Multiboxing, the process of one person playing multiple characters on multiple accounts at one time, usually by the use of multiple computers (thus the term) and macros that can be activated on all accounts by the push of a single button, has most recently seen coverage here on WoW with our 2-man Karazhan report. The act of multiboxing is one that has been the subject of some debates, mostly centered around whether or not it violates the EULA. Those in favor of multiboxing can breathe easier today, as Blizzard poster Belfaire has stated in no uncertain terms that Blizzard has no problem with the practice in a post on the customer service forums.
In short, he says that the advantages of multiboxing are no different than the advantages offered by normal grouping. Since multiboxers can be damaged, feared and CC'd as easily as separate people playing separate accounts, and since they can't do anything the same amount of characters couldn't do when played by different people, there is no reason to consider it an unfair advantage in PvP or PvE. He also answers quite a few specific questions posed by thread starter and multiboxer Velath that clarify why Blizzard accepts Multiboxing and does not consider it an exploit or an unfair advantage.
For example, he clarifies that using one keyboard to trigger macros on multiple accounts is not exploiting, but using that same keyboard to make a Fireball spell go off whenever it is availible is. Switching between windows or boxes to issue commands? Not exploitation. Using a bot program to make those windows run automatically? Exploit. In short, just like with people running one account, automation of a character via a third party program is Illegal. Setting up shortcuts to use macros or using gaming mice or keyboards (such as those in Adam Holisky's recent series of articles)is legal, and something that has always been fine with Blizzard no matter how many accounts the person in question is playing.
I certainly applaud this stance by Blizzard, even if I don't quite see myself doing the whole multiple rig setup. Admittedly, I am somewhat biased, as back in my Everquest days, I was about the only member of my small guild that didn't multibox, and was always greatly appreciative when someone when bring out their tank and healer multibox team so we didn't have to worry about who was going to fill those roles. Either way, it looks like Multiboxing is here to stay. So the next time you curse that 5-box Elemental Shaman arena team that just Chain Lightning'd you into next week, just remember that you can't call them illegal. However, you can still thank your lucky stars that they weren't Restoration Druids.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
3-13-2008 @ 9:10AM
arcgore said...
First
I believe that multi boxing is in no way damaging the game. If someone is running all the commands using macros and not automating it to the point there he doesn't even have to be seated at the pc to win then yeah thats a problem. Now if I could just learn to do that and have a special gun to shoot all the farmers out there with.
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3-13-2008 @ 9:18AM
peaglemancer said...
Any reason you felt the urge to post "First"? Does your ability to happen to be online at the time of this being posted earn you an extra 0.5" on your e-peen perhaps?
Anyway I would hazard a guess that people purchasing multiple accounts and playing them simultaneously were never in much danger of causing offense. If anything I'm sure Blizzard would be delighted if we all followed suit.
3-13-2008 @ 9:15AM
mindrazor said...
I'm really trying to care about multiboxing since it seems to be topic of some sort these days, but I just can't. I don't care that it is legal or illegal (like that would stop anyone anyway). I don't care that someone might have an advantage or that they can level quickly by blowing through content. I just find the whole topic/concept/conversation boring. But hey, keep flogging it...
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3-13-2008 @ 9:20AM
Ste said...
You don't care yet you took the time to respond to a blog post about it. Interesting.
3-13-2008 @ 9:24AM
mindrazor said...
You are quite the witty one--got me, you did. I said I'm trying to care, so I read the articles and see what is going on with it. My point is--I just can't seem to get into it for some reason. It doesn't excite me. I made the comment because it is what I was feeling after reading the article. That you find it interesting is, to me, uninteresting.
3-13-2008 @ 10:02AM
wes said...
you'll care the moment your alt comes face to face with 5 perfectly synchronized fireballs from a guy mulitboxing.
3-13-2008 @ 11:28PM
s256 said...
wes:
That's when I laugh, call him a jerk jokingly and wish I had the money to do it. :P
3-13-2008 @ 9:17AM
Cynra said...
As someone who finds multiboxing very intriguing, I'm glad to hear that Blue has made (yet another?) post on their stance on the practice. I've dualboxed before and enjoyed it immensely, but haven't been able to do anything large.
Also, is it just me or can no one else find a link to the Blue post itself? I'd be curious to read it to see the specifics.
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3-13-2008 @ 9:19AM
Cynra said...
Hmm, looks like the same article about two-manning Karazhan is linked twice, instead of the Blue post. Maybe that's the confusion? Thanks!
3-13-2008 @ 10:27AM
Kyol said...
Yeah, that's just the usual WOW Insider quality linking we've all come to expect from this fine crowd. Linking to other pages on the site? Sure thing! Linking to the actual article the frickin' blog post is about? That's, like. Complicated. Here's a WowWiki page instead!
*sigh*
3-13-2008 @ 12:34PM
Ste said...
Kyol,there is a "read" link at the bottom of the article.
Baffels me how people always miss it...>.
3-13-2008 @ 5:26PM
Kyol said...
Yeah, but it's not the expected link in the sentence that mentions what you'd _think_ would be the link to the forum message: "[...]as Blizzard poster Belfaire has stated in no uncertain terms that Blizzard has no problem with the practice in a post on the customer service forums."
Up to that point it's fairly reasonable where the links go - a reference back to recent coverage of multiboxing, linking to prior coverage of the debate over multiboxing and a link to the definition of multiboxing, fine, but then it comes to a screeching halt when the "Blizzard has no problem" link directs you to a destination that has already been linked.
It wouldn't be _as_ bad if the author didn't indulge in link spaghetti after that point, but I'm not going to scrub over every link looking for the one that's the magical link to the referenced forum discussion.
3-13-2008 @ 9:19AM
alrdye said...
Why would Blizzard have a problem with it? Those people have to pay for multiple accounts. Also, as stated, its really no different than a group of separate people who play well together.
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3-13-2008 @ 9:19AM
Rhadagast said...
OK, guilty of multiboxing. Not using any bots, just 2 sessions on the machine. I have a 70 that can smoke instances through LBRS on solo, I am raising a pally. They take forever, I like the end game stuff, but this is my third time through STV.....and jeez.
If I am on follow, going through the motions at a higher rate of speed, where is the problem? If I see another lowbie going for the same 'big' guy, or I am clearing a village for that quest item and they come along, I invite so they have a shot as well. This is no different than LFG....just using my accounts.
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3-13-2008 @ 9:22AM
Kos said...
I recently got destroyed by 3 warlocks that all crit me with shadow bolts simultaneously. I did get some slight revenge though: Spell reflect can reflect multiple spells if they all hit at once :D
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3-13-2008 @ 9:23AM
guesswho? said...
multiboxing is NOT a crime!!!!
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3-13-2008 @ 9:34AM
Mirina said...
It's pretty fun once you get the hang of it (still trying since I don't do it all that often). My husband 2-boxes regularly and as aspirations to up to to more accounts played at once at some point :) We do have someone on our server who 5-boxes. Was the coolest thing to watch them "perform" in Shatt on evening. He had a warrior and 4 shaman. I applaud the effort (and HW) needed to do something like that...might need to tweak my PC a bit more to be able to handle that--I can currently run 3 WoWs with a bit of lag, but still have the ability to play.
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3-13-2008 @ 9:47AM
Ruby said...
It's amazing to see how so many people are so bad at the game that can't even play with one account, and now the multiboxers show that it's possible even to control 5 characters.
L2Play the game and stop qqing just because you can't control your single warlock/hunter/rogue/mage/etc without pulling aggro while those guys can control 5. :P
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3-13-2008 @ 9:49AM
hennifer said...
It doesn't require skill to do this. What would be the major complaint is the fact that these guys are defeating the purpose of LFG/LFM. L2GET FRIENDS.
But mo' money = mo' money. Why care? Does anyone have an experiences with MultiBoxers in Arena? Is it viable?
I'm probably just jealous because I can't convince myself to shell out the extra money just to flash my epeen around to my guildmates.
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3-13-2008 @ 9:55AM
FireStar said...
You have absolutely never done this if you think it doesn't take skill. My lvl 14 dual locks are much harder than any of my 70s. When i say that i'm not talkin about when you're facing 1 mob, but then things get hairy it gets a lot tougher to deal with 2 chars. This is the entire premise upon why most people dual-box (besides the ones that want to 5-man box and own arenas - trust me that's not near as frequest as a 2-man)
I think it's hilarious when people want to challenge one of your chars to a duel. It's like "dual package plz?".