Topic

Staff Topic

Alts, Keys & Rules

There's been all kinds of crazy speculation about us suspending accounts which sign in from the same IP address or accounts created by the same person to play two separate characters. This is just crazy speculation: we have not done this, we have no plans to ever do it and it doesn't make any sense at all.

(I know there was a player who claimed they had two accounts, one of which was deleted an the other suspended, because it was the same person playing both: this is simply false. We don't publicly explain the private details of account suspensions or deletions but we always communicate the details explicitly to the player involved. And we almost never take any permanent action without warning the player and trying to work with them to improve the situation. If they then make up a story there's not much we can do … other than write a post like this ;)

Creating more than one character to play the game in a different way (e.g., another kind of persona, a different combination of skills, whatever) is totally fine with us. It can be fun! And, of course, playing with friends, family, roommates or whoever you like is encouraged. We do not use IP addresses for much more than diagnosing network problems: those who are saying that we will ban accounts which originate from the same IP address are just making it up. Ignore them.

However, we don't want people creating secondary accounts simply for the purpose of giving the real character an advantage they would not otherwise have or doing something which would otherwise be impossible.

So, to be explicit, this is not allowed: creating a secondary account, using the first character to give the new character the money to buy a house, having the second character buy a house and give a key to the main character and then just continuing to play the new character as one who effectively owns two houses.

I don't know all the details, but I understand that at some point last week, some guide or staff member (guides are player volunteers)  said that it was ok to create a second account for the sole purpose of giving your primary account two houses. I apologize for the miscommunication and inconsistency: there's a lot going on all the time and sometimes we'll get out of sync and either not communicate everything internally or not communicate everything properly to the guides. We're always trying to improve and build better processes to discuss the ramifications of new features, but we will sometimes fail. When that happens, it's our fault and no player is going to be punished for it.

Indeed, we're not out to punish people for anything (other than the obvious: griefing, harassing and generally just trying to make life miserable for other players). And we do not just go around arbitrarily banning/suspending/deleting accounts — when we think someone is doing something they oughtn't, we proactively get in touch with them (with a question or a warning or a clarification of our policies, depending on the situation).  

* * *

All feedback is welcome, but a time-saving bit of forewarning: if you are the type inclined to make arguments of the form "A is like B and B is like C and C is like D so you can see that A and D are really just exactly the same thing …" when A and D are obviously different, you'll be wasting your time.

(I went to grad school for philosophy and *literally* spent several months —months I will never get back, mind— thinking about how if you have a heap of sand and you remove just one grain, you still have a heap of sand … and yet at some point you'll get to the last grain of sand and obviously that's not a heap. It's kind of intellectually interesting for a while, but you're not going to convince us that creating a secondary account for the sole purpose of giving your main character another house is the same thing as playing Glitch with your spouse or friend.)

Posted 12 months ago by stoot barfield Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • I did read your whole post, Shepherdmoon, and noticed what you say. But then you discuss only part of the sentence. The problem is that the key part of all this is "simply for the purpose of". If you argue without taking this part into account, then your argument is not valid.
    Posted 12 months ago by Ximenez Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Ximenez, "simply for the purpose of" is kind of meaningless, since there is no way for TS to tell what the real motivations are behind anyone's actions. I still believe this is unclear, and I'm not entirely sure why you find that to be so offensive.
    Posted 12 months ago by Shepherdmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • So when are we going to have sand in Glitch?  That seems like what we need to make things of glass: beakers [sic], test tubes, firefly jars, etc.
    Posted 12 months ago by Leites Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Shepherdmoon: I don't find it offensive. Please don't take things like that.

    I understand from the OP that if you create another account and really play both your characters, and don't make one of them work for the other, then any interaction between them is ok. As I said, there are gray areas, but the main thing is clear. Maybe I'm wrong.

    ETA: TS doesn't know your motivations, but they certainly log your actions.
    Posted 12 months ago by Ximenez Subscriber! | Permalink
  • What I took from this is: If you actively play both accounts, the rule against alts doesn't apply to you. If you teeter back and forth between accounts, that's also okay. It happens - maybe for a while you're just having more fun with one than the other.

    The rule is there to prevent people from creating an alt for the sole purpose of giving their main an advantage whether it's through:
    a) having both in-game at once, in order to gain bonuses such as through mining;
    b) harvesting trees/animals more than the max twice a day allowance and giving everything to the main;
    c) collecting quoins on the alt through the 100-day limit and trading them all to the main;
    d) buying a house in a different area, specifically to gain the benefits of both types of houses for the main, or
    e) any other thing in that manner of gameplay.

    The key difference is that the alt that is not okay has the sole purpose of providing the main with resources they would otherwise not have and never touching the alt for gameplay in any other way. Trading keys should be fine as long as you are not doing it for the sole purpose of benefiting your main only. If you actively play your alt at times, it shouldn't be an issue with TS.

    I don't know, that's how I understand it anyway.
    Posted 12 months ago by Myuki Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Lord Bacon-o said And the problem is having to make choices?

    Even if you want to look at it like that, when I made my choice for a home there were distinctly less uses for herbs in game. Now there are a lot more, some options have been removed (vendors for tree poison) and there is no easy way for a house move. Skills and player needs have evolved but homes/communal gardens lag behind.
    Posted 12 months ago by Douro Subscriber! | Permalink
  • To be clear. I created a second account during the previous beta period. I played that character until it reached level 5, and then mostly abandoned it. When keys and potions arrived, I sent it money, bought a bog house, and used the house as a "second property" for my main. This is not exactly like creating an account "simply for the purpose of". And I'm a bit angry that I can't use the herb plots any more. But I understand the rule, find it sensible and admit it applies to me. So I revoked the key my alt gave to my main. The alt is still there, and maybe some day I'll play it again.
    Posted 12 months ago by Ximenez Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @ Douro: That's why they announced a change in housing on its way. People just need to be patient for it to be implemented. Who knows what it'll be like! :)
    Posted 12 months ago by Myuki Subscriber! | Permalink
  • It's OK, Ximenez: just from you're "tone" (if you can call it that with typed text), I had the impression you were attacking me personally just a little bit, so I got on the defensive.

    The gray areas are what are worrying me, and my problem is that I don't know where the gray area turns to black. I really, really don't want to lose my account for doing something I thought was innocent. Will I get my account suspended because I send my alt an emblem or a cubimal? Is that an advantage they wouldn't have had otherwise? I don't really see this as black and white, and that is what's concerning me. Until I'm sure, my alt and my main will have zero contact whatsoever, although I would prefer to be able to have some minor interaction between them if that is allowed.
    Posted 12 months ago by Shepherdmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I would suggest that if you are in doubt about whether a particular action would give you an unfair advantage, then don't take that action. On the other hand, the OP indicates that if you are possibly in violation of the TOS or CG, then TS will work with you so you understand the issue and have a chance to change. 

    The problem with Stoot's rules is they require an adult to use common sense. :-)
    Posted 12 months ago by BarryW Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Sheperdmoon

    And we do not just go around arbitrarily banning/suspending/deleting accounts — when we think someone is doing something they oughtn't, we proactively get in touch with them (with a question or a warning or a clarification of our policies, depending on the situation).  
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I think it's safe to say, based on stoot's post, that players will be given ample warning and time to reform if they are found to be "abusing" their alt.  That is all I need to know to feel comfortable.  Thank you stoot for your very prompt response to our concerns!
    Posted 12 months ago by Zoethor2 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • +1 MILLION to Jennyany.  ^_^
    Posted 12 months ago by ♪♥~ Auren ~♥♪ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thanks for the post stoot!  It helps, even if it does continue to raise further questions for certain instances.  I think those of us that had actively playing alts well before keys even came into play have it a little easier, so I can understand how it might still be a bit confusing for some.

    I especially appreciate the comments -
    "Creating more than one character to play the game in a different way (e.g., another kind of persona, a different combination of skills, whatever) is totally fine with us."
    "If you haven't heard from us about something specific you should be doing, you don't need to [do] anything."

    Looking forward to the upcoming changes to the housing with the various building/remodeling options to see how that plays into this as well.  

    ETA: The way I look at it is, if I would do it for a friend in game, then it's probably okay if I do it with my alt.  I regularly share resources and gift things to friends, so it's probably okay if I do it with my alt (as long as it's not in excess or providing any major advantage). I think some are wrestling with the providing 'an advantage' terminology...maybe it would be more clear if it had a qualifier that was something like 'an obvious/major advantage'.  Sharing with friends provides 'an advantage' to those players that don't have friends...most actions in game that benefit another whether friend or alt would provide 'an advantage'. And I think TS wants to promote sharing, helping others, building community spirit...so 'advantages' in game are a positive thing.  I think folks are looking for the measure of that advantage between main and alt to help them determine if their own actions are going against the TOS... unfortunately, in a game like this, it's probably hard for TS to define a good measure...it's a more 'they'll know it when they see it' philosophy...which does make it challenging for the players.  

    For me, for now, I'm going to go with the philosophy of if I would do it for a friend and I treat my alt like a very trustworthy friend, then it's probably okay.  And if I'm using my alt, to enhance my enjoyment of the game by having a different character, and it's having minimal negative impact on others (ie, not grieving, not cornering the auction market, etc.) and a minimal positive impact on my main (ie, sharing/gifting some resources but not sending everything to the main, allowing one account to refill the piggy feeders of the other account, etc.), then it's probably okay.
    Posted 12 months ago by b3achy Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I like Myuki's interpretation of the rules: I find that fair and sensible. I hope that is the correct interpretation.
    Posted 12 months ago by Shepherdmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Well, I'm going to continue playing my alt. I created my alt almost a whole month before the keys came out. I'll probably revoke key access for both of them though, as soon as I evacuate the piggies from the bog house, just to be sure.

    EDIT:
    Myuki's interpretation seems to be the one that captures the spirit of what Stoot has said.
    Posted 12 months ago by Mal'akh Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Actually, in addition to my other comment I think the best summary of it would be: Don't use an alt to circumvent the limits set by the game in order to benefit your main. If the game puts a limit on something, it's probably there for a reason.
    Posted 12 months ago by Myuki Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I guess, for me, I just don't care if someone has a million harvest on a tree or more potions than I have and I don't really care how they get them or how they use them. Their game play has no effect on my game play and when or if harvesting more meat or having 4 houses DOES alter my game play them maybe I will care. So that's why I was asking why it was a big deal. 
    Posted 12 months ago by Hybie Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Shepherdmoon (& others asking for more explicit guidelines):

    I understand and empathize with your frustration with gray areas, but I don't agree that those gray areas should be completely eliminated.

    Right now, there's a LOT of gray area, governed by one overarching principle: don't create an alt and use it to give your main an advantage that a player only playing one glitch would not have. TS explicitly stated a specific case that broke that rule -- simultaneously logging in and playing both at the same time -- because a large number of people were doing it.

    Immediately, some players (and unfortunately, some people speaking from a position of more authority) took the rule and the specific example to be mutually exclusive statements of what was and wasn't ok, which led to a very large portion of the current apprehension, confusion, and drama when additional clarification came out around sharing housing. "But I'm not playing them at the same time, so it should be fine!"

    Once you limit prohibited activities to a list of any sort, then the actual exploiters start looking for loopholes with the understanding that "It's not on the list, so it's ok!" becomes a valid defense. As an example, as soon as someone said, "Don't create an alt, give an alt money to buy a house... etc.," then the arguments started coming in, "but what if...?" [ETA:] Your list quickly becomes tens or even hundreds of items long to cover every eventuality uncovered. This is not hyperbole; I've seen it happen at more than one forum/site/game.

    Additionally, by explicitly defining what constitutes inappropriate behavior, the real exploiters try to figure out how to break the spirit of the law without breaking the letter.

    I'm not saying that all people who are asking questions are exploiters; as a matter of fact, most of them are probably either people who are confused and trying to figure out whether they are going to get in trouble, or people who are asking questions for the fun of the discussion. (I admit that I'm often the second type.)

    TL;DR conclusion:
    If you're honestly worried, you have a few options:

    1) Don't have any contact at all between your alts, or, even better, don't run an alt. This is the most limiting, but also the safest.

    2) Do what you want. TS has said that if they see a problem, they'll talk to you first and try to resolve the issue amicably. This is pretty generous in a community that could get very, very big, but so far, most of what I've seen shows a fairly sensible, fair approach to difficult situations, even if I don't agree with the actual decision, if that makes any sense.

    3) Try to walk the line using common sense. Ask yourself questions like:

    a) Is all the "giving" between alts going one way? Why?
    b) Do all the alts have all the skills and all the "stuff"? Why?
    c) Do you spend most of your time on one character and just log into the other to make something and send it to the "main" because it's easier?
    d) Would you help someone else out this way, or are you being more generous because you're "helping yourself"?
    e) Are you playing both characters basically the same way? Why do you need both?

    I know that's not really the type of "clarification" you asked for, but I actually agree with the decision to be so non-specific in the guidelines and I hope we can keep them that way.
    Posted 12 months ago by EnnuiStreet Subscriber! | Permalink
  • oh stoot, your post is so sweet. I have to say it's impossible not loving you. The sand example is really great. You may not know this, but I (and many others for sure) always learn a lot with you and your ideas.

    thanks forever XD
    Posted 12 months ago by acreditando Subscriber! | Permalink
  • EnnuiStreet - I want to have two characters because I want one to be my main character and have (a private) Home 1 and then I want my alt to be able to run a "store" out of Home 2. But even though my alt is running the store, I want to be able to contribute meat from my main or whatever else. I regularly try to collect things to send to my friends, so I don't think that this would be behavior specific to my alt. Hopefully my alt would have every skill; the giving should go both ways. However, I can't guarantee which account I would spend the most my time on, only that I would be playing both on and off.

    I definitely want both characters to have access to both homes, because I want my alt or my main to be able to pick up bags, extra supplies, or whatever else the issue is. Stuff like that. Both characters ARE being played independently, but at the same time they're both intertwined. This type of behavior would be the same no matter if I did this with my friend or with my alt.

    I understand the rules, I just don't understand the difference between my alt letting my main harvest crops and someone selling a key to all their herb plots. I know that this is a specific example, but I do feel like this is an issue that (plus or minus), is many people could have. It seems like it's all common sense to me, but I don't want to assume that, especially since I assumed that there was no issue with my alt buying a house (which clearly isn't the case) :P I like that the rules aren't so "rigid", but at the same time I feel like this is a common issue that *should* be addressed somewhere. 
    Posted 12 months ago by heartNadia Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Jennyanydots -- and now you know why my cat is named Bastian :D

    @Stoot -- thank you for the clarification.  It sounds like what I'm doing (enjoying playing both characters on different paths, leveling my second character and doing quests, doing some trade back and forth but not in a way that I wouldn't do with my daughter/partner/friends) is allowed, which is a relief.  

    I've gotten to a point with my first character where I literally don't have any outstanding quests at the moment (although I am confident that more higher-level content is coming in the future, since you guys are awesome about that), and I'm really enjoying opening up the world in a different way with my newer character.  

    Glad to have some official clarification so that we can all stop worrying! :)
    Posted 12 months ago by Ashbet Subscriber! | Permalink
  • The problem with resource control is when it hits the extremes and how those involved utilize it. You may not care if somebody sits there with billions of currants, but if they use it to literally buy out every single resource on the AH, it effectively becomes useless and players are forced to utilize alternative means of trading. Decreased fluidity of the economy changes the value of certain skills, importance of communal development, etc. I admit, it's a bit of an apocalyptic case, but [relatively] infinite resource production is crippling.

    ---

    ""Don't create an alt, give an alt money to buy a house... etc.," then the arguments started coming in, "but what if...?" [ETA:] Your list quickly becomes tens or even hundreds of items long to cover every eventuality uncovered. This is not hyperbole; I've seen it happen at more than one forum/site/game."

    Indeed. I've read one employee manual that specifies exactly what a sleeve is, down to shape, length, and what part of the body is the shoulder. According to legend, it started when somebody argued that a bra strap constituted as clothes covering the shoulder.
    Posted 12 months ago by Aoi Subscriber! | Permalink
  • was getting really sick of all the rumors I was reading...thanks for clearing this up!
    Posted 12 months ago by ◘ ▪ Leï.Leï ▪ ◘ Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'll be kind of sorry to see the alts go; Shimla was a happening place for a day or two there. Oh well, at least there'll be jellis left to pick.
    Posted 12 months ago by N2ZOrtolanaBlue Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Aoi
    Exactly! That's why anti-trust laws came about in the first place.

    ------------------

    @stoot barfield
    Laying down the ground rules is only half the battle, these rules still need to be enforced. However, since TS is an indie company with limited resources, I doubt you have the manpower nor interest in policing players; nor should you, because that will seriously harm the community spirit this game is built on.

    Look at the present day situation. Look at MF Global, how they misused segregated client funds; look at Maastricht Treaty, how the majority of signatories failed to keep deficits and debt levels within stipulated bands. Rules that are unenforceable, are useless.

    The best solution is to create disincentives for undesirable symptoms.

    Abusive behaviour towards other players has already been addressed, the staff has openly stated that they do take firm action with zero tolerance for such disruptive gaming, so that should not be a big issue down the road.

    The bigger headache is how to counter cheating, which I will simply define as having an unfair advantage over other players who play the game the way it was meant to be played. Let us not waste time and energy arguing semantics, most of the community are adults and have an innate understanding what cheating means even if denied on record.

    How to counter? Generally, the best way is to have game mechanics that are self-regulating.

    a) understand demand and supply and balance resources accordingly
    b) to catch a criminal, you must think like a criminal; and be one step ahead of him! Tell your QAs to try all manners of exploits and plug the holes before a feature goes live; before players discover them and cause long term dislocation in the virtual economy. Long term, because this is a persistent world. The effects stay dormant until they don't, then what you will see is hyperinflation and the resulting disenchantment among more casual players. (When Confucius said, "The nature of Man is kind," well, he lied.)
    c) put more money sinks into the game. Cubimals alone won't cut it. Try lottery for toys. Lots and lots of new toys. Toys we can actually decorate our houses or do cool things with, that everyone would want one/more.

    In short, what is needed is not a degree in philosophy, but in economics/behavioral finance.

    I hope the game gets a major reset before re-launching. This coming from a glitch with 1.1MM currants should dispel any doubt over motives. Sorry for the long rant.
    Posted 12 months ago by Wayfarer Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Very nice comment, EnnuiStreet!

    :)
    Posted 12 months ago by Louis Louisson Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Stoot - thanks for your post, it has just reinforced my already held view that you're a very clever guy...

    Thanks for Glitch!
    Posted 12 months ago by Arietty Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Is it okay for an alt to put items up on auction, then for the first character to BUY those items off of auction? (Assuming the items are priced at fair market value, not artificially low.) Has anyone done this?
    Posted 12 months ago by Becky Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Wayfarer:
    I hope the game gets a major reset before re-launching. This coming from a glitch with 1.1MM currants should dispel any doubt over motives. Sorry for the long rant.

    Value is in the eye of the beholder. For me, currants mean nothing, and have little to no value. I can easily produce over 50k currants a day and is quite scalable if I ever need to get more with minimal effort. Your 1.1 million currants is hardly a reason for a reset in my eyes. Heck, if you don't need them, why not donate them to low level glitches? They can surely need a helping hand with their first house.

    On the other hand, I'd hate to have to wait another RL month and a half to re-learn all the skills I have learned; or to re-start my cubimal collection from scratch; or to rebuild my (nearly) complete collection of icons. They're pretty and I look forward to the ability to build a chapel in my next home; and a relaxation room with cubis to entertain my guests *smile*

    This is why I've said a number of times why I think a total reset is really a bad idea; and I believe that's why many from the TS staff including Stoot said a reset is extremely unlikely.
    Posted 12 months ago by Heatseeker Subscriber! | Permalink
  • So... when central banks print money and dilute the value of hard work by honest citizens all over the world, you won't care simply because you have enough to get by? Maybe people WILL care when brent oil hits $200 a barrel.

    If only you knew the extent of the problem. Virtual game economies are but a facet of reality.

    Good thing there's no heating required for homes up in Aranna!
    Posted 12 months ago by Wayfarer Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I support the idea of more and more appealing money sinks. This is the real long term solution to devaluation of in-game currency, and it's successfully implemented in many games. Either that, or monthly resets.
    Posted 12 months ago by Heatseeker Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Wayfarer

    "In short, what is needed is not a degree in philosophy, but in economics/behavioral finance."

    Strongly disagree, philosophers are exactly what we need.
    Posted 12 months ago by Mukha the Cuddly Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm glad this has finally been jotted down, but IMO it should have been said in the intro post to the keys function. I've never had an alt myself, but I can see how those who do/did would feel confused. I mean, TS should have guessed that the Potionmaking skills would create a situation where alts would be bought bog houses almost solely for the herb garden feature.

    I wonder how the situation will change with the upcoming housing revamp. If we still have to specialise in either crops or herbs, I guess I'll move to a bog house and ask my friends to plant awesome stew veggies for me from time to time.
    Posted 12 months ago by Souran Sweet Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Thank you for solidifying your stance about alts. After having read this, I have since sold all the houses my alts owned (I owned the entire 3500 block of Palsa Mosch, now that they're empty, the ones with dark patches come with a free eggplant.) and have stopped using them.

    While I love the idea of being able to use alts, I understand their reasoning for not allowing them purely for houses.
    Posted 12 months ago by Jurkowski Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @EnnuiStreet:

    "I actually agree with the decision to be so non-specific in the guidelines and I hope we can keep them that way."

    Amen to that. Rules, in this sense, are like a grain of sand. There's a big difference between wiggling your toes in warm sand and being buried under a dune.
    Posted 12 months ago by TK-855 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I appreciate the spirit of these new rules but they seem completely unenforceable. There are too many outs for a bad actor who's willing to lie.
    Posted 12 months ago by mirth Subscriber! | Permalink
  • @Mirth: True, but I think the point is that running an alt character for profit/advantage has a recognizable pattern (just as griefers do). So, rather than punch up a bunch of rules, the staff is free to address them on a per-case basis. For example, your car doesn't have a limiter that holds the top speed to the appropriate speed limit; you are ultimately responsible for how fast you drive, rather than automakers having to put some kind of kludgy limiter in place.
    Posted 12 months ago by TK-855 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Woohoo! Time to go create Sturminator Moore, the miner extraordinaire!

    Yes, I seed my alts with some currants, but I've given more away to others than my alts!!!
    Posted 12 months ago by Sturminator 5 Subscriber! | Permalink
  • If in doubt - watch the sky, smell the breeze, gather sand, and feel your innerGlitch.
    Posted 12 months ago by MeherMan Subscriber! | Permalink
  •  I understand the rule but how can they differentiate between someone with one or 2 more accounts and someone who has family that also plays the game? Me and my brother play the game alot..We play on the same computer since the other 2 desktops in the house cant log into the net anymore and months have passed and we havent been able to fix it...              So we take turns on the same computer..usually one or the other is behind the one playing...We help each other..When I started playing the game I had accumulated a lot of currants and stuff by the time he got interested...So he eventually created an account and began to play. I gave him part of my money so he could buy a house..When we play we dont think of it as his or his but more like ours..We share what we need...He got to do the making powders first before I ever did and I already had the high mining skill so I mined and he powdered...No keeping how much one used or not..If he needs food and I have it ill give it to him or even cook and give it to him and visa versa... So from the perspective of someone looking from outside they might think I have an alt account..How can they tell the difference?                                                                To make it more complicated my other brother wants to create an account but he doesnt want any of the lightcool houses..He prefers a bog house...but I know him..He will play and log off for a while and then play again weeks latter and stop...In the meantime his house sits empty...So will it be okay if he gives us a key and we go to his house and water, feed or whatever we need?? Use what we get?? Then wouldnt it look like I had 3 alts?? I have enough trouble with one alt..I wouldnt want a second let alone a third..yet still from the outside it would look like 3 alts...Would this be a problem??
    Posted 12 months ago by Me, Myself and I Subscriber! | Permalink
  • If  you have more than one character signed in at the same time from a single computer it will look like you are breaking the rules. 

    If you take turns, and one person signs out before the next person starts to play, then it won't look like you are breaking the rules.  

    You may want to have a conversation with TS staff (start a bug report) about your situation, and give them information that lets them figure out which player goes with which character.  Because your situation will be difficult for them unless you do that.
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I apologize if this has already been stated.

    This whole problem of alt accounts would be greatly reduced if they hadn't released the new skills that has increased the want/need for herbs. At least that's what I have come across with people who said they have alt accounts.

    Tiny Speck should have made herb plots available in all houses before launching these new skills and/or more community herb gardens, that is where the first mistake was. With the new skills that need herbs, it's just created more conflict because of the limited space to grow the herbs and people stealing from each other.

    I know there are changes coming, and I can only assume herb plots will be available in the houses. I'm think that will help to reduce this problem. Until then, as long as it's not in the TOS, people should be allowed to do as they please with their alt accounts as long as they are not disturbing other players game play. This recent problem wasn't created by the Glitch community, it was created by Tiny Speck and is mistiming of new skills.

    Just my opinion.
    Posted 12 months ago by Meez Mike Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Meez Mike, the problem is that it was already in the TOS.  You can't just 'do as you please' with your alt accounts because there were already rules and people were not following them.

    It was the interpretation of the rules, which Tiny Speck has clarified, that was causing the problem, not the lack of rules.  
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Where in the TOS? I have read quite a bit of it, and it's not very specific or clear about alt accounts and what you do with them. They have been changing them the past few days so they need to get it sorted out. I spoke with somebody at support the other day and they even said something was in the TOS when it wasn't and that they must have changed it recently. So who knows, maybe it's there today when it wasn't the other day. Interpretation can be different for different people, and that is why it needs to be clear in the TOS and not something left open to interpretation.

    Just because Stoot or Staff posted in the forums doesn't not really make it official as well. It needs to be in the TOS.  I'm sure they are a very large number of people that don't pay attention to the forums, so in those peoples eyes, as long as it's not clear in the TOS, they are following the rules.

    There are always going to be people who break the rules, figuring out how to keep it to a minimum is the key. But like I said before, hopefully the new changes they have coming will help reduce the alt accounts quite a bit just because of the new skills being released before they should have been.
    Posted 12 months ago by Meez Mike Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I'm in complete agreement with Hybie.... I could care less what people do in the game, if they own 1 house or 5.  I have an alt, it owns a house that lets me plant herbs because I couldn't ever find a single plot in the community gardens and I sure wasn't going to stand there for hours waiting for one.  But I also enjoy the alt as it gives me quests again, where my main is completely out.  So does this mean that I have to revoke the key? (- Because my alt uses my main home, also)  But I'm not logged into her AS much, but still do on occasion to mix it up a bit.Alts are fine to me, having one, two, three... whatever floats your boat.  :shrugs:
    Posted 12 months ago by Marla Singer Subscriber! | Permalink
  • This Meez Mike

    • Using bots, mules, or other hacks to gain significant and unfair advantage in the game is not allowed.
    • Multiple accounts controlled by one person playing at the same time is not allowed.
    --------------

    Just because Stoot or Staff posted in the forums doesn't not really make it official as well.
    Well, sorry, but it is official if it's posted in the forums as a staff topic.  Ignorance of the rules doesn't give you a free pass to break them.

    That's basically saying:  If I don't know the rules I can do anything I want in the game and nobody can stop me, not even Tiny Speck.
    Posted 12 months ago by WindBorn Subscriber! | Permalink
  • There needs to be a 'read postings in the xyz area of the Forum and abide by them' clause put in the TOS.  And then a moderated or closed-to-regular-posts section xyz needs to be put in place.  Because no:  people should not be obligated to plow their way through the, err...,  stuff in these forum threads to know what is and is not against the rules.  I find refreshing the possibility that there are glitches out there having a wonderful time in Ur who have never, ever, read a single forum post.
    Posted 12 months ago by Parrow Gnolle Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I have looked at the TOS and what you quoted is not there.

    --------------------------------------------------


    Cheating and Hacks:
    You agree not to

    modify the Service to change gameplay, including creating cheats and/or hacks or using third-party software to access files in the Service;

    engage in using macros, auto-looting or robot play or any other behavior that allows you (or any character you are controlling) to automatically function or effect any action to obtain significant or unfair advantage in the game with or without your presence;

    obtain or attempt to access or otherwise obtain any materials or information through any means not intentionally made available or provided for through the Service; or

    exploit errors in design, features which are not documented and/or bugs to gain access that would otherwise not be available or to obtain any competitive advantage.

    --------------------------------------------------

    And just because people do not read the forums, that does not make them ignorant to the rules.

    It is not official if it's only posted in the forums.

    That would never hold up in a court of law (not that this would go that far on this matter I would hope). It's a community forum, some people chose to read posts others do not. The only ignorance is thinking that everybody is reading the forums and that rules posted by staff are official. They are a good idea of what is ok and what is not, but not official.

    If those people are reading the TOS, that's not a free pass to break rules just because they do not read forums, because they are not breaking them if it's not in the TOS.

    I'm for following the rules, but again it needs to be in the TOS and not just in a forum that many people do not read. I'm not quite sure why you are even arguing with me. I have worked in the online gaming industry (in CA) that had a very large community in the forums, as well as the company lawyer when it comes to these things.
    Posted 12 months ago by Meez Mike Subscriber! | Permalink
  • "Well, sorry, but it is official if it's posted in the forums as a staff topic."

    Well, *that's* basically saying: All players must read every single thing that's posted by staff to the forums.

    That's not really a reasonable expectation. IMHO, this kind of thing is what the Community Guidelines are for - basically a layman's summary of what's appropriate and what isn't. The section on multiple accounts in the CG should probably be expanded a little.
    Posted 12 months ago by dopiaza Subscriber! | Permalink