Use of an USB splitter?

[Someoneelse-xavius (Someoneelse)]

@Ancelyn-argent-dawn

…but that’s exactly what OP described, relaying input to 4 PCs.

Never heard of a USB keyboard splitter.

@Popgligor-magtheridon

Their stated policy is “one button press one action”.

It should be: one press, one action, one computer now after the policy change.

[Magiola-darksorrow]

@Grendiser-kazzak

keyboard and mouse commands sent to the game DO influence gameplay. There is no stretching here.

So using a mouse and keyboard is bannable too? Yes it is stretching, it’s in the definition of “influence”.

[Umrok-zandalar-tribe]

@Grendiser-kazzak

They also said “methods not expressly authorized by Blizzard”.
They also have clauses saying they can ban for any reason or without a reason.

If that was their intent they would just have say ‘input broadcasting’ not ‘software input broadcasting’.
From my point of view they probably feel that baning software make a good enough entry barrier to prevent swarm of druids stealing herbs. (And from what I heard they started baning even those without any form of broadcasting)

Also I guess some bots or people using automated gameplay were hiding using multiboxing tools as a way to hide their software inputs. Now I guess it lot more easy for the warden to track suspicious software inputs.
To quote them :

we’ve seen an increasingly negative impact to the game as this software is used to support botting

And yes, basically blizz can ban you anytime if they want to.

Also :

The focus of the announcement yesterday was prohibiting Input Broadcast Software, no other restrictions have been announced regarding hardware.
https://us.forums.blizzard.com/en/wow/t/can-you-please-clarify-a-few-things-regarding-multiboxing/707988/14

[Grendiser-kazzak (Grendiser)]

@Magiola-darksorrow

So using a mouse and keyboard is bannable too? Yes it is stretching, it’s in the definition of “influence”.

Using keyboard/mouse in a regular way is not bannable.

Yes, exactly, it is bannable if you use a keyboard/mouse in a way “granting you and/or any other user an advantage over other players not using such methods;”

[Ancelyn-argent-dawn]

@Magiola-darksorrow

You’re stretching up the definition of influence here.

Please do tell how it doesn’t.

@Magiola-darksorrow

But let’s not pretend that the rules are so clear when it comes to hardware broadcasting. Because they simply aren’t.

The rules are very clear: if it isn’t expressly allowed, it is prohibited. It’s right there in the text I quoted. There have been cases where people got banned for hardware-based input broadcasting. That two together makes it very clear, in my opinion.

For further information: https://i.imgur.com/guXzLER.png. I went ahead and looked up one case where it was confirmed by a blue that hardware based input broadcasting can get you banned, even if it is not strictly against the letter of the ToS, because it is against its spirit.

@Someoneelse-xavius

Never heard of a USB keyboard splitter.

https://www.networktechinc.com/4k-hdmi-usb-kvm-switch.html

You’re welcome.

[Dottie-thunderhorn (Dottie)]

@Someoneelse-xavius

Never heard of a USB keyboard splitter.

I hadn’t either but I assumed that was me, the ones I know are hubs.

[Someoneelse-xavius (Someoneelse)]

@Ancelyn-argent-dawn

https://www.networktechinc.com/4k-hdmi-usb-kvm-switch.html

You’re welcome.

Yeah, a hi-tech KVM but it doesn’t allow the control of x amount of computers simultaneously. That’s what’s banned (now).

[Ancelyn-argent-dawn]

@Someoneelse-xavius

Yeah, a hi-tech KVM but it doesn’t allow the control of x amount of computers simultaneously.

Oh, right, I misread. Here’s another: https://www.vetra.com/844Utext.html. There’s plenty of others if you look around. Quite a few KVM switches also support broadcasting too.

But you can build such a thing from like $50 worth of components and a soldering iron, and using some Arduino libraries.

[Someoneelse-xavius (Someoneelse)]

@Ancelyn-argent-dawn

Oh, right, I misread. Here’s another: https://www.vetra.com/844Utext.html. There’s plenty of others if you look around. Quite a few KVM switches also support broadcasting too.

Looks like a hobbiest made that.

It mentions WoW by name. Blizzard… unleash The Lawyers.