Can we talk about 3rd party tools and disability?

[ACE135]

In my opinion a disability doesn't give the right to violate the ToS.

Otherwise it would be a free pass for everyone to violate the ToS. They just need to say they have to do it because they are disabled.

[Xirean]

In my opinion a disability doesn't give the right to violate the ToS.

Otherwise it would be a free pass for everyone to violate the ToS. They just need to say they have to do it because they are disabled.

Nobody is suggesting that people violate the ToS. Where are you getting this?

[ManaEterna]

In my opinion a disability doesn't give the right to violate the ToS.

Otherwise it would be a free pass for everyone to violate the ToS. They just need to say they have to do it because they are disabled.

Actually, my argument here is that I really wish the game had more accessibility options so that people with special situation didn't feel compelled to break the ToS.
I absolutely do not advocate for the use of third party software. ＾＾

[SweetestLily]

Well I am not the one who made them disadvantaged nor the people around them caused them to be disadvantaged therefore we dont owe them anything, you cant expect others to put themselves in a disadvantage just so they feel on equal ground.

So basic things like buff bars that benefit everyone are absolutely fine but nobody should be getting advantages like addons announcing mechanics because you "cant focus on everything important"

If you cant be aware of what is happening during the encounter and need your hand held then you shouldnt be doing such content to begin with, you are just not built for such type of game.

And neither are they, do you think they woke up in the morning on day and decided to be disabled? THEY didnt make THEMSELVES disadvantaged. Imagine we lived in a world where nobody accomodated for special needs because "it isnt our problem and we didnt cause it". You are clearly someone who sees people with disabilities as a hindrance and have absolutely 0 compassion or respect for them. Your stance on this is borderline psychotic. I will entertain you no further. To all the people with disabilities reading this thread I would like to formally apologize for this guys insensitivity. Its embarrasing to read.

[ACE135]

Why would you otherwise talk about third party tools in combination with disabilities when you don't want in some way to justify the usage?

[Kaurhz]

Why would you otherwise talk about third party tools in combination with disabilities when you don't want in some way to justify the usage?

Because some of them have features that the developers should consider - As by their own admission below:

We believe that people use the aforementioned tools to expand the HUD and display more information because they feel that existing functions are insufficient for tackling high-end duties. In recognition of this, we intend to review the most prominent tools, and in order to discourage their use, endeavor to enhance the functionality of the HUD. Though it will take some time, we're determined to make it happen ─ not least for the benefit of those who play on consoles.

- This same courtesy should be expanded to those that arguably need them to overcome some fairly questionable design practices with respect to accessibility. This core consideration should not be exclusive to the HUD.

- If this is known to you or not, no console player currently has native support for accessibility functions within the in-game features. Puts those on the console at a disadvantage.

- If people don't raise the issue here, most especially when there arguably is a correlation - Then who will? When will this be taken into consideration? If nobody raises these issues then they will not get resolved.

It is not about justifying their usage as much as it is highlighting that certain tools have features that can be utilized and expanded onto in-game systems.

[ACE135]

Just because a tool may be helpful doesn't mean that it's okay to use. Of course you can ask SE to implement features that would help you to play the game better with your disability. But don't ask SE to be lenient with you for using third party tools because your disability "forced" you to use them.

[BokoToloko]

Whitelisting some text-to-speech software, or baking it as an optional feature in the game, could also be neat, specially to follow dialoges for some people. It would be scarce in on itself, but it's always something that might come handy for non-voiced text.

Just another thought.

[Anhra]

I do think that their stance towards 3rd Party Tools is, on the long run, good for the Game itself, BUT i think banning someone for 10 days because of it, especially on the day this suddenly gets enforced is a bit too hard, 24 Hours suspension at most, would have been fair imo.

The thing with Addons is, that they are to a degree, a double edged Sword, because to a degree, the necessity of a specific Addon only becomes important, if the Game itself is lacking in some ways, like for example, Cooldowns or Buffs not being displayed big enough. Yet becoming straight up reliant to them, will start hurting the Game and here is why:

According to ToS, all 3rd Party Programs (For those who dont know, it is ONLY a 3rd Party Program, if it serves as a means of interacting with the Gamefiles, trough the assistance of a Second Party, which is You.) Are NOT allowed. One of the main reasons for that, is so that every Player, be it PC or Playstation 4/5, stands on equal footing with all the means given by the Game. Therefore Addons like ACT will, despite "only being a Calculator" still be a small advantage which PC Players have over PS4/5 Players.

But what about things like Visual Mods that hurt noone?
The thing is, if you allow Grey Areas with Mods, that allow these kind of things, People are going to try and push/negotiate endlessly their border of what should and should not be allowed, therefore you either allow them all or remove them all, if a true Solution must be reached.

This Situation was inevitably going to happen, since this Game had their Grey Area on Mods for quite a time going on, and the push from both PvP Cheaters, as well as Ultimate Raiders using Addons, simply was the final Drop of Water that made the Glass overflow and everyones complaining about the mess.

[DamianFatale]

Well in truth, if you're using an add on that helps you with some sort of an impairment, I don't think the moderators would care. I think the guideline should be that as long as you're using to keep yourself even on the playing field as any other non disabled player would, you're probably fine.

Can you imagine the PR disaster that would come out of SE banning someones account for say using speech to text indicator, some sort of in game tool that is ONLY FOR A DISABILITY not for raiding, or even a color blind mod. People would go crazy, and the devs would be pushed into a corner. Just use common sense if you're adapting as a disabled gamer, and don't create any unfair advantages.

Try to keep it external if you can before you go into the game itself, and when in doubt ask a moderator.