How much automation is too much automation?

Cyn · 06-26-2008, 09:41 PM

I was sickened to learn of the existence of this mod:

www.eq2interface.com/downloads/info4795-Auto-CureScripting.html

For those who are unfamiliar with it who can't be bothered to click the link and don't want to make a guess at what it might be based on the name in the link, it's basically a UI mod that automates casting cures when any hostile effect lands on a group member.

In my opinion, this utterly pussifies a huge amount of a healers job. I see it as automation that removes so much skill from a job usually requiring a lot of concentration and rapid reaction, leaving the role such that the most tardish of people could do it trivially.

As someone who likes vaguely to consider themself as being better than those with no healer-playing qualities, to now have no differentiation between me and those incapable lot, I am not pleased. I like my challenges difficult, else what's the point in playing; could end up, "Hey, thanks for making the effort to log in, here's your mythical."

Getting back to my point... I was pissed enough about this to create a petition with SOE about it. After their less-than-competant problem triagers had it reexplained to them a few times, I did finally get the following answer:

Quote:

Greetings Cynosure,

My apologies for any confusion the previous responses to this issue may have caused up until this point. While it's true that we do not support custom UI's, your concern and primary issue here are in regards to 3rd party software usage. Essentially, what you are referring to is a user interface that can run scripts that makes unattended game play possible. Unattended game play is against policy by itself, but the usage of software to automate game play then includes the usage of 3rd party software which would be considered a second violation.

It's true that a player may be in control of their character most of the time or mostly in control, but this type of issue is the same type of issue for someone that uses 3rd party software to control multiple accounts at one time, and still holds the potential for someone that uses scripts to automatically cast damaging spells on creates that enter a certain area. It is still a form of automated game play which would violate the rules of conduct. You can read more about the rules of conduct through the following link:

http://help.station.sony.com/cgi-bin/soe.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=16205

I hope that this helps to clarify this situation for you and answer your questions on the matter. I strongly advise refraining from using any software or UI which you suspect may violate SOE policy. If you have any other questions or concerns we may be able to address in the future, feel free to contact us again at any time.

Good luck to you, and safe journey in your future adventures.

Sincerely,
Vensid, the Ninja GM

I mean WTF? Is it a yes, it is a no, it it a "we don't want to commit to saying anything, else we might actually feel obliged to fix this little loophole" or what?

I'm looking for opinions here. Is it against the rules? More importantly, is it against the spirit of what the rules are there to enforce? And am I just whining about this too much, or did I just get replaced by a script?

AricaJade · 06-26-2008, 09:51 PM

there was actually a fury in fury channel a while back who'd just gotten profit ui & thought that the group window with the clicky cures & raid buttons that r configured to heals & a rez actually healed & cured for u whenever the status icon popped up or whenever somebody needed to be healed. she was asking where the group heals were on the interface & she was even ready to ditch her heals on her hotbars to free up hotbar space because she thought she wouldnt have to use them ever again.

sounds like this would be right up her alley since she doesnt wanna click buttons to do her job herself

*sigh*

Akaran · 06-26-2008, 09:53 PM

You're whining - the script is against the rules.
Unattended game play is against policy by itself, but the usage of software to automate game play then includes the usage of 3rd party software which would be considered a second violation - that's the part you need to read.

Also, one other thing to point out - there are times when you don't want to cure or want to cast a heal or a nuke (pre-emptive healing) instead of hitting the cure button. Having an automated script doing that could cause timing issues and / or other problems.

Enoa · 06-26-2008, 09:59 PM

Look like eqaditu was just bored and wanted to see how far he could manipulate the game with scripts etc. I might try it out when i'm boxing my healer on my little alts. For raiding i'm always spamming somethign so i'm sure the little mod would get interrupted constantly when it tried to cure something so can't see it being very helpful. Though single curing a group detrimental is more annoying then difficult.

Regardless I wouldn't fuck with Eqaditu.

Reality · 06-26-2008, 10:01 PM

I don't think you are going to have to worry about losing your spot in a raid anytime soon, so relax.

I see your point, and it makes sense -- but you must also consider to which degree you want SOE involved in your life. As far as I am concerned, they are already WAY too communist in there approach to the game, and although I don't agree with a program that basically runs an entire character, I would choose the lesser of two evils here since most players will not use this program, you are really talking about cracking down on a minority -- probably more plat farmers than anything.

Conversly, I can just see SOE now -- "We also do not condone watching movies or TV while you play EQ2 and have instituted a means to which we can monitor your enviroment at home. Additionaly, words, abreviations or phrases that in anyway refer to our competition will involve a warning with the first violation, followed by banning your account on a second violation.

Ha!

Xalmat · 06-26-2008, 10:03 PM

That's nothing. They have UI mods now for casters to automatically cancel Rays of Disintegration as soon as it's cast.

But yeah, this is lame.

Snark · 06-26-2008, 10:04 PM

and click curing is difficult? this mod doesn't help anything. I would guess on most fights it would get stuck casting cures and get everyone killed

Niber · 06-26-2008, 10:26 PM

Bout time, daddy like. Don't like it? Don't use it.

Wayoff · 06-26-2008, 10:42 PM

If I was a healer, I would use it...

...and I would spread it like a herpes sandwich.

Illuminator · 06-26-2008, 10:51 PM

Aditu is like any creator who sees the full potential of his craft, and pursues it to all ends, even the destructive ones, just to ask What If.