“Conquer Online” Cracks Down On Botting

Netdragon Websoft, publishers of the Asian martial-arts themed MMORPG Conquer Online, has announced stiffer penalties for players caught cheating – especially those using “bots.”

As of this week, violators will be fined  a certain amount of DragonBalls instead of CO silvers in order to get out of jail. A first offense will cost the player one Dragonball. The fine doubles for each of the next two offenses. Offenders caught “botting” four or more times will be kept in jail until submitting an e-mail petition to Sherry at ND.com.

For those unfamiliar with the term, the use of bots, or “botting,” is better known as AFK, or Away From Keyboard gaming. It consists of a using a software program to do repetitive tasks, such as “farming” (killing massive numbers of enemies) and crafting items while the player is not actually present. This gives the player who uses “bot” programs an unfair advantage over honest players, and is against the rules in virtually all MMORPGs.

It should be pointed out, however, that the activities for which “bots” are used – especially crafting – can be tedious, consisting of navigating through pop-up windows and clicking the same buttons repeatedly. Instead of punishing such behavior – which is easy – MMORPG developers  might do well to address the root problems that causes the behavior. Anyone want to pick up that ball and run with it?

Via Conquer Online Website

Netdragon Websoft, publishers of the Asian martial-arts themed MMORPG Conquer Online, has announced stiffer penalties for players caught cheating – especially those using “bots.”

As of this week, violators will be fined  a certain amount of DragonBalls instead of CO silvers in order to get out of jail. A first offense will cost the player one Dragonball. The fine doubles for each of the next two offenses. Offenders caught “botting” four or more times will be kept in jail until submitting an e-mail petition to Sherry at ND.com.

For those unfamiliar with the term, the use of bots, or “botting,” is better known as AFK, or Away From Keyboard gaming. It consists of a using a software program to do repetitive tasks, such as “farming” (killing massive numbers of enemies) and crafting items while the player is not actually present. This gives the player who uses “bot” programs an unfair advantage over honest players, and is against the rules in virtually all MMORPGs.

It should be pointed out, however, that the activities for which “bots” are used – especially crafting – can be tedious, consisting of navigating through pop-up windows and clicking the same buttons repeatedly. Instead of punishing such behavior – which is easy – MMORPG developers  might do well to address the root problems that causes the behavior. Anyone want to pick up that ball and run with it?

Via Conquer Online Website