But here's the thing -- if you warn the players about what constitutes spam to the computer, and that repeated spamming detects will result in bans, the RMT groups will just probe and probe until they figure out what the flagging phrases and ban limits are. Conversely, if you set a threshold of flagged messages in a time period to count as a strike, the RMT sellers will figure that out and either go just under the limit or use multiple accounts to evade it entirely. The reason they do what they do normally is because of the defenses arrayed against them (slow GM response time, players must report, etc.). If you throw a computer system against them, they'll adapt to its parameters.
You also have to assume that any information given to real players is available to RMT groups. So, telling any players about how the system detects and bans RMT sellers will get out to them, and they'll devise countermeasures.
The only way you can make this sort of thing work is to go the Valve route: be extremely vague about what's bannable, then ban a variable time after a variable number of offenses. The problem is that you then appear capricious, and when we're talking about something where it's much less clear-cut, you're likely to catch well-meaning players, and that's bad.
You also have to assume that any information given to real players is available to RMT groups. So, telling any players about how the system detects and bans RMT sellers will get out to them, and they'll devise countermeasures.
The only way you can make this sort of thing work is to go the Valve route: be extremely vague about what's bannable, then ban a variable time after a variable number of offenses. The problem is that you then appear capricious, and when we're talking about something where it's much less clear-cut, you're likely to catch well-meaning players, and that's bad.
The Freelance Wizard
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
Quality RP at low, low prices!
((about me | about L'yhta Mahre | L'yhta's desk | about Mysterium, the Ivory Tower: a heavy RP society of mages))
