Square Enix steps on Final Fatnasy XI Gilsellers

Real-money trade hindered as 11,500 accounts affected.

November 26, 2006

In October, Square Enix appointed a special task force to begin cleaning up the biggest problem facing the health of its online RPG, Final Fantasy XI: real-money trade (RMT). RMT players (or gilsellers, as they're commonly called) are individuals who play Final Fantasy XI for the sole purpose of collecting Gil, the in-game currency, and selling it to real players online. True players who buy this Gil can then purchase in-game items that give them a higher status in the game.Square Enix has announced that 9,000 player accounts have been permenantly banned, and another 2,500 suspended, from FFXI. Consequently, 45 billion Gil has been removed from the system.

Of these, 1,100 are for using glitches or hacks that enhanced their character's movement, 6,400 were using tools to assist in claiming Notorious Monsters, and 4,000 were for "RMT-related activity".

The reaction from the player community has been favorable, with many feeling this sweep was long overdue. For the time being, popular, profitable areas such as Sky have had their gilseller population reduced, allowing players an opportunity to enjoy the game as it was originally intended.