Suggestion: Introduce a Warning or Graduated Penalty System for Violation

My original account was permanently banned after being flagged for using a third-party program. I did use hotkey and macro, primarily used to streamline repetitive actions such as crafting and skill usage. I understand that this still falls under rule violations, and I take responsibility for my actions.

However, I would like to provide some context. I had been using these hotkey and macro for several years without receiving any warnings or penalties, which led me to believe that this level of usage might be tolerated or not strictly enforced. Because of this, I was genuinely unaware that my actions could result in an immediate permanent ban.

I have been playing the game for almost 7 years, with thousands of hours invested and around $1,000 in purchases. Given this long-term commitment, the lack of any prior warning or intermediate penalty before a permanent ban felt quite abrupt and discouraging.

I would like to suggest implementing a more gradual penalty system for similar cases. For example:

A first offense could result in a warning or a temporary restriction (such as being limited to the current league)
Repeated violations could then escalate to longer suspensions or a permanent ban

I believe this kind of approach would allow players to correct their behavior while still upholding the integrity of the game.

I want to make it clear that I am not trying to claim that the ban itself is unjust. I understand that my actions violated the rules, and I fully accept the consequences of that.