Addons and automation.

[Tinkertown]

I would like to get confirmation from the GM team that addon automation is fine and under no circumstances constitute botting, as it has always been on the retail servers. The reason being the indication recently that players have been banned for addon automation.

A clear statement either that the limited automation that the API allows is fine or, alternatively, a clear statement of what exactly isn't fine is what I'm asking for.

The Blizzard stance was always: API = OK, anything else = botting. Is this your stance too?

[Mimma]

Plenty of people have been banned for using 3rd party programs or even mechanical constructions to activate addons or Logitech keyboards which execute pre-programmed key strokes.

But no one has been banned by addons alone.

[Tinkertown]

Plenty of people have been banned for using 3rd party programs or even mechanical constructions to activate addons or Logitech keyboards which execute pre-programmed key strokes.

But no one has been banned by addons alone.

If you read this. (Source)

Hi, i just got banned for using a macro to snipe Neutral AH. I was almost sure that this is against the rules and terms of agreement.. So here is what happened, a took of some bijous then got random DC tried to log back in couldn't do it for 5 minutes for some reason then i logged back in and a Gm started talking to me and said something like "you bought item immediately" i replied yes it's a macro and he said that it was considered a bot?
Could someone please explain why i got banned and if using a macro to snipe off peoples items on AH is bannable or not ? please and thank you
Anetta is my in game name

The indication from the GM is that he is getting banned for an action that you can easily automate via the addon auctioneer. Further the GM clearly hadn't tried to establish 3rd party automation. The player also didn't get unbanned promptly despite this.

[Mimma]

The addon was run automatically, and therefore he was banned,

Running an addon manually is no problem.

[Tinkertown]

The addon was run automatically, and therefore he was banned,
Running an addon manually is no problem.

What are you talking about?

1. Define the difference please. Preferably you should use a defenition that doesn't make most addons bannable. Automation is what most addons do.
   
2. Source please. Where have you seen this as their policy?

[Mimma]

A. Automation: a program activates the addon. Many banned people used that method by using 3rd party programs or keyboard macro's.

B. Show me one ban done due to use of an addon (other than spamming chat ofcause). The "source" you provided is still under review, and so far we only have the offenders word for he didnt't cheat.

[Tinkertown]

I'm looking for the stance of the GM team on addons. That's why I asked for your source. By saying 'automation' rather than '3rd party/outside automation' or something similar indicating non-addon automation you made it seem as if you had some information to contribute. If you had been more clear about what you meant there wouldn't have been any misunderstanding.

And yes, the player in the thread I was linking might well be lying. But lying about what the GM said to him makes very little sense (although it isn't impossible) and the GMs supposed statement is what concerns me. As I'm sure you are aware, neither of the things listed below require any hardware input but can be done with an addon without any outside/3rd party automation.

1. Refresh the auction house window
2. Get the information on auctions such as what the item is and the buyout price
3. Make a bid/buyout on an auction

Thus it shouldn't matter at all that the auction was bought instantly for the GM in question. It is the expected result of using the API to buy stuff on the AH. The GM suggesting that being indicative of botting is the issue. It suggests a potential policy problem. This is why I seek clarification from the GM team.

[Diametra]

The only thing I can find right now is this:

Re: Unban Appeal
by Nathrizyr » Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:19 pm

Greetings,

Any use of programs or external hardware to automate playing without your presence is considered a bot. The offense has been confirmed, thus your account will remain banned. You are welcome to create a new account and follow our Terms of Use.

Regards, GM Team
***********************

Don't know if that covers your question or not. Hopefully, a Gm can address the issue. Also, as you may have noted, what was ok in retail isn't always necesarily ok on Nostalrius.

[Tinkertown]

The only thing I can find right now is this:

Re: Unban Appeal
by Nathrizyr » Wed Jan 13, 2016 8:19 pm

Greetings,

Any use of programs or external hardware to automate playing without your presence is considered a bot. The offense has been confirmed, thus your account will remain banned. You are welcome to create a new account and follow our Terms of Use.

Regards, GM Team
***********************

Don't know if that covers your question or not. Hopefully, a Gm can address the issue. Also, as you may have noted, what was ok in retail isn't always necesarily ok on Nostalrius.

No, this doesn't answer my question at all as it deals with 3rd party programs and other outside automation and not addons.

[Tinkertown]

Bump for an answer to what aught to be a very straightforward question to answer.

Is API automation always safe from beeing considered botting? (Except in case of mistakes ofc, anyone can make a mistake.)