MithraPride

From the main POL site:

http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/polnews/news8139.shtml

Today, a number of accounts which were confirmed to have violated the user agreement by using unauthorized third-party software tools within FINAL FANTASY XI to enable abnormal in-game movement were discovered and have been permanently suspended.

Based on the results of an investigation, over 2,000 PlayOnline accounts have been either suspended or terminated on Jul. 21, 2006 for the malicious and intentional use of these third-party tools.

We would like to take this time to remind our players that the use of any third-party tools will not only destroy the in-game balance, but will also encourage RMT (Real Money Trade) activities. We will continue to take strict actions against those individuals that we have confirmed to have used such tools.

Please note that some of these third-party tools may cause character information to be altered, erased, or personal information to be leaked to unwanted third parties. If you come across a third-party tool over the Internet, we ask that you please refrain from the download of such a tool, no matter how minor it may appear to be.

To ensure our customers could enjoy their games safely, we will continue to apply measurements to combat these third-party tools and violations.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.


And so it begins......

Am I the only one that worries that perhaps their account was included in the purge?
I have never used a third party tool, but there is some lingering doubt.
I also have a fear that there is a bench warrant for me whenever I go to get a new drivers license.

Perhaps I am just paranoid.

I do not use any third party program. I have worked too long and too hard on my character to chance fate.

I use windower. If SE decides to ban me for that, so be it... I'd have quit this game ages ago if not for windower. I don't know how PC users can stand hours of LFG without being able to check e-mail, browse the net, etc.

Kandora wrote:Am I the only one that worries that perhaps their account was included in the purge?

I am a little bit

Kandora wrote:Perhaps I am just paranoid.

maybe just a little

MittensValefor wrote:I use windower. If SE decides to ban me for that, so be it... I'd have quit this game ages ago if not for windower. I don't know how PC users can stand hours of LFG without being able to check e-mail, browse the net, etc.

I don't use a windower, I just happen to have a second computer, its a laptop, but unfortunately it won't run FFXI

Must... resist... urge... to fix... grammar...

It doesn't bother me the slightest, I don't use windower and never have done.

Windows XP doesn't count as a third-party program, it's an operating system. Pretending to be ignorant probably won't save you.

Posting that you use one on a forum that SE may visit isn't too bright.

I'd imagine that they have a staff member that checks forums to look for people who use 3rd party programs then confront them in game. It would explain how some people get banned for using a windower while others do not.

Ignorance is no defense and honestly, I think there should be a zero-tolerance policy on ALL third-party programs.

I went down to HSC the other day and for $50 got a perfectly good Laptop PC from their "Bargain Bin" so if you know where to look you CAN surf the net, IM chat, etc while LFG without Windower.

Then again, I play on PS2 and (On those rare occasions I get my roommate to stop playing GRAW or Prey) Xbox 360 so its never been an issue for me.

Sakino wrote:Posting that you use one on a forum that SE may visit isn't too bright.

I'd imagine that they have a staff member that checks forums to look for people who use 3rd party programs then confront them in game. It would explain how some people get banned for using a windower while others do not.

People on GameFAQs, with character name and server in their sig, post about it a lot. So I don't think that is it.

People silly enough to say they use it in game, where the GMs can read it, rarely get confronted about it.

People who blatently use speed hacks and claim bots in front of people who call GMs to report it do not often get banned either.

I think I will look for the whiners on GameFAQs after I finish here. Might be fun.

Sugami wrote:It doesn't bother me the slightest, I don't use windower and never have done.

Same here, plenty of other stuff to do while LFP, like reading a good book for example.