The gold spammers appear to be using a method that designs random named bots using mostly random letter and number combinations.
We should, therefore, ban the use of these as new names.
Who uses AGGEADG ADOJOA as a name anyway?
Petiton- A way to stop the gold spammers.
Kendar Muert
Dooglash Sontoosh
Great idea, if this is a place to "sign", I'm totally ready. It just makes me mad, because you can ignore that one person, but every time your on, there seems to be a new one.
kekoa_aimoku
/signs and agrees
lietzaum
if they did not use random letters they would be taking names that other people would want
/not signed
but i do think there is something that has to be done
/not signed
but i do think there is something that has to be done
RPGmaniac
Why didn't anyone think of this sooner?
/signed
/signed
Cebe
And if you don't want to use an English sounding name...?
"Aillig", "Aoidh", "Raoghnailt" to name but a few just look like a random collection of letters but are, in fact, Gaelic names. Why should people have odd sounding names banned for not looking "normal" enough? Who gets to decide what's "normal" or "allowed"?
Besides that, really stupid names like "Xx Ghghghghgh Xx" is like a filter...it says "This person is bad and should not be in your PuG".
/notsigned on that basis.
"Aillig", "Aoidh", "Raoghnailt" to name but a few just look like a random collection of letters but are, in fact, Gaelic names. Why should people have odd sounding names banned for not looking "normal" enough? Who gets to decide what's "normal" or "allowed"?
Besides that, really stupid names like "Xx Ghghghghgh Xx" is like a filter...it says "This person is bad and should not be in your PuG".
/notsigned on that basis.
JeniM
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Originally Posted by Celestial Beaver
Who gets to decide what's "normal" or "allowed"?
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Don't like the idea, the bots or whatever makes the names will just switch to a list of words that are ok and use combo's of them
/notsigned
Fril Estelin
I like the idea so I'll /sign.
BUT: 1) it's not so easy to automatically check what a "randomised name" is and I doubt that Anet is willing to try; 2) these scammers will simply stop randomizing the names, it's no big deal for them.
BUT: 1) it's not so easy to automatically check what a "randomised name" is and I doubt that Anet is willing to try; 2) these scammers will simply stop randomizing the names, it's no big deal for them.
pumpkin pie
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kendar Muert
The gold spammers appear to be using a method that designs random named bots using mostly random letter and number combinations.
We should, therefore, ban the use of these as names. Who uses AGGEADG ADOJOA as a name anyway? |
Hyper.nl
/notsigned
Nice suggestion, but not practical to implement. You want a list of names that can be allowed? This limits creativity in naming. I don't see any other way of banning 'random' names that cannot be easily circumvented. By the way: gold sellers will then use any other name that is still allowed. It does in no way solve the problem.
Nice suggestion, but not practical to implement. You want a list of names that can be allowed? This limits creativity in naming. I don't see any other way of banning 'random' names that cannot be easily circumvented. By the way: gold sellers will then use any other name that is still allowed. It does in no way solve the problem.
Onarik Amrak
/notsigned
Impractical and won't work.
Impractical and won't work.
Phoenix Tears
just get rid of things ingame, which are the reason for this massive amount of spawning gold sellers, by making them ALOT more common
*cough* ridiculous insane limited super rare minipets with unhumanous impossible to reach by legal ways prices *cough*
just 2 cents
*cough* ridiculous insane limited super rare minipets with unhumanous impossible to reach by legal ways prices *cough*
just 2 cents
MirkoTeran
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Originally Posted by Phoenix Tears
just get rid of things ingame, which are the reason for this massive amount of spawning gold sellers, by making them ALOT more common
*cough* ridiculous insane limited super rare minipets with unhumanous impossible to reach by legal ways prices *cough* just 2 cents |
/notsigned ... Who is going to decide what is OK name and what is not. You?
N1ghtstalker
some people make pvp chars with names like that by lack of inspiration
but pvp chars aren't that important so i'll /sign
but pvp chars aren't that important so i'll /sign
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by MirkoTeran
Who is going to decide what is OK name and what is not. You?
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Even if it's not workable (I doubt that there's a dev participating to this discussion), it's a good idea.
Kanyatta
But, the thing is, every time we make a character, are we gonna have to wait for some Anet employee to OK the name?
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by Kanyatta
But, the thing is, every time we make a character, are we gonna have to wait for some Anet employee to OK the name?
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Dronte
/notsigned
I create characters with stupid names for pvp usually.. And how do you know which is stupid and which is other language? -.- The world isnt only about Americans.
I create characters with stupid names for pvp usually.. And how do you know which is stupid and which is other language? -.- The world isnt only about Americans.
MithranArkanere
That would not work.
I use names like those when I make PvP deletable characters.
I use names like those when I make PvP deletable characters.
Kanyatta
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Originally Posted by Fril Estelin
Of course not, Anet would never be stupid enough to do that (too costly). The OP suggests that accounts be banned on the basis of their random names if I'm not mistaken. Though there's also the possibility of simply forcing the gold-sellers to change their bot name, which would take them a lot of time on all the bot accounts they've got, which mean less time to scam our game.
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To OP: You have a good idea, it's just too hard to police and would hurt too many legitimate players.
Yes, it would slow down the gold sellers, but it would also get legit players accounts stopped
HawkofStorms
/notsigned
It is too easy to accidentally ban legitamate accounts this way. A.net is very much like the actual criminal justice system. They would rather take their time and not ban 100 botters then accidentally ban 1 innocent person.
That is why the legitamate "I got banned by mistake" threads (though most of them are just people who got banned for a real reason) do not appear to often and when they do recieve a large public outcry.
It is too easy to accidentally ban legitamate accounts this way. A.net is very much like the actual criminal justice system. They would rather take their time and not ban 100 botters then accidentally ban 1 innocent person.
That is why the legitamate "I got banned by mistake" threads (though most of them are just people who got banned for a real reason) do not appear to often and when they do recieve a large public outcry.
RockmanHero
/notsigned
This wouldn't work at all. It's easy to suggest this, but I really don't think there would be any way to implement such a system.
Everyone signing this has no idea about any kind of programming and implementation. If you don't agree, then give me the algorithm for the following function:
bool IsRandomName(string name)
{
}
This would be a huge mess and would create nothing but problems.
This wouldn't work at all. It's easy to suggest this, but I really don't think there would be any way to implement such a system.
Everyone signing this has no idea about any kind of programming and implementation. If you don't agree, then give me the algorithm for the following function:
bool IsRandomName(string name)
{
}
This would be a huge mess and would create nothing but problems.
dread pirate fargus
easier, or at least more practical solution.
as everyone knows, most gold seller spam bots use buddy keys that they either buy or get free with accounts they buy / steal. its easy to see this by trying to open trade with one in town, it says 'cannot trade with that ___ because they are using a trial account'
solution: get rid of all buddy keys, make all trial accounts related to real accounts via a 'refer' system. max 3 buddys per real account. that way if someone refers gold spam bots you ban the original account as well.
someone feel free to make a seperate petition for this if you like the idea
as everyone knows, most gold seller spam bots use buddy keys that they either buy or get free with accounts they buy / steal. its easy to see this by trying to open trade with one in town, it says 'cannot trade with that ___ because they are using a trial account'
solution: get rid of all buddy keys, make all trial accounts related to real accounts via a 'refer' system. max 3 buddys per real account. that way if someone refers gold spam bots you ban the original account as well.
someone feel free to make a seperate petition for this if you like the idea
Kendar Muert
This would be insanely easy, and wouldn't BAN ANYONE. It would prevent NEW ACCOUNTS from being created. I edited my first post to clarify that.
Rockman, it really would be easy- you know the current requirements for names? Just add one more- no random letter number combinations. The word would have to have a certain number of vowels or whatever, based on each language. WoW does it, and I believe KoTOR did it.
Rockman, it really would be easy- you know the current requirements for names? Just add one more- no random letter number combinations. The word would have to have a certain number of vowels or whatever, based on each language. WoW does it, and I believe KoTOR did it.
RockmanHero
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Kendar Muert
This would be insanely easy, and wouldn't BAN ANYONE. It would prevent NEW ACCOUNTS from being created. I edited my first post to clarify that.
Rockman, it really would be easy- you know the current requirements for names? Just add one more- no random letter number combinations. The word would have to have a certain number of vowels or whatever, based on each language. WoW does it, and I believe KoTOR did it. |
The only reason it's easy to you is because you don't have to do it. This request is outrageous. And what exactly is the definition of random letter number combinations? You give absolutely no specification of what you mean. Wynn is a valid name, but has no vowel characters. If you count 'y' then you could simply make a name like Yxnvy. The only way to ensure a valid name would be to only allow dictionary names and terms that just destroys any creativity. Plus, your adding on more rule sets which just complicate things.
It's not like gold spammers couldn't just use names from a dictionary and randomly combine them to eventually create a valid name. You just can't ban or deny character creation based on a name.
Dread Pirate's suggestion is much better. And if I remember correctly, I think WoW just restricted things in trial accounts. I don't remember any kind of name filters.
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by RockmanHero
Give me the algorithm to do that.
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Quote:
| It's not like gold spammers couldn't just use names from a dictionary and randomly combine them to eventually create a valid name. You just can't ban or deny character creation based on a name. |
Furthermore, you're missing one point here: this would make the life of gold-spammers just a little bit more difficult (I guess you're not supporting them, are you?). And add one bit here and one bit there and their life can quickly become less financially interesting (if they have to do stuff that get in the way, for them it's all about maximising their profit).
RockmanHero
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Originally Posted by Fril Estelin
First of all, you can come with smart algorithms, though they can be bypassed. But most importantly, a human being would look at it anyway (it's not like reports, it only takes a few seconds to do that).
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Quote:
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Quote:
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Yes you can, it's already the case for offensive names! Furthermore, you're missing one point here: this would make the life of gold-spammers just a little bit more difficult (I guess you're not supporting them, are you?). And add one bit here and one bit there and their life can quickly become less financially interesting (if they have to do stuff that get in the way, for them it's all about maximizing their profit). |
HawkofStorms
Quote:
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Originally Posted by RockmanHero
At the expense of the playerbase; restricting the name creation will hurt valid players. I've had gold spammers message me with perfectly valid names by the way. Chat filters and trial account restrictions are better solutions than name restrictions. This request is like saying the following: "Let's stop world hunger. It's easy, just give poor people more food." |
My Character's name is "Tk Hawkins." TK is just a "random string of characters." But it is a name, used by people in RL.
And also, this wouldn't hurt bots. The whole "with more to do, the bots become less profitable" thing is bogus. Bots don't care about time (they farm and spam day and night). It would take only a couple of hours for some guy to program a way past the filter. Then they turn the bots back on again. Oh boy, you just stoped gold spammers for about an hour. How will thier buisness recover?
Gold sellers and bots work because they use large numbers and operate over long term periods of time. Any sort of restriction that "slows them down" isn't effective. They will just make more bots to compensate. You need a way to cut them out from the source.
It is like a virus. Treating the symptoms or finding ways to booast the immune system is a good way to hamper the viruses progress. But to stop it, you have to attack it dirrectly, and that means going after the trial account system.
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by RockmanHero
At the expense of the playerbase; restricting the name creation will hurt valid players. I've had gold spammers message me with perfectly valid names by the way. Chat filters and trial account restrictions are better solutions than name restrictions. This request is like saying the following: "Let's stop world hunger. It's easy, just give poor people more food."
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Preventing non-sensical names is harming the playerbase? Woaw, you need a reality check. And please don't throw in hunger and poverty in the mix, it's a bit disgusting. We're talking about a game here, a game.
Well to gold-sellers this is more than a game, this is part of ther job! So they're leaving at our expense and they're the ones harming the playerbase (apparently, temple of balthazar is full of them).
Anyway, I'm afraid that we're soon starting to walk on our heads in this thread and I guess that giving any more explanation will actually be counter-productive. It's sad but sometimes you have to shut up to give a chance to other people's ideas.
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by HawkofStorms
AThe whole "with more to do, the bots become less profitable" thing is bogus.
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OH and btw, TK Hawkins does not sound random to me. It's more "efowewrr qrnefugr" which sounds random.
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| It would take only a couple of hours for some guy to program a way past the filter. Then they turn the bots back on again. Oh boy, you just stoped gold spammers for about an hour. How will thier buisness recover? |
Have a nice evening.
Velise_Snowtorm
Quote:
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Originally Posted by RockmanHero
I've had gold spammers message me with perfectly valid names by the way.
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/notsigned, too ineffective in my opinion. I'd just as well make it so all Buddy keys are extremely restricted- can't trade, can't chat in Local, can't PM anyone unless someone PMs you first.
RandomRanger
/notsigned
As has been said not all names one person could consider to be "random" like are.
Example: http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Yxthoshth
I suggest the 2 alternatives that have already been suggested
1. Add an option in the friends list to stop ALL players from PMing you unless they are on your friends list. Or in your guild. Or alliance.
2. Restrict trial accounts from PMing people.
As has been said not all names one person could consider to be "random" like are.
Example: http://gw.gamewikis.org/wiki/Yxthoshth
I suggest the 2 alternatives that have already been suggested
1. Add an option in the friends list to stop ALL players from PMing you unless they are on your friends list. Or in your guild. Or alliance.
2. Restrict trial accounts from PMing people.
RockmanHero
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Originally Posted by Fril Estelin
I think you're completely confused about the message here!
Preventing non-sensical names is harming the playerbase? Woaw, you need a reality check. And please don't throw in hunger and poverty in the mix, it's a bit disgusting. We're talking about a game here, a game. Well to gold-sellers this is more than a game, this is part of ther job! So they're leaving at our expense and they're the ones harming the playerbase (apparently, temple of balthazar is full of them). Anyway, I'm afraid that we're soon starting to walk on our heads in this thread and I guess that giving any more explanation will actually be counter-productive. It's sad but sometimes you have to shut up to give a chance to other people's ideas. |
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| OH and btw, TK Hawkins does not sound random to me. It's more "efowewrr qrnefugr" which sounds random. |
I still stand by my original argument that restricting trial accounts and having chat filters is a MUCH better solution to gold spamming.
raja
/not signed
anyone could create their character with an "actual" name and still spam goldsites.
How about Anet doesn't allow www or .com in chatspeak. There will probably be people trying to "get around" the rules, but if Anet doesn't allow 3 consecutive www's or .com as a word, then it can cut down on the problems. The words such as competitive and competition would still be in use cause "com" is followed by more characters.
anyone could create their character with an "actual" name and still spam goldsites.
How about Anet doesn't allow www or .com in chatspeak. There will probably be people trying to "get around" the rules, but if Anet doesn't allow 3 consecutive www's or .com as a word, then it can cut down on the problems. The words such as competitive and competition would still be in use cause "com" is followed by more characters.
HawkofStorms
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Fril Estelin
Preventing non-sensical names is harming the playerbase? Woaw, you need a reality check. And please don't throw in hunger and poverty in the mix, it's a bit disgusting. We're talking about a game here, a game.
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Preventing "non-sensical names" harms the player base because many people who aren't bots might have "non-sensical names." There is no fair way to design a program to check for "senicalness." And even IF such a program was developed, it would likely STILL ban several hundred accounts that aren't bots by mistake.
Furthermore, it wouldn't take long for bots to be reprogramed with an online dictionary to create random names out of actual words like "Napkin Hat" "Book Flamboyant" "Lamp Cellphone" ect. So it wouldn't actually DO anything.
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by HawkofStorms
Hunger and poverty? What the heck are you talking about.
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(reprogramming bot with a dictionary means: 1) more work for bot programmers; 2) bot names are detectable)
RockmanHero
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Originally Posted by Fril Estelin
Re-read the message I was replying to.
(reprogramming bot with a dictionary means: 1) more work for bot programmers; 2) bot names are detectable) |
2) I fail to see how this makes them detectable. I come up with goofy names all the time. So how does a name like Lamp Chair imply that the person is a bot?
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| Hunger and poverty? What the heck are you talking about. |
Fril Estelin
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Originally Posted by RockmanHero
a metaphor ... which went right over his head.
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RockmanHero
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Originally Posted by Fril Estelin
My head is probably in a place where it can smell how a stinky metaphor that is.
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Saying 'give poor people more food' as the answer to world hunter is giving a solution but not giving how your actually going to get the food or who would pay for it all.
Saying 'ban randomized names' as the answer to gold spamming and botting is giving a solution but not giving how your actually going to determine what's random.
You're giving a vague and completely open-ended solution to a problem that would cause just as many problems as what you started with.
So answer my question. How does a name like 'Lamp Chair' or 'Cellphone Door' imply a bot or gold spammer. I created a character recently named 'I Collect Stuff.' I'm not a bot.
Darkhell153
The only way to remove gold salesbot spammers is for Anet to update their ban systm to ban computer ID signatures or internet IP address ports from accessing the game. That way the advertiser would need a whole new computer to access the game...then that would get banned (goes down the line as it becomes increasingly costly or impractical for them to do it again.) Viola, a fix...still riddled with weak points but it's better then this idea by far.
(20 points for every insult in this thread)
(20 points for every insult in this thread)