How do you reply to those all too frequent questions?

I have been multi-boxing on and off since Burning Crusade. During that time I think I have heard the same questions over and over and over. I'm sure others in this community have done as well, so how do you typically reply to those all too frequent questions about multi-boxing?

To save myself from retyping the same thing over again, and because it's what I've used for many years now, I use AutoHotKey for my quick responses.


"WTF?" or "HOW DO YOU DO THAT?"
Multiboxing. What is multiboxing? Multiboxing is a term used to denote one person playing (or controlling) multiple characters simultaneously.
How is it done? Using AUTHORIZED 3rd party software which broadcasts key presses and mouse actions to multiple gaming windows simultaneously There are various applications which do this but I am using an application called ISBOXER.

"IT COSTS A LOT...."
I pay more than that to have my pool cleaned each month than I do on WoW. $60 is small change in the scale of things. I'm employed and have sufficient funds to support any hobbie of my choice.

"DO YOU USE MULTIPLE COMPUTERS?"
Multiboxing can be done on a single computer or across multiple computers. I am using a single computer as there is more benefit in doing so. I have 2 x 24" screens, the leader takes 1 screen and the others are evenly sized over the 2nd screen.

"LOOTING IS NOT FAIR. YOU ARE ROLLING 4 TIMES"
You are not rolling against a PERSON, you are rolling against a CHARACTER. It does not matter that 1 person is controlling multiple characters. I am filling multiple character slots, as such I have equal right to roll on each character.

"WHY DO YOU DO IT?"
Why multibox? I've leveled every class to 85 and raided on each. I was bored and wanted to try something different. Multiboxing is simply an alternative way of playing the game.

"BUT YOU CAN'T PLAY END GAME CONTENT"
I have multiple sets of characters at 85 successfully running heroics; I have 4 x DKs (all tank spec), I have 4 x Shaman (elemental) so if you'd like to fill either a healing or tanking slot I will happily run a heroic with you.

"3RD PARTY SOFTWARE IS BANNABLE"
Blizzard's terms of use explicitly state "unauthorized third-party software" is not allowed. The software I use to multibox, ISBOXER, *is* allowed and does not breach the TOU in anyway.

"ITS AUTOMATION"
Multiboxing, and the software I use, ISBOXER, does not employ any automation. Every action the characters perform requires me to press a key in order to perform that action.

And for those who still argue the automation / 3rd party software issue...
You clearly misunderstand Blizzard's terms of use or have completely failed to familiarize yourself with them. http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/legal/wow_tou.html


That pretty much covers every question I am frequently asked. So how do you guys answer?

"Cool story, bro."

"Just go to Samdeathwalker.com for the answers you seek."

or

"Google Sam DeathWalker and you will find that information."

I don't answer questions anymore.

I don't owe anyone, any kind of explanation of how I choose to spend my money, or time.

And as such, only when someone approaches me with a legitimate question or presents an impressed demeanor, do I choose to reply... some of the time.

I mean its not hard to go to google, and type "multiboxing" and learn something.

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Originally Posted by Apps

I mean its not hard to go to google, and type "multiboxing" and learn something.

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That is what I do. Any questions I just tell them I am multiboxing and they can Google it if they want to learn more.

Its not very often though. I mostly PvE and not around lots of people, maybe once a month someone says something to me.

Not a day goes by where I'm not asked one of the above questions. But then I frequently hang out in the middle of the city (Stormwind) "showing off" while waiting for an instance.

They are so used to us on Magtheridon, this rarely happens except for the occasional and very rare new player.

I sometimes answer and sometimes cannot be bothered to do so.
It really depends on how active I am in game, or if I'm doing something outside of game at that time.

I don't mind answering questions from the curious, if I'm not busy.

If they're antagonistic, I just ignore them.
Usually not with /ignore.

My answer is always Dual-boxing.com

In response to "WTF?" or "HOW DO YOU DO THAT?"

I play one but due to the poor economy I outsource the other four to China.

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Originally Posted by Marathon

In response to "WTF?" or "HOW DO YOU DO THAT?"

I play one but due to the poor economy I outsource the other four to China.

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hahahhahahhaa

Usually when they are emo, I just say, "it's me and my 6 cats."

When I played WoW, I'd tell the worst of the muppets that I'm testing a new beta 'clone' feature where you hold down ALT and press the F key for how many extra clones you want, up to a maximum of 4.

More than one went straight for having an extra 4 chars in their party :)

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Originally Posted by moog

When I played WoW, I'd tell the worst of the muppets that I'm testing a new beta 'clone' feature where you hold down ALT and press the F key for how many extra clones you want, up to a maximum of 4.

More than one went straight for having an extra 4 chars in their party :)

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When you do things like that which take away enjoyment from the game you can be reported.

A former guild member liked to whisper the lower end battleground players (ie level 70 in a 70-74 bg) and say "Your AFK flag is set, type '/afk' to remove it." This of course caused the player to exit the battleground, freeing up space for what he hoped would be a higher level.

He was given a 24 hour ban (cant remember exactly but it was short).

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Originally Posted by JohnGabriel

When you do things like that which take away enjoyment from the game you can be reported.

A former guild member liked to whisper the lower end battleground players (ie level 70 in a 70-74 bg) and say "Your AFK flag is set, type '/afk' to remove it." This of course caused the player to exit the battleground, freeing up space for what he hoped would be a higher level.

He was given a 24 hour ban (cant remember exactly but it was short).

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This is correct. People used to (and still try) to do the emotes... "/e has reported you AFK and you will be removed from the Battle Ground in 2 minutes. To prevent this type /AFK" and blizzard even had a blue post saying that this is not allowed (no I can't link it because it's probably gone, but it happened)

As for my answers, it depends on how I am feeling at that time and how they ask. The best case I have ever done is help a random person start multiboxing, on... the... spot!! He actually bought 3 new accounts and keyclone and I talked him through the set up lol. Not sure if he still plays

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Originally Posted by JohnGabriel

When you do things like that which take away enjoyment from the game you can be reported.

A former guild member liked to whisper the lower end battleground players (ie level 70 in a 70-74 bg) and say "Your AFK flag is set, type '/afk' to remove it." This of course caused the player to exit the battleground, freeing up space for what he hoped would be a higher level.

He was given a 24 hour ban (cant remember exactly but it was short).

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There is a difference in the ToS between lying and lying to gain a gaming advantage. We do not have our hand on the bible :P. We can lie.

I have what I like to call the 50/50 rule.

50% of my response method is determined by your attitude when you contact me.
50%(+/-50%) of my response method is determined by your grasp of the English language.

The latter factor fluctuates in direct proportion to the number of assholes I have had to deal with in RL that day.

It's really, really simple most of the time: if you're polite when you contact me, I'll explain anything you want to know or help you with quests or just about anything if I have the time. If you're a douchebag, you get to find out just how evil I'm motivated to be that day.

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Originally Posted by Ughmahedhurtz

I have what I like to call the 50/50 rule.

50% of my response method is determined by your attitude when you contact me.
50%(+/-50%) of my response method is determined by your grasp of the English language.

The latter factor fluctuates in direct proportion to the number of assholes I have had to deal with in RL that day.

It's really, really simple most of the time: if you're polite when you contact me, I'll explain anything you want to know or help you with quests or just about anything if I have the time. If you're a douchebag, you get to find out just how evil I'm motivated to be that day.

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Hahaha

Pretty much this.

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Originally Posted by Ughmahedhurtz

....It's really, really simple most of the time: if you're polite when you contact me, I'll explain anything you want to know or help you with quests or just about anything if I have the time. If you're a douchebag, you get to find out just how evil I'm motivated to be that day.

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lol. Best answer of the week. You win a rare in-game mount! To claim your prize you need to be in a Battlegrounds and type in this secret code "/afk". :)

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Originally Posted by Ughmahedhurtz

I have what I like to call the 50/50 rule.

50% of my response method is determined by your attitude when you contact me.
50%(+/-50%) of my response method is determined by your grasp of the English language.

The latter factor fluctuates in direct proportion to the number of assholes I have had to deal with in RL that day.

It's really, really simple most of the time: if you're polite when you contact me, I'll explain anything you want to know or help you with quests or just about anything if I have the time. If you're a douchebag, you get to find out just how evil I'm motivated to be that day.

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Yep. Pretty much. Got tickled today this morning, A lvl 20 hunter decided to follow my small 4 man team, (Low level) , around. He would just sit back and watch, until I said hi. He was simply amazed at how it all worked. gave him a heads up about this place, and thanked him for being courteous. (he had told me, he almost whispered me a few times, but didn't know how much one had to concentrate to keep 4 toons moving.)

Now that being said, many of you know, I run a smallish cattle ranch here in Oklahoma, and unlike my friend Ugh, the assholes I have to deal with are cows. They are only smart when they eat, the rest of the time, they are dumb as hell. Now if I'm lucky, I'll get to shoot a coyote or a Boar, so that livens up my mood, for when that idiot on WoW comes across. But some days, there is just no bacon to be found, and others must pay for their insolence.

Stephen

Omg cows are stupid. Lucky for them breathing is automatic...

I used to have a macro and reply with google is your friend mate, try it and see what happens when you search mulitboxing.

But got bored with it, sometimes I answer some Q's if Im in the mood, other times I may something like, huh, do what ? Person might say how do you have 5 of you and i'd be like "wtf you on about 5 of me?" person be like I see there is 5 of same of you, me " seriously go get glasses and troll elsewhere" lol

But it really does depend on my mood at the time, i might explain a little but, I may not... im a moody create at best of times as it is lol.

Time is valuable and limited, with guildies yapping, trade, or in a BG or just guild raid, half time I have no motivation to type anything and prefer to say anything if and when I feel like saying anything to be on vent, cause im too damn lazy and worn out these days.

Infact all my accounts unsubbed for a good month or so, just recently re-subbed my main and resubbing my boxing toons this week and next week and moving some back to my home realm... i got into a bad new addiction for awhile (online gambling) and cost me far to much, $3600 in 4 weeks... luckily I woke up and am re-acquainting myself with my wow addiction, hell of alot cheaper lol