MapleStory game issues
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As with most MMORPGs, MapleStory has in-game bugs and people who exploit them. There are also many programs created to simplify gameplay for players, which make the game unfair to other players and are against the rules when playing the game. To combat these programs, various security measures have been implemented such as GameGuard and a PIN requirement.
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[edit] Scamming
Scamming is also common. Scammers use a variety of methods to mislead other players into giving them useful game items and currency, both real and fake. Such methods range from using hacks to simply preying upon newer users. For example, a common scam is the "item duplication" scam, in which one player requests a trade from a mark, telling them that pressing the keys "Tab, Tab, Spacebar, Enter" they can duplicate the items they have placed in the trade. Due to the layout of the trade window, doing so causes an immediate trade to the other player, in which case the player that was scammed loses their item.
As of Friday, June 23rd, 2006, Global MapleStory has indefinitely disabled their Nexon Cash gifting feature in prevention of Nexon Gift Fraud. This would occur when someone would give another player mesos for them to gift them an item.
Scamming is rather common in MapleStory, as in most MMORPGs. The most usual scamming type is tricking new players into selling items for several times less than their actual value, buying items for several times what they are actually worth, or by stealing their items. Scammers do this by daring other players to drop valuable items and then picking the item up before the player has a chance to pick it up again. This was later addressed by the MapleStory Global staff to be the "drop game". In an older variation of the drop game, the player being scammed would be told to drop an item and type /mapclone, /mapsuperitem, or /map100 et cetera, causing the server to kick the user (and in some cases crash the client), allowing the other player to take the dropped item.
A scammer may also take advantage of the victim's lack of game knowledge or user interface. This includes asking victims to press a series of keys, or perform a certain action that benefits the scammer.." For example, a common scam is "tab tab space enter". To perform this scam, a scammer will open a trade window with the victim, ask him or her to show the scammer a rare item, and try to get the victim to press this combination of keys. The key combination moves the cursor to the accept trade button and accepts the trade. (Although in MapleSEA, this command leads to the report screen.)
A common way of tricking the victim also includes telling the victim that a glitch or problem would occur if one does a certain action, and the curious victim would perform the action. For example, a scammer can tell the victim that there is a glitch which "duplicates items" (which is not true), by putting up a trade, putting a rare item, pressing "OK", then type "COPY" (the letter "Y" triggers the "OK" button, performing the trade).
There are also some people who scam about faming (the act of increasing one's fame) since players cannot trade fame in a secure trading window. One will ask to buy or trade fame with other players, under the condition that the other player will fame them first. When the scammer receives the fame he/she will then leave without finishing the trade. There is not much a MapleStory player can do about this since trading and buying/selling fame is not encouraged by the creators of the game.
In the Cash Shop, there is a "Gift" feature (currently in GlobalMS this feature is disabled). A player can buy that item and give it to another player. Players would trade in-game items for the Cash Shop items. Since there is no trading window the items must be traded one at a time. Similarly to fame scamming, the scammer would take the other player's item first and not give the item they promised, either from the cash shop or the in game item. It is difficult to catch such scammers, as trading of Cash Shop items is deemed illegal, and players who get scammed dare not report them. Any user caught doing this will be banned if they are caught.
Another technique that people use to gain money is to show someone a scrolled item. The person buying it will offer their price and put up the money. The person with the item could then say something that will allow them to close the trade. Later, the person with the item will re-trade the buyer and tell them to put the money again. The item-holder will then put up an item with worse stats and accept the trade. The buyer could forget to check the stats and trade, thus losing money. A similar scam is using scrolls, since all scrolls with the same percent work-rate all look the same.
Another scam is through guilds. A guild master with powers to invite/kick someone from a guild will allow someone into a guild for a fee (usually between 50,000 to 100,000 Mesos). The person being scammed will pay, and then the guild master who invited the member will expel the person from the guild.
One type of popular scam is to have a friend hide somewhere where their character and name can't be seen. The unhidden character then finds a victim usually by saying that they are quitting Maple Story. They take them to where their friend is hiding. Then the unhidden character has the victim stand relatively close to the hidden character and has them show them their weapons by dropping them. Usually saying that they want to know if they are worthy or not of having their weapons. Then the hidden character runs out and grabs the weapons. The two people then run away or change channels in search of another victim.
Another type also involving two people usually has the scammer claim that they are quitting, and invite the person to an empty map. There, the person sees another person who is supposedly also there for items (this is actually the scammer's friend). The scammer then asks "Who wants to go first", and the scammer always picks his friend, and there, he asks his friend to drop valuable items, promising after picking them up to drop the items and additional items. The friend then begins an act of skepticism, but eventually he drops his items. The scammer picks up the items, acts happy, and then drops the items and additional items. After doing so, they ask the person who is watching to come up, and ask them to drop items too. When they do, the scammer picks up the items, and leaves without giving the items back. His friend acts like he's surprised by this, but then may change channels. When the victim leaves, they continue this.
[edit] Account issues
Another issue is the sharing of accounts, where two or more users use the same user ID and password to play the same characters in the game. It is widely regarded that most of the higher level players all share accounts because they are on literally 24/7 grinding and training their accounts, however there is no proof to this. Doing this usually allows the player to level up faster than ordinary players. Account sharing is clearly against the rules as stated on the MapleStory website.
Another issue is account theft, in which people's login information is stolen through phishing, programs like Jack the Ripper, or with keyloggers. To combat these programs, various security measures have been implemented such as GameGuard and a PIN requirement. Cheaters can be banned at any time after proof of their activities is discovered, potentially months after the incident even if they have stopped cheating. Since Beta MapleStory, Wizet has had a report system, which allows players to report hackers and scammers.
[edit] External programs
MapleStory does not verify all interaction server-side, which allows players to use third-party programs to cheat by sending invalid information to the server.
The most commonly used external program is the Cheat Engine. Some cheat engines require extra programs to bypass GameGuard. However, some cheat engines (Undetected Cheat Engines) do not require any extra programs to function due to being recompiled from edited sources using Borland Delphi.
There are a number of hacks that one can use to "enhance" gameplay. Such programs are used to make the character invincible or give the character the ability to fly. These programs are against the rules and are reported by players who spot these hackers, which lead to their inevitable bans.
Another problem that has become more common recently is keylogging, but the risk of losing one's account to keylogging has been decreased significantly due to the Security PIN feature that has been added. The keylogger record all keystrokes typed by the person and sends a log back to the hacker who then uses that username and password to log in to that account and steal everything. As keyloggers only track keystrokes, and not the mouse (which is used to input the PIN), the addition of the PIN system added an extra defense that could not be logged. However, keyloggers need to be installed into a computer for it to work and are usually contained in computer viruses.
Newer versions of keyloggers are now set to take screen-shots of a player's screen once per second when the application "maplestory.exe" is running. The screen-shots are then sent to the computer that remotely installed the keylogger. With only a one second interval between shots, the scammer can usually make out which number their unsuspecting victim is going to click before they actually click it. Another issue is that the new keyloggers have an option to take a screen shot when the person clicks. This can be ineffective due to the space and bandwidth requirements of storing and transferring large images.
- Memory Editing Hacking
Memory editing hacking can freeze a value such as a timer or alter a value to a custom number to, for example change the location of a map's walls to create a vac hack. Notable memory editing hacks include Godmode, Vacuum hack, Tubi and Speed hacks.
- Macro Hacks
Macro hacks are programs that can perform simple key pressing tasks without the user needing to do it for himself while also being faster than a normal user. For example, looting, using potions, and clicking on buttons (when attempting to enter the accompaniments).
Botting is where, through a program or a physical manipulation of the keyboard, an action, mainly attacking, is repeated without the user. This is normally restricted to warriors, as no other class can deal the same damage without using a skill, and don't have the HP to survive for long. This is currently remedied with two things: firstly, if you stand in one spot and attack without stopping, you will automatically stop attacking, and cannot fight for a while. Secondly (this feature was introduced very recently [and supposedly temporarily] in gMS), there is a 'lie detector'. It gives a suspected botter a small task that can only be completed by a player, such as determining the larger number of a pair. If completed successfully, the one who was tested receives 5000 mesos. If failed, then the "botter" loses an amount of his current mesos to the person who lie detected him, and is transported to the nearest town so they may no longer take advantage from botting.
The Lie Detector was removed because players were abusing it. Higher leveled players used it against others that were training on strong monsters. Whenever you are tested by this, a screen pops up, and the player being testing must try to answer the question, or risk being killed. Since higher leveled monsters' attack powers are high, death is almost a certainty if you are not paying attention to your character. You cannot move your character while being tested, so this was taken away.
The use of bots and hacks are typically combined. Botting programs will automatically attack, memory hacking will prevent HP loss by godmode, and all monsters are moved to the same location by modifying their locations in memory.
[edit] Glitches
Like any other online game, MapleStory has disconnection problems, bugs, and glitches. Sometimes, during gameplay or in the Cash Shop, a player may get an invalid pointer error. Rarely, one may find a small glitch in the game, such as falling through a normally solid platform caused by gaps between the different layers in the game like ladders, platforms and walls or disappearing people/monsters/items, or having a normal picture being either blurry or awkwardly stretched out. However, most of these glitches are commonly caused by lag or the way the game is designed, and one will not be banned for abusing them as long as the glitch does not affect other users negatively. (Some longer periods of lag cause disconnection).
However people in the past have been banned even though they have not been exploiting the game due to inaccurate judgment by a Game Master. One may also find many misspelled words, as well as various grammatical mistakes, in the game's text, especially when talking to an NPC. Chat filters aren't always accurate, as when you say "Mini game", the client treats those words combined to be a vulgar phrase, or a shortcut to vulgarity.
[edit] Corner fall-through
If one jumps slightly above the vertex of a wall and the ground, somewhat like stairs, there should be a crevice, at which the player can actually fall through the ground. While feasible, it is difficult to perform voluntarily, as it requires the correct angle and location of a fall. You essentially need to fall down towards the vertex but move in the direction of the wall a little bit, so as to fall directly down along the wall and through the floor. Generally, a rope or platform to fall from is needed, unless your character has the haste ability and jumps at the right angle. The L-Forests near Kerning City, which are meant to be extremely tedious to navigate through, can be very easily navigated by falling through the correct corners. The reason is because the way the game is designed is to set boundaries on Top, left, right, and bottom. The developers did not intend to allow people to fall in between those areas.
[edit] Jump/Tele shot/cast
Magicians and archers are plagued by immobility as they attack, but using a movement function simultaneously with an attack, the player is able to jump and attack at the same time. This is also compatible with teleport; one can simply teleport whilst casting a spell. It differs from "telecasting," where a player teleports in the time periods between attacks, as it is moving while attacking. Assassins still have an edge in aerial attack, as they can strike from the peak of their jump, but archers' and magicians' attacks still come from ground-level, as the attack button was pressed on the ground, and only the attack animation is playing in the air. Nevertheless, it is an invaluable evasive skill.
[edit] Other issues
Another issue about fame is "mass defaming". When one person wants to "mass defame" another character, the player calls upon their friends or any other characters they may have to defame the other character, decreasing the victim's fame stat significantly. Although a defaming may not have any lasting effect in the game (as it is possible to buy fame from other players), some players threaten others with mass defames in the hope of intimidating others to do what they want, particularly to drive away other characters in the same training area.
Another issue is the existence of fake GMs (Game Masters). These characters are ordinary players who imitate names of GMs and claim to have GM powers. Examples of fake GM names include, Wiznet, CapriccioMS or GlVl. They pretend to be GMs and ask for money, items, or passwords, and threaten to ban players if they do not give them what they request. There are many ways to find out if a character is a GM. GMs can make a floating "GM" sign appear on top of their character and always type in a distinctive blue text. It is impossible to view the character information of a GM. If players spot a fake GM, they are able to alert a real GM by using a feature called "Alert GM", which they can access by right clicking on the character. Wizet states that all GMs are full time employees.
Similarly to other MMORPGs, the MapleStory economy has experienced a vast amount of inflation since its beginnings, which some users consider to be a problem. With the intent of curbing inflation, Wizet recently installed a tax system. This system taxes a certain percentage of money from transactions. A percentage listed on a window below the trade window shows the amount deducted for trading amounts larger than 50,000 mesos, 100,000 mesos, and so on.
However, the economy differs in other servers. For example,items are less expensive in the overly populated Scania . The more people on a server, the easier it is to find rare items, which makes them more readily aviable at a cheaper price.
[edit] Security and reporting abuse
Recently Wizet has added a loader called GameGuard, created by nProtect, to protect the MapleStory client from modification in the Global, Japanese, South East Asia and South Korea versions of the game. Most of these autoloot programs have been blocked by GameGuard, which is also used by Softnyx for its Gunbound, Rakion games, Webzen for its "MU Online" game, and FlyFF, by Aeonsoft. Although GameGuard stops many hacks, hacking is still a problem. Though many players are skeptical of this, Godmode (invincibility) hacks still work under certain circumstances. The players who use this hack most likely train in obscure spots, or use Godmode to reach areas most people avoid. Contrary to popular belief, these players can be hard to catch, as GMs tend to stay in areas that have more people, and Godmoders can sign off or quickly and constantly change channels if they notice someone approaching. Lag also contributes to making them harder to catch, as if someone sees another player walk through an enemy undamaged, they will most likely think it was only because of the lag between the two characters.
The "Alert GM" feature can be accessed by right clicking on a character and selecting Alert GM. A window pops up that lets one choose the situation they want to alert this person for. An alert to a GM can be made only once a day. Too many false alerts from a player could result in penalties (such as suspensions like a banned account). This feature is more updated in the South Korea version and in the Global version, where now a player can report specifically what the abuse was (i.e. Hacking, Botting, Scamming, GM Impersonating).
The latest security measure implemented by Wizet is the "Security PIN" feature, which is currently implemented in the Global version. A keypad will appear on the screen and the user has to enter their PIN by clicking on the numbers with their mouse to access their account. It has been implemented so that hackers using keyloggers that only monitor keyboard button presses are not able to get into people's accounts. The numbers change position as well so that tracking the mouse will not reveal the PIN either. More advanced keyloggers will take a screenshot whenever the left mouse button is clicked. However, every time the user presses a key, the keyboard changes completely randomly so it is harder to figure out what the PIN is. Lost or forgotten PINs can be recovered, but unlike usernames or passwords, this requires sending Wizet (through the email of enquiry option on the site) all information that was used to register the account, including name, secret question answers, username, and password. Some players opt to enter all the PIN codes possible rather than wait for Wizet to send them their PIN code because it can take a week to three months.
[edit] Website requirements
The MapleStory Global & MapleStory South Korea website will only allow access from the newest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer browser, although Firefox users can access the page (in a limited fashion) by disabling JavaScript or by using the NoScript extension or the IETab extension.
Macintosh users cannot access the website, even using Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac.
[edit] Windows bugs
Also, on Windows XP Professional 32 bit machines, players would not get background music unless they are logged in as the Administrator or a power user, discouraging the safe computing practice of logging in as a limited user for non-administrative activities. The workaround for the latter issue would be to run the game in Windows 98 or Windows 2000 compatibility mode, but doing so could potentially expose the system to vulnerabilities.
[edit] Unusability behind proxy firewalls
Maple Story, like many MMORPGs, uses an anti-hacking system. The particular system is called GameGuard and it is designed to sniff out hacking programs and bots, refusing to proceed with the game if such a program is found running. Unfortunately, this includes proxy relay applications like SocksCAP and FreeCAP, which are needed for people behind proxy firewalls, as MapleStory does not natively support traversing such firewalls if it's played on a network with such protection. While it is understandable that some people might use such software as a method to get around server regioning (see below), it has become a bane to people who legitimately need to play the game on a network with such firewalls (i.e. players who are afraid of being hacked and thus have hardware socks firewalls in place).
[edit] Server regioning
Due to "licensing issues", players in certain countries are IP-blocked from the global server, usually because the country has dedicated servers for the game. For example, Malaysian, Singaporean and Thai residents are blocked from the global server, being forced to use the SEA server instead. Korean, Japanese and Chinese players are also blocked from other servers, being forced to use the servers in their respective countries instead. Similarly, people from any other parts of the world are not allowed on the Korean, Chinese, Japanese and SEA servers. Many international online committees with members from all over the world find this move distasteful, as it prevents members from such communities from meeting in-game. Likewise, it also backfires when a person from a country served by one region moves into another (i.e. moves from Malaysia to Australia) and finds that he or she can no longer log in to the game. Certain servers (Korea, Japan, etc.) block certain countries because they cannot support the required languages.
