Second "Second Chances"

Maplers,

On September 5th, 2014, we initiated a series of account actions following the outbreak of an exploit related to the Bounty Hunter event. This exploit involved player ability to abuse a flaw in the quest system which led to receiving an extreme number of Master Craftsman’s Cubes, Golden Hammers, and other items. This exploit prompted a series of account suspensions and closures, based on severity of the action. Upon further review of this exploit, we feel that we must make changes to the procedures we use for executing account actions following exploits.

First, we want to aim for consistency - we feel that there has been a lack of consistency in how we take action on accounts that are found guilty of participating in exploits. Until we have concrete policies put in place, we believe that handing out permanent bans for abuse of exploits is too extreme. The system has been quite arbitrary in regards to how it is decided on who gets a permanent ban, and who gets a temporary suspension.

Second, we want to remove layers of red tape and make these types of situations and investigations much more transparent going forward. This is something I have aimed for as Community Manager, and this is also something I am trying to drive with the teams that work on MapleStory as a whole. As many of you know, accounts and the actions taken on them are in constant review, and we have been reviewing the bans that were issued following the investigation of the Bounty Hunter exploit. We have seen that many of these players were first time offenders with no past records, and this has prompted a revision of our policies on a consistency basis. As part of this policy revision we will be reversing all permanent account closures from the Bounty Hunter exploit. These reversals will take place on [EDIT] October 12th, 2014.

I understand that many of you may be upset by this, as you have recently seen an increase in actions taken on hacking and botting accounts that breach the Terms of Use. This release does not affect those accounts, and we will continue to take action on these abusers. However, please note that this decision is only being made as a result of changes to policy. Going forward, we will take all necessary steps to protect the health of our game, and the abuse of exploits will have consequences.

Thank you for your understanding as we work to make MapleStory a more clean and fair place for all players,

Artasi
Community Manager

Source

TLDR: We're unbanning everyone we banned for the Bounty hunter exploit so we can be more consistent.

One step forward, two steps back. Can't say I'm surprised in the least bit. Thoughts?

Expected/10, honestly. no point in really worrying about exploiters, once again, getting next to zero punishment. i've been focusing on playing the game so i have fun, not really comparing myself to others. i mean, i'd love to compare, but it's just not worth it lol

inb4dustin

This is so absurd that the only sensible response is triplefacepalm.jpg. But then I'd have to warn myself for spam. So here are some words:

This is a stupid, stupid decision, and the only reason I can imagine for it is that Korea has been on their case for banning so many "paying customers".

Consistency?
The only thing this teaches people is that they can abuse and exploit to their heart's content, because they can get away with it not just as long as they're not caught, but also the first time (or first few times?) that they are caught. So the deterrent of "is this unfair advantage worth risking my entire account over?" is gone. Do it until you get caught, and then just enjoy what you already gained.
Definitely not the way to teach anyone to respect the rules.

This is so absurd that the only sensible response is triplefacepalm.jpg. But then I'd have to warn myself for spam. So here are some words:

This is a stupid, stupid decision, and the only reason I can imagine for it is that Korea has been on their case for banning so many "paying customers".

Consistency?
The only thing this teaches people is that they can abuse and exploit to their heart's content, because they can get away with it not just as long as they're not caught, but also the first time (or first few times?) that they are caught. So the deterrent of "is this unfair advantage worth risking my entire account over?" is gone. Do it until you get caught, and then just enjoy what you already gained.
Definitely not the way to teach anyone to respect the rules.

Pretty much sums up my thoughts regarding the announcement.

inb4dustin

And lol, I've long since blocked him. I'm sure he'd love to jump into this thread, however. Honest question, though, is if I make a thread/post is he still able to see it?

And lol, I've long since blocked him. I'm sure he'd love to jump into this thread, however. Honest question, though, is if I make a thread/post is he still able to see it?

Yes. (Ultra-)Ignore is one-way only.

Yes. (Ultra-)Ignore is one-way only.

That's a shame.

Just some insight for you people who aren't aware, Nexon Korea is essentially behind this. I wish I could show you some of the ridiculous emails they send regarding any player banned, the micromanaging is absolutely hilarious and depressing.

After what, 5 mass bannings that were in error, it's no surprise Korea feels they have to step in and baby everything. Although with none of you being surprised, kind of leads to my very strong hypothesis of why people still play

Just some insight for you people who aren't aware, Nexon Korea is essentially behind this. I wish I could show you some of the ridiculous emails they send regarding any player banned, the micromanaging is absolutely hilarious and depressing.

After what, 5 mass bannings that were in error, it's no surprise Korea feels they have to step in and baby everything. Although with none of you being surprised, kind of leads to my very strong hypothesis of why people still play

We're masochists?

Nexon going back on their word? Why am I not surprised.

Meanwhile YMCKs first 250 will be a hacker (and the next 250 will be his second, another illegit char) because he "only" used a bot program on the other char and "AFK trained" on the other. Botting looks like nothing considering his hacking history in the past, but since GMs aren't doing their job and other players cannot prove hacking inside boss maps (openly bragging about hacking in smegas and the items the player sells aren't enough proof for nexon) , he gets away with that too. Both chars have gotten bans while being in top 10 gMS, but all bans have been something ridiculous like 7 days. And in the past if you got, even a temporary, ban for botting or hacking, you had no hope of your char returning in the rankings. Well it seems, nowadays you do.

rofl

Can't believe its April again already, feels like I skipped 6 months.

"Until we have concrete policies put in place..."

Seriously? Eight years later and they still don't have a banning guideline they can adhere to?

Guess Nexon Korea really wants that strong fourth quarter report, to show to the shareholders that they aren't bleeding money over in this hemisphere.

Shocking.

"we will take all necessary steps to protect the health of our game,"
of course unbanning those who exploit/hack is definitely protecting the health of the game

The way I see it, Nexon know the game is dying. They would rather have people around abusing the system then have no one using the system. They have to realize that these people drive NX sells, even if it is them buying NX with their mesos, someone is paying for the NX. As far as why I still play, I have adjusted the way I play the game and do find enjoyment in it still. Sure I do not play to the extent I used to, but it is still a good distraction for an hour or so a day. Honestly these players do not effect my game play anymore, so as long as they are not personally effecting me I do not care.

If only we could say "well they are trying to sweep the tables and start over with a new punishment policy and they will be more extrict from here onwards with people that breaks the rules" but we all know this is simply bullshit. They wont increase their monitoring of the game and they wont be more strict with offenders because the sad truth of the matter is that whats left of MS' comunity is formed mostly by ilegit players, AND ITS ALL THEIR FAULT. At this point banning the illegits would simply kill the game.

Apparently I got blocked until October 12th, what the hell is this? I was just fine yesterday.

Apparently I got blocked until October 12th, what the hell is this? I was just fine yesterday.

It is their new policy.

"Trade places with a confirmed hacker so that you can learn what it feel like to be locked out. Empathize, and buy some NX today!"

It is their new policy.

"Trade places with a confirmed hacker so that you can learn what it feel like to be locked out. Empathize, and buy some NX today!"

So much for getting the SAO medal though.
Seriously, what is wrong with these monkeys?