what if someone is using two machines to log into to 2 different accounts and playing them both at the same time? ie: in PvP to duel against for duleist title or PvE to level up skill lines and porting from one account to the other?

Alienoutlaw wrote: »

what if someone is using two machines to log into to 2 different accounts and playing them both at the same time? ie: in PvP to duel against for duleist title or PvE to level up skill lines and porting from one account to the other?

I have heard of people getting in trouble for doing things similar to this in order to "grind" AP by killing their alt account over and over, and as such, would not recommend doing so. (They've even frowned upon that behavior when they are NOT the same account, and it's just a friend)

To use the alt as a port shouldn't be a problem. To help level by grouping up, as long as you're only controlling one at a time, it should be okay.

I can certainly understand how it's a gray area though. But AFAIK, as long as your inputs are independent to each account you should be fine.

Thank you for the clarification; it's good to see this addressed in a forum thread. While the answer hasn't changed, in the past, we only got replies to this type of question via support ticket:

Alienoutlaw wrote: »

what if someone is using two machines to log into to 2 different accounts and playing them both at the same time? ie: in PvP to duel against for duleist title or PvE to level up skill lines and porting from one account to the other?

That would get you the ban-hammer

Edit: No, you can't play with yourself!

Ravensilver wrote: »

So... what was it that I was seeing in Senchal a few days ago then? Three charas, dressed absolutely identical, dancing perfectly in sync, their account names differing only by one name - like xxxforce, yyyforce, zzzforce.
I assume that's three accounts online at the same time, yes? How can they be in such complete sync then? And is that permitted? I've seen the like also out in the countryside, harvesting.

As long as they're only dancing, and not abusing it (and a badass hamsterputer)

The moment they enter the bot-train territory for extra gain, report and let ZoS sort it out

I think there must be a typo in the TOS or you are looking at an old version. I do not believe there is any rule that prohibits running multiple characters at a time using third party software or hardware modifications to synchronize movement.

I see this all the time. You can see this in the bank in Rawl'kha almost any day of the week (XBOX NA). You might have to wait until normal business hours (Beijing time) to see that, but you will see it if you look, so nobody is trying to hide this activity in some far flung corner of Nirn.

At any given second, I can find this happening in one of: Alik'r, Grahtwood and/or Betnikh. Essentially, anyplace that mudcrab or wolves spawn can potentially be camped by a single person running 8'ish accounts with synchronized control, and by the very definition that requires 3rd party software or hardware.

Anyway, since it is such a very easy thing to witness, so utterly common, I don't believe it is against the TOS.

I got to randomly chatting with someone recently that said they had 10 accounts -the biggest reason being that guilds require 10 members, so they had 5 guild banks worth of storage which was useful as they make gold by buying cheap items and reselling.

I like making gold and have storage hassles (even though I have 12 characters) but the idea of the real world cost of 10 accounts, organising and managing 5 guilds and spending lots of time buying and reselling sounds like a lot of work to me and I play ESO because it's a game and I want to have fun!

MachineKludge wrote: »

I do not believe there is any rule that prohibits running multiple characters at a time using third party software or hardware modifications to synchronize movement...

Anyway, since it is such a very easy thing to witness, so utterly common, I don't believe it is against the TOS.

I haven't read through the ToS in over a year. That said, if you look at the original ZOS communication linked by the OP as well as the one I linked above, you will see that using software or hardware to control secondary characters is not permitted.

MachineKludge wrote: »

I think there must be a typo in the TOS or you are looking at an old version. I do not believe there is any rule that prohibits running multiple characters at a time using third party software or hardware modifications to synchronize movement.

I see this all the time. You can see this in the bank in Rawl'kha almost any day of the week (XBOX NA). You might have to wait until normal business hours (Beijing time) to see that, but you will see it if you look, so nobody is trying to hide this activity in some far flung corner of Nirn.

At any given second, I can find this happening in one of: Alik'r, Grahtwood and/or Betnikh. Essentially, anyplace that mudcrab or wolves spawn can potentially be camped by a single person running 8'ish accounts with synchronized control, and by the very definition that requires 3rd party software or hardware.

Anyway, since it is such a very easy thing to witness, so utterly common, I don't believe it is against the TOS.

You do realize that while botting is a common sight, it's also a reportable offense and ZOS sweeps through and deletes those bots periodically, yes?

From the TOS (current version):
You agree not to use any hardware or software or any other method of support that is not authorized by ZeniMax or that may in any way influence or advantage Your playing abilities, or influence or advantage Your access to or receipt, play or use of the Services. Third party tools, the use of ‘bots’, “speed hacks”, “deep-link”, “page-scrape”, “robot”, “spider”, algorithm or other programs that copy or monitor any part of the Services (including, but not limited to, the Game(s) and/or forums), software that transmits, manipulates, or distributes (including, but are limited to, “mirroring”) the data stream or any aspect of the Services to another computer, server websites or other publication or distribution media, or software that permits You to access, receive, play or use Services without human input are examples of methods not authorized by ZeniMax.

From the Code of Conduct:
5.1 Users are forbidden from using any unapproved third party applications, programs, scripts or any other game modifying mechanic used to change the game play experience on a ZeniMax Game, Service, forum, or other games or services provided by ZeniMax, including the distribution of said programs via ZeniMax services, sites, forums, communities, etc. This would include but is not limited to using or distributing speed hacks, aim bots, mouse controllers, spam bots, automated game play devices, etc. Third party applications are defined as any program, application or script written by an individual, company, corporation, or private party not employed by or contracted to perform services by ZeniMax.


Don't assume that breaking the rules is permitted or left unpunished merely because you see evidence that people break the rules.

Dread_Viking wrote: »

So i was told yesterday that it was against TOS and EULA to use 2 accounts at the same time so i ofc went on the website and stated reading all the rules ( note not using any 3 party softwware or hardware just start the game 2 times ) and i cant find any thing about it other then multiboxing and that is not rly relevant for me since i am not using that i just start the game 2 times so if i am understanding the rules i am doing nothing wrong am i right also found this

but again was asking in my guild and it was 50 50 ool rly didt know so can i plz get a answer to this from a ZOS member i would love to know if i am doing any thing wrong hear
@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

Wait a second... So I can wait for a Base game sale and buy 9 additional accounts just to unlock Guild Bank for Myself and I wont be banned for it ? ? ? LOL

Edit:
Not that I am gonna do that. It simply "smells" like an exploit to me...

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

Dread_Viking wrote: »

So i was told yesterday that it was against TOS and EULA to use 2 accounts at the same time so i ofc went on the website and stated reading all the rules ( note not using any 3 party softwware or hardware just start the game 2 times ) and i cant find any thing about it other then multiboxing and that is not rly relevant for me since i am not using that i just start the game 2 times so if i am understanding the rules i am doing nothing wrong am i right also found this

but again was asking in my guild and it was 50 50 ool rly didt know so can i plz get a answer to this from a ZOS member i would love to know if i am doing any thing wrong hear
@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

Wait a second... So I can wait for a Base game sale and buy 9 additional accounts just to unlock Guild Bank for Myself and I wont be banned for it ? ? ? LOL

Edit:
Not that I am gonna do that. It simply "smells" like an exploit to me...

Not an exploit, and done in a good many MMOs, in some cases to increase inventory sizes and in other cases to prevent constant harassment from guild recruiters.

ZOS_JessicaFolsom wrote: »

Just to follow up on this, @Dread_Viking and I spoke via DMs so we could talk through some questions we had and what they've described is okay to do (though may not result in the most optimal game performance.) In this player's instance, they have two separate accounts and are logging into them separately but on the same PC. They aren't simultaneously playing the two characters or using any hardware or software to automate movement, gameplay, etc. Rather, they're playing one character at a time while the other character is standing idle nearby, then alt-tabbing to switch over when they need to control the other character. And they're doing so for basic personal convenience, such as to access their Merchant or Bank Assistants that they have on only one account.

While this may be a little clunky and could result in some PC slow-down, the general idea is fine. Now that said, if we find that someone is doing this as a means to violate our EULA or other Terms of Service rules in other ways, we may deem it actionable.

Standing idle in Cyrodiil may lock population or prevent low pop bonus. Any level 10 will do. No armor or skill needed.

Tommy_The_Gun wrote: »

Dread_Viking wrote: »

So i was told yesterday that it was against TOS and EULA to use 2 accounts at the same time so i ofc went on the website and stated reading all the rules ( note not using any 3 party softwware or hardware just start the game 2 times ) and i cant find any thing about it other then multiboxing and that is not rly relevant for me since i am not using that i just start the game 2 times so if i am understanding the rules i am doing nothing wrong am i right also found this

but again was asking in my guild and it was 50 50 ool rly didt know so can i plz get a answer to this from a ZOS member i would love to know if i am doing any thing wrong hear
@ZOS_GinaBruno @ZOS_JessicaFolsom

Wait a second... So I can wait for a Base game sale and buy 9 additional accounts just to unlock Guild Bank for Myself and I wont be banned for it ? ? ? LOL

Edit:
Not that I am gonna do that. It simply "smells" like an exploit to me...

if you buy 10 accounts who on Nirn would stop you to make a guild and control its bank?