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EVE New Citizens Q&A

 
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What is a Bot?

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Aldo Hanso
Triumvirate Enterprises
#1 - 2011-11-12 18:09:18 UTC
I have heard the term "bot" a lot in the forums and blogs, but I can't find a definition of it. I have determined that a lot of people don't like it, and that bots automate some function of the game. What are they, how do you identify one, what do people use them for, and why do people dislike them so much? Also, how do they work? Do players change the game code? Thanks for any explanations. I just want to be "in the know."

Aldo Hanso
Fravas Malkavian
Native Freshfood
Minmatar Republic
#2 - 2011-11-12 18:36:28 UTC
Aldo Hanso wrote:
I have heard the term "bot" a lot in the forums and blogs, but I can't find a definition of it. I have determined that a lot of people don't like it, and that bots automate some function of the game. What are they, how do you identify one, what do people use them for, and why do people dislike them so much? Also, how do they work? Do players change the game code? Thanks for any explanations. I just want to be "in the know."


Bots are accounts (usually Free Trial Accounts) that are run by a third party software program on a person's computer. The program plays the person's account for him/her and preforms tasks from as simple as mining, to as complicated as running missions and PvP, with the goal of generating lots of ISK and to give the user an unfair advantage in the game without putting in the time or effort.

You can point out a bot by noticing if they have been in the game doing a single task for very long periods of time (sometimes days), and does not communicate normally when spoken to privately (if at all).

Bots are bad because they inflate the EVE economy and drive up prices for goods, as well as preform actions faster and/or better than any human player possibly can. The people who run bots typically enjoy drowning kittens and stealing money from their grandmothers, as well as being permanently banned from EVE Online when their primary account is identified.

What a strange game. The only winning move is not to play.
Aldo Hanso
Triumvirate Enterprises
#3 - 2011-11-12 23:48:04 UTC
Fravas Malkavian wrote:
Aldo Hanso wrote:
I have heard the term "bot" a lot in the forums and blogs, but I can't find a definition of it. I have determined that a lot of people don't like it, and that bots automate some function of the game. What are they, how do you identify one, what do people use them for, and why do people dislike them so much? Also, how do they work? Do players change the game code? Thanks for any explanations. I just want to be "in the know."


Bots are accounts (usually Free Trial Accounts) that are run by a third party software program on a person's computer. The program plays the person's account for him/her and preforms tasks from as simple as mining, to as complicated as running missions and PvP, with the goal of generating lots of ISK and to give the user an unfair advantage in the game without putting in the time or effort.

You can point out a bot by noticing if they have been in the game doing a single task for very long periods of time (sometimes days), and does not communicate normally when spoken to privately (if at all).

Bots are bad because they inflate the EVE economy and drive up prices for goods, as well as preform actions faster and/or better than any human player possibly can. The people who run bots typically enjoy drowning kittens and stealing money from their grandmothers, as well as being permanently banned from EVE Online when their primary account is identified.


Thanks, that clears that up. Much appreciated. On a rhetorical note, I have no idea how a program can successfully run a mission that's so dynamic. That's amazing. It also sounds kind of boring. I'll stick to actual gameplay myself. That's why I have the subscription.

Aldo Hanso
mxzf
Shovel Bros
#4 - 2011-11-13 00:06:28 UTC
Missions really aren't dynamic at all. Heck, if you know the missions well enough you can run them with nothing but the overview and your keys to activate modules.
Comrade Commizzar
Eve Revolutionary Army
#5 - 2011-11-13 05:21:48 UTC
Bots are a method that unscrupulous eunuchs use to destroy the game.
CCP Phantom
C C P
C C P Alliance
#6 - 2011-11-13 15:48:29 UTC
The usage of bots or any other software automation to influence game play is a direct violating of our EULA : "You may not use your own or third-party software to modify any content appearing within the Game environment or change how the Game is played."

The use of bots or similar software is a reason to get permanently banned from EVE.

CCP Phantom - Senior Community Developer