AFK foraging

[Maevenniia]

IIRC, a Dev or SOE rep said once that using a programmable device or the autofire program was not against the EULA as long as you were AT THE KEYBOARD (100% of the time, aside from bio breaks, I guess.)

They cannot completely disallow such devices because some people may have legit reasons for using them (carpal tunnel syndrome, for example) and they could get sued if they banned someone likethat, more than likely (for discrimination against someone with a disability.) Since they are not about to demand medical certificates from everyone, anyone can use these devices....as long as they are there, at the computer. AFK is a no-no, as you aren't "experiencing the game/nt" if you are AFK. {bazaar traders/buyers are an exception, of course, hehe.}

[Twistagain]

IIRC, a Dev or SOE rep said once that using a programmable device or the autofire program was not against the EULA as long as you were AT THE KEYBOARD (100% of the time, aside from bio breaks, I guess.)

They cannot completely disallow such devices because some people may have legit reasons for using them (carpal tunnel syndrome, for example) and they could get sued if they banned someone likethat, more than likely (for discrimination against someone with a disability.) Since they are not about to demand medical certificates from everyone, anyone can use these devices....as long as they are there, at the computer. AFK is a no-no, as you aren't "experiencing the game/nt" if you are AFK. {bazaar traders/buyers are an exception, of course, hehe.}

But that's my point, if being AFK for any amount of time precludes you being able to get any sort of benefit, then AFKing and gaining experience while grouping/raiding should be a no-no. Even if they "restricted" it to bathroom breaks and the like...what is that time limit? With so many exceptions (emergencies, bathroom, bazaar/barter, falling asleep at the keyboard, etc.), should there even be a rule?

[Catweazel]

I think the concept of "reasonableness" applies in the situation of AFK and benefit, and it is unlikely it will ever get defined better than that. What would (or could) a reasonable person be expected to do under the specific circumstances? A 3 hour bathroom break is unreasonable (no examples to the contrary please), one emergency is reasonable, 10 emergencies every night is unreasonable etc.

As others have pointed out, the goal behind the EULA in this area is to promote a fair gaming environment.

The concept of Foraging is sound for the game and the lore. What is a stretch to the imagination is that massive quantites of foraged items are required in certain recipes based on certain skill up paths. In the overall scheme of things I am sure the developers have plenty of other things on their plate, and that over time, these minor issues will get resolved.

[Flehmen]

But that's my point, if being AFK for any amount of time precludes you being able to get any sort of benefit, then
...

I think you are confused about the AFK and doing something as opposed to just being AFK....

This benifit concept you inserted in the discussion is a little vague and fuzzy. Is your character doing something while you are AFK(healing, dropping bombs, foraging)... then that's a no-no.

Doesn't mean I like the AFK XPing thing.... but I believe that is the definition the CSRs use.

Ten.

[Twistagain]

I think the concept of "reasonableness" applies in the situation of AFK and benefit, and it is unlikely it will ever get defined better than that. What would (or could) a reasonable person be expected to do under the specific circumstances? A 3 hour bathroom break is unreasonable (no examples to the contrary please), one emergency is reasonable, 10 emergencies every night is unreasonable etc.

Sorry, I'm a firm believer that rules need to be spelled out. When they aren't, you get exactly what we have here, people who will use loopholes to do things in the "grey" area. I'd be quite content if they specified that "AFK" means no un-macroed activity for more than 1 minute (or some other defined time limit)...and they somehow shutoff XP if that happened. But I'm fairly sure there would be a major outcry if that happened.

As others have pointed out, the goal behind the EULA in this area is to promote a fair gaming environment.

I don't believe this to be the case. The EULA exists as a CYA on the part of the company. If people weren't prone to take legal actions against companies who provide services and/or circumvent intellectual rights of those companies, then EULAs wouldn't exist. I don't think fairness in the environment is a major concern in the EULA's creation.

[Strokker]

My last point I made earlier is somewhat along these lines... Any here remember EC tunnels??? Selling items in there??? I do <man I have played a while.../sigh>, I remember when the bazaar went live this is AFK profiteering from the game yes it is designed into the game but you profit from not being there.

What if they required you to be at your keyboard while in trader mode or more recently Buyer mode, what kind of uproar would there be then? My point about the /autofire having once been either a third party softwear or being a repeatable key designed on your key board of a modified joystick or what have you...it became a game feature.

Who knows maybe /autoforage will too one day. After all the macro is not too hard to figure out <using the built in Social Keys> line one /pause 3, /autoinventory < which btw was an added feature too> line two / doability <what ever number 1-6 your forage button is>. Simple and two the point then just spam that key or set it up to left or right and yes there are just about as many variations as there are players...

[Wyvernwill]

I guess they need to get rid of Autoattack then. I have gotten up and gone afk to finish dinner while fighting raid bosses. I have gotten up and gone afk while tanking exp groups. I guess I violated the EULA. Both things work perfectly fine, as long as you are smart enough to know when it is decent enough to do so without getting yourself or others killed... and no one knows.

Is it afk foraging if you have a keyboard within reach, but aren't even paying any attention to the screen? More than once, I have watched movies or played other games while having the keyboard at my side to tap a key or two. If someone sent me a tell, I'd almost never see it... so does your test even work?

You accuse people of things in a vast grey area that is not even touched by the rules. Rules are black and white, with no middle ground for compromise... so which is it? If afk foraging is wrong... so is afk autoattacking, and not paying attention to your monitor.

[Maevenniia]

time to close the thread, I think