WATCH OUT FOR LOTRO AND TURBINE!!!

deanmuchmore

I am new to the gaming scene but a huge fan of the LOTR books and lore and I decided to get my feet wet with the MMO craze and bought LOTRO.  I also purchased 60 prepaid days for the game and fell in love with the entire genre.  Because of my "newness" I was blissfully unaware of the "Gold Farmer" problem that is prevelant in MMO's and I stupidly purchased a small amount of Gold online (5 gold) and didn't think anything of it.  Well, two days later and I am now banned forever from LOTRO.  I understand now about Gold Farming and Buying from reading forums like this, and I am confused as to how it is good buisness to ban a player for buying gold one time without a warning.  I understand banning Gold Farmers, but I think a caught buyer should get a warning and have his gold confiscated.  I was honestly ignorant when I bought gold from a farmer and now I am banned forever?!  Am I weird for thinking that this is unfair?  I am a US Army soldier and father of 4 and frankly the nearly 100 bucks I shelled out for my game and gametime is a lot of money in my budget and I don't get to spend that kind of cash on myself often, I guess I just want to hear from fellow gamers so I can figure out if I'm crazy or if my argument makes some kind of sense...  Thanks All!

Grunty

Well, now you know.

observer

Well, if you're telling the truth, that is unfortunate.  But, there's a reason the MMOG companies have the EULA (end user license agreement?) on their games.

Just suck it up, and learn from your mistake, that's all i can say. 

seb1001

Originally posted by deanmuchmore


I am new to the gaming scene but a huge fan of the LOTR books and lore and I decided to get my feet wet with the MMO craze and bought LOTRO.  I also purchased 60 prepaid days for the game and fell in love with the entire genre.  Because of my "newness" I was blissfully unaware of the "Gold Farmer" problem that is prevelant in MMO's and I stupidly purchased a small amount of Gold online (5 gold) and didn't think anything of it.  Well, two days later and I am now banned forever from LOTRO.  I understand now about Gold Farming and Buying from reading forums like this, and I am confused as to how it is good buisness to ban a player for buying gold one time without a warning.  I understand banning Gold Farmers, but I think a caught buyer should get a warning and have his gold confiscated.  I was honestly ignorant when I bought gold from a farmer and now I am banned forever?!  Am I weird for thinking that this is unfair?  I am a US Army soldier and father of 4 and frankly the nearly 100 bucks I shelled out for my game and gametime is a lot of money in my budget and I don't get to spend that kind of cash on myself often, I guess I just want to hear from fellow gamers so I can figure out if I'm crazy or if my argument makes some kind of sense...  Thanks All!

Dont listen to the jackass above me, Im sorry that you lost your account and the idea you suggested would be nice for the people who are new to MMO's and get spammed with gold selling adverts

Edit: jackass coment not aimed at you observer

Daggra

That sucks bro definitely unfair to you when there are so many REAL gold buyers that get away with it completely. If you're new to the gaming scene it's especially unfair since you basically got back-handed out of nowhere and I feel for ya.

Other gamers hate gold buyers / farmers though so don't expect much sympathy from them. It really isn't fair in your case though.

Netspook

Weird title, no need to "watch out" for neither Lotro nor Turbine...

If every MMO company did this (banning gold buyers), the future for MMOs would absolutely be brighter!

Btw, caps = shouting = rude.

Perception

Originally posted by grunty


Well, now you know.

Yup, thats Turbine for ya.

 

barasawa

I have to agree with you on this.

I'd suggest contacting customer service and talking to them. Explain that you are new to MMORPGs and didn't realize it wasn't allowed.

(Please don't yell at the CS rep, they aren't the ones that do the banning. Insistent but polite works wonders.)

 

Did your notification state you were perma-banned? Lots of times games will ban for a few weeks as a 'warning'.

 

Also, if the first one doesn't get you reinstated. Try again a day or two later. I expect you will find a sympathetic ear sooner or later. As the game is new, they might also have mis-identified you as a troublemaker.

 

Oh, and if someone decides to throw the EULA at you, just remember that the legal standing of EULAs are reported to be questionable in court, and due to them being in legaleese, even a well read educated individual is not actually expected to understand them, and due to the way they are displayed, they are actually difficult for most people to read. (They may just be click-through garbage, but don't threaten lawyers or anything like that, because most companies have a policy that when a customer starts threatening legal action, it goes straight to the legal department, and those guys never fix issues, just deal with lawsuits and the like...)

 

Good Luck !

 

kjemper

As it has been put quite often, the selling of virtual currencies online for real world cash is like prostitution.  The only way to reduce it is to decrease the demand.  That is what they were doing by banning you for life.  Now that you have told people of your experience, it will hopeful encourage some of the other players who read or relay your message to not do the same.

The gold selling issue is a long standing one and is becoming serious by ruining several MMOs.  They ruin them in a vast amount of different ways that I do not even wish to start going into.  I am sure someone else will in this post before it dies.

Now you know and I doubt you will ever do it again. 

To answer your question, I am glad to see they are banning people that are purchasing online currency to cheat their way through the game.  I'm just sorry to hear you learned the hard way, but it is the only way to nip at the problem facing these companies.  As far as most gamers are concerned, those who buy gold could burn,  but that is their opinion, not mine.

AutemOx

Originally posted by kjemper


 Now that you have told people of your experience, it will hopeful encourage some of the other players who read or relay your message to not do the same.

  New players dont read forums and dont visit MMORPG.com

New players (like him) will never read messages like this...

IMO the morality of the situation is gray, so it really comes down to if the developers think its financially wise to ban the buyers or not...  Which is a hard decision to make too I think, but looks like Turbine has decided to ban em, and there you go.    I'm sure you could set a new account up by buying a new game box?

 

area84

What happened to you is pretty unfortunate and very unfair, I realize that what you did may be in violation of their code even though you didnt know but a warning would have made more sense.

I think if you called costumer service and explained your situation they would allow you back into the game. Clearly whoever banned you was on a power trip and is probably some fat greasy looser.

Netspook

Originally posted by wormywyrm


 
 
  New players dont read forums and dont visit MMORPG.com
New players (like him) will never read messages like this...

You might be right, but isn't it typical that when they have one bad experience, they join this site, and the first thing they do is start a complain thread?

Greatness

Should have read the rules

Perception

I just wanted to add...

I always find it funny when I see some press release about Turbine's now infamous, heavy handed bannings, in light of their longstanding tradition of allowing rampant cheating and exploiting in their first game, Asheron's Call 1.  Seems its ok to use 3rd party programs and unattended combat macros to your hearts content there, but buy 5 gold and kiss your money goodbye.

Lets look at this from a consumer standpoint.  You pay $50 for a product, and then another $60 to use that product for a set amount of time.  Now the company says "sorry you can never play again".  Thats $110 of your hard earned cash.  Thats not learning a lesson, thats robbery if his money is not refunded promptly.  I couldn't even imagine how livid someone would be if they got their lifetime account ($200 pre release, $300 currently) perma banned.

AutemOx

Originally posted by Perception

You pay $50 for a product, and then another $60 to use that product for a set amount of time.  Now the company says "sorry you can never play again".  Thats $110 of your hard earned cash.  Thats not learning a lesson, thats robbery if his money is not refunded promptly.  I couldn't even imagine how livid someone would be if they got their lifetime account ($200 pre release, $300 currently) perma banned.

And dont forget the costs of your illegitimate gold purchases!! 

deanmuchmore

I am sorry if you are upset that I started a complain thread but I simply thought this was a matter worth addressing.  The "tough, deal with it" is a response I expected to get but I still am of the mind that if this genre is to grow then the "insiders" should be somewhat more helpful to the "Noobs" and I still feel that a perma-ban which I recieved was an extreme price to pay for being new to the MMO world.

area84

I dont think you came here to complain, whoever said that obviously missed what you were trying to say. You just wanted to know if you were over reacting and wanted to know if you were treated fairly and you wanted our opinion (MMORPGers) and from my experience with MMOs I can tell you that you arent over reacting. If it was me I would be pissed off because you just lost alot of money to some power tripping sob, no one is perfect and in your case you are new to the genre and the game and you didnt know, they should know better than to treat their costumers like shit.

Grozfox

ok hang on a min first off let me explain that most gamers that play MMORPG's get all discriminate when ppl talk about buying or selling gold and I agree that more seasoned gamers should be more helpfull and respectfull which I feel alot of these fricken morons are because of the assinine responses.

If you really didnt know about it then yeah i agree with the speak to the customer service reps they can and will help you out. As for the feeble ppl who flip out and get all upity to noobs when something like this happens need to just shut thier faces. And no thats not a threat its a garuntee that I'll shut them for them if they want to NOT be helpfull to fellow gamers first timers or not.

Granted some heckleing is to be expected but come on I want every gamer to know that as gamers WE are the largest voice in the world yaknow why? well because as a comunity Gamers are the largest group of ppl on this planet that isn't concidered a cult. We need to promote a better more friendly comunity, and we need more new gamers I encourage ppl to pick up a controler or jump on thier keyboards and play. But ppl that make comments like get overit and basicly tell ppl they are stupid need to be thrown from our comunity.

So yeah man talking to the service reps is your best option sieriously, now I dont mean everyone that responded to this thread but ....well you all know which posts i speak of. Yeah go ahead be mad at me...rant go on a freaking out session and hate me....I dont care trust me because I expect that sort of thing from kids that like to act like they are the leaders of something when they arent as big and bad as they think. Yes lol this is a rant but i'm just so tired of reading a post where someone just asks a simple help question and they get the raw end of ppls attitudes( btw yes I short speaked whoopie). sometimes ppl just need a simple helpfull answer if you ppl cant give one then dont respond at all.

csthao

Originally posted by area84


What happened to you is pretty unfortunate and very unfair, I realize that what you did may be in violation of their code even though you didnt know but a warning would have made more sense.
I think if you called costumer service and explained your situation they would allow you back into the game. Clearly whoever banned you was on a power trip and is probably some fat greasy looser.

From my view, even if you're new to the MMO world or not, theres ALWAYS an agreement where you have to accept in order to play it first hand...So if you didnt read what you are agreeing to (not many people do anyway because its so freaking long) Then it couldnt be their fault at all.. People who get banned are the ignorant ones, you'd expect them to refund your portion of unused time but why the heck would they in the first place..It was PRE PAID  and thats just buisness...Its just like some who buys a new keyboard from say Best Buy or something and then you paid someone to alter it in some way, then try to return it because it wouldnt work anymore, but they refused because theres a warranty saying that if its broken or changed from its original package then you cant return it or you cant return it to get it fixxed...(I know the concept is a bit different but hopefully you guys know what I mean) 

And why would you even want to buy gold? Trying to find the easy way out just totally kills the whole experience...5 gold? you know how easy it is to obtain once you get high enough level? (Well obviously not because you're new) But if you can relate it to the real world, theres no 16 year old ( say hes level one in the game) that could possibly earn as much salary as say a 20 year old (about level 10) and then if you're one of the educated ones 30 years old? (at level 20+ or something)...The point is once you become higher level money should be a bit balanced where it is always easier to obtain...You started out new, theres nothing in any starting town that could be very expensive to get anyway...

You're making gold farming companies rich, and thats killing every MMO out there right now...If you really needed money I'm sure there would of been plenty of people who plays in this game that would gladly help you up on your feet because you're a newcomer to the MMO world they would help you more than you would have ever imagined...The people who felt sorry for you woulda helped you out...Make a new account and ask em in the game, at least you wouldnt get banned from begging in game...Thats what I loved about UO's community,, they were willing to help you if they were in the mood or scream at you for being a beggar, role playing was great in that game, but forgot about it I'm getting off subject here so this is where I'll stop...

Mastermartz

I have no sympathy for gold farmers or buyers they ruin everything. But you are new to everything and its just a mistake. I do believe in your situation you just deserve a warning.

dand3

Good luck.  I hope your appeal works. 

An unfortunate lesson, and one that a soldier (posted away from family?) especially doesn't need. I hope you make it back into the game and enjoy it for a long time... it is a great game.

area84

I realize what he did was wrong and in violation and yes according to it he should be banned or whatever their rules are, however we are people and not computers we think and regardles of what happens something can be worked out. In this case the guy is new to the game and probably doesnt even play videogames, he got it because he likes the story and he bought gold thinking that it was legal and ok to do it. He doesnt know how farmers ruin the game, and had it been someone with MMO experience who knew about it I wouldnt have cared at all and said he got what he deserved but in this case I think he should have been warned solely because hes new to the genre and didnt know.

Is it his fault? Yes it is.

Did he get what he deserved? I dont think he did.

Either way I usually have a forgiving nature so mabye to my point of view its how I see it. I still believe that if he tried to contact costumer service they could work something out.

csthao

Originally posted by Mastermartz


I have no sympathy for gold farmers or buyers they ruin everything. But you are new to everything and its just a mistake. I do believe in your situation you just deserve a warning.

Does everyone in Turbine or LoTR know whos a seasoned mmo player or not? They all assume that everyones at least played an MMO game before...They are doing whats best for the freaking damn game every fanboi wishes and that is to ban all players from hacking cheating and gold farming...

seabass2003

Originally posted by deanmuchmore


I am sorry if you are upset that I started a complain thread but I simply thought this was a matter worth addressing.  The "tough, deal with it" is a response I expected to get but I still am of the mind that if this genre is to grow then the "insiders" should be somewhat more helpful to the "Noobs" and I still feel that a perma-ban which I recieved was an extreme price to pay for being new to the MMO world.

Did you try contacting them? Either by email or over the phone. You stated you are a soldier, you should know how to use a chain of command. If the first person you talk to doesn't give you the answer you want or is unwilling to listen keep going to their higher ups until you get what you want or are at the top. Good luck and I appreciate what you do for our country.

Devony

You think thats bad, 2 people in my former guild (LOTRO I've since quit) got perma banned for bringing mobs to the NPC's to kill to farm hides.. no warning, nothing just perma ban, lol.

 

Every game I've every played had some elements of getting NPC's to help you kill mobs

 

 

avinar

the thing is, Turbine has been extraordinary aggresive against goldsellers and botters. The reason is simple and obvious: most games fall into the oblivious spiral of goldsellers running the economy, supported by botters, simply because the developpers didn't act earlier. Lotro had the advantage of adapting several ways of counteracting goldselling and botting and are now trying to actively prevent the same phenomenon to happen to Lotro. There will probably be goldseller, but at least ,in a very reduced numbers.

It also said on the forum how Turbine reacts towards goldsellers and accomplices. However, i think that if someone bought gold, they should get a warning, but actual goldsellers get insta ban with no warning. You can send a ticket to codemasters saying you had absolutely no idea about what Goldselling was, but it's a lucky shot, yet some people have been able to get their account back with such honesty.

What you can always is do, is report the character that sold you the gold in lotro my means of a "favor" to get your account back, together with saying you didn't know about goldselling.

Anyway, it's a policy, but so far, an effective one. Reason why that doesn't influence business for them is simply because goldsellers are mainly addon to the "good playerbase" (since goldsellers just keep making diffirent characters so they don't get caught). You should check the official Lotro forums and check for goldselling threads. They are either locked after the first reply or turn out in a severe flamewar vs goldsellers. It just not appreciated in Lotro.

Just a sidenote: if you'd ever wonder why lotro has no free trial, that is also a measure to counteract goldsellers (since otherwise, goldsellers would simply abuse trial accounts to make goldselling characters. Should they get banned, that would just make another trial account and so on ...)