-from Everquest's End User License Agreement.9. You may not use any third party software to modify the Software to change Game play.
I know what we do and use is a violation of the EULA, and yet we still consciously make the choice to use it. That implies that we know what we do is wrong, and that we either A) don't care about the consequences or B) risk taking them for the benefits.
Like most folks, I'm not a bad person. I'm nice to people, pay my taxes and even follow the speed limit. But does using these "extra" tools making me a bad person?
I don't think so. I quit the game entirely a long time ago, and ironically enough, it was a nudge from a friend (along with these "tools") that made me get back into the game. I'm now paying for accounts that would've normally stay closed otherwise.
Still I am a bit paranoid when I use this stuff. I don't do anything active at all, and only use a few plugins. Mainly those that automate skills and keystrokes so I don't develop carpal tunnel syndrome while playing the game (/melody just plain sucks).
For the most part, we know what can and can not be detected. However I believe that sometimes we forget an element in detection that is often overlooked, the human element.
We can code stuff to be oblivious to the server, and in that sense, is truly undetectable. But, a clever human mind CAN detect suspicious activity, and more importantly report it. Whether or not anything is done about it is another issue beyond the scope of this post.
I've seen a few instances in my total EQ time where I've witnessed suspicious activity and chose not to do anything about it. I've seen players type out /plugin commands in /say chat because they missed the preceding slash (/). I've seen multiple toons /zone in and out right in front of me.
I'm just curious, but do some players not care about their use of MQ2? I don't know about you, but I've devoted a lot of time to this game. If my accounts were banned, I'd quit altogether.
I'm not just sharing my opinion from a player side, I used to be a guide too. A guide when Ubisoft had a hand in the program and guides were truly "mini-GMs" and did much more than just run stupid events. I used to help investigate suspected hackers before I knew what MQ2 was (its how I first learned about it actually). The first hacker I ever "caught" was based from a suspicious report by another player.
So does the suspected 30% of Everquest users who use MQ2 not care what happens to them? Or do they sometimes forget that what we do is 'illegal'? Is it like the speed limit? We all go over it, and sometimes even get annoyed at people who actually follow it.
Just a serious discussion; something I'm a big fan of. Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject.