Rules about scripts

The rules simply say this


"additional actions which also incur punishment include using scripts & bots to provide advantage"

Do players think the rules should be more explicit about what is regarded as an "advantage"?
Do the punishments need to be more specific?

bump

Why did you bump a thread 6 minutes old on the front page?

Oh, I see, trying to get post count up for no reason...

And as for the rules, if it gains you an advantage over another player, don't use it... [:sick:]

Why are you bumping a 5 minute old thread in GD? o.o I see Sweeney beat me to it.


OT: I think advantage is pretty clear, but I guess a few examples wouldn't hurt. I guess listing the punishment(s) could be done too, although this shouldn't really be of any concern if you just stick to the rules.

You could say that about any script used vs someone not using the script. The whole point of using it is to gain an advantage over the player not using the script.

My understanding is that if the script performs an action for you then it's illegal.

I think all scripts should be banned.


'patiently waits for a massive avalanche of whining and bleating'

If you are posting that in effort to see massive amounts of bitching, then you're no better then the pock faced trolls you normally are complaining about.

i really do think all scripting should be banned.

the pock faced trolls can do whatever they want about my opinion.

I agree, it's text based game, why do players need to use scripts?[:sick:]

Already, I can see that there will be some players who think all scripts provide an advantage.
There will also be some players who think scripts which just perform a degree of mouse clicks to speed things up - shortcuts - do NOT give an advantage. But some will disagree with this.
I have heard it said over the years that scripts which cause harm to other players should not be allowed. In other words it is not about "advantage" it is about others been "dis-advantaged"
When it comes to punishments, in my view these need to be explicitly stated in order to provide a deterrent.
With the recent API - is this now a time to say that unless scripts make use of API they are not allowed in game?.

They can't really say that scripts that don't use the API can't be used. For one, they've been around for just as long as Torn has, so trying to take them away would be hard. Plus, it's all client-side, so they'd have no way of knowing if anyone was using them anyway. Not to mention, where would you draw the line? Would TravelRun be illegal? Or my Excel spreadsheet I used to use to compute what players would work best in what position?

Players can get data from the game in a number of ways - The API, a browser extension or userscript that reads the page, or even manual entry/copy-and-paste. Trying to classify legality on HOW the data is gathered would be a very difficult line to draw or enforce.

Now, we move on to manipulated the data. Once a script gets the data by whatever means, there's a lot that can be done. Making things like my Torn Tools program, or something more elaborate like Torn Stats - The possibilities are endless. So this is where Torn drew the line, at HOW the data is manipulated and how it's used.

There was once a script that would automatically open the travel page if you were under attack. This was quickly deemed illegal because it gave an unfair advantage to the user, making them essentially invincible if they wanted to be. It is legal, however, to inform the user with a popup or alert that they are under attack, and then they can take their own action. Some may argue this is an advantage, since not everyone sits and stares at their health bar, but this has already been okay'd because there's no automation - it's just getting the information (your health) and telling you when it changed.

Whether or not you use or don't use a script doesn't deem an advantage or disadvantage, since everyone can theoretically use it.

erm I'll bite, ban all scripts is a pretty narrow view, some scripts simple make things a little easier to use or fix issues.
Chat boxes now cover the bottom of the screen so that you have to close them to see whatever is underneath because you can't scroll down enough. I wrote a simple script that adds 320px to the bottom of the page so I don't have to close chat all the time. That is technically a script, that should be banned?
How about the scripts that do things like change the color of the background to make it easier on your eyes? Banned there too I guess?

Just because everyone can use it doesn't mean they should...

It's just a game, no need to, let's face facts and address the word here, cheat? [:sick:]

Grey Area/Potato Area

Sooo.. Ched added a feature to the game that can only be used to cheat with( the API)? As you can only use the api in scripts..
(unless you want to see a lot of scrambled numbers and letters by going to the direct link ofcourse)

And.. He also hires cheaters to his staff then? Seeing how IceBluefire made Torn Stats he's obviously a cheater.. Or Clansdancer in pt whom are using a complete overhaul to the game (a script called alteracoes).

So, lets face the facts, it's not that simple.

edit:

To the op: the answer given by McNeo is as accurate as it gets.

All scripts/programs using the API are legal as long as they do not automate actions for you (such as taking xanax and training when drug cd = 0 for example)

Also, @sweeney_todd
"Just because everyone can use it doesn't mean they should..."

Ched himself encourages use of the API, does this mean that Chedburn should be fedded?

Staying on topic....

If you go to http://www.api.torn.com, you will be able to read the documentation for the API and decide for yourself what the limits are.

If you are ever unsure, drop a mail to Clansy including in detail it's functionality and what it will be used for. If you get the go-ahead, you're fine.

If you gain an unfair advantage (for instance, a script that would disconnect or disable a player, or something unintended like that) it would be problematic.

Most scripts are fine.

scripts that automate repetitive actions, that shouldn't be as repetitive as they are to begin with. repeatedly betting $10 on slots and exchanging hundreds of flowers/plushies for points are two examples that come to mind.

i also appreciate the scripts that alert me to there being an item in the city. i understand people not liking the item being highlighted, but i appreciate not wasting my time searching for items that aren't there.

Yeah the rules are quite unclear here, as many scripts are allowed in Torn that, in a form, give an advantage to the player, many with specific staff saying it's ok. But like was said earlier, it's more of what gives dis-advantages to others, as to where the lines are.