Guild Wars 2

I would like to bind some music tabs for the choir bell & Marriner’s Horn. The issue on macro’s for music tabs is in the grey area though.

Quote from Gaile Gray:

ArenaNet cannot approve or review or “vet” any third-party programs. Our general policy is that anything that gives advantage is forbidden; anything that imbalances the game in favor of one player over another is strictly disallowed. With that said, we are aware that some utilities help players without impacting others, that is, they do not give anyone an advantage over someone else.

Our development team is not able to review third-party programs to kitten their components or give them any sort of approval. We make our policies clear in our User Agreement, Rules of Conduct, and the Conduct Breaches and Outcomes document, which you can find in the Legal Documentation section of our website: https://www.guildwars2.com/en/legal/ You should know the following:

If you chose to use any third-party program, you do so at your own risk.
We cannot offer support if the third-party program impacts Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2 and, for instance, makes the game unplayable.
If you choose to use what you believe to be a “benign,” or non-advantage-giving program, be sure to get it from a legitimate source to protect yourself from the possible addition of cheats or key-loggers.

The best way for a player to kitten whether a specific third-party program could have any impact on another player or a PvP opponent is to ask:

“Does this program allow someone to play faster, better, longer, or more accurately than someone who doesn’t use it?”
“Does this program allow someone to ‘play’ when he/she is not at the computer?”
“Does this program allow the user to gain undeserved rewards?”

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”—or even “maybe”—then we strongly recommend that you do not use the program because to do so may place your Guild Wars or Guild Wars 2 account in jeopardy.

In the future, we will be working directly with the community to develop app support for Guild Wars 2, so stay tuned for more info!

As part of ArenaNet’s policy on third-party programs, we are often asked about multi-boxing and the use of macros. Here is our policy:

Macros

Guild Wars 2 players are permitted to use macros as long as the macros are programmed with a 1 key for 1 function protocol.

This means that if you program a macro, it must require one keystroke per action. You may not program a single key to perform multiple functions.
For example, if you Press A and it results in the casting of a single skill, you’re ok. If you Press A and it casts multiple spells, you’re not ok.
You cannot program a macro to perform the same or multiple actions on more than one account at a time.
You cannot program an “auto-clicker” macro that, for instance, opens chests while you play elsewhere.

Dual- or Multi-Boxing

You may use more than one account at the same time.
You may use more than one computer at the same time.
You must be actively playing on each account.
And as stated above, you may not program your keyboard to perform functions on more than one account at a time.
a. For example, if you press W on your keyboard to move forward, a single character on a single account should move forward. The keystroke or mouse click should not perform functions on more than one account.

“Does this program allow someone to play faster, better, longer, or more accurately than someone who doesn’t use it?”

no, maybe, no, maybe. I think live players can play better than macro users, as they have a better understanding of the delays for the notes, and probably play , and practice instruments in real life.

“Does this program allow someone to ‘play’ when he/she is not at the computer?” No

“Does this program allow the user to gain undeserved rewards?” No

One key stroke activates many actions tho, which also goes against what was mentioned, although I’m sure they didn’t have music tabs in mind when mentioning these rules.

I think it would be much more enjoyable for the player, and the audience if we could macro music for these two instruments we have. An official word would be much appreciated.

I feel your confusion as this is in a gray area, but since players often send other players gold for outstanding performances when it comes to choir bells (and most likely this new horn) I would choose not to simply to be safe and not be accused of botting to earn money.

“Does this program allow someone to play faster, better, longer, or more accurately than someone who doesn’t use it?”

YES

“Does this program allow someone to ‘play’ when he/she is not at the computer?”

YES

Playing an instrument is playing the game and therefore rules apply to instruments too.

But don’t listen to me, just use macros on your vuvuzela and enjoy your ban

Note: For 800 gems it will be a great idea being able to record a tune and being able to send some codes to other players so they can play it automatically.

it doesn’t hurt the game, also doesnt give a player an edge. anyone that would macro a tune for bell or this horn should be safe. i would say as long as the player is still there while the macro song is going all should be good.

I would think it could be used to set yourself in a prolonged AFK state without getting kicked and would get abused real fast.

daimasei.4091:

“Does this program allow someone to play faster, better, longer, or more accurately than someone who doesn’t use it?”

YES

I would have to disagree, have you ever tried to macro a song, without having any previous knowledge of reading tabs? It def isn’t better, or more accurate than someone that knows how to play a similar instrument in real life.

“Does this program allow someone to ‘play’ when he/she is not at the computer?”

YES

Well you have to be at the computer to press the initial macro key, and it would be kinda pointless to step away from the computer for that 30 second macro song, as you generally play it not just for others, but for yourself.

Playing an instrument is playing the game and therefore rules apply to instruments too.

But don’t listen to me, just use macros on your vuvuzela and enjoy your ban

Note: For 800 gems it will be a great idea being able to record a tune and being able to send some codes to other players so they can play it automatically.

I remember many months ago, someone was playing a bunch of zelda tunes, which I thought was pretty neat, he said he macro’d it. Who knows if hes still bringing a smile to the citizens of tyria, or has been hung in a public display for treason.

I have already tried it out, with no prior macro or tab reading knowledge, it sounded like a drunk Norn street performer, nails on a chalk board may have sounded better(needs some practice, and understanding of each delay of the song note). Prior to actually reading the grey area about the issue. Just initially seemed harmless. No ban yet(would be redonkulous if I was), so doubt I will at this point, after reading their stance on macros tho, I don’t want to risk trying it again(unless an official word), if they can’t determine the difference between a macro for a musical instrument, or a farming bot.

As for abusing it for not being kicked, I could imagine that may be an issue, but the timer for the horn is 1 hour, so what, regular afk boot time is what 30mins, so that would only double your available afk time. If that’s the case, have the horn timer for 30 mins if that’s the only issue. Choir bell timer is like 1 min, so obviously don’t have a case there.

I have never heard of anyone paying anyone for playing a song, its def not a customary practice. People could pay anyone for doing anything I suppose tho, listing waypoints, giving info, its really up to the person on what silly things they want to spend their gold on. I would never accept money for playing tho, I already have my legendary and no need for money anymore. This is just for entertainment, I’m not trying to start a guild wars 2 lucrative instrumental charr boy band.

Forming a charr boy band? That’s a pretty good idea actually (no need to be formed by charrs).
It will be great if someone do this but here is when the “macro problems” may be more noticeable; if a group of people with talent can do that, I bet a lot of people will send them some money and then, someone can just do the same with a macro and earn some extra money without doing anything and even if there is no money involved, it wouldn’t be fair.

Yes for now, it appears we will just have to listen to 95% of horn players, playing the highest notes over and over like an ambulance siren -.- .

It would greatly improve the ambiance of every town, if most people were playing actual music.

I think an alternate plan would be for someone to open a site with the number sequences to songs that real musically inclined people play, so that others that may be wrongfully accused for grieving, and allow them to learn to play the instrument that way. also said site could have combo mixes so that trumpet players and bell chimers could do duets until more, and more instruments are added. or go the lotro route, and make downloadable music that a-net can maybe allow a folder in the game folder, accessed in game by simple command as /play house of the rising sun.gw2s or something. Sorry for any grammar or spelling errors to lazy to proof read.

No way, dude.

Play from your soul.

~Terraa

There was an OFFICIAL RESPONSE – it is in the FAQ. With MACROS 1 button = one function and/or skill – period. This means you cannot program a macro key for more than one note. I will add this quote – ‘Anything thing that gives can give an edge of one player over another is not allowed’ – Gaile Gray

A.Net is being hardnosed on this as if you allow one type, then another type will slip in. It is an all or none response and right now it is NONE!!!

why was the quote kitten’ed so many times? I don’t recall the original having that many incidental kittens. are mods allowed to use swear words?

Not sure on the “kittens”, but why was this year old thread necro’ed and responded to as if it were made today?

Uhaen.9876:

No way, dude.
Play from your soul.
~Terraa

Hey, you’re discriminating against people who weren’t shipped with one. ^^

Seriously, music instruments need some form of legal replayable input.

Altered Dimension.2834:

~~~ snip ~~~

The Devs already gave official word, yet you question it? Macros are not allowed, period. If you decide to use one, that’s up to you. If the Devs catch you and decide to perma ban your account, that’s up to them. At that point, they would have every right, since you’d be breaking the terms you agreed to. And one cannot say that Anet is ok with it should a Dev give you a break and not ban you. That would have been a warning of sorts, and you can still be banned for further used of a 3rd party macro program.

Smooth Penguin.5294:

Altered Dimension.2834:

~~~ snip ~~~

The Devs already gave official word, yet you question it? Macros are not allowed, period. If you decide to use one, that’s up to you. If the Devs catch you and decide to perma ban your account, that’s up to them. At that point, they would have every right, since you’d be breaking the terms you agreed to. And one cannot say that Anet is ok with it should a Dev give you a break and not ban you. That would have been a warning of sorts, and you can still be banned for further used of a 3rd party macro program.

Hey, Penguin. Yeah, this year old thread was necro’ed. Already requested it to be locked.
I already had a reply written out citing the devs before I noticed it was a necro. I almost fell for it. Why do people necro threads like these? ugh…