7th May 2003; Version 1.0
There are two sides: one side believes that the use of macro is cheating and should be banned, while another side is more pragmatic and accept the use of macro
Let it be clear from the start, I do not consider the use of macro cheating.
Cheating is defined by
With the purpose of going around the rules set by the game, cheating is:
•modifying the game executable
•inspecting/modifying the memory content used by the game program
•inspecting/modifying game network packets
Some people argue that macro should be added to the list. I disagree. We will see why.
If you analyze the 3 items in the list, something directly catches our eyes. In every item, we are talking about modifying or inspecting a game component. The most clear cut cheating is when you modify a game component to gain some illegal advantages.
Let’s analyze every item one at a time:
The first item is the most easily controllable. I have been thinking about a system where players could actually check the signature of the game executable on a given computer and compared the signature to its stub. If the signature matches the stub it means the game executable hasn’t been modified, otherwise the game executable has been hacked. We are certain of this (putting aside the philosophical issue of certitude).
Item two; nowadays with modern operating systems and programming languages, we can possibly hope that the memory is not easily reachable if you don’t have the rights to it. However, it is impossible to completely prevent access to memory content. The action to be taken in my opinion would be to prevent any process from being launched when a game is played.
For the third item, you can design the game so that no useful information can be extracted from the game network packets. Another possibility is to encrypt the content of the packets.
I’m willing to re-start working on a software (Java, C#) implementing those very ideas for item 1) and 2).
Now I ask you the following question:
Where would you put the macros in this definition?
Whatis.com definition: In Microsoft Word and other programs, a macro is a saved sequence of commands or keyboard strokes that can be stored and then recalled with a single command or keyboard stroke.
This is a pretty correct definition of a macro.
How can you possibly enforce that nobody uses macros? And would it be a good thing eventually?
Realize that everyone using a 5 buttons mouse is a potential macro user. I have a saved sequence of commands on my fifth button. Thus, according to the logic of anti-macros people, I’m a cheater. Doesn’t it sound silly? How do people against the use of macros hope to enforce that nobody use them? Macros are built-in parts of many devices, including the Game Voice, the Strategic Commander, some keyboards etc. They would have to ban all those devices. This is impossible.
Right now there are many possible solutions available on the market. Game voice : No. I even encourage their use. Some questions aimed at your neurons: I have the Strategic Commander; I use it to automate some tasks, like pressing the mouse 20 times. I have my mouse button customized so I don’t have to reach for the “.” key for idle peons. By definition, that customization is also a macro. Frankly, what is the point of doing a sequence of commands over and over, again and again? The important fact is that you acknowledge that you need a job to be done at a given time. For example, in ROR DM (Rise of Rome, DeathMatch), we always press ‘h’ + 20 times ‘c’ on the keyboard to queue 20 peons at the start of a game. Wouldn’t it be better if you had a pre-defined command doing exactly that? That would give you more time to execute things that a pre-defined command is unable to batch, i.e. it would give you more time to make intelligent decisions, decisions often related with your overall strategy. The use of macros does not lower the skills required by the game. Actually, macros shift the focus of players’ skills on higher level decisions. The use of macros does not make you idle. You can always find something to do in RTS, especially in DM. Thus we have new kinds of skills appearing. The new skills are: Macros are a good thing and should be built-in the game, as to make them available for everyone by default. Right now, macros are accessible only to people willing to pay for devices or software. Here is a post from aoe.heavengames. Some quotes. To make them (macros) you can use wizards that take you step-by-step through the process, or you can become familiar with your prog and do a much better job by hand. (Note the irony) Macros are here to stay. Follow the technology or get old and un-competitive. You cannot stop it. Many sites implicitly support the use of macros. Heavengames is an example among many others. The following page features a nice article about the power of the Game Voice. This includes MFO who used to advertise the use of the Strategic Commander. The page is no more online though. Any comment or suggestion appreciated: put RTS MACRO in subject mordan9@hotmail.com
Here is a non exhaustive list:
•External devices
oThe Strategic Commander (SC) : link
oDevilFish :
oGame Voice: link
oExtended mousse with extra customizable keys
oExtended keyboard with extra customizable keys
•Pure software
oMacro Express: link
•Hack
oAge Combo Pack 3. This is a CHEAT program. Do NOT use it.
According to our logic, we can easily rule out the use Age Combo Pack 3. The program is actually a patch that modifies the age game executable, allowing all sorts of cheating to occur.
However other programs or devices are totally legal. By no way macro programs and devices go modify anything related to the game components.
Examples
The strategic commander:
Are macros a bad thing?
Is clicking on the mouse button 20 times really fast a strategic decision?
Is pressing 20 hotkeys in a row a strategic decision?
•Understand what is to be automated and what should not.
•What hotkey to use for a given macro.
•optimize the macros hotkey set
•Eventually, the skill of moving your hands on the keyboard stays. You still have to be very fast to execute everything. At least, that is the way in DM.
No offense is intended, and I would like to reiterate that I am not presently using macros for games. Just please don't rag on those who do because they have found ways to enhance our gameplay. Rag on those Goddamn cheaters.
Game play…
I think macros are here to stay, the only bad thing about the macro advantage is that it was HIDDEN
Right on.
It's not complicated, but it takes a little thought as to how to accomplish the desired task, and how to keep it from interfering with other functions in the game. You don't need any programming skill at all
Easy and educational.
trust me, macros don't make anything boring. in fact, it gets more interresting because a lot of strategy goes into designing them and knowing when and how to use them. I can type 45 wpm (not kidding) and mactos are still 20-30 times faster than going from building to building hitting each key tons of times.
Macros are here to stay.
Here is the most interesting quote:
The real power of the voice commands is really in the macros you set up for yourself. The profiles often are setup so you lose time by using voice commands, substituting one or two hotkeys for the time it takes you to hit the command button and say your command. By setting up your own custom commands, you can use the macro feature to activate multiple hotkeys, which really can come in handy! For example, I created an opening move called "Alpha" for Age of Kings. I hit the command button and say "Alpha" which activates "H-C-C-C-.-small pause-v-e". Translation, select my town center and create three villagers, select an idle villager, pause for a few milliseconds for the game to select that villager (this is essential and is only the blink of an eye really), then instruct that villager to build a house. Basically after I've said the command, all I have to do is click where I want my house placed, as the villager is already instructed and waiting. Now there's a nice time saver!
What do people think about the use of macros?
This article has been posted on these forums and is available from the LZ site: