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 (http://forums.riftgame.com/showthread.php?66313-Trion!-Your-stance-on-Multiboxing-Thousands-of-potential-customers-need-to-know!&p=1043554&viewfull=1#post1043554)

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 (http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthread.php?t=34569) 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.

[Khatovar]

Warhammer Online


Ok, here's your greenlight for Warhammer :
Updated 4/28/09 - EA Ticket 090325-009319


I am sorry for the delay in writing, our tier three support department is receiving a higher then normal email volume so we are a bit back logged but are working to correct this.

As long as you own legal copies of the game multi boxing should not be an issue. It will become an issue however if you are using multi boxing to exploit the game in some way.

Please keep in mind the stuff below, esp. Sec 4 - A. You may end up with a GM waving that at you when they get ahold of their brandy-new banhammer. I'd suggest that before trying to multibox, you contact them yourselves so you have your own greenlight ticket to refer to.


EA Ticket 090306-003423

Probably the least helpful response I've received outside of being blown off totally :


I apologize but we currently do not have a stance as it has not become an issue. I would suggest reviewing the following pages;

Player Code of Conduct ('http://help.warhammeronline.com/cgi-bin/eawarhammer.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=20867')
User Access and License Agreement ('http://help.warhammeronline.com/cgi-bin/eawarhammer.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=20866'):
EA Terms of Use and Service ('http://legal.ea.com/legal/legal.jsp?language=en'):


After reading the End User Access and License Agreement ('http://help.warhammeronline.com/cgi-bin/eawarhammer.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=20866'), the following stuck out :


Limits to number of accounts one person may own :


Sec 1 - C. Limit on Number of Accounts Per Credit Card(s)

Without the prior written consent of Mythic, which may be withheld in Mythic's sole discretion, no person may use, or authorize or permit another to use, a credit card, or any combination of multiple credit cards, issued to such person, to establish and/or maintain more than five (5) Accounts on the System at a time.

You may not access the game servers from multiple computers :


Sec 2 - D Para 2 -

You may access the System and use it to play the Game from any single computer or game platform. You shall not access the System or play the Game concurrently on different computers and/or game platforms.

Sec 3 - Para 1 -

You shall not install or operate the Software concurrently on different computers and/or game platforms. ... The Software may not be shared or used concurrently on different computers.

Both hardware and software boxing is probably covered under the following :


Sec 4 - A - You may not use any of your own or third-party software to modify the Game Content to change Game play.

Iffy, but if they are outright prohibiting hardware boxing by stating you cannot run concurrent copies on multiple computers, they will probably point to this section to say you are using 3rd party software to change how data is sent and received and using it to change gameplay, blah blah blah. I have resent my ticket and am awaiting clarification, since I know people will go back and forth on it since it is pretty ambiguous.



Vanguard, EQ, EQ2... ALL SOE Games


12-19-09 The previous information is no longer valid. See post from Noxxy here (http://www.dual-boxing.com/showpost.php?p=253042&postcount=29) and Inactive here (http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthread.php?t=26643). See discussion here (http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthread.php?t=27225) As of this point, I can no longer say multiboxing, as we know it here, is allowed in EQ2. This likely goes for ALL SOE games.

EQ2 specific Ticket 091217-000026


Hello,

I have sent you several tickets previously asking about your stance on multiboxing. Those tickets are 090210-001499 and 090306-000046. In both tickets, I was informed that multiboxing, via a means of sending single keypresses to multiple copies of the game was perfectly acceptable.

Quote - Multi-boxing is definitely allowed. What we do not allow is automated botting.

Quote - it is permissible to use one keyboard to control several computers through a selector switch. You are allowed to use 3rd party software, as long as you do not in any way manipulate or change the client

Quote - If you are at your computer while the character is being played, then multi-boxing is fine. Generally speaking we will only take action against people who automate their characters to play unattended.

In these tickets, I specifically stated what multiboxing is.

Quote - What is Sony's stance on SOFTWARE multiboxing? IE the use of the Programs Keyclone http://www.solidice.com/keyclone/ and Innerspace http://www.lavishsoft.com/joomla/ in particular?

Quote - If you are unfamiliar with multi-boxing, it is a play style in which a single person will play multiple accounts in a game simultaneously.

Quote - Software multi-boxing is using one computer to run several accounts via hardware emulators or scripts that send a single key press to all open instances of a game window.

Quote - Many games have a 1 press = 1 action rule in that 1 input action from a key press can only equate to 1 single action taking place in game on each account.

Quote - I press 1, my mage casts fireball, my hunter shoots a flame arrow, my tank taunts, my healer casts a buff, as that is the single action on each account located in the "1" hotbar location. 1 press, 1 action.

I believe I was very clear in defining multiboxing, in as far as my inquiry, was the simultanious reciept of a single key by EACH open client. I also believe that the reps who responded were clear on that fact as well, telling me repeatedly that the ACTIONABLE offense was automated and/or unattended botting, NOT attended simultanious keybroadcasting.

Now I have people being told that simultanious keybroadcasting is automation, and actionable :

091215-002136 - Response (GM Yxyran)
12/16/2009 12:49 AM

[shortened]…The problem occurs when you…send commands…at the same time…it is important that you understand why you cannot use any device or program to allow you to control more than one character with one key stroke.

It offers you an unfair advantage over players using the game and interface as designed. It essentially accomplishes an action that…could not be done in the course of play. There is no way to link the actions of two separate characters in game. No way to make them work in sync where you take action with one character and it triggers an automatic action from another. You have to use separate keystrokes for each character's actions. Each character must be under the direct control of the player at all times. Anything that circumvents that direct control constitutes automation. Automation makes them a bot.

Thank you for your time,
Game Master Yxyran
"The Moon Moth"


Response (GM Kaerytha)
12/15/2009 08:58 PM

[Shortened – message relayed from the Lead GM on Nagafen]…In addition, simultaneous key broadcasting is not permitted. So if you are pressing one key on your keyboard, and it's causing all 6 of your characters to cast, or attack or perform any action simultaneously then that is something we would consider character automation, which is prohibited….

Safe Travels,

GM Kaerytha
EverQuest II
Sony Online Entertainment


However, TSR DanielH was recently given tips on how to use one of these programs to send simultanious keystrokes to multiple clients at the same time, where he thanks the poster and says he'll try it out -

http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?start=0&topic_id=457105#5100073


So, what's the deal? Is the act of sending a keypress to all open instances of EQ2 suddenly considered automation? And does this apply to all SOE games now? Please clarify.

Thank you.


Greetings,

Thank you for contacting Sony Online Entertainment.

There has been a lot of questions surrounding the issue of multi-boxing lately. I recognize a lot of those quotes you mentioned in your ticket in an e-mail I have received recently. Essentially what it boils down to is this... Multiboxing is allowed so long as each character performing an action requires a unique and separate keystroke.

If you have any other questions or issues please don't hesitate to contact us again and we'll be happy to assist you.

The reference number for this ticket is (091217-000026). Please use this number if you need to refer back to this contact for any reason.

Update your ticket by accessing http://station.com/kb and viewing the "Questions" section under "Service History". Simply click the name of the incident to update it.

Thank you again,

Chad A.

Technical Support Representative

Sony Online Entertainment

[Khatovar]

City of Heroes/Villains, Guild Wars/2, Lineage/2, Aion


4/28/09 NCsoft Ticket 090306-000473


CoH/V

We allow Hardware multi-boxing in the sense that a player may use a KVM switch to access multiple hardware that is running the City of Heroes application.

Use of a 3rd party program to automate in-game actions or to script a series of commands to a single button press is a violation of our EULA, and is something that City of Heroes does not support.

We have in-game macros that do permit a single button to trigger certain powers or behavior. For example, a player may create a Macro or keybind that targets a nearby entity and triggers an attack. We do not, however, support any botting behavior.

Specifically you asked "I press 1, my mage casts fireball, my hunter shoots a flame arrow, my tank taunts, my healer casts a buff, as that is the single action on each account located in the "1" hotbar location. 1 press, 1 action." This particular type of conduct is fine.

You also asked "Many games also require that the player be able to maintain control of each individual character at any given time, by responding to game masters/customer service reps from any character." This type of behavior is not supported by City of Heroes macro system, and would only be conceivably possible with a 3rd party program which is prohibited by our EULA.
Section 7 of our EULA is pretty clear about this:

7. OFFICIAL SERVICE
NC Interactive has designed the Game(s) for official play only as offered through the Service by NC Interactive at the Web Site and not through any other means. You further agree not to access, create or provide any other means through which the Game(s) may be played by others, as through server emulators. You agree not to use any hardware or software, including but not limited to third party tools, or any other method of support which may in any way influence or advantage your use of the Service which is not authorized by NC Interactive, including but not limited to the use of "bots" and/or any other method by which the Service may be played automatically without human input.

Our game uses Instances, but there are contested areas of the game that we will action players if we find that they are controlling an area unfairly (i.e. Heavies in Recluse's Victory - PvP zone).

While we do not have a "fair play" clause, intentionally preventing another player from accessing certain portions of our game is a harassment type of conduct that violates Section 6 (d) (ix) of our UA.

(d) Member Conduct. You agree not to use the Service to:

(i) "stalk" or otherwise harass another member.

Section 7 could also be loosely applied here, with the interpretation that preventing other players from accessing certain content by multi-boxing grants an unfair advantage.

The User Agreement prohibits the sharing of accounts except with that of a minor child of the account owner. With this in mind, account sharing rules are there for the safety of the account owner. The account sharing rule is there to reinforce another rule that states the security of an account is the responsibility of the account owner. Basically this means if you share your account you are responsible for the action taken on it. We will not close an account because your cousin logged you in to buff for a raid. If you and your cousin are fighting over the account and the account is in dispute, the account will be closed because security has been compromised.

City of Heroes has a refer-a-friend promotion that grants additional in-game time to the referrer. There are no in-game perks (items or XP bonuses). City of Heroes also discounts the monthly $14.99 plan based upon long-term subscription commitments.

City of Heroes must remain in focus (the main application running) to be accessed. If it is run as a background application, it is not accessible to any key inputs.


Follow ups :

With regard to your first question, the policy for City of Heroes on this point should be considered the same as the Lineage franchise. {"Multiboxing is not automation, you agreed 1:1 actions are fine re mage/hunter/tank/healer example, but say you can only respond to GMs with 3rd party programs? WHAT are you on about?"}

As far as your second City of Heroes specific question, any multiple window prevention in City of Heroes is either unintentional or legacy code and we do not actively attempt block the use of several game clients on a PC.


Lineage 1/2

You are allowed to run several clients on several machines, as long as you are in direct control of all characters and no unfair automated advantage is present. Also, we do not test our clients for multibox capabilities and this method is not supported by tech support.

You are allowed to run several game clients on the same machine, as long as the user is in direct control of all characters and no unfair automated advantage is present.
a. The use of software to remap keys is allowed.
b. The use of software automate actions is not.

Botting is a serious issue in the Lineage franchise. We can not disclose our methods of determining between bots and boxes as the developers of the bot programs would use this information to "hide" their bot programs. Let us say, that since bot programs are "smarter" than an in-game macro we give suspected botters an "IQ test." We generally play by the 1:1 rule but in-game macros allow for the chaining of skills.

The Lineage franchise is built around creating conflict for an in-depth PvP world. The GM team does not interfere with any "contested" content. We want content to be contested. The GM team will only take action when a game feature is exploited and used in a manner it was not intended. Example: It is ok to blockade a bridge in most of the game world (PvP zone.) It is not ok to block the entrance to a shop in town as it is a not PvP zone.

Recruit-a-friend offers allowing for gifted trial accounts and full retail serial keys happen several times a year. At this time we do not have a discount for multiple accounts.

There are no specific guards implemented in the L1 or L2 clients to prevent multiboxing.


Guild Wars

We do not officially support this. {Hardware Boxing}

Automated gameplay is not allowed and is in violation with the User Agreement. {Software Boxing}

If you were somehow able to use your programmable keyboard to fully automate your gameplay experience, especially to the point where you did not have to attend your computer while your keyboard software "played" the game for you, then that would be considered against our User Agreement and subject to disciplinary action. {How do you define multi-boxing vs botting?}

We do not have a "fair play" clause in the UA that would apply to multi-boxers.

Every game box purchased has a 14-Trilogy Trial. This Trial is 14 days or 10 hours whichever comes first. {RAF?}

You can not open more then one Guild Wars game client without modification. We do not consider running more then one version of Guild Wars to be a violation.

Follow up :

We can not provide more specific answers to your questions regarding Guild Wars other then as you said, if you do find a way to open more then one client that does not violate the User Agreement, it is not a bannable offense. This can be applied to all of your questions. {resubmitted questions - "I'm not asking if you support hardware boxing, I asked if it was allowed. Software boxing is not botting or automation."



Guild Wars 2
https://forum-en.guildwars2.com/forum/game/gw2/Q-Is-multi-boxing-allowed/first#post245276

This post has been quoted in other forum posts, but it is inaccurate. ArenaNet does not prohibit Multi- or Dual-Boxing as along as the player is active on each account and is not botting or using other third-party programs to “play” the account.


https://forum-en.guildwars2.com/forum/support/account/Policy-3rd-Party-Programs-Multi-Boxing-Macros/first#post354869

Dual- or Multi-Boxing

You may use more than one account at the same time.
You may use more than one computer at the same time.
You must be actively playing on each account.
And as stated above, you may not program your keyboard to perform functions on more than one account at a time.
a. For example, if you press W on your keyboard to move forward, a single character on a single account should move forward. The keystroke or mouse click should not perform functions on more than one account.




6/02/09 NCsoft Ticket 090602-000341


Aion

The rules and the way we will treat multiboxing for Aion will be exactly the same as they are treated for Lineage II. The internal systems will be very much the same. So feel free to use the Lineage II information.

I don't think we have done any test with multiple instances of Aion running on the same machine but I am sure we will hear more as our beta events start.

Note, Aion is multiboxable, but you will need to disable GameGuard to do so. I have no information on if they get ticked off about disabling GG.

[Khatovar]

Spellborn


Acclaim Ticket UWF-875168


1) Hardware Multi-boxing is allowed as it is different accounts on different computers
2) Software Multi-boxing is not allowed as it uses a third party software which is not allowed.
3) As long as condition 1 and 2 is satisfied, this is allowed. Here all the other rules apply that can be found on our forums like replying to a GM/CSR or harassing other players or making their game unplayable. You can find more rules on our forums. {Re: macros and botting vs boxing}
4) Answered in 3. {Re: Fair Play clauses}
5 You can share your account, but we won't be helping you with your account if it gets hacked or deleted etc. We can trace the IPs of all accounts and find if it was shared earlier or not.
6) We are working a recruit a friend option where the invitee will enjoy many benefits by inviting his/her friends.
7) We have Gameguard to block all the illegal software.


Please be aware, this is only what I have been told. The e-mail I sent was very detailed and long covering many, many areas that would be of interest to multi-boxers but I got very little in response to most of my questions. I hope to update this thread with further information as it becomes available.

If you have conflicting information, please let me know and I will resubmit my questions for further response. If you have other games you want to know about, I can copy my e-mail to them for information.

Oh, and reserved in case I get wordy again.

[Frosty]

Wow! You've been busy!

Thanks for this awesome information. This should definitely be stickied! :thumbup:

[Khatovar]

The sad thing is I said in Captive's post that I was going to shut up and go play now. Instead I did this. I am so easily...

omg, is that a ladybug?!?! 8o

:whistling: Huh? What?

[Darthane]

In regards to age of conan, back in beta I got a chat with a dev ingame...

Age of Conan: Permission ('http://www.dual-boxing.com/forums/index.php?page=Thread&postID=64001&highlight=#post64001')

Shame about SoE, they seem to have the best stance on boxing but have some of the least fun games to do it with.

Waiting on EA/Mythic to get back to me in regards to this same matter, have tested the game on one box and while the CPU and Ram requirements are insane it looks doable with innerspace. (4 clients maxed out 6.8GB ram and had all 4 cores of my q6600@3.0 flat out)

[Bigfish]

Wow. Fuck Warhammer then.

[Kaelika]

Wow. Fuck Warhammer then.I said this to myself long before I knew Mythic's stance on multi-boxing.

On another note, I'm relieved to see Turbine's reaction regarding multi-boxing, since I might end up playing LotRO when I exhaust EQ2 at some point.

[Bigfish]

I said this to myself long before I knew Mythic's stance on multi-boxing.

Yeah, but I'm personally miffed since they felt the need to include me (hardware boxing) in their EULA. Its just, ridiculous. They don't want me as a customer? Fine.

[Captive]

Thank you for doing all of this Khatovar. As someone who's duo and trio-boxed EQ, duo-boxed EQ2, and 5-boxed WoW, it's good to know the official stances on these other games. I'm currently putting together a 6-man team for EQ2, and this info is reassuring. Thanks again.

[Korruptor]

Good info there Khatovar!

With my current multiboxing endeavor in Anarchy Online I haven't run into any GM flak or even from players (forum trolls aren't included here).

[Kayley]

EvE :(

[Khatovar]

Glad to be able to offer something. At some point I may expand the list to include more details, like what works and what doesn't for hardware and software setups, but I think that's probably a lot of work. And I'd kinda like to go play instead of talking about playing sometimes ;) But the reserveds are there for that and any other games that come down the pipe.

It's a work in progress, I guess. I'll get all OCD again I'm sure. :P

[RobinGBrown]

EVE's 'stance' and what they actually do in real terms are two completely different things - the game is riddled with bots and gold farmers and gold sellers who never get taken down. So I'd say that you've found the usual 'amateur' GM problem that EVE is stuck with, their in game customer service is badly done and inconsistent. I'd wait for a dev quote to be sure.

[Korruptor]

EVE's 'stance' and what they actually do in real terms are two completely different things - the game is riddled with bots and gold farmers and gold sellers who never get taken down. So I'd say that you've found the usual 'amateur' GM problem that EVE is stuck with, their in game customer service is badly done and inconsistent. I'd wait for a dev quote to be sure.

Not to mention that some of their own Dev's have been busted for cheating and giving their own corporations major advantages and the guilty developers were never fired even though the scandal caused many players to leave. Hypocrites!

[Khatovar]

Well, my post is simply about "Does X game allow multi-boxing?" I've not set out to debate how good, bad or lax a company is about enforcing their own rules. It's not my place to say "Your rules say 'no no,' but your eyes, they say 'yes, yes!'" That's like mods coming in and saying "WoW doesn't allow account sharing but you can get away with it by periodically having a conversation with yourself in /say so people don't report you or by saying the different names on the accounts are your parents and you're still a minor when a GM does contact you."

This is the stance I was given. The EULA was quoted pointing to no software to change how the game is played, and agree or disagree, that's what I was given. The old-fashioned, mickey-moused way is perfectly acceptable. GM to GM may disagree or not care or whatever, but the rules do state "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." Sec 7 - A - 2 of the EULA ('http://www.eveonline.com/pnp/eula.asp') and all I'm doing is coming back here with that.

I set out to do this because DB is supposed to be about playing our way within the rules, yet there was no place to find these rules for any game but WoW. If EvE is going to be a game that is going to be "rules are there only to look good" then I will remove it from the list and other people can tread it out on their own.

[Frosty]

It's not my place to say "Your rules say 'no no,' but your eyes, they say 'yes, yes!'"LOL! :P



This is the stance I was given. The EULA was quoted pointing to no software to change how the game is played, and agree or disagree, that's what I was given. The old-fashioned, mickey-moused way is perfectly acceptable. GM to GM may disagree or not care or whatever, but the rules do state "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." Sec 7 - A - 2 of the EULA ('http://www.eveonline.com/pnp/eula.asp') and all I'm doing is coming back here with that.

I set out to do this because DB is supposed to be about playing our way within the rules, yet there was no place to find these rules for any game but WoW. If EvE is going to be a game that is going to be "rules are there only to look good" then I will remove it from the list and other people can tread it out on their own. I agree that this should stay on focus of your original intentions of what we can do and can't do, not what we can get away with.

If Eve is a play-at-your-own-risk kind of game, then we really don't want to make it seem like it's ok to go in and do anything you want.
This will end up leading to a newbie starting up boxing, and then blaming us when their accounts get banned and they are out $$$.

[Souca]

One thing worth noting about Eve is that you gain very little from keyboard or mouse broadcasting. From their statement that as long as you change windows it being okay is fine since that's pretty much all you need to box in Eve. The game is very UI driven and has minimal keybinding and no macros I know of, so window switching doesn't provide any additional detriments to play beyond the division of concentration that is an inherent part of multiboxing.

Edit:

One other thing. Are we sure the anti-boxing clauses in Warhammer aren't just the standard "you can't play this game on more than one computer cause you only bought one copy"? Granted I know this is ultimately up to their discretion, but when I saw the verbage I thought more about the situation where I install photoshop on my computer and my friends; only one can be used at a time acordign to the EULA. Unless they sell accounts seperate from the game, you would have one copy per account. Just a thought.

- Souca -

[Khatovar]

Yeah, I'm still waiting on clarification. My ticket was escallated again so it may be a while yet before I get a clearer answer.

[Bigfish]

One other thing. Are we sure the anti-boxing clauses in Warhammer aren't just the standard "you can't play this game on more than one computer cause you only bought one copy"? Granted I know this is ultimately up to their discretion, but when I saw the verbage I thought more about the situation where I install photoshop on my computer and my friends; only one can be used at a time acordign to the EULA. Unless they sell accounts seperate from the game, you would have one copy per account. Just a thought.

It could be. Kind of a silly stance, since the the client itself isn't really what generates revenue. I mean, the start up price of an MMO is the shelf price minus the first month's worth of subscription, which then generates revenue on a subscription basis. They really ought to just hand the client out like Warcraft does if they want to generate massive subscriptions and revenue.

Of course, I guess that's the revenue model of a successful MMO. I suppose it is entirely feasable to try and market the thing like an ordinary PC game where you generate revenue based on units sold, but that seems short sighted and outdated to me.

That said, it strikes me that if the GM department follows that business model, they would probably be more than content to just ban your accounts since you've already generated the revenue of a sold game. Can't really say for certain one way or the other though...

I actually think I'm going to call that "The Diablo Principle". For those of you too young to remember, when games like Diablo and Warcraft 2 first came out, they were copy friendly, and allowed a "spawned" versions to be installed, which allowed limited gameplay even if you didn't have the disk. Not that the disk had any copy protection anyway. All you really needed was a cd writer, which wasn't too common at the time.

Anywho, the point is, at the time, anyone who wanted to try the game could with a minimum of effort. While that situation has waned over the years, you see a moderate resurgance with the free-trials of WoW. Install WoW on every computer you come across, Blizz doesn't care, because it means more chances to get people to try the trial and ultimately the chance to hook them in to a subscription.

[Ellay]

Big o sticky for this one, thanks!

[Kaelika]

While it would be pretty difficult to multi-box it anyway, The Chronicles of Spellborn's in-game EULA specifically states that you can "own multiple accounts, but only play one at a time." If you log into the client and read the EULA, you can see this for yourself. There is a free trial.

I'm trying to find an online link to the EULA, but haven't been able to so far. Maybe when the game goes live it will be available on their website: http://www.tcos.com

(Note that TCoS is a subscription-based MMO.)

[Khatovar]

I can't even tell if Spellborn is actually gold or not. The news section reports being in open beta, yet there's a subscription page and "free trial limitations".

The Acclaim TOU ('http://phpbb.acclaim.com/acclaim/viewtopic.php?t=6') says :


Sec 1 P 2
You can hold several accounts but you must only use one account at a time and cannot use it to transfer items between accounts.

Sec 8 P 1

You agree not to design, disseminate or use any third party programs designed to change the game play on the site. Any use, dissemination or design of such programs is a breach of these Terms you will be responsible for any resulting damages to Acclaim. You agree that if you disseminate, design or assist in the design of a third party program that changes the game play on Acclaim, you will pay Acclaim. liquidated damages in the sum of Hundred Thousand Dollars for each such program as liquidated damages. You agree that if you use such a program on the Acclaim website, you will pay Acclaim liquidated damages in the sum of One Thousand Dollars for each time you use a program.

TCos Rules of Conduct ('http://phpbb.acclaim.com/spellborn/viewtopic.php?t=4&sid=0ef911ce88ef891338676bb79dcc9bfc')


Multiple Acclaim accounts - You can have more than one Acclaim account but you cannot sign into a game more than once at the same time to gain an unfair advantage.


Umm...mod "TwistedEdge" says they're still in beta in the US.


Beta or Live? 4-2-09 ('http://phpbb.acclaim.com/spellborn/viewtopic.php?p=21844&highlight=&sid=5aad3dbfab5e965cb52da7e29a51ac15#21844')
We were not in OB because we were waiting on a patch. We are in beta to ensure everything on our servers are safe and secure so that once we are officially live, we do not have to worry about random server crashings. There is still work on the backend to complete.


More Servers 4-2-09 ('http://phpbb.acclaim.com/spellborn/viewtopic.php?p=21861&highlight=&sid=5aad3dbfab5e965cb52da7e29a51ac15#21861')
Servers will be added as required. Once we go live, if the populations on the servers come close to our max, then yes, we will expand to more servers. Until that point comes, we cant really comment for sure.

In regards to the release of the game officially. No ETA on it at this point, keep watching the stickies and announcements as they will be updated once info is available.

Seems pretty clear they don't want you even looking at thier games funny. I can send them my e-mail, but I'm pretty sure that we already have the answer.

[Kaelika]

I can't even tell if Spellborn is actually gold or not. The news section reports being in open beta, yet there's a subscription page and "free trial limitations".

Well, according to an official announcement ('http://phpbb.acclaim.com/spellborn/viewtopic.php?t=1376&highlight=character+wipe') dated as 3/20 on the forums:

Quote: Acclaim Games is pleased to announce the start of Open Beta testing for The Chronicles of Spellborn MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). With a successful round of Closed Beta testing just completed, Acclaim opens a new PvE server and activates the Premium Subscription service as more players are invited to experience The Chronicles of Spellborn in Open Beta.


Well now that the fluff is done... I know your real question is how do I activate my account.

Well Click Here to Activate Your Account ('http://spellborn.acclaim.com/ActivateGameTracker.html')!

Stuck at 7.9 and want the premium? Go here and take advantage of our introductory pricing. The deal won't be around for forever, so don't miss your chance. Get Premium Today ('http://spellborn.acclaim.com/keypurchase.html')!
So, technically, the game is in open beta since anyone can play and game access is no longer by invitation only, but there's obviously a great deal of confusion and ambiguity on the part of the staff, as your quoted post shows us, but you can purchase a "subscription" -- if you want to call it that -- with Acclaim coins, although they might as well label it as live since you can actually pay for it right now, and the general consensus seems to be that there will be no character wipe. So, whatever they say, if you can actually pay for the game, and they aren't going to wipe everyone's characters, then why even label it as a beta? *rolls eyes* Also, I'm really confused by the wording of the moderator's post you quoted. It doesn't even make sense, and since the thread is now locked, I guess I can't post and ask for clarification.

Not to mention that a non-Acclaim-coin-based, $14.99 per month subscription isn't even available yet, so if you want access to the rest of the game, you'll have to purchase the coins, which has caused issues for some players, and the website only says the following about the release timing for regular subscriptions:



Coming soon for Spellborn

1. Credit Card Subscription Option
2. Full Game Release
3. More In Game Events So, basically, zilch. As for the official forums, this thread ('http://phpbb.acclaim.com/spellborn/viewtopic.php?t=1377') contains the most pertinent information that you'll find about it, which really isn't much -- still just the usual "soon" cliche.

They will be adding additional areas to the game that you can play for free, but as of right now, you can play to just level 7.9 without paying. I was interested in the game since the maximum group size is only four players, which would be great for multi-boxing, but that's obviously not an option now, heh.

[Trushot]

I would never play any game that doesnt allow ethical multiboxers to play nor would I buy any of that companies products again for my household....

this comment should be stickied to every Devs inbox!

as soon as I read no hardware boxing in the previous games EULA ... i never bothered to even try the free trail period ... i have heard since i did not miss much anyway...



heh

DEAR DEVS ...

I am a Multiboxer... I am anything but a chinese gold farmer nor do I use fancy macros to play unattended... I simply pay for multiple accounts and play them at the same time for MY own enjoyment... I am above average means and intelligence ... I am older than the average gamer... I am a boon to your bottom line ... DO NOT DISCLUDE us from playing your game ... our numbers are strong and multiboxing is a growing hobby among older financially secure adults... TO IGNORE US and preclude us from playing your games is a dumb financial decision from whomever made it...

ETC...



of course IMHO some of the DEVelopers have nto a clue about running a business or customer service anyway ... I am entitled to this opinion becuase I own and operate a large company with around 300 employees with satisfied employees and Outstanding Customer service .... www.renshawauto.com ('http://www.renshawauto.com/')

.....................................

there it is copy and paste this and send it to any dev that doesnt supoort multiboxing ... I would venture to guess there are hundreds of thousands of boxers like me in the world that can make or break a new mmo based on that decision alone

[Prepared]

Given the questions sent to each company, the responses are exactly what I would expect.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the questions to the companies were:
"Do you allow Hardware multi-boxing?"
"Do you allow Software multi-boxing?"

Why would there be so many different responses? Because there is no description in the question as to what multi-boxing is. Sure, just about everyone here reading these forums understands what is meant, but the average person playing and even support personnel of the games aren't always going to know what is meant by those terms. To the average person playing an MMORPG, multi-boxing means botting. Just about everyone I see unless they know what it is about and know it's legal, will first say "oh, a bot!"

I'm willing to bet that if a description went along with the question as to what multi-boxing is, you would have received different responses. Most of them indicating it was OK to do. If they understand that a person is at the keyboard controlling the characters by pressing a key that is sent to all instances of the game and is not automated game play, they would have said it would be allowed. If you just ask, do you allow multi-boxing, how do you know the person that is answering understands what it is you're asking?

[Khatovar]

Actually, the letter I sent was massive and very detailed. It was not included because it is very long and no one cares what I said, they only care what the various companies said. But since people seem to think it is my fault for not explaining it properly:



Hello,

My name is Katie ******* and I am a member of the multi-boxing community at dual-boxing.com. If you are unfamiliar with multi-boxing, it is a play style in which a single person will play multiple accounts in a game simultaneously.

At dual-boxing.com, the community works to make a large distinction between multi-boxing and botting by remaining "committed to staying 100% compliant with the Terms of Service (ToS), End User License (EULA) and Terms of Use (ToU) which may apply to games." We do not sell our accounts, we do not sell our in-game currency, we do not use BOT programs to play for us and we do not sell leveling services. We play this many accounts because we enjoy the challenge of doing so.

While the majority of multi-boxers do play World of Warcraft, the community grows every day to include other games as well. This is leading to some confusion as people seem to think only World of Warcraft supports or allows multi-boxing. This leads to people no longer gaming at all once they decide to stop playing WoW because it is difficult to find information about multi-boxing and other games.

Many of us who get into multi-boxing simply can't imagine playing a single character anymore. This is exactly what happened to me recently when I decided to stop playing WoW. I wanted to play something else, but not if I couldn't multi-box with my husband. Being our own group makes gaming a million times more enjoyable for us. However, I spent 3 frustrating weeks looking for what games can be played this way. And the information I found only told me that "these programs will work," not "this company allows multi-boxing in thier games".

And that is the core of my letter to you. Just because we -can- do something does not mean it falls within your rules and as such, within the community guidelines of dual-boxing.com. If you could please take the time to answer the below questions so that I may share this information with other multi-boxers, it would be very much appreciated. This will help us to prevent people from breaking your game rules as well as send new multi-boxers {and their multiple subscriptions} your way if this is a play style that you find acceptable.

Please feel free to forward this e-mail to a specialist if these questions have not yet been addressed within your company. I am far more concerned with solid information than timely information, as I am asking these questions for the entire MB community, present and future, not just for myself.

1. Do you allow Hardware multi-boxing? Hardware multi-boxing is using several computers wired together via switches or wireless mouse/keyboard combinations to play several accounts. This is usually 1 or 2 accounts per computer.

2. Do you allow Software multi-boxing? Software multi-boxing is using one computer to run several accounts via hardware emulators or scripts that send a single key press to all open instances of a game window. See:

Keyclone - http://www.solidice.com/keyclone/
HotKeyNet - http://www.hotkeynet.com/
Innerspace - http://www.lavishsoft.com/joomla/
AutoHotKey - http://www.autohotkey.com/

While some of these programs can be used for many, many things, the vast majority of multi-boxers will only use them in compliance with the rules set forth in your game. For example, Innerspace can be used for automation {see 3} however, most multi-boxers will refuse to use such functions. When certain people who break the rules get caught and blame the program, we are the first to say it's not the program that broke the rules, it's the user. The user is responsible for knowing what is a violation and what is not. We neither expect nor request a seal of approval on any listed program, as your rules and the products can change at any time. See below.

3. What are your rules for distinguishing multi-boxing from botting? Many games have a 1 press = 1 action rule in that 1 input action from a key press can only equate to 1 single action taking place in game on each account.

I press 1, my mage casts fireball, my hunter shoots a flame arrow, my tank taunts, my healer casts a buff, as that is the single action on each account located in the "1" hotbar location. 1 press, 1 action.

I press 1 and my mage casts a stream of 4 fireballs, an ice wall, an acid splash and a daze spell, it is now 7 actions for one key press, and by many standards, automation, as 1 press has now initiated a scripted sequence of actions that no longer requires my input to take place.

Games like EverQuest have long permitted the use of advanced scripting that allows players to use things like loops, wait commands and such. On the other hand, EverQuest2 expressly forbids such actions, allowing players only one action per key press. We are aware that rules differ even within the SAME company on DIFFERENT games.

Many games also require that the player be able to maintain control of each individual character at any given time, by responding to game masters/customer service reps from any character.

4. Do you have "fair play" clauses in your EULA that multi-boxers should be particularly aware of? For example, EQ2 can action players for monopolizing content. Many dungeons in that game are "contested", and not instanced, meaning at any given time, several groups can be in the same dungeon at the same time, competing for a boss mob. Camping this dungeon and intentionally preventing other players from having a chance at these mobs, especially if they are quest related, violates the fair-play clause and is actionable by game masters.

5. Do you have an account sharing policy? Most multi-boxers make it a point to be sure that every account they play is registered only to them. Very few would take the chance of sharing with other people, however, it is often asked if spouses, children or siblings can share an account.

6. Do you have any "Recruit-a-Friend" style offers that multi-boxers could take advantage of, or conversely are prohibited from enrolling in? Multi-boxers love promotions. Getting free time or special items for starting additional accounts is like the frosting on a cake. Things like discounts on monthly subscription fees for multiple accounts or for paying for several months in advance are also well-liked by multi-boxers.

7. Do you have specific guards in place to prevent certain actions? Specifically, many games do not like to run in the background and cannot receive key presses passed to them. Many programs like those I listed above "correct" this by locking a window into the foreground. In some cases, this "foreground only" behavior is unintentional, or intended only as far as preventing keys from being processed when the user does not intend them to be processed {when they are alt-tabbed out to look something up on a browser, for example}. In other cases, this is fully intended to prevent people from playing more than one copy of the same game on one computer.

In the latter instance, software boxing would be a violation of your EULA if a "lock in foreground" mechanism was used, but may well be allowed if alt-tabbing between instances to repeat key presses was used. Or neither may be allowed, meaning software multi-boxing is a violation in your game and any attempt to do so is actionable.

I do believe these are all the vital questions that would be raised by any member of the multi-boxing community before venturing into any game. Please feel free to bring up anything else that you feel a multi-boxing player should know about your game, any information is good information to us. We always prefer to be friendly and responsible gamers in our chosen community, and we strive to be a good example.

I sincerely thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Hopefully they will prevent anyone from inadvertently breaking the rules of your game. And getting this information out in a clear manner, without guessing and going on "well, I haven't been banned, so it must be OK" is much more likely to get gamers to try other games and passing the word to other gamers, which is always good for the MMO community. This gives us a chance to say "These are the rules, you can't say you didn't know going in." It protects our community and yours.

[Noxxy]

Have doubled posted the following to ensure it is available in both the EQ2 forum and this thread:

This post will have some serious repercussions for the entire EQ2 multi-boxing community if it can be further validated - if you do send any questions to SOE, make sure you query the legality of the 'simultaneous sending of keystrokes'

NB: Before you rush of and post 'but but but my GM said keyclone/HKN/vetra was ok' - please ensure your GM knows that they are simultaneous keystroke casters

Your 'constructive' input into this thread would be appreciated


Simply:
- The use of either hardware or software for the simulatenous sending of keystrokes to the same or across multiple pcs is considered character automation. As such, it is against SOE EULA and is illegal.

Had an interesting night last night. Introduced myself to a new server (went to try pvp) and, in summary, was told by several GMs that the simultaneous broadcasting of keystrokes is considered character automation and as such is illegal.

This simply means that plug-n-play hardware solutions such as the vetra megacaster and software applications such as keyclone, hkn and any other 'simultaneous keystroke broadcaster' are illegal in EQ2

After reading the GM replies, I checked their understanding against previous GM responses posted in Khatovar's MB & Current MMOs (http://www.dual-boxing.com/showthread.php?t=19768).

In Khat's post I found the reference to Ticket 090210-001499 where CSR Xavier "Spadaccino" M. replied:
'Every action taken by a character has to be the result of a unique keystroke. Usually this is accomplished by multiple computers with multiple keyboards, though it is permissible to use one keyboard to control several computers through a selector switch. You are allowed to use 3rd party software, as long as you do not in any way manipulate or change the client (EQ2) program and as long as you are at the controls and capable or responding from each character.'

If we analyse this further - Every action taken by a character has to be the result of a unique keystroke. - the simultaneous sending of keystrokes is not as such 'unique' - it is cloned. Whilst Xavier does go on to mention 'You are allowed to use 3rd party software' - I believe this is in relation to a software selector and defineately not a 'key cloner'

For your information, I have included an edited version of the incident report I submitted last night:

Incident: 091215-002136

Response (GM Yxyran)
12/16/2009 12:49 AM

[shortened]…The problem occurs when you…send commands…at the same time…it is important that you understand why you cannot use any device or program to allow you to control more than one character with one key stroke.

It offers you an unfair advantage over players using the game and interface as designed. It essentially accomplishes an action that…could not be done in the course of play. There is no way to link the actions of two separate characters in game. No way to make them work in sync where you take action with one character and it triggers an automatic action from another. You have to use separate keystrokes for each character's actions. Each character must be under the direct control of the player at all times. Anything that circumvents that direct control constitutes automation. Automation makes them a bot.

Thank you for your time,
Game Master Yxyran
"The Moon Moth"


Response (GM Kaerytha)
12/15/2009 08:58 PM

[Shortened – message relayed from the Lead GM on Nagafen]…In addition, simultaneous key broadcasting is not permitted. So if you are pressing one key on your keyboard, and it's causing all 6 of your characters to cast, or attack or perform any action simultaneously then that is something we would consider character automation, which is prohibited….

Safe Travels,

GM Kaerytha
EverQuest II
Sony Online Entertainment

[Khatovar]

I've been watching both posts in the EQ2 section.

That's a pretty strong turnabout from the responses I got for the CSR Xavier ticket and the second ticket 090306-000046.

Especially after the second ticket where I very specifically state that software multiboxing uses programs "that send a single key press to all open instances of a game window" and then go on to discuss "Many games have a 1 press = 1 action rule in that 1 input action from a key press can only equate to 1 single action taking place in game on each account.", where I am told "If you are at your computer while the character is being played, then multi-boxing is fine. Generally speaking we will only take action against people who automate their characters to play unattended. If you are suspected of botting then the GM will typically send the character a tell to see if they are at the keyboard."

Keep me aprised, I'll edit the main post.

[Khatovar]

I apparently did not reserve enough postspace.

This is an ARCHIVE post. The information listed in this post is INVALID and no longer applies to the game in question. It is here for reference only, valid information for this game is located in the beginning of this thread.

EQ2 specific Ticket 090210-001499 - see here for full text (http://www.dual-boxing.com/showpost.php?p=178650&postcount=2)


Multi-boxing is definitely allowed. What we do not allow is automated botting. Every action taken by a character has to be the result of a unique keystroke. Usually this is accomplished by multiple computers with multiple keyboards, though it is permissible to use one keyboard to control several computers through a selector switch. You are allowed to use 3rd party software, as long as you do not in any way manipulate or change the client (EQ2) program and as long as you are at the controls and capable or responding from each character. An examples of something that is not ok is having Character 2 following Character 1 with a macro that auto-heals character 1 or that auto-attacks.

For the new Recruit a Friend promotion, yes you can use it to invite several of your own accounts. We specifically set the rules so that this would work and be attractive to many of our customers. As you noticed, this promotion can result in a substantial amount of free time.

Re : Vanguard et al, SOE Ticket 090306-000046


Our policy regarding multiboxing is the same across all of the games that we currently support.

SOE was actually incredible about answering all my questions :


1. Yes {Original Question - Do you allow Hardware multi-boxing?}

2. Yes {Original Question - Do you allow Software multi-boxing?}

3. If you are at your computer while the character is being played, then multi-boxing is fine. Generally speaking we will only take action against people who automate their characters to play unattended. If you are suspected of botting then the GM will typically send the character a tell to see if they are at the keyboard. {Original Question - What are your rules for distinguishing multi-boxing from botting?}

4. While performing actions with the specific intent of causing grief for other players is against the rules, mutliboxing would not have an effect on this. {Original Question - Do you have "fair play" clauses in your EULA that multi-boxers should be particularly aware of? - Fair play clauses are things like intentionally griefing other players or blocking other players from using content.}

5. According to our policy, account sharing is against the rules. The only exception is when a parent sets up an account for a child. {Original Question - Do you have an account sharing policy?}

6. We definitely do have a Recruit a Friend promotion running at the moment. You can find all the details under the following link:
http://help.station.sony.com/cgi-bin/soe.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=20657 {Original Question - Do you have any "Recruit-a-Friend" style offers that multi-boxers could take advantage of, or conversely are prohibited from enrolling in? - Check specific game sites, this was the only one going when I asked my questions. }

7. I don't believe the game has any protections like what you are describing. I am not a multiboxer myself, so there may be some problems I'm not aware of. Still, I know others who have done it without issue. Keep in mind that multi-boxing is considered 'unsupported' play so we can't provide technical support related to running multiple instances of the game. {Original Question - Do you have specific guards in place to prevent certain actions? Specifically, many games do not like to run in the background. Many programs "correct" this by locking a window into the foreground. In some cases, this "foreground only" behavior is unintentional. In other cases, this is fully intended to prevent people from playing more than one copy of the same game on one computer.

In the latter instance, software boxing would be a violation of your EULA if a "lock in foreground" mechanism was used, but may well be allowed if alt-tabbing between instances to repeat key presses was used. Or neither may be allowed, meaning software multi-boxing is a violation in your game and any attempt to do so is actionable.}

[Kromtor]

I don't know if this is worth posting or not since the person refuses to post his GM response but according to this thread (bottom of page)
http://www.eveonline.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=1291641&page=8
a user claims that GM Lelouch has recently stated multiboxing software is legal in Eve Online

[Kromtor]

We have confirmation that multiboxing hardware and software is legal in Eve now from a senior GM. See this response:
http://www.eveonline.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=1291641&page=10 (http://www.eveonline.com/ingameboard.asp?a=topic&threadID=1291641&page=10)

[Mukade]

Moved to EVE forums as it's more OnT there, and I'm guessing no-one reads the stickies (I didn't. Got here through a link and took me forever to find this thread again).

[Kraftwerk]

Would you please find out if perpetuum is ok to box? I dont want to step on any toes and dont really know what to ask a dev about this software.

[MiRai]

Would you please find out if perpetuum is ok to box? I dont want to step on any toes and dont really know what to ask a dev about this software.
Why don't you find out and report back to us? If you don't know where to ask, then neither do we. I would start with
www.google.com (http://www.google.com), go to the game's site, and ask on their forums.

[Kraftwerk]

Why don't you find out and report back to us? If you don't know where to ask, then neither do we. I would start with
www.google.com (http://www.google.com), go to the game's site, and ask on their forums.

Sorry fenril, didnt mean to get your epenor stuck in the door! I misread this thread and will consult the delevopers for further info!

[Svpernova09]

Sorry fenril, didnt mean to get your epenor stuck in the door! I misread this thread and will consult the delevopers for further info!

Don't mistake an epeen for general advice. This is a very DIY community.

[Starbuck_Jones]

Asherons Call and Turbine have always been very loose when it comes to what players can do. They have stated on more than one occasion that the players play the game the way they want too. Look at how much went into the Decal plugin for AC. Even when bugs or exploits pop up in the game the developers take responsibility for them and dont punish players if they use them to get a leg up.

The only time I recall anyone in AC ever getting something taken away was the guy who found the longINT bug that if you bought enough items to = more than the 4billion mark it reset back to 0. Thus buy 4billion worth of items for next to nothing and sell them back to the vendor. Even then all they did was reset his cash, no ban etc. For them, the bug was in the game from day one, just it wasnt possable to exploit till they put that pyreal pea in the game that let the # get that high.

It was a very cool attitude to have back in the EQ, UO, AC days to have when EQ slapped its players around if anyone even whined about training a mob, or competing for spawns.

[Gorthu]

[shortened]…The problem occurs when you…send commands…at the same time…it is important that you understand why you cannot use any device or program to allow you to control more than one character with one key stroke.

It offers you an unfair advantage over players using the game and interface as designed. It essentially accomplishes an action that…could not be done in the course of play. There is no way to link the actions of two separate characters in game. No way to make them work in sync where you take action with one character and it triggers an automatic action from another. You have to use separate keystrokes for each character's actions. Each character must be under the direct control of the player at all times. Anything that circumvents that direct control constitutes automation. Automation makes them a bot.

Thank you for your time,
Game Master Yxyran
"The Moon Moth"




That statement always amazes me. Because even when I multiboxed with 5 computers, I could do this pretty fast. Just had to have the keypads all close together. But, the logic is wrong, because 5 people playing together with voice comm can do this easily. The logic of that statement says, that when I go to a concert, I'm only imagining the orchestra is all playing in sync. (I know this is an old post, but I've never seen anyone ask a GM how a band stays in rythm if syncing is so hard to do.

[mythal]

wow this is INVALUABLE info and THANK YOU so much for taking the time doing this for us all.
i have been multiboxing since everquest in 2001 (multiple computers back then) all the way up to wow 10-boxing on one computer as of 2011 or so.
i havent boxed for awhile and am REALLY eager to find another MMO I can multibox in.
its super super sad that there arent more games out that support things like /autofollow and such, so we can mbox.
right now im into guild wars 2 with just 5 accounts - and it isnt at all true mboxing, as you can only switch between windows. its mostly just for getting extra rewards, really. its not actually mboxing ;/ (that game would be SUPER fun to mbox, if they didnt have their heads in the sand like most devs!)

I gotta say its hilarious too that most of the replies you got:
1) Were mostly clueless as to what multiboxing even is - some of them even completely clueless.
2) Almost all of them talked about mboxing and botting, when there is nothing even remotely similar between the 2 - which continues to show the sheer ignorance around mboxing.