Accounts Banned (01/24/2008)

We would like to report the termination today of multiple accounts held by players involved in the usage of third-party tools or cheats, or engaged in RMT (Real Money Trading) activities.

Based on the results of our investigation, around 10,920 PlayOnline accounts were terminated while around 2,350 accounts were temporarily suspended.

Additionally, we have increased the number of mass bannings against certain PlayOnline violations in order to prevent illegal acts.

Details of the violations are as follows:

• Usage of tools that allow enhanced character movement.
  December 21, Approx. 690 cases
  January 8, Approx. 480 cases
  January 9, Approx. 180 cases
  January 10, Approx. 120 cases
  January 11, Approx. 170 cases
  January 16, Approx. 360 cases
  January 22, Approx. 120 cases
  
  
• Usage of tools that circumvent game mechanics with respect to the timing of ability use, etc. in certain areas or at points where Notorious Monsters appear.
  January 24, Approx. 70 cases
  
  
• Using cheats to automatically repeat a particular action.
  December 21, Approx. 1,330 cases
  December 27, Approx. 1,200 cases
  January 9, Approx. 1,070 cases
  January 17, Approx. 1,440 cases
  January 23, Approx. 380 cases
  
  
• Gil and item exchange for real world money.
  January 21, Approx. 30 cases
  January 24, Approx. 1,420 cases
  
  
• Instances of areas or monster monopolization.
  December 21, Approx. 130 cases
  January 17, Approx. 290 cases
  
  
• Usage of synthesis and auction houses for RMT activities.
  December 21, Approx. 510 cases
  December 25, Approx. 710 cases
  January 15, Approx. 1,190 cases
  January 21, Approx. 1,310 cases

January 22, Approx. 270 cases

• Accounts from people that were previously confirmed to have RMT connections, or that had violated the user agreements but re-subscribed to PlayOnline.

January 24, Approx. 240 cases

The termination of these accounts has led to the removal of approximately 3.1 billion gil from circulation.

We would like to remind players that as well as adversely affecting game balance, the use of third-party tools or cheats can also have consequences that are not immediately obvious, such as introducing damaging viruses, and comprising the security of private account details. Usage of third-party tools will not be tolerated within FINAL FANTASY XI, and we will continue to severely penalize any players found to be in violation of the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

As we continue to ensure a fun and balanced environment for FINAL FANTASY XI, we hope that our players enjoy the game as it was intended and take care to avoid involvement in activities that violate the PlayOnline Member Agreement.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding.

information gathered from http://www.playonline.com/ff11us/polnews/news12459.shtml

Damn...That is a shitload of people and gil that were lost due to the banning and suspensions. Serves them right though...I just wish I had all that gil....

Think we'd all love it if they distributed that gil around instead of just taking it out of the system. >.> Or use it for a lottery!

Hell yes they should do a lottery with the gil.. or something.. we were the ones being fleeced and suffering thanx to the RMT practices.

A lottery would be fantastic! They could sell tickets for a big jackpot ocassionally or something. That would be great. You would probably never win it though, just like the real life lottery...