BEWARE!

[naomi]

Updated game rules...

13) Playing AFK
Playing "AFK" (away from keyboard) has generally not been against the rules, but the game has improved enough that playing AFK can be abusive towards the game and other players. Many players purchase pets that are much more powerful than certain spawn on various maps. These players will then park their pets, create an auto spawn, and then go AFK. This type of play is considered abuse of the game for several reasons. Therefore, playing AFK in this manner will result in punishment. {NOTE: If a GM suspects a player is AFK, the GM will say something to that player. The player must respond to a GM. If the player does not respond, the GM will assume the player is AFK, and punishment will result.} Repeated violations of this rule will result in jail time as well as loss of levels (5% level loss on the second offense, 10% loss of levels on the third offense), and possibly even permanent jail. Using siege weapons while AFK will result in very similar punishments including jail and reduction of siege trade/skill level.

[bardiya]

Updated game rules...

13) Playing AFK
Playing "AFK" (away from keyboard) has generally not been against the rules, but the game has improved enough that playing AFK can be abusive towards the game and other players. Many players purchase pets that are much more powerful than certain spawn on various maps. These players will then park their pets, create an auto spawn, and then go AFK. This type of play is considered abuse of the game for several reasons. Therefore, playing AFK in this manner will result in punishment. {NOTE: If a GM suspects a player is AFK, the GM will say something to that player. The player must respond to a GM. If the player does not respond, the GM will assume the player is AFK, and punishment will result.} Repeated violations of this rule will result in jail time as well as loss of levels (5% level loss on the second offense, 10% loss of levels on the third offense), and possibly even permanent jail. Using siege weapons while AFK will result in very similar punishments including jail and reduction of siege trade/skill level.

No way you can't be completely AFK with siege if you do that someone will kill you because you're attacking a clan if not your short range siege will die because while attacking they not regen hp and if you use long range you'll be out of missiles fast
So i don't think siegeing and back every 5-10min (i call it semi AFK) should have that punishment

[MadMikael]

No way you can't be completely AFK with siege if you do that someone will kill you because you're attacking a clan if not your short range siege will die because while attacking they not regen hp and if you use long range you'll be out of missiles fast
So i don't think siegeing and back every 5-10min (i call it semi AFK) should have that punishment

I disagree. Some high level players do in fact do this; they alter their stats to make themselves very difficult to kill.
Anyway, AFK is a somewhat touchy subject, but the rule is quite clear; this behaviour is unfair to others, and can be punished.
So, for these instances, you must respond to a GM if they approach you, or else you'll end up in jail.

Your point is, that they're only "occasionally" AFK; well, the risk is, when a GM approaches you, you have to answer. As GMs, we have no way of knowing if someone is "completely AFK" or not; if they don't answer, they don't answer; usually, we give a few minutes, and multiple attempts to communicate. IMO, this is a more than fair approach.

Parting advice: if you need to go to the washroom, or go have a smoke, or whatever other excuse you may have, it is always best to logout; yes, this may be inconvenient at times, especially with pets, but it is the safest way to go.

[Ryaca]

I would also like to add that this is a "mobile device" game and can go everywhere that players go. I've never understood when I see players talking about they had to get up to go do this or that. My phone or my tablet goes wherever I do. I have a serious dislike of players that play afk. It's a big pet peeve of mine. Whenever I play FT, I am holding a device in my hand and watching the screen. Looooooong grinding sessions are spent this way. It makes me mad when other players decide to take the easy way out. I am proud to say that I have never played afk. I am not particularly fond of players that do.

[blitzcraig]

as explanation - many players play on pc via android emulator... still no excuse to afk though

[Ryaca]

Agreed.

[Cashew]

I've been yelled at once for being afk. But in my defense with witnesses, I was on 2 devices and didn't reply on both within 20 seconds of the gm arriving before I got yelled at. I wasn't even afk I just said howdy on one and my other got yelled at before i could even pick up the other device lol. (Tablet and phone)

I've never played afk willingly, but I have fallen asleep a couple times though just trying to finish off that level. I've gotten better about that now though lol I promise <3

[Ryaca]

Lol! I've fallen asleep before and when I woke up it scared the ghosts outta me!
Luckily I woke up immediately after I nodded off. Now if I start doing the nod, I log.

[Cashew]

Scared the bajesus outta me too lol, although I fell asleep for a few hours now if I'm nodding off I just log out even if I'm close to a level lol.

[Ryaca]

Lol I bet falling asleep has caused many people to end up at spawn.