Poll about a suggested anti-botting system
Posted: 11 Dec 2015 02:16
So, as some of you noticed, Nerull (with my permission) tested a new automatic anti-bot idea in Mithas for 24 hours. As expected the test sparked a number discussions both here and in the game. Some of you encountered this in-game, some liked it, some did not, but it would still be interesting to know what everyone else thinks too. So regardless if you encountered it in the game or not, please feel free to vote.
This is the idea:
In certain grinding areas we add an automated, thematic "event" that makes all players who try to enter answer some type of simple riddle or puzzle first. This puzzle is very easy to solve if you are at the computer, but impossible if you are not. It should also be impossible to get around by triggers alone, or triggers controlled by a team leader. The idea is that this would stop both people running alone while AFK on scripts to enter, and also it would stop all AFK people in a team from entering, effectively slowing down "drone teams" with an active leader but inactive members. (Which was exactly what happened during the testing period).
The negative part is of course that even active players need to answer this puzzle when they want to enter some areas, slowing them down too. Each puzzle would be adjusted to fit the area it's in, and be placed in strategic locations where it would cause little problem for awake players, but make it very hard to successfully grind you have AFK team members for longer periods, or rely 100% on your script for all movement. Solving the puzzle takes about 5-10 seconds each time it's encountered, which would not be that often, but often enough to deter those who are AFK long periods. It could also negatively impact those who (legally) script, as they would need to adjust their scripts to "break" for actual interaction when the riddle is encountered. Other negative side effects could be that we actually lose some players, who decide not to log in at all if they can't tag along a team while AFK or semi-AFK. Thus making them play less, or maybe quitting permanently. The whole "play while working / while making dinner / while watching a movie, etc might simply become less rewarding than it is now, as access to the best grinding areas would mean you need to be at least somewhat active.
The positive sides are that it could create a world more players are actually fairly active when playing. Hopefully leading to more interaction between players as a natural reward. The chance to interact with someone is definitely greater with more players actually at the computer, or at least nearby. It would also hopefully cause less irritation between teams, as everyone in the area would be sure everyone else grinding there is also grinding actively, and will respond if you try to talk to them. Also nobody would feel there's no use in playing as certain areas are always cleaned" by drone teams, since there no longer can be drone team in these areas. Another big potential benefit is that it could be a better alternative to bot checks and bot punishments (that nobody really likes, neither us wizards nor most players), as combat bots in the well-rewarding areas would be prevented _before_ they actually can bot.
So there's both positive and negative sides about this idea. Happy voting!
This is the idea:
In certain grinding areas we add an automated, thematic "event" that makes all players who try to enter answer some type of simple riddle or puzzle first. This puzzle is very easy to solve if you are at the computer, but impossible if you are not. It should also be impossible to get around by triggers alone, or triggers controlled by a team leader. The idea is that this would stop both people running alone while AFK on scripts to enter, and also it would stop all AFK people in a team from entering, effectively slowing down "drone teams" with an active leader but inactive members. (Which was exactly what happened during the testing period).
The negative part is of course that even active players need to answer this puzzle when they want to enter some areas, slowing them down too. Each puzzle would be adjusted to fit the area it's in, and be placed in strategic locations where it would cause little problem for awake players, but make it very hard to successfully grind you have AFK team members for longer periods, or rely 100% on your script for all movement. Solving the puzzle takes about 5-10 seconds each time it's encountered, which would not be that often, but often enough to deter those who are AFK long periods. It could also negatively impact those who (legally) script, as they would need to adjust their scripts to "break" for actual interaction when the riddle is encountered. Other negative side effects could be that we actually lose some players, who decide not to log in at all if they can't tag along a team while AFK or semi-AFK. Thus making them play less, or maybe quitting permanently. The whole "play while working / while making dinner / while watching a movie, etc might simply become less rewarding than it is now, as access to the best grinding areas would mean you need to be at least somewhat active.
The positive sides are that it could create a world more players are actually fairly active when playing. Hopefully leading to more interaction between players as a natural reward. The chance to interact with someone is definitely greater with more players actually at the computer, or at least nearby. It would also hopefully cause less irritation between teams, as everyone in the area would be sure everyone else grinding there is also grinding actively, and will respond if you try to talk to them. Also nobody would feel there's no use in playing as certain areas are always cleaned" by drone teams, since there no longer can be drone team in these areas. Another big potential benefit is that it could be a better alternative to bot checks and bot punishments (that nobody really likes, neither us wizards nor most players), as combat bots in the well-rewarding areas would be prevented _before_ they actually can bot.
So there's both positive and negative sides about this idea. Happy voting!
