Idea to remove smurfing
Hello, Recently I've been getting quite some smurf accounts in my lobbies (<lvl 30 with 20 kill badges and all) and I've got to find quite some afterwards who seemed to be masters or preds. I've h...
Forum Discussion
@Anjunakrokus I have only been here about a month but I agree 100%, you cannot ban consoles and PCs with multiple accounts. However you could stipulate in the TOS a limitation. For example; let's assume you monitor a device using the internal signature. The sever database returns they have 3 accounts, on the one device. When they sign up for the 4th, it tells them sorry we cannot allow 4 accounts on the same device, without proper sanctions. Which means they have to provide proof they need the 4th account.
But here is the problem with this solution as well...
They could be running more than 1 device, PC, XB1, PS4, and PS5 would be 12 accounts. Spoofing your IP is all too easy on PC, with the correct broadband connection, you can run a PC on Stadia, GeForce Now, etc.. Streaming will report the machine ID of the streaming server and not the proper user device. Then even banned machine ID is no good, because you didn't ban 1 player, you just blacklisted an entire server.
This has been a thorn in the side of all programmers, since the internet started hosting games. We can build a better shields to defend, then a person on the other end makes a better spear to penetrate our shields. EAC has some good usage but it can only tell you so much, it can't read your mind... yet. The good guys are still working on it. ;-)
But here is the problem with this solution as well...
They could be running more than 1 device, PC, XB1, PS4, and PS5 would be 12 accounts. Spoofing your IP is all too easy on PC, with the correct broadband connection, you can run a PC on Stadia, GeForce Now, etc.. Streaming will report the machine ID of the streaming server and not the proper user device. Then even banned machine ID is no good, because you didn't ban 1 player, you just blacklisted an entire server.
This has been a thorn in the side of all programmers, since the internet started hosting games. We can build a better shields to defend, then a person on the other end makes a better spear to penetrate our shields. EAC has some good usage but it can only tell you so much, it can't read your mind... yet. The good guys are still working on it. ;-)
@Xubunnytwo wrote:
@AnjunakrokusI have only been here about a month but I agree 100%, you cannot ban consoles and PCs with multiple accounts. However you could stipulate in the TOS a limitation. For example; let's assume you monitor a device using the internal signature. The sever database returns they have 3 accounts, on the one device. When they sign up for the 4th, it tells them sorry we cannot allow 4 accounts on the same device, without proper sanctions. Which means they have to provide proof they need the 4th account.
But here is the problem with this solution as well...
They could be running more than 1 device, PC, XB1, PS4, and PS5 would be 12 accounts. Spoofing your IP is all too easy on PC, with the correct broadband connection, you can run a PC on Stadia, GeForce Now, etc.. Streaming will report the machine ID of the streaming server and not the proper user device. Then even banned machine ID is no good, because you didn't ban 1 player, you just blacklisted an entire server.
This has been a thorn in the side of all programmers, since the internet started hosting games. We can build a better shields to defend, then a person on the other end makes a better spear to penetrate our shields. EAC has some good usage but it can only tell you so much, it can't read your mind... yet. The good guys are still working on it. ;-)
Hmm, yeah I get your point. It s a difficult topic I guess.
What about a workaround?
For example:
A pred player makes a smurf account to get into lower ranked (or pubs) lobbies.
The SBMM actively tracks the games (based on length of match, damage dealt, kills or kill points on a steady basis over several games) and puts those smurfs (read, non pred /master lobbies, but for example bronze, to diamond lobbies) correctly into parallel ranked lobbies with other similar skilled players?
So this way, even in the ranked system, there is a split between the normal players who want to enjoy the game ranking up against equally skilled players while the smurfs also plays against equally skilled or smurfs, in parallel ranked servers?
This should be a possibility of a workaround imo?
- @Baws_Fredgy
I imagine they use in game monitoring (game moderators) to some degree. That is the best defense, since a human can't be hacked. There are some tasks that we cannot trust automation. Over at Amazon, there is a job called a "Mechanical Turk", you can sign up to get paid to do work a machine cannot do. They call the jobs HITs (Human Intelligence Task) and pay anywhere from a penny to a few dollars for each HIT.
If you set up a database to flag on the criteria you mentioned above, then they place the user on a "watch list". A GM could be placed in the team, or monitor the chat remotely.
I don't play ranked, I am still learning the game. From what I read, aren't they going to change the rules, in the next season, for accessing the ranked event? Making a new rule set might not be a popular idea for everyone, but sometimes simple changes work the best.Improve the game design so that people become less interested in smurfing. Stop thinking of ways to patrol it. Come up with solutions that would persuade people to not do it.
The game gets boring when you solo que at Diamond and keep getting potatoes for teammates. Either they don't do damage, don't communicate, or just push everything and die quickly after the first fight. It's the same story throughout all of ranked, but my patience wears out by that time. I play because its currently the best shooter. I love Battlefield, and loved Destiny 2, but those games are stagnant and are clueless with direction (that's whole other topic). It's an escapism from boredom and every day life. Ranked plays much different the pubs, and you are working towards a goal. It's far more rewarding to play ranked.
With the new improvements to Season 13 maybe those changes will help. I really do think it's too easy to climb and some people get carried far beyond their skill level. The game is designed to reward people that get some kills with good placement. You should have both skills to progress. Be able to win some fights, but also learn how to get decent placement. Play the circle and defend your position. Aiming is one skill, game sense is another. You should have both to progress.
In my opinion, the climb should be more linear and lower ranks should have similar point distribution as the higher tiers.
- @RaginSam The only thing that stops smurfing is outright punishing it.
All day, everyday, I get dominated by level 100's with 1500+ kills and their 4k/20-bomb badges.
The reason you're getting potatoes for teammates is because they've had no chance to learn the game. Throwing yourself at enemies is the fastest, most efficient way to rank. Sometimes you get kills, sometimes you get killed.
Apex is about luck until you've played enough to be a pro. Any sort of strategy will just give a hyper-smurf an opportunity to swing in and obliterate your whole team in two clips.
@Xubunnytwo wrote:
@Baws_Fredgy
I imagine they use in game monitoring (game moderators) to some degree. That is the best defense, since a human can't be hacked. There are some tasks that we cannot trust automation. Over at Amazon, there is a job called a "Mechanical Turk", you can sign up to get paid to do work a machine cannot do. They call the jobs HITs (Human Intelligence Task) and pay anywhere from a penny to a few dollars for each HIT.
If you set up a database to flag on the criteria you mentioned above, then they place the user on a "watch list". A GM could be placed in the team, or monitor the chat remotely.
I don't play ranked, I am still learning the game. From what I read, aren't they going to change the rules, in the next season, for accessing the ranked event? Making a new rule set might not be a popular idea for everyone, but sometimes simple changes work the best.Well yeah, they are changing things in the ranked system but nothing what could've an impact on those smurfs honestly.
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