Mod Forum Leak

[Sefket]

Macro, Bot and Borg Extermination Services

No Bot too big, No Macro too small!

Hello and welcome to the Macro, Bot and Borg (MBB) Extermination Services, a thread devoted entirely to help combat macro use within RuneScape.

If you’d like to get involved the details we need to investigate an account are:

The username;

Its location;

Whether you believe the suspect(s) to be a Bot or a normal player.

Here is an example of what your posts may look like:

Bot suspects at Sawmill:

ccyycc122

ccyycc123

name12434

andsoonandonandon86530

Given this information we can use our detection systems to check if the user is macroing or not. If there’s some crossover between Bots and normal players in your post, just put them in separate paragraphs, under different headers. As a side note, we recommend indicating spaces by using an underscore, so for example ‘big dave’ becomes ‘big_dave’.

Please try and avoid adding information next to the account names (e.g. ccyycc123 world 81) as we have to manually delete that before we can input them into the system. This slows the whole process down and it takes longer for us to review your tip offs.

It goes without saying that all names posted on this thread are posted in confidence and we ask that you don’t discuss them elsewhere. If you find a particularly sensitive suspect such as a friend, feel free to send us a P-Mod query if you’d like to notify us.

As a general starting point for spotting macroers I’ve included some useful tips below. These characteristics on their own are not clear indicators of macro usage but when observed together they build a good picture of a potential macro suspect.

Characteristics of macro use

Repetitive movement patterns over extended periods

Playing away from others

Not responding to chat

Not reacting to random events

Alchers who stay idle for long periods after running out of materials

Players trying to bank at a closed booth

Same word answers from players, e.g. "Q. How are you? A. YES!"

For all the spotting information you’ll ever need check out the Finding Bots & Borgs thread. You'll find lots of helpful titbits including speech and translations, known hotspots and macro characteristics. All of the information was provided by our P-Mod macro hunter elite, so you can be assured it’s full of great pointers.

If you need real time help you can post in the thread mentioned above and I'm sure one of our amazing regulars would be happy to lend a hand:

Plum Nutty 1

Deezydoodle

DMPG

These lovely people are the best of the best so be nice to them and listen to what they have to say, they know what they’re talking about.

Please feel free to ask us any questions relating to macroing. We are always looking to help where we can and information sharing is a large part of what we're looking to achieve. You guys can give us inspiration and direction into areas we haven't thought about before and vice versa.

Unfortunately we will not be able to answer any queries based around the detection systems we employ. Any questions relating to the specifics of how we find macroers will not be answered on this thread. This information is key to our removal of the macro threat and as such we don't want to risk it falling into the wrong hands. I hope that this makes sense to you guys, we will always give you as much information as we can.

FAQ

Q. If another player doesn't reply to me are they macroing?

A. Not necessarily. While it's a common trait for macroers to turn chat off while they work, this is also something many players do. When looking for a macroer you should look for multiple pieces of evidence before submitting a name.

Q. Why is this thread necessary? I thought there was a macro detection system already in place.

A. We are always looking for new ways to combat the threat of macroing and involving the P-Mod community seemed like the next logical step. You guys have a great deal of information available to you and have a proven track record for reliability in helping remove bots. Using your previous experience we know you can help make macroing a much harder activity for the cheaters.

Q. I see quite a lot of players who I suspect are using an auto-typing macro to advertise in-game. Should I report them here to be checked?

A. No, they can be reported in-game for macroing as normal. The account will then be checked.

That pretty much wraps it all up, if you guys have any questions please don’t hesitate to post them up and we’ll get them answered asap. I look forward to trawling through waves of potential macro suspects, for the greater good!

Mod Beard

UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 2010

Mod DC has been very kind and put together a list of frequently asked questions about bots. His original post is on page 189 of this thread, but I've posted it here for your viewing convenience.

"Hi Guys,

Recently in ICU we have been looking at ways in which we can share more of our work with you. Whilst the nature of our work means that we have to be secretive, we felt that there may be some questions we can answer or misconceptions we can lay to rest.

Kind of like Mythbusters, except we don’t get to blow stuff up. Often.

So with this in mind, we thought we would try and answer some of the more common questions we see about macroing and RWT posted on the forums and through the appeal system.

Q1. A friend or family member macroed on my account, can I be unbanned?

A1. It’s your responsibility to ensure the security of your account. Blaming a family member or friend will not change our mind, even if your friend happens to be in China.

Q2. I had my chat turned off; I think that’s why I’ve been banned?

A2. Your chat settings do not influence our decision. You were banned because you were macroing.

Q3. I’ve been playing a lot recently and I think that’s why you thought I was macroing.

A3. No, we only ban when we are absolutely certain you were macroing.

Q4. I was falsely reported and now I’m banned for macroing, why?

A4. We only ban when we are absolutely certain. If you are banned, it was not a mistake.

Q5. I was hijacked when the offence took place and now I’m banned, why?

A5. Hmm, so someone went on your account, gained you levels and a few million gp? How odd. See Q1.

Q6. I failed a random event and now I’ve been banned for macroing, why?

A6. Bad luck. We never ban for just failing a random event. Unless you are macroing.

Q7. I’ve heard that if you say you’re going to commit suicide your appeal will be accepted, is this true?

A7. No. If a rule was broken then the appeal will be denied regardless of any indication that self harm may occur. We always direct people to local groups that may be able to help.

Q8. Why is there no evidence for macroing and RWT included in my offence message?

A8. We have evidence for each offence issued; however, we will never release this information as it could compromise our detection system. Cheat communities would love to know how we detect macroing, so they could avoid being caught in the future. The evidence used for all macroing and RWT offences is 100% conclusive, we do not guess, or make assumptions when issuing offences; we know categorically that the offence occurred!

Q9. Why do you send out automated responses to offence appeals?

A9. To save time. It lets us catch more macros.

Q10. Why do you permanently remove an account from game for macroing on their first offence?

A10. Because it is cheating.

Q11. I know someone who is macroing and they’re not banned, why?

A11. Give it time.

Q12. Do you have a detection system or is it just based on player reports?

A12. Yes and it is continually being updated and revamped. We have and continue to invest considerable time and money to ensure its remains relevant and accurate.

Q13. I know people who have an offence appeal guide; will this get my appeal accepted?

A13. We’ve heard every excuse and know which appeals are based on guides and those that are not. We can count on one hand the number of successful appeals for ICU offences.

Q14. My friend downloaded a macro on my PC and now I’m banned, why?

A14. See Q1 & Q5.

Q15. I bought Gold/Power Levelling and I’ve been banned for macroing, why?

A15. Gold farmers use macros to gain wealth levels on an account. Paying someone do this on your behalf is not only against the rules but is treated exactly the same as someone who downloads and uses a macro on their account themselves."

~ Mod Poppy

[Big Shot L]

bullshit cause i saw a pic april 3rd of someone getting a 14 day macroing minor. so this perm ban is bullshit most likely

[Pieter]

gf half of mm ml (and foe, eop, fi, pretty much all the pure clans)

im glad i stopped botting when wild came back.

[Animal]

Wow nice find , also how can you call someone a botter if they don't respond when spoken to..

Many of times when I've been training and i take someones kill i get flamed , obvious im not going to respond as im not going to lower myself down to their level. People nowdays jump to assumptions to quick , even if you replie with long messages etc they still say "Oh auto responder" U cant win tbh

[Marc|Criti]

great

now what

[W3`]

who bots

[Mucky]

jagex will not stop us

[genesis ownz]

id be quite glad if this happened to be honest, then people would have to actually train rather than just leaving a computer on overnight. Too bad its gonna effect the pure community pretty drastically, tr will basically die out i cant think of one tr member who doesnt bot.

[Pieter]

o shite i thought it was something that every rs player can report someone xD

in that case u have to be spotted by a mod to get banned... lol

[Dravid]

lol.... :S

[Briggsy]

hence why i talk when i bot ;)

[Snipers]

Probably a leak on 'purpose' to scare botters, donno, but it's the same shit they've been saying over and over

[ItzKenny]

Rsbots.net

Nuff said.

[Flex]

should'nt really be a problem

[`Harley]

ive never botted :D

[I All Pr0 I]

Q1. A friend or family member macroed on my account, can I be unbanned?

A1. It’s your responsibility to ensure the security of your account. Blaming a family member or friend will not change our mind, even if your friend happens to be in China.

l0l

[Cal]

Doesnt change a thing lol

[SkidooosH]

"september 2010"

l0l okay.

[Dannhyz]

i just fucking want my account back

[Everspeaking]

Won't catch my lil pure.