Official stance on AHK scripts.

[Tessman]

What is the official stance of SE on using Autohotkey? Among peers, I've had some people insist that it's botting, and therefore bannable and I've had others tell me that SE hasn't really shown that they care at all, so go for it. I've been trying to develop a few scripts that do a few different things for me and before I start getting really involved, I'd love to get an official statement from someone at SE so I know if my account is in jeopardy or if I can sleep at night.

I'm not sure where something like this is supposed to be. I chose this forum, but move it somewhere else if it's more appropriate.

[Issac]

If you want to take a risk, that's up to you.

But you won't get an answer, and generally with these things it's a resounding no. Common sense would tell you this.
With common sense in mind, knowing the risks, continue at your own peril.

[Tessman]

If you want to take a risk, that's up to you.

But you won't get an answer, and generally with these things it's a resounding no. Common sense would tell you this.
With common sense in mind, knowing the risks, continue at your own peril.

Which is why I'm asking. AHK is not even in the same league as say, botting. Emulating keystrokes is even supported inside the FFXIV client in the form of macros. If I don't get an answer, it's hardly fair to ban for it without someone official saying 'yes AHK is fine' or 'No AHK is not fine' because it does exist in a grey area that could really use some clarification.

[AltaneenXIV]

Which is why I'm asking. AHK is not even in the same league as say, botting. Emulating keystrokes is even supported inside the FFXIV client in the form of macros. If I don't get an answer, it's hardly fair to ban for it without someone official saying 'yes AHK is fine' or 'No AHK is not fine' because it does exist in a grey area that could really use some clarification.

It would be completely fair if they banned you for that, the fact that you thought to ask shows that you know you may get banned for it. If you do something you know might get you banned, you can't mope when it happens.

If you don't want to get banned than just don't do it. It's really that simple.

Though I'm not blaming you for asking, I'm just saying if you risk it before a response, it's totally on you.

[ZohnoReecho]

It's something that does something that otherwise would require your interaction with the game to be done?
If yes, you can try looking for any loophole you want, that's called botting.

And it's in the TOS anyway:

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.

Think of macros as authorized.

[Tessman]

It's something that does something that otherwise would require your interaction with the game to be done?
If yes, you can try looking for any loophole you want, that's called botting.

And it's in the TOS anyway:


Think of macros as authorized.

And here is the problem with charged words like 'botting'.

Botting would imply that you are hijacking the client in some way to automate some thing. Botting as it is used by the general populace has a much wilder, less definitive definition that can range from AHK to Setpoint to Purests who will throw macros in the pile of things they consider 'botting'. As such, unless we draw some lines around the term, it's not a useful word.

This also is a great time to exemplify how weak and loose the ToS is for MMOs. 'Automation Software' can be damn near anything. SetPoint can be configured to do some wacky things. Razer's MMO mice don't even work without a middle-man translating buttons past #5 to Windows, and that software comes with features that can do all sorts of things. 'Gaming' Keyboards, like the Logitech G15 have software that can produce quite a lot of fun effects, and in some cases, the API is supported by developers. The classic Gateway AnyKey Keyboard circa 1995 can actually do a lot of what AHK can on it's own hardware.

The problem here is that 'automation software' is way, way, way too general and at the end of the day, that might as well read, 'We can ban you for using software we don't want you using', which is effectively what it says right now. WoW has a similar clause in it's ToS but actively supports the Logitech's gaming keyboards. It's a straight-up contradiction.

The language is so general as to be able to cover drivers for input devices that aren't shipped with Windows. It's not useful text and if they want to write out the most CYA text in the world, then it's not unfair to ask for clarification on a case-by-case basis.

[PureleafsTradewinds]

Just dont use it, everyone in the gaming community know whats AHK is used for.
I find no reason theres a need for a scripting automation software to be used in FFXIV ARR. a combat parser then i could understand. but a total automation script, its so obvious. and no "im tired of clicking through menu 10x to do 1 thing" excuse dont apply to this game. If your tired of spamming the same sequence of skill for crafting you can make a macro provided by the game to do that. everything else, your looking to "Bot" some aspect of gameplay. just dont do it. If its not bann-able by SE, it should be.

[ZohnoReecho]

You said it yourself. The developers support them then they are authorized and the TOS says do not use "unauthorized" software.
And you don't have to hijack anything to bot. Botting is botting as long as you automate something, whether you crack an app or inject code in the process memory.
But if you feel slightly dirty inside for leaving your char there crafting for hours and hours (or w/e you wanna do) using autohotkeys, I think you don't need anyone telling you that it's botting.
I'm not here to stop you, mostly because I haven't the power to, botters are sadly in any online game and even offlines (why they even "play" the game?).
You wanna use it, do it, but if you want my opinion for what it counts, it's cheating.