The Division 2 Players Face Bans for Exploiting Bug
The response from Ubisoft regarding players who took advantage of a Bug in The Division 2 has caused controversy. The RPG game's developers have issued two-week bans to those who used the exploit to farm XP and resources at a faster rate than intended. This approach has ignited a debate about whether developers should punish players for exploiting bugs in their games and whether such actions are fair.
Players of The Division 2 discovered a bug that allowed them to exploit the game and gain XP and materials at a rate significantly higher than what was intended by developer Massive Entertainment. The bug was being used in both the open-world game and the PvE world, particularly in The Division 2's Dark Zone.
However, Massive has decided to issue two-week bans to first-time offenders, imposing even harsher consequences on repeat offenders. Some players argue that this approach resembles the punitive justice system in the United States, where punishments are meant to deter others from committing the same offense.
One player expresses their opinion, saying, "I understand the need for action, but the punishment seems excessive. This exploit didn't allow you to kill other players without consequences. It simply gave an advantage in PvP and disrupted the in-game economy. A more reasonable solution would have been to roll back accounts and remove the extra earnings.
"Treating players as cheaters for using a bug within the game feels unfair. Exploiting a bug is not the same as cheating with external software. Players should not be held responsible for determining the game's intentions."
The approach taken by The Division 2 in handling exploits has sparked a unique debate within the genre. RPGs, especially those with persistent open worlds, have always encouraged efficient grinding, and The Division 2 is no exception.
Many players are well-versed in the fastest ways to earn XP in The Division 2, and it would be unrealistic to expect them to ignore exploits that enhance their grinding experience.
However, other live-service RPGs also encounter similar issues, but they do not punish players for exploiting them. Games like Anthem and Destiny 2 regularly experience exploits that grant players an advantage in PvP, but there are no penalties for utilizing them.
Punishing those who exploit bugs is undoubtedly necessary for the overall health of the game, but that does not mean the players are in the wrong. Developers should be responsible for balancing the game's economy and fixing bugs, and penalizing players for engaging with the game they paid for may be taking it too far.
