Macro Programs? Illegal?

[Ava]

I loled, also OP any 3rd party program used to enhance gameplay = autoban.

Hate to break it to you, but... we are ALL using third party software to play this game. There's a reason other companies have stopped caring about macro software. It's nearly impossible to draw a line between malicious third party software and safe third party software because we all use it. Companies like SE just put a blanket statement out there to be safe. Other companies like Blizzard actually have the capacity to define the line, which is automation software, rather than third party software.

[Reika]

how about $200 gaming keyboards?

nvm i see that was answered

[Preypacer]

Hate to break it to you, but... we are ALL using third party software to play this game. There's a reason other companies have stopped caring about macro software. It's nearly impossible to draw a line between malicious third party software and safe third party software because we all use it. Companies like SE just put a blanket statement out there to be safe. Other companies like Blizzard actually have the capacity to define the line, which is automation software, rather than third party software.

Umm... Please excuse me while I exclude myself from the "we are ALL using third party software" bit.

I play the game with a mouse and keyboard, no special drivers, no 3rd party software, no bots, hacks, scripts, windower, etc. I find it lame (personally) to even use add-ons that provide information not readily provided by the game by default.

That aspect of WoW killed any interest I might have had in raiding. Raid groups depend entirely on a plethora of add-ons - which they deem "mandatory" - to achieve anything. They require a UI cluttered with widgets that pretty much spell everything out for them, leaving little, if anything, for them to figure out or follow themselves.

Then the clowns have the balls to brag about how "skilled" they are on forums and in-game. Yeah, they can mimic TankSpot strategy vids and follow wiki guides. They can rely entirely on add-ons that spell everything out for them, such as one that alerts what a raid boss is about to do. They can follow walkthroughs step by step like a cake recipe.

Let me tell ya, that is *hardcore*. Please excuse me while I take a moment to gasp in wide-eyed amazement at their incredible intuition, coordination and talent.

Pathetic. It's one thing to resort to using guides when an aspect of the game is giving someone trouble after several attempts. It's something else altogether when using them is the foundation of how someone plays the game.

I'm sure allowing such add-ons is going to be expected by a portion of XIV's player base who have become reliant on using them as a crutch in other games, and just assume "FFXIV should allow them, too". I wouldn't be surprised to see someone pull the "a next gen MMO should support add-ons" card on that one.

All I can say is, I really and sincerely hope SE never allows it. Let people learn the encounters through good old-fashioned trial and error, "try and try again...", making mistakes, learning from them and adjusting their tactics accordingly so as to not make them again. For example, the way this first dungeon in XIV was conquered...

I have a feeling people wouldn't be complaining so much these days about "how boring and easy-mode MMOs are" if they'd stop using the damn addons, templates and wiki-walkthroughs for everything and tried actually figuring it out for them self. Of course, then, they'd be complaining 'cause they didn't get the win on the first or second try and find it "unfair".

Ugh... sorry... that's a topic that just gets me riled. lol

[Ava]

Umm... Please exclude me from the "we are ALL using third party software" bit.

I play the game with a mouse and keyboard, no special drivers, no 3rd party software, no bots, hacks, scripts, windower, etc. I find it lame (personally) to even use add-ons that provide information not readily provided by the game by default.

You are using drivers. Drivers are third party to FFXIV. Default drivers are still third party software to FFXIV. The OP was referring to default keyboard drivers for the keyboard he is using. They are not "special". Nor are mine, or yours. We're all still using third party software.

Edit to respond to the rest of your post even though it's completely off-topic.

Standards change, Blizzard raised the bar for MMORPGs with World of Warcraft (like it or not, they did). People enjoy strategical challenge instead of artificial "hard for the sake of being hard" challenge, addons add an additional element to the game that enhances the overall gameplay experience. You talk about difficulty and wikis and all that jazz, but those things have existed forever. The internet simply makes them more accessible. You can choose not to embrace them, but that's basically the same as riding your bike to work rather than taking your car. You're gimping yourself for no reason. Developers just need to find new ways to challenge their players.

[Preypacer]

You are using drivers. Drivers are third party to FFXIV. Default drivers are still third party software to FFXIV. The OP was referring to default keyboard drivers for the keyboard he is using. They are not "special". Nor are mine, or yours. We're all still using third party software.

Ah, so it was meant in a very, very general sense.

I was speaking in a very specific sense

[Ava]

Ah, so it was meant in a very, very general sense.

I was speaking in a very specific sense

Yeah, it's the concept. You can't really use the argument "third party software will get you banned" because that's not true. There's no way to distinguish good third party software from bad third party software. Being irresponsible or abusive gets you banned, and that can be applied to things outside of botting as well. Just be responsible with macros and you're fine.