General Discussion

Originally posted by Flyte27

I don't really understand why a program like Glider for WoW is illegal.  I am against hacks, but this isn't a hack.  This is a program that executes keyboards strokes automatically on a timer.  It doesn't actually communicate with the game any differently then if someone was pushing the keyboard strokes themselves.  Yes it automates the keystrokes, but if it doesn't actually hack into WoW then I wonder how it can be considered illigal to use.  You could make a program like that for any game or software.

Its not a literal hack, but it is a bot. Both however, are against the EULA of the game.

This particular program, however, has a unique story. The reason it was found illegal in a court of law is because it actually contained copyrighted code from WoW inside it.

Originally posted by Ambikan

Originally posted by Flyte27

I don't really understand why a program like Glider for WoW is illegal.  I am against hacks, but this isn't a hack.  This is a program that executes keyboards strokes automatically on a timer.  It doesn't actually communicate with the game any differently then if someone was pushing the keyboard strokes themselves.  Yes it automates the keystrokes, but if it doesn't actually hack into WoW then I wonder how it can be considered illigal to use.  You could make a program like that for any game or software.

 

Its not a literal hack, but it is a bot. Both however, are against the EULA of the game.

This particular program, however, has a unique story. The reason it was found illegal in a court of law is because it actually contained copyrighted code from WoW inside it.

Well that makes sense then.  I thought all it did was emulate the keyboard keystrokes like autohotkey, but it allowed you to do it at set intervals.

Either way stuff like that is unethical (if you can't do the work for something then play a different game) and you shouldn't use or promote it; that makes you as bad as the people who use stuff exploits and programs.

Originally posted by tvalentine

 

the only meaning ive heard from the term "Hacking" is when somebody's account gets hacked, and the person who hacked it sells everything and sends it to his main. I have NEVER heard your definition of hacking or cracking, ever. And i have never heard of a MMORPG being hacked.

She's correct though.  In computer science terms hacking is basically viewing something you're not supposed to be viewing, and cracking is making any kind of actual change.  That being said, it's pretty much a moot argument as hacking has basically become synonomous with cracking in today's society.

The real definition of hacking, in my own words is: To gain control of a computer, or a program on a computer, that you are not supposed to have. A simple example of this is a user of a program, or browser of a website, that can access administrator or GM privileges to said computer/program/website.

That being said, botting isn't hacking, but is probably the problem that the OP confused with hacking.

EDIT(for claification): Hacking can be as simple as guessing or finding out someones password, or as complex as writing and coding programs to launch attacks and install software on the target computer.

EDIT#2: Here are 2 examples of real hacks, the first being a harmless little prank, the second being a serious international crime.

1. http://www.dailytech.com/Comcastnet+1337+H4X0R3D+for+the+Lulz/article11925.htm

2. http://www.dailytech.com/Huge+Data+Theft+Ring+Busted+by+the+Feds/article12614.htm

Originally posted by zaxxon23

That being said, it's pretty much a moot argument as hacking has basically become synonomous with cracking in today's society.

for uninformed morons, like journalist guyst that only contact with reality is hollywood films

Search here for "hack" and you will not see penetration code, but lazy solutions to problems.

http://www.google.com/codesearch

hack = lazy original solution

hacker = guy that can have lazy and original solutions

Originally posted by declaredemer

How We Got Here

Theory:  We got here because GMs are too tolerant of cheaters, hackers, and exploiters.

Solution

Theory:  We can get out of here when GMs begin to take seriously and aggressively enforce license aggreements that expressly prohibit the use of hacks, cheats, third party programs, and the like.

 

 

What is your opinion?

Do you have any idea what the GM to Player ratio is like in some games? Most games have small teams at best who are completely bogged down with hundreds of petitions ranging from stuck in terrain, lost items, abuse reports, customer service, people just wanting to bitch about the newest patch and just about anything else you can think up. Around the clock on top of it.

So your solution is left up to a handful of people to police tens of thousands....? Not very practicle.

Log onto your favorite MMO and see how long it takes a GM to get to you unless of course you are playing a new release. Response times are generally better for a newer game before they start cutting staff. As subs deminish so do GM's.

It is worse (much worse) than the ratio of players to GMs; it is

• lax enforcement
• management not making hacking a priority
• consequences that amount to a slap on the wrist

It is funny, the same people that "adhere to the NDA" probably hack as well.  One thing that separates me from a lot of gamers is the NDA willingness of gamers to give-up, voluntarily, their First Amendment right to freedom of speech while simultaneously illegally downloading music, videos, movies, and software.

In fact, if you hack a game, though I am not aware of any legal recourse, I would suspect there are much greater legal remedies available to dealing with hackers than dealing with a breach of the NDA.  The NDA would have to specificy what the consequence is in the contract, assuming a million other complex factors.  NDAs are barely enforceable where they matter:  patent technology, trade secrets, etc.

I digress a bit, but people are much more willing to (1) hack or (2) illegally download software than they are to breach an NDA (which is not legally enforceable). 

The culture of hacking MMORPGs must be addressed when management takes it seriously and increases resources to combat it and GMs more aggressively enforce the rules. 

Hacking is so widespread, and has really empowered gold-farmers more today than ever, that it could really undermine the potential growth of this still growing industry.  Hacking is a serious problem that is not taken very seriously by the industry. 

Originally posted by declaredemer

It is worse (much worse) than the ratio of players to GMs; it is

• lax enforcement
• management not making hacking a priority
• consequences that amount to a slap on the wrist

 

It is funny, the same people that "adhere to the NDA" probably hack as well.  One thing that separates me from a lot of gamers is the NDA willingness of gamers to give-up, voluntarily, their First Amendment right to freedom of speech while simultaneously illegally downloading music, videos, movies, and software.

 

 

In fact, if you hack a game, though I am not aware of any legal recourse, I would suspect there are much greater legal remedies available to dealing with hackers than dealing with a breach of the NDA.  The ND