SOE Reviewing Keyclone legality for EQ2

[PyrostasisTDK]

They recently started scanning for programs and its come up with whats legal and whats not in this thread.

Someone asked about keyclone and we got some rather interesting response. Looks like keyclone might be on the block for us.

Here's the excerpt.

I have begun petitioning asking about multiboxing tools.
The TSR level response was:

Any program that enhances the gameplay experience comparatively to other normal players is strictly prohibited. If you 2 box, it should be okay as long as it doesn't affect/tweak the game, i.e. if you have a computer that can hold 2 separate clients, and if you are willing to toggle back and forth between clients it should be okay. The key word that I see from your inquiry, "using a software tool",that's probably won't be okay with us.There are other manual ways to toggle clients without using software tools
MY RESPONSE was:

So a hardware KVM switch would be permitted, but a keyboard signal broadcaster is not ok? There are other hardware tools which are very expensive which can do similar things as well, as well as buying a computer for every instance of EQ2 you wish to run.

For example I have seen some guys who are able to cast all of their spells on multiple characters simultaneously. Something that allows you to split your keyboard input to multiple EQ2 clients at the same time, even if it is NOT automated, is not allowed?

This was escalated to the TSR supervisor, which responded:

I am sure their will be lot of such hardware and software available in the market but what we are sure is that anything that gives you added unfair advantage over other players will not be permitted.

However, If its not automated, then it should be Ok.

Also, What program or hardware are you trying to use? If you can tell us the name, then may be I can investigate more on it.

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I have responded with the specific "keyclone" product to see what they think, and have linked the FAQ page of the product website. The initial response sounds like keyclone would be a no go, but the supervisor response of "if it is not automated, it should be OK" makes me think possibly otherwise. I have argued that the ability to split your keyboard input does not constitute automation, and the fact that each character's actions must involve human interaction does not constitute an "unfair advantage."
We'll see what they think after they have had some time to investigate it. Given that blizzard has been historically much more strict, perhaps such a thing would be alright.

[Gallo]

You should totally copy/paste some of Vyn's posts on what is and isn't "automation". I bet it would bring up a lot more discussion.

[PyrostasisTDK]

She's already been linked.

Its 100x harder to speak with someone at SOE though.

[Gallo]

Speaking of Vyn, haven't seen much from her lately. She and Suvega must be working long hours at the evil empire(Microsoft) lately.

[Eteocles]

I think Vyn's absence has more to do with her last post in her Arena Team-buying thread...search for it by her posts or a page or two back for more info lol

[Gallo]

Oh, I know of that post. I would figure that wouldn't phase her. My bet is shes just busy.

[Eteocles]

Let's keep it from being brought back up again...the summary is indeed that someone accused her of stuff, then she made that thread, then the rest of us voiced our opinions on the matter/subject of arena buying and she didn't like that we disagreed with her choices on an opinionated/personal level, so threw a fit and locked it then left >.>

Though she's still idling/idled in the IRC strangely enough

[PyrostasisTDK]

well lets move the thread back to my topic please, dont want this locked.

[Khazrael]

I'm gonna go with fur on this one and say it sounds like something they just haven't encountered and have no policy for yet. Multi-boxing isn't exactly mainstream, and most companies probably don't even consider it, much less have some sort of defined policy for it.

It will probably take them some time to mature into understanding, and appropriately determining if they consider it to be acceptable.

[Slats]

All you need to do is simply outline what the program/software does.



That there is no possible way to script/automate anything. It simple sends a keystroke to a window when you push that key, however it can send to many windows.

In relation to the other topic, yes most people dislike point selling, its going to be an uphill battle to convince the community here its somehow OK heh. Looks like in a recent interview with Tom Chilton they are going to implement further measures to make point selling and personal rating selling alot more difficult.