Guild Wars 2

I appreciate the policy of ANet with regards third party software since ANet does not yet support third party apps (although it would be a very good idea if it did). I read Gaile Gray’s explanation on third party software and I also appreciate that there is seen to be a distinction between exploits like bots on the one hand and “apps” or “mods” on the other that do not unfairly benefit the player but make the game more enjoyable or playable.

Specifically, I’m wondering about “mods” that allow game controller use and the so-called combat mod that I think enhance the experience without unfairly benefiting the player. Nevertheless, ANet’s policy applies to bots and useful mods equally, although I perceive that unofficially there is recognized to be a difference, with the intention of probably allowing pre-approved third party software in the future.

What I would like to know is: if one were to use the useful mods above that I feel enhance game play but are not cheats in any way, although one could be banned under current ANet policy, what would be the process in such case? In other words, would one receive advance warning that all users of such and such mod (eg. the combat mod) would be banned? The point being, if one used a mod to use a game controller or the combat mod (at one’s own risk) and ANet decided to enforce its policy, would one at least be warned first rather than just be permanently banned?

Of course, anyone using a bot or other unfair exploit deserves permanent banning for knowingly cheating, however, someone who wishes to use a game controller or the combat mod would be innocent of cheating. If ANet decided to enforce its policy would it at least issue a personal in-game warning to the user of such mod prior to banning?

Guild Wars 2 is such a great game I would hate to see anyone banned for using a non-cheating mod without reasonable warning if the policy were to be enforced in such case.

Thanks, Gaile, for your response.

I understand that when there is the suspicion that a bot is active the process is to attempt to communicate with the character. When that fails, then to conclude that the character is an automaton. That’s what I meant by a warning: if there is a prior step to communicating with the character using a non-cheating mod as part of the process to determining whether the player should be banned.

But what I think what you are indicating is that your resources are focussed on serious issues such as cheating mechanisms and game problems, such as “helping … compromised accounts … doing bot hunts, identifying game issues, dealing with gold sellers, researching bugs, and so forth.” You are not assigning agents and committing resources to hunt down users of benign mods that pose no threat to the integrity of the game and just make some poor old souls happier with their already fantastic experience of GW2.

Is there a plan for ANet to pre-approve and permit third party mods/apps?

Thanks again for the feedback.

Rule of thumb: if you think it might be seen as cheating, don’t do it.

Here Here ArenaNet.
Now if we could just apply the same logic to cheats in the real world..

Deth.

The programs that enable controllers to work are generally no more than key reassignments. Those should be fine and not flag your account.