Item Stack Resale Exploit

I've seen bugs and security vulnerabilities patched in complex applications and operating systems in a third of the time it took BioWare to make decorations bind on pickup, and prevent you from shift+clicking on companion gifts / decorations and buying more than one at a time.

While simple fixes sometimes have intended consequences you can't honestly tell me that this fix was likely to be one of those.

Meh then you know simple fixes can break more than they fix... there's a reason why it took that long and I don't pretend to know why... but I hope you know it wasnt laziness or some other "IM OUTRAGED AND KNOW NOTHING OF GAME DEVELOPMENT" reason right?

People should state their opinions and feelings on subjects where those matter and affect what happens in the long run. When has that ever been the case with punishments they decide to employ in these situations? Can you name even ONE instance where a punishment suggested by a player on the forums was what they went with in terms of what they were going to do about people who exploit? If you can, I will stand corrected. Reread the rest of this thread first though, and see how many people are complaining about "lack of punishment" in previous episodes of this kind of stuff and know that nope.... they do not listen to what the players think they should do or else there wouldn't be complaining in almost every post about how the punishments were not enough in people's opinion. I don't see it accomplishing anything but making one group of players be ugly and hateful to another group of players. When you poison the well we all drink from, no one escapes the effects of that.

However, I think your second sentence couldn't be more wrong. Not because I think Bioware doesn't listen to players, but I certainly hope they don't listen to the "rip their hearts out and eat them for lunch" crowd that always comes in droves with ridiculous idea after ridiculous idea about what Bioware should do (and I still argue that they not only don't read post after post of venomous people calling for blood, but they recognize too that most of the suggestions are entirely ridiculous). In some cases, player feedback is helpful and should be listened to, but in this case it never has been and rightly so. Punishing players should be left to the developers, NOT the raging, hyperbolic masses... and thank all that is good that this seems to still be the case.

Edited to Add: Before people start jumping down my throat, I also believe that they have not handled these situations effectively in the past, because obviously they haven't really nipped these issues in the bud. Should the punishments be more severe? My opinion is yes, where it is appropriate (multiple proven offenses, etc.). But so should the development team's effort at squashing exploitable bugs BEFORE they are in the game for almost 2 months, and swifter moving responses when they inevitably DO make it into the game (because no one is perfect). It's a double edged sword, and both edges are too dull to be effectively used as a sword.

Punishment is the only thing that BioWare takes their time on. It can / has a direct impact on their bottom line. Banning loyal, long time subscribers who are a source of revenue isn't something they take lightly. Nor should they. Gamer's have been exploiting bugs in games since the medium began. The fact that BioWare takes no responsbility for these exploits only further compounds the problem. If they react with a scorched earth policy the way several people in this thread wanted them to it could do more harm than good. Especially in cases where a huge portion of the player base is guilty of using the exploit. BioWare must weigh the severity of the offense, how many times each offender has offended, and decide how to proceed in a way which discourages the behavior without alienating people (and losing money) unnecessarily.

Who knows what they base their judgements on. You are assuming that the outrage of players is a deterrent to the punishment of those guilty when in fact it might be the reason as to why it is enacted. If no one cared then what would be the point in doing anything? There is no satisfaction in working towards a goal when someone else can get there instantly cheating. Everyone who pays for the game has an opinion that matters. Yes its a logical assumption that the majority will be heard the loudest but even so voicing your opinion is in no way poison.

Ok I understand that folks should be punished for using this exploit. That goes without saying. However, the real question is..."Why did it take so long for the devs to fix this??" 6 weeks?? really??...After the amount of time that has passed, the damage is irreparable and bans will not fix it. If anything, it will do more harm to the game than good. With all due respect...the devs messed this one up by not fixing the issue earlier. I do like the idea someone had commented in an earlier post to give them all a "Cheater" title that can not be removed and restrict their abilities and access to FP/Ops/GTN for 60 or 90 days along with removal of gained influence/credits...etc. That would be more punishment than a ban (where folks can simply make another account and do it again). Once again....no disrespect to the team at BW and the devs, I know your plates are full.

Just my 2creds
MAY THE FORCE GUIDE AND ALWAYS BE WITH YOU!

I know that looking at the amount of people who feel all previous exploits were handled too lightly that it's safe to assume that it is not based on player feedback, because the same feedback is given every time and is not followed by Bioware. To that end, continuing to post clamoring for people to be branded with non-removable "cheater" titles, locked in stockades on the fleet, stripped of everything they've earned in the game (legitimately) as punishment for what was gained illegitimately, perma-banned in every and all instances, etc. is not helpful and is the very example of voicing your opinion being poisonous to the community as a whole. It's a negative vibe where there are enough of those and doesn't matter in the end as it does not determine the outcome or what Bioware will/won't do about this. Voicing a poisonous opinion is absolutely poisonous.

I agree that players who care about the game and want it to be fair should have it that way, but a punishment that doesn't fit the "crime" isn't any more fair than cheating in the first place. Let Bioware decide and move on without having to add to the vitriol. That's all I'm really trying to say.