Does FDev care about botting?

[Linnunrata]

That's pretty respectable report on the issue, though I'm slightly amused by the "stop selling the game for 5£" solution. .

Some people sure do have plenty of energy to set up something like that. Is there any particular reason why they ran their bots in Open?

 

[Rubbernuke]

That's pretty respectable report on the issue, though I'm slightly amused by the "stop selling the game for 5£" solution.

Some people sure do have plenty of energy to set up something like that.

I'm in no doubt botting does take place- especially in powerplay where the tasks are incredibly repetitive and face virtually no NPC opposition, or AFK heal beam turretboats.

FDs biggest sin is not designing these issues out (which they can, if they ironically use whats in game now in the BGS).

But without proof its very hard not to come to the conclusion its frustration at being beaten. I've been there and wondered 'what?' many times but I know that there are some very sneaky people about, not to mention the effect of FCs these days.

 

[Factabulous]

I can't find core asteroids! Mining is nerfed!
I lost this war! Someone is botting!
I can't buy this Rare! Game is broken!
I can't get this permit! Game is broken!

99% of the time it's a L2P issue, 1% of the time it's real.

Publish the information - mods can decide if it breaks rules. Otherwise we have to assume it's just the usual L2P issues, which are difficult to solve without any information

 

[Rat Catcher]

Doesn't the system history just record the number of 'visits' to the system by a ship type?
These 150 anacondas could just as well be 5 players each visiting the system 30 times...
As the alleged 'botting' appears to be not in open (place is a 'graveyard' in open on all platforms) all that is being presented is speculation, surely? (which is par for the course when it comes to 'botting' asccusations!)

Of course, other players should take account of CI having the very knowledgable Jane Turner choreographing BGS for them, and anyone else who asks...

 

[Deleted member 182079]

Botting has been documented in the past

Spoiler

(

https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/855o8r

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/EliteDangerous/comments/855o8r/scripting_and_automation_an_investigation_into/)

but as to now without evidence you can't say that its bots because quite often (if not most of the time) its someone knowing the BGS better than you do, or has bigger numbers.

Fascinating (and depressing) read, thanks for linking that. I guess if this still goes on, the recent Epic giveaway must've given this a fair boost...

I'm relieved that I'm not overly engaged in the BGS (certainly not PP), can only imagine how frustrating this must be.

 

[Achtung-Goomba]

But without proof its very hard not to come to the conclusion its frustration at being beaten. I've been there and wondered 'what?' many times but I know that there are some very sneaky people about, not to mention the effect of FCs these days.

Indeed! When we realised our error at inadvertently provoking a bigger and more efficient group, carriers suddenly appeared over all our stations and our influence started tanking. We got it sorted once a dialogue was opened and we heard about their trials against the suspected bot, but I’m not deep enough into this sort of gameplay to confirm bot activity so I’ll just have to take their word on it. For our part, it was quite deflating watching how quickly your faction influence can drop when a bunch of motivated and knowledgable players get to work!

 

[zimms]

I'm surprised how many people vehemently deny the possibility of automation in Elite. Eyes wide shut I suppose.

If bots are involved in OP's situation is another question.

 

[Rat Catcher]

I'm surprised how many people vehemently deny the possibility of automation in Elite. Eyes wide shut I suppose.

If bots are involved in OP's situation is another question.

Or, just possibly, we hear so many accusations of 'botting' in solo that the histrionics just fade into the general background noise after a while?
From past posts 'botting' has been proven to exist, allegedly when bots appeared in open in error, so I don't think there is 'denial' of their existence, just some (natural) skepticism over the accusations cast.

 

[bootsam]

Its better to retain an open and sceptical mind than to outright deny the existence. Stuff happens, whether thats the case here remains to be seen. But do not dismiss your intuition or that of others too much. If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck then you probably have a duck. But It may also be a goose with a sore throat.

 

[Rubbernuke]

Fascinating (and depressing) read, thanks for linking that. I guess if this still goes on, the recent Epic giveaway must've given this a fair boost...

I'm relieved that I'm not overly engaged in the BGS (certainly not PP), can only imagine how frustrating this must be.

FD can design these things out by making missions less linear- AFK problems stem from Powerplay using old CZ mechanics matched with heal beams and engineering. Make PP CZs use modern mechanics (i.e. set amount of enemies to win rather than unending) and the problem is solved.

PP fortifying can be solved by making the A to B more random- here is an idea I had from a PP proposal:

Fortification and preparation: this uses the hidden trader POI mechanic. You must scan the nav point (so you drop into a potentially dangerous spot) to find your contact to transfer your cargo (which you do by proximity). Each location is different, so it means more variation against bots, allows for more danger (you don't have the protection of a stations guns or no fire zone for NPCs / players). This also gets around pad blocking since...there are no pads. This fits the 'shadow war' premise of Powerplay in that you are fighting a clandestine war. Your contact will be defended by your own power, but any rival PP NPC can drop in to attack.

By not having defined end points to runs / missions bots can't work (not unless you employ a meatbag to be a Nexus 6 or something).

 

[Machnette]

I do get where people are coming from being skeptical and I wouldn't expect my word alone to be enough to convince them and that is all I'm offering, in part due to forum rules, but mainly to keep the system in question free of griefers looking for a holiday. Fact of the matter though is that I believe we're under bot attack and I'm wondering what options we have available to us, when FDev isn't able/willing to counter bot attacks.

 

[Rat Catcher]

I do get where people are coming from being skeptical and I wouldn't expect my word alone to be enough to convince them and that is all I'm offering, in part due to forum rules, but mainly to keep the system in question free of griefers looking for a holiday. Fact of the matter though is that I believe we're under bot attack and I'm wondering what options we have available to us, when FDev isn't able/willing to counter bot attacks.

Ask Jane?

 

[Machnette]

FDev didn't get to hear me ask Jane

 

[Rubbernuke]

Where is this system OP? If its in a place which has high traffic, and engineer base or one of a million things players like could cause you trouble.

 

[Linnunrata]

It's funny though, you'd imagine seeing whether there is botting involved or not should be rather easy from admin logs.

 

[Rat Catcher]

FDev didn't get to hear me ask Jane

...and?
Do you honestly think they are going to take any notice? Try contacting one of the CM's directly if you want possible action, here all you are going to get is other players, some of whom have offered assistance and been rejected by your good self!

Jane at least would be able to guide you through your BGS shenanigans, your choice

 

[Brrokk]

If the post is still on the forum, it doesn't break any rules - so why not link it? I'm trying to believe you but you got to throw us a bone, otherwise you'll just end up getting mocked as a liar/sore loser.

I can see that forum rules might prevent OP from naming a suspected CMDR but there are no rules against naming the system, the player faction involved, or giving examples of numbers of Anacondas in 24 hours etc. Without this, there's no way for anyone else to decide whether bots are involved. "Take my word for it" isn't enough - this here is the internet.

 

[Machnette]

Where is this system OP? If its in a place which has high traffic, and engineer base or one of a million things players like could cause you trouble.

I'm not willing to disclose the system name, but it is a very low traffic system in a very low traffic area.

 

[Mimix]

Fact of the matter though is that I believe we're under bot attack and I'm wondering what options we have available to us, when FDev isn't able/willing to counter bot attacks.

Did you try contacting support? It should be pretty easy for FDev to tell if there's bot activity if you tell them the system you suspect.

However I believe that it is either passive opposition from random players or another large group(s) working against you, or a combination of both.

 

[Factabulous]

Maybe the OP should set up a botnet to attack his invisible enemy At least that way we'd get to hear if fdev take action against bots