Jewel hunting changes

[Mickey]

As part of our ongoing effort to thwart people that use scripts to automatically collect jewels, we've changed the way you collect jewels.

You still use the jewel collecting KML file and fly to the city that it tells you to fly to.

When you get there and zoom in, it will still say "YOU FOUND A JEWEL". However, you have not yet been credited with the jewel. You found it, but now you have to pick it up.

To start, click on the jewel to view it's description. It's often easier just to click on the "YOU FOUND A JEWEL" text in your "My Places" area.

Once the description pops up, it will say "Congratulations! You have found a jewel. Would you like to take it?". Click the word "yes" below that. This will open a web browser, where it will ask you to perform a simple image verification. At the point, the jewel is yours and you can go get the next one.

After (if?) we determine that this system is more or less script-proof, we'll likely raise the jewel-to-Geo conversion rate, but we'll see.

You all have been very good about letting me know about your jewel hunting scripts and helping me to block them. Feel free continue to try to exploit the system, but continue to tell me about it when you're successful.

[aravan]

I just tried to enter my verification key but I came back with an error saying the string was invalid.

[Mickey]

The string is case-sensitive. Also, if you get it wrong, you need to refresh the page that shows the string so you get the newest version of it.

[aravan]

I've tried a couple of different times. Even logged off and started again and got the same error message. Pretty sure my strings were the same as what was on the screen. Any other thoughts???


Sorry. I spoke to soon. Works perfectly. Excellent game. Alot like Risk...

[cheakerdoodels]

So we have to do this after every single jewel. Can't you make it like every ten or something.

Actually if you can avoid it I really don't like this whole thing at all. Isn't there any way to do it without changing the current meathod of collecting jewels

[birq]

I'm all for this as long as you proceed with raising the value of jewels. If it's going to be a beating to collect them, I would expect to get more than G0.45 each.

It's a good move to help keep the script kiddies in check, though.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by aravan

Sorry. I spoke to soon. Works perfectly. Excellent game. Alot like Risk...

Glad you got it figured out. What was the problem? I'd like to know so I can better help people if this comes up again.

So we have to do this after every single jewel. Can't you make it like every ten or something.

I think the increased rate (coming soon) will make up for it.

I'm all for this as long as you proceed with raising the value of jewels. If it's going to be a beating to collect them, I would expect to get more than G0.45 each.

I'm going to wait until at least tomorrow, but I promise to raise the rate soon. What would be a good value - double (.9)?

[aravan]

I had some trouble with the refresh. I still have to refresh each time before entering the new code but then it works. I think .9 is a good number...

Is there a way to grandfather everyone in. Just to prevent those who were hoarding jewels to overly benefit from the change???

[birq]

What would be a good value - double (.9)?

45 each (1000x)? Maybe that's a bit much... .9 seems low, but I guess double is better than nothing.

[SnakeMan]

This is not good, if u know who's taking advantage of any bug using macros, scripts, etc. just take his IP and ban him/her. Simple... because others who just play for fun without any script get inside this. Just Mickey make new rules, like in any forum or game.

Here's some examples:

Things you should never do

1. Never take advantage of a bug in the game. (report the bug as soon as possible)

2.Do not train AFK (away from console) or like automatic scripts...

3.Attacking and killing other players is allowed, but can trigger a ban if done excessively. Avoid fighting characters that are much weaker than your character. (U know who's talking about)... And yes, it's a war game but since i watched some citys being nuked, u can make a new script, some of the nukes works, and others dont. Cool idea...

Cya all...!

Snaky.

[Mickey]

Originally Posted by SnakeMan

This is not good, if u know who's taking advantage of any bug using macros, scripts, etc. just take his IP and ban him/her. Simple... because others who just play for fun without any script get inside this. Just Mickey make new rules, like in any forum or game.

Tracking those people and finding out who it is would take a lot of my time, as well as a lot of server resources. Those resources and time could be better spent making improvements to the game. With the right script, it would be very hard, if not impossible, to tell who was getting jewels using a script and who was doing it the right way. If it's that hard to tell, wouldn't it bad to ban someone that simply was putting in a ton of time on the game?

1. Never take advantage of a bug in the game. (report the bug as soon as possible)

Agreed

2.Do not train AFK (away from console) or like automatic scripts...

Agreed. However, I'm somewhat encouraging that for now, so we can keep securing the scripts to prevent it. If we just say "don't do it" and fail to make changes to actually prevent it, it will get exploited much more in the future and pretty well ruin the game for everyone.

3.Attacking and killing other players is allowed, but can trigger a ban if done excessively. Avoid fighting characters that are much weaker than your character. (U know who's talking about)...

I don't know about that. If you've got the money and the armies, attack whoever you want. The object of the game is to move up the list, and the only way to do that is to attack the good players. However, if you want to waste your money attacking newbies, that's up to you - not me.

And yes, it's a war game but since i watched some citys being nuked, u can make a new script, some of the nukes works, and others dont. Cool idea...

Not a bad idea there.

[birq]

some of the nukes works, and others dont. Cool idea...

Or, they have different effectiveness -- if it misses its target a little or is detonated at too high or too low an altitude, it won't be as effective or could have the wrong kind of effect. Instead of killing 100% of troops, it could kill 95% or (once other types of value are taken into account) do extra damage to the city to lower its net worth to the point where it is worthless without serious repair costs.

[rasqual]

Not bad. The new jewel method definitely makes scripting a bit tougher.

Whokay, so getting jewels is now officially BORing. So here's what I suggest. You know all that talk of random intelligence reports? Random news from the front? Inside knowledge leaking out here and there?

Park tidbits on the same page as the confirmation graphic.

People who have the patience for jewel collecting will be rewarded with intel.

This intel should be volatile -- it's given out as randomly and it evanesces as quickly as the confirmation page itself. If jewel hunters want to take advantage of THIS intel, they'll need to notepad it somewhere.

Just a thought to spice up the jewel collection process. Meanwhile, there's nothing you can do about the violations of child labor laws as players conscript their kids to mine the jewels.

;-)

Now you need to work on methods to defeat automated cotton field planting scripts.

;-)

[viVaPaLeStIne]

the new collectin way is not gooooddddd, i went to sleep and when i woke up i found my cities were attacked and my armies r weakers, i went to college and came back and found armies around my city and i cant collect 2 or 3 jewwels in 5 mints so i can rebuild them,the game is great and intrestin bt we do have life and we cant stay 24 h hunting for jewels, i know that u r tryin to fix a problem but its not workin with me to click and open links and then write the code, maybe i write it right or maybe not, its killing the game after it became intresting, sorry i dont have any sugestions right now bt i'll think of it and if i found somethin i'll post it

[Bastian]

Originally Posted by birq

45 each (1000x)? Maybe that's a bit much... .9 seems low, but I guess double is better than nothing.

at least 5.0, because it takes very much time to collect it.
before, you had to go to the city (or maybe open your placemark and move GE a bit) and you were ready for the next jewel.
now you go to the city, click the jewel, click the link, enter a code, click the button, close the site, and hunt the next.
additionally, some people have problems (i, too), because google earth doesnt open a new browser window, and if you dont close the code window and the next code opens in the same it will show you the same code. it is the same problem i described with building two oil wells in the same window. i don't know if it's maybe a problem of the internet explorer.