Apology to Artyomis

[Means]

While I was away at DragonCon, customer support unequipped several of Artyomis' twinks. I want to be very, very clear on this: This was a mistake. The person performing the calculations lacked relevant expertise that lead him to the incorrect conclusion that these characters had exploited equipment. To be very certain this never happens again all characters that are suspected by Customer Service of having exploited equipment will now be checked and double checked by the Development team before any punitive action (such as the removal of equipment or suspension) is taken. This was a simple mistake that should have been easily avoided and it is unfortunate that Artyomis had to be inconvenienced and have his reputation tarnished for us to get the proper procedures in place. Artyomis has displayed class and forgiveness that I am certain that we are not deserving of in this episode and I personally hold him in the highest respect.

Again to be perfectly clear:

Artyomis did NOT have exploited characters. Artyomis' characters were unequipped by error by Customer Service...not because of any wrongdoing on his part.

I sincerely hope we see more of Artyomis and players like him in the future.

[lordran]

first

[Berserkmc]

2nd :P

[Reids]

Don't think you will see more of Arty since he's now quitting..

[Manicmouse]

Nice of the GD to make a thread on it, now can someone please post the setup

[Anarchy]

You fail me again starscream!

[TuskutsTehMA]

/applause for FC.

Something very proper done by the man up high.

[Demoder]

Now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
This is great. This is a perfect example for *everyone* at how to deal with something like this, after the error has happened, and it really makes me feel a lot better about the AO team. It's a shining light in the dark.

[Windguaerd]

A very public apology to a single player from a Game Director, I don't think that has ever happened in any other MMO.... if it did their PR department would have erased any trace of it to perpetuate that GD's are "gods, thus always right".

[Damon7]

/applause for FC.

Something very proper done by the man up high.

Now I feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
This is great. This is a perfect example for *everyone* at how to deal with something like this, after the error has happened, and it really makes me feel a lot better about the AO team. It's a shining light in the dark.

A very public apology to a single player from a Game Director, I don't think that has ever happened in any other MMO.... if it did their PR department would have erased any trace of it to perpetuate that GD's are "gods, thus always right".

100% agree! Well done Means, well done.

[vallikat]

A very public apology to a single player from a Game Director, I don't think that has ever happened in any other MMO.

Maybe not, but having met Means in person, I'm not at all surprised.

Means -

/bow

[Lupusceleri]

Awesome. That's great to see Means. Kudos for doing this.

[Graftmage]

gj

[Scape]

After seeing his presentation at Dragoncon and reading his many "friday with means" posts and replies on forums and now this, I can honestly say Ive never had more respect for a GD before.

I only wish he had been here from start, how much better wouldnt AO be then.

[Onack]

Well said, few thought arty had exploited even though his twinks was stripped.

[Racatti]

ye rite

Can I have your stuff?

[Alternity]

Pigs are flying!!!!

[-Barg-]

Artyomis has displayed class

That's a first . Anyway good that mistakes are recognized.

However wouldn't it be better that Devs spent the time eradicating the bugs that cause these unfair setups than spend time figuring out if it is possible or not. I'm sure if a setup is posted on the forum we can quickly tell you if it is or not. You don't need to post names or anything just an auno setup which shows what is equipped at what level on breed and prof.

[Technogen]

However wouldn't it be better that Devs spent the time eradicating the bugs that cause these unfair setups than spend time figuring out if it is possible or not.

I'm sure if a setup is posted on the forum we can quickly tell you if it is or not. You don't need to post names or anything just an auno setup which shows what is equipped at what level on breed and prof.

2 parts, 1 the dev team does spend a good bit of time fixing the bugs that create exploit toons. The problem is they, just like you, are not all knowing, and have to be made aware of a bug before they can fix it. Exploited equipment is a major game breaking problem and very much worth the Dev Team's time to be shown so that they can locate any exploit that a player may have used and fix it so other players do not use it.

2, We're not all knowing either, most of the player base doesn't know what is and is not possible to equip as they dont take the effort to do it, going by what other players said is the cause of the problem in the first place. Not only that posting every player equip out in the open neglects one of AO's primary draws, twinking.

[-Barg-]

2 parts, 1 the dev team does spend a good bit of time fixing the bugs that create exploit toons. The problem is they, just like you, are not all knowing, and have to be made aware of a bug before they can fix it. Exploited equipment is a major game breaking problem and very much worth the Dev Team's time to be shown so that they can locate any exploit that a player may have used and fix it so other players do not use it.

I agree, that's why they should spend time fixing the exploits, they will reference the incidents which caused the exploits but do not need to be on call to inspect setups at the will of players petitioning other players. This is a standard process in any software development company. Someone logs a bug/exploit/whatever, dev assigned to investigate and fix issue for specific release after its been confirmed as a bug usually by support or QA. They will get the bug assigned at the correct time, they dont need to investigate every incident to see if there is a exploit.

2, We're not all knowing either, most of the player base doesn't know what is and is not possible to equip as they dont take the effort to do it, going by what other players said is the cause of the problem in the first place. Not only that posting every player equip out in the open neglects one of AO's primary draws, twinking.

I think you will find that many will like the challenge if something is possible or not. Setups are available already for most of the hardest things to do with ones char anyway. Twinking will still require time and effort.