Artisan Archive
Thread: The AFK macroing debate is over.
DroidboyBob wrote:
I have seen all the AFK sampling debates going on, but since I was not in beta I dont know what it is. The only thing I have found that might be what you all are talking about is after to select a resource to sample you can hit the macro button to "/sample" and it will continue to keep sampling for a while.
That's exactly what they're talking about. The only problem is, you never added a /pause xxx (where xxx is a number of seconds) then have the user sit down and pause again to regenerate their HAM bars
There's a LOT more to macro-ing than a simpe: /sample
Hehehehe, I just found the Macroing Tutorial forum, and finished reading it. Thats way to complex and too disinvolved. If I want to get up and not be next to my computer for several hours, It gonna be turned off, running a character on a looped or near looped macro sounds too much like what my soul is doing to my life. "" /getup; /goto_boringjob; /gohome; /forgettopaybills-cause-pause-is-to-long;/gotosleep"" If I wanted to play a character the same way as my life runs, either I wouldnt cause my life would be too cool to waste time on a silly computer game, or I'd be a sadist.
Okay, so it doesnt make perfect sense, that why I try to make my char have fun. 
bhrea aka Droidboybob. I forgot what my forum screen name was. =)
/sample; /pause 40; /sit; /pause 20; /stand; /ui toolbar....
I doubt it. In that case, they really need to rethink the major issue:
Macro Sampling happens because Harvesters are Problematic.
If harvesters worked well, didn't crash, and were balanced, macro sampling would be history.
"Look at the forest," a player said.
The Dev replied, "I can't see it with all those trees in the way."
Tim
KakitaToshimo wrote:
Macro Sampling happens because Harvesters are Problematic.
If harvesters worked well, didn't crash, and were balanced, macro sampling would be history.
Tim
That's a bit of a simplistic view of the issue. I have had very few problems with harvesters and as for being balanced - it's just a numbers game. They are profitable as they are right now, game stability issues withstanding.
One of the reasons people macro sample is because it is very simple to do compared to the added complexity of managing Harvesters. Changing the numbers on Harvesters won't change the fact that aquiring, placing, tending and moving them is more complex than sampling.
One of the reasons newbie Artisans don't buy materials, is because they have no way to make money at low levels other than Delivery Missions - which isn't doing what they want to do (craft). If they did the Crafting Missions right (now on Test Center) then new Artisans will now have a way to make some cash whileworking thier chosen skillsat the same time (just like the combat types have). With more available cash, it won't be so difficult for new Artisans to purchase materials and/or personal harvesters so the "percieved need" to macro sample will be lessened - and many folks won't bother with it.
Bushwa
Good solution, I like it. GJ dev
Robbert Dyewell
Humble Naboo craftsman, Kauri server
so u guys are telling me there is going to be a command in the game that isnt going to run off of a /slash command?thats kind of odd and goes against everything they have been trying to do for a GUI like the one they have...
if it does turn out to be a /slash command the easy way to combat it would be adding a "/decline;" or what not into ur crafting macro...
ex: /sample; /pause 100; /decline; /pause 100; /decline; ........ /pause 100; /decline; /stand; /sit; /pause 340;......
as long as they have macro's in the game i think there will always be afk'ers...
Okay, Noobish type question. I have seen all the AFK sampling debates going on, but since I was not in beta I dont know what it is. The only thing I have found that might be what you all are talking about is after to select a resource to sample you can hit the macro button to "/sample" and it will continue to keep sampling for a while. After a short while, either my Action or Mind bottoms out at which I'm told "You quit sampling because <either> your tired <or> your mind has blaghed out" (paraphased) Since this does not allow you to afk sample for long periods (like while your at work, for say) I presume this is NOT what you are refering too. So, can some nice person here explain to me what the debate is over. Since I'm not a powergamer thatdoesnt have tohave uber stuff, exploits bore me.
Just trying to get my facts straight, plus the changes on test sound cool.
bhrea
ps. I sat in a cantina for 45mins waiting for my 156 BattleFatigue to go away with out ever realizing or knowing that you have to "/listen" or "/watch" entertainers. My learning curve is quite long. =)
I would perfer the non-mouse movement method = logout over this method.
I am for one do not support AFK macroing, but at the same time preventing those who abuse it, don't add more work for those who are actually playing.
My god, you know how annoying seeing popup? Not like we don't have enough already while surfing on the web. Geez....
My 2 cents
Tyronet City Information"It should be noted that in beta, the devs talked a couple of times about 3rd party software usage. It is definitely against the EULA (not a grey area like the in game macros) and supposedly,the client 'sniffs' the running processes for this software."
Actually I think it is illegial for them to SNIFF running processes!
Lotus
You who are complaining about AFK macroers sound like you've never done it yourself and don't really understand what you are talking about. You don't get infinite resources from it, at most it can be a small addition to the amount of resources being harvested by a serious crafter. With 10 medium harvesters running, AFK macroing results are small potatoes. Noone is getting rich or advancing at more than a snail pace relying on macro sampling. Adding interactive steps to sampling simply makes the process of sampling more annoying by requiring more mouse clicking. Gotta say that sampling is one of the most boring aspects of the game and now it will be worse. I grind crafting experience while sampling and this will add annoying interruptions.
They can nerf it all they want, screw up samplingsome more, and you can keep encouraging them to. It won't hurt serious crafters pulling inthousands ofresources per day per harvester, anyhow. I wish they had spent their time on something useful though, like fixing the money eating harvesters or fixing the player vendors.
Actually I think it is illegial for them to SNIFF running processes!
Not if a clause in the EULA that you agree to when you start the game allows the client to look for known macro programs. You have to agree to the EULA to play the game so if it includes the appropriate waivers its ok to do the search. Nevermind that 3rd party macro programs are strictly verboten.
If the AFK issue becomes a large enough problem for SOE they will do something really ugly to settle the issue once and for all. I can think of a few that would seriouly kink looped macros with minimal impact on valid uses of the macro system.
Alternately they can strip hand sampling from the game altogether and reconfigure the survey tool to list properties as well as concentration. Then they could limit gathering of resources to harvesters. Provided that there were crafting missions that could be used to gather either credits or resources the newbie artisans would not be left out in the cold and the AFK sample issue becomes a moot point.
Null Tensor