A Note to Players about In-Game Scams - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

Gaile Gray

ArenaNet

Join Date: Feb 2005

24 May 2005 at 00:43 - 1

Just a note to let all Guild Wars players know that, as always, we definitely are listening to the community. There are three player-based problems that we are addressing at present: in-game trade scams, "casinos," and the advertising of alleged cheats and hacks.

Guild Wars players are, as a rule, great people. Ours is a terrific community of gamers, to be sure. But there are a few players who are engaging in disruptive and unpleasant behaviors, such as stealing gold or items through crooked gambling, trying to nab someone's access key by advertising a fake "hack," or taking items or gold via a trade scam. Such behavior will not be tolerated, and the accounts of players involved in such activities can and will be banned.

So this is by way of a friendly warning. Or a not-so-friendly warning, as the case may be.

It's important to know that the reports that we receive will be investigated and those found to be breaking the Rules of Conduct or the Terms of Service will be banned.

We're confident that the vast majority of Guild Wars players will support our efforts to keep the game world pleasant for all. We want to thank everyone who is helping us with reports, with watchfulness about this issue, and with shared concern for the greater good. We'll continue to do our best to offer the best possible experience in every facet of Guild Wars!

Adaria

Wilds Pathfinder

Join Date: Apr 2005

Florida

Wayward Wanderers

E/Mo

24 May 2005 at 00:48 - 2

Thats really great to hear! I'm glad you guys let us know whats up like this, I wonder how many other online games do.

I hadn't heard about the casino's until a day or two ago, never had a problem with it, then again I rarely have the local channel on due to slight spamming. But they're rather annoying, and the whole trying to promote supposed cheats is very aggrevating because we DON'T need them. Key words, 'DON'T NEED'

>^_^<

Rahne Sinclaire

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

Here.

The Dopplegangers [DoP]

W/Mo

24 May 2005 at 00:53 - 3

Thanks a bunch! I knew the Casinos would come as soon as I found out about the in-game dice rolling... and with casinos come heaps and heaps of scammers. Lovely, ain't it?
I prefer Rock, Paper, Scissors over rolling dice, anyway.

thaumaturge

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Mar 2005

Mo/Me

24 May 2005 at 01:17 - 4

I did see advertising for an item hack, I was on the verge of emailing you guys but thought it might just be a virus - it was a virus.

So be warned before using these "item hacks" they might be a virus.

Rahne Sinclaire

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

Here.

The Dopplegangers [DoP]

W/Mo

24 May 2005 at 01:18 - 5

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaumaturge

I did see advertising for an item hack, I was on the verge of emailing you guys but thought it might just be a virus - it was a virus.

So be warned before using these "item hacks" they might be a virus.

Yeah, not too long ago someone on this very forum was advertising a "trainer" for Gw, that actually turned out to be a key-logger.

Khrysyl

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

24 May 2005 at 01:29 - 6

Thank you Gaile!

Can this thread be stickied please?

Khrysyl

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

24 May 2005 at 01:46 - 7

If Gaile is still arournd, or reads this later,

What about advertising ingame items for real world money, e.g. Ebaying GW items?

Crom the Conqueror

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

New York

Rage Three D

W/E

24 May 2005 at 01:52 - 8

By ban, do you mean account ban as in banning tahat specific account or IP ban? And how long is each ban? I say you guys can ban scammers a lot longer than other mmorpgs, you guys dont need month;y-fees, they do.

ManadartheHealer

Desert Nomad

Join Date: May 2005

Awaiting GW2

W/

24 May 2005 at 02:49 - 9

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crom the Conqueror

By ban, do you mean account ban as in banning tahat specific account or IP ban? And how long is each ban? I say you guys can ban scammers a lot longer than other mmorpgs, you guys dont need month;y-fees, they do.

I'd assume IP ban, otherwise they could just put all their ill-gotten gains in the vault prior and create a new account...

JjK

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Mar 2005

Knights Templar

W/E

24 May 2005 at 02:52 - 10

When the official markket town/distric comes to be, why not a casino program, Just the thought, not the programming.

feedback?

Spartan2

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

The Intarweb

Wrath of Nature [WoN]

E/Mo

24 May 2005 at 02:59 - 11

A duel IP/ account ban would work so much better than merely one or the other. If one person wants to play the game so bad and still finds the urge to scam, then both should be implemented. I just got through with taking Semester One of the Cysco Academy Certification Program Online but even before that, I was well aware of how to use certain settings

to get around IP bans (only got banned because Tactics and TS are somehow illegal in the world of FPSs!!). Anyway, if the person knows what they are doing, they can get around the IP ban; if they are determined enough, they will buy a new game. Usually, the person will not be both, usually either/or. Implementing both will cut down on return offenders, in my experience with online gaming at least.

Anariel

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

Chicago

Left For Dead

Mo/E

24 May 2005 at 03:25 - 12

Please give us an auction house...

People who have no patience to listen to spammers and scammers would love it (people like me :P)!

DismalClown

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2005

24 May 2005 at 04:03 - 13

Thanks for the update, much appreciated.

What gets me about things like the casino isn’t that people will try to scam others (that’s a given) but that people fall for it. It’s kind of sad.

Garias Whitanian

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

24 May 2005 at 04:14 - 14

At the risk of being banned from ever speaking again, why not have bingo? Itd be great, with good swords etc for the prizes..... ok its a crap idea ..... but Id play it.

Stev0

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Apr 2005

Halifax, NS, Canada

24 May 2005 at 04:14 - 15

in a word... excellent!

chalt2

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Feb 2005

Ohio

Heros of Oakhurst - Leader

E/R

24 May 2005 at 04:39 - 16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Such behavior will not be tolerated, and the accounts of players involved in such activities can and will be banned.

So this is by way of a friendly warning. Or a not-so-friendly warning, as the case may be.

It's important to know that the reports that we receive will be investigated and those found to be breaking the Rules of Conduct or the Terms of Service will be banned.

Thank you Gaile and Arena Net

Spartan2

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

The Intarweb

Wrath of Nature [WoN]

E/Mo

24 May 2005 at 05:16 - 17

Forgive my cynical reply, thanks for keeping us up to date on a lot of the things happening around AN. This is great news because we now know where you, as developers, stand. Thanks for supporting the honest players out there!

Sendai

Elite Guru

Join Date: Feb 2005

24 May 2005 at 22:12 - 18

Can someone explain me the casino ?
As i've almost always the emotes and the local channel turned off i didn't see anything. But my guess is that someone is doing some sort of a bet system based on the /roll emote (correct me if i'm wrong).
If this is only in-game money (not real one) i don't see the problem... competitive or not, this game is an RPG and as long as it's in game money and the players have accepted to play, i don't see what's wrong...

Corwin_Andros

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Apr 2005

Florida

Wayward Wanderers

W/E

24 May 2005 at 22:17 - 19

Sendai..

The problem with the casinos is that too many of the people running them are ripping off the poor saps that hand over thier cash in in good faith. If everyone running the casinos were honest.. along with the players, it would not be an issue of scamming..

Regardless of that though there is still the issue of spamming the local chat windows to the point that in some places you don't see anything else other than that and trade spams.

Madjik

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

Somewhere, U.S.A.

Gold Pheonix

24 May 2005 at 22:23 - 20

Thanks for the update Gaile! It's always nice to hear from a redname every so often, especially concerning in game issues.

It must be hellish to go through these posts sometimes and determin whats worth what and what isnt.

Awol Duteq

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

25 May 2005 at 04:59 - 21

Thank god, I just reported a scammer I've noted spamming Lions Arch for 3 days in a row trying to sell a "invisible" celestial Sigil, and an 'unsalvaged' Celestial Sigil. Go Anet!!

Cymbaldork06

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

25 May 2005 at 05:00 - 22

I think its great that ur watching out for hackers. I got hacked a few days ago and some dude was usin my acc. Luckily i culd retrieve my password. I lost all my gold and stuff though =( If this has happened to you please tell me, my sn is Crazyass Mofo. Thanks again.

Awol Duteq

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

25 May 2005 at 05:16 - 23

^^^The scammer. Conveniant how i pointed out this post proving he was going to be banned, and he 'conveniently' pops in here and says his account was hacked. Sounds a little too coincidental don't yah think? Oh and I have a complete SS log of it all. Happy Trails comes to mind.. Karma is sweeeeeet.

Wulfgar Runeblade

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

Lebanon, TN

TeQ

W/R

25 May 2005 at 07:37 - 24

LOL i love it i've been following this guy around trying to warn everyone for 3 days that sigils arent "invisible" and that you cant salvage them and 5 minutes after being told he's busted he's on the forums saying his acct was hacked rofl.. anyone else want in on the joke? check out http://www.clan-teq.net/text.jpg

Orderless

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

25 May 2005 at 16:52 - 25

I would like to start off by letting you know I am a serious onlin gamer and I have never cheated or scammed anyone.

The next part goes down a different path. Am I the only one that reads the post above and is disgusted by the poster? Big deal is what I say.

I find it far more offensive and destructive that YOU would go out of your way to follow this guy around and report him. YOU are the tart offering the guy 100k for a fake item......shucks I have never scammed or cheated but you offer me 100k for some bs and consider it SOLD.

Either way I dont know which is worse you or the scammer guy.

And as far as scammers I have not seen anything on this game that one couldnt avoid with the common sense lvl of a 10 year old. Lets get real here. The game is marked for teens, so how bout if you see someone gettin scammed like the post above why dont you turn in the sucker that bought the stuff as im sure they are not ol enough to be logged in.

-anyway srry bout the rant. I just found that link more inflamatory than the scammer.

Awol Duteq

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

25 May 2005 at 17:02 - 26

Uhm, ok but what you have to understand is this guy has been running around Lions Arch BLATANTLY attempting to scam anyone for hours. So yes, I attempted to get him to show the item and go through with it to report him. Prevention is the first step to beating the scammer. I'll say it again, gj Anet!! And even if 10 years olds play this game, even 13 year olds, some nice people who are innocent in life may not understand that people would do this. In your assumptions, it is now the childs fault for not knowing any better more-so than the scammer. If I leave my front door unlocked to run to the store, and my house gets robbed in those 10 minutes, the police should arrest me??!! The point is, people should act correctly, quit putting the blame on people who don't know any better and fall for it, this only gives scammers reason to continue.

Cymbaldork06

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

26 May 2005 at 00:58 - 27

LOL Orderless is right. It doesnt take a genius to avoid "scams". This Aqol Duteq guy must have no life at all trying to follow me around. Scamming isnt really a bad thing, all it is is good business. That is how people are successful in life. They sell stuff for more than its worth.

Casinos: Why the hell should Areanet ban casinos? This is pretty stupid. When the creators of the game made a dice emote, gambling was intended. The first thing that comes into mind when you hear about dice is craps and gambling. So the simple solution to the casino problem is to just take out the dice emote. PROBLEM SOLVED!

I dont think hacks are a good thing and all hackers should be banned. But I dont think 'scamming' is bad at all, the pepole who are being 'scammed' are the ones to blame for being so stupid.
Before this idiot said he was gonna 'report' me I didnt even know about this site or that 'scamming' was illegal. Ever since i have found this site I have read the rules and now understand them. I apoligize to areanet and anyone playing guild wars if i have casued any trouble from this 'scamming'

<snip>

Edited for flaming.

Wulfgar Runeblade

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

Lebanon, TN

TeQ

W/R

26 May 2005 at 02:52 - 28

how could you think scamming isnt wrong? you're offering a product that you ARENT selling .. say you bought Guild Wars and when you brought it home and installed it you were suddenly playing the original Warcraft ... ok it's packaged AS GW the box says GW but suddenly you find you're playing an 8 year old game that you paid $50 for ... you just got scammed .. your fault for assuming what is advertised is what you are purchasing? lmao, and for the record AWOL didnt stalk you i did .. i detest people who take the dishonest short cut trying to get rich from the hard work of others, and if i see anyone else scamming i will do the same i will warn people not to believe them and if possible have them reported (as was the case with you) as for having to read the rules to know that scamming is wrong ... if your morals are that low im sure you'll have a comfy prison cell somehwere in your future .. it's a simple matter of right and wrong ... and scamming people because they are new to the game or simply dont know any better is wrong period

Awol Duteq

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

26 May 2005 at 02:56 - 29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cymbaldork06

But I dont think 'scamming' is bad at all, the pepole who are being 'scammed' are the ones to blame for being so stupid.

This right here proves exactly what is wrong with society and online gaming today. "It's not my fault people don't know any better". Rediculous. It IS your fault YOU were the one with intent to harm. Don't blame others for YOUR actions.

Me being in Lions Arch and seeing you constantly shout about your 'selling celestial sigil PST!' scam is hardly stalking. And if I got you to quit before you ripped even more people off, then my job is done. Thanks.

Silvanus

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

San Antonio, Texas

26 May 2005 at 03:07 - 30

Some people just don't understand that no matter if a player is wise enough or not to realize something is a scam does not give a scammer permission to ruin that player's gaming experience. We all paid to play this game (or it was a gift to us) and we all deserve a good gaming experience free of scammers, no matter if we are naive or not. And thank you ANet for doing your best to ensure a good gaming experience to all your customers. And remember, some of these players are pretty young and don't have the world experiences to be able to identify a scam when they see it.

Oh, and saying the person who is ignorant of a scam is at fault is the equivalent of saying a murder victim is at fault because they didn't protect themselves well enough. That's just ridiculous!

Aiwahead

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Apr 2005

Louisiana

Deciders of Fate

26 May 2005 at 04:40 - 31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Awol Duteq

This right here proves exactly what is wrong with society and online gaming today. "It's not my fault people don't know any better". Rediculous. It IS your fault YOU were the one with intent to harm. Don't blame others for YOUR actions.

Me being in Lions Arch and seeing you constantly shout about your 'selling celestial sigil PST!' scam is hardly stalking. And if I got you to quit before you ripped even more people off, then my job is done. Thanks.

Welcome to modern society.

Everyone else did something. Not us. xD

Side note: If you are stupid enough to run a scam, you are the truly moronic one. Grats.

Spartan2

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: May 2005

The Intarweb

Wrath of Nature [WoN]

E/Mo

26 May 2005 at 06:46 - 32

It is not that they are the ones falling for the scams, they are trying to prevent others from falling for it and thus making scamming a part of the game; this is something you have a hard time understanding. The basic way to learn is to make a mistake, therefore, new players will be prayed upon, so it is up to the "wiser" players to enlighten them as much as possible.

Shocking.

heeman

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2005

26 May 2005 at 06:49 - 33

there are always going to be a scam. It will only work before people catch on. Then, they will be new scam. I don't know what's big deal. I hate scam but it's never going to go away. It's just one of the risk you take. You just have to be smart about it. If you fall for scam you will know better next time. Just learn and game goes on..

Finally, Casino is GONE.. Good job ANET. Thanks for update Gaile.

Orderless

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

27 May 2005 at 16:05 - 34

For the record the analogies about the break in and the murder are so ridiculus that I would take it your mocking your own point.

For the record I got scammed last night buying some ashes....well in turn I sold em to someone else (well tried someone is gonna buy em).

I know a few of you fellas mean well, which is respectable. Though at the same point I think your point of view is a little off to the far right, in other words you boreder on extreme. I prefer the option of freedom in whatever I do. You speak of scammers in the same tone many of us would hackers.

Bottom line here, a scammer may have done something that was not fair to you....well guess what your gonna run into things that happen to you or you see everyday that isnt fair. Trust me you will keep on living and you will forget about it. Though I dont support the view that scamming is good business I still belive it also takes work to scam.....so its not like they are not working also.

Either way the way some of you refer to it is laughable. They dont hurt anyone. So they set you back 30 min of farming........im not sure what type of crystal palace you gotta live in when that wrecks your day.

My point being is this: Get over it and if you cant then log on and spend sometime keeping people from getting scammed. When you look for a solution from those in charge you ask the rules to be tailored to your own standards. What if we all did that? The standards of the game have been outlined for us all. I dont see why anything should be changed for a few crybabies.

I myself would have loved to gamble.- one feature already removed since there are some bad people and some crybabies BOTH EQUALLY GUILTY.

Khrysyl

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

27 May 2005 at 16:21 - 35

Or, to put it into a real life scenario, and this one is not extreme as it involves stealing, just as scamming does:

Bottom line here, a burgler may have done something that was not fair to you....well guess what your gonna run into things that happen to you or you see everyday that isnt fair. Trust me you will keep on living and you will forget about it. Though I dont support the view that robbing houses is good business I still belive it also takes work to burgle.....so its not like they are not working also.

Either way the way some of you refer to it is laughable. They dont hurt anyone. So they set you back a few hours on your job........im not sure what type of crystal palace you gotta live in when that wrecks your day.

My point being is this: Get over it and if you cant then go to your neighbors and spend some time keeping people from getting robbed. When you look for a solution from law enforcement you ask the rules to be tailored to your own standards. What if we all did that? The standards of the living have been outlined for us all. I dont see why anything should be changed for a few crybabies.

-----

That's right! If you have a problem being robbed, then you're just a crybaby! And I am sure this is a view Orderless will back me up on. Right Orderless?

-----

This may be seen as somewhat sarcastic, but it is nintended not as sarcasm, but to highlight a point, the point being that people do have an expectation in society (whether a real life or online one) that their efforts will be protected. I believe (just as in real life) that the individual has a responsibility to be smart (don't leave your doors unlocked, etc) but that there is a place for authority to step in as well. That is why we have laws in real life, and that is while we have terms of use agreements in online games.

Wulfgar Runeblade

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: May 2005

Lebanon, TN

TeQ

W/R

27 May 2005 at 16:24 - 36

well imho you're opinions are pretty laughable as well, this guy wasnt setting anyone back 30 minutes of farming he was blatantly trying to charge 100k (when it was the going price of a sigil) for absolutely nothing, or in his words a sigil that he would have you believe was invisible lol .. i've never been scammed in this game and dont expect to be but liars and scammers ARE as bad as hackers in morals if not in actual harm done, call me a hopeless romantic but i like to believe that people are basically good and i still believe that and always will, so i guess the scum like this guy just infuriate me a bit more than the next person .. as for having the game tailored to suite "our" standards, we're only asking that the rules as they stand be enforced not for special treatment, seems to me as if you and your friend Crazy are the ones whining and asking for special treatment and for the rules to be changed heh

Loviatar

Underworld Spelunker

Join Date: Feb 2005

27 May 2005 at 16:36 - 37

he was not even entrapped

essentially he was caught in the act of breaking the rules by someone who was willing to take the trouble to get the thief

lets hope for more

Lasher Dragon

Draconic Rage Incarnate

Join Date: Apr 2005

Iowa

Alphahive

R/A

27 May 2005 at 16:39 - 38

I have a screenshot of someone trying to sell "the staff that you need to get a sigil - 50k".

Now what? Where do I send it?

Aloren

Academy Page

Join Date: May 2005

The Darkstalkers

W/E

27 May 2005 at 17:24 - 39

lol... Scamming and hacking can be different in my mind. Some hacking is used to help secure a network. Scamming is made with the absolute intention to screw someone out of their time/money.

Perhaps these people who defend scamming will feel differently when they spend their hard earned money on something only to find they aren't getting what they paid for.
Maybe not though.

It ultimately comes down to people considering other people's feelings on the issue.
Of course, that can be an entirely different problem in society.

Orderless

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2005

27 May 2005 at 18:06 - 40

[QUOTE=Khrysyl]

That's right! If you have a problem being robbed, then you're just a crybaby! And I am sure this is a view Orderless will back me up on. Right Orderless?

-----

QUOTE]

Not exactly. However, I believe the suggested punishments are over the top. Like I said I got scammed the other day........best response, live and learn continue gaming.

As far as the guy that was gonna spend 100k..get real. If you have made 100k in this game and you dont know what the hell to spend it on, I guess you may as well spend it on a invisible signet. Whats the problem?

Also like I said above I have never cheated or scammed or betrated anyone in a online game, im am one of the helpful people. Thats how I prefer to play. If another finds pleasure out of the game scamming people, fine. May there be balance, as long as I know my "virtual" intergrity is in place I dont really care where you put yours......and within reason nobody else should either.

We are not talking about key loggers, or people spamming inflamatory obscene comments, or stalkers.
We are talking about some kid that just offered you something worth nothing and you AGREEING to pay for it. Its not like he hacked you and took you damn money.

That is my final thought on this topic and I have nothing left to say.