: Decent
At some point the items that have not gone down in price will have to drop. Things like armor and weapon which are normally a one time purchase will all ways go down first. Items that are like food and drinks will all ways maintain their price longer because they are constantly being spent and repurchased by the same people.
Its ok
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:48 AM Rating: Decent
Thank you Square Enix. The RMT's started taking over Zip, and Despot, and Faust in sky on Leviathan. I'm just hoping that they are the ones that got banned, unforunately alot of stuff will go down in price, except for the big items that I want. Making gil might be easier for some, or harder for some people.
oops
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:20 AM Rating: Decent
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679 posts
-

Edited, Mar 22nd 2007 12:22pm by cometrider
woo hoo
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:19 AM Rating: Good
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387 posts
EDIT: Wrong post ><

Edited, Mar 23rd 2007 7:44am by zedster
Every 16.9 minutes...
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:16 AM Rating: Good
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340 posts
I just did some math. According to the news archives here at Allakhazam, in the past year alone, there have been over 31,150 bannings (most newsposts say 'over x PlayOnline accounts'). This number does not include suspensions. This means that there has been an average of 85 people banned a day since the first banning in the last 365 days. For anyone who may still believe that SE 'doen't care', and to put a smile on the face of everyone else who may not realize this, that works out to an average of ONE GILSELLER BEING BANNED EVERY 17 MINUTES. I didn't bother adding up the gil removed, but my estimate would be near 1 trillion.
Every 16.9 minutes...
# Mar 22 2007 at 3:57 PM Rating: Decent
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369 posts
The only problem with your math is that it is the same people getting banned over and over and over again.

I would estimate that there are roughly 6500-7500 actual RMTs.
Every 16.9 minutes...
# Mar 22 2007 at 4:39 PM Rating: Good
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340 posts
The problem with your reply is that you make a difference between someone banned the first time and the consecutive bans they recieve. I never said they are gone for good. But with them disappearing at that rate, it is a SERIOUS blow to their operations.

Let's just assume that the number of gilsellers in game remains constant- the number that start again every month is the same as the number banned the previous month. That means that they have to pay $12.95 per character lost. Multiply that by any ONE of the bannings. This one alone comes out to $88,060 alone. Now that becomes added to the loss of 134 billion gil. Using IGE's best price for gil on my server of Unicorn ($573.34 for 18 million), that works out to a loss of over $4,268,197.78 in potential income; for a grand total of $4,356,257.78. So you see, it doesn't matter if they are geting banned for good and are being replaced by OTHER sellers, or if they are getting banned and coming back again (according to SE, they're nailing both). As long as they have to keep starting up over and over, and shelling out startup capitol to do so, then it hurts profitability. That is where the gilseller war will be won. Not when they all 'repent for their evil ways.' When they are no longer able to reasonably profit from it.

Edited, Mar 22nd 2007 8:42pm by CrownDefender
Every 16.9 minutes...
# Mar 22 2007 at 9:13 AM Rating: Decent
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569 posts
With your calculations, approx revenue loss to SE:

31,150 * $12 = $373,800 loss over 1 years time for SE
85 players a day * 30 days = 2550 players per month * $12 = $30,600 loss per month over a year
85 * $12 = $1050 loss per day
every 17 minutes = -$12

Now if we were to get the figures for IGN and others who sell gil to noob buyers, we could see if the RMT banning is truly putting an effect on the Real World Economy of RMT. The 31k+ means 31k+ non-working RMTs for now or $31k+ a week since it is believed the rmts earn about $100 a week to earn that gil.

This begs to wonder, if RMT is a problem in FFXI, how the numbers are for other MMORPHs.

This is speculation so don't flame me too bad.

Looking at this, SE banned 31k players from their game basically for now. How many total players are there vs RMTs? 500k+? possible 1.5M? I do not know the numbers.

Looking at other so-called #1 MMORPH (in terms of players) - WoW, where they have 6 million server daily (yes, McD's pun intended), how many are actual players vs RMTs? 1M? 2M? 3M? I do not know the numbers.

Overall I think SE is doing a good job. Can they improved? Yes. Should they improve? Yes. Does SE deserve a kudos? Yeah. So keep up the good work.
Every 16.9 minutes...
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:17 AM Rating: Good
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340 posts
Alla's being a bit weird today. Nothing to see here. Move along. <.<

Edited, Mar 22nd 2007 12:20pm by CrownDefender
Every 16.9 minutes...
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:19 AM Rating: Good
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340 posts
Wow, alla's being a bit wonky. Somehow it showed that first post under an E3 day 1 report. O.O
$$$
# Mar 22 2007 at 8:07 AM Rating: Decent
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6,424 posts
134 billion gil... that's between 4.3 and 5 million dollars worth...

I doubt they like that ;)
Excellent Work
# Mar 22 2007 at 7:53 AM Rating: Decent
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67 posts
Even more support for my recent choice to resubscribe to this game.
noice
# Mar 22 2007 at 7:26 AM Rating: Decent
Degon seriously needs to stfu. that is all.

p.s. go go task force ^^
Great News!
# Mar 22 2007 at 7:22 AM Rating: Decent
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512 posts
Thank you, Square Enix!
RMT
# Mar 22 2007 at 7:06 AM Rating: Decent
134 billion gil..

I'm all for removing RMT from the game. I don't care if the prices at the AH drop. Nice way to start the morning.
RMT
# Mar 22 2007 at 7:01 AM Rating: Decent
so once again ah prices will be goin down.. I dont know about you all but some times i wish the rmt were still around.. it made it challenging to a point in getting mobs... and you could actually get rich in this game if you go a rare item .. from a NM drop
.. but so much for that
RMT
# Mar 22 2007 at 10:18 AM Rating: Decent
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684 posts
ok, so X amount of gil was removed from circulation today; what you arent thinking of is the fact that this gil was already removed from circulation over the last few months, the RMT had it in there possession. they dont spend it, they save it. the only way the gil gets released back into the system is if someone buys it. therefore, you wont see any immediate drop in AH prices as a result of todays bannings, only after the RMT have time to recoup and collect more gil will the prices begin to fall.

Edited, Mar 22nd 2007 3:46pm by michelobmidgard
RMT
# Mar 22 2007 at 7:39 AM Rating: Decent
youre an idiot, you obviously have no concept of inflation or deflation.
RMT
# Mar 22 2007 at 9:03 PM Rating: Decent
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85 posts
True, I think that guy needs to go take Econ 101 and maybe learn something about economics.
RMT
# Mar 22 2007 at 7:54 AM Rating: Decent
Your an idiot if you think all things change price at the same rate. Some things didn't go down in price in the same proportion as others. Its hard to say what kind of buying power players have now compared with the past.
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