Account Warning [Archive] - Dual-Boxing.com

Vyndree

01-12-2008, 12:01 AM

Many things can be considered exploiting in BG's. Unless you have proof of them saying that the reason you were warned was due to "botting" and only "botting", then it could very well be that you were reported due to a number of bg exploits, including rooftop exploits while carrying the flag and generally getting to places that were intended to be inaccessible. Regardless, it's possible they could have made a mistake in either case.

If it was indeed "botting" specified (which I doubt, I've never seen GM's give conclusive reasons for warnings/bans besides spam/language via e-mail), then I'd both ticket a GM and bring it up on the Customer Service forums.

Toned

01-12-2008, 12:06 AM

I don't do WSG, and I know it was from multi-boxing, because I had about 10+ people in a 2 day period make lvl 1 alts to come spam hate tells to me on my realm. The horde in the battlegroup: ruin can't handle 5x shaman in 50-59.

Vyndree

01-12-2008, 12:09 AM

Regardless, it's possible they could have made a mistake in either case.

Don't get your panties in a wad.
1) It was a warning, not a ban. Trying to undo an unjust ban is an incredibly painful process, so be thankful.
2) You have avenues to revert unwarranted account actions via accountadmin e-mail (not recommended), GM ticket (sometimes helpful), and Customer Service forums (highly recommended)

Toned

01-12-2008, 12:18 AM

Are you like ultra-sensative because you're one of few female multi-boxers? The internet lacks "tone" in voice, I was just saying it's not from actually exploiting it's just from multi-boxing lol. I thought it was funny how QQers got me a warning without me being talked to. I'm not even worried about it im about 99.9% sure that if I talk to a Gm via ticket/forum they'll take it off.

Ellay

01-12-2008, 12:23 AM

I've been pretty much dual/multi-boxing since WoW began and have never received a warning from a GM about it, I highly doubt the warning was because of it. Would be better if you quote the message they gave.

Toned

01-12-2008, 12:25 AM

This account has recently been identified as being involved in actions deemed inappropriate for the World of Warcraft. This conclusion was reached based on the results of a thorough investigation and therefore, the following account warning has been issued:

Account Name: XXXXX

Account Action: Warning
Offense: PvP Arena/Battleground Exploitation.
Details: Exploitation of PvP Battlegrounds and the honor system. This may include, but is not limited to the following:

*Use of add-ons, "mods", external hardware, or any unapproved third party software to automate gameplay.
*Abuse of game mechanics or "bugs".
*Any behavior that has been found to be outside the intent of these Player versus Player matches.

This action has been taken in accordance with the World of Warcraft Terms of Use (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html) and our game policies (http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=20309). Any further inappropriate behavior could result in penalties ranging from a temporary suspension to account closure, and may also include the loss of any rewards the exploitive character has received.

Any disputes or questions concerning the following account action can only be addressed by Account Administration. To learn more about how Account Administration is able to assist you, please visit us at http://us.blizzard.com/support/article.xml?articleId=21505. To maintain the integrity of our investigation methods, we will be unable to disclose the specifics of our investigation methods.

Thank you for your time and for understanding our position in this matter.

Regards,

Account Administration
Blizzard Entertainment
www.WorldOfWarcraft.com

Yes, I have also been multi-boxing pre-WOW in EQ and since WoW came out and have never had an issue. Being as I was not contacted before the warning it would be very easy for some one to report me saying: "Lawlshawk is using a mod to play 5 characters at once with all of them doing the same thing". If the Gm and the player don't understand multi-boxing they assume it's a "mod", "illegal", etc...

Xzin

01-12-2008, 12:27 AM

I boxed in Ruin BGs A LOT and had many, many people make alts. No warnings, ever.

Remote

01-12-2008, 12:36 AM

Are you like ultra-sensative because you're one of few female multi-boxers?
That is so dangerous territory.

amalgam

01-12-2008, 12:41 AM

In before pool of blood.

sorrowharvester

01-12-2008, 12:44 AM

Are you like ultra-sensative because you're one of few female multi-boxers?

Yeah, this was uncalled for. Bad form.

But, as she said, you have avenues, I bet it was just a mistake.

Let's hope! Good luck!

Ebola

01-12-2008, 01:47 AM

guys give him a break .... she did tell him not to get his pantys in a wad....

insinuating he's a transvestite? crossdresser?

I think vyndree can take care of herself.... or havent you seen the videos?

Diamndzngunz

01-12-2008, 02:21 AM

Damn Im sorry to hear about this. Hopefully you can get it resolved

Doubleo7

01-12-2008, 03:01 AM

If the man is saying he got a warning for multiboxing then chances are that is likely, either directly or indirectly, what he got a warning for. Unless you conclude that he is smart enough to multibox but not smart enough to know what else he was doing; or not being completely open about what else he was doing. Every other boxer in the world, not getting warnings, doesn't mean that a GM, in this situation, with a unique interpretation of the game agreement, can't get the ball rolling on a warning.

That said, no matter what you got the warning for, you should definitely pursue the issue directly with Blizzard and perhaps get a note on your account. It bothers me that Blizzard would put a mark on your account without talking to you first. Perhaps they gave you the warning because you were not available to discuss the issue when they tried to get in touch with you. Not that something like that would be great customer service... but at least it wasn't a ban; as someone else said. Still... if you can get a warning for what is happening then they could also turn it into a ban. Please share any information you recieve regarding resolving this issue with Blizzard as it may help any other multi-boxers who run into "unique" GMs.

If Blizzard ever banned my account without talking to me first, I would likely just take my money elsewhere and know I am better for it.

Slats

01-12-2008, 08:05 AM

Do you use anything funky to channel your internet traffic? Like pump your traffic through a SSH tunnel to something like lowerping.com?

I know that most chinese game services pipe there traffic to servers hosted in the US (proxy) so they dont appear to have chinese IPs. Blizzards bans these ranges and the account associated with them, including many people using services like lowerping.com

It could be an accidential ban, my friend was banned in a ban wave and had his account reinstated.

I'd pursue a GM and see how you go. Perhaps you were doing something in AV that is not massivley known to be an exploit but the GM has chosen to take action over something they usually let slide?

*shrug*

Petition and let us know how you go.

Yeti Detective Agency

01-12-2008, 08:53 AM

He most likely got hit with an AFK warning in AV. Not for botting. They're (Blizzard) being more stringent with it, it seems.

In our continued efforts to support fair gameplay in World of Warcraft and to provide a positive experience for players, we are currently taking steps to ensure fair and enjoyable competition in the Battlegrounds. Starting immediately, we will be issuing warnings and penalties, including suspensions and the removal of Honor points and recently acquired Honor rewards, for non-participation in Battleground games.

We are taking action against thousands of accounts immediately, and will continue to monitor these situations and regularly take action against violators. If you encounter a player in a Battleground who is intentionally not participating in the battle for an extended period of time, please help us track the situation and report the player as AFK.
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=3881781638&sid=1

Remote

01-12-2008, 11:20 AM

Vyndree

01-12-2008, 02:46 PM

Sorry, haven't been checking up on the forums. My brother tried to get me into FFXI and I spent forever just learning how the retarded interface worked.

Are you like ultra-sensative because you're one of few female multi-boxers?
I wouldn't consider myself ultra-sensitive, I was trying to calm you down so you could react effectively. If you'd rather not have feedback, I suggest you not post on the forums. Otherwise, I suggest you take people's comments with a grain of salt.

The entire point of my post was to quell the inevitable FUD (fear/uncertainty/doubt) that would spawn from a "ZOMG I GOT WARNED FOR MULTIBOXING, THE SKY IS FALLING?!" and to point out that warnings can come from many sources - in-game exploits, language, and GM mistakes. I never once inflected that you exploited or were banned due to exploiting, hence me following up with the comment about your panties. People under stress can overreact, so it's understandable that you would internalize my comments. Which is why I followed up by quoting MY OWN text for emphasis.

Regardless, it's possible they could have made a mistake in either case.

On an additional note related to the topic:

*Use of add-ons, "mods", external hardware, or any unapproved third party software to automate gameplay.
*Abuse of game mechanics or "bugs".
*Any behavior that has been found to be outside the intent of these Player versus Player matches.
I believe my comments were justified, given that your warning e-mail made ZERO direct mention of multiboxing, but is rather vague and includes things like exploits (bugs), software/hardware automation (bots), and really any behavior in their grandiose umbrella statement. The fact that you think that multiboxing is the reason is your own hypothesis, which is why I urge you to contact the Customer Service forum/GMs to get this sorted out before automatically assuming that multiboxing is now a warnable/bannable offense.

To the person who thought I was calling him a transvestite or crossdresser... on what planet are you living on? Don't tell me your male (and possibly female) friends don't use that line all the time when someone is overreacting? Go find a leg to stand on and quit holding double standards. Just cuz I have boobies doesn't mean you should take my words any more seriously than you would your male friends.

So calm down, get back to discussion, and let us know how your GM/Customer Service Forum conversation goes. From what I've read on this thread, I think I'm the least sensitive of the bunch. Sheesh.

Xzin

01-12-2008, 03:15 PM

Microsoft... FUD..... never :)

Remote

01-12-2008, 04:18 PM

Microsoft... FUD..... never :)
/grin

Ebola

01-12-2008, 06:37 PM

Vyndree I am really bad at quoteing so I cut and paste

To the person who thought I was calling him a transvestite or crossdresser... on what planet are you living on? Don't tell me your male (and possibly female) friends don't use that line all the time when someone is overreacting? Go find a leg to stand on and quit holding double standards. Just cuz I have boobies doesn't mean you should take my words any more seriously than you would your male friends.

Maybe you need to take your own advice and take peoples posts with a grain of salt...... be more laid back..... take it easy

My comment was meant to be facetious and therefore does not need to have a leg to stand on, Im not sorry for thinking the word panties is gender based. :) and if my friends said it in real life, Id probably make the same remark .... BTW your haveing boobies makes no difference to me at all, dont make it an issue :)
Anyway.....

Vyndree

01-12-2008, 07:29 PM

Maybe you need to take your own advice and take peoples posts with a grain of salt...... be more laid back..... take it easy

My comment was meant to be facetious and therefore does not need to have a leg to stand on, Im not sorry for thinking the word panties is gender based. :) and if my friends said it in real life, Id probably make the same remark .... BTW your haveing boobies makes no difference to me at all, dont make it an issue :)
Anyway.....

This is the way I am when I'm laid back. ;) You should see me when I'm angry ;)

Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Vyndree

01-12-2008, 08:46 PM

Use of add-ons, "mods", external hardware, or any unapproved third party software to automate gameplay.

This concerns me. Seems they've already laid the ground work for banning for use of multiplexers, if they so choose to do.

They've had this groundwork forever. Blizz is fond of blanket statements.

*Any behavior that has been found to be outside the intent of these Player versus Player matches.

TOU: (http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html)

3. Anything that Blizzard considers contrary to the "essence" of the Program.

Toned

01-12-2008, 09:05 PM

I don't afk av, I don't use mods, and I don't mess with my traffic flow. All I do is multi-box and if anyone ask me how I tell them how, and to go to www.dual-boxing.com for more info lol. Also I wasn't upset lol I found it comical.

Slats

01-12-2008, 09:18 PM

How did your petition go?

Otherwise this is all purely speculation.

Toned

01-13-2008, 01:46 PM

The GM gave me the email of some one to talk to I sent them an email, just waiting for the reply.

Vyndree

01-13-2008, 01:49 PM

marvein

01-13-2008, 01:53 PM

The GM gave me the email of some one to talk to I sent them an email, just waiting for the reply.

i.e. Account Administration? I've had to e-mail them once. Expect at least a week before you get a form response.

IMO, go talk to the people on the Customer Service forums while you wait. They're much more prompt and helpful.

a week? what favors did you do for them to get that fast of response lol? Last time I had to send them an email it took almsot 2 months for a reply.

Vyndree

01-13-2008, 01:56 PM

Well it was a form response. :P

Maybe I e-mailed them during a "down time". :P

sorrowharvester

01-13-2008, 03:34 PM

Well it was a form response. :P

Maybe I e-mailed them during a "down time". :P

Wow, when I requested a name change on my account (stupid fake name as I mentioned before), they had it all RESOLVED within like 3 days, and that was with them not getting one of my FAX pages!

Guess I was lucky :)

thinus

01-13-2008, 05:11 PM

Use of add-ons, "mods", external hardware, or any unapproved third party software to automate gameplay.

This concerns me. Seems they've already laid the ground work for banning for use of multiplexers, if they so choose to do.

The key word is "automate". A multiplexer does not automate gameplay. You, the user, need to keep pressing buttons to make things happen.

Remote

01-13-2008, 05:17 PM

I think they're just covering their asses with the external hardware part.

thinus

01-13-2008, 05:23 PM

I think they're just covering their asses with the external hardware part.

It is to counter botting. Imagine a hardware device similiar to a keyboard/mouse. It plugs into your USB port and is recognized as a keyboard/mouse but it allows you to record scripts and then replay the scripts.

In this case you are using external hardware to automate the game.

sway

01-15-2008, 02:12 PM

Slats

01-15-2008, 02:17 PM

ROFL.

OK now I just need one of those and some ways to link it to Google and Cisco.com - perhaps insert some common sense and I would NEVER have to work!

:D :D :D

sway

01-15-2008, 03:09 PM

May you looking for this
http://mindstorms.lego.com/

? :roll:

roknroll

01-15-2008, 04:04 PM

Here's what it most likely is:
On Friday Blizzard decided to crack down on people AFK botting. It's gotten really bad over the last month or so and it's one of the main focuses of rants in the general and pvp forums.

Before this, Blizzard basically did nothing. Players could report people AFK or boting, but nothing happened other than the AFK debuff. A friend of mine had been using a bot for the last few weeks almost on a daily basis. I knew he was getting reported constantly because he would come on after work and be like "aww, i only got 1500 honor in 10 hours???". Other than that, absolutely nothing happened to him, although I'm sure blizzard was building a complaint file.

As of Friday he got the exact same email, but his was legitimate since he was really botting. I'm pretty sure all the emails Blizzard sent out were based on large amounts of previous complaints. And since Blizzard never did anything about it, there was no way to know that what you were getting reported for.

Now that they decided to take action, they probably looked back on your file and said "oh, he has XXX number of complaints that said he's botting. Since they were reported long ago, there's no real way to check if they were valid... but since so many people complained there's a good chance that they are."

So, they decide to issue a warning. I think now that since Blizzard has set a policy to take action, they will investigate more thoroughly before taking action, and you'll be able to make your case. You probably just got targeted as part of their giant "okay, we are going to do something now" campaign.

zanthor

01-15-2008, 06:05 PM

Not necessary I'd say, any idiot with a G15 can figure out how to get themselves banned... it's us smart folks who know how to use them in ways that won't violate the TOS.

Taipan

01-16-2008, 01:18 PM

-silencer-

01-16-2008, 01:30 PM

Not necessary I'd say, any idiot with a G15 can figure out how to get themselves banned... it's us smart folks who know how to use them in ways that won't violate the TOS.
This is true.. many people have been banned for writing G15 scripts that automate gameplay. Blizzard doesn't know it's a G15 on the other side - just the fact that there is automated gameplay involved. With simply duplicating signals - hardware or software - TOS isn't violated.

Taipan

01-16-2008, 02:12 PM

Errr....

I am almost 100% positive I made a post in this thread yesterday about the G15 keyboard.
(right before the one with the Lego picture)

I can't find it, was it deleted or I made a mistake ?

/salute

If I recall correctly, you basically posted an instruction manual on how to "bot" with a G15 keybaord. Not something thats welcome on these forums.

Hum...

I apologize if I broke some rules.

It's past discussing whether it was a concrete exemple, well known among G15 users, of using external hardware for /afk bot (my intent) or a manual to bot (not my intent) since my post was deleted.

But to the person who did it, please don't "stealth-delete" posts.

I'd rather you edit my post with a straight-forward "Taipan, I edited this post because we don't want that here and this a first warning, mp me if needed".

Thanks for your attention and please take this as constructive feedback, not as an personal attack.
Apologies again I broke a rule, hope you understand.

/salute

Ughmahedhurtz

01-16-2008, 02:25 PM

Hum...

I apologize if I broke some rules.

It's past discussing whether it was a concrete exemple, well known among G15 users, of using external hardware for /afk bot (my intent) or a manual to bot (not my intent) since my post was deleted.

But to the person who did it, please don't "stealth-delete" posts.

I'd rather you edit my post with a straight-forward "Taipan, I edited this post because we don't want that here and this a first warning, mp me if needed".

Thanks for your attention and please take this as constructive feedback, not as an personal attack.
Apologies again I broke a rule, hope you understand.

/salute
Let's review.

Posting anything that shows how to break the TOS, regardless of whether it is a known exploit or whether it is software, hardware or your illegitimate step-sister, is strictly verboten.

Posting anything that links to sites or posts describing how to get around limitations in WoW that violate, directly or indirectly, the TOS, is strictly verboten.

Posting anything that does not promote our willingness to play within the boundaries of Blizzard's TOS and upholding the finest traditions of legal multiboxing, is strictly verboten.

TLDR version: if you're not sure, PM one of the old crowd here and find out first, lest you end up one-shotted by the ban-stick.

For future reference, Ellay owns the site and is the final arbiter of what's kosher and what's not kosher. If you have any complaints, take them up with him in PMs.

Taipan

01-16-2008, 04:50 PM

@ Ughmahedhurtz

Thanks for reminding me through your lengthy review how online communities work, I had no clue.

I own and run community sites myself and one thing I stay away from is ninja-deletes without explanation, thus my last post.

Community sites aren't democracies, kosher-hallal-evangelist-democrat-republican-vegetarian-gay or whatever faith/value we believe in and respect.
I agree and I remind some folks about that every day.

But my stance is that open-communications, as opposed to ninja-moves, will clarify and reinforce the community rules for all to see and read.

I screwed up ?
Fine, then let an admin/mod (so you don't feel obliged that you have to step in to defend them) tell me so OPENLY in order for the community to learn from my mistake.

I can deal with it and if it's constructive and serves as a wake-up call for the rest, no worries, I can handle it.

That's all, nothing peculiar or drama-creative in my point here.

/salute

kllrwlf

01-16-2008, 05:05 PM

I wouldn't take it personally Taipan. There was no outing or a forum ban or anything of that nature. The thread was just deleted.

It's just basically protecting the community and making sure that as multi-boxers, we are stay within the TOS and staying on the good side of Blizz.

There are a few on WoW's forum that are "claiming" that we are botting which is how we multi-box and just blatantly trying to get a mass-banning going on because they can't comprehend how it's done.

And with Blizz most likely visiting this forum often, any threads that contain information on how to go around or is against the TOS would look bad and only hurt us as a whole. Which is probably the reason why it was just deleted.

/salute, /hug and all that jazz ... let's play! :D

Taipan

01-16-2008, 05:25 PM

@ kllrwlf,

I see your point and I agree.

Which reinforces my point : if a post here is considered against WoW TOS, best to edit it for all to see (including Blizzard scouts) instead of ninja-deleting it.

Then we -as a community- can say and back-it-up in front of Blizzard : "we don't support TOS-violations and here are examples of our interventions".

/salute

Xzin

01-16-2008, 06:53 PM

This little gem:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/30/61331955_6d29dccd0c.jpg

Is what allowed me to get Warlord so effortlessly.

No, actually, it didn't. I was kidding.

Tonuss

01-17-2008, 10:50 AM

They've had this groundwork forever. Blizz is fond of blanket statements.

Yep. Wording it so vaguely allows them significant leeway when dealing with people who try to insist that they didn't do anything wrong because the wording was too specific. It's the reason why they also include language in the ToS or ELUA that states that they can take action against your account at any time for any reason. That way they have a fallback position when dealing with people who deliberately try to skirt the rules and play at being amateur lawyers.

Anyway to the OP, I hope you can get this cleared up in your favor, and do please let us know how it turns out.