Ethics of free games.

[latinstorm]

So I started playing ogame.org. The interface is crap, and they'll sell you access to a better interface. So I started writing a greasemonkey script to make the interface usable. If I start adding the feature they want you pay for, am I cheating? I've read about the interface, and it sounds like it's actually not as good as the interface I'm

Comments

[lantius]

in this case, it's toeing a very near line. in their rules they explicitly call out scripting:

VIII. Scripting

Using a program as interface between the player and his game is prohibited. Any other form of automatically generated information generated for a group of players advantage with malicious intentions is forbidden as well.

This includes but is not limited to:

- Bots
- Macros
- Automated galaxy databases.

Only exceptions to this are programs that are expressly approved by Game Forge and/or the game team.

i'd say what you have is on the threshold of the first sentence and nearing bulletpoint two. of course, to be certain you'd have to have it expressly approved by them. that runs the risk of them declaring it officially in violation of the rules.

they also call it out again in their their general terms and conditions:

(II) Prohibited programs

[latinstorm]

Well it's definitely a violation of the games T&C ("The usage of actions which disable advertisements is prohibited"). I don't think there is any argument about that. And I understand that it's subverting their business model of selling you a good interface. But at the same time it's a game on the web. And they're selling an advantage. At the point you can pay them to get an advantage over other people I'm comfortable breaking the terms and conditions. The question is it cheating? Or just making the game more usable/fun?