Punishment Game Abusers (Suggestion)

[Poison elf]

There are plenty of people on test that test everything who also play live. So those on test would have a free rain to test everything than bring it to live already knowing. So searching will still always be there.

People will look for glitches, but the compounded problem right now is so many have nothing else to do.

The biggest point of all is the moderator's discretion. This is the past history that has shown a problem, and running people off the game. One mod thinks its ok, another not. Receiving these alternate views will have many ban. Players already at their limits would not receive this well.

Players themselves have one view versus another. A good example of this is ship glitching and flying. How many have said how they like this and it is harmless? Yet the table turns quickly when someone uses the same flying glitch to have a advantage in something like the curse at Tortuga.

I can imagine the feelings now by kids who get ban cause they just heard about the flying glitch and try it out. Or the one out of 6 getting banned doing a undead glitch while their friends aren't. The result of a mod banning those flying harmless that the day before a mod said it was OK. To add this new scenario, you just got ban for someone porting to ya on a svs ship and considered glitched, now no chance to get on test and have free rain, lol. Then where do all those cheats get posted when people are banned from game and no longer give a hoot.

The thing that needs to take place here is these things eliminated from the game. There is a good size group here that thinks Disney is doing a great job, and to be patient and positive.
Remember Hex shot, it didn't get changed for at least 9 months. These things I really doubt are condoned, but more likely they are stuck between a rock and hard spot. Some just not getting fixed at least as fast as we would like to see.

With so many of these out there, why should we be getting banned and black marks to our accounts. When some of these we don't even identify as a glitch. I never considered hex shot glitched before. If darkhart heals, and you get more rep, is this a glitch, if so why does he heal. With such perfect latency in this game, you lag and he heals, would we be forced to leave attacking him, and him glitched so others can't fight him? Using a cheat card for BJ, would this be now ban. Maybe just when for max gold? Using a 1st level weapons so its easy to get lots of rep, this a glitch and we forced to used the upgrade decreased rep weapons. Where is this breakdown at? Agh, left for a mod and if they are in a good mood or bad.

I think just a little more thought should be put into something like this before wishing this on yourself.

[katarakyan]

shouldn't be the best thing to do is to report the glitch? or maybe D knows about those glitch and want pirates to find them and use them, if thats the case then its notthe pirates fault to use it, and like most of us said its their money, its their time, its their game, im not saying im against glitching or with glitching for me its a matter or personal choices, u may have 4 lvl 40 pirates in ur account but they are 40 coz of glitching that's on the player i guess what im trying to say is its not good tohave glitch in the game and to use it but its not also bad to use it to ur advantage .......hey we are playing pirate...........so i say i'll stay in themiddle on this one

[Edward Edgemenace]

If reported glitches were fixed, then reporting them would be the way to go. Since they never are, I personally don't see the point of that.

Perhaps your guild likes to use glitching against other pirates a lot. Mine does not, nor do I. Glitching to cheat other pirates is always wrong.

Regarding Poison Elf's comments, I believe I said training the moderators somewhere back there. Yes, their past application of their rules has been very random. With glitches, it is easier to say "undead on tortuga: logout" or "jail-door/god-mode: logout" or "infinite take cover in SvS: logout and delete pirate"* or whatever they decide on, for each glitch observed. About hex-eater: can you honestly say you were not taken aback the first time you saw that? You didn't know it wasn't right, then? At any rate, numerous people think the developer's time is better spent adding content. Which is why the moderators should have a more active role, with what goes on in the game; they should be banning cheaters, not encouraging more to cheat. This proposal sounds at least like something in the right direction.

[jason davy]

a noble idea, but lets not forget that what big D thinks is a ban-worthy offense and what we real people think is a ban-worthy offense is often completely different. if they did this, there would be a lot of banned people that really didnt do anything wrong....

Originally Posted by Edward Edgemenace

If reported glitches were fixed, then reporting them would be the way to go. Since they never are, I personally don't see the point of that.

Which is why the moderators should have a more active role, with what goes on in the game; they should be banning cheaters, not encouraging more to cheat. This proposal sounds at least like something in the right direction.

i definitely agree about reporting glitches... its really aggravating that disney refuses to fix some really game-hindering glitches.

on the other hand, there are those glitches that are harmless and dont affect the game. for example, the empty kingshead glitch. this glitch is great for meetings/guild parties/etc, but is useless for quests because the crates and dig spots are not present. it would be completely unfair to punish pirates using this glitch (and other similar glitches) because they do not lessen the game for themselves or others. like you said, the mods would have to be trained well, but due to prior experiences with disney, id be scared that even simple glitches (or glitching on accident) would result in a ban.

[MacIronhawk]

I have some unorganized posts in this thread.
I'll try to make my point.

It would cost less for Disney to fix bugs rather than ban players for using these exploits. If they fix all the bugs then there's no exploits to use for get players banned. This will save some of the paying customers and will also insure for a more challening game.

I would rather see Disney look at chat logs. Some other posts here talk about how people will try and give their personal information to others. I'm glad Disney made sure players couldn't give away their email address to others. We don't always know the player behind the pirate. Good or bad it isn't safe.

Now there's glitches that are reproted but not fixed. From my experience on toontown I can see not all bugs are 'easy' to fix. There was one bug that toontown fixed after four years. Obviously they knew it was there if it was fixed.
Some of us may not know what it's like being a developer. I personally have no idea how they would fix a bug or exploit.
All I know is that they will try their hardest to fix these bugs.

[sharpy]

We are Pirates. Our slogan: Take what you can, give nothing back! If we find a glitch, we use it until its fixed. It doesn't mean we hack into the game and set all our lvs and gold to the highest. i think its fine.

[Stephen O'Malley]

My opinion about this is that its not cheating using glitches, unless you are using a 3rd party system (which Disney will ban you for), or using it on another player for an advantage over them specifically. For example, I don't think its cheating to use the invincibility glitch on kingshead, because everyone can do the glitch. I can do it, you can do it, everyone can do it, and it is Disney's own fault when it comes to the glitches. We're just exploiting them to Disney, and in a way, helping them because Disney could really just google many major glitches, and get the answer on how to do them within 10 minutes. I believe it is cheating if you're using glitches in an svs or pvp, because of the circumstances. You may be on a glitch, but the person you're up against probably can't go and do the same glitch (and thats even if the person (people) knows the glitch).

For those who really want all glitches fixed immediately, you have to take into account a lot of factors:
1. Disney is trying to fix glitches, but they have to make sure that when they fix a glitch in Tortuga for example, they don't have a game crash in Padres, because thats how delicate this game is. Edward, asking to fix glitches immediately is a tall order for Disney. On TT, the report floating glitch was reported from Day 1, and it took 7 months to fix it. Its the same concept on every MMORPG.

2. If you're doing the invincibility glitch for example kingshead, Disney's logs can only see you walking around on kingshead, they sadly cannot see that you are taking damage and not going to jail, because of the nature of the glitch. Its the same thing with a lot of glitches.

3. You can't ban everyone who uses glitches, because some people end up in a glitch accidently. When I first started, I fell into the invincibility glitch on accident at Fort Charles, and I didn't even realize until I saw that I couldn't leave or teleport. Should I really be banned forever because I fell in a glitch accidently?

4. There are many harmless glitches out there, you really want me banned for using the empty kingshead glitch, when I can't do any tasks or anything?

5. Disney purposely keeps some glitches because glitches can be fun for many people, and they win if someone is still paying that $10 a month just because they love glitches. Like another example with me, I might not pay another $80 for a year on TT, because the recent update with Toon Parties got rid of so many fun glitches. However, people who use cheat engines are going against the legal agreement you sign when you sign up for POTCO, and they should be banned.

6. MacIronHawk is correct that it would cost Disney a lot to ban all people who use glitches, come on, that would mean cutting so many players, who are not going to pay POTCO anymore because they are banned. That could easily be a 10K loss every month! And because of the lack of new things on POTCO, they're already losing players, which they really can't afford to do.

7. The moderator department at Disney is much more concerned about keeping kids safe, not about glitches. Would you rather them be concerned more about glitches? Because I sense catastrophe with that notion.

8.

Originally Posted by sharpy

We are Pirates. Our slogan: Take what you can, give nothing back!

Well, sharpy is right, Disney is supporting pirates after all......

The only other point I have to make is that when I say all this, I am talking about in game glitches that aren't being used against other players. As I have stated before, cheat engines, or using a glitch for the leader boards/ svs/ pvp is unacceptable as akamystic said.


EDIT: I think it would be a horrid idea to offer gold as a reward for reporting members, because that means everyone is going to try and destroy the game by reporting everyone in sight just for some gold. Its motivation, but not good motivation.

[Eliza Creststeel]

I do agree that 'players' who short-cut their abilities etc. are effectively thumbing their nose at those of us who earned our levels, gold, etc. But, there is something to be said about the idea that pirates 'do what it takes to take what they want'.

But, that is the 'spirit' of the game - not the letter of rules. How would you feel if someone was using a 3rd party Mod that gave them all the levels, weapons etc. right from the start? Personally, I'd pity that person, because what else would they have to do except PvP.

Is there any TRUE way to track cheaters? Likely not. Just seal the holes and rely on other players to RAT out those who do. Even then, wouldn't they have to MONITOR the accused?

There should be retribution, but permanent banning? That's a little much - especially when they want that $10.00 a month. Starting them back, like when you get caught cheating at cards is justice enough.

[Juliana Maria]

Originally Posted by Eliza Creststeel

that gave them all the levels, weapons etc. right from the start?

I find it ironic.. Don't the GM's in game do this very thing? Not by hacking or by a third party but still.. they all seem to magically be at the same level.. (not sure if it's set like that but if it is).. it just strikes me as funny

Sorry mates that was a tad off topic lol

[Swash]

Dude it's a game if other people want to glitch there way to the top then fine good for them if you want to work your way to the top then good for you.
If people cheat in Pvp then don't pvp if people cheat in SvS then don't SvS in that server. Really what I ask you people that think all glitchers should be punished is why do you care? Really people and I've been told and seen people be told this a lot: Take care of yourself before worrying about your neighbor. Really why do you guys care about other people being better than you. If you know someones glitched to 40 and you earned your 40 then good for you, but embrace the fact that your both a 40. Basically heres a myself situation: One of my friends boosted on Halo 3 to a higher rank than me I earned my rank so what do I tell my friends, I tell them I'm a higher rank than him. Also where you said all non-beneficial glitches should be fixed, but then the fun is sucked right out of the game. A lot of old glitches were fun, Big-D removed them now the game isn't fun anymore.

[jason davy]

Originally Posted by Swash

Dude it's a game if other people want to glitch there way to the top then fine good for them if you want to work your way to the top then good for you.
If people cheat in Pvp then don't pvp if people cheat in SvS then don't SvS in that server. Really what I ask you people that think all glitchers should be punished is why do you care? Really people and I've been told and seen people be told this a lot: Take care of yourself before worrying about your neighbor. Really why do you guys care about other people being better than you. If you know someones glitched to 40 and you earned your 40 then good for you, but embrace the fact that your both a 40. Basically heres a myself situation: One of my friends boosted on Halo 3 to a higher rank than me I earned my rank so what do I tell my friends, I tell them I'm a higher rank than him. Also where you said all non-beneficial glitches should be fixed, but then the fun is sucked right out of the game. A lot of old glitches were fun, Big-D removed them now the game isn't fun anymore.

First off - if someone cheats in PvP or SvS, it is affecting ME. THAT'S why I care. Switching servers is next to pointless - glitches are used everywhere. If you manage to find a server where no one is cheating, well, enjoy it because it's only a matter of time before a cheater shows up. So, caring about glitches like this IS "taking care of myself before worrying about my neighbor."

Secondly - if someone glitches to 40, ehh, it's not for me but it isn't affecting my game - so I agree with you. It's your game experience - if glitching to 40 is what floats your boat, then go for it, have fun. Again, it's not for me, but as long as it isn't used AGAINST me, I won't moan about it.

As far as someone "being better than me," if someone is cheating in PvP or SvS, they are certainly NOT better than me, regardless of whether they "win" or not.

I'm not quite grasping the Halo analogy. If I'm level 30 and my friend is 35, do I just tell people I'm 40? Hmm, I don't get it.

I really don't see removing glitches as "sucking the fun out of the game." I'm generally okay with glitches being fixed, provided (Edward, lol ) that it is actually FIXED. But as I said in an early post - some of the cool, harmless glitches can stick around.

[edwardburnskull]

Thats a little harsh. I don't care unless they're rep-stealing, ranking, PvPing or otherwize exploitation. perhaps a small ban or fine is needed for abusers. but I Have ran into glitches accidentally and was unable to get out of them. Disney DOES need to FIX THEM! So that there are no exploiters!

[MacIronhawk]

I'd rather have the folks down at Disney fix the bugs. If there's no bugs or glitches to exploit then no one can affect anyone's playing ability.

[Machazzard]

I consider "glitching" and "cheating" two different things; however, they are very similar. Glitching i consider to be, well, fun (except stupid god glitches). I'm not saying i am a glitcher, but the ones like the wall glitches seem fun. Now, macros i consider cheating. Why can't people just play for themselves, were is the fun?

And i think your idea is WAY TOO HARSH! Completely remove data for glitching?? I disagree, to a degree.

[Basil Dreadflint]

Originally Posted by edwardburnskull

Thats a little harsh. I don't care unless they're rep-stealing, ranking, PvPing or otherwize exploitation. perhaps a small ban or fine is needed for abusers. but I Have ran into glitches accidentally and was unable to get out of them. Disney DOES need to FIX THEM! So that there are no exploiters!

And there's the rub!

Who deteremines what RANKING means? Leveling your pirate up? or claiming a spot on the top 100 for yourself or your guild? And is it just for glitches such as the old KH invincibility glitch, or for simple wall hacks that let you behing the bar in the tavern? How about loading a ship with all four of your pirates so that one can gain crew bonus while the other 3 are AFK? or so that all 4 get credit for sinking the ships so your guild RANKS in the standings? How about macro users? or those who use an automated device so that they aren't even at the computer while it ranks for them?

Before you can make any punishments, the rules MUST BE better defined! Without definitons for these items, there can be no punishment or even true further discussion in this regard. Everything else is just venting your frustration.