Zenimax, Fix Your API!!

DDuke · October 2017

I'm opening a new thread about this issue as it is still gamebreaking for many who would like to enjoy cheat-free PvP on PC platform, and should be a top priority for ZOS to fix in this patch.

The previous thread went on for 22 pages and got 101 Agrees (and 2 Awesomes) shattering forum records as far as I'm aware - which should tell how important this issue is for the community.

Hopefully discussion can remain civil this time around.

This is what addons can do currently (comparison between no addon & addon):

https://youtu.be/zaB-sXFKHdE

Half a year ago ZOS made changes intended* to remove all notifications for enemies you can't see - however, the fix did not work, as can be seen on the video. The only thing that was actually fixed were heavy attacks from stealth.

Originally Posted by dorrino View Post
While you're here i have a question.

This change obviously severely limits the features of my addon. Can i (we) get an official stance on which parts of the addon are not desirable within ZOS design direction?

Even after the change i have some ideas how to still get the info i need for the addon to work. This will be noticeably more cumbersome and unreliable (probably) though.

In any case my intention is NOT to start an arms race with you guys. And i don't really want to spend hours of developing an intricate system to circumvent this change only to realize you will counter it with some other change

So, please, tell me which features are fine to have within your vision and which features will get an active countermeasures from you?

Thank you,

PS. Chip, in 5-10 min i'll PM you an exploit, that i found, that is very much possible with the current API. It technically allows to automate almost any players actions and CONDITIONALLY call protected and PRIVATE functions even when in combat. Cheers

ZOS_ChipHilseberg: I believe that it was anything that allows you to detect the presence or actions of a hostile player without having to see them.

*Source: comment #12 from ZOS staff member on esoui.com forums: http://www.esoui.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6745

Here are some other threads if you want to know what your player base thinks about cheating:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/369568/should-miats-attack-alert-be-allowed/p1
https://www.reddit.com/r/elderscrollsonline/comments/5yqw9k/miats_pvp_alerts_is_back_and_its_just_a_cheaty_as/

Tagging
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UnseenTruth · October 2017

DDuke · October 2017

UnseenTruth wrote: »

DDuke wrote:

Hopefully discussion can remain civil this time around.

I will keep posting about this issue as long as it exists, there is no dead horse until the API is fixed.

Just like with Cheat Engine back in the days, you don't want this to just get swiped under the rug

BohnT · October 2017

Even if I don't share the same opinion on every topic you talk about but you have my deepest respect for fighting for your opinion and talking about problems in the game even if no one shares your opinion you keep on fighting, posting, arguing for your believes to make the balance better for everyone even if this means people have to be nerfed.

On this topic: Remove that ***, I play with 4 people and none of us uses it and we still manage to kick ass in cyro.
People should learn to play again and get used to listen to sounds and small visual effects not huge symbols on your screen

Soris · October 2017

Untill they pay someone to make better visual/audio clues for things from stealth gank that can give you time to react in a 1vX situation, this addon fine and have the exact purpose for this and for free.

There were other addons back in time even in 2014, that gave you visual alerts on screen such as "dodge now/block now" So this type of addons are in game for a long time already.

And honestly since they didnt ban the addon, it shows they are simply fine with it. But who knows.

Feanor · October 2017

Round 2? Sigh. I have a feeling this thread won't go any better than the last one. Meanwhile I have enjoyed Cyrodiil tonight. Despite the usual Archers sniping their hearts out.

I only wish the verve shown in the last thread would be directed at the real core issues the game has. It's funny to think about this very addon discussion considering an environment where 10 fps and health desyncs are no strange outlier.

DDuke · October 2017

Soris wrote: »

Untill they pay someone to make better visual/audio clues for things from stealth gank that can give you time to react in a 1vX situation, this addon fine and have the exact purpose for this and for free.

There were other addons back in time even in 2014, that gave you visual alerts on screen such as "dodge now/block now" So this type of addons are in game for a long time already.

And honestly since they didnt ban the addon, it shows they are simply fine with it. But who knows.

Did you watch the video?

The API doesn't just let you know when a cast time ability is in the air (i.e. "dodge now/block now"), it shows the whole cast timer for it. Means you've got 1s+ time to dodge roll & avoid not only the projectile the opponent was casting, but also any skill the opponent would've combo'd with it.

For example Dark Flare-Javelin becomes useless, because people using this addon know it's coming 1s+ before it's even in the air, Crystal Blast will never see use & bow builds remain useless.

Also, silence=/=approval. The last comment from ZOS indicates that they intended to remove notifications for all attacks from opponents you can't see.

ZOS_ChipHilseberg: I believe that it was anything that allows you to detect the presence or actions of a hostile player without having to see them.

Nobody reported it after the "fix" that only heavy attacks from stealth were actually fixed, you can check the esoui thread to verify that.

Arthg · October 2017

Quite the forum aggro tank for a confirmed rogue assassin!

I stand with you - it's super lame that not all players have access to the same information while PvPing, and even more lame that they should go to a third-party website to download and install a third-party addon to have an edge in combat.

ZOS WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

Reminder: I play PC, I don't gank, I play melee, I have nothing to lose with that addon, and yet I don't use it 'cause I'd rather die from my mistakes than have a lame, morally dubious crutch to carry me. And I like a clean UI.

ZOS WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE.

[Deleted User] · October 2017

Hello everyone,

This post is to let you know that we've gone ahead and closed this thread. The reason being that this post seems to be a recreation of a thread already closed, as mentioned in the OP. Please feel free to continue this discussion on this thread here, as it is on the same topic of this particular addon. As always be sure to keep the Forum Rules in mind to prevent any action on one's own account.

Thank you for understanding.