Okay. History time. Dug up the doc.:
GM Belfaire on 'boxing:
Q: 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?
GM Belfaire: 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.
Q: 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?
GM Belfaire: 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.
Q: Likewise, hardware, by nature, is “3rd party”. What kinds (or uses) of 3rd party hardware are bannable?
GM Belfaire: All hardware is considered neutral as long as its commands and features are not being used to automate gameplay.
Q: Does multiboxing give a player an in-game advantage?
GM Belfaire: Yes --and so does grouping.
Q: Therefore, can multiboxing be considered an exploit?
GM Belfaire: 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.
Q: 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”?
GM Belfaire: See above.
Q: 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?
GM Belfaire: 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.
Q: Multiboxing is only allowed because there is no reliable way for Blizzard to find, identify, and catch them. True/false?
GM Belfaire: Almostly hilariously false .
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Vrakthris: Support Forum Agent
What each class is that is used when someone multi-boxes is entirely irrelevant. Regardless if you have 5 characters that are controlled by 5 individuals or 5 characters controlled by 1, if they are working together, they will often beat the ill prepared and those who number less than themselves.
Though, keep in mind that while a multi-boxer may be able to cast 5 spells at the same time, they also can be disrupted fairly easy.
“But like others have said, they make a computer program to help boxing, that in fact is a breach of blizzard rules. They say no external programme.”
Thanks, but we are very much aware of our policies and how these programs work, more so than most. As long as the actions taken are not otherwise automated (i.e. the registered user of the account must be in direct control of each action the characters take), they are not currently considered against our policies.
“Wow kinda sounds like boxing.”
No, it doesn’t.
“Same way as if i was to log into wow, i can tell the programme to “automatically” fill in my information and I click ok and enter. Am i really automated it. The answer is yes.”
No, I’m afraid you appear to be misunderstanding what automation actually entails.
Multi-boxing has been covered endlessly. Some will agree with our policies, some may come to understand them and others will never do so. While your opinion is appreciated, this subject is not in need of further discussion.
Snipped for general comment.
[quote]Vrakthris: Support Forum Agent
Multi-boxing has been covered endlessly. Some will agree with our policies, some may come to understand them and others will never do so.[/quote]
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And finally, some old history -
[quote=“37641898619”](Rathadin – Mal’ganis) EDIT: Oh yeah, for those that don’t know, a lot of the original WOW development team were EverQuest multi-boxers, just FYI.
You know that ogre out in Dustwallow Marsh? Mudcrush Durtfeet? Well he’s named after… you guessed it… the ogre shaman Mudcrush Durtfeet from , which was Rob Pardo / Jeffrey Kaplan (Tigole)'s EverQuest guild.
He was a legendary multi-boxer. Its ingrained into the company from, quite literally, the highest higher ups down to the quest writers. Multiboxing isn’t going anywhere.[/quote]
Enjoy.
