1 Day Suspension from DBG for 3rd Party Software - and IS is all I was using

[Tanl]

I'm just shaking my head right now.

Since there have been responses, here is the current state of my contact with DBG regarding this.

Half an hour after receiving the suspension, I used a third acct. I created only a few days before (I was gonna start 3 boxing) to submit a support ticket regarding this matter:

I am hoping to get more information from you regarding my account associated with email address xxxx@xxxx.xxx being suspended for 3rd party software. I have been using ISBoxer/Inner Space, but I thought that application was permissable. I will discontinue use immediately, and remove from my system, if that was the cause of the violation. If you detected something else, can you please let me know so I can make sure it is removed. I wish to remain a loyal customer, so all information you can provide me that caused the suspension.

They then replied with this canned response:

Please Note: this is an automated reply to your question based upon the category that you selected. You must update this ticket (with any requested information) in order for Support to assist you.
Your account has been suspended or banned based on a combination of factors including but not limited to: Cheat detection tools, video evidence, player reports, as well as direct observation.
We do not base our decisions on a single report or piece of evidence, and as such we feel very strongly that the action taken against your account is valid.
Types of processes considered cheating include:
• Running specific programs that modify the game client or game experience.
• Modifying your OS environment in an attempt to falsify data that the game accesses, this is considered malicious behavior will result in the account being banned.

Please keep in mind the following:
· No one is banned for using non-hack programs (like Fraps, overlays, etc.), however software used to modify the game or modify your system or OS environment in an attempt to falsify date that the game accesses will result in a ban.
It doesn't matter if you only cheated once. Cheating is strictly forbidden, don't experiment, or try it even once. Once is all it takes.
· It is your responsibility to ensure that no one else has access to your system or account. We will not release your ban if someone else cheated on your account, or installed something on the system you are playing from without your knowledge. Play on a public PC at your own risk.
· Many cheat programs work in multiple games. When a cheat program is detected that you supposedly used for a different game, it will result in a ban from all Daybreak games.
· No details about your ban (including evidence) will be revealed. Hackers would love to have access to this information and therefore we will not disclose it.

For more information, please view: https://help.daybreakgames.com/hc/en...cles/217509308
If you require further assistance not covered here or have chosen the wrong category, update this ticket at your Support History page and an agent will assist you. If we do not hear back from you within 3 days, we will consider the issue resolved and this ticket will automatically close.

To which I responded:

I have read your emailed response - so I have one question I hope you will answer with a simple yes or no:
Is using Lavish Software's Inner Space and ISBoxer configuration to play multiple instances of Everquest on a regular server against the Terms of Service?

Finally, after I left for work last night I received a reply at 12:14am EDT:

Max "Remdag" Oakson (Daybreak Games)
Jul 13, 9:13 PM PDT

The Terms of Service does not differentiate between program or software and server type.

So, I guess that means ISBoxer is against the ToS now. I would have preferred a straight answer, but that's the best interpretation I can make of this matter. My main concern at this point of the matter is this: IF ISBoxer is really OK to use as I was using it, and was not the 3rd party program they detected me using, I need to nuke my OS ASAP and get rid of whatever has infected it. I use paid versions of Bitdefender and MBAM, and both scan clean, so I don't know what to think - that's why I wanted the straight answer about ISBoxer. If ISBoxer is now a violation of their ToS, why is it so hard to come out and say so straight up? If ISBoxer is NOT a violation of their ToS, then either ISBoxer is now triggering false positives in their detection routine, or my computer is infected with an unknown application whose behavior is triggering DBG's hacking detection routines.

Trying to figure out my next move, since I don't want to ignore this situation and get banned in the future.

[mbox_bob]

I'm just shaking my head right now.

I'm not surprised.

Max "Remdag" Oakson (Daybreak Games)
Jul 13, 9:13 PM PDT

The Terms of Service does not differentiate between program or software and server type.

Actually it kinda does. This is a statement which contradicts the TOS. I'd find the relevant passage, but I'm being lazy-ish.
e.g. Even their Appeal your ban page I linked earlier states:

No one is banned for using non-hack programs (like Fraps, overlays, etc.),

Is this not differentiating programs/software type, and by name?

Now lets clarify a little. ISBoxer is not what I consider a hack program, it is a functional procedural scripted process which runs on the Inner Space platform. Inner Space as a run time platform, like JAVA or Windows, can potentially be used in such a way is that what is running on the platform might be a hack program. Differentiating between something running on a runtime platform being a hack program vs something that is not, is the tricky bit.
So it gets a little grey, in that it depends on what you are using it for. But then if they are going to ban you for using a platform that might be used for hacking, then Windows is out completely (along with every other OS out there), seeing as it provides such functions as ReadProcessMemory, and WriteProcessMemory. Now whether you do use them, vs, they could be used are two different things. Sadly some of these morons don't see it like that, despite the fact that the argument is valid.

So, I guess that means ISBoxer is against the ToS now.

Only for some people apparently. Not everyone has been suspended/banned.

I would have preferred a straight answer

wouldn't we all, but it has never been a topic any developer/publisher has been willing to really get into straight answers in this area. Some of them do actually publish lists of approved "helper" software, but this is very rare, and despite the fact I cannot remember recent endorsements by others besides CCP (for EVEMon, not ISBoxer), it does happen on the odd occasion.

My main concern at this point of the matter is this: IF ISBoxer is really OK to use as I was using it, and was not the 3rd party program they detected me using, I need to nuke my OS ASAP and get rid of whatever has infected it. I use paid versions of Bitdefender and MBAM, and both scan clean, so I don't know what to think - that's why I wanted the straight answer about ISBoxer. If ISBoxer is now a violation of their ToS, why is it so hard to come out and say so straight up? If ISBoxer is NOT a violation of their ToS, then either ISBoxer is now triggering false positives in their detection routine, or my computer is infected with an unknown application whose behavior is triggering DBG's hacking detection routines.

Its more likely it was a player report or a GM observation, otherwise there would be a few more other regulars complaining.

Trying to figure out my next move, since I don't want to ignore this situation and get banned in the future.

Wait it out, and either go back to boxing, or don't. Personally, I'd weigh up whether I really wanted to play that particular game, or whether another more liberal one would do. So I'd try again at a later time, and if it re-occurred, I'd move on.