An exploit was discovered in the MMORPG Ashes of Creation that allowed players to gain unfair advantages. Despite limited access to testing, some participants took advantage of the vulnerability to create duplicate materials and gain significant in-game advantages. In response, the developers quickly took rather drastic measures: they removed more than 100 characters and eliminated all consequences. However, they did not completely ban accounts.
The exploit allowed test participants to duplicate materials in order to sell them for in-game currency and create legendary equipment. This not only gave an unfair advantage, but also affected game mechanics, including node development. Although many players honestly reported the vulnerability, the consequences have already damaged the game’s economy.
Intrepid Studios quickly fixed the exploit and its consequences:
- All duplicate materials and legendary equipment created from them have been removed.
- New elections were held in nodes due to buildings created using the exploit.
- More than 100 characters who actively exploited the vulnerability were completely removed.
Players who accidentally received items through trades or purchases were spared harsh penalties, but their duplicate content was removed and earnings from the sale of exploit items were reset to zero.
According to the game’s creative director Steven Sharif, Intrepid Studios intends to strictly combat unfair play even at the testing stage. He emphasized that honest players can be confident that their achievements will be protected if they report vulnerabilities rather than exploit them.
