ToS vs Recommended Peripherals

[Spot]

What does everyone think about using the recommended peripherals and their macro abilities, which are advertised on SE's site here: http://www.finalfantasyxiv.com/alliance/na/pe/ - vs- The (vague) ToS rule "2.1 Cheating and Botting. You may not create or use any unauthorized cheats, bots, automation software, hacks, mods or any other unauthorized software or hardware designed to modify the Game and gameplay. In addition, you may not take advantage of game system bugs and exploits during gameplay." Location: http://support.eu.square-enix.com/ru...1&tag=users_en

[Kimikryo]

Could it be, that you don't fully understand what the ToS means, and what those Peripherals do?

Oh, and, THIS is by any means not vague. Vague would be "Don't use anything we don't actually allow". THIS part of the ToS, if anything negatively can be said, is redundant at worst.

[Saccharin]

Good rule of thumb: one press, one action.

[Kimikryo]

You must be new to the game implemented macros?

[NovaUltimatum]

You must be new to the game implemented macros?

These keyboards offer more advanced "macros" than what you see in game, they come with fully automated software running them.

[Spot]

You must be new to the game implemented macros?

Like Nova said, They offer very complex control over keystrokes. You can do an entire 30 step craft macro off of one button or use them in initiate multiple in game macros to use /command lines. Some people may feel that it's like boting, however you cannot program them to have any kind of and/or switch and they cannot analyze what is going on. You still have to be at the helm and oversee them. They can take over where the in game macro system lacks depth.

Good rule of thumb: one press, one action.

That would rule out even using in game macros.

As for the ToS: "You may not create or use any unauthorized cheats, bots, automation software, hacks, mods or any other unauthorized software or hardware designed to modify the Game and gameplay." So if a peripheral (which includes it's software) is marketed by SE for FFXIV, would it then be safe to say that it is authorized?
Discuss. . .

[Gilraen]

Yeah, controller/keyboard macros are alot stronger than anything you can craft in the 15 lines available in-game. The in-game macros rely on specific commands that have finite abilities. A keyboard macro could easily be set up to access menus and make menu selections, well and far beyond the in-game macro system, to allow someone to say quick synth without actually using Quick Synthesis. It's this aspect of such peripherals that's against the ToS.

[Issac]

As for the ToS: "You may not create or use any unauthorized cheats, bots, automation software, hacks, mods or any other unauthorized software or hardware designed to modify the Game and gameplay." So if a peripheral (which includes it's software) is marketed by SE for FFXIV, would it then be safe to say that it is authorized?
Discuss. . .

Honestly Spot, this is a good catch. SE has been intentionally vague about keyboard macros since the very beginning and it's a bit frustrating. Especially now that they are recommending peripherals that have the distinct ability to do so.

It's about time they became clear on their stance of macro use.

If you were to ask me, it's all about whether or not you are present for the automation. If suspected and a GM pokes you, if you do not reply after a few attempts within a reasonable time frame, let's say, 5 attempts in 15-30 minutes, it could be assumed unauthorized.

Hopefully when they poke you, it isn't something simply in your chatlog. Something flashy on your screen dead-center would be most appropriate.

[Ryans]

Considering macros only make you perform worse in combat, I say who really cares? You can get guaranteed HQ on 2 star recipes with two macros so being able to do it in 1 button press isn't an issue either. Those products alone don't allow you to be a farm bot or anything of the like so it's not hurting anyone or giving you an unfair advantage.

[Grey_Cain]

All I see are keyboards and mice. I don't see any hardware that automatically generates and uses its own macros.

It's a violation of the ToS to "create or use". It's not a violation if it sits there on your hardware unused, even if the option is available.