[Game Design] Cheaters, to deal with or to Ban

[lucky3809]

So you are going to ban all AOL users?

AOL, the last I knew, along with multiple other ISP's, still had a small amount of IP's and don't offer static or personal IP's, which means that multiple accounts use "IP Pools" which means at any point in time, thousands of people across the world, will be using a single IP, which would change frequently.

End result: A lot of IP's used and also, a lot on the same, over time.

Look at Torn a few years back -- banned a whole country because the country owned a whole 2 IP's to connect through! 1 being government use, the other people for the public.

Not precisely what i meant, I am not talking about the same IP, I'm talking about one player using multiple IP connections through proxy in 1 day.

[rulerofzu]

Thing is same IP would you ban players for it without asking?

I own my game. I have 3 boys who play my game so they are all on the same IP. Now I know thats ok as I am a mean SOB and dont help them out lol but if it was your game would ban all 3 of them even though they are legit players?

[newttster]

Can you not stop this by simply removing any of the "send" options, as well as putting a cap (low/high) on your "sell" prices in any of your player markets?

And if by chance player A wants to send a gift of 100 crystals to player B they need admin permission to do so.

[rulerofzu]

Seriously if you have to ask admin permission to do something every time you wish to do something its going to get old real quick.

[newttster]

Seriously if you have to ask admin permission to do something every time you wish to do something its going to get old real quick.

ruler ... where did I say you have to ask admin every time you wish to do something. I only said you have to ask if you want to send a gift ... that's a big difference.

Nor does it answer whether or not the other options that I suggested are viable or not.

[lucky3809]

There is no way to stop multiple accounts, but there are ways to keep it at a minimal, like I have stated. And no it would not effect AOL users just by having them confirm their IP, the confirmation has nothing to do with same IP, but the use of multiple IP's within an hour to 24 hours. Most multiple accounts uses proxies, yes I know AOL uses proxy to connect however a normal user is not signing off their AOL service every minute to get a new IP to create a multiple account.

Same IP should not matter, if you have put restrictions on your send-able items,and cash. It's when a user is using multiple IP's to send those that needs watching.

I would not ban a player with the same IP, if I have restrictions that apply. Such as you cant send stuff to the same IP address. Most players in another country that has the same IP as the person down the street would not care about the restrictions of such.

[rulerofzu]

Newttster so player A is only going to send player B 100 crystals once and will never wish to do so again? and it doesnt make any difference if its a gift or not.

Your statement says they will need permission so every time they wish to send they will need admin to allow it (basically do it for them). Multiply that by how many players which could possibly need to do it. Now tell me its a good idea or not.

[newttster]

Newttster so player A is only going to send player B 100 crystals once and will never wish to do so again? and it doesnt make any difference if its a gift or not.

Your statement says they will need permission so every time they wish to send they will need admin to allow it (basically do it for them). Multiply that by how many players which could possibly need to do it. Now tell me its a good idea or not.

ruler ... I didn't say whether I think it's a good idea or not ... I put it forth as an option. Think of it this way though ... you have player A who has maxed account and has huge resources available to them due to their level, good planning, whatever ... then comes along player B who just started the game and has nothing ... then player A gives player B all kinds of resources to become an "uber" player without having done anything on their own to accomplish that ... how is that a good idea or not? How is that fair to any other new sign up?

Either way you look at it ... it is always going to be a balancing act between what is considered cheating and what is not ... from your perspective as the owner and the players perspective.