There are a few ‘entertaining’ threads around if multi-boxing should or should not be allowed. The purpose of this thread is for me (and perhaps others?) to better understand where the term ‘multi-boxing’ came from. I would think it should be referred to something like ‘multi-instancing’ instead. Isn’t a ‘box’ referring to a single computer/device? If so, then why do we club ‘multi-boxing’ with having multiple instances of a program running on the same computer/device?
The wikipedia page for this (I am not allowed to directly link to the page here) doesn’t really mention anything in this regards, so I was curious if anyone here would be able to comment further on why it was originally named this way.
Originally the idea of multi-boxing was literally that. Using multiple boxes (computers or consoles, etc) to operate multiple copies of something and be able to control them from one point. In some cases, they would even use a multi-input device that would connect one keyboard, mouse and monitor to more than one PC and with a simple keystroke command, you could flip between them. I used to use this sort of device when working on multiple computers in the repair industry and had limited desk space. To toggle between them, you would just hit the scroll lock key twice.
Multi-instance would be more accurate in this use, yes.
Here is a link to an earlier post I had provided with some additional info:
So as time progressed and computer power evolved, we (the gaming community) just got ‘lazy’ and continued to use it to also refer to running multiple copies on the same device. That said, I’m sure nowadays when most speak the term, it is readily known what is meant.
I can’t tell you the number of hours from the classic SSI Goldbox games my old C64 churned… and, if I could, I’d still play them on the original but alas, it doesn’t power on anymore.
The simplest definition of multiboxing is having one individual with at least two instances of the same game open at once. This can occur using multiple computers or a single computer. Also, all commands can be entered independently on separate computers so it is not a requirement that a single computer is used or that a single input device is used.
With technological developments both software and hardware, it became easier to multibox. Ultimately, software was developed to perform key mirroring and automation. This software violates Blizzard’s EULA while multiboxing does not.
an updated term now used in the community is Multi-accounting, but until the haters start using that term instead, it wont get popular. Plus, some of us still use multiple boxes (i dont do anything but ultra settings even on my slave accounts), and i’ve seen some people adapt to multiple of those cute compact mini-towers to affordably stay within the WoW ToS.
i mean why not multibox in this day of technology. You can have your main PC and then simply buy 4 of these little ryzen mini’s for a cheap $350 a pop.
Ryzen mini Mini PC AMD Ryzen 5 3550H DDR4 16GB RAM + 256GB NVMe SSD Desktop Computer
I thought it was a reference to the old days of buying a computer game in a box. Now-a-days computer games are bought online/downloaded. No need for a box anymore since you no longer need a floppy disc (5.2 or 3.5), cd, or dvd to install and/or run the game. Back in the day some people would run 2-4 copies of WoW (Vanilla, BC, and Wrath) on a single computer. Of course, 2 or more computers can only help out with multiboxing.
