Policy Update for Input Broadcasting - May 2021

[StingraY]

https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/policy-update-for-input-broadcasting-may-2021/956610

On November 3, 2020, we posted an update to our policy for input broadcasting software, and soon thereafter, we began taking action against accounts found to be using third party software to automatically mirror keystrokes to multiple game clients. We find that, like full automation of play, multiple-account mirroring disturbs the gameplay experience for the vast majority of players who control a single account at a time.
We will now additionally prohibit the use of all software and hardware mechanisms to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multi-boxing in any way. Players found to be in violation of this policy are subject to account actions. These actions can include warnings, account suspensions and, if necessary, permanent closure of the player’s World of Warcraft account(s), as activities which effectively replicate automated gameplay are contrary to the terms and conditions of the Blizzard End-User License Agreement (EULA).
We urge all players to cease using any means of mirroring gameplay across multiple WoW accounts immediately, in order to maintain uninterrupted access to World of Warcraft.

Damn. RIP.

[Moorea]

So here is my take for WOB:

News flash 5/5/2021, it seems Blizzard wants to "prohibit the use of all software and hardware mechanisms [...that..] streamline multi-boxing in any way."

so I have to recommend to discontinue using the _RR.exe version of wob for World of Warcraft, and probably exit WOB after windows placement and before playing

Editorial comment: it's very sad we can't have some fun doing dungeons somewhat efficiently anymore in World of Warcraft and worse for our fellow hardware multiboxers

[nodoze]

Heads up that it looks like all forms of input broadcasting, whether based on hardware or software, is now against the Terms of Service (ToS) and actionable...

Source: https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/policy-update-for-input-broadcasting-may-2021/956613

Body: From: Kaivax - Community Manager

On November 3, 2020, we posted an update to our policy for input broadcasting software, and soon thereafter, we began taking action against accounts found to be using third party software to automatically mirror keystrokes to multiple game clients. We find that, like full automation of play, multiple-account mirroring disturbs the gameplay experience for the vast majority of players who control a single account at a time.


We will now additionally prohibit the use of all software and hardware mechanisms to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multi-boxing in any way. Players found to be in violation of this policy are subject to account actions. These actions can include warnings, account suspensions and, if necessary, permanent closure of the player’s World of Warcraft account(s), as activities which effectively replicate automated gameplay are contrary to the terms and conditions of the Blizzard End-User License Agreement (EULA).


We urge all players to cease using any means of mirroring gameplay across multiple WoW accounts immediately, in order to maintain uninterrupted access to World of Warcraft.

[Wubsie]

the use of all software and hardware mechanisms to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multi-boxing in any way.

This is such a vague line, especially in the end that this, in my opinion is a definitive end to WoW Multiboxing. A second physical PC with a separate mouse and keyboard and monitor would technically fall under this definition.

I am not as saddened by this change as I am irritated that they waited half a year in to the expansion to implement this, after people have already spent their money on the expansion purchases. Now, I can't say that it was done with malicious intent, but more likely it's simply the incompetence regarding the matter and they've realized that their initial rule change did absolutely nothing to solve the issues they were experiencing, something we were saying would be the case less than a day after it was announced.

I knew there was a risk that this would happen, which is why I went with VERY budget builds and have some contingency for them. Still, a shame that it's all drawing to an end.

[bpkdasbaum]

Fun fact: The support article was updated 2 days ago with the new info. BUT STILL SAYS that multiboxing is allowed.

https://eu.battle.net/support/en/article/24258


"Multiboxing, or playing multiple World of Warcraft accounts at once, is not a violation of our End User License Agreement. Please note, however, that use of all software or hardware mechanisms used to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multiboxing in any way may result in account penalties.
For more information on our stance about input broadcasting software, see our official news post (https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/23558957/)."



https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wo...ay-2021/956610 (https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/policy-update-for-input-broadcasting-may-2021/956610)


On November 3, 2020, we posted an update to our policy for input broadcasting software, and soon thereafter, we began taking action against accounts found to be using third party software to automatically mirror keystrokes to multiple game clients. We find that, like full automation of play, multiple-account mirroring disturbs the gameplay experience for the vast majority of players who control a single account at a time.
We will now additionally prohibit the use of all software and hardware mechanisms to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multi-boxing in any way. Players found to be in violation of this policy are subject to account actions. These actions can include warnings, account suspensions and, if necessary, permanent closure of the player’s World of Warcraft account(s), as activities which effectively replicate automated gameplay are contrary to the terms and conditions of the Blizzard End-User License Agreement (EULA).
We urge all players to cease using any means of mirroring gameplay across multiple WoW accounts immediately, in order to maintain uninterrupted access to World of Warcraft.


The points are:
- Multiboxing is not a violation of EULA
- use of all software or hardware mechanisms used to mirror commands at the same time
- or to automate or streamline multiboxing in any way
- multiple-account mirroring disturbs the gameplay experience of players who control a single account
- prohibit the use of all software and hardware mechanisms to mirror commands
activities which effectively replicate automated gameplay are contrary to the terms and conditions

Kinda sending mixed signals.

I got multiple takes on that:

They still want ppl to buy multiple wow licenses as you can have up to 8 per Battle.net
You can still login and play on each license individually or set them to follow or click / cast stuff per license
They don't want ppl using software to ease the process (I guess in fear of MB getting an unfair advantage?)
They don't want multibox-bots / stillstanding owl farms (which are then automated via additional programs) / herb farming in retail
They don't want multibox griefing in pvp, say a 10 man group killing single players in the maw

I believe this changes nothing to "normal multiboxers" who are just playing the game by question, doing dungeons, have warlocks for ports in classic etc. This seems more like a crackdown on exploiters/griefers and Blizzard covering their ass because they probably can't discern a real exploiter/griefer from a benign multiboxer

[Atwaa]

I believe this changes nothing to "normal multiboxers" who are just playing the game by question, doing dungeons, have warlocks for ports in classic etc. This seems more like a crackdown on exploiters/griefers and Blizzard covering their ass because they probably can't discern a real exploiter/griefer from a benign multiboxer



It basically kills multi boxing as we know it. I really miss it. That was my favourite way to play wow since 2009 when I discovered that I could have a healer on my wife's laptop while leveling a warrior.

[Lax]

Realistically, they were already banning for the things they are describing in this updated policy.

I warned about this in November. As I said back then, there is zero difference to other players between you using software or hardware broadcasting. There's no way for a player to make that determination. And I would guess that Blizzard (and particularly random GMs) probably cannot make that determination reliably either. Even if they could, the next question is, do you really think it is worth their time and energy to determine that?

Since November, we've seen random people come to our multiboxing chat rooms (about once a week or so) and claim that they got banned "for using X software" (which many other people use on a daily basis with no issue). Then they show their ban email, and it says "Your fellow players reported you for cheating". When pushed on what they're doing, it's almost exclusively "I was 2x4 herbing, and 'only for 4 hours a day!'" and one recently even says he was hardware broadcasting.

Other players do not like to see "multiboxers" doing "2x4 herbing". They will report you, have no clue if you're using software or hardware, and frankly they never cared in the first place.

[Andreauk]

I would like them to consider multiboxer only servers, where the auction house isn't connected to any other realms. Character moves would be disabled to prevent the economy becoming affected.

https://twitter.com/Anna_the_Gamer/status/1390281789478952961

[valkry]

NOW it's official, Blizz hates multiboxers. Before it was always disguised as being a fight against botters, not anymore lol.

[Mearwen]

Does it still mean we can multibox with open windows and switching between windows and clicking in each of them for any in game action?
No software, no any mirror HW, just clicking. To me it is still an option, isnt it?
There are still addons supporting follow / mounting etc etc, ofc w/o any kind of mirroring / broadcasting keys or whatever

[Skybar]

I dont think it matters much what you try and do - if it looks like you are multiboxing and players report you for it, Blizzard is just gonna ban you anyway. I see this as a way for them to ban multiboxers without needing to investigate if they're actually breaking any rules. If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck... I'm not saying its okay, but this will let them blanket ban anyone who gets reported for multibox. All they have to do is check if you are controlling multiple characters to see if the report is accurate.

I think its because they havent been able to ban these multiboxing bots properly. They cant detect the bot (apparantly), but they can detect if you are running multiple characters by the help of player reports. I mean it doesnt really go unnoticed when 5+ characters are running around in the world, and thats what they are betting on to combat the bots.

[yeaunome]

it does nothing to stop bots. Most bots I come across are solo with obvious pathing giveaways. This is just to appease the mob. Ill play until they ban me(which is an original wow beta account) and then i will be done with the game.

[Lax]

Guys have they banned JOE multiboxer now then?

They didn't say, so how are we to know what they are banning for exactly? Again, my interpretation is that they were already banning for the behaviors they wanted to ban for. They say multiboxing is allowed. There's no specific reason to believe that they banned Joe Multiboxer yet, but it is unclear what they mean by "streamline in any way", it could literally mean anything.

I will continue to use and develop Joe Multiboxer under the current policy. However, I would advise not using Round-Robin, as that would seem to fall under "streamlining".

[Nodoby]

I'm just using various unknown software to rename windows, align them next to each other and turn on/off activate window on hover Windows setting without rebooting. I just cancelled my accounts, as the word streamline is so vague that there's no way to know if you are within the rules. In vanilla I used to have two computers and would control a healer on follow with a dedicated numpad. For me even that solution could be categorized as "streamline multi-boxing in any way".

I might activate an account to try TBC, but they aren't getting any extra subscription money from my end before they clarify their statement.

I hope more people are cancelling subscriptions and giving feedback about the vague rule change they are incorporating here. I really feel we deserve something more concrete to go by.

[Kraxx]

I assume you will not be banned if you don't box in open world and don't have all your toons in the same spot in a city etc. --> "undercover dungeon boxing"
I think to be reported by other players is the biggest threat...


But ofc this is also against TOS

[Tiny_d]

The company is devoid of any shits given about its players and clearly Multiboxers are no longer welcome.
Personally will continue using WOB in RR and if/when i get the ban im done with Activision and Blizzard perma after 17 years and thousands Ill be glad to kick the habit.

Bobby has achieved what he set out to in the personal finance dept, and somehow Acti Blizz is showing stronger stock price than ever despite the open rape of the industry and IP's.

It's laughable how you see so much shill/ white knight love for Wow on the forums, though Im starting to suspect its actually an AI forum bot running in the background at this point.


Its not been a games company for a long time.

[WOWBOX40]

Sorry about hearing this.

Personally i unsubbed back in nov 2020. Before i left i suggested on the official forums if multiboxers could get their own "locked, seperate realms" to play on atleast...(cant transfere characters/guildbanks to/from them, disable pvp + monthly subs has to be paid for by real money, max 1 tag per herb/node, disable shop so you cant buy gold coin).. seems they still dont want that money... how lazy are these people at Blizzard... how hard can it be to setup.... and to setup warden so that it allows certain softwares + you are playing on a multiboxing realm = do not get banned... baffling stuff for sure.

Since november ive now pretty much completed the content in guild wars 2, rift and final fantasy 14 online... just bought starter edition of the elder scrolls online.

Blizzard, you reading this? = If you want more money, enable a seperate multiboxing realm(s)... and allow key broadcasting back to what it used to be, obviously, before the late 2020 change appeared.


"Botting is widespread and absolutely destroying the economy on every server, but at least now those 0.01%?.
of actual multiboxers that was farming are going to be banned" ..../mindblown

[EaTCarbS]

Blizzard can go fuck themselves. I bought a new PC for Shadowlands, only for input software boxing to be banned. Then I decided to not waste the new gaming rig and all my accounts, so I bought hardware broadcasters. Now they've banned the hardware.

Blizzard is a shit company now, doing all sorts of anti-player stuff. They keep moving the goal posts after we've spent our money. I seriously hope this company dies with all their bullshit.

now? whats this now stuff? Blizzard became shit the day they merged with Activision, and I've been the "told you so" guy ever since. 2013 was the appropriate time to get off the bandwagon.

[EaTCarbS]

snip

Why are they going to jump through all those hoops to support a vast minority of their population? Getting the classic server in the first place was pulling teeth... add the massive amount of people who started using multiboxing to farm mats en masse and you've got the straw that broke the camel's back. Its purely an appeasement move, and someone has to get thrown under the bus.

[Kraxx]

hey guys i use JOE multiboxer , am i not able to use it anymore due to this ?

As far as JOE does not count as "streamlining" :-) you can use it.

No one can tell you now because Blizz created a mystic word like "streamlining" and now they can ban everyone they want .
If they don't like your actions ingame or if someone has reported you - they can ban you.

"Streamlining" is Blizzards masterpiece and a ban wildcard!

[nodoze]

Why are they going to jump through all those hoops to support a vast minority of their population? Getting the classic server in the first place was pulling teeth... add the massive amount of people who started using multiboxing to farm mats en masse and you've got the straw that broke the camel's back. Its purely an appeasement move, and someone has to get thrown under the bus.Blizzard already has the tech to easily create one or more servers and limit realm transfers if/as needed and limit auction house integration... Likely some folk that don't really multibox but don't care much about it would also create characters there (for example, just in my case, my brother and at least 3 friends also would create characters there). It would be easy to do and likely a single server for that would have more active population than some of the other servers...

There are lots of dead servers currently and really they should look at merging servers after the TBC Hype dies off and the active server populations go back to a relatively steady state. My understanding is that their servers are VMs with underlying hardware hosts so they should already even have the hardware capacity via flexible ways of growing/shrinking VMs (including shards/etc).

I don't think Blizzard would do it but it isn't difficult nor beyond current capabilities (nothing really new would be needed).

[nodoze]

hey guys i use JOE multiboxer , am i not able to use it anymore due to this ?At a minimum I would NOT use any "Round Robin" type features anymore...

The following are the comments that I could find from Lax regarding the use of JMB going forward:

https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/58301-Policy-Update-for-Input-Broadcasting-May-2021?p=434394&viewfull=1#post434394

https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/58301-Policy-Update-for-Input-Broadcasting-May-2021?p=434406&viewfull=1#post434406

In a similar stance the following is what Moorea posted about WoW Open Box even before Lax posted:

https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/58301-Policy-Update-for-Input-Broadcasting-May-2021?p=434385&viewfull=1#post434385

Personally if I use any tool to assist me in boxing going forward I will likely only use a tool that helps me get setup for boxing and that can be fully closed after initial setup (and maybe before actually logging into any wow client)... That or I will go back to just straight Windows OS or at most very skinny apps or batch files to turn on/off mouse-over-focus (if I continue to use that).

[Uhnknown]

Blizzard already has the tech to easily create one or more servers and limit realm transfers if/as needed and limit auction house integration... Likely some folk that don't really multibox but don't care much about it would also create characters there (for example, just in my case, my brother and at least 3 friends also would create characters there). It would be easy to do and likely a single server for that would have more active population than some of the other servers...

There are lots of dead servers currently and really they should look at merging servers after the TBC Hype dies off and the active server populations go back to a relatively steady state.

I don't think Blizzard would do it but it isn't difficult nor beyond current capabilities (nothing really new would be needed).

I can see some of this happening in the future, maybe. Though it's not something i would expect anytime soon, considering they're only just now getting around to launching older expansion servers.

Everquest has been doing the same thing for years and years, with varying rulesets, marketplace purchases, etc. So to some extent i'd honestly expect a lot of what Everquest does now to end up happening to a degree for WoW "Classic" servers. Not to mention they specifically hired Holly Longdale (who basically, if not literally lead all of those things Everquest did for EQ TLPs, of which made DBG a lot of money every time there was a new server launched). So now she's working for Acti-Blizz, and we'll see what ends up happening in the future.

[WOWBOX40]

I guess we all might be blowing these "updated policy wordings changes" up a bit?: since players just continue to hardware box (f.ex "Multidayz":https://youtube.com/c/MultiDayz ).

Maybe a upcoming podcast could explain whats going on... are people safe to continue boxing... or not? https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMuTymwe9kuA6QCu-uu-uu438JdEPJDHI

[Spyro]

In the future I hope they enable character transfers between accounts in TBC, coz now having a bunch of 60's scattered in a multitude of accounts is basically useless, I want to move them to the same account.

It's clear that they are not gonna do it in the short-term (coz people would abuse the shit out of it with the paid boost), but I hope they change their stance when the hype fades.

A good solution would be to allow it only for level 70 characters, so people can't abuse it with the level 58 boost, coz they would be forced to manually level the char to 70 before been able to move it to a different account.

[luxlunae]

Ok, so now that there is no legal way to do multiboxing, can we reopen the conversation here about multiboxing on private servers? It isn't something I've ever done but there is now nothing at risk for isboxer to support private servers.

[bpkdasbaum]

Ok, so now that there is no legal way to do multiboxing, can we reopen the conversation here about multiboxing on private servers? It isn't something I've ever done but there is now nothing at risk for isboxer to support private servers.

You are still allowed to multibox. Just can't use any software or hardware support.


https://eu.battle.net/support/en/article/24258

Multiboxing, or playing multiple World of Warcraft accounts at once, is not a violation of our End User License Agreement. Please note, however, that use of all software or hardware mechanisms used to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multiboxing in any way may result in account penalties.

[nodoze]

Most folk still boxing are trying to be compliant with "mouse-over-focus" boxing (or simple Alt-Tab) software wise...

Hardware-wise some of those that invested in multiple PCs/VMs/Multiseat_Desktops are looking into having small dedicated keyboards/keypads/keysticks for each PC. Possibly the cheapest way to do with inexpensive 10key-number-pads but a more dense option that is not too expensive is like this:

https://www.dual-boxing.com/threads/58313-Sync-KM-replacement-options

[jak3676]

Hey all. I think I've finally worked through being mad. Still pretty depressed about the whole thing. I unsubscribed all 5 of my accounts.

I was really looking forward to to TBC-Classic, really loved the idea of running all my own dungeons and probably some really poor quality 5v5 arena. But it seems like the intent here is to ban any effective method of multiboxing at a high level.

I see a few folks are continuing on with some new non-streamlined multiboxing. I really hope that works out. But now I'm pretty pessimistic that if the community does figure something out that Blizz will just ban that also. I hope I'm wrong.

I would like to thank so many people for all the help over the last 12 years. I'd miss so many people if I tried to name them all, so I won't try. But thank you all for so many years of fun.

[nodoze]

Jak, Very sorry to see you go as you helped so many people. I cancelled my subscription renewals back on the day of the previous November announcement though some of subscriptions lasted till March or so... I am not happy right now and I am also semi-pessimistic and am only considering coming back for TBC-Classic because my brother and some friends (all non-boxers) are and because original TBC and WoTLK were really our "gaming heyday" (and when I really got into boxing)... If they were not playing Classic-TBC I would be done... I am likely going to try to 5box in a hobbled but hopefully compliant manner on 5 separate accounts from my primary/original account because I have little faith or trust in Blizzard anymore and want to protect my original account... If I get banned on those extra 5 accounts (or just hate boxing in a hobbled way by trying to be compliant) then frankly I will be done boxing on Blizzard Servers... I may still play TBC-Classic on my one original account some just to be with friends/family but it will be with even more sadness than I have right now...

I do see lots of folk trying to continue boxing by, since Blizzard is being so hostile/difficult, moving to be boxing on Private Servers... While I used to speak out against that I frankly now don't blame them and no longer feel compelled to speak out against that... I don't know if my change in feelings is because of anger toward Blizzard or because I don't care anymore or because people tried more than reasonably enough to be complaint or something else (or a combination of all or those) but frankly that is the way I feel currently... I suspect my feelings have not gone through all the stages they will go through yet but that is where I am now... I am a long time loyal Blizzard customer who is very sad...

[Xist]

I have been playing WoW since 2006 and soon discovered multiboxing. Real-life friends played. In fact, one got me into the game, but for some reason they never wanted to play with me. I have had many in-game friends come and go and one guild after another died.
The only constant had been my ability to multibox when I couldn't find a good group.
I didn't connect OMB with streamlining, but I figured that since they changed their stance on hardware quickly, it would only be a matter of time before they took back their last semblance of reason.
Usually when I see complaints about multiboxing it is unimaginative things like "It's the same as botting!" or "It's cheating!" Usually I find endless comments about "Every multiboxer herb farms all day, every day!" and "Every multiboxer farms hyperspawns all day, every day!"

Obviously those two are mutually exclusive, but I never did either. I only farmed nodes if the materials weren't available at a reasonable price, but usually I waited. There are times when I get OCD about collecting all of the free nodes, but then I get annoyed that I am gathering, not adventuring, and start ignoring them.

I hate farming!

I don't understand why vast multitudes of people care deeply about what others do that doesn't affect them remotely.

I also don't understand people that intentionally spend hours farming. My main has two crafting professions. I buy materials, craft, post, and log out.

I find it strange how often people complain that they cannot farm because someone flies in with 5 druids and gathers the nodes. They always act like they were there first, so why didn't they gather first?

It sounds like people complaining just because they were slower.

How come people keep saying "You can multibox, you just cannot control more than one character at once, just Alt-Tab!"

Isn't that the definition of not multiboxing?

I don't know that multiboxing gives much of an advantage with herbalism. Don't you still need to click on the node 5 times?

I swore that I would stop playing in March. I was positive that I had disabled payments, but all of a sudden I had multiple $78 charges.

That's how they get you! Then the sudden and inevitable betrayal by the GMs or blues!

By the way, some Classic players were banned for alleged botting. They marched on Blizzard headquarters and got their ban lifted: https://classic.wowhead.com/news/players-march-on-blizzard-offices-after-being-banned-for-farming-too-much-linen-317670?page=2

[MadMilitia]

They could have handled this a lot better than they did.

1. Make it so concurrent active accounts flag each character for limitations such as:
2. Gathered mats become BoA.
3. PvP is disabled.
4. Damage and healing might be nerfed in PvP (as another option).

Instead they phoned in the effort and treated all of us like those 2x4 farmers. Liked dungeons? Liked arenas? Liked any part of the game that wasn't trivialized by multiboxing but instead was a handicap? Too bad. You don't count. Only the "majority" does.

Like the in game cinematics about Shadowlands everything since 2020 has felt phoned in. It's not an accident. Just a look at the company reviews tells you everything you need to know. It's not Blizzard anymore. It's just any old corporate dump now.

[Tiny_d]

They could have handled this a lot better than they did.

1. Make it so concurrent active accounts flag each character for limitations such as:
2. Gathered mats become BoA.
3. PvP is disabled.
4. Damage and healing might be nerfed in PvP (as another option).

Instead they phoned in the effort and treated all of us like those 2x4 farmers. Liked dungeons? Liked arenas? Liked any part of the game that wasn't trivialized by multiboxing but instead was a handicap? Too bad. You don't count. Only the "majority" does.

Like the in game cinematics about Shadowlands everything since 2020 has felt phoned in. It's not an accident. Just a look at the company reviews tells you everything you need to know. It's not Blizzard anymore. It's just any old corporate dump now.

Because that would have cost time and money and Bobby is all about spending zero on either so his stock price soars hence why everything is automated as much as possible requiring as little human (cost) interaction as possible.
The games a whale cash cow atm and will never be right again.