I just wanted to point out a double standard...

[ispano]

Correct me if I am wrong, but isn't Square-Enix allegedly in the finishing stages of implementing the Add-On Feature for this game that will allow people to write their own add-ons for the game?

If true then Parsers would at that time arguably become Legal in the form of an add-on that utilizes Square-Enix's Add-On features. So saying that it won't be implemented in the near future kind of depends on how near in the future the Add-On feature will be implemented, doesn't it?

Except they've always hinted that the add-ons would be UI modifications. They've not stated anything beyond that.

And how would you be looking at my (I'm a Summoner) DoT ticks when your Combat Log (much less mine) doesn't record them in the first place. It's impossible to look at something that doesn't exist.

You can see another player's on screen damage amounts. Not easy, especially with 8 man parties, but it's there.

[Wizhard]

Honestly, I don't care if someone uses a Parser or not, even if they talk about it. I'm not going to report someone for it anyways since I feel it's something we should have access to in the first place. And having something official, party based or not, would help accuracy of the information.

Wasnt directed at you tbh, mostly to trigger-happy people with fingers on report button.

[Tharian]

Wasnt directed you tbh, mostly to trigger-happy people with fingers on report button.

No, it was directed at me since your first post in this argument was a response to me specifically. I will say now what I meant to say then. If someone calls me on under-performing on my DPS citing a specific number by which I am under-performing, I will report them.

There is a very valid reason for this. That is all three of the DPS Classes that I play (Summoner, Bard, and Black Mage) make extended use of Damage Over Time spells or attacks. And the only way to get an accurate read on the amount of DPS that a Summoner or a Bard is actually doing is by using a Parser, no ifs, ands, or buts. This is due to the Damage Over Time Spells not registering on ANYONES Battle Log for them to be able to get the raw numbers from.

[Wizhard]

No, it was directed at me since your first post in this argument was a response to me specifically. I will say now what I meant to say then. If someone calls me on under-performing on my DPS citing a specific number by which I am under-performing, I will report them.

There is a very valid reason for this. That is all three of the DPS Classes that I play (Summoner, Bard, and Black Mage) make extended use of Damage Over Time spells or attacks. And the only way to get an accurate read on the amount of DPS that a Summoner or a Bard is actually doing is by using a Parser, no if, ands, or buts. This is because due to the Damage Over Time Spells not registering on ANYONES Battle Log for them to be able to get the raw numbers from.

But you cant prove it(unless the person actually says that hes using a parser). So reporting that someone will be futile.

[Tharian]

But you cant prove it(unless the person actually says that hes using a parser). So reporting that someone will be futile.

Look at it this way, if I have a reasonable cause to think that my neighbor is running an illegal coke (drug) factory in his basement, I am duty bound to tell the Police whether I am 100% certain that he is doing so or not. It is the Police Department's job to have it's investigator's determine if their is enough probable cause to arrest that individual.

Same rules apply when reporting someone for suspected breach of the Terms of Use. So long as you have reason to suspect that there has been a breach of the Terms of Use, then you should report that person. Hence I would report someone who tells me I am doing under a specified number of DPS on the grounds of suspecting them of using a Parser. Do I have proof? No. Do I have sufficient evidence to report them? Yes.

[Wizhard]

Look at it this way, if I have a reasonable cause to think that my neighbor is running an illegal coke (drug) factory in his basement, I am duty bound to tell the Police whether I am 100% certain that he is doing so or not. It is the Police Department's job to have it's investigator's determine if their is enough probable cause to arrest that individual.

But unlike said Police Department SE cannot prove that you are using it(unlike say Blizzard with their Warden). I mean its commendable that you will report it but nothing will come of it even if that person was using a parser.

[Tharian]

But unlike said Police Department SE cannot prove that you are using it(unlike say Blizzard with their Warden). I mean its commendable that you will report it but nothing will come of it even if that person was using a parser.

Eh, that isn't quite true. While they can't look at your Computer and see if you have the Parser Program installed on it. What they can however do is pull up the complete history of your characters chat logs. With that wealth of information, they can look at the history of what you have said in game, and determine if you have made enough references to people doing a specified amount of DPS to warrant a closure of your account.

Yes, Square-Enix does store this game's chat logs.

[Wizhard]

With that wealth of information, they can look at the history of what you have said in game, and determine if you have made enough references to people doing a specified amount of DPS to warrant a closure of your account.

How much is enough? What if i just start saying random numbers in parties claiming its their dps, will i get banned for that? As far as i remember only the use of third-party software is prohibited(which they, again, cannot detect), not telling people what their dps is. I guess that can somehow be considered as harassment but what if im just stating the number, with no emotional undertone?

[Tharian]

I guarantee you that Square-Enix also has a way of determining Parsed Data for all battles fought on their Game Servers. While spouting out random nonsense numbers probably won't get you banned... spouting out the accurate DPS figures would be a very high risk proposition. Either way, good player policy is to report anyone who is spouting off numbers and alleging them to be DPS figures, on the assumption that they are in fact using third party software.

[Gardes]

lol in game GM's cant even contact you when you're in an instance.