You’re the only one talking about multiboxing/botting here though. It feels like a scripted response to something I didn’t ask. I even told you exactly what the software does, twice.
I am telling you what Blizzard’s rules are and why they exist. From there you can determine if you want to take the risk or not.
Nobody here can pass judgement on what you want - we can only make sure you know the risks, and that you can decide if they apply to you or not.
THIS is why multiboxing was brought up. That is the ruleset that applies and would possibly cause you issues.
Multiboxing, or playing multiple World of Warcraft accounts at once, is not a violation of our End User License Agreement. Please note, however, that use of all software or hardware mechanisms used to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multiboxing in any way may result in account penalties.
For more information on our stance about input broadcasting software, see our official forum post.
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The thing is, maybe that program isn’t currently used by people to multibox, making it a software-assisted thing and therefore against the rules. But maybe it might be. You assert that it can’t be, but what if some enterprising gold farm unspools the code and finds a way to make it do something that people shouldn’t be able to do? Yeah, it’s not in the base functionality, but then synergy.exe gets into a watchlist somewhere and the next thing you know you get caught up in the banwave.
A lot of the rules we have are based on “This is why we can’t have nice things”. Key passthrough software was fine until bots using it ruined it. Cloning keyboard and mouse inputs to multiple setups (which sounds like what the software you’re talking about does but I wouldn’t know, neither would Blizzard) used to be fine until bots ruined it. Blizzard can’t be expected to get the program you’re talking about, review the code, and theorize about all of the things that could possibly be done with it.
At the end of the day, the software you’re talking about sends input to two separate computers from one keyboard and mouse, and that’s from their website. It sure sounds like something that could be used to streamline multiboxing, even if that’s not your intent, and if it can be, someone will. And if someone does, it’s probably going to get the program blacklisted.
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I just researched to find out what Synergy software does. Personally, I wouldn’t risk it. I suspect this software can easily be used to streamline multiboxing, even if you’re not using it that way.
This in particular stood out to me:
“Once the program is installed, users can move the mouse “off” the side of their desktop on one computer, and the mouse pointer will appear on the desktop of another computer. Key presses will be delivered to whichever computer the mouse-pointer is located in. This makes it possible to control several machines as easily as if they were a single multi-monitor computer. The program is implemented as a server which defines which screen-edges lead to which machines, and one or more which connect to the server to offer the use of their desktops. The keyboard and mouse are connected to the server machine.”
It’s also a cloud based software.
From Blizzard’s EULA:
“Blizzard’s End User License Agreement (EULA) prohibits the use of unauthorized third-party cloud computing services with Blizzard games. This includes using cloud gaming services or software that allows the streaming of game content from a third-party server to a device.”
Do so at your own risk.
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It’s frustrating that Blizzard refuses to clarify or confirm, but KVM software absolutely shouldn’t cause you issues, since only the single computer your active mouse cursor is on will receive, and act, upon inputs from your keyboard and mouse. Just be certain that if there IS a “mirroring” feature, that you leave it disabled.
I personally use Input Director (Windows-only software KVM) on my three PC setup, and have across various PCs for over a decade. While it happens to offer mirroring capabilities as a feature (at least I know it did, I’ve actually never used it), so long as that feature is left disabled, there’s zero broadcasting of simultaneous inputs across multiple game clients. My keyboard and mouse can only affect one WoW client at a time, so it’s fully compliant with WoW’s ToS.
From https://us.battle.net/support/en/article/24258:
Multiboxing, or playing multiple World of Warcraft accounts at once, is not a violation of our End User License Agreement. Please note, however, that use of all software or hardware mechanisms used to mirror commands to multiple World of Warcraft accounts at the same time, or to automate or streamline multiboxing in any way may result in account penalties.
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Multiboxing is within the ToS. You can run multiple copies of the WoW client on one pc, and alt tab between clients, or have clients running on different monitors. That is no different than using software or hardware KVM.
Synergy is also not CLOUD based. It’s NETWORK-based, meaning it runs over ethernet. Ethernet is not the cloud. It’s also not a gaming or streaming service. Did you even read and think about what you copied and pasted? Sheesh.
Please stop giving (bad) advice when you don’t know what you’re talking about.
That’s what Blizzard refer to as ‘Streamlining’, which is against the rules as you’re meant to do all actions by yourself - no help from hardware or software. Doing such will get someone action. If one wants to multibox, they have to do each action by hand with no help from systems or tools.
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KVM hardware and software are basic tools that have been around for decades. By your logic, Blizz should wind up banning computers altogether, because…they’re used to play Wow exploitatively by some players.
The important factor is ONE input for ONE action on ONE client. That is what happens whether you type on a keyboard/click a mouse attached physically to a PC, or do it using input devices connected via hardware or software KVM.
I’ve been using software KVM for longer than WoW has been around. So long as screen mirroring functionality isn’t being used, it’s no different than using a physically attached keyboard and mouse.
The whole reason why Blizzard isn’t going to give the nod to any software is that they can only give a nod to the software based on what it currently does right now.
Should they approve it, only to have additional functionality down the track that could pose issues - it won’t take long for players to throw it back in Blizzards face should they receive account action.
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I mean, I’m not arguing that. But they’re pretty firm on “no hardware or software assistance AT ALL” for multiboxing these days, there’s even some discussion on if alt-tab is completely okay. Some native Windows settings like hover-over with a mouse and scrolling while the window isn’t active aren’t okay. Programming macros into mice and keyboards. Basic, basic stuff.
Because bots ruined it. Now, you can only multibox with absolutely no hardware and software assistance, not even things a lot of people would think of as basic or normal. If you ever installed Autohotkey on your system, even for work, even never having it active, reportedly flags Warden. Even if you’re only running one account at a time, there’s no guarantee it won’t get flagged if you’re using tools that bots use to streamline what they do.
Hardware switches have been specifically brought up as being hardware assistance. So, I’d say, proceed with caution.
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They are home office tools. They aren’t gaming tools. KVM, so long as it’s not mirroring (which they do NOT do by default) is not an exploit. People run multiple copies of wow on one pc - which is, you know, using a single keyboard and mouse. It’s actually faster, easier and more convenient to use macro pads on the secondary (and even teritiary) PCs for manual multi-boxing, than it is to try to DPS on multiple PCs using KVM to mouse from one PC to the other.
You are doing all the actions by yourself. You are using a keyboard or mouse to type or click a command that is sent to ONE CLIENT for ONE ACTION.
It’s not the actions from the keyboard that are in question with this software. We all understand that 1 keypress = 1 spell action. It’s seamlessly moving the mouse between monitor screens and accounts that could be seen as streamlining multibox actions. It’s similar to someone programing their mouse scroll wheel to be able to quickly change screens instead of using alt - tab. People have come here complaining about account actions only to find out that using the software on their mouse to simplify changing screens was the cause.
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Hello Valkillmoore,
This is why Blizzard does not define what software is allowed and what software is not allowed (besides the obvious fact it reveals their hand to a multi billion dollar cheating/bot industry). We see players here all the time trying to rules lawyer this or that, right up to the edge of what is allowed and what is not, and why did my account get hit? And, of course they don’t think it was a violation, and all that, but it was and their account was shutdown.
So it is best to avoid that rules edge running and play the game in the basic way it was intended. I’d guess you think won’t ever end up here, but just hearing the barest basics of your set up: multiple pcs, kvm software, multiple accounts and all that…well, my friend, perhaps consider just playing 1 account at a time. It don’t matter how long you’ve done it so far, maybe now is the time to play the game normally.
I think with old accounts that a player likes, it is generally best to just keep it simple and straight forward. Keep your system clean, install just the needed software, and enjoy the game the way it was intended.
Anyway, good luck to y’all., esp OP. I think you’re making the correct decision to stick with a USB KVM, for what it is worth. But, maybe also consider getting a bit more space and two keyboard/mice isn’t too terrible, for when ya wanna watch something while gaming. In fact, I think I’ll do just that after finishing this!
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