Ever wondered how cheating is undermining your favorite blockchain game? Is the gaming world on the blockchain just another victim of the digital age's cunning tricks? Let's delve into it.
?? To begin with, it's critical to clarify that unofficial scripts and bots are not only unsanctioned by platforms' TOS but are outright prohibited, with severe penalties like bans for violators. Moreover, any script, bot, or clicker is a direct violation of many established blockchain game rules.
The world of blockchain gaming isn't free from cheaters, and understanding their methods can be the first step to countering them. Here are the most common ways players try to gain an unfair advantage:
Multi-accounting: This is not a minor issue. Players who indulge in multi-accounting create an unfair playing field and directly ruin the experience for genuine players. By operating multiple accounts, they can gain assets at an unfair pace, jeopardizing the game's balance. While it indeed allows them to explore various game facets simultaneously, it comes at the collective expense of the community.
: These simple programs, which click and send commands in a repeated fashion, are more than just tools of convenience. Their operation might seem harmless, but they can give players an undue edge, allowing them to potentially play around the clock.
: Bots are the evolution of clickers. More refined and intelligent, they bring strategic depth to every in-game action, which can sometimes be nearly indistinguishable from human players.
: Blockchain games, like any other game, aren't immune to bugs. These unintended features can be a goldmine for players looking to benefit at others' expense.
Addressing these issues requires a multi-faceted approach.
Multi-accounting
Using multiple accounts isn't just frowned upon – it's a blatant rule violation.
Account Tracking: Monitoring player activities to identify multi-accounting can be intricate. Observing patterns like two accounts frequently active simultaneously might seem straightforward but implementing it poses challenges. For starters, if any data that could potentially identify individuals is collected, players must be informed, and appropriate declarations made to the relevant authorities. Given that the game doesn't possess an integrated website as part of the gameplay, obtaining players' IP addresses by default isn't feasible. Resorting to less transparent methods, like hidden scripts embedded within images, is an option but might be viewed as underhanded.
Moreover, it's crucial to consider real-life scenarios. What if multiple players from the same building are merely friends or acquaintances playing together? In situations like schools or other community places, it's possible for many to play from the same location. Although UnderPunks has a "small" community, a provision for self-declaration might be helpful. Here, players can report if they're playing alongside someone they know. Effective communication will be necessary, possibly accompanied by a warning system, to ask the right questions and ensure honest declarations.
Asset Movement Tracking: Developing a tracking tool, whether on-demand or regular, can be beneficial in highlighting suspicious asset movements. Such movements can be indicative of foul play. However, considering the game thrives on a tight-knit community, and recruitment is largely word-of-mouth, frequent asset transfers between friends shouldn't be hastily deemed suspicious. The communal nature of the game means regular asset exchanges might just be friends aiding each other. Therefore, while tracking can be informative, it shouldn't be taken as irrefutable evidence of cheating.
When it comes to games, being persistent and staying active are virtues. However, what's suspicious is a player that's seemingly active 24/7.
Activity Monitoring: Addressing this necessitates a more sophisticated approach than merely observing prolonged activity. Each room in the game has its unique timer, and this needs to be factored in. A potential tool could work in the following way: Based on the player's location, the room's timer is verified. The tool then lists all actions the player has undertaken within a specified period. By comparing the execution times of these actions, while factoring in the room's timer, the regularity of a player's activity can be assessed. If their actions regularly match closely to room timers (e.g., actions executed within the room timer duration plus a 5-minute buffer), then this can trigger an alert. Such patterns, especially if they persist across different rooms, might warrant the player being put "under surveillance". However, it's crucial not to focus solely on a player's activity duration. There are ample reasons a player might appear active round the clock. For instance, they might rest during a 4-hour timer, making it tough to conclusively label it as cheating. And if a player ceases their clicker at night? It's still a breach of the rules, albeit harder to discern.
Alternative to Captcha: Protection measures that necessitate user intervention before executing game commands are invaluable. While Captchas might come to mind first, they're intrusive and don't align with the game's lore or theme. A more fitting approach could be integrating lore-based questions that players must answer correctly for their command to be processed. Failing to respond, or answering incorrectly, could entail no loot or skill gains. The developer would merely need to curate and periodically update a list of these questions, applying this measure to all suspicious accounts.
User bots
In the realm of Discord, it's essential to differentiate between the general concept of a "Bot" and a "User Bot".
When we speak of a Discord Bot, we're referring to an assistant or program designed to execute actions that server administrators desire. In the context of cheating, however, we're looking at "User Bots." These are tools developed by users to perform actions prohibited by Discord's TOS or the game rules.
The challenge with these User Bots, especially in a game like UnderPunks, is that the more knowledgeable and creative the bot creator is about the game, the harder it becomes to detect or prove cheating.
Defending against User Bots requires a multifaceted approach:
- Activity Monitoring: As discussed in the "Clickers" section, monitoring players' in-game activity is vital. Regular patterns of actions, especially those that sync almost perfectly with room timers, can raise suspicion.
- Reactivity vs. Proactivity: User Bots are developed for specific needs at a specific point in time. Since they're not linked to the game's official development, they can only react to changes, not anticipate them. Plus, no tool is devoid of development bugs. By introducing unexpected changes in the game mechanics or features, game developers can potentially "trap" these bots, making them reveal their non-human nature.
- Unusual Behavior: Being alert to any peculiar behavior can aid in detecting bots. For example, repeated commands sent in the wrong chat room or during game maintenance periods can be tell-tale signs. Similarly, should an alternative to Captcha be implemented, monitoring logs to check if a player consistently fails or doesn't respond can offer valuable insights.
- Keep Updating: User Bots can essentially emulate any action a player can make. The silver lining here lies in the hope that bot creators might make development mistakes or fail to stay updated with the game's latest evolutions consistently.
By merging vigilant observation, regular game updates, and keen knowledge of typical human behavior, it's possible to put up a significant defense against the menace of User Bots.
Exploits are unintentional vulnerabilities in the game that players can take advantage of, often leading to an unfair edge.
The complex nature of games, especially when developed by a solo developer, makes them susceptible to potential exploits. The more intricate the game mechanics, the higher the chances of overlooking an unintended loophole.
Addressing the challenge of exploits requires a two-pronged approach: Prevention and Post-detection.
Prevention
Beta Testing System: A real-world testing system, where selected players try out new features or updates before they go live, has been instrumental. It acts as the first line of defense against potential exploits. Continuing and potentially expanding this beta testing regime ensures that the game evolves without introducing major vulnerabilities.
Post-detection
Reward System: Encouraging players to report any exploits they come across can be a powerful tool in maintaining game integrity. Offering rewards for discovering and reporting these vulnerabilities promotes a culture of collective responsibility.
However, it's crucial to strike a balance. The reward should not adversely impact the gameplay for others. For instance, if a player reaches an impossible skill level due to an exploit, they should not retain that level, even if the misuse wasn't intentional. While it's understandable that the player might not have been aware of the exploit, allowing them to keep such gains can negatively affect the game's balance and other players' experiences.
In conclusion, while it might be challenging to eliminate all potential exploits, a proactive approach, combined with community involvement, can go a long way in minimizing their impact.
Concluding thoughts: safeguarding the legacy of blockchain gaming
Every game, no matter how well-crafted, is susceptible to the inventive tactics of cheaters. Blockchain games, with their unique design and devoted community, present both a challenge and an opportunity when it comes to tackling illicit activities. As we've delved into the intricate web of cheating methods, from multi-accounting to advanced user bots, it's evident that a one-size-fits-all solution doesn't exist.
Yet, the real strength of blockchain games doesn't lie solely in their code or mechanics—it's rooted in their community. Players who are passionate, engaged, and genuinely care about the game's future play a pivotal role. By fostering a culture of collective responsibility, combined with technological interventions and the vigilant eyes of developers and moderators, we can curate a holistic defense against cheating.
As digital landscapes evolve, so will cheating methods. But so too will our defenses. It's not about achieving a cheat-free utopia but ensuring the scales heavily tip in favor of fairness, authenticity, and genuine gameplay. The goal is to preserve the heart and spirit of blockchain gaming, ensuring that every player's experience remains true to the game's essence.
In the grand scheme of digital gaming, blockchain games are not just a fleeting moment; they're a testament to the potential of community-driven projects. By standing united against cheating, we're not just preserving a game—we're safeguarding a legacy.
A candid admission for what's to come… While this in-depth exploration may paint me as a bastion of integrity, I must confess that appearances can be deceiving. It's essential to confront our own shadows, and in doing so, I admit - I've cheated in a blockchain game. Not only did I bend the rules, but I was also caught in the act. The journey from deceit to detection was a rollercoaster of emotions. In my upcoming article, I will candidly share the hows and whys behind my actions, delving into my motivations and the intricate mechanics of my cheating strategy. More importantly, in this series I'm highlighting how my experiences can serve as a lesson for both players and developers alike to prevent such indiscretions in the future. Stay tuned, for it's often in our mistakes that the most profound truths emerge.
