RuneScape: Taking on the bots

Jagex, the Cambridge-based developers behind the evergreen MMO {RuneScape}, has just announced their new plan to tackle the problem of bots in their game.

Botany Bay is intended to be a staging area where bots, or cheaters as they are more commonly known, will be named and shamed by the RuneScape community. New technology will identify those breaking the rules and a giant hand will descend on them from the heavens, notifying all around to the underhand tactics of the identified player.

The Botfinder General holds court.

Those identified as using bots will then be whisked away to a Salem-style courtroom where pro-active community members will decide on how best to deal with the offending character. In a nicely observed touch, the Botfinder General will be leading the court.

There are going to be three ways that characters will be punished by the community. The stomping (a giant claw squashes the character into oblivion), the swallowing (taken down deep into the abyss) and a ray from above (that burns you to a crisp).

Players who get involved will receive a handy pitchfork, ideal for chasing evil-doers and monsters out of town. That, and they'll get the warm fuzzy feeling of fighting for justice.

You stand here accused...

It's a novel way of dealing with a problem that plagues MMOs like RuneScape. Bots are automated programmes that are used by players to gain in-game items and experience that have not been earned. Jagex are hoping that by engaging their community in the fight against such behaviour, together they can make {RuneScape} a fairer place for people to play.