MB & Current MMOs

[Khatovar]

Several weeks ago I sent e-mails to most of the major MMOs out there. While most were responsive, not all of them have answered me as of yet. Some have also given me flat-out bad information. The information posted here is the current stance on hardware and software multi-boxing for whatever companies have responded to me.

• Rift

From the Rift Forums

Yesterday {2/14/11} 02:32 PM #96
Abigale
Sr. Community Manager

Join Date:
May 2010
Posts:
678

We have never implied that we would not allow multi-boxing. As long as the accounts are being run manually, we do not have a problem with it.

That being said, remember that you are responsible for all actions on each of your accounts. Harassment/griefing rules still apply. So, if a person is going to harrass someone with 5 characters at a time, that will be dealt with accordingly.

As of now, there are no restrictions or rules against multi-boxing.
Cindy Bowens
Community Lead
Rift

Saved Here for posterity.

• Age of Conan & Anarchy Online

Funcom ticket #1100074803

...
Our current policy regarding this matter does not prohibit the activity
you have requested information regarding, however please be aware.
This is not intended to replace human interaction with the game.

It is the sole discretion of Funcom to determine if such a system is
being used in a manner to allow a player a distinct advantage over other
players. Use of this is not prohibited, however excessive reliance on
them may be seen as unattended game play and dealt with accordingly.
...

I responded for a followup as this was from Age Of Conan Exploits based on a ticket I sent in for Anarchy Online. I wanted to be sure I was getting valid information and clarify which game this information was for.

Funcom Ticket #1100077153

Our policy on multi boxing applies to all of our games and is quite simple.

Yes, we allow multi-boxing. As long as you have one paid account for
each running client, that is perfectly within our EULA guidelines.

This also applies to running multiple clients on one system. As long as
each of those clients is running a unique account, there are no rule
infractions.

What will result in suspension or banning is any unattended gameplay or
farming. If the boxing is being done with the purpose of farming items
or currency, that account and all associated will immediately be banned.

So in short, if you are a community of people who like to run your own
individual groups, that is fine. It is only when issues of unattended
play (with the use of macros) or farming arise that we step in.

• Dungeons & Dragons Online & The Lord of the Rings Online

Turbine Ticket # 200099 {and 200101}

Multi-boxing is completely acceptable for any Turbine game. Our terms of service do specifically warn against Unattended Combat Macros; however this type of action is completely different than multi-boxing. Turbine as a company does understand the significant differences and thus doesn't prevent multi-boxing in any way.

• Eve Online

Ticket 20090306-1401061-800128D7

The first response I received stated multi-boxing is not allowed :

The following 2 EULA articles are considered to apply to this:

"You may not use your own or third-party software to modify any content appearing within the Game environment or change how the Game is played."

"You may not use macros or other stored rapid keystrokes or other patterns of play that facilitate acquisition of items, currency, objects, character attributes, rank or status at an accelerated rate when compared with ordinary Game play. You may not rewrite or modify the user interface or otherwise manipulate data in any way to acquire items, currency, objects, character attributes or beneficial actions not actually acquired or achieved in the Game."

More specifically regarding your questions:

1: We do not allow this I'm afraid. {Original question "Do you allow Hardware multi-boxing?"}
2: We also do not allow this. {Original question "Do you allow Software multi-boxing?"}

3 and 4, are not possible due to multi-boxing not being allowed. {Original questions "practice for distinguishing multi-boxing from botting" and "do you have any fair play clauses".}

This was called out already as bad information. My follow-up question pointed out the "Power of 2" program as a counter and I received the following :

You are welcome to use multiple accounts at the same time, no matter how many accounts you are using.

What we understood you were asking with regards to multiboxing, was controlling all of those account with a single keystroke program or mouse click copy program.

To make it more clear: You may use as many accounts as you wish at the same time, however you may not use a program to control more then 1 account at the same time with the same keystrokes/mouse, you will need to actually switch between the windows to control them.

Please be aware, I asked that my ticket be escalated and it was not. The same person gave me both answers.

Continued in post 2.