Imagine, if you will, that one day you find yourself in a situation where, for example, you think you’ve found a bug but you’re not quite sure what to do next.
Assuming that you’re certain that you have found a bug, the usual response is the use of /dev. That’s fine, but remember that GMs cannot help with every problem. Say, for instance, that your cart finds its way through a solid wall into a secured area. In that case, it is possible that a GM will be able to assist because we can summon items toward us, but players on the Golden Valley and Freedom would have to break in, which is against server rules.
However, if the bug was to involve a pet disappearing into the underworld, or the void, or wherever bugged creatures go, then it is very unlikely that a GM or even a Developer will be able to help to retrieve it. We are simply not able to bring creatures back from such areas nor are we able to spawn new creatures for you in compensation. In any case, we try our best using the tools we have to fix any problems which arise.
Let’s assume that a GM has fixed the damage a bug has caused. Is that the end of it?
Not really. Bugs need to be officially reported, especially if they can be reproduced. Ideally, this should be done on the Bugs and Problems section on the official forums. Unfortunately, GMs do not always have time to report every bug we come across on the forum, so we’d be very grateful if you helped out in that respect. After all, the faster bugs are reported and confirmed, the faster they can be fixed!
If the bug is serious and highly exploitable, the best course of action is to keep details of the bug quiet and report the bug to the GMs, or directly to Oracle in an e-mail, especially if the bug can be reproduced easily. It is vital that the more severe bugs are reported to us so they can be dealt with as soon as possible. You should never spread instructions for bug exploitation, because this can lead to trouble and potentially punishment.
What if I find a solution myself?
If you find ways to avoid bugs, or makeshift ways to fix them in-game, even if it is as simple as logging in/out of the game, please let us know. This can be helpful if recorded on the Bugs and Problems forum, so other players who find themselves in a similar situation can reach the solutions faster. It also helps the GM team respond to those who have the bug ingame.
Hopefully this helps to clear one or two things up a little bit! =)
