Guilty - lock me up and throw away the key?!?

[Ian Skippy]

Hi guys,

Okay, I admit it. I used the 'exploit' across two days. I was more curious and eager to see what stats would be improved and how it all.worked than anything else. I saw it on Reddit and did it for the lolz. Not to get one over on any living commander!

I very slightly improved three/four multicannons, one power distributor and two FSD. I had already spent a long time molding legitimately for over six months, which I busted my behind for. I was pretty happy with my ships. I had very good rolls already. Quite frankly, the improvements were no big deal. I only play in Solo. I am nowhere near a PvPer.

Just logged in and...you guessed it. Across my fleet of 26 ships, ALL those three module areas have been wiped. I had some fab multicannons and FSD rolls of 55.8 and 54.8 achieved fairly. Gone.

How do I feel? Well, in one way I'm happy as FD actually needed to sort something out as what happened over a long period had clearly broken Open and destroyed confidence. I feel however it was misdirected at me. I am not a serial offender. I gained virtually nothing. As i dont do open actually I would have preferred a shadow ban!

I admit though - I do like exploiting games. I like finding shortcuts. Ive always found it fun. However, I am talking about ye olden offline days. I don't do so in situations where it affects other players. If I am competing against others, it's a different story, and I'm not interested in exploits. If ED was an offline game, I'd have no remorse in hacking it to pieces for my own entertainment. None. I suppose it's like people who disassemble things etc.

So all in all, I have to say I think the longtime offenders should have had this punishment and not those who got curious when reading Reddit. However, perhaps FD have better things to do than squandering manpower to fitting a precise punishment. I'll reroll and move on. And I will still continue to support the game. However, I feel that once again FD have responded to a situation with a scattergun approach - but at least they responded.

Just the way I'm feeling. May he who is without sin throw the first bag of salt

Its a well-studied phenomenon: humans have the tendency to think they themselves are punished too harshly, with mitigating circumstances not being taken into account properly, yet other people should be punished harshly.

"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it a few times!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it for fun!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it in solo!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I never exploited weapons, only defences!"

etc. Its why the majority of people feel they got too many tickets for speeding, judged too harshly etc, while at the same time believing judges are too soft and criminals should be punished far more severely. Its interesting to see it happen here too.

 

[Pyrotiger]

He's trying to man up and own up. No reason to pile on him, he's choosing public acknowledgment of a thing he did and probably oughtn't have. Save the flames for the deserved, there will be plenty opportunity.

More - I'm trying to highlight the positives. I think people should save their ire for the PvP crowd.

 

[verminstar]

Lock ye up and throw away the key? Tempting offer but lets agree the safe word first...

Ye be fine...its only gonna be a big deal to those who dont know some humility in admitting ones own mistakes and moving on. I dont really care about the what and the why, just what comes afterwards. I know why and sympathize although its not my choice to even attempt such things...I dont blame others who do it as shortcuts though but how ye deal with the consequences defines the player.

Take a deep breath...haters are gonna hate so be prepared...its the internet and they allow humans to use it, nuff said. Its done, finished...walk away and ignore the salt...time and place and this really aint the time...feelings are high ^

 

[Arry]

Its a well-studied phenomenon: humans have the tendency to think they themselves are punished too harshly, with mitigating circumstances not being taken into account properly, yet other people should be punished harshly.

"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it a few times!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it for fun!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it in solo!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I never exploited weapons, only defences!"

etc. Its why the majority of people feel they got too many tickets for speeding, judged too harshly etc, while at the same time believing judges are too soft and criminals should be punished far more severely. Its interesting to see it happen here too.

But.....

 

[zaikoji]

Good luck with your re-engineering and continuing gameplay!
A lot of people have gone beyond sanctimonious on this topic now, and the "outrage" is starting to feel tired.
Life's too short. Take it easy.

 

[Stigbob]

Its a well-studied phenomenon: humans have the tendency to think they themselves are punished too harshly, with mitigating circumstances not being taken into account properly, yet other people should be punished harshly.

"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it a few times!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it for fun!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it in solo!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I never exploited weapons, only defences!"

etc. Its why the majority of people feel they got too many tickets for speeding, judged too harshly etc, while at the same time believing judges are too soft and criminals should be punished far more severely. Its interesting to see it happen here too.

You missed one.
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it to see if the exploit was real!"

 

[True Phoenix]

okay. I'll play devils advocate on this. My position is all exploit users should be knocked back to sidey + 1000cr and banned to solo for 1 month.

However.

The guy has made a mea culpa confession, he hasn't tried to blame anyone else or even mitigate his misdemeanor. He has 'fessed up and even explained why he did it. In RL crims (I know, I know but keep with me) do get a second chance, they have to do the time, they pay their lot to society. They are never really trusted again but they are allowed to reintegrate back into said society. Some become serial offenders, others go straight and contribute to the whole.

The OP deserves a chance to show he has accepted the crime, his punishment and now has the chance to contribute fairly to the game. If he doesn't play by the rules in the future we have a good idea what will happen, as does he. Some will say (and I can't disagree) that he should be banned, I'm just saying maybe he deserves to stay just to the right of the line, this time.

/socialist off.

 

[Ozram]

You still have access to the game, OP. You still have your ships, your credits and mats, even your access to open. Be glad.

 

[Mohrgan]

Good luck with your re-engineering and continuing gameplay!
A lot of people have gone beyond sanctimonious on this topic now, and the "outrage" is starting to feel tired.
Life's too short. Take it easy.

I wonder if the same attitude couldn't be applied to the uncountable volumes of angst written throughout the various 'Combat Logging is bad threads"? Those are the discussions you should refer to when you speak about sanctimony.

 

[Pyrotiger]

Its a well-studied phenomenon: humans have the tendency to think they themselves are punished too harshly, with mitigating circumstances not being taken into account properly, yet other people should be punished harshly.

"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it a few times!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it for fun!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I only did it in solo!"
"Glad they took action against those cheaters, but I never exploited weapons, only defences!"

etc. Its why the majority of people feel they got too many tickets for speeding, judged too harshly etc, while at the same time believing judges are too soft and criminals should be punished far more severely. Its interesting to see it happen here too.

A very interesting opinion. I dont think you would make a good barrister though

Tell you what, you tell me what the punishment should be and I will write to FD and ask for that punishment, okay?

 

[ChiefRedCloud]

More - I'm trying to highlight the positives. I think people should save their ire for the PvP crowd.

I hold the malicious griefers accountable for this and not the true PvPers. Killing just to be killing is not Role Play its cowardness. Assassins have a contract and Pirates want your cargo all lagit. I don't think we need to simulate homicidal maniacs. PvP will survive and weapons will be modded and life in the ED universe will go on.

Chief

 

[MickyG1982]

He's trying to man up and own up. No reason to pile on him, he's choosing public acknowledgment of a thing he did and probably oughtn't have. Save the flames for the deserved, there will be plenty opportunity.

You'd have thought he'd have learned from the other threads that attempted to do the same...

The thread has stayed pretty level so far but when people wake up in the morning...

As far as punishment goes, anyone who used the exploit to cheat should be punished the same way regardless of why they did it.

I would have gone at least a little further and revoked their engineers progress too. All found engineers gone, and hostile to approach for 6 months and when they are finally allowed back, grade 1 access only.

But that's just me.

 

[zaikoji]

I wonder if the same attitude couldn't be applied to the uncountable volumes of angst written throughout the various 'Combat Logging is bad threads"? Those are the discussions you should refer to when you speak about sanctimony.

I'm afraid I don't quite understand your wording. Sorry.

 

[Shinji Ikari]

I kind of feel sympathy about the OP, I also have to consider that he might not being saying the truth BUT he never said anything like "get my mods back guaah [cry]", I mean I guess I might have sneak peeked the exploit if I have had it on my hands to see the fuss about it but I wouldn't have used it for more nefarious reasons, who doesn't like to see what's inside the Pandora Box ?

 

[PotatoOverdose]

Since it's your first offence, 60 hours of community service.

Also known as: Go drive an SRV, shoot some rocks, and get some new (legit) rolls.

 

[-VR- pipestein]

Just simple facts. The fact is that you used an exploit to gain advantage in a multi-player game, even if it was in solo. You obviously felt comfortable enough to do it to more than one component. You got the very least of what you deserved. It really is that simple. If I were in charge of FD it would be account bans for all. You got off lightly.

 

[Taluss]

I appreciate the OP's post for a few reasons:

1) I like the honesty. I don't believe we should penalise people for honesty.
2) I am thrilled to KNOW Fdev actually did something about the exploiters.
3) I wouldn't mind the OP going to Support asking for a bit of leniency regarding the non exploited modules PROVIDED he/she could take it on the chin if they said no. Personally would look favourably on any such application if I where support given OP has publically owned up to it and taken responsibility for it.

 

[GJ51]

I just don't care...

I only post nowadays because I need 1378 more posts to get Forum Elite.

 

[Siobhan]

I kind of feel sympathy about the OP, I also have to consider that he might not being saying the truth BUT he never said anything like "get my mods back guaah [cry]", I mean I guess I might have sneak peeked the exploit if I have had it on my hands to see the fuss about it but I wouldn't have used it for more nefarious reasons, who doesn't like to see what's inside the Pandora Box ?

There was a beta running, you know.

 

[Archvillain]

Like you, I wouldn't have used the cheat for multiplayer advantage, but I am often interested in tinkering with and exploring game systems and technology out of curiosity, so there-but-for-the-grace-of-god-go-I!
We know a punitive action was necessary for the bigger picture, but I also totally understand your frustration, for whatever that's worth.