Territory War: Combatting cheating and exploits
There have recently been instances of players abusing game mechanics during Territory Wars to gain an unfair advantage over their opponents. We want all Conqueror’s Blade players to have an equal chance to succeed and have fun, and we will not hesitate to issue fair punishment to those who use illegitimate exploits to get ahead.
When we have received sufficient evidence from players that cheating has occurred, and is backed up with our own logs, we have sanctioned the offenders. We will continue to apply this policy to ensure that the battlefield is as fair as it can be for all players, and we are constantly working with Booming Games to eliminate bugs and alter mechanics that may allow unfair gameplay practises to exist.
We want to highlight the methods some players may use to gain an unfair advantage, inform you what is currently unacceptable, and let you know what could become enforceable in the future. This is an overview of what is and isn’t permissible within the current bounds of the game, and as the boundaries change, so will this article.
What is ‘slot locking’ and why is it bannable?
Slot locking is the practice of joining an attacking line during Territory Wars with the intention of aiding the defenders. By taking up slots intended for genuine attacking players, the sides become unfairly imbalanced, with obvious consequences for both sides and the wider outcomes of a Territory War.
In what instance is ‘fief trading’ acceptable?
Fief trading occurs when there is an undisclosed understanding between two groups that a fief will change hands without course to full-blooded combat, typically by ‘slot locking’ (see above). This has the consequence of limiting access to other groups hoping to secure the fief legitimately. Contrary to this, it is acceptable behaviour when a fief is left totally undefended and is then subsequently captured by another house.
Can unaligned houses come to the aid of another?
Yes, absolutely! Players can exist as formal allies (such as in a house or alliance), or the relationship between them can be an informal one. In such cases players, Houses, or Alliances may have an ‘understanding’ or agreement in place to come to one another’s aid by request or under certain circumstances. It is up to players how they wish to work together, or how public they want their dealings to be - shadowy pacts can be easily broken!
Can I be banned for intentionally avoiding combat by closing the game client (pressing ALT + F4 and using Task Manager to end the game process)?
It is always difficult to discern between a genuine or intentional termination of a game session, but work is ongoing to deter players from avoiding combat by closing the game. However, we must be careful to avoid punishing those that have unwittingly disconnected from the game at a crucial moment. When a solution is found, it will be detailed in a future article.
Is starting a battle then leaving the battle to ‘bug’ a fief a bannable offence?
The practice of starting and leaving a battle is synonymous with that of avoiding combat in the open world by pressing ALT + F4 (see above). As such, while it is certainly unfair and against the spirit of the game to ‘bug’ a fief, a thorough investigation is difficult. Punishments are not being issued for the time being, but if and when a solution is found, perpetrators will be given fair warning to change their behaviour.
Can you use an alternate account to pull an enemy player, then log in to a primary account to fight at a fief?
We are aware that players are using alternate characters to engage enemies in the open-world, leaving the account logged in, and then switching to another character on their main account. The intention is to hold up an enemy in a pointless battle while the attacker (via their main character) can engage in more meaningful combat elsewhere. Investigations are ongoing as to whether this constitutes unfair behaviour.
Is paying cohorts or other houses (‘mercenary houses’) a reportable offence?
It depends on how they are paid. All forms of real currency exchange with unauthorised third-parties for services rendered in-game is prohibited under the terms of the End User Licence Agreement and Terms of Use. However, it is possible and permissible to transfer bound Silver via the in-game Market.
Can players be punished for the actions of others in their House or Alliance?
Ultimately, the actions of a House during Territory Wars is the responsibility of the House leadership. As such, we would encourage those that see gameplay abuse within their House to bring it up with their leader to have the matter resolved. If the issue continues and is later investigated, unless it is deemed appropriate to punish the leadership separately, Houses will be dealt with collectively.
How will complaints and accusations be handled?
Reports of cheating among players should be registered with the MY.GAMES Support Team. Your correspondence will be logged and the team will begin the process of investigating your complaint. They will be happy to assist with any queries or concerns while evidence is gathered to effect a satisfactory outcome.
In order for us to deal with the actions (not words) of a suspected cheat, a complaint should ideally be backed up with evidence. We can then use that evidence in tandem with logs and other tools to complete a fair and full investigation. (Note: You can record in-game footage by pressing ALT + F5. By default, your video recordings are saved to C:\Users\...\Videos\GameCenter).
If you’re ever in doubt regarding the fairness of certain game practices, you can always contact moderators and community managers before issuing a complaint that may unnecessarily or negatively impact other players. You can reach out for clarification anytime via Discord, Facebook, and Twitter.
