Whoops

[Gerlon]

Well i installed the game today and spent an entire day killing rats so i could get a rock pick and train mining.. anyway it was 1am by the time i had managed to train mining enough to actually begin mining (though i do not understand the training system i may have been able to before without knowing)

Anyway i have uni at 9:30am the next day so i opt to use my g15 keyboard to loop 'return, up, return, wait, then move a little, repeat'. I wake up this morning and have been banned for botting, i guess is should have exected it, i havn't played many RPGS but when i bought this keyboard i read around that its macro utility was frowned upon in online games.

Anyway, apart from that mishap i had read through the guidelines, remained in character even though i have never roleplayed before, grit my teeth through mishaps like falling through the floor when hopping to another zone and ending up lost in the death realm again.

Again, its probably my own fault that i was misinformed as to the rules, but after reading most of the new player guide i just wanted to get stuck in, the use of my g15 macro was not a knowing, malicious act, and i have been banned for 30 days as a result after having only played for a day.

This is probably the wrong place to post this but again i have not played many RPGs nor been active on forums before, just hoping the right person sees this and considers reversing the decision safe in the knowledge that i now know that using macros is not allowed and would not repeat the mistake.

My username is paulhodkinsonw4 @ hotmail . com

[Bereror]

Players Policy - Must Read!

You may not create "bots" or automation programs with the purpose of profiteering or advancing unattended.

The best you can do now is to join the #planeshift-gmtalk IRC channel on irc.freenode.com and talk to GMs.

[Karyuu]

Hello,

Your initial concerns about using the keyboard in this manner were dead on-target. Leaving your character to work while you are not around is not allowed, and this is mentioned in the Player Policy.

Even though you show regret at using this tactic, we cannot let the ban slide. Consider it a hard lesson. If you would like to return after the ban expires to explore the game as you are meant to, you will be more than welcome. You are also welcome to remain on the forums and familiarize yourself with the community

[ --GM Bakuun ]

[ThomPhoenix]

Bad luck for you, you were banned for a good reason.

[Gerlon]

That is a shame, i initially downloaded planeshift for research into a uni project i am doing which involves concept development for an MMO (after it was reccomended to me by an aqaintance who eats sleeps and breathese opensource), despite actually enjoying the game this remains the focus. Being on the standard student wage (i.e. nothing) it is not an option for me to pay a monthly fee for said research. I wouldn't know where to start about finding an allternative, but if the ban must remain, i am open to suggestions if anyone is willing to give them.

The project includes some content development but the focus is concept, the game itself put as simply as it can be is a cross between necromunda and gorkamorka (tabletop), most of the game rules are based on DnD but the actual combat is realtime and controlled by the user. I have allready gone partway to moddeling some of the vehicles i intend to include to cover the content development criteria (if you are interested most of these are being put here http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y36/paulhodkinsonw4/ for friends to check out, most of the stuff on that album is clutter but im sure it is obviouse which pictures apply). The huge problem i have is familiarising myself with MMOs, i have played RPGs such as fallout, NWN and Gothic 2 but the only MMO i have ever touched is Rubies of Eventide and while the character development system is intruiging from a mathematicians perspective the game in general is wrong for my requirements.

The first phase of the project is to be handed in next week, and while i can put together some basic concept art and models in a very short time i just dont have the background to develop the concept of the game itself. I will still credit Planeshift as an influence but i was hoping to get some deeper experience playing an MMO (to which i can attribute my risktaking with respect to looping input commands)

[Datruth]

Hello,

Your initial concerns about using the keyboard in this manner were dead on-target. Leaving your character to work while you are not around is not allowed, and this is mentioned in the Player Policy.

Even though you show regret at using this tactic, we cannot let the ban slide. Consider it a hard lesson. If you would like to return after the ban expires to explore the game as you are meant to, you will be more than welcome. You are also welcome to remain on the forums and familiarize yourself with the community

[ --GM Bakuun ]

That's just wrong.
So he made a mistake, He is NEW, he didn't know it was against the rules.

So you say he broke the rules, we are all in agreement there, but did he do it purposefully?
Would the punishment of a person who did this purposefully also be 30 days ban?

I mean it was an accident, and yet he gets a MONTH ban. Some may argue this isn't a long time, then i'd like those same people to stay off these forums for a month and see how short it is.

I say, he deserved a 2 day ban, 3 day at most.

This 1 month thing for a New player who accidently broke the rules is just unfair .

And if nothing is done to fix this problem and help mitigate his punishment, then i hope the same mercy is shown upon you next time you accidently break a rule and recieve an unfair punishment.

~~Datruth

[neko kyouran]

Just becuase one is new, is no excuse for not knowing the rules.

Say I go to Europe where they drive on the left side of the street.  Just becuase I was new there and I start driving on the right side of the street since that's what i'm used to, doesn't mean that I shouldn't get punished for killing someone when I crash into them becuase I was driving on the wrong side of the street.

Another theory I'd like to throw out there for ponderance.  What if he really isn't just an older player, who has been around awhile, who knows the no botting rule, who is simply lying about being new, to try and win the simpathy vote? 

30 days isn't very long for a game that's in alpha developement anyways.

[Gerlon]

You are right i should have read the rules, consider though that i am not only new to planshift but MMOs also. Anyway i have conceded the point, theres no need to throw accusations of deciet at me (and i assure you this is not the case). I have been throwin into gaming at the deep end as a result of my choice of course at uni, which has a heavy focus on gaming, game industry history and game development, still, please accept my apology and know that i bear no ill will.

[neko kyouran]

Hi Gerlon, I didn't mean any personal attack by my post towards you or anyone.  It was simply a response to DaTruth's ,hmm, what's a good word to use, umm, opinion I guess.  I apologise if you thought I was. 

I was just trying to give possible examples of why it was handled as it was, not trying to imply that you personaly were lying about things.  And as a side note, hope your project goes well for you.  I always try to see every experience as a gain, so perhaps you can use this banning as a positive towards part of your research, say on what game developers do to make the game fair to all. (in this case by having rules in place that prohibit "botting".)  Since you mentioned you're doing research on game developement, this would tie in with that, at least I feel it would.  How game rules evolve/develope to make the game fair to everyone that plays.  All part of the game developement process.

[Hadfael]

Gerlon, why not giving us more details about your project.

There are here a lot of people who experienced not only PS but a lot of MMO-anything

MMORPG, MMO-hack&slash...
What aspect of the game concept do you have to explore? the reasons pple join, what they seek in a mmo? how to balance between players? PvP?...
the wishlist is full of players desires, complementary and contradictory. And many are referencing to features seen in other MMOs and other RPGs.
PS is not the only game using the acronym "MMORPG". PS is unique, maybe should you base your project on the generaly implemented rather than on a too specific project not yet complete.
A quick websearch will sure return you more than a few MMORPGs that won't cost you anything.

After trying other games you'll enjoy PS even more

The more details you give us, the more we can help you.

[witchking]

That's pretty harsh and some bad luck for you too. I can't really blame GMs for doing their job and actually spotting someone botting. That's actually great that they were able to do that because botting is clearly cheating. But I also feel bad for you, since you came out publically and apologized. Most botters are probably aware that they can be banned and will attempt their botting again, without any remorse.

Although it's not an excuse that you didn't read the guides and rules, it's understandable that many new players are so excited about the game that they're eager to jump right in and start playing rather than read a lot of text. You don't have an excuse but you certainly have a reason for your actions.

Perhaps a GM who banned you can compromise and reduce your ban in half, down to 15 days. But if not, I recommend that you always look for something positive in any situation. Take that time to read every guide, numerous forum posts, and plan out how you want to build your character. For example, are you sure that the race you picked is the one for you? Same with your job and skills. Take some time off to create one of the best looking signatures for yourself on this forum, and write an interesting character background/story for RP subforum here. Check the Guilds forum to see if there are any that you'd personally like to be in.

Good luck.

[ThomPhoenix]

[offtopic]

Say I go to Europe where they drive on the left side of the street.

Dude, we drive on the right side of the street, like all sane people.
It's only those weird Brittains who drive on the wrong side
[/offtopic]

[Akaye]

That's just wrong.
So he made a mistake, He is NEW, he didn't know it was against the rules.

~~Datruth

No it isn't wrong and thats just your opinion. Rules are rules. If you change the rules for one, then you have to do it for all. Besides Gerlon seems to understand. He isn't making a huge issue out of it and is only trying to fix the problem. You aren't trying to fix, you are only stating the obvious and complaining ..... again. And that would be the pattern you wondered about that was mentioned in another thread.   

Sorry to hear about your bad luck Gerlon. Witchking  pretty much said what I had on my mind about this topic, so I second the post. I hope that your able to finish your project somehow. I also hope that this didn't sour your out look on planehsift. We were just doing our job. Good luck to you.

[Hadfael]

Botted => banned
case closed.

Let's hear what he needs from us for his project and help him.

[Gerlon]

The project is largely based on necromunda (tabletop), the playerbase is split into Guilds, factions and hired guns (i have very specific rules on this but it does not have much to do with the game concept in general). Guilds/factions battle over territories, each territory giving a passive or practical bonus (eg power plant, market etc), again the rules go into specifics, such as a territory owned by a guild cannot be attacked by a faction that is not warring with said guild. Combat is largely based around vehicles, and would employ a battle system similar to battlefield 2, but also rely heavily on player attributes and unlocks (equipment etc). Specifics on vehicle ownership to be decided however thje basic idea is an individual cannot own a battlevehicle, instead guilds/factions have vehicle pools which are depletable.

The setting of the game is post apocalyptic, mad max style world.

I am quite interested in the concept of interfaction/guild combat i know that world of warcaft has a faction system but i understand it is limited to 2 factions, my concept is an extremely complicated multifaction system (think Galactic Civilisations, with its treaty system).

Just ideas floating around at the moment