Trade spamming in the server.

[Taso]

I probably should have brought this up earlier, but i'm getting really sick of people using our server to trade with with other players. The day after the update came out, almost every player that came in the server asked for trading this and that. NOBODY cares, go somewhere else and trade. There's so many other servers out there.

It's fine for doing it amongst ourselves and the regs, which is why Disco made a thread for it, but this is getting old, and i suggest we warn then kick/ban anyone who is doing this. I can't even send a team chat message because the trade spamming automatically overrides it. Well, im done with my rant.

/Discuss.

[SConforti]

Its starting to annoy me as well.

[crazydog]

How 'bout a plugin that automatically bans anyone who makes a trade in our server - I'm sure there's a way.

OR!

Automatically ban anyone who says 'trade' or 'wtb' or 'wts' or anything like that.

[Frag_68]

Maybe add something to the MOTD about no trade spamming?

[Fraggle79]

Cs has an option for Chat to all players in center of screen. Something like  @csay      and you can bind it
with a key so you press it and everyone sees a message in the middle that says "No trading " or something.

Should work for TF2

[verm]

I read the OP and immediately thought "change the MOTD". But Frag beat me to it. Fraggle's idea is good too (though I'm not sure of the command and if it's there in TF2).

This is what happens when the guy who runs the company is addicted to WoW. People said TF2 was turning into it a year ago and I told them they were being dramatic. Now I'm not so sure...

Case in point:

[crazydog]

Cs has an option for Chat to all players in center of screen. Something like  @csay      and you can bind it
with a key so you press it and everyone sees a message in the middle that says "No trading " or something.

Should work for TF2

It's exactly the same system, so it will work. We could also pop up a message that says that automatically, like we already for "WE ARE RECRUITING".

[TheJuggler17]

Yup, like it or not trading is here and it's part of the game.
I hope to see some revision on Valve's end as to the way trading works, particularly preventing it during normal gameplay.




Really I think an AFK manager would fix this entirely, and make it a little strict.
I know the server used to have an AFK manager, but I wouldn't know the first thing about re-implementing it to a server. So in that way, it's a little easy for me to request such a thing because it's probable that there's nothing I can do to help make that happen.

I would say as for its implementation:
* 30 seconds - issue warning
* 60 seconds - issue warning
* 120 seconds AFK - send to spectator
* 240 seconds AFK - kick from server

Making the times more strict might cause problems during setup time on a map. Some players may be completely without user input during join time and setup time, a player should not be moved to spectator for this.
Perhaps there can be some handler so these rules do not apply during setup time? If so, these times should be a bit more strict.

Adding an AFK manager would make sure that players who are clearly not playing the game are removed from the server with no input from an admin.




In addition to this, and as others have said and already done, yes there should be messages in both the MOTD and in the chat window.
Make it nice and polite, don't wanna be a jerk about it. Just a simple "Please do not trade items during gameplay" and perhaps an ultimatum "players abusing the trading system will be kicked"

[crazydog]

First, I'd just like to state this:
NOBODY READS THE MOTD
It's just a fact. Most people just hit enter as soon as they see it.

Edit:
Oh hey, there isn't an afk manager. I was totally under the impression that there was. I'm putting it back on, as I don't remember us ever discussing removing it.

Secondly, the server DOES have an afk manager. It's just very lenient because I was told people were getting kicked too fast.

Here are the current settings:

// This file was auto-generated by SourceMod (v1.2.2-dev)
// ConVars for plugin "afk_manager-compat.smx"


// Admin Flag for immunity? Leave Blank for any flag.
// -
// Default: ""
sm_afk_admins_flag "a"

// Are Admins immune to to the AFK Manager? [0 = DISABLED, 1 = COMPLETE IMMUNITY, 2 = KICK IMMUNITY, 3 = MOVE IMMUNITY]
// -
// Default: "1"
sm_afk_admins_immune "1"

// Is the AFK manager enabled or disabled? [0 = FALSE, 1 = TRUE]
// -
// Default: "1"
sm_afk_enable "1"

// Should the AFK manager exclude checking dead players? [0 = FALSE, 1 = TRUE]
// -
// Default: "0"
sm_afk_exclude_dead "1"

// Minimum amount of connected clients needed to kick AFK clients.
// -
// Default: "6"
sm_afk_kick_min_players "4"

// Should the AFK manager kick clients? [0 = DISABLED, 1 = KICK ALL, 2 = ALL EXCEPT SPECTATORS, 3 = SPECTATORS ONLY]
// -
// Default: "1"
sm_afk_kick_players "3"

// Time in seconds (total) client must be AFK before being kicked.
// -
// Default: "120.0"
sm_afk_kick_time "200.0"

// Time in seconds remaining, player should be warned before being kicked for AFK. [DEFAULT: 30.0 seconds]
// -
// Default: "30.0"
sm_afk_kick_warn_time "30.0"

// Minimum amount of connected clients needed to move clients to spectator.
// -
// Default: "4"
sm_afk_move_min_players "6"

// Move AFK clients to spec before kicking them? [0 = FALSE, 1 = TRUE]
// -
// Default: "0"
sm_afk_move_spec "1"

// Time in seconds (total) client must be AFK before being moved to spectator.
// -
// Default: "60.0"
sm_afk_move_time "100.0"

// Time in seconds remaining, player should be warned before being moved for AFK. [DEFAULT: 30.0 seconds]
// -
// Default: "30.0"
sm_afk_move_warn_time "30.0"

So they need to be AFK 1 minute and 40 seconds to be moved to spectator, and need to be in spec for another minute and 40 seconds before they are kicked.

[TheJuggler17]

First, I'd just like to state this:
NOBODY READS THE MOTD
It's just a fact. Most people just hit enter as soon as they see it.

Yeah I agree. The MOTD is kind of there to say "we told ya so". But yes the truth is the truth, admittedly I never noticed that there was a change regarding the trading system.

Edit:
Oh hey, there isn't an afk manager. I was totally under the impression that there was. I'm putting it back on, as I don't remember us ever discussing removing it.
Secondly, the server DOES have an afk manager. It's just very lenient because I was told people were getting kicked too fast.
<settings follow>

Good! thanks for enabling it!
This may solve a lot of problems actually.

So they need to be AFK 1 minute and 40 seconds to be moved to spectator, and need to be in spec for another minute and 40 seconds before they are kicked.

Those settings seem pretty appropriate, I don't think you can safely decrease the amount of time for moving a player to spectator.
The system can't kick a player for giving no input during joining time and setup time, it's not unusual for a player to do nothing during this time especially on an attack/defend map on the attacking team.

[Smurfette]

I agree that the trading in the server can get a little annoying.  However, it is part of the game now.  I don't think we need to be so shallow that we ban ppl for wanting to trade.  I think we should however give some simple warnings, politely explain the them that we would appreciate it if they would exit game to trade or go elsewhere that does not mind it.  If they get snotty or nasty with us then let them know that we will kick them from the server but they are welcome back once they are done trading.  I don't think we should jump on the ban wagon and just ban ppl cause they want to trade.  Just my 2 cents.   

[LTK]

I think and MOTD and recurring middle display server message along the lines of, hey, keep the trading to a minimum, we're here to play, would be good. Perhaps encourage people to take it to Steam PM?

[Holy Shit]

I agree that banning would be a bit harsh.  I think a simple kick would suffice and if the come back and do the same stuff or get nasty like smurfette said then a temp ban might be in order.  On the other hand im not sure restricting a part of the game will be a good idea for the traffic in the server.  It is a part of the game, and it is brand new.  Like when a class update comes out everyone plays that class for a bit then it dies down after a while. The same thing is true here trading is brand new and it will only be a matter of time before people stop spamming because they have what the want/need.  I say just let it take its course and ride it out and dont give much mind to the the trading.  Just my thoughts

[Frag_68]

You can always direct them to your forum and make a special section just for trading (instead of just one thread).  That could help build the community, especially if people got used to the idea of trading craigslist style.  I mean... I'd still put it in the MOTD and do the AFK manager and warn and slap, kick, destroy them...   But the popup in the center could read, "All trade talk should take place in our forums @ theelders.net - we're here to play, not trade"

Though, I don't mind trading during staging time.  But that may bleed over.

[SConforti]

You can always direct them to your forum and make a special section just for trading (instead of just one thread).  That could help build the community, especially if people got used to the idea of trading craigslist style.  I mean... I'd still put it in the MOTD and do the AFK manager and warn and slap, kick, destroy them...   But the popup in the center could read, "All trade talk should take place in our forums @ theelders.net - we're here to play, not trade"

Though, I don't mind trading during staging time.  But that may bleed over.

Can we start an e-bay trading.  $.75 per trade.   Help make some money here for the servers.  That would be great.

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