Hi 'Blues', I am going to try to be as specific as possible on this, so sorry for the bit of length in this thread.

I just ordered a Logitech G15 keyboard. This keyboard comes with a section of keys that are macro-programmable for use with PC games. On the Logitech website, it actually lists World Of Warcraft as a game that this is good for. For reference, here is a link to the keyboard. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/3498&cl=us,en

Now, I did a quick Google search and found several people claiming that they were banned for Third Party Software / Botting while using it.

I looked into it further, and found on Blizzplanet's website an official response from Blizzard's "Tyren", whoever he/she is. Here is a copy of what I found.

" " " " " " " " " "
Tyren: "Recently, players expressed some concern over the use of programmable gaming peripherals while playing World of Warcraft. We want to make sure it's clear that creating hotkeys for certain actions in the game is ok. However, if these peripherals are used to automate gameplay to the point where the player is able to conduct repeated actions in the game without paying attention, then that will constitute a violation of our game policies. The use of sustained automated play grants an unfair advantage over players who earn their achievements by actively playing through the game as it was designed. In the interest of maintaining an even playing field for all players, we will investigate reports of automated play and take action as needed to prevent this from occurring in the game."

BlizzPlanet: Will it come down to GM doing bot testing like in other games, sending the player a tell, if they don't respond/answer correctly they get banned? Or will it all just be tests for physical hardware/programs?

Tyren: "Very valid question. Without going into specifics, the main part involves human interaction. We can't be more specific on what that interaction is, as it may give "botters" more insight into how they can avoid detection."

" " " " " " " " " "
This 'statement' was issues sometime around 3/17/06. A link to the BlizPlanet site is here:
http://www.blizzplanet.com/?action=news&id=616



I need confirmation from a 'Blue' that using this keyboard's macro functions will not get me banned. I am not exactly sure how it works, it is in the mail right now, but I think it has something to do with a Macro Program (it comes with the software) that allows you to set up different macros for different games.

To be clear on my intentions with this, it will not be used to help me play while not paying attention or going afk. It will not be used for botting or anything that violates the ToS.

I will not be using this keyboard in the sense that I can press one key and have it do a huge sequence of things. I plan on having one g-key = one spell. Example, bind the g4 key to Ice Trap. So I can just reach over and press the g4 key to drop an ice trap. I just want to have some extra buttons to use.

Actually, it will be no different than players who use Custom UIs allowing them to hot key spells to different keys on their keyboards. That is exactly what this is, except rather than having to download/install Custom UIs, it does it all for you so you can keep the game looking original.

So yeah, I just need an official word on whether or not I will be banned for using this. Thank you.

# G15 Keyboard Legality
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1371550895&pageNo=1&sid=1#4

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# G15 Keyboard Legality
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=1371550895&pageNo=1&sid=1#4

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Thanks for the link, but that still doesn't really answer speficly. Am I allowed to bind the extra g-keys to single spells/actions? And by using the Logitech G15 macro program to do this, will that be a violation?

I don't know how it is possible to bind one of the extra G-keys to a spell/action using just WoW.

You will not be banned for using a G15 keyboard, unless you use the macro function to create keys with scripts that incorporate delays. The G15 allows you to bind a sequence of keypresses and delays into a single 'macro key.' Doing this violates the ToS and would be grounds for account closure.

However, if you do not do that, using the G15 keyboard is just fine. You can use the macro keys as substitutes for individual keypresses (shift-F1, ctrl-6, etc). Just make sure not to program delays into your macros.

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Thanks for the link, but that still doesn't really answer speficly. Am I allowed to bind the extra g-keys to single spells/actions? And by using the Logitech G15 macro program to do this, will that be a violation?

I don't know how it is possible to bind one of the extra G-keys to a spell/action using just WoW.

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As long as its only doing one thing when you press the key (like a spell or an in-game macro) you're fine. Lots of people do this.

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Thanks for the link, but that still doesn't really answer speficly. Am I allowed to bind the extra g-keys to single spells/actions? And by using the Logitech G15 macro program to do this, will that be a violation?

I don't know how it is possible to bind one of the extra G-keys to a spell/action using just WoW.

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as long as your are at your keyboard pressing the buttons they have said the in the past its okay.

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You will not be banned for using a G15 keyboard, unless you use the macro function to create keys with scripts that incorporate delays. The G15 allows you to bind a sequence of keypresses and delays into a single 'macro key.' Doing this violates the ToS and would be grounds for account closure.

However, if you do not do that, using the G15 keyboard is just fine. You can use the macro keys as substitutes for individual keypresses (shift-F1, ctrl-6, etc). Just make sure not to program delays into your macros.

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Thanks for the response.

As earlier said, I am not exactly sure how the keyboard's features work since I don't have it yet.

To make matters worse, I am very ignorant on how the in-game-macros work as far as writing them.

When you say " You can use the macro keys as substitutes for individual keypresses (shift-F1, ctrl-6, etc)" can you go a little more in depth on that?

You don't need to take the time to completely explain it, just a brief example to help me understand what you're talking about. Thanks for the help.

The quickest way to see if a function could get you in trouble:

See if you can do it without the special keyboard. If it is something that can be done using a normal keyboard and in-game macro system, then it is allowed.

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Thanks for the response.

As earlier said, I am not exactly sure how the keyboard's features work since I don't have it yet.

To make matters worse, I am very ignorant on how the in-game-macros work as far as writing them.

When you say " You can use the macro keys as substitutes for individual keypresses (shift-F1, ctrl-6, etc)" can you go a little more in depth on that?

You don't need to take the time to completely explain it, just a brief example to help me understand what you're talking about. Thanks for the help.

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say for instance the hunter dps macro, which you have to spam which ever key you link it to for it to work... ie "111111111111111111111111" to get what you want.

so long as you don't make the gaming keyboard to where you just press "1" and it does 11111111111111 you are fine.

Fastest blue response ever. Thanks Malkorix and everyone else too. The main thing that concerned me was when I read that the keyboard actually had a program that it ran to do the macros, the whole "third party software" etc.

Thanks again.

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Thanks for the response.

As earlier said, I am not exactly sure how the keyboard's features work since I don't have it yet.

To make matters worse, I am very ignorant on how the in-game-macros work as far as writing them.

When you say " You can use the macro keys as substitutes for individual keypresses (shift-F1, ctrl-6, etc)" can you go a little more in depth on that?

You don't need to take the time to completely explain it, just a brief example to help me understand what you're talking about. Thanks for the help.

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Sure. The G15 has a set of keys on the left side (18 in all). It has a built-in programming function where you select one of the keys, then bind a keystroke (or sequence of keystrokes) to it. From then on, when you press that key, you send the programmed input to WoW.

So yes, you can bind the first key to F1. Or you can bind it to shift-F1. Or alt-shift-F1. Pressing that key will send the keystroke you programmed into it. I have the first 12 buttons on mine mapped to alt-F1 through alt-F12, for example.

Mal saves the day!

Reward?

/paper grocery bag for the kitty

Enjoy

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Mal saves the day!

Reward?

/paper grocery bag for the kitty

Enjoy

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Plastic is so much funnier to watch though. That is, if you can see a cat when it almost breaks the sound barrier.

/giggles

Oh man...I'm having flashbacks of my cat when she got a bag caught around her waist...my eyes are watering..

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Plastic is so much funnier to watch though. That is, if you can see a cat when it almost breaks the sound barrier.

/giggles

Oh man...I'm having flashbacks of my cat when she got a bag caught around her waist...my eyes are watering..

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.........Going to test this once I get home

From experience: Don't macro filling in your login information if you have a golden retriever puppy who's prone to jumping on keyboards. Bad things can happen. Bad things.

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From experience: Don't macro filling in your login information if you have a golden retriever puppy who's prone to jumping on keyboards. Bad things can happen. Bad things.

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on the other hand, I use my G15 for that. I press a key, Wow launches, clicks okay on the news page, and logs in my main toon.



thats all legal I assume, yes?

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on the other hand, I use my G15 for that. I press a key, Wow launches, clicks okay on the news page, and logs in my main toon.



thats all legal I assume, yes?

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I'm assuming since none of those actions are in-game, they don't fall within the purview of the ToS. I could be wrong, though.