Banned for Multiboxing (Any suggestions?)

dek · 10-23-2009, 06:40 PM

Two days ago I was banned for multiboxing (I play 9 sorcs, 1 chanter and 1 templar). I painstaking leveled them up to 30+ (no group xp bonus so its one heck of a grind).

Surprisingly most people confuse multiboxing with botting so I get about ten people a day who come up to me and say /reported or some bot comment.

Everyone on Zikel that sees knows for a fact I have never botted (I always control my characters 100% of the time) if anything I am a bot killer. I like to rift and go kill the bots for abyss points. It makes some fun epic battles.

I reviewed the EULA and didn't break it in the slightest amount. Also my 9 year old sons account was banned so my guess is they took the /autoreporthunting that people did and matched it to my IP and IP banned the whole block of accounts.

So my question is, has anyone else had any experience with Ncsoft customer support that got more than a generic auto reply, its very obvious that the replies are just canned messages and they are not actually reading what I sent them.

Another though is has anyone consider a class action lawsuit against NCSOFT. The way I look at it is they banned 12 copies of my collectors edition accounts without any reason. So we are near the $1000 range there (not to mention subscriptions). I feel the only way I could get these accounts back is to make them actually check their logs and see I didn't do anything but since they don't even read the emails I send them or take my calls I am not sure any other way to get the point across.

No matter what you think on multiboxing or not. You could be next. They could ban you for any reason (ie: a guild that doesn't like you gets its members to /autoreporthunting on you etc). And since they don't actually check the logs you would get banned (which I know for a fact they did because if they did they would see I did nothing wrong).

Below is the email thread:

Thank you for your support request. Our response is included below. If you have other questions, please reply to this e-mail with your questions between the green lines.

**** Please enter your reply *below* this line ****

**** Please enter your reply *above* this line ****

To avoid e-mail delays, you can click this link to update your question using our support site.

Subject
Blocked game accounts

Discussion Thread
Response (GM Finn) 10/23/2009 04:53 PM
Hello,

The character failed repeated verification attempts and was also verified exhibiting behavior only possible through the use of a 3rd party program. We were also able to verify consistent participation with other characters also having failed the repeated verification process.

The Support Team will not provide specific information regarding the methods used to verify bot usage. Providing this information would allow bot users the means to develop methods to circumvent the verification checks. However, we are confident in the evidence obtained in respect to this incident.

Please note that even if you happened to have been at the computer at the time you were disconnected or happened to be offline when the account was closed does not indicate that this is when the verification process took place or that a bot program was not used. In most cases, the verification process occurred hours and possibly days before the account was closed.

To eliminate the possibility of account closures based on inconclusive information, the Support Team takes this extra time to ensure to the highest degree possible that the account repeatedly failed the verification tests.

We have taken into consideration hardware such as the G15 or Nostromo or extensive in-game macros however this is not the case with this account. Very simply put the actions committed on this account are not achievable by anything other then a "bot" program.

We have reviewed your case on appeal and the account will remain permanently closed. Emailing us and calling our tech or billing departments is not going to change this decision. All future inquiries regarding this incident will be closed without further correspondence.

Regards,
GM Finn
Customer (XXXXXX) 10/22/2009 05:13 PM
Hello,

I did nothing wrong with these accounts. I simply played all of them at
the same time by multiboxing. I think some people get confuse
multiboxing with botting but it is not the same. I simply want to play
all of my characters with my myself and/or family without having to go
look for a group etc.

I am 40 years old and not some kid that wants to cheat in games. I am
aware of the Eula and did not break it at all by any means. Please feel
free to call me voice at (XXX) XXX-XXXX and I can explain all of this to
you as well.

I don't use any unapproved third party software. I use one computer per
aion client then I use a KVM hardware switch to control the keyboard on
all the computers. In game I use /follow and /select targets target.

I can send you pictures of this as well if you want.

I also named all my characters almost the same name and same graphic so
when people see me they think I am a bot or something and use autoreport
on me whenever they see a bunch of characters following each other and
all casting at the same time.

These characters were never used for botting period. Ever. Nor have I
broken the eula at all.

I have been multiboxing games since everquest and currently do it in
world of warcraft as well. Its was very difficult to level so many
characters to 30+ and I have put a lot of energy into this.

I am assuming you are aware of what multiboxing is but just in case here
is an article:
Multiboxing - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft

As well as another on the hardware used:
Multiboxing hardware - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft

Best regards,
XXXXXX
(XXX) XXX-XXXX

>
Response (GM Finn) 10/22/2009 03:56 PM
Hello,

This mail is to notify you that account XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, and XXXXXX were confirmed to be violating the User Agreement and/or Rules of Conduct by engaging in the use of an unauthorized third-party application in conjunction with the Aion service.

As a result of this violation of the User Agreement and/or Rules of Conduct, this and all related accounts have been permanently closed. The account(s) will no longer be accessible and will not be reactivated.

Our decision is made in the best interest of the Aion service and for the player base.

User Agreement
Aion User Agreement | NCsoft

Rules of Conduct
Aion™ Rules of Conduct | NCsoft

Thank you,

Aion Support Team
Response (Vivian) 10/22/2009 02:09 PM
Hello XXXXXX,

Thank you for calling NCsoft Billing Phone Support. As per our phone conversation, this support ticket has been created for you.

I am transferring your ticket to the Aion Team to further assist you. Someone will be in contact with you as soon as possible.

Regards,
Vivian
NCsoft Account Support

Question Reference #091022-002593
Product Level 1: Aion
Category Level 1: Account Support
Category Level 2: General
Date Created: 10/22/2009 02:09 PM
Last Updated: 10/23/2009 04:53 PM
Status: Waiting
Department: Account Support
NCsoft Account: XXXXXX
Game Account: Multiple
Operating System: Unknown
Character Name:

Landar486 · 10-23-2009, 06:45 PM

here's a suggestion. don't do it. you behave like a bot, people probably are gonna think you're a bot.

aenemic · 10-23-2009, 06:48 PM

so what, they called you out on leveling characters you were gonna sell on eBay and decided to put an end to it? sounds fair to me.

Eric Danieros · 10-23-2009, 06:51 PM

This is between you and NCSoft.

dek · 10-23-2009, 06:54 PM

If I was going to sell them on ebay I wouldn't have named them all the same names like dekxi dekxxi dekixi, dekki, etc =)

Actually hoping for some constructive advice or heck even some sympathy. Could have been your account =(

nibbelr · 10-23-2009, 06:59 PM

lol poor ncsoft - sry dude to hear this...
i dont know why the hell they did this... not banning legions full of bots but a real player with mb... oh je sounds crazy for me...
i hope they gonna fix their mind or many subscr. will screw them.
mb was fun in wow and now in aion and in my mind its not a kind of hack

gl maybe u get the money back or sth. else

Darrigaaz · 10-23-2009, 07:02 PM

How'd you get all your chars to cast at the same time? Even with lightning fast fingers and switching the same keyboard to all ten computers, you'd still have each cast at separate times, not at the same time. Did you use an external program that caused the 7 other sorcs to cast the same spell that 1 did?

Saraeth · 10-23-2009, 07:02 PM

I am sorry but I don't think this could happen to my account; I am not using keyboard multi-casting to play 11 accounts at the same time.

Multi-boxing is one thing but you have to use normal methods to control your characters. A pack of 11 running around in perfect sync needs to be banned for the health of the community (everyone who sees you thinks you are a bot, damaging their gaming experience) even if you are using 3rd party/non-standard hardware rather than software to manage it.

dek · 10-23-2009, 07:10 PM

You just set up your hotkeys with the same spells. The trick is low latency. So hardware is much better than software.
So on all your characters you setup a spell (example: Inferno on key 6) so then when you press 6 it casts Inferno on all characters. Latency is less than 500ms so its not noticeable) hence all the characters cast at the same time.

The above link is a good article on it if you want to understand it better.

Mr.Big · 10-23-2009, 07:14 PM

I find it stupid that they're like "we could find no proof you are a bot but you look like one imo, so permaban." however multi boxing in itself is suspicious, in that the likely hood of gold selling sites etc. being connected with multi boxing is pretty high. they should have left you a warning but left the accounts open.

I think near identical names were your undoing, had you made them all with very different names, people would have assumed you were different people and not a group of bots.

Eadwyn · 10-23-2009, 07:17 PM

I don't really know anything about the keyboard hardware that is being used to really say if this is in violation of the ToS or not.

Does the KVM hardware need to have any software installed on the pcs or does it purely just send output commands to each pc through one keyboard completely from the device itself?

If it uses any sort of software that would be in violation of the ToS under 3rd party applications; however if it is purely hardware then this should not be in violation.

Alizandro · 10-23-2009, 07:17 PM

yeah your bad so sucks to be you. next time you play a game just be "normal"

Frago · 10-23-2009, 07:24 PM

You began from Launch to Multibox 11 Accounts!?

With the rampid botting and spamming in this game at this point in time I am afraid your decision was not very smart. They have a gigantic problem on their hands at the moment and catering to Multi Boxers I am sure is not even on the back burner.

Did you even check to see if the programs you use like Key Clone were ok with them?

I am pretty sure you don't have a leg to stand on and I for one applaud them for removing you. With the use of thrid party programs your little army would make the game a living hell for anyone with a full group or less in the Abyss. Show me you working 11 keyboards and mice if you expect sympathy cheater.

lyssa143 · 10-23-2009, 07:25 PM

While I have sympathy for you in some regards = multi boxing is a form of botting - you cannot control 100% of chars all the time. You'd have to have some program to assist you .. and to me that's botting. A "play on your own" form is literally that .. you - no programs - one char and playing.

So you let a 9 yr old play a game that seems clearly age higher required .. have you seen how some of the armor dresses appear on toons here? If you payed for all those accounts who on earth did you expect to play the other 8 sorcs you say you have of the 9 you got banned?

I'm sorry but if it smells like Ebay its Ebay ... and yes we all know there is potential for abuse here on autoreporthunting but as with everything else it can be invested and seen how many accts, ips, logins, etc etc goes on.

Sorry dude sounds like you got your 40 yr old fingers slammed in the cookie jar.
Good luck though I hope its resolved so you can resume playing fairly and have fun playing and not take chances on dancing around the "terms of service" by your thoughts on what it means or not.

dek · 10-23-2009, 07:29 PM

Pure hardware no software at all. Nothing that would slightly break the EULA

I have never needed to use any software since the games I mainly multiboxed on (EQ/DAOC etc) never had any software for it so never needed to mess with it.

10-23-2009, 06:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
dek Daeva Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Class: Sorcerer Race: Elyos Server: Zikel	Banned for Multiboxing (Any suggestions?) Two days ago I was banned for multiboxing (I play 9 sorcs, 1 chanter and 1 templar). I painstaking leveled them up to 30+ (no group xp bonus so its one heck of a grind). Surprisingly most people confuse multiboxing with botting so I get about ten people a day who come up to me and say /reported or some bot comment. Everyone on Zikel that sees knows for a fact I have never botted (I always control my characters 100% of the time) if anything I am a bot killer. I like to rift and go kill the bots for abyss points. It makes some fun epic battles. I reviewed the EULA and didn't break it in the slightest amount. Also my 9 year old sons account was banned so my guess is they took the /autoreporthunting that people did and matched it to my IP and IP banned the whole block of accounts. So my question is, has anyone else had any experience with Ncsoft customer support that got more than a generic auto reply, its very obvious that the replies are just canned messages and they are not actually reading what I sent them. Another though is has anyone consider a class action lawsuit against NCSOFT. The way I look at it is they banned 12 copies of my collectors edition accounts without any reason. So we are near the $1000 range there (not to mention subscriptions). I feel the only way I could get these accounts back is to make them actually check their logs and see I didn't do anything but since they don't even read the emails I send them or take my calls I am not sure any other way to get the point across. No matter what you think on multiboxing or not. You could be next. They could ban you for any reason (ie: a guild that doesn't like you gets its members to /autoreporthunting on you etc). And since they don't actually check the logs you would get banned (which I know for a fact they did because if they did they would see I did nothing wrong). Below is the email thread: Thank you for your support request. Our response is included below. If you have other questions, please reply to this e-mail with your questions between the green lines. **** Please enter your reply below this line ** ** Please enter your reply above this line **** To avoid e-mail delays, you can click this link to update your question using our support site. Subject Blocked game accounts Discussion Thread Response (GM Finn) 10/23/2009 04:53 PM Hello, The character failed repeated verification attempts and was also verified exhibiting behavior only possible through the use of a 3rd party program. We were also able to verify consistent participation with other characters also having failed the repeated verification process. The Support Team will not provide specific information regarding the methods used to verify bot usage. Providing this information would allow bot users the means to develop methods to circumvent the verification checks. However, we are confident in the evidence obtained in respect to this incident. Please note that even if you happened to have been at the computer at the time you were disconnected or happened to be offline when the account was closed does not indicate that this is when the verification process took place or that a bot program was not used. In most cases, the verification process occurred hours and possibly days before the account was closed. To eliminate the possibility of account closures based on inconclusive information, the Support Team takes this extra time to ensure to the highest degree possible that the account repeatedly failed the verification tests. We have taken into consideration hardware such as the G15 or Nostromo or extensive in-game macros however this is not the case with this account. Very simply put the actions committed on this account are not achievable by anything other then a "bot" program. We have reviewed your case on appeal and the account will remain permanently closed. Emailing us and calling our tech or billing departments is not going to change this decision. All future inquiries regarding this incident will be closed without further correspondence. Regards, GM Finn Customer (XXXXXX) 10/22/2009 05:13 PM Hello, I did nothing wrong with these accounts. I simply played all of them at the same time by multiboxing. I think some people get confuse multiboxing with botting but it is not the same. I simply want to play all of my characters with my myself and/or family without having to go look for a group etc. I am 40 years old and not some kid that wants to cheat in games. I am aware of the Eula and did not break it at all by any means. Please feel free to call me voice at (XXX) XXX-XXXX and I can explain all of this to you as well. I don't use any unapproved third party software. I use one computer per aion client then I use a KVM hardware switch to control the keyboard on all the computers. In game I use /follow and /select targets target. I can send you pictures of this as well if you want. I also named all my characters almost the same name and same graphic so when people see me they think I am a bot or something and use autoreport on me whenever they see a bunch of characters following each other and all casting at the same time. These characters were never used for botting period. Ever. Nor have I broken the eula at all. I have been multiboxing games since everquest and currently do it in world of warcraft as well. Its was very difficult to level so many characters to 30+ and I have put a lot of energy into this. I am assuming you are aware of what multiboxing is but just in case here is an article: Multiboxing - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft As well as another on the hardware used: Multiboxing hardware - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft Best regards, XXXXXX (XXX) XXX-XXXX > Response (GM Finn) 10/22/2009 03:56 PM Hello, This mail is to notify you that account XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, XXXXXX, and XXXXXX were confirmed to be violating the User Agreement and/or Rules of Conduct by engaging in the use of an unauthorized third-party application in conjunction with the Aion service. As a result of this violation of the User Agreement and/or Rules of Conduct, this and all related accounts have been permanently closed. The account(s) will no longer be accessible and will not be reactivated. Our decision is made in the best interest of the Aion service and for the player base. User Agreement Aion User Agreement \| NCsoft Rules of Conduct Aion™ Rules of Conduct \| NCsoft Thank you, Aion Support Team Response (Vivian) 10/22/2009 02:09 PM Hello XXXXXX, Thank you for calling NCsoft Billing Phone Support. As per our phone conversation, this support ticket has been created for you. I am transferring your ticket to the Aion Team to further assist you. Someone will be in contact with you as soon as possible. Regards, Vivian NCsoft Account Support Question Reference #091022-002593 Product Level 1: Aion Category Level 1: Account Support Category Level 2: General Date Created: 10/22/2009 02:09 PM Last Updated: 10/23/2009 04:53 PM Status: Waiting Department: Account Support NCsoft Account: XXXXXX Game Account: Multiple Operating System: Unknown Character Name:

10-23-2009, 06:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
Landar486 Lieutenant Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Thanks: 4 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Character: Mandulis Class: Gladiator Race: Elyos Server: Triniel	here's a suggestion. don't do it. you behave like a bot, people probably are gonna think you're a bot. __________________ "Hey everybody look at me! I'm Seto Kaiba, I have a dragon fetish, and i sound like Brock from Pokemon. Screw the rules, i'm in love with Nurse Joy!"

10-23-2009, 06:48 PM	#3 (permalink)
aenemic Officer Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sweden Thanks: 10 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Character: Skie Class: Chanter Race: Elyos Server: Telemachus	so what, they called you out on leveling characters you were gonna sell on eBay and decided to put an end to it? sounds fair to me. __________________

10-23-2009, 06:54 PM	#5 (permalink)
dek Daeva Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Class: Sorcerer Race: Elyos Server: Zikel	reply If I was going to sell them on ebay I wouldn't have named them all the same names like dekxi dekxxi dekixi, dekki, etc =) Actually hoping for some constructive advice or heck even some sympathy. Could have been your account =(

10-23-2009, 07:02 PM	#7 (permalink)
Darrigaaz Officer Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: New Mexico, USA Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Character: Gwenny Class: Templar Legion: Misfits Race: Elyos Server: Siel	How'd you get all your chars to cast at the same time? Even with lightning fast fingers and switching the same keyboard to all ten computers, you'd still have each cast at separate times, not at the same time. Did you use an external program that caused the 7 other sorcs to cast the same spell that 1 did? __________________ Has anybody seen my corpse?

10-23-2009, 06:51 PM	#4 (permalink)
Eric Danieros Star Officer Join Date: Jun 2009 Thanks: 2 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Class: Ranger Race: Asmodians	This is between you and NCSoft.

10-23-2009, 06:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
nibbelr Daeva Join Date: Aug 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Race: Elyos	lol poor ncsoft - sry dude to hear this... i dont know why the hell they did this... not banning legions full of bots but a real player with mb... oh je sounds crazy for me... i hope they gonna fix their mind or many subscr. will screw them. mb was fun in wow and now in aion and in my mind its not a kind of hack gl maybe u get the money back or sth. else

10-23-2009, 07:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
Saraeth Human Join Date: Jul 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Race: Elyos	I am sorry but I don't think this could happen to my account; I am not using keyboard multi-casting to play 11 accounts at the same time. Multi-boxing is one thing but you have to use normal methods to control your characters. A pack of 11 running around in perfect sync needs to be banned for the health of the community (everyone who sees you thinks you are a bot, damaging their gaming experience) even if you are using 3rd party/non-standard hardware rather than software to manage it. Last edited by Saraeth; 10-23-2009 at 07:15 PM..

10-23-2009, 07:10 PM	#9 (permalink)
dek Daeva Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Class: Sorcerer Race: Elyos Server: Zikel	You just set up your hotkeys with the same spells. The trick is low latency. So hardware is much better than software. So on all your characters you setup a spell (example: Inferno on key 6) so then when you press 6 it casts Inferno on all characters. Latency is less than 500ms so its not noticeable) hence all the characters cast at the same time. The above link is a good article on it if you want to understand it better.

10-23-2009, 07:14 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mr.Big Daeva Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Race: Undecided Server: Meslamtaeda	I find it stupid that they're like "we could find no proof you are a bot but you look like one imo, so permaban." however multi boxing in itself is suspicious, in that the likely hood of gold selling sites etc. being connected with multi boxing is pretty high. they should have left you a warning but left the accounts open. I think near identical names were your undoing, had you made them all with very different names, people would have assumed you were different people and not a group of bots.

10-23-2009, 07:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
Eadwyn Officer Join Date: Jul 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Character: Marigold Class: Sorcerer Legion: Tempest Race: Elyos Server: Zikel	I don't really know anything about the keyboard hardware that is being used to really say if this is in violation of the ToS or not. Does the KVM hardware need to have any software installed on the pcs or does it purely just send output commands to each pc through one keyboard completely from the device itself? If it uses any sort of software that would be in violation of the ToS under 3rd party applications; however if it is purely hardware then this should not be in violation. __________________ Marigold - Sorceror - Zikel - Elyos: http://na.aiononline.com/characters/Zikel/Marigold Alchemy: 399 Extract Vitality: 385

10-23-2009, 07:17 PM	#12 (permalink)
Alizandro General Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Las Vegas Thanks: 4 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts Character: I have many. Class: Templar Legion: I fly solo. Race: Asmodians Server: Triniel	yeah your bad so sucks to be you. next time you play a game just be "normal" __________________

10-23-2009, 07:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
Frago Human Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Race: Undecided Server: Israphel	You began from Launch to Multibox 11 Accounts!? With the rampid botting and spamming in this game at this point in time I am afraid your decision was not very smart. They have a gigantic problem on their hands at the moment and catering to Multi Boxers I am sure is not even on the back burner. Did you even check to see if the programs you use like Key Clone were ok with them? I am pretty sure you don't have a leg to stand on and I for one applaud them for removing you. With the use of thrid party programs your little army would make the game a living hell for anyone with a full group or less in the Abyss. Show me you working 11 keyboards and mice if you expect sympathy cheater.

10-23-2009, 07:25 PM	#14 (permalink)
lyssa143 Daeva Join Date: Sep 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Class: Cleric Race: Asmodians Server: Undecided	While I have sympathy for you in some regards = multi boxing is a form of botting - you cannot control 100% of chars all the time. You'd have to have some program to assist you .. and to me that's botting. A "play on your own" form is literally that .. you - no programs - one char and playing. So you let a 9 yr old play a game that seems clearly age higher required .. have you seen how some of the armor dresses appear on toons here? If you payed for all those accounts who on earth did you expect to play the other 8 sorcs you say you have of the 9 you got banned? I'm sorry but if it smells like Ebay its Ebay ... and yes we all know there is potential for abuse here on autoreporthunting but as with everything else it can be invested and seen how many accts, ips, logins, etc etc goes on. Sorry dude sounds like you got your 40 yr old fingers slammed in the cookie jar. Good luck though I hope its resolved so you can resume playing fairly and have fun playing and not take chances on dancing around the "terms of service" by your thoughts on what it means or not.

10-23-2009, 07:29 PM	#15 (permalink)
dek Daeva Join Date: Oct 2009 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Class: Sorcerer Race: Elyos Server: Zikel	Pure hardware no software at all. Nothing that would slightly break the EULA I have never needed to use any software since the games I mainly multiboxed on (EQ/DAOC etc) never had any software for it so never needed to mess with it.

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