Heyo Customer Service Forum!

Given my recent posting rampage on a certain general forum thread that went on until 500 posts (post limit, thread lock), there were a few semantics that came up that I thought might need some clarity. If it's not too much trouble, could I get a blue to pop by to confirm/deny this issues with semantics so that I can reference them when future issues such as these come up? I would ticket an in-game GM, but, unfortunately, I have a feeling people will just claim that I photoshopped any screenshots that I might take.

Keep in mind that I'm a multiboxer who spends quite a bit of time right here on the customer service forums, and my primary motivation for asking for blue-post clarity is so that I can use this as a resource to help educate others.

Thanks muchly,

~Velath, defender of all that is multiboxing and maintainer of teh giant multiboxing blue post quote (which, unfortunately, isn't working as well as I would like)

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Q u o t e:
"Multi-boxing is not a violation of the Terms of Use, Sincast. On the contrary, it's a fairly common practice and extremely fun to watch. "
Syndri, Customer Service Member
WOW... This HAS to be against ToS...

"Badkarma, we do not stop players from owning and playing multiple accounts...There are all manner of ways to use two accounts that are not outside of our in-game policies and legal documents..."
Berghe, Customer Service Member
What is blizzards stand on botting

"We do not prevent people from owning multiple accounts, nor playing those accounts simultaneously as long as they abide by our Terms of Use and EULA."
Vrakthris, Customer Service Member
Bots in BG

"multi-boxing,..., it's not considered a violation of policy." "[It] is viewed simply as a clever, yet tedious play style, but not altogether counterintuitive to the spirit of the game"
Syndri, Customer Service Member
Cheater?

"Nah, it's one person using one keyboard to simultaneously control more than one account. There's no automation in that case.
If there is, then it's against policy.
Dig?"
Belfaire, Customer Service Member
Multi-Boxing allowed?

"Totally legit." (in response to a post about multiboxing software)
Belfaire, Customer Service Member
Multiboxing question

"There is no problem with you playing multiple characters, as long as you are the owner of the accounts and are in control of them..."
Eilanai, Blizzard Poster
http://forums.wow-europe.com/thread.html;jsessionid=2537DAB869934A1E146BCF0133FC2302.app03_02?topicId=268157261&pageNo=4&sid=1#77

"Multi-boxing is not in violation of our current policies, Varlex." ...
"Unlike the forms of botting you mentioned, multi-boxing requires user input and does not automate any aspect of gameplay. Each time an action is performed it is controlled by a real player sitting at their computer controlling multiple accounts. "
Aradek, Customer Service Member
Multi- Boxing, seeing more every day :(

Conversation with GM Thorwain
http://i271.photobucket.com/albums/jj121/grimfandang0/gmanswer.jpg

Xzin's conversation with GMs Lasuri and Cometic
http://www.wowbash.com/image-159.html

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To be very clear, I will define multiboxing as such:
Multiboxing is the art of playing multiple characters on multiple accounts simultaneously. Multiboxing is typically played via a single user interface (i.e. one keyboard) connected to multiple instances of the game (on one or more computers) and are controlled via actions available in the in-game /macro feature.

Semantics issue #1:
Is using one keyboard to send signals to multiple instances of WoW automation? In other words, what is the definition of automation as it applies to WoW?

Semantics issue #2:
Software (such as Keyclone, Octopus, etc) to emulate a keyboard multiboxing solution is, by nature, "3rd party". Is "3rd party software" synonymous with "bot" or "automation"? Are all types of "3rd party software" bannable?
Likewise, hardware, by nature, is "3rd party". What kinds (or uses) of 3rd party hardware are bannable?

Semantics issue #3:
Does multiboxing give a player an in-game advantage? Therefore, can multiboxing be considered an exploit?

Semantics issue #4:
Multiboxing can be considered by some as "against the spirit of the game" or, at least, "against the spirit of the game the way I want to play it". Is multiboxing against the "spirit of the game"?

Semantics issue #5:
Multiboxers provide Blizzard with a significant amount of extra income, and that, and only that, is the reason why is it currently allowed. True/false?

Semantics issue #6:
Multiboxing is only allowed because there is no reliable way for Blizzard to find, identify, and catch them. True/false?

Unrelated issue #7:
Cake or death?

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MULTIBOXING VIDEOS: http://v-boxing.net/blog/videos.php
Velani / Velath / Velavi / Velarie / Velathi / Velatti / Vyndree
http://www.v-boxing.net

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Q u o t e:

Semantics issue #1:
Is using one keyboard to send signals to multiple instances of WoW automation? In other words, what is the definition of automation as it applies to WoW?

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Using a keyboard setup like what you're describing? Not automation.
Setting up a macro with said keyboard that would, for example, automatically press Fireball each time it was available? Automation.

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Q u o t e:
Semantics issue #2:
Software (such as Keyclone, Octopus, etc) to emulate a keyboard multiboxing solution is, by nature, "3rd party". Is "3rd party software" synonymous with "bot" or "automation"? Are all types of "3rd party software" bannable?
Likewise, hardware, by nature, is "3rd party". What kinds (or uses) of 3rd party hardware are bannable?

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Is it sending an identical signal to all client windows or switching between them to send commands? Not automation.
Is it playing the game for you, or rather, for one of your client windows? Automation.
All hardware is considered neutral as long as its commands and features are not being used to automate gameplay.

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Q u o t e:
Semantics issue #3:
Does multiboxing give a player an in-game advantage?

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Yes--and so does grouping.

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Q u o t e:
Therefore, can multiboxing be considered an exploit?

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No. We consider it be an alternative playstyle; not everyone can do it, but if a person is willing to devote the concentration and capital to such a venture--legitimately--we're perfectly fine with it. Five multiboxed accounts can be feared and CCed just like five solo accounts.

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Q u o t e:
Semantics issue #4:
Multiboxing can be considered by some as "against the spirit of the game" or, at least, "against the spirit of the game the way I want to play it". Is multiboxing against the "spirit of the game"?

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See above.

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Q u o t e:
Semantics issue #5:
Multiboxers provide Blizzard with a significant amount of extra income, and that, and only that, is the reason why is it currently allowed. True/false?

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Patently false. All accounts should be allowed to be played as they see fit provided that they're playing within our policies. In cases of mulitboxing, all accounts involved are playing the same as any other account, only simultaneously.

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Q u o t e:
Semantics issue #6:
Multiboxing is only allowed because there is no reliable way for Blizzard to find, identify, and catch them. True/false?

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Almostly hilariously false.

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Q u o t e:
Unrelated issue #7:
Cake or death?

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I'll have the cake, please.

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Q u o t e:

If the signal is identical but you have a different keybinding for the signal is that automation. Eg. If I push a button and one character moves left and another moves right.

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Fine. :)

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Q u o t e:
One of the threads regarding this issue in which two multi-boxers who each run 5 characters at a time chimed in had them making plans to 2-man (with 10 characters between them) a 10man raid.

While I can see the potential issues inherent, surely you, Blizzard and everyone else can see the huge advantages in this as well.

Otherwise the question of multi-boxing wouldn't even be an issue... ever.

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I, and I think the same is true for a lot of us here, would like to shake the hands of two people with the ability to run Karazhan multiboxing.

I don't think it trivializes any accomplishments--it's an amazing accomplishment in itself.

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Q u o t e:


*shakes Belfaire's hand*

;)

http://v-boxing.net/blog/videos.php/videos/pve/outland/kara/

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Oh sniggity snap.

It looks like the point of contention, Honig--at least for you--is the amount of loot that someone could earn in this way.

At least for me, this is reconciled by the fact that, no matter what, the loot is still being divided between ten characters. While you could, in theory, get one character quite a bit of gear this way, it works the same as in every other instance group--if one person gets the loot, the other nine don't.

Ten people, ten characters, doesn't matter. Somebody wins, the others are just along for the ride until it's their stop.

I didn't mean to come off negative if I did, Honig! <3

Just trying to clarify a viewpoint on it, even if it's just mine.

We appreciate your bringing the awareness to the general masses, Velath. :)

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Q u o t e:


I appreciate having a post to link to that contains all of the answers to common questions and misinformation answered in pretty blue texts. :)

Though.... how do you feel about Cake or Death?

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Naturally, I prefer Cake.

We are talking about the band, right?

I'm reminded of a classic Boss chat transcript...

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Q u o t e:
{Majordomo Executus has come online}
{EliteGuard has come online}
{EliteGuard has come online}
{EliteGuard has come online}
{EliteGuard has come online}
{Healer has come online}
{Healer has come online}
{Healer has come online}
{Healer has come online}
{Majordomo Executus} : hey
{EliteGuard} hey
{EliteGuard} hey
{EliteGuard} hey
{EliteGuard} hey
{Healer} hey
{Healer} hey
{Healer} hey
{Healer} hey

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Q u o t e:
...Boptart...

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Please tell me that's the name of a shiny paladin. Pleaseohpleaseohplease.

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Q u o t e:

Uh no. What will happen is that as more mutli boxers come in, others will leave. And your In your face style post will create further impetus for people do so.

Now don't get me wrong, I understand the issues perfectly and have before WoW was on the drawing board. MMO's have a fairly predictable life course. Generally you want to get in early, run for about three years and get out. Typically (with some exceptions) at about three years in, things start going down hill in a number of ways (and no, I am not talking from a subscription number vantage point.) that to someone like myself matter.

Multi boxing and it's acceptance is a harbinger that experienced MMORPG players will recognize as another contributor to a down trend in over all community. I am completely unsurprised by blue commentary here BTW.

I started in Dec of 2004. My account ends tomorrow. I'm not leaving because of Multi boxing, it doesn't affect me at this time. I'm leaving for a host of game play and community related reasons. Multi boxing is just another marker for pointing me in the right direction.

Best wishes all.

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Nor should the 'blue' responses in this thread surprise you. If a practice is not against our policies, then we'll do our best to speak frankly on the subject. If a practice does violate our policies, the same holds true. As always, if we feel that a particular behavior becomes a significant threat to the quality of game play, our policies on the topic are subject to change for the betterment of the game as a whole.

Multi-boxers have been around for most of World of Warcraft's lifespan, and are a common fixture of the majority of MMORPGs. I realize that you may find this practice personally offensive, but at the moment it does not represent a violation of our policies, nor is it likely to do so. The exceptions to this have already been exhaustively covered.

You may have your own reasons for leaving World of Warcraft, and I can respect that. Forgive me for disagreeing with your analysis of the impact of multi-boxing on MMORPGs in general though.

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Q u o t e:



I have a question on the "legitimately" part. I have a situation recently where my cousin and her husband are getting divorced, and they have 3 accounts between them, and I have 2 accounts myself. I've been considering trying a 5 box shaman team, being a shaman since day 1 anyways, but want to clarify this before I venture forward and risk getting banned on my own accounts too.

Would Blizzard consider my using my own 2 accounts, with 2 of my cousins accounts and her soon to be ex's account (they both have stopped playing because of the recent split and will let me resume the subscriptions) to be a violation of the EULA and be a bannable offense? I would of course be paying the monthly fee on all 5 accounts going forward, as well as purchasing 5x Wrath of the Lich Kings upgrades eventually :)

Would love an answer if anyone from Blizz is still looking, thanks :D

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Still am!

The answer is that if the account isn't in your name, you shouldn't be using it. It's considering account sharing/trading under our TOU and could bring a rain of fire and brimstone into your kitchen*.




*not really, just banz

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Q u o t e:


Semantic #1- What if the keystrokes passed are to ingame macros to attack-IE /assist,/cast <spellname> would that be automation or not?

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It's no different than if you bound your Action Button 1, containing an Aimed Shot macro, to your F key.

It's only an issue if the keyboard stroke/macro is doing something that an in-game macro physically cannot.

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Q u o t e:
My account expires 3/23 (early a.m.)

Amazingly blind to the obvious. Well, only obvious to us non-computer geeks I guess.

Too bad, you've ruined a work of genius and are making it continually worse. Its still better than most games in many ways but I won't fund you any more.

I'll settle for less and go play elsewhere.

These guys are looters and being defended. Are you sure the development team isn't part of a conspiracy here? Because I'm not.

Not after this.

Every gold farmer and e-bay toon seller in the world probably multi-boxes. Weigh that against the (likely) few high-end geeks who can do this within the tortuous bounds you're rationalizing in its defense.

Not very credible of you.

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Actually, your assumptions about who does, and does not 'multi-box' are wildly inaccurate. I can't put that any more bluntly, but please trust that we have a broad perspective on the issue.

I'm curious about what 'conspiracy' you believe our Development Team to be part of? A conspiracy regarding a very uncommon practice engaged in by a literal vanishingly small handful of players?

I understand that you disapprove of the practice, and I understand your reasons for doing so. It is entirely possible that our policies on the matter may change at some point in the future if it becomes clear that this practice endangers the quality of the environment for the rest of our players. Up to this point, this hasn't been the case at all, however.

If this issue is what causes you to leave World of Warcraft, then I honestly cannot confess to understand. You are completely entitled to your perspective however, and I hope that you reconsider your decision.

Allow me to set your argument to rest. This:

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Q u o t e:
Add in a 3rd party program. You press ONE button and all 5 screens react. How exactly is that fair/legit? It's not. The ability to control 5 computers at once with 1 single keyboard and 1 single press of a button is automation. The ability to make your characters cast their individual spells and skills at once by pressing 1 button is automation.

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Is not automation by our standards. This is why multi-boxing is just fine.

The moment that single keypress initiates a string of actions not normally possible via our base macro system for an individual character, then that is a different matter. It is also a separate offense.

Multi-boxing, currently, is not a violation of our policies.

That is all.