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The ISBoxer Saga

First post
Author
Doc Fury
Furious Enterprises
#41 - 2014-10-11 15:46:48 UTC
Look it's this thread again.



There's a million angry citizens looking down their tubes..at me.

Iain Cariaba
#42 - 2014-10-11 17:42:47 UTC
I've put this in several threads myself ever since I saw it first put in a thread similar to this one. I guess I'll post it again.

ISBoxer and similar programs are allowed by CCP because of wonderful technology like this. The simple fact that I can buy 10 junk towers barely able to run EvE, plug them into that device, and run 10 accounts from one keyboard, all for the price of a high end gaming tower, is why programs like ISBoxer are allowed.

/debate
Mag's
Azn Empire
#43 - 2014-10-11 18:05:15 UTC
Mr Epeen wrote:
I don't use ISBoxer but at the same time I don't care if anyone else does use it.

Mr Epeen Cool
This.

Destination SkillQueue:- It's like assuming the Lions will ignore you in the Savannah, if you're small, fat and look helpless.

Jarod Garamonde
Jolly Codgers
Get Off My Lawn
#44 - 2014-10-11 18:25:22 UTC
Mag's wrote:
Mr Epeen wrote:
I don't use ISBoxer but at the same time I don't care if anyone else does use it.

Mr Epeen Cool
This.


I didn't care when it was just miners.
I didn't care when it was just nulldwellers.

I care when it causes unnecessary nerfs.

That moment when you realize the crazy lady with all the cats was right...

    [#savethelance]
Commentus Nolen
School of Applied Knowledge
Caldari State
#45 - 2014-10-11 19:56:22 UTC
I would like to thank the author for this topic, as someone who now has 3 accounts I have been wanting to find some good boxing software but was having no luck finding it on line as most programs showing up in search were botting programs.

Again thanks.
Jace Sarice
#46 - 2014-10-11 22:59:14 UTC
I couldn't care less if people use it. But the more important part is that it doesn't matter if I care, you care, any player cares - CCP doesn't care and that's all that matters in the long run.
Mallak Azaria
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#47 - 2014-10-11 23:03:47 UTC
Iain Cariaba wrote:
I've put this in several threads myself ever since I saw it first put in a thread similar to this one. I guess I'll post it again.

ISBoxer and similar programs are allowed by CCP because of wonderful technology like this. The simple fact that I can buy 10 junk towers barely able to run EvE, plug them into that device, and run 10 accounts from one keyboard, all for the price of a high end gaming tower, is why programs like ISBoxer are allowed.

/debate


Also apparently Mac now has a built in multiboxing function. so if CCP banned multiboxing software they would have to ban anyone using a Mac client just in case.

This post was lovingly crafted by a member of the Goonwaffe Posting Cabal, proud member of the popular gay hookup site somethingawful.com, Spelling Bee, Grammar Gestapo & #1 Official Gevlon Goblin Fanclub member.

Vincent Athena
Photosynth
#48 - 2014-10-11 23:40:11 UTC
Although CCP has said multiboxing software is legal, they have also said that that ruling can be changed any time they think doing so would be for the good of the game.

Maybe it is time for them to make that change. I feel multiboxing software puts too much capability into the hands of one player to the point that it is unbalancing. Eve is supposed to be a social game, so a fleet of ships should be flown by a fleet of players, not one person who has spent a ton of money so they can "win".

I feel that anything that automatically repeats keystrokes, be it ISboxer, some other software, or a set of levers and sticks, should be added to the EULA as a prohibited use of the client. One button push should control one client, no more.

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Frozen fanfiction

Solecist Project
#49 - 2014-10-11 23:56:08 UTC
Mallak Azaria wrote:
Iain Cariaba wrote:
I've put this in several threads myself ever since I saw it first put in a thread similar to this one. I guess I'll post it again.

ISBoxer and similar programs are allowed by CCP because of wonderful technology like this. The simple fact that I can buy 10 junk towers barely able to run EvE, plug them into that device, and run 10 accounts from one keyboard, all for the price of a high end gaming tower, is why programs like ISBoxer are allowed.

/debate


Also apparently Mac now has a built in multiboxing function. so if CCP banned multiboxing software they would have to ban anyone using a Mac client just in case.

Hu?
Virtual environments to choose from?

That ringing in your ears you're experiencing right now is the last gasping breathe of a dying inner ear as it got thoroughly PULVERISED by the point roaring over your head at supersonic speeds. - Tippia

Mallak Azaria
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#50 - 2014-10-12 00:12:16 UTC
Vincent Athena wrote:
I feel that anything that automatically repeats keystrokes, be it ISboxer, some other software, or a set of levers and sticks, should be added to the EULA as a prohibited use of the client. One button push should control one client, no more.


Also using Mac OS. That will need to be banned to.

This post was lovingly crafted by a member of the Goonwaffe Posting Cabal, proud member of the popular gay hookup site somethingawful.com, Spelling Bee, Grammar Gestapo & #1 Official Gevlon Goblin Fanclub member.

Saisin
Chao3's Rogue Operatives Corp
#51 - 2014-10-12 00:31:54 UTC
Isboxer is only the visible part of what I call the "metacode" iceberg... other tools are even more efficient, and customizable, like autohotkeys, and there are other tools that do achieve quite a bit to gain some forms of advantages in game... Isboxer is just the most obvious....

There is no way to totally prevent the use of metacpde, much like there is no way to prevent players from metagaming. Both are similar in that they provide advantages in-game to the players that dabble with it.

This problem is more of a perception issue, simply put, isboxing can easily be perceived as a pay-to-win, even if its use has drawbacks.
This perception has the potential to turn away players that would otherwise remain engaged with the game, and limit the reach of a game that otherwise has much to offer...

For that reason alone, I believe CCP should actively make isboxing or macro-ing the game difficult by ui and design features that makes multi boxing more difficult than doing the same thing with the same amount of characters controlled by different players, as well as openly take a stance against multi boxing rather than staying mute about it.

They will not prevent it totally, but at least they can project the idea that multi boxing is not ok in their game, which in turn may keep other players engaged longer, as they feel their contribution to the game/alliance/corp is not dwarfed by multiboxers..

isboxing is also a hindrance to regular players, a fleet of imultiboxed miners can go through a site way faster than regular players, would, and those are left empty handed., it is lke the proverbial cloud of crickets passing over a system...
Last but not least, isboxing is also a control tool for powerful alliances to limit their exposure to leaks, betrayals,or active mobilization of their minions, reinforcing their power and control over the whole game, with a limited number of power players.

I truly don't believe CCP has anything to gain to continue remaining neutral/mute on this subject. With the breath of fresh air that the coming changes are going to make, this may be for them the right time to re-evaluate their position on this.

Oh, and the likelihood a frustrated multi boxer would really leave the game (they would of course threaten to) is pretty low, they have a bunch of assets to play with and to loose in the process. I'd be curious to know the statistics, but I would bet they mostly pay their multiple accounts via ISK only, so they do not contribute much to the game today

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Dirk Magnum
Spearhead Endeavors
#52 - 2014-10-12 00:55:01 UTC  |  Edited by: Dirk Magnum
Ban all ISboxers and botters. Separate keystrokes for separate clients is the only way to keep things fair between single and multi-account users. That's my position. Vote for Dreck Mongnum in CSM one million.

                      "LIVE FAST DIE." - traditional Minmatar ethos [citation needed]

Khema Fera
Doomheim
#53 - 2014-10-12 01:04:34 UTC
Dirk Magnum wrote:
Ban all ISboxers and botters. Separate keystrokes for separate clients is the only way to keep things fair between single and multi-account users. That's my position. Vote for Dreck Mongnum in CSM one million.

What's your problem with multiboxing?
Also, since http://www.vetra.com/84AUtext.html sends the keystrokes to every separate client, does that mean it's allowed?
Dirk Magnum
Spearhead Endeavors
#54 - 2014-10-12 01:15:42 UTC
Multi boxing is fine. Any individual keystroke that performs an action on more than one character isn't IMO. I'd have thought it was obviously a violation of that EULA clause about not using third party programs to do things in game that you couldn't do with normal game mechanics.

                      "LIVE FAST DIE." - traditional Minmatar ethos [citation needed]

Angeal MacNova
Holefood Inc.
Warriors of the Blood God
#55 - 2014-10-12 01:38:16 UTC
Dirk Magnum wrote:
Multi boxing is fine. Any individual keystroke that performs an action on more than one character isn't IMO. I'd have thought it was obviously a violation of that EULA clause about not using third party programs to do things in game that you couldn't do with normal game mechanics.


To add to this.

Whether it is a one player blob or a one player locus fleet, the truth of the matter is that players are

1. Paying for multiple subs for a game that allows multiple instances of that game to be running at the same time on one machine.

2. Using 3rd party software (possibly paying to do so) that allows them to simply control just one account while the software mimics the input to control the rest.

Alternatively the player would have to alt-tab to each and directly control each account. This makes it difficult to manage depending on the number of accounts and the activity being performed.

Other developers consider the use of such a program to be botting and for good reason. Because it is. The program is taking the input you make on one account and is transferring it to other accounts. They will also go as far as making it impossible to run a second instance of the game on the same machine.

As for the two points above, I'd rather call a spade a spade and call multiboxing Pay to Win.

As for the quote above, it's simple. CCP allows it because they couldn't afford to have the subs numbers equal the player numbers. So they'll continue to pick and choose which Eula/ToS rules to follow and which not to follow along with when and when not to follow them.

There is a word for such behavior but I won't go there.

http://www.projectvaulderie.com/goodnight-sweet-prince/

http://www.projectvaulderie.com/the-untold-story/

CCP's true, butthurt, colors.

Because those who can't do themselves keep others from doing too.

Mallak Azaria
Caldari Provisions
Caldari State
#56 - 2014-10-12 02:16:30 UTC
Angeal MacNova wrote:
Other developers consider the use of such a program to be botting and for good reason. Because it is.


It isn't. You can say that it's botting all you like, but it still won't be botting.

This post was lovingly crafted by a member of the Goonwaffe Posting Cabal, proud member of the popular gay hookup site somethingawful.com, Spelling Bee, Grammar Gestapo & #1 Official Gevlon Goblin Fanclub member.

Dalto Bane
The Scope
Gallente Federation
#57 - 2014-10-12 02:27:13 UTC
Angeal MacNova wrote:
Dirk Magnum wrote:
Multi boxing is fine. Any individual keystroke that performs an action on more than one character isn't IMO. I'd have thought it was obviously a violation of that EULA clause about not using third party programs to do things in game that you couldn't do with normal game mechanics.


To add to this.

Whether it is a one player blob or a one player locus fleet, the truth of the matter is that players are

1. Paying for multiple subs for a game that allows multiple instances of that game to be running at the same time on one machine.

2. Using 3rd party software (possibly paying to do so) that allows them to simply control just one account while the software mimics the input to control the rest.

Alternatively the player would have to alt-tab to each and directly control each account. This makes it difficult to manage depending on the number of accounts and the activity being performed.

Other developers consider the use of such a program to be botting and for good reason. Because it is. The program is taking the input you make on one account and is transferring it to other accounts. They will also go as far as making it impossible to run a second instance of the game on the same machine.

As for the two points above, I'd rather call a spade a spade and call multiboxing Pay to Win.

As for the quote above, it's simple. CCP allows it because they couldn't afford to have the subs numbers equal the player numbers. So they'll continue to pick and choose which Eula/ToS rules to follow and which not to follow along with when and when not to follow them.

There is a word for such behavior but I won't go there.



Appreciate the perspective and will address other previous comments tomorrow.

Not as a correction, but wanted to add clarification to the term botting. ISBoxer, as a stand alone program is 100% not automation, no more than a macro'd gaming keyboard. Yes, it does broadcast keystrokes and cursor position, however human in put is required. I will touch on AHK which was mentioned in an earlier post tomorrow.

Here's a little history lesson, the first bots in online gaming, specifically Eve were written for use with AHK. It was an extremely elaborate mining sequence for its time. Anyway, until tomorrow. o7

Drops Mic

Angeal MacNova
Holefood Inc.
Warriors of the Blood God
#58 - 2014-10-12 02:29:34 UTC
Mallak Azaria wrote:
Angeal MacNova wrote:
Other developers consider the use of such a program to be botting and for good reason. Because it is.


It isn't. You can say that it's botting all you like, but it still won't be botting.


You can say it's not all you like but it still is. I know players (across 4 other games under 3 separate developers) who got banned for using such programs in other games. Reason given? Botting. So my calling it such isn't just "because I say so". You on the other hand....

http://www.projectvaulderie.com/goodnight-sweet-prince/

http://www.projectvaulderie.com/the-untold-story/

CCP's true, butthurt, colors.

Because those who can't do themselves keep others from doing too.

Nolak Ataru
Hedion University
Amarr Empire
#59 - 2014-10-12 02:38:37 UTC  |  Edited by: Nolak Ataru
People are clearly having problems countering a VERY FRAGILE PROGRAM. There are at least 50 counters to ISBoxer in-game, whether it be PVP or PVE.
Some examples i've encountered as a boxer:

PVP:

  • Jams
  • Damps
  • Competent enemy Logi
  • Competent enemy Anchor
  • Batphones


Mining:

  • Bumps
  • Bumps
  • Did I mention bumps?


Seriously people. Thinking is *NOT* as hard as some make it out to be.

e:
Angeal MacNova wrote:
Mallak Azaria wrote:
Angeal MacNova wrote:
Other developers consider the use of such a program to be botting and for good reason. Because it is.

It isn't. You can say that it's botting all you like, but it still won't be botting.

You can say it's not all you like but it still is. I know players (across 4 other games under 3 separate developers) who got banned for using such programs in other games. Reason given? Botting. So my calling it such isn't just "because I say so". You on the other hand....

For the millionth time, different games, different software, different rules, and most likely different actions by the boxer. You can set ISBoxer to run bots, but that doesn't mean everyone using ISBoxer is a botter.
Angeal MacNova
Holefood Inc.
Warriors of the Blood God
#60 - 2014-10-12 02:45:25 UTC
Dalto Bane wrote:

Appreciate the perspective and will address other previous comments tomorrow.

Not as a correction, but wanted to add clarification to the term botting. ISBoxer, as a stand alone program is 100% not automation, no more than a macro'd gaming keyboard. Yes, it does broadcast keystrokes and cursor position, however human in put is required. I will touch on AHK which was mentioned in an earlier post tomorrow.

Here's a little history lesson, the first bots in online gaming, specifically Eve were written for use with AHK. It was an extremely elaborate mining sequence for its time. Anyway, until tomorrow. o7


Well, here's the thing. Often games will will have a rule. One action per macro. An example of such is the macros I use in GW2. I have dodge macros. I use a razor nostromo for my left hand and I gave the d-pad macros that give direction to my dodge rolls that are independent to the direction I give my character. This can be achieved manually by simply changing the direction you give your character for the moment you dodge then resume previous direction. The macro is still only performing a single action (dodge roll).

What is not allowed are macros that will sequentially play out multiple skills. This is despite that fact that it takes human input to start the sequence each and every time.

Now multiboxing is different. You can say that it's still one input resulting in a single action but it's actually not. It's still one input is resulting in multiple actions being taken, just in a different way. Rather than a vertical succession of the macro example above, it's a horizontal succession. In other words, instead of a single input causing separate actions on one account, it's triggering the same action on separate accounts. This still means that one input is causing multiple actions to take place.

One input per action vs one input per multiple/separate actions is the defining difference. Not whether or not a player can be AFK or not.

http://www.projectvaulderie.com/goodnight-sweet-prince/

http://www.projectvaulderie.com/the-untold-story/

CCP's true, butthurt, colors.

Because those who can't do themselves keep others from doing too.