Jagex recently announced details of their most stringent anti-bot update ever – Botany Bay.

Botting is a system whereby a player uses automated computer software to level their character whilst they are away from the computer. The most common bots within RuneScape are used by players who wish to raise their experience in a specific skill such as mining or woodcutting. Using such 3rd party software is against the RuneScape rules and is a bannable offence.

Following on from their bot nuke in 2011, Jagex have taken steps in their battle against the bots by introducing tough new sanctions against players who are caught botting. Players who do risk using bots will not only be banished from the game, but will also be named and shamed among the community like the dirty low lives they are!

Mark Ogilvie, RuneScape Lead Designer commented, “We take a very hard line on cheaters in our game and have taken the unique move to name and shame those who have been breaking one of our most important rules. We have wanted to do this for some time and we hope that by bringing the actions of those who cheat to the attention of the wider community, we can make a massive step towards eliminating botting from the game”.

Ogilvie continued, “Our community has always had strong feeling about players who cheat the system by botting, especially as they feel it devalues their own hard work and in-game achievements. Botany Bay literally puts guilty players in the stocks whilst the community decides what to do with them. Players who do take part in the trial and subsequent sentencing will be rewarded with a unique in-game cosmetic item.”

So what he’s basically saying is that no-one likes a cheater but now you have the chance to vote and punish them in hilarious ways including being stomped upon by a dragon. Players will also be able to pelt the botters with rotten fruit while they wait for their votes to be counted up, that sounds fun.

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