Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

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Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Dristor »

Hello there, I'm wondering some day, that I could do something with MPQ wow files to change my character's set looks to season 1 looks because i love it, and I wonder that it's illegal? Because u know - this change is not affected by other players of WoW, only I can see new looks but other ppl will see my original armor set. I can't wait until Transmogrifying will be up at 4.3, i just want to have S1 set... I can do that or I'll rly have to wait few months to this patch?

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Gimlion »

Well, while it's technically against terms, we've had a few people who did this same change for models, Ex. Being a gnome hunter or diff. Druid Forms, and they have not gotten banned for it.

If you want to stay safe, I'd say just wait until 4.3, but if you really can't wait, I don't think Blizzard can really 'catch' you unless you go blabbing about it, and someone who heres you reports you.

Regardless, I wouldn't risk the banhammer for something that is coming out soon, but you may be willing to, so that's my opinion.

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Dristor »

Hmmm... maybe u are right. I don't want to be touched by the legendary Banhammer. I'll have to wait (unfortunetly ;<) until 4.3 will be released.
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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Necras »

I had friends that did get banned.. for awhile. They wanted to "tank" in moonkin form... so they changed their files from bear what whatnot to lazor chicken. They got banned and then unbanned when they claimed they didn't do it themselves. (Long talks with blizzard on the phone.) Anyhow it isn't worth it. They were warned if it happened again that their account would be permanently closed.

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by GormanGhaste »

I believe it is against the ToS because not only does Blizzard want to preserve the look of their game, but changing visuals can possibly give an unfair advantage in both pvp and pve.
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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Vephriel »

Mm, I remember back in BC reading of someone who model-changed the Outland mining nodes into Ragnaros so that they'd see them no matter what.

Even if you were to do this sort of thing for a harmless aesthetic, I wouldn't personally risk it. I know many people used to do some model edits for the old druid forms without consequence, but you never know what can happen, and it would be terrible to lose your account over something like that.
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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Lisaara »

Vephriel wrote:Mm, I remember back in BC reading of someone who model-changed the Outland mining nodes into Ragnaros so that they'd see them no matter what.

Even if you were to do this sort of thing for a harmless aesthetic, I wouldn't personally risk it. I know many people used to do some model edits for the old druid forms without consequence, but you never know what can happen, and it would be terrible to lose your account over something like that.
They probably had no consequence cause they were never caught. :P

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Vephriel »

Jessibelle wrote:
Vephriel wrote:Mm, I remember back in BC reading of someone who model-changed the Outland mining nodes into Ragnaros so that they'd see them no matter what.

Even if you were to do this sort of thing for a harmless aesthetic, I wouldn't personally risk it. I know many people used to do some model edits for the old druid forms without consequence, but you never know what can happen, and it would be terrible to lose your account over something like that.
They probably had no consequence cause they were never caught. :P
That's my point. Sure you can do it and perhaps nothing will happen as you won't be caught, but you can't know for sure, so why risk it?
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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Lisaara »

True. I know people who have used nude models too.

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Sam »

I had a guildie who used mods to increase breast size on female characters. I got him to show me screenshots of what my toon looked like with it. It was... weird. But since only he could see it, and the only advantage/disadvantage was distraction to himself, I couldn't see the harm in it. Your mod for your own armor set sounds like even less of a problem.
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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Samskeyti »

I did absolutely love the druid reskins that Andrige made when we had our old forms. It wasn't more than putting a file in a folder and taking it out if one got sick of the new look. Personally, I was worried about it too.
So, technically it's illegal and you shouldn't do it. But decide for yourself.

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Wassa »

There are two ways to model edit. One is simply adding your own MPQ file to over-right data, but you are extremely limited on edits you can make this way, especially since Cata with how Blizzard changed how MPQ files are loaded into the game. This way, however, is virtually undetectable by Blizzard and the chance of getting banned is low. The other way is to use a third party program to get edits to work. If you are using any third party program to apply your edits you have a high chance of getting banned as Blizzard has programs that can detect these. If you do decide to model edit never use a third party program for it.

I used to model edit, but I don't anymore for many reasons. It is illegal. You can get banned. Be smart and knowledgeable about editing if you choose to edit and you won't get banned.

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Comett »

I cant imagine that replacing/changing files within your own computer system would be noticeable by Blizz or really worth punishment. I mean it's quite obvious if you change the image file to make your character look better (such as the Druid screenies above) or whether you're turning every mining node into Ragnaros (LOL). I mean how is that really different from doing what many people do and replacing cat yawning sounds, gun sounds etc? Technically those could be "giving players a benefit" if you really wanted to be picky about it, but they're quite commonplace edits.

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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by CrystalKitten »

Comett wrote:I cant imagine that replacing/changing files within your own computer system would be noticeable by Blizz or really worth punishment. I mean it's quite obvious if you change the image file to make your character look better (such as the Druid screenies above) or whether you're turning every mining node into Ragnaros (LOL). I mean how is that really different from doing what many people do and replacing cat yawning sounds, gun sounds etc? Technically those could be "giving players a benefit" if you really wanted to be picky about it, but they're quite commonplace edits.
Well, it's obvious to the person that can see it. But other people don't see the changes you make. Which might make it seem even less harmful, but the fact is people can change models to make sure they have an advantage (like changing mining nodes... it gives you a distinct advantage over other farmers if you can notice the nodes faster). I've also heard of people making hitboxes for player models larger, so they're easier to target in pvp.

The big question here, is do people actually REPLACE the sound files, or do they have an active mod that says "oh, look, the game wants to make this sound that you don't like, I'll stop that for you", because that wouldn't actually be changing any wow files.

As to whether blizz can tell if you change files on your computer... I'm pretty sure somewhere in all that privacey stuff that most peop0le don't read, they say that you're giving them full access to THEIR game files on your computer so that they can verify the integrity of the game. And while I don't know their method for checking, the fact that some people HAVE gotten banned proves that it CAN be done.

As to whether it's worth punishment... I would say if someone is caught doing a "harmless" edit, maybe a temporary suspension and a warning. However, if they're doing things like making it so they can see nodes from anywhere, or anything else that actually affects gameplay... then yes. Bring the banhammer.
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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by Sam »

I can't see a warning or temporary suspension for something harmless. I'd be pretty ticked to get a warning for using a mod to make guns quieter. Fortunately I don't believe they care about stuff like that -- because it IS harmless.
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Re: Changing MPQ files to change my model looks = illegal?

Unread post by CrystalKitten »

Sam wrote:I can't see a warning or temporary suspension for something harmless. I'd be pretty ticked to get a warning for using a mod to make guns quieter. Fortunately I don't believe they care about stuff like that -- because it IS harmless.
Well, Mods that run through the game client are different than something that is a direct change to the files of the game. Because if Blizzard deems that something is "wrong" that is done through mods, they simply remove the ability for mods to change that. But changing the files isn't using a mod.. it's changing Blizzard's design for the game.
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