Seeking Blue clarification: key repeating

#8 - May 28, 2008, 9:41 p.m.

Q u o t e:
Hello Blizzard,

After unsuccessfully attempting to get clarification via an in-game ticket, I would like to see if the rules can be clarified regarding key repeating software. In light of recent bans, it is unclear what is or isn't allowed, and bearing in mind the majority of players want to follow the rules, it would be of great help if a statement could be made regarding key repeating software.

Previously, the apparent community understanding had been: if it doesn't automate gameplay, and requires you to be present at the keyboard playing the game, then it is legal. It seems with recent bans, this may not actually be the case.

My specific question is: is it okay to use software (or hardware drivers, or external hardware devices) that continually repeat ("spam") a key bound in-game to a macro or ability while another key is held down and while a player is present at the keyboard playing the game? For Hunters, for instance, spamming our shot rotation macro. I'm sure other classes have similar needs, perhaps not 10-20 times per second like a Hunter, but the same idea. Many aspects of the game make key spamming desirable, but is it legitimate to use external drivers/software to achieve it?

I'd love to not have to break my keyboard, fingers, and wrist to achieve maximum DPS, but I would also hate to wake up one morning and find I was banned for using a repeater. Please help myself and other Hunters follow the rules :)

Thanks.

#15 - May 29, 2008, 12:56 a.m.

Q u o t e:
I hope you have the authority to make such a sweeping policy change, Mr. blue I've never heard of. Screwing with the play style of you customers does not seem wise.

#19 - May 29, 2008, 1:01 a.m.

Q u o t e:
The G15 has been supported by Blizzard in the past, I must have missed it when they changed their minds. :(

And no. :)

Q u o t e:
You agree that you will not (i) modify or cause to be modified any files that are a part of the Program or the Service; (ii) create or use cheats, bots, "mods", and/or hacks, or any other third-party software designed to modify the World of Warcraft experience; or (iii) use any third-party software that intercepts, "mines", or otherwise collects information from or through the Program or the Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, you may update the Program with authorized patches and updates distributed by Blizzard, and Blizzard may, at its sole and absolute discretion, allow the use of certain third party user interfaces.

Q u o t e:
Prohibited Software (Botting, Speed/Teleport Hacks, Data Mining, Software Hacking)

World of Warcraft is a persistent online role-playing world where the actions of each player can have a far-reaching effect on numerous other players, whether directly or indirectly. The game is designed to be run by itself, with no supporting software. Any effort to alter or "hack" World of Warcraft will not be tolerated. Any software which allows a player to circumvent the intended use of the game is not permitted. CONSEQUENCES: Any evidence uncovered by Support investigations that the account has been involved in the exploitation of World of Warcraft by running software at the same time as World of Warcraft that enables any of the following behavior may result in immediate account closure, whether or not any of the software's features are actually used on, with, or against the World of Warcraft software:

* Botting (automated gameplay, whether or not a human is present at the computer).
* Speed/teleport hacking (character movement speeds greater than those achievable through normal in-game means, including teleportation that is not the direct and unmodified result of an in-game spell, ability or effect).
* Data mining (gathering of information that is not normally available through the in-game user and/or scripting interfaces).
* Software hacking (manipulating the World of Warcraft client and/or server software or the communication between them in any way).

Q u o t e:
Aside from that, as long as you use those macro keys as 'extra space', without using them to perform functions that the default macro system could not, then you *should* be okay.

Those macro keys are pretty useful (I use a G15 myself, though that's a personal statement, not a Blizzard endorsement). On the other hand, they can be dangerous too.
Do not use them to automate game play in any fashion.
Do not use them so that a single macro press results in multiple actions.
Do not use them to insert time delays between hardware functions. For example, making a macro that causes your character cast a spell, delay one second, then cast another spell would be unacceptable.

Honestly, if in doubt? Don't do it.

The UI & Macros forum is an excellent place to get input as well.

Q u o t e:
Essentially, for the purposes of this discussion a hardware function incorporates a single keypress consisting of press/release (the functional moment of a single keypress, which is normally not distinguished in the context of World of Warcraft outside functionality like that of your n52) and associated with character movement, and/or use of an ability (which we'll call a 'function' generically). Delays between any element of keypress/release/function or between two or more uses of keypress/release/function, as well as automatic repetition would therefore be unacceptable.

#82 - May 29, 2008, 6:16 a.m.

Q u o t e:
And the funny part is people here do not realize things change sometimes too. Folks have been banned for playing the game under Linux because the punkbuster software WoW uses/used would see the WinE environment as suspicious because only WoW.exe would appear on the processes list because everything else would be under Linux and unaccessible to WoW.

Q u o t e:

I'll just continue to wait for a blue response.

Q u o t e:
Would that be considered automation? Nothing really addresses that particular function because while it does repeat, it requires the player to be actively holding the key down.

Q u o t e:
This is not okay. One hardware function = one action, according to standard macro rules. A hardware function is a keypress (including press/release) associated with movement and an ability/item. Obviously, our default macro rules enable you to use 'modifying' trinkets or abilities, such as nature's swiftness, plus a single spell all in a single press.

Q u o t e:

That's why I want someone with the pretty blue text to answer. It's a grey area. I can make the G15 fully automate me for just about anything but yet it* is allowed. But Im not asking about that. Im asking about a simple little switch that is very user friendly but can be abused, yes.

* By "it" I mean the keyboard