i have read the updated " Input Broadcasting Software Policy"
As World of Warcraft has evolved, our policies have also evolved to support the health of the game and the needs of the players. We’ve examined the use of third-party input broadcasting software, which allows a single keystroke or action to be automatically mirrored to multiple game clients, and we’ve seen an increasingly negative impact to the game as this software is used to support botting and automated gameplay. The use of input broadcasting software that mirrors keystrokes to multiple WoW game clients will soon be considered an actionable offense. We believe this policy is in the best interests of the game and the community.
We will soon begin issuing warnings to all players who are detected using input broadcasting software to mirror commands to multiple accounts at the same time (often used for multi-boxing). With these warnings, we intend to notify players that they should not use this software while playing World of Warcraft. Soon thereafter, the warnings will escalate to account actions, which can include suspension and, if necessary, permanent closure of the player’s World of Warcraft account(s). We strongly advise you to cease using this type of software immediately to maintain uninterrupted access to World of Warcraft.
Thank you for your understanding.
but i should ask a question to the customer service about this.
We will soon begin issuing warnings to all players who are detected using input broadcasting software to mirror commands to multiple accounts at the same time
Question: What if the input broadcast command is made with an addon (so NOT a 3rd third-party broadcast software) that use wow internal API?
for example there an addon called EMA (Ebony’s Multiboxing Assistant)
Thanks for ur reply.
Yes, that’s what the author wrote… EMA use internal API/command to do some function…
but the functions used are input broadcasting if they do something like:
all account mount/dismaunt at same time
all account follow the main one
this is what worries me. Because the policy does not expressly say “we will control THIRD PARTY softwarte” but it says “software” in general … So if WoW itself, through its api / internal commands, would allow simple commands like mount / unmount / follow in broadcast mode … . is prohibited or allowed?
Those were the parts that worried me when I looked at your link to the addon.
Sadly, I am afraid Blizzard staff won’t confirm or deny the addon is allowed. They have never done so in the past, if for no other reason that they may allow it, then the addon author updates the addon with something not allowed… it’s a tricky subject.
My rule of thumb with these things is: If you are worried… don’t use it.
I don’t want blizzard to tell me “You can use that addon or You can’t use it” but just tell me if WoW itself is considered input broadcasting software in case WoW itself does it through its own api and commands.
I think it is of public utility to know this because it is going to clarify a shadow point that the policy does not clarify without reasonable doubts.
Reading the comments on the addon page, someone got a Game Master response which pretty much sums up what has already been said.
“This is Game Master Strybur. While I can certainly understand the desire for a definitive answer and a concern, that is simply not something Blizzard would be able to answer for you. I can explain the reasoning for such a decision if that helps. https://support.blizzard.com/article/000013078 Blizzard doesn’t create or support ANY addons. Many of them are usually fine, but we are also not the creator of said product and as such, what may be perfectly fine today might have something added in tomorrow which is prohibited. Therefore, since we aren’t responsible for the creation of such programs, we couldn’t give you a definitive answer because we don’t create it. As such, the use of addons is up to the individual at their own risk. We’ll tell you how to remove them if you just want to play our game without any addons. The account owner is just held accountable for what they install on their computer so it’s completely up to you. Personally, the way I usually approach it is that if an addon provides a service that I would like to see added into the game, I use “Submit Suggestion” to recommend it. That way if the developers agree and decide to add in such a service, it’s supported, they develop it, and I would no longer have a need for the addon. I’m really sorry that we weren’t able to help you out with this today, but I hope that this information was helpful at least. If you need help with anything else, please don’t hesitate to let us know. Otherwise, I hope the rest of your day goes well.”
Some other comments in that thread are correct in that if Blizzard finds that the API is being used for something it shouldn’t they usually block the addon or the API commands that are contravening their policy.
I wish I was more experienced at LUA code, if I was I would look at how it does it and may have more to contribute. Sorry I could not be more help Takkero.
Question: Does it do things in other Warcraft windows with no direct input in that window?
The addon does that. That is 100% true.
The addon uses internal broadcasting, and an LUA is a program. It sends a message to the addon in another window via chat which performs an action with no input to the window, that’s automation.
Answer: It’s breaking the rules and you may be banned for using it. If you value your accounts, don’t use it.
Each players DBM tells them to kick etc, that’s not the raid leader sending those messages… the addon has detected an ability you can interrupt… so it tells you to.
Despite what all the others have told you, it is obvious that you have convinced yourself its not breaking any rules, and are now really just trying to convince us that you’re right.
Feel free to go ahead and use it. Just don’t whine when you get banned for it.
EMA is not doing input broadcasting, because activing follow does not need an input, it’s an unprotected function unlike spell or item use who need keystroke input.
The only case you can get a ban with an addon if is the addon allow you to do an exploit (let say an addon allow you to duplicate item thought a bug in the lua api).
There are no “rules” regarding addons, the only limits are built-in API limitations.
If blizz don’t like the way we use a function, he will just desativate/nerf/protect the problematic api function. (That’s why we don’t get the vanilla decursive addon with the auto-dispell, because spell casting is now a protected function)
Of course it does, one version of the addons broadcasts a command to the others. Input free actions are botting, no matter if they are protected or not, plain and simple. I guess you use it too and want to convince yourself you aren’t breaking the rules as well.
