Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Are alts and mules a form of cheating?]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/the-daily-grind-are-alts-and-mules-a-form-of-cheating/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/the-daily-grind-are-alts-and-mules-a-form-of-cheating/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/11/07/the-daily-grind-are-alts-and-mules-a-form-of-cheating/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Mule Photograph by Einar Faanes
In response to Beau's recent Free For All column on the topic of botters and cheaters, reader Keith wrote in to suggest that there's another form of cheating much more common and pervasive: the use of alternate characters. In games like EVE Online or Star Wars Galaxies, which limit the number of characters players can create, extra accounts are manipulated to allow a single player access to more skills through alts ("skill mules"), more storage space ("bank mules" and "auction mules"), or more avenues for safe PvP scouting. But the problem occurs in alt-friendly games too, like World of Warcraft, where it's not uncommon to see someone five-boxing an entire team of Shamans, or Ultima Online, where it's standard practice for every player to have a "craft mule" who loads up on tradeskills (to the detriment of the player economy).

What do you think? Are alts and mules just another form of cheating, one that allows players with excess character slots or extra accounts unfair advantages? Or are "slave" characters just a natural and necessary part of online gaming?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Are alts and mules a form of cheating? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ah-mulealtalternate-charactersaltsauction-mulebank-mulebank-mulesbottersbrianna-royce-tdgcheaterscheatingeveeve-onlinemulemulesmulti-boxingopinionreader-mailskill-muleslaveslavesstar-wars-galaxiesswgtdgthe-daily-grindUltima-OnlineuoWorld-of-WarcraftwowMon, 07 Nov 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[EVE Online player creates incredible multi-box setup]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/eve-online-player-creates-incredible-multi-box-setup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/eve-online-player-creates-incredible-multi-box-setup/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/eve-online-player-creates-incredible-multi-box-setup/#commentsFiled under: , ,

From irritating spam-bots to automated farming macros hogging the best spots, macros and bots are almost universally despised in every MMO. Multi-boxing, on the other hand, is a much more ambiguous idea that has been common since as far back as the early days of EverQuest. Although there's nothing in the rules of most games against one player controlling multiple characters, there are usually rules against automating gameplay. This includes sending keystrokes and mouse commands from one computer to several clients, the preferred method for multi-boxers to control multiple game clients simultaneously.

After a hit from the banhammer for "macro use", EVE Online player Zhek Kromtor engineered a low-tech solution to his rule-breaking problem. With a setup that looks like something out of The Matrix or Minority Report, Zhek has set up eight monitors and eight computers to run a total of fourteen EVE clients simultaneously. To control them all at the same time without rule-breaking macro software, Zhek has tied together six computer mice with packing tape and wooden skewers. Six separate keypads have been taped together, with yet more wooden rods letting him activate the modules on six ships at a time. According to the EVE EULA, using software to send keystrokes isn't allowed but there's nothing about taping together keyboards and mice. Whether you think this kind of setup is awesome or a blatant flaunting of the rules, putting together this kind of setup is definitely a bizarre achievement.

[via Kotaku]

MassivelyEVE Online player creates incredible multi-box setup originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>banccpccp-eveccp-gameseulaeveeve-ccpeve-mmorpgeve-onlinemacromulti-boxmulti-boxingmultiboxmultiboxingrulesTue, 13 Apr 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The Daily Grind: Multi-boxing mayhem]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/16/the-daily-grind-multi-boxing-mayhem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/16/the-daily-grind-multi-boxing-mayhem/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/09/16/the-daily-grind-multi-boxing-mayhem/#commentsFiled under: ,


The act of playing multiple characters across multiple accounts at once (known as multi-boxing) has remained a popular pastime over the years for a certain breed of MMO player. There are communities devoted to getting the most out of multi-boxing, and reading through their forums you'll quickly learn that the number of characters being played can vary from two at once (dual-boxing), all the way up to multiple groups. Sometimes it's done on one computer, but the more hardcore multi-boxers tailor a hardware setup for the purpose, involving multiple computers and perfectly arranged monitors.

The reasons for getting into multi-boxing differ from person to person. Some like the challenge of controlling extra characters, while others may enjoy being self-reliant when it comes to tackling content that would normally require more than one player. Others just like the process of refining the art itself, working on making the perfect group combination with the perfect hardware setup and control scheme.

This morning, we'd like to ask where you fit in the multi-boxing scene. If you haven't ever tried it, is it something that interests you or do you think you'll never get into it? For those that do (or used to) multi-box, how many characters do you tend to run? Is it for one of the reasons above or something else? Make sure to share any particularly crazy multi-boxing stories you have!

MassivelyThe Daily Grind: Multi-boxing mayhem originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dual-boxinghardwaremulti-boxingtdgthe-daily-grindWed, 16 Sep 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Perspective on the widespread use of alts in EVE Online]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/perspective-on-the-widespread-use-of-alts-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/perspective-on-the-widespread-use-of-alts-in-eve-online/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/01/22/perspective-on-the-widespread-use-of-alts-in-eve-online/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


There are over 250,000 active subscriptions to the sci-fi massively multiplayer online game EVE Online, but have you ever wondered how many players that figure actually represents? The exact number of people that comprise the game's playerbase is unclear due to the common practice of playing with multiple accounts. While the end result is likely the same to CCP Games in a financial sense -- all of those active subs add up to a steady flow of income month to month -- the fact remains that the game doesn't necessarily have 250,000 different people logging into New Eden from month to month. At least, not yet, although the number of subscribers is growing. (EVE set a peak concurrent user record last Sunday of 48,065 players.)

Unlike some massively multiplayer online games, EVE is based on real-time skill training rather than using the system of leveling up central to other titles. Each EVE account has three character slots, but skill training can only be active on one character at a time. And as with most MMOs, a player can only be logged into one character per account at a time -- even if multi-boxing. If a player needs to skill up specialized alts, he or she must either sacrifice valuable skill training time on their main, or run a second (or third) account to really advance. A recent EVE-Mag article by Silene Derbhan, "Alternates: Are We Schizophrenics!?", looks closely at how alt play impacts the game. Derbhan states, "I would like to delve deeper into the game mechanics, to see why players are compelled not only to play different characters, as in any other MMO, but also to pay for every one of these added characters."

Continue reading Perspective on the widespread use of alts in EVE Online

MassivelyPerspective on the widespread use of alts in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>altaltsccpccp-gamesdual-boxingeveeve-mageve-onlinegame-mechanicsmulti-boxingopinionpeak-concurrent-userssci-fisilene-derbhanThu, 22 Jan 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs pt. 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos-pt-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos-pt-2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

When I started thinking about this subject, I remembered reading something on the subject a while back on the Daedalus Project.

Going by the figures Nick Yee collected back in 2006, less than a quarter of the players he spoke with had more than one account.

I can't help but wonder if that number will have increased or decreased with time.

Without getting too much in the state of the world-economy, as we all have to tighten our belts that little bit more, we'll end up looking for cheaper ways of relaxing and blowing of some steam. I wouldn't be the first person to point out that the average cost of a monthly MMO subscription is less than you'll spend on one night at the cinema.

While it's absolutely not my place to fault Dr. Yee's work, and I certainly don't intend to, I would have liked to see him also ask about how many players had more than one account active for the same game, and the reasons why.

The reasons given for having subscriptions to more than one game aren't surprising. Players maintain several subscriptions due to having friends and family still active in the game; or they feel that the time spent so far with the game will be wasted if they cancelled the account; or for financial reasons like waiting for the subscription plan to expire, or simply forgetting the subscription was there.

If people were asked why they play more than one game, I'd expect to see similar answers, but I'd hope to see some others, too. Game mechanics, for one. When I went back and looked at Star Wars Galaxies a while back, I didn't feel like it was a game I'd really want to play on a regular basis. That said, the crafting in the game was still as interesting as I remembered. A crafting system that isn't a simple pass/fail mechanic, rewarding time spent hunting for high-quality raw materials, and classes whose sole purpose is to craft rather than quest ticked a lot of boxes for me. And while the ground game left a lot to be desired, there was still a lot of fun to be had in space, hunting Rebels or Imperials, depending on which side your bread was buttered on.

My point is that it's a rare game that provides you with everything you want. Maybe you play one game because the combat system is second to none, but another one because the RP tools in it haven't been bettered yet. Graphics are a big thing for a lot of people, and the cartoonish graphics of WoW have put off more than one person in the past, without a doubt. Realistic graphics and presentation, on the other hand, won't stop your game from being slated if it deserves it - see Age of Conan for proof.

Your turn now. Do you run more than one MMO at a time? Which ones are they, and why? Hit the comments, and let the world know.

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs pt. 2 originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbehind-the-curtaindaedalus-projecteveeve-onlinegalaxiesmulitple-mmosmulti-boxingmultiple-accountsnick-yeestar-wars-galaxiesworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Behind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/20/behind-the-curtain-multiple-mmos/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Is one MMO ever enough?

Lots of people play more than one MMO. Among the staff here at Massively, you would be hard pressed to find a writer with only one active subscription. Ever the exception however, I am a one-game kind of guy.

"Is that through choice, or necessity though, Craig?" I hear you cry. The answer is that it's a little of both. It's easy to say that I don't have enough time to play a couple of MMOs, but if I was really honest with myself, I'd admit to that being a lie. If I'm able to free up a couple of hours every couple of nights to play World of Warcraft, then why can't I alternate those nights, for example, between WoW and another game?

Continue reading Behind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs

MassivelyBehind the Curtain: Multiple MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanaocbehind-the-curtaineveeve-onlinefeaturedgalaxiesmulti-boxingmultiple-accountsmultiple-mmosnick-yeestar-wars-galaxiesthe-daedalus-projectworld-of-warcraftwowSat, 20 Dec 2008 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Diary of a game hopper]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/diary-of-a-game-hopper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/diary-of-a-game-hopper/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/18/diary-of-a-game-hopper/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Are you a game hopper? Do you find yourself continuously dissatisfied with the quality of MMOs, yet continue to jump on the latest and greatest upon release? I think it's safe to say that there are many game hoppers out there, especially as the quantity of games sharply increases.

In a recent editorial piece at IGN, Char gives us an idea of what it's like to be a fairly extreme version of a game hopper. As an example, "I have been known to be out in the world somewhere, questing or adventuring when I will just stop, log out then head to the account screen of the particular game in question and just cancel, never to go back." The article goes on to explain reasons that they've left a particular game and moved on to others. If you often find yourself doing the same thing, or feeling the same way about the current selection of MMOs, you may want to take a look at this article. It's entertaining, and brings up some very valid points on how some games can so easily lose their customers.

MassivelyDiary of a game hopper originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargame-hoppergamer-addignmulti-boxingThu, 18 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[One WoW player controls 36 characters simultaneously]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/one-wow-player-controls-36-characters-simultaneously/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/one-wow-player-controls-36-characters-simultaneously/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/13/one-wow-player-controls-36-characters-simultaneously/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


If your family or friends ever tell you that dual-boxing is insane and you need to get a life, show them this story. A World of Warcraft player aptly-named Prepared owns 36 accounts that he can actually run simultaneously through his 11-computer set-up shown here. We'll overlook the logistics involved in actually accessing 11 computers at once for just a moment to focus on the cost of such ...dedication. "It costs me exactly $5711 in subscription costs per year with 36 accounts on the 6 month pay schedule. Not bad considering I'm looking at it like it's a hobby and there are more expensive hobbies out there than World of Warcraft," Prepared says. This doesn't even include expansion costs, as he figures Wrath of the Lich King will set him back about another $1500.

So how does he do it? Is it all for show, or can he actually be a one-man raid? According to him, they are all fully-functional with the help of certain add-ons and macros. While this isn't the first time someone has done something like this, with some players reporting as high as 50 accounts, controlling everything simultaneously is where Prepared's rig set-up really shines. Just wait until you hear about his nine level 80s on WotLK's Murmur PvP server.
One of Azeroth's millions of citizens? Check out our ongoing coverage of the World of Warcraft, and be sure to touch base with our sister site WoW Insider for all your Lich King needs!

MassivelyOne WoW player controls 36 characters simultaneously originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>36-accountsdual-boxingjoystiqmulti-boxingpreparedworld-of-warcraftwowMon, 13 Oct 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[CCP re-launches Power of 2 EVE promotion, supporting multi-boxing]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/ccp-relaunches-power-of-2-promotion-officially-supporting-multi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/ccp-relaunches-power-of-2-promotion-officially-supporting-multi/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/11/ccp-relaunches-power-of-2-promotion-officially-supporting-multi/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

CCP is renewing its Power of 2 promotion for EVE Online. The promotion encourages multi-boxing by allowing existing subscribers to add a second account at the discounted rate of $49.95 for six months. After the six months expire, the account will switch to the normal $14.95 per month rate. Last time CCP gave players the option to sign the account up for another $49.95 deal after a while. No guarantee it'll do that this time, though.

The promotional e-mail sent out by CCP says that the account can not only be used for training skills on two pilots at once (impossible with two pilots on the same account) but also for "extra firepower on missions" or "an extra hauler for miners." So, legitimized multi-boxing it is, then. Cool. EVE just has to be different in every way it can, doesn't it? It's a compulsion.

The offer's available until October 10th, so you've got a while to mull it over.

MassivelyCCP re-launches Power of 2 EVE promotion, supporting multi-boxing originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accountccpdouble-boxingdoubleboxingdual-boxingdualboxingeveeve-onlinemulti-boxingmultiboxingpower-of-2promotionsubscriptionThu, 11 Sep 2008 09:00:00 EST