Aion Riftshade

In Aion we have the "usual" Terms and Conditions applying for multiple accounts, stating:

https://agbserver.gameforge.com/enGB-Terms-2014-Aion.html

Quote

4.1 Unless the Rules allow exceptions, the user may participate in each round of an online game (e.g. world, universe etc.) using one user account only. It is not permissible to use multiple user accounts ("multi-accounts"). Gameforge is entitled at any time at its own discretion to block or delete unauthorised multi-accounts.

However, we do have the mentioned "Additional game rules" that were mentioned in both Discord and here on the forum:

AION FREE-TO-PLAY – ADDITIONAL GAME RULES

These obviously state:

Quote

Multi-Accounts

You are more than welcome to use more than one account at a time, however this must obey the rules of the ToS. This means you are not allowed to AP trade using these to accounts or use an alt account to insult a player of the opposite faction.

On Discord, multiple (former) CMs stated that these rules do only apply on retail servers. However, there is no special thread mentioning special rules about classic. There is one thread in a neutral part of the forum. Therefore, everyone has to assume it does apply to any of the servers and game versions.

https://abload.de/img/screenshot2023-06-030snezm.png

https://abload.de/img/screenshot2023-06-030imig1.png

I do not know either why "multi-account" is defined as "accounts being online at once". I can provide numerous examples from Gameforge games where people got banned referring to the rule in the T&Cs because they had more than one account. No matter, if it's online at the same time or not. Even the T&Cs obviously prove your definition wrong. So no, contradictory to your statement on Discord, Drestam I wouldn't call this self-explanatory. It's misleading if you state it's prohibited, though you only want to state that logging them in at once is. Still, this is nowhere mentioned in the additional game rules, which make the T&Cs invalid by default.

So according to the game rules and T&Cs it's nowhere prohibited to use one account on Classic servers (leaving aside the way you do it). However, if you claim that it's not permitted, the rules should've been worked on. Stating something on Discord with no foundation and possibly even punishing players violating some rule that doesn't exist... is quite questionable. If you need additional game rules for Classic, work on them. It's been more than a month now and even if it does not concern me personally it's an obvious flaw.

Indeed, I can understand how it can be confusing. We didn't think about that when separating sections. We will clarify the threads and everything but just to make it clear:

- It is not allowed to use a VPN on AION Classic

- Multi-account (connecting more than one account at once) is not allowed on AION Classic

Quote from Drestam

- It is not allowed to use a VPN on AION Classic

As VPN do you refer to all of the ping reducers such as:

Battleping

WTFast

Pingzapper

and more?

Not sure how these work but if they reroute your connexion, then I guess they are considered VPNs yes

Quote from Drestam

Not sure how these work but if they reroute your connexion, then I guess they are considered VPNs yes

Of course they 'reroute' the connection. That is what their main objective is - to find a better more efficient route for your connection to the server. The machine's IP does not get changed by this action. And you are telling us using these ping boosters is not allowed now?

These programs were always allowed in the history of Aion in every region, ever. Why does suddenly Gameforge decide they are not allowed? What is the net benefit for GF or the players when you ban someone who uses a ping booster? This is a stupid rule honestly.

Can you ask the team for clarification Drestam because you have spoken too soon without knowing things more than a few times already which only confused the community more..

ARE PING BOOSTERS ALLOWED OR NOT? Simple question for the team. And if not, WHY?

Quote from FilthyAionEnjoyer

ARE PING BOOSTERS ALLOWED OR NOT? Simple question for the team. And if not, WHY?

Battleping, WTFast and similar software

Post from 2018 (even older than that, since it's coming from the old forum)

Quote from Kayiane

Quote from FilthyAionEnjoyer

ARE PING BOOSTERS ALLOWED OR NOT? Simple question for the team. And if not, WHY?

Battleping, WTFast and similar software

Post from 2018 (even older than that, since it's coming from the old forum)

Yes I always knew they were "Use at own risk". However now I keep seeing GF CMs and discord mods saying left and right that its flat out not allowed which is just more confusing.

It seems that redirecting connections and optimizing routes to improve efficiency is indeed the main task of these ping boosters. However, it is important to note that game publishers, such as Gameforge, have the right to set their own rules and standards for their games. They may have recently decided to ban the use of ping boosters for various reasons. The decision to ban ping boosters may be due to concerns about fair play or security issues. [...] Using such tools can give players an unfair advantage, disrupt the stability of the server or the integrity of the game environment. By enforcing this rule, Gameforge may be seeking to maintain a level playing field for all players and ensure the safety of gameplay. As for the sudden policy change, it's hard to say without specific information from Gameforge. Game publishers regularly review and update their policies based on various factors, including community feedback, technical considerations and evolving industry standards.

Edit Olly : Advertising.

Quote from mayorovd56

It seems that rerouting connections and optimizing routes for better efficiency is indeed the main objective of these ping boosters. However, it's important to note that game publishers like Gameforge have the authority to set their own rules and regulations for their games. They may have recently decided to disallow the use of ping boosters for various reasons. The decision to ban ping boosters might be driven by concerns over fair play or security issues. Using such tools could potentially give players an unfair advantage, disrupt server stability, or compromise the integrity of the game environment. By enforcing this rule, Gameforge may be aiming to maintain a level playing field for all players and ensure a secure gaming experience. Regarding the sudden change in policy, it's difficult to say without specific information from Gameforge. Game publishers regularly review and update their policies based on various factors, including community feedback, technical considerations, and evolving industry standards.

Having good ping is not fair play? Give me a break. What a load of crap. If they could provide good service nobody would need ping booster. What is next? Ban all people with logitech mice because they have more buttons on them and this provides an unfair advantage over other players? Or ban all players who live close to the servers in Frankfurt because they have 10ms while the people further away have 100? This is absolutely ridiculous. It's not even an argument. It is a stupid indefensible "rule" that helps nobody.

Quote from Protecc

Yes I always knew they were "Use at own risk". However now I keep seeing GF CMs and discord mods saying left and right that its flat out not allowed which is just more confusing.

While I agree with your latest reply here, my biggest issue is that Gameforge does not inform players of those changes ingame. Just make a survey and send it to everyone. Spreading information 0n discord, twitch and/or this forum is so bothersome and always feels only semi official.