"Allowed or Not" and Account Bans: Explained - Guild Wars Guru archive powered by Guild Wars Legacy

SilentVex

Lion's Arch Merchant

Join Date: Nov 2005

Maguuma Stade

27 May 2010 at 23:59 - 41

Macros

I sent a request to support concerning macros built into game keyboards/mice. This is the response I got:

Quote:

Hello,

You asked if your programmable keyboard was acceptable to use for playing Guild Wars. “What if…?” questions such as this are always tough to answer, because they have not happened yet. Nevertheless, I’ll try to give you an understanding of what we might consider “right” and “wrong” when interacting with our service as it related to your new keyboard.

Using your programmable keyboard as a normal keyboard would certainly be fine. A keyboard is a basic tool that is virtually required to operate a computer and use our service. Each time you press a key, one character is typed or one action is made to happen and, in general, that is acceptable.

If you were somehow able to use your programmable keyboard to fully automate your gameplay experience, especially to the point where you did not have to attend your computer while your keyboard software “played” the game for you, then that would be considered against our User Agreement and subject to disciplinary action. (“You agree not to use any hardware or software, including but not limited to third party tools, or any other method of support which may in any way influence or advantage your use of the Service which is not authorized by NC Interactive, including but not limited to the use of ‘bots’ and/or any other method by which the Service may be played automatically without human input.”)

Somewhere in between those two scenarios is a grey area. We can’t make any “final judgments” on any grey area actions that have not yet occurred, and we will not speculate on all possible grey area scenarios and their outcomes. In general, please make sure that you are at your computer and playing your game. Ultimately, it is of utmost important to us that each character being played in Guild Wars is being operated by an actual person.

We know this doesn’t provide a definitive rule that covered all possible scenarios, but still hope this helps your understanding of “helping one play” versus “playing for you” and what we would consider acceptable.

Regards,
GM ApplePython
The Guild Wars Support Team

Please note that the GKey macros can be used to create some pretty complicated macros that would very likely be bannable, so they can't be cleared completely. This is especially true for using them for a drunkard bot, which is stupidly easy to set up.

Winterclaw

Wark!!!

Join Date: May 2005

Florida

W/

28 May 2010 at 00:13 - 42

It would be nice if ANet would take some time to make some "safe" mods so we can do some things and not have to worry if it's legit or not.

An example would be a textmod for helping mappers.

-Makai-

Jungle Guide

Join Date: May 2007

WA

DH

Rt/

28 May 2010 at 00:26 - 43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fay Vert

I think there may even be some accessibility issues here with some programs aiding disabled/disadvantaged people.

Completely agreed. I use the "Cartography Made Easy" mod because my poor eyesight makes it hard to distinguish which parts of the default U map are blurred.

BoxOfCox

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Nov 2009

CA

Wars

28 May 2010 at 03:57 - 44

The GMs themselves don't even know what is really allowed or not. It really depends on what time of the month it is when they're reviewing your case.

Trub

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Mar 2006

Sitting in the guildhall, watching the wallows frolic.

Trinity of the ascended [SMS]+[Koss]+[TAM]=[ToA]

28 May 2010 at 04:03 - 45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Winterclaw

It would be nice if ANet would take some time to make some "safe" mods so we can do some things and not have to worry if it's legit or not.

An example would be a textmod for helping mappers.

I could never understand why anyone really..really needed to use a map hack to begin with?
And before anyone gets rilled up, please hear me out...when I say map hack,,I mean a 3rd party program that lets you see boundries ect...
that other players ..playing the game as is...will not see.
That is a 3rd party program..(hack).
You may not be affecting the servers, but it is a 'cheat', for a title...which is not mandatory to progress in the game...
How is this any different than a botter?..(other than the whole inject dll thing)
You have simplified the game, your not actually 'playing' the original specs.
I'm confused...
Bots=banned.
3rd party programs= should be banned.

Reverend Dr

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

Super Fans Of Gaile [ban]

W/

28 May 2010 at 05:11 - 46

I've posted this in the other thread, but haven't received a response and would really like one.

Is signing up extra guild for AT's, extra guilds that you know are going to end up forfeiting considered match manipulation? While if enough people do it, you can end up with an AT that gives more QP's, on the other hand the early morning AT's (which are the only ones we can ever make) need enough of these guilds for an AT to even take place.

Solar Light

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: May 2006

Teutonic Warriors {TW}

Mo/

28 May 2010 at 06:01 - 47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trub

I could never understand why anyone really..really needed to use a map hack to begin with?
And before anyone gets rilled up, please hear me out...when I say map hack,,I mean a 3rd party program that lets you see boundries ect...
that other players ..playing the game as is...will not see.
That is a 3rd party program..(hack).
You may not be affecting the servers, but it is a 'cheat', for a title...which is not mandatory to progress in the game...
How is this any different than a botter?..(other than the whole inject dll thing)
You have simplified the game, your not actually 'playing' the original specs.
I'm confused...
Bots=banned.
3rd party programs= should be banned.

You can see boundrys with normal maps too, players can easly access screenshots of unedited 100% exploration maps and compare them to their ingame maps, all texmod does is overlay that completed map ingame and color the fogged areas that you can uncover.

All it really does is save time, in alttabbing and comparing map fogging, ect, and yeh, it does make borders somewhat easyer to see, but its not like you couldnt do what texmod does to begin with.

In fact, I belived thats how it was developed in the first place, people were screenshotting their GW world maps and comparing them to 100% cart maps, there is in fact methods you can use software that doesnt touch GW to overlay maps and color or do other things to find out the fogged areas you need to clear, and that proccess eventuly moved to applying texmod to integrate it into the game itself, I even distinctly recall serrvices where 100% cart players would let people send in screenshots and they would process them for that person before Texmod came onto the scene.

At least, thats my current interpetation of Texmod/Cartography, I am going to ponder it more.

zrahed

Frost Gate Guardian

Join Date: Jun 2007

Dallas Tx

Killas On Pay [ROLL]

R/Rt

28 May 2010 at 06:05 - 48

KSMOD is not even approved. I have never used anything on my account me and my dad and both of them get banned. only thing we have ever used was KSmod because we both loved it and we get banned. Allowed my foot* two full acounts with all extras banned perma for using that program. i like how they allow it on here and ban people for using it. half my guild and ally used it and we all got banned. Half of KISS got banned along with RAWR for using this KSMOD. Utter BS. They need to have better detection systems instead of "hey lets ban everyone who uses any program we arent making money off of.c

Juze

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2010

[KISS]

A/E

28 May 2010 at 06:51 - 49

I believe that the new detection system searches for external programs running, also for .dll injection. KSMod uses dll injection, that's the reason why so many accounts get banned for actually no reason. The new detection needs some work imo.

And just a side fact, I thought of the server thing again yesterday at shower. It's not actually 0 and 1, it's true/false.

Dzjudz

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

gwpvx.com/user:dzjudz

28 May 2010 at 11:35 - 50

Quote:

Originally Posted by zrahed

KSMOD is not even approved. I have never used anything on my account me and my dad and both of them get banned. only thing we have ever used was KSmod because we both loved it and we get banned. Allowed my foot* two full acounts with all extras banned perma for using that program. i like how they allow it on here and ban people for using it. half my guild and ally used it and we all got banned. Half of KISS got banned along with RAWR for using this KSMOD. Utter BS. They need to have better detection systems instead of "hey lets ban everyone who uses any program we arent making money off of.c

KSMod didn't get me banned, nor did it dozens of people I know. Maybe you should consider the 'other' reason many people were banned: match manipulation.

amitai

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2007

N/

28 May 2010 at 12:56 - 51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzjudz

KSMod didn't get me banned, nor did it dozens of people I know. Maybe you should consider the 'other' reason many people were banned: match manipulation.

what if tommorow u get banned?
u can never know

that thing got me into a paranoia i have yet to get banned but i did use texmod
what if they only aprove of the 2.1 version and i use 0.9 version? i am totaly scared my accounet is going to get banned because of that
texmod was on the wiki and they said it wasn't against guild wars rules
and i mean if we get too paranoid someone might sue Anet because we pay prior to signing the contract.
its like we pay and then we are forced to sign a contract.
terms of conduct is not on the cd case.
we only sign that after we have bought the game.
after paying allready and after we can't get the money back.
it's like they are forceing us to sign this contract
i never used bots
but i did used texmod
and if, even by accident my account gets banned then i will gather 3,700 ppls and maybe more and we will sue Anet.
do they want a bad name? lets get this figured out

Dzjudz

Furnace Stoker

Join Date: Jun 2005

gwpvx.com/user:dzjudz

28 May 2010 at 13:30 - 52

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitai

what if tommorow u get banned?
u can never know

I won't. Read post #16, they already stated KSmod, Texmod and Multi-Launch are okay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by amitai

do they want a bad name? lets get this figured out

Banning botters = a good name in my book.

Essence Snow

Unbridled Enthusiasm!

Join Date: Nov 2009

EST

DPR

28 May 2010 at 13:42 - 53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverend Dr

I've posted this in the other thread, but haven't received a response and would really like one.

Is signing up extra guild for AT's, extra guilds that you know are going to end up forfeiting considered match manipulation? While if enough people do it, you can end up with an AT that gives more QP's, on the other hand the early morning AT's (which are the only ones we can ever make) need enough of these guilds for an AT to even take place.

U should already know the answer to this. Ofc it is match manipulation.

amitai

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Nov 2007

N/

28 May 2010 at 14:35 - 54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dzjudz

I won't. Read post #16, they already stated KSmod, Texmod and Multi-Launch are okay.Banning botters = a good name in my book.

im sorry i got kinda paranoid cause what some ppls say about texmod and ksmod and i did use texmod, and guild wars is one favorite game of mine

HellScreamS

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Aug 2009

wouldn't you like to know?

^yea KFC just subscribed to me for 1 year^

P/

28 May 2010 at 14:48 - 55

yea, like I might be a bit dumb, but I think this thread should've been here 1 week ago, not now.

kokoninja

Academy Page

Join Date: Apr 2007

NYC

Rogues of the Silver Dragon (RosD)

R/A

28 May 2010 at 15:38 - 56

I'm really glad I was just too dumb to use any of these and never bothered, lol
Minus the multi-launcher but hopefully they are true to word about that being ok to use.

MissyX

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Sep 2008

We Gat Dis [HRUU]

28 May 2010 at 15:41 - 57

Quote:

what if they only aprove of the 2.1 version and i use 0.9 version? i am totaly scared my accounet is going to get banned because of that

How does one know which is ok and which isnt, I have lost some good friends due to this.

There needs to more clarifaction on what can be used and what is against the rules. Go to wiki dl texmod? I mean is the one there the correct one to use? or do i try it an get banned.. sorry too risky for me.

Tbh if you were banned for botting then you already knew the consequences but for using texmod or aid for drunken title, people have been using them for so long you cant just suddenly say well today we ban you for it.

We need it in black an white no grey areas... at least give the rest of the player base a chance to survive these totally random perma bans that are still happening.

Dre

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2007

Belgium

Dutch Doom Brigade

W/

28 May 2010 at 16:33 - 58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trub

I could never understand why anyone really..really needed to use a map hack to begin with?

Second post above yours

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trub

And before anyone gets rilled up, please hear me out...when I say map hack,,I mean a 3rd party program that lets you see boundries ect...
that other players ..playing the game as is...will not see.
That is a 3rd party program..(hack).
You may not be affecting the servers, but it is a 'cheat', for a title...which is not mandatory to progress in the game...
How is this any different than a botter?..(other than the whole inject dll thing)
You have simplified the game, your not actually 'playing' the original specs.
I'm confused...
Bots=banned.
3rd party programs= should be banned.

It's not a cheat, it just makes it slightly easier to see what you have and haven't mapped. In the end, you still need to get to the place in order to map it.

amaretto creme

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: Oct 2008

PA

Drunken Devil Dawgs [USMC]

E/

28 May 2010 at 16:34 - 59

I don't think it is so much VERSIONS as it is WHERE you get them from. If you go directly to the original source of the program (meaning where you download it from), then you should be fine, from what I've read here. If you get it from another source, though, there's no telling what else could be put with it, so basically, if you download it from somewhere else than the actual page of those that made it, don't be mad if your account gets banned because you lost it to a key logger or whatever. You forfeited your account the second you used the program, as it was not from the original source. It's why they say don't come to us if one of these third party programs messes with something and/or you lose your account to it. It's not their fault, as they warned you against it before you even used it.

gwkbar

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2009

U.S.A.

Retired Bookah Syndicate [YaWn]

A/

28 May 2010 at 19:06 - 60

I got banned.

I only used texmod, ksmod, and a /resign macro i made on my keyboard.

They said I didn't bot on the emails i got back.

currently arguing that my /resign macro doesn't hurt the game or break the user agreement.

Kharmin

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2009

Far Shiverpeaks

Clan Quarren [QRRN]

R/

28 May 2010 at 19:08 - 61

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwkbar

I got banned.

I only used texmod, ksmod, and a /resign macro i made on my keyboard.

They said I didn't bot.

Hmm... why did you need a /resign macro?

gwkbar

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2009

U.S.A.

Retired Bookah Syndicate [YaWn]

A/

28 May 2010 at 19:11 - 62

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharmin

Hmm... why did you need a /resign macro?

i didn't need a /resign macro. it was just for convenience. my guild had a MVP program for vanquishes, so i just did zen daijun over and over and killed tigers to get the credit for a VQ. i'd Screen it, and i'd resign out and do it again.
i was @ my computer the whole time.

Kharmin

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2009

Far Shiverpeaks

Clan Quarren [QRRN]

R/

28 May 2010 at 19:16 - 63

Appeal to support; there has to be a reason. Perhaps they erred.

gwkbar

Academy Page

Join Date: Mar 2009

U.S.A.

Retired Bookah Syndicate [YaWn]

A/

28 May 2010 at 19:42 - 64

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kharmin

Appeal to support; there has to be a reason. Perhaps they erred.

i hope so. they even said i didn't bot in their email, just the 3rd party apps.

so i'm appealing.

srsly, playin for 5 years........... and i've never botted or done anything against that user agreement.

Reverend Dr

Forge Runner

Join Date: Dec 2005

Super Fans Of Gaile [ban]

W/

28 May 2010 at 21:12 - 65

Quote:

Originally Posted by Essence Snow

U should already know the answer to this. Ofc it is match manipulation.

This happens every single early morning AT.

Without it American AT's simply won't take place.

Faer

La-Li-Lu-Le-Lo

Join Date: Feb 2006

28 May 2010 at 22:33 - 66

"Sharing Computers" should be added to the list of things that aren't allowed, due to how risky it is. Please review the following:

Quote:

Hello,

I understand that you have concerns about the termination of your Guild Wars account. I would like to provide you with additional information that may be of assistance as you review your individual situation:

The accounts that were terminated on May 26th used a disallowed third-party program at some time in the past. That doesn’t mean the program was used within the last few days or even within the last few weeks, because the scope of our bot detection efforts extended over a long period of time. So any of the 3,700 accounts that were closed may have used a forbidden third-party program this week, last week, or even a few months ago. Some people may have installed and uninstalled a forbidden program a while ago, thinking it would not be detected. Obviously that wasn’t the case. Others may share a computer and not realize that someone else added a bot program to their system. And still others may not realize that the program that they were told was “harmless” or even “approved by ArenaNet” is actually a cheat program.

Some players have said they believe that their account was terminated because they used certain third-party programs such as TexMod or Guild Wars Multi-Client. We do not action the accounts of people who use these programs because in their original form they do not give players an inherent gameplay advantage. That has been true in the past; that remains true today. But the accounts that were terminated were not using such programs. Either the players involved were knowingly using cheat programs, or they were using what they thought were benign programs that had been altered, turning them from acceptable to unacceptable.

Please keep in mind that ArenaNet and NCsoft do not “approve” third-party programs. We know that we cannot ensure the integrity of programs that we did not create. So while we do not take action on the users of programs that are known to not give a player any gameplay advantages, establishing the integrity of any third-party program falls to the individual user.

I hope that this additional information is helpful to you. Please note that this is the final communication we will be giving in response to this appeal. Subsequent communication about this matter will be closed without response.

Take care,

Lead GM Oghma
The Guild Wars Support Team

This exact same email is being sent out to everyone (that I have heard from as of yet) that had their ticket "escalated". In short, you're boned. However, I am posting this to point out a key bit of this response...

Quote:

Others may share a computer and not realize that someone else added a bot program to their system.

So, regardless of whether or not you screwed up, if anyone who has used your computer in the past X months did, you are going to be banned too. For good.

So, in summation...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juze

If you still feel unjusticed, you can send NCSoft (ArenaNet) a support ticket here or email them at [email protected].

...don't even bother with this. We've been told over the years to contact support to appeal bans, but it seems the time for appeals is past. Whether or not you broke the rules, if your account got banned, it's likely staying that way. On top of that, you're not even allowed to buy a new Guild Wars account.

It's good that ArenaNet is taking botting seriously now, but come on...

Nerel

Jungle Guide

Join Date: Jun 2008

Australia, what you want my home address?

[CAT]

Mo/

29 May 2010 at 08:03 - 67

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theocrat

So, in summation...
...don't even bother with this. We've been told over the years to contact support to appeal bans, but it seems the time for appeals is past. Whether or not you broke the rules, if your account got banned, it's likely staying that way. On top of that, you're not even allowed to buy a new Guild Wars account.

It's good that ArenaNet is taking botting seriously now, but come on...

From the thread that you linked...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Regina Buenaobra

If you purchase a brand new account, our Support Team will not take action on your account (i.e. ban it) so long as this new account remains free of any incidents requiring action from the Support Team. If you engage in activity that goes against the User Agreement and you are reported for it, this will attract the attention of the Support Team, at which point, they will take action if your account is found to have broken the User Agreement.

Juze

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2010

[KISS]

A/E

31 May 2010 at 18:03 - 68

I'll add some of this, thanks.

deadman_uk

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Feb 2007

United Kingdom

KOD

Mo/E

01 Jun 2010 at 17:16 - 69

Quote:

Originally Posted by A11Eur0

Solution for the KSMod controversy: implement it in-game as a toggle-on option. Not the UT sounds but the high-res armors in-town.

I agree, I've been wanting this as an option ever since I suggested KSMod be made.

I use KSMod and Texmod. I only do this for graphical enhancements (I gain zero advantages over other players) so I should be ok? I've been playing GW for over 5 years, never botted, never used macros or broke the rules. My account works as I write this, but I am paranoid about it getting banned...

Kharmin

Academy Page

Join Date: Jul 2009

Far Shiverpeaks

Clan Quarren [QRRN]

R/

01 Jun 2010 at 17:26 - 70

Well, we all knew this (or guessed by now), but I thought I'd query just for the official response:

Hello,

Xfire does not interact with Guild Wars and is fine to use. It is not connected with the recent botting suspensions. Please let us know if you have any further questions.

Regards,
GM xxxxxxxxx
The Guild Wars Support Team

Ka Tet

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2006

Pita Bread And Scud Missiles Ai[iiii]

01 Jun 2010 at 17:34 - 71

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reverend Dr

I've posted this in the other thread, but haven't received a response and would really like one.

Is signing up extra guild for AT's, extra guilds that you know are going to end up forfeiting considered match manipulation? While if enough people do it, you can end up with an AT that gives more QP's, on the other hand the early morning AT's (which are the only ones we can ever make) need enough of these guilds for an AT to even take place.

As long as you type /conga, it should be fine.

luetkemd

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Jun 2010

Those Red Guys

R/

03 Jun 2010 at 21:09 - 72

This thread mostly discusses 3rd party software, so my question is a little off topic, but seemed to fit here anyways.

Last week a friend asked me to play some RA with him. That seemed odd since the matches are random. He said if we hit "enter battle" at the exact same time, there was a chance we'd play together. We did that and it worked maybe 30% of the time. I suppose I could get better at it and make my odds better over time.

But then I got to thinking, is this "match manipulation"? If so, I don't want to do it again. If not, it was rather fun to play w/ my friend the few times it worked.

I'm patiently waiting your responses.

Juze

Ascalonian Squire

Join Date: May 2010

[KISS]

A/E

04 Jun 2010 at 08:48 - 73

Updated for the last time I think. I believe this makes it clear for everyone what is allowed and what is not. Cheers.

Mortal Showdown

Pre-Searing Cadet

Join Date: Sep 2009

Keepers of The Sacred Word

Mo/Rt

07 Jun 2010 at 21:17 - 74

I always use a timer for drunkard points so my clicks are always pretty accurately after my drunkness goes away like a sec or something, am I into trouble?

vamp08

Krytan Explorer

Join Date: Nov 2006

PA, USA

[COPY]

D/

08 Jun 2010 at 02:33 - 75

Quote:

Originally Posted by luetkemd

This thread mostly discusses 3rd party software, so my question is a little off topic, but seemed to fit here anyways.

Last week a friend asked me to play some RA with him. That seemed odd since the matches are random. He said if we hit "enter battle" at the exact same time, there was a chance we'd play together. We did that and it worked maybe 30% of the time. I suppose I could get better at it and make my odds better over time.

But then I got to thinking, is this "match manipulation"? If so, I don't want to do it again. If not, it was rather fun to play w/ my friend the few times it worked.

I'm patiently waiting your responses.

There is no official story on wether match manipulation (which, yes...you did participate in) is bannable. There never will be either, because if there was 2/4ths of the population would simultaneously be dhuumscythed for RR'day. The guild my friend was in got demolished because the leader (a girl, imagine that) and the members activley took part in JQ and RA syncing.

However, it seems ANet has a slightly better attitutde toward people who break the rules while they sit in their chair. For now I'd say you are in the green, however only untill a "BAN THE SYNCERS!!" thread pops up on guru and forces ANet to do their jobs.

Motoko

Desert Nomad

Join Date: Aug 2008

Dallas, Texas

Zero Quality [zQ] /[LaG]/[USA]/[iQ]

A/E

08 Jun 2010 at 04:01 - 76

Someone should post specific maintained links approved by anet that contain allowed in original form programs.

The list of links should be unchangeable by anyone except a trusted person and the list should be stickied.