the bots arent hacks within the game infrastructure. 

Its an outside program that creates automated Alts.  you run the program on your computer and it then controls the alts to all do the same thing. 

As far as being a declining commodity,  

***Speculation****   and im just reading the cards plarium has laid on the table....even though the devs swear otherwise, i'll gladly accept that i called a bluff and was wrong if it plays differently......

Plarium is moving towards an all mobile inventory.   The new company wants to see more investment there, even the old CEO Shaleel said mobile is the future. 

Flash dies in 17 months.   The devs are just now getting around to 3 year old suggestions, sooo.... 

I dont think they have the time, nor the inhouse skill to move to html5.    the game infrastructure was bough off the shelf, not built in house.  the devs just maintain and wing their way through bungled updates.    how they plan to move the entire game to a new engine i have no idea. 

Secondly, EVERY update thus fair has been made to increase spending.  in the beginning these browser games had a 8-10 year life span but because flash is on the way out plarium had to bump that to 5 year life spans.  They needed people to SPEND lots of money and FAST. so all of the updates and game direction was made to encourage big spending.  

these browsers games are supposed to be geared towards getting players invested in the time they have spent and slowly leach money out of them over a long period of time. 

Its obvious that plarium only looks to grab cash fast and move on to the next player.  

there is already a mobile version of this game.  plarium has been trying to get us to switch over to it.  

Bot's is just a way of automate game play. Plarium said having multiple accounts is not against the rules. So if you create a set number of Castles and then run a bot software to automate it all. Nothing really stop you, they are not able to deal with "master" and his/her bots. Labeling it a "hacker" is a way to try scare the player, but there is no "hacking" involved. 

What you call outside vendors, just found a niche to make money. Not really legit to make money of Plariums assets that way, but the person(s) behind wouldn't put time and effort into it, if there was no gain (money) to be had. Its their poor business model that make room for such a side business to exist.  Now to the other "scare point", they out to get your cc details and screw you over... Well since they offer paypal as option, they just as safe or safer than Plarium in that regard :p

Based on what I've heard and read on the Sparta game change to HTML5, it will be another 6-12 month before there is even a solid platform.

i'm not seeing the future with me being part of the equation.

But also the current culture (society) has no desire for real strategy games, all I've seen are not free to play but pay to win platforms. Different wrapping and packages,but all with the same result.

As the BOT lines etc.., Plarium has not shown any interest in changes,wether it is due to inability or that those are generating income has been and will be open to debate.

No monies spent on my part for almost years now,, as i'd be a lot more frustrated than i already am.

whyniac said:

Bot Lines and outside vendors selling troops make me wonder if Plarium has lost control of the mechanics of the game. Surely if a hacker breaks into a game and creates anomalies and unwanted effects or structures, the game designers and managers should have the ability to revert any of these changes ? If the designers cant control the game then I'm fighting against a stacked deck.

I'm an ex-marketer and it looks to me like we are a declining commodity in Plarium's suite of products. This does not augur well for our future as less and less effort will be put into SF.

I've put over 2 years and considerable dollars (although not by some OIl Sheiks son standards) into this game and I still find it enjoyable because of friends, and as someone stated it's become a hobby. But please give me your considered opinion, should I start out from scratch in a clean game where the odds are not stacked against me...... and is there such an animal ?

Any suggestions ?

The bots have been around for well over a year, so I don't see plarium rolling back the game to before they were around :P

Dear Lords

as far i can remember there are people selling resources long time ago

i remember receiving messages for that 4 or 5 years ago even i remember some members of my old league talking to me about that activities for growing faster

so this situation is not new but the activitie they have maybe has increased a bit this last times

Dear Lords

as far i can remember there are people selling resources long time ago

i remember receiving messages for that 4 or 5 years ago even i remember some members of my old league talking to me about that activities for growing faster

so this situation is not new but the activitie they have maybe has increased a bit this last times

Regards

Hello!

First of all, welcome to the Forum, Lady WHYNIAC.

Creating bot accounts using the third-party programs is not allowed according to our Policy. 

Our Support team takes the corresponding measures to them once such accounts are reported. Plus, we run a regular automatic check on the servers which allows detecting the accounts created with the help of such program and banning them.

As for third-party selling accounts, we ban them as well once they're reported. Plus, accepting their Offers is not allowed and can lead to the ban of your account as well. So, I highly recommend refuse and ignore such Offers.

As for the security of your account, we make everything possible to avoid security breaches from the server side. But the security of your account also depends on you a lot.

As in the majority of the cases, the accounts are hacked when a player shares the login data with someone else, doesn't update his password regularly or use not strong enough password :(

Gadheras said:

Bot's is just a way of automate game play. Plarium said having multiple accounts is not against the rules. So if you create a set number of Castles and then run a bot software to automate it all. Nothing really stop you, they are not able to deal with "master" and his/her bots. Labeling it a "hacker" is a way to try scare the player, but there is no "hacking" involved. 

Lord Gadheras, we already discussed before that bot accounts and alternative accounts are different things: https://plarium.com/forum/en/stormfall-age-of-war/game-discussion/90988_lets-talk-alts-again---/

The first ones are not allowed by our Policy, while the second ones are not prohibited by it. Still, their usage is restricted by many limits in the game.

Alina Phoenix said:

Hello!

First of all, welcome to the Forum, Lady WHYNIAC.

Creating bot accounts using the third-party programs is not allowed according to our Policy. 

Our Support team takes the corresponding measures to them once such accounts are reported. Plus, we run a regular automatic check on the servers which allows detecting the accounts created with the help of such program and banning them.

As for third-party selling accounts, we ban them as well once they're reported. Plus, accepting their Offers is not allowed and can lead to the ban of your account as well. So, I highly recommend refuse and ignore such Offers.

As for the security of your account, we make everything possible to avoid security breaches from the server side. But the security of your account also depends on you a lot.

As in the majority of the cases, the accounts are hacked when a player shares the login data with someone else, doesn't update his password regularly or use not strong enough password :(

whyniac... you will notice, since you actually play on the game server and not the CMs test server,  that plarium actually takes no action against the bots and they are still present and active on the game servers, where the CMs do not play and have no clue what is happening in our gaming world. 

Gadheras said:

Bot's is just a way of automate game play. Plarium said having multiple accounts is not against the rules. So if you create a set number of Castles and then run a bot software to automate it all. Nothing really stop you, they are not able to deal with "master" and his/her bots. Labeling it a "hacker" is a way to try scare the player, but there is no "hacking" involved. 

Lord Gadheras, we already discussed before that bot accounts and alternative accounts are different things: https://plarium.com/forum/en/stormfall-age-of-war/game-discussion/90988_lets-talk-alts-again---/

The first ones are not allowed by our Policy, while the second ones are not prohibited by it. Still, their usage is restricted by many limits in the game.

We have rule. 

but no way of policing this rule. 

and no way of enforcing this rule. 

Thats kinda like playing on a private server from all of the customers and saying "well, it all works fine for us"  even though you are bleeding customers like a stab wound because you dont know how it works in the game servers. 

Lords and Ladies, our devs know how to differentiate bot accounts from alternative accounts.

We have a program which can determine bot accounts and devs are running it regularly on the servers. From your end, you can't see whether the account is banned or not as it doesn't have any UI difference. 

Plus, as I already said, bot accounts can be reported to the Support team. 

The pirate situation is complex and is not as straight forward, as on stormfall. I don't play there, but I can tell you that those players called bots are really Russian players that use a very efficient method of gaming. 

I personally learnt some BG tips from them, and they also pointed me to the Russian server were I learned from the best in BG. 

I don't really know the history of that game, but it's evolution was the same. But basically we had coiners and those coiners we beaten up by y Russian smart guys.  

As Alina explained, bots are prohibited, so those Russian account were not closed, because they are not bots. Not even close. People think so because Russian text   name translate  weirdly in English text.

Oracle said:

The pirate situation is complex and is not as straight forward, as on stormfall. I don't play there, but I can tell you that those players called bots are really Russian players that use a very efficient method of gaming. 

I personally learnt some BG tips from them, and they also pointed me to the Russian server were I learned from the best in BG. 

I don't really know the history of that game, but it's evolution was the same. But basically we had coiners and those coiners we beaten up by y Russian smart guys.  

As Alina explained, bots are prohibited, so those Russian account were not closed, because they are not bots. Not even close. People think so because Russian text   name translate  weirdly in English text.

Russians doesn't blend very well with other non Rusians in mmo's in regard of guilds etc. So it become often a "us vs them" Also a whole different mentality in regard of gaming. Not saying that to be bad, just different. 

Also in regards of having effective tools to get bots, I call bull, because if there was, we the players would seen bots been dealt with. 

There is a bot producing tool. It was originally in Russian user interface, then it was partially translated. 

I am not sure if this tool still works or if it ever worked. 

It could be a scam, as it was quite pricey. Since Plarium was made aware of this tool, it could have been closed now. 

Plarium game policy also restrict use of automated software. So I am sure such account are banned. 

Russian players even the playing field by beating rich players. We really need them in stormfall. 

Oracle said:

There is a bot producing tool. It was originally in Russian user interface, then it was partially translated. 

I am not sure if this tool still works or if it ever worked. 

It could be a scam, as it was quite pricey. Since Plarium was made aware of this tool, it could have been closed now. 

Plarium game policy also restrict use of automated software. So I am sure such account are banned. 

Russian players even the playing field by beating rich players. We really need them in stormfall. 

No we don't, and I don't say that to be mean, That being said, I'm sure there is Russians already playing this game. But a full blown invasion would not be good.

Oracle said:

There is a bot producing tool. It was originally in Russian user interface, then it was partially translated. 

I am not sure if this tool still works or if it ever worked. 

It could be a scam, as it was quite pricey. Since Plarium was made aware of this tool, it could have been closed now. 

Plarium game policy also restrict use of automated software. So I am sure such account are banned. 

Russian players even the playing field by beating rich players. We really need them in stormfall. 

its not closed or banned.  i can give you her phone number if you like. or...if its more convenient, come see me and we'll drive over to her house.  Shes Ukranian, not Russian, but i guess that depends on your point of view, lol. 

The program works very well according to her though i ve not tried it myself.   It has been translated into english. ive perused the interface and been on their forum......  they have excellent customer service by the way. the developer is in touch with the users to correct bugs and other problems right away. 

something else to note, if you buy the program it runs any mmo game built on the same architecture as stormfall, pirates, sparta etc.  plarium didnt develop these games, they bought an off the shelf architecture and put their own skin on it to create several different games.  Thats one of the reasons they have so much trouble with the updates.  It isnt their software, so they have no idea what bugs are gonna be created when they try to tweak it. 

back to the bots though, it will run on more than just plarium games. so as far as it being expensive, if you are a gamer who plays many games, do some research and see how many share this platform, it may actually be more cost effective than you think. 

the bot program works, plarium is well aware of it, but cares to do little about it.  They know the name, address and phone number of the developer/operator but care little to do about it. 

the (original) developer by the way was the same developer that did the art work for plarium.  Sergey something.   he then gave or sold the program to another former plarium employ ******** *******  (name redacted, ive been banned for using it. funny i get banned but she doesnt) out of the tech support department in kharkiv. 

according to the bot developer there is some gray area in what constitutes a "third party software" and what they are doing that keeps plarium from putting a stop to them. 

the rules arent very specific:

Malicious Behavior

This includes any wilful attempt to compromise the security of our users, servers, or gaming environment. This may include, but is not limited to, the use of exploits, hacks, cheats, third party software, interference with financial transactions, or the malicious targeting of Plarium or user computers or networks. To help us combat these abuses, we rely on the assistance of our players. If you encounter an individual who appears to be engaging in any of the aforementioned behaviours, please report them to us immediately for investigation.

and the punishment is quite severe:

Violations and Penalties

- Engaging in, promoting, or encouraging any illegal activity including hacking, cracking or distribution of counterfeit software.

1st offence – 10 days Account Ban. 2nd - Permanent Account Ban.

The bot advertiser should have been banned permanently but we see it has been active for going on 3? years now.  and the botlines are still active. 

apparently this is where the gray area comes in.  Plarium did ban the botlines, we all saw them get nerfed. but apparently ***** ***** (name redacted)  worked something out with plarium and thats when we saw all the botlines get returning player bubbles. 

So, either the permanent ban isnt true, or the bots arent technically a third party violation. 

i wish plarium was more clear on what their stance on the bots were and showed us more decisive actions.

IronApex Turok said:

Oracle said:

There is a bot producing tool. It was originally in Russian user interface, then it was partially translated. 

I am not sure if this tool still works or if it ever worked. 

It could be a scam, as it was quite pricey. Since Plarium was made aware of this tool, it could have been closed now. 

Plarium game policy also restrict use of automated software. So I am sure such account are banned. 

Russian players even the playing field by beating rich players. We really need them in stormfall. 

its not closed or banned.  i can give you her phone number if you like. or...if its more convenient, come see me and we'll drive over to her house.  Shes Ukranian, not Russian, but i guess that depends on your point of view, lol. 

The program works very well according to her though i ve not tried it myself.   It has been translated into english. ive perused the interface and been on their forum......  they have excellent customer service by the way. the developer is in touch with the users to correct bugs and other problems right away. 

something else to note, if you buy the program it runs any mmo game built on the same architecture as stormfall, pirates, sparta etc.  plarium didnt develop these games, they bought an off the shelf architecture and put their own skin on it to create several different games.  Thats one of the reasons they have so much trouble with the updates.  It isnt their software, so they have no idea what bugs are gonna be created when they try to tweak it. 

back to the bots though, it will run on more than just plarium games. so as far as it being expensive, if you are a gamer who plays many games, do some research and see how many share this platform, it may actually be more cost effective than you think. 

the bot program works, plarium is well aware of it, but cares to do little about it.  They know the name, address and phone number of the developer/operator but care little to do about it. 

the (original) developer by the way was the same developer that did the art work for plarium.  Sergey something.   he then gave or sold the program to another former plarium employ ******** *******  (name redacted, ive been banned for using it. funny i get banned but she doesnt) out of the tech support department in kharkiv. 

according to the bot developer there is some gray area in what constitutes a "third party software" and what they are doing that keeps plarium from putting a stop to them. 

the rules arent very specific:

Malicious Behavior

This includes any wilful attempt to compromise the security of our users, servers, or gaming environment. This may include, but is not limited to, the use of exploits, hacks, cheats, third party software, interference with financial transactions, or the malicious targeting of Plarium or user computers or networks. To help us combat these abuses, we rely on the assistance of our players. If you encounter an individual who appears to be engaging in any of the aforementioned behaviours, please report them to us immediately for investigation.

and the punishment is quite severe:

Violations and Penalties

- Engaging in, promoting, or encouraging any illegal activity including hacking, cracking or distribution of counterfeit software.

1st offence – 10 days Account Ban. 2nd - Permanent Account Ban.

The bot advertiser should have been banned permanently but we see it has been active for going on 3? years now.  and the botlines are still active. 

apparently this is where the gray area comes in.  Plarium did ban the botlines, we all saw them get nerfed. but apparently ***** ***** (name redacted)  worked something out with plarium and thats when we saw all the botlines get returning player bubbles. 

So, either the permanent ban isnt true, or the bots arent technically a third party violation. 

i wish plarium was more clear on what their stance on the bots were and showed us more decisive actions.

Lord IronApex Turok, we already discussed this "conspiracy theory" before and I already asked you not to share the information you have no confirmation of. Such comments are considered as irrelevant and break the Forum Rules, point 3.10. 

As for our stance and actions regarding Bot accounts, the final reply was given already: https://plarium.com/forum/en/stormfall-age-of-war/game-discussion/100671_more-topics-for-discussion-for-you-oldtimers/?post=465983

To avoid further irrelevant and spamming messages, this topic is closed.