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Game Saves and What You Should Know


olsen77

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Since this has become a huge issue recently, there are some things that you need to be aware of. Before continuing though, I need to define what our definition of "cheating" is. The policy of this site is that cheating is anything that goes beyond the scope of the game, what is included on the original disk, and what is included in future patches from the game's developer. Using a glitch in a game to acquire trophies, is not cheating. Using cheat codes to get trophies (if it is allowed in the game), is not cheating. Boosting is not cheating. All of those are allowed on this site.

 

However, there are new methods that go further than that. Downloading a game save to get you trophies is cheating. Using a hacked game save to get you trophies is cheating. Having someone log in to your account to get trophies in exchange for something is cheating. None of those three practices have ever been allowed on this site, on our sister site, or any other trophy site that wants to be reputable, legitimate, and respected.

 

The reason why you are reading this and I am writing this is that Sony agrees with us. PSN accounts that have used game saves to acquire trophies are now starting to be banned. If you had taken the time to read Sony's User License Agreement and Terms of Service, you would know that already. Portions of the EULA and TOS will be posted below.

 

This post is not intended to scare you. It is here to inform you on a new illegitimate practice being used to get trophies and to educate you on the potential consequences. The staff at PS3T has not reported anyone or any site where this practice is being used to Sony. Your fellow gamers are the police on this one. Anyone that you suspect of this type of cheating should be reported to Sony. We can only affect their status on this site. The true punishment lays in the hands of Sony. We care about our members because you all have made the site what it is today and what it will grow to be. We have a sense of responsibility to make you aware of what is going on.

 

The crackdown on game saves and PS3 users that have acquired trophies using them is just beginning. I don't know how many will be banned. I only know that it is just starting. If we know what to look for on someone's PSN profile, you can bet that Sony knows as well. In a fair world, no one should lose all of their work because of one mistake, one temptation, one moment of weakness. But this is how the world works. If you try and cheat the system, even just once, you will be caught, punished, and you will have to live with the consequences of your actions. You will be left with no one to blame but yourself.

 

How does this relate and translate to PS3T then? Game saves, hacked game saves, and trophy trading are not allowed on this site. Anyone that is caught posting them, posting links to where they can be downloaded, sending them out through PM's or other types of messages, or telling people in PM's where they can find it will have their accounts here banned. If you create a new account, your IP address will be banned. If you are caught signing up for one of the Maximum Clubs after having used a game save, you will be removed from all of the current Platinum/100% Clubs that you are currently in and you will be banned from the Maximum Clubs. The previous paragraph will grow as we may add more content to the site in the future.

 

We know the list of games that this is possible for. They will not be posted here, but we know what they are. We know what we are looking for. We have spent the last few weeks educating ourselves on this issue so that we know how to catch you. Do not do it. Do not attempt it. Do not test us on this.

 

I'll give you an example from a Platinum Club. Whether or not this is possible is up to you to decide. Let's say that you spend well over 100 hours working your butt off to get the platinum trophy in Wipeout HD. With all of the work that went into Elite Campaign Legend, Zone Zeus, and Beat Zico, you're extremely proud of your accomplishment and with good reason. Of course, you proudly sign up for that game's Platinum Club. The next day, another member comes along that used a game save to get all of the trophies in Wipeout HD inside of three minutes. How do you feel having that person listed right next to you?

 

We look at this issue as a reflection of your character. If you're the type of person that does this, then how else will you circumvent the rules? Even if these practices weren't forbidden by Sony, they would still not be allowed here because of how far outside the scope of a game it is. People have asked why we can't make one exception for a game in which the platinum is currently impossible. The answer is that it is cheating and when you make an exception for one game, it makes it easier to make an exception for a second game. When you start making exceptions, it is no longer a rule, but something that you pick and choose when and where you enforce.

 

The point of this it to make you aware of the potential consequences you can face by using a game save that is not yours. The crux of the issue is accounts being banned on PSN. If you do this, you risk your PSN account being banned. You risk losing everything you have purchased from the PSN store. You risk losing all of your trophies. For some of you, that means 1000's of dollars, 1000's of hours, and a year and a half of work will go down the drain and be meaningless. Do not take that risk. Yes, some trophies are difficult. By doing any of the methods above, you're taking away all sense of accomplishment from the trophy system. Remember, games are meant to be fun and are for enjoyment. Doing any of these methods takes away that fun from you. Please keep all of this in mind when you are presented with the temptation to cheat in this way.

 

http://www.ps3trophies.org/forum/members/olsen77-albums-ps3t-stuff-picture4923-postline.png

 

It is all below in black and white, direct from Sony.

 

From Section 2 of Sony's EULA:

 

You must adhere to the following rules of conduct, and also follow a reasonable, common-sense code of conduct. Users are required to take into consideration community standards and refrain from abusive or deceptive conduct, cheating, hacking, or other misuse of PSN. Rights of other players should be respected.

The violations that are prohibited include but are not limited to the following:

 

  • You may not use, make, or distribute unauthorized software or hardware in conjunction with PSN, or take or use any data from PSN to design, develop or update unauthorized software or hardware, including but not limited to cheat code software or devices that circumvent any security features or limitations included on any software or devices.
  • You may not modify or attempt to modify the online client, disc, save file, server, client-server communication, or other parts of any game title, or content.
  • You may not cause disruption to any account, system, hardware, software, or network connected to PSN for any reason, including to gain an unfair advantage in a game.
  • You may not attempt to hack or reverse engineer any code or equipment in connection with PSN.
  • You may not provide anyone with your name or any other personally identifying information other than your own Online ID, or the name, password or personally identifying information of any other person or business through any means, including messaging, chat or any other form of PSN communication.

Unless otherwise required by applicable law, there is no requirement or expectation that SCEA will monitor or record any online activity on PSN, including communications. However, SCEA reserves the right to monitor and record any online activity and communication throughout PSN and you give SCEA your express consent to monitor and record your activities. SCEA reserves the right to remove any content and communication from PSN at SCEA's sole discretion without further notice to you. Any data collected in this way, including the content of your communications, the time and location of your activities, your Online ID and IP address and other related information may be used by us to enforce this Agreement or protect the interests of SCEA, its users, or licensors. Such information may be disclosed to the appropriate authorities or agencies. Any other use is subject to the terms of the applicable Privacy Policy. SCEA has no liability for any violation of this Agreement by you or by any other player.

 

Source: PlayStationNETWORK TERMS OF SERVICE AND USER AGREEMENT

 

http://www.ps3trophies.org/forum/members/olsen77-albums-ps3t-stuff-picture4923-postline.png

 

Some resources for you:

Sony's Banned Users page (gives an explanation on each type of bannable offense): Banned users

 

Where to report a member you suspect of cheating: Reporting inappropriate or abusive users

PSN Complaint form: PLAYSTATION®Network - Complaint Form - User Information

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