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  • The Perils of Single Player Games and Steam Bans

    Brothers and Sisters,

    It's time once again to remind everyone of the perils of cheating in a single player game, especially with Steam. Rule number one in our CoC is "No Cheating". It's always been that way, always will be.

    First of all, we are not talking about single player games that specifically allow "mods". The Fallout franchise, STALKER, Witcher, Borderlands, etc have the ability to be modified, and the publishers release tools expressly for this purpose and encourage it. These are not "cheats" (though yes, God mode, zero gravity, unlimited ammo etc are definitely cheating in a sense...lol) but modifications for those that wish to stretch their enjoyment of a game beyond it's original purpose and storyline.

    What constitutes a cheat? Using a 3rd party program, or unsanctioned (by the publisher) manipulation of the game's code files to achieve a certain purpose. Here's where things get sticky with games that have a single player and multiplayer dimension. The hacks that you have to download to cheat at the single player version also have components for cheating on the multiplayer side.

    Now, you may not ever have the inclination to give yourself an unfair advantage in online multiplayer matches, you just want to beat the single player game faster, increase your rank faster, unlock weapons faster, whatever. The anti-cheat programs do not differentiate between those two things. They see an MD5 hash that is misconfigured from what it is supposed to be, they're flagging it. That flag is going to result in a ban somewhere. I believe the CoD franchise's newer games allow you to unlock weapons and perks in the multiplayer version by doing things in the single player version. Cheating to get those things is still cheating, and that's how Valve is going to see it.

    When you download a "trainer", be aware that the backend of that is jacking your game files, and that jacking is going to be flagged by the anti-cheat program. In Steam, this is going to result in a VAC ban. A VAC ban will get you removed from our great Community, the same as any other ban.

    There is no excuse we will accept for a ban. Zero. Zilch. Nada. None. Be very clear on this. This is not a "gray area" issue with us. No matter who you are, what rank, how well anyone likes you, you will be kicked from =VX9=. A ban, is a ban, is a ban.

    Why? Because there is no way for us to prove otherwise. The anti-cheat program listed you as banned, not the reason why. All it is telling us is that you specifically took the time to do something that is against the ToS and EULA of a game. It's cheating, pure, plain, and simple, regardless of the reason why it was done.

    Yes, there are definitely false positives that pop up in some instances, and every time those false positives are rescinded by the anti-cheat developer very, very quickly. If there isn't a deletion of the ban, you won't be able to be a member here.

    So, please think about this anytime you look at a 3rd party program that promises rainbows and unicorns for your gameplay. Over that rainbow is usually a dismissal from our ranks, and if you truly enjoy the people that make this community great, you won't want to jeopardize that.


    One Team!
    This article was originally published in forum thread: The Perils of Single Player Games and Steam started by GreenEyed View original post
    Comments 35 Comments
    1. Tumblin's Avatar
      Tumblin -
      Read and Understood!

      One Team!
    1. sovelis025's Avatar
      sovelis025 -
      So that one time I got a 24 hour ban in SWTOR for calling someone "bantha poodoo" doesn't count right?
    1. Jayaymm's Avatar
      Jayaymm -
      Read and Understood! Glad you guys encourage members to not cheat!
    1. Kindbud's Avatar
      Kindbud -
      We do not simply encourage fair play, it's our #1 rule. If any member is caught, they will be removed from the community, regardless of rank or tenure, no exceptions, ever.
    1. enlyghten's Avatar
      enlyghten -
      Do you folks have a policy on trainers for strictly single player games? I have never and certainly intend to never use any sort of cheat or hack on multiplayer games, but I've been known to run a inf carry weight trainer in Fallout. I use Cheat Happens trainers, if anyone's interested, and they have a policy not to release trainers for multiplayer games. They also make trainers specifically for the steam version of games and I've never heard of one of their users being banned for using their trainer on a steam game that is single player only with no multiplayer functionality.

      I suppose my question is, can I get a clarification on this specific issue? As I've used these trainers on single player only games on steam since steam came out (with no indication that steam frowns on it for single player only), is it against your rules to use them at all, or are you cautioning us that if we misuse cheats/mods/hacks/trainers and get banned from something, we'll get banned from here too?

      Thanks
      enlyghten
    1. Lothior's Avatar
      Lothior -
      Quote Originally Posted by enlyghten View Post
      Do you folks have a policy on trainers for strictly single player games? I have never and certainly intend to never use any sort of cheat or hack on multiplayer games, but I've been known to run a inf carry weight trainer in Fallout. I use Cheat Happens trainers, if anyone's interested, and they have a policy not to release trainers for multiplayer games. They also make trainers specifically for the steam version of games and I've never heard of one of their users being banned for using their trainer on a steam game that is single player only with no multiplayer functionality.

      I suppose my question is, can I get a clarification on this specific issue? As I've used these trainers on single player only games on steam since steam came out (with no indication that steam frowns on it for single player only), is it against your rules to use them at all, or are you cautioning us that if we misuse cheats/mods/hacks/trainers and get banned from something, we'll get banned from here too?

      Thanks
      enlyghten
      I'd encourage you to reread the original post as that has most of your answers. But here are a few insights. Let's say the original Doom (original!) you want to use the developer implemented cheat codes "idkfa" and "iddqd" (props for those that remember what those do), that's fine. But using a trainer, or any other type of application that will directly effect the way the software is run is not good. Anytime a third party application is used it can have unintended consequences. And yes, if you're banned for cheating in any game you're banned from the community as well.

      Quote Originally Posted by GreenEyed View Post
      So, please think about this anytime you look at a 3rd party program that promises rainbows and unicorns for your gameplay. Over that rainbow is usually a dismissal from our ranks, and if you truly enjoy the people that make this community great, you won't want to jeopardize that.


      In short, it doesn't make sense to risk so much that you have here in the community over a few pixels of altered gameplay/extra money/whatever, does it?
    1. enlyghten's Avatar
      enlyghten -
      I understand the OPs point, but I haven't found anything to back up the sentiment that using a trainer on a single-player-only game is against the Steam TOS. There's plenty of mention of using cheats on multiplayer games or games with multiplayer functionality and I agree and abide by those rules. Rule #1 says "No Cheating, but then it references bans. This is ambiguous. Do you get banned here if you get banned for cheating or do you get banned from here for playing a game in a way that has no chance of affecting any other person?

      Quote Originally Posted by GreenEyed View Post
      The hacks that you have to download to cheat at the single player version also have components for cheating on the multiplayer side.
      I disagree. I use cheats from Cheat Happens which refuses to make cheats for multiplayer games. Additionally, in RTS games I never play with other people and even when I skirmish it’s only with the AI. I don’t now, nor have I ever, nor do I ever intend to use any form of cheat in any game I play that includes other people. Including games that have both single player and multiplayer that have functionality linking the two game types as mentioned by the OP

      Quote Originally Posted by Lothior View Post
      And yes, if you're banned for cheating in any game you're banned from the community as well.
      Once again this is ambiguous. Do you get banned for being banned or do you get banned for using cheats period?

      Frankly, and no offense, this sounds like an unsubstantiated scare tactic - especially your mention of the risk regarding this community when I'm yet a recruit and have invested only a couple hours and have limited knowledge of the benefits of this community. My point is, if there are official steam rules regarding single player only games and trainers and you folks can provide them, I'll abide by them, but I'm not going to change the way I play and enjoy single player games on hearsay. This will come off as blunt and possibly assholish, for which I apologize, I have invested about 3 days into this community. I have little idea of what I'm risking. I hope to find out. I hope to make this community my online home, but if it's the policy of this community to arbitrarily deny people the right to enjoy games in a way that have no possible effect on any other person in the entire world, then I may well have chosen the wrong community to apply to. If that's the case, it’s better that I find out now before I invest more time into this community.

      Once again, I apologize if I have come off rude, but I find it's better to be unflinchingly blunt in cases like this.

      Thanks for your time,
      Enlighten
    1. Lothior's Avatar
      Lothior -
      Quote Originally Posted by enlyghten View Post
      I understand the OPs point, but I haven't found anything to back up the sentiment that using a trainer on a single-player-only game is against the Steam TOS. There's plenty of mention of using cheats on multiplayer games or games with multiplayer functionality and I agree and abide by those rules. Rule #1 says "No Cheating, but then it references bans. This is ambiguous. Do you get banned here if you get banned for cheating or do you get banned from here for playing a game in a way that has no chance of affecting any other person?

      If you were to get VAC banned, BattlEye banned or PunkBuster ban. You'd be banned from =VX9=. I'm trying to keep things simple and to the point. I am not telling you that you can't play the game how you enjoy. This whole thread is about the danger of the "gray area" that may or may not be present when playing certain games. Steam does differentiate into Multiplayer/Online games and single player. But keep in mind that there are a lot of elements to a game that aren't seen which may make the "single" player game into a bit more.

      Quote Originally Posted by GreenEyed View Post
      Now, you may not ever have the inclination to give yourself an unfair advantage in online multiplayer matches, you just want to beat the single player game faster, increase your rank faster, unlock weapons faster, whatever. The anti-cheat programs do not differentiate between those two things.

      This is a key piece of information for me. Specifically, "The anti-cheat programs do not differentiate..." This is one thing that the OP and this thread (and community) are trying to make people aware of. And before I go further I'm not accusing you of anything, I'm just trying to convey the information so we can understand each other. Let's assume this->. User downloaded trainer for X game. Only used it in single player. VAC didn't like that. For what reason? Who knows. Yes, the game had a multiplayer element but the anti-cheat system still said No for the "cheat" in single player. Now, I'm also not saying you have to alter your whole perception or attitude towards video gaming. I'm trying to present the case of "Is this worth it?" Will having 500 more gold and the shiny spandex armor make me happier? If it does and it's legal to obtain go for it. If you're dabbling into third-party programs then you may run into trouble.

      Quote Originally Posted by enlyghten View Post
      I disagree. I use cheats from Cheat Happens which refuses to make cheats for multiplayer games. Additionally, in RTS games I never play with other people and even when I skirmish it’s only with the AI. I don’t now, nor have I ever, nor do I ever intend to use any form of cheat in any game I play that includes other people. Including games that have both single player and multiplayer that have functionality linking the two game types as mentioned by the OP

      I went digging for some info. Usually software (a game, etc) is as simple as it can be. Therefore single player elements are used in multiplayer. This is what Cheat Happens says about their trainers:
      Quote Originally Posted by Cheat Happens View Post
      Cheat Happens does not support or condone the use of trainers in an online or multiplayer environment. None of the trainers on this website are designed to be used online or in multiplayer modes.

      If you read this you can take a few things into consideration. Cheat Happens would prefer that you don't use a trainer in a multiplayer setting. It cannot however promise that the trainers will not affect a game which might have a multiplayer mode or not, or an online element. It cannot guarantee that the trainer won't influence an online/multiplayer mode. This is the gray area that you hope won't trigger any anti-cheat software. Regardless of intentions.

      Quote Originally Posted by enlyghten View Post
      Once again this is ambiguous. Do you get banned for being banned or do you get banned for using cheats period?

      From the community standpoint you'll be removed for being banned (Steam, or other). Our Rules and Regs state simply "
      Cheating is not tolerated in =VX9=! This includes past bans for cheating. Violation results in immediate expulsion from =VX9=." This post and thread are designed to help guide our =VX9= members and others to play the games as they were meant to be played as well as advise about the potential dangers of using a third party application. We don't want to see people banned for something silly.

      Quote Originally Posted by enlyghten View Post
      Frankly, and no offense, this sounds like an unsubstantiated scare tactic - especially your mention of the risk regarding this community when I'm yet a recruit and have invested only a couple hours and have limited knowledge of the benefits of this community. My point is, if there are official steam rules regarding single player only games and trainers and you folks can provide them, I'll abide by them, but I'm not going to change the way I play and enjoy single player games on hearsay. This will come off as blunt and possibly assholish, for which I apologize, I have invested about 3 days into this community. I have little idea of what I'm risking. I hope to find out. I hope to make this community my online home, but if it's the policy of this community to arbitrarily deny people the right to enjoy games in a way that have no possible effect on any other person in the entire world, then I may well have chosen the wrong community to apply to. If that's the case, it’s better that I find out now before I invest more time into this community.

      Steam states in the Subscriber agreements that there is a difference between single player and multiplayer. You do have limited knowledge of the community being here so short of a time so the words here may not mean the same to you as they do to me or others. That being said we want you to be a member of the community and come to realize what it means. We don't use scare tactics. We just state a fact. Take this PSA how you want.
    1. enlyghten's Avatar
      enlyghten -
      @Lothior
      Thank you for taking the time to write this much less ambiguous reply and thanks for taking me seriously even as a brand new guy here.

      To be absolutely clear - I don't intend to stop using trainers on games with no multiplayer functionality. I don't do it all the time, but it does add hours to my game-playing without having to purchase new games.
      I understand that if doing so gets me banned anywhere I'll get banned here. To be honest, I'd be more worried about being banned from Steam and my hundreds of games - if I thought there were any risk for single player games, I wouldn't use them.

      Thanks again for the response,
      enlyghten
    1. GreenEyed's Avatar
      GreenEyed -
      @enlyghten

      The reason for the post is pretty clear. If you get a VAC ban, you are gone. Doesn't matter that it was because a MP hack piggybacking a SP trainer is what caused it. It's an immediate end to your time here. If you trust your sources enough that you still continue to use them, it is at your discretion and you now completely understand what can happen.

      This post was made the same day we booted a guy for a SP trainer that obviously had an MP5 hash that pinged VAC. His ban there resulted in a ban here.

      See it as a scare tactic if you wish. Some people want to be here and don't want to jeopardize that, some do, and we have no issue showing them the door if they get popped. This was just to clear any whining from someone given the boot because "I just used the trainer on the single player part and VAC banned me." We. Don't. Care. A ban, is a ban, is a ban.
    1. enlyghten's Avatar
      enlyghten -
      @GreenEyed

      Understood and accepted, General.
    1. XBombtek's Avatar
      XBombtek -
      Good Post

      One Team!

      X
    1. GreenEyed's Avatar
      GreenEyed -
      Bump, because it needs to be bumped.
    1. Doug_85's Avatar
      Doug_85 -
      I'm new to this forum, and hearing about steam and all that lol no clue what that is. I did hear about a mod that allows you to customize your tanks as far a details on your tanks. I was told it was legal, and I was wondering if anyone would happen to know the mod and what I need to do to make it work that would be greatly appreciated.
      Thank you
      Doug mate
    1. Azz Kicker's Avatar
      Azz Kicker -
      Cheats are the reason i stopped playing COD online. Couldn't take it anymore. However no matter the game, system, or client there's always someone trying to ruin it for the rest. Salute to the clean!!
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