The Real Problem with Parsers

[Atmora]

Snip

Two things.

1. Adding the parse to the client can increase server loa by a fair margin. The primary way this has been worked around is parsing from game files and memory data which pushes the burden to your computer as opposed to the server.

2. MMOs where parsers as comprehensive as ACT or Recount built in are pretty rare, in almost every major raiding MMO the parser is community made, the difference is that other MMOs have official add-on support which makes then easier to manage community and dev side.

[ChameleonMS]

1. Adding the parse to the client can increase server load by a fair margin.

This one is incorrect. The game already transmits all the damage data to every client (console / PC); BLUE numbers. Thus, network load is a constant and not increased by parser existence.

The primary way this has been worked around is parsing from game files and memory data which pushes the burden to your computer as opposed to the server.

You have it right here; the Parser exists solely on the client and consumes only CPU / Memory of the client machine.

I could definitely understand a "minimum" hardware requirements issue with the parser existing though. Low end PCs and PS3 might have significant issues running the parser and the game at the same time.