Official clarification on "idling"

[Mynamerr]

x-post from https://www.reddit.com/r/RotMG/comments/c21u4v/clarification_on_idling/

Hello Realmers!

The past few days there have been discussions about “idle” characters and how some were kicked out of the game by ValsinedGM. We want to make some things clear, so here we go.

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Q: What is “idling”?

A : Logging into the game with multiple accounts using a third-party software and arranging them in order to manipulate/abuse the enemy spawning mechanics. As the name also suggests, those accounts are not actually active, as in moving around.

Q: Is it against the ToS and why?

A: Yes. Using third-party software is against the ToS and “idling” falls under that category.

Q: How would this offense be handled?

A: This is a bannable offense that will be handled accordingly, given all necessary proof is at hand (from a support ticket or if a GM/CS member witnessed it in-game).

Q: Is fame training against the ToS?

A: As mentioned in R4’s previous comment on a similar subject, fame training is not against the ToS, as long as it’s not done with the help of any third-party software. Our intention is not to disrupt the gameplay for those who actually try to play it without using third party software.

Q: How can we fix this issue?

A: Unfortunately, this is not an issue that can be fixed easily or quickly. It would require dev time which is currently focused mostly on Unity and the upcoming MotMG. Periodically, we are trying to release fixes that would improve the QoL (chat, bots, fame boating, etc.). This issue might take more time to fix, so for now we will do our best to address any reports about idling and we will update you if a fix has been found.

Q: Is it '“idling” if players sit in each (non-boss) room in Candyland Hunting Grounds?

A: As long as the enemy spawn mechanics are not interrupted in any way, no.

Edit (for more clarification):

For Candyland Hunting Grounds (and not only), if you are intentionally trying to prevent bosses from spawning in their respective rooms by any means, that will be considered as griefing, as it has been the case so far. This means that no matter if you are using a legit or a hacked client, if such an activity is spotted and/or reported, all according actions will be taken.

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We hope these answers are the clarification you were looking for!

The Deca Team

[Novachiz]

So how do they know if you are using a 3rd party client? I haven’t heard about any bans but admins are till crashing fame trains. Im sure it would take quite some time to look up whether idler is using a third party client, and some staff probably dont have the perms to do so

[Samcw]

They don’t and they clearly avoided this point. But in reality almost all idlers use hacked clients anyway.

[Becausej]

I was under the impression they tested by checking to see if players were using autoaim

[Novachiz]

I havent been fame training recently so im not positive but from what the discord im in has been saying it seems that an admin just enters the realm , kicks all the idlers, and closes the realm with a command.

They don’t and they clearly avoided this point. But in reality almost all idlers use hacked clients anyway.

I agree. This is why they aren’t banning people but still crashing trains. But if there is no proof that the players are doing anything wrong, isnt it technically abuse of power?

[Kittie]

I think I was there when the train in question was being set up. One of the things said in chat was that a single player was operating multiple idlers, and that idlers only need a staff and autoaim to do their job. That’s not something you can do with the official client, and I guess checking for autoaim is not that difficult for an admin. I went back to the same realm about 40 min later and the train was a semi-static blob of players with gods spawing around them. Really easy to see that something fishy was going on.

[Novachiz]

Its happened many times over the week.
But that does seem like sufficient evidence to shut down the train and not ban. Good point

[Kittie]

But if there is no proof that the players are doing anything wrong, isnt it technically abuse of power?

No, it’s their game, they can decide to liquidate the company and close tomorrow, or to sell tickets to enter the realms.

[Novachiz]

While that is true, I’m pretty sure the person who has been doing this is a moderator, not an admin and especially not an owner. While it seems that the admins approve of his actions, he took action before it was announced that participating in a fame train using idlers is not allowed. Idling using a 3rd party client is clearly against tos, but action against idlers using decas client has also been taken

[Kittie]

Many times? Gosh, you’d think they would have got the message the first time…

Although I saw someone asking for clarification on reddit, and I thought it was 100% clear that something that relies on hacked clients to work is not acceptable, so maybe people are just a bit dense.

The only think that bothers me a bit is Deca coming down harder on fame trains at the same time they announced a reduction in feed power for skins.

To be honest, being the realm janitor is something the summer intern can do, while other members of staff carry on with their jobs.

I hope this is a step towards having more meaningful leaderboards and being able to do something with fame.

[Mynamerr]

While that is true, I’m pretty sure the person who has been doing this is a moderator, not an admin and especially not an owner.

So you think there are people not working for Deca that have offical tools for kicking/banning players?

[Novachiz]

Im saying its a moderator. Admins make the rules, mods enforce them. In this case the rules were enforced before they were communicated to the players

[Mynamerr]

In this case the rules were enforced before they were communicated to the players

No, the rule of not using third party tools exists since the very beginning of the game.

[Novachiz]

Im talking about the fame trainers, not the idlers. It wasnt announced that being in a train realm with idlers was bannable until now

[Mynamerr]

And when was that enforecd?

[Novachiz]

Sorry, bad wording on my part. They never gave any notice that it was frowned upon. The mod just started crashing trains and when people sent support tickets Deca finally sent out this post

[Torn]

you would be insane and really living on the edge if u were to AFK in godlands with no autonexus

[Ecookied]

upcoming MotMG

Pog.

[Heteraabd]

finally i can report the jackasses that sit in cland boss room

[Kittie]

Here, because I want to help you:

airhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, bubblehead, chowderhead, chucklehead, clodpoll (or clodpole), clot [British], cluck, clunk, cretin, cuddy (or cuddie) [British dialect], deadhead, dim bulb [slang], dimwit, dip, dodo, dolt, donkey, doofus [slang], dope, dork [slang], dullard, dumbbell, dumbhead, dum-dum, dummkopf, dummy, dunce, dunderhead, fathead, gander, golem, goof, goon, half-wit, hammerhead, hardhead, idiot, ignoramus, imbecile, jackass, know-nothing, knucklehead, lamebrain, loggerhead [chiefly dialect], loon, lump, lunkhead, meathead, mome [archaic], moron, mug [chiefly British], mutt, natural, nimrod [slang], nincompoop, ninny, ninnyhammer, nit [chiefly British], nitwit, noddy, noodle, numskull (or numbskull), oaf, pinhead, prat [British], ratbag [chiefly Australian], saphead, schlub (also shlub) [slang], schnook [slang], simpleton, stock, stupe, stupid, thickhead, turkey, woodenhead, yahoo, yo-yo

Don’t use homofobic slurs please