List of reasons to allow Shadow computers

JeanPhilippeGunghar

I know Shadow computers may have a bad reputation when it comes to MMORPGs. However, I will provide some reasons why Intrepid should allow them to log in to Ashes of Creation and let them play. Here is a list of good reasons, in my opinion:

Shadow has a 2FA option: A few months ago, Shadow introduced the option to add two-factor authentication (2FA) to our accounts. 2FA is well-known as a security standard. Perhaps Intrepid could make it a requirement to allow us onto the server? After all, who doesn’t have a mobile device these days?

Inflation and rig high price: Since the COVID pandemic, inflation has hit us hard. Food, rent, mortgages, shampoo, and so on are nearly unaffordable. The dollar where I live fluctuates between 0.70 and 0.76 of an American dollar. Most countries are in a similar situation. Computer hardware has not been spared; for example, GPU prices were at their highest during the early to mid-pandemic. Allowing Shadow could enable people like me, who are struggling financially, to pay the $15 subscription fee and play without having to spend $2,000 to $2,500 on a rig that will be outdated in a year anyway. Otherwise, it seems that only people with substantial incomes would be able to log in—essentially the elite.

Shadow has a rule against emulation: Emulation, as software that mimics a character in an MMORPG, is forbidden and leads to account termination. This means no automatic gold farming and no automatic resource farming. Who would pay $49 for the Power tier (excluding taxes) plus the $15 subscription fee for the game, and risk losing not one but two accounts?

That’s all. I would hold my breath, but…

scottstone7

I didn't even know this was a thing. If it were up to me I'd vote no to shadow computers. Those would allow for to much wiggle room for those bots and gold sellers get into to the game. Who would risk the lost of the $49 power tier and $15 subscription? Those very same people using the bots and trying to sell gold. Why would they spend all that money on multiple PC's to run their bots on if they can rent so many more PC's from that service all for the cost of buying a single PC? Sure they may have a written rule against emulation software, but do they really? How often is it monitored? How long does the bot get to run before it's caught? How often is it enforced when caught? Remember, every time they ban someone for using a bot with their systems they are either losing future potential profit themselves or more likely forcing new potential profit when the gold sellers just rent another of their systems. Gold sellers don't really care, sure they lose that $64, but how much did they make before the bot was caught and potentially banned? $500? $1000? $2000? Most likely more?

I know it sucks to be struggling financially, but there are ways. When I was younger I worked 60hrs a week job still had to sell blood for months to buy a new gaming rig. That may not be an option where you are but I'm sure if you look around and are willing there are ways. That being said, if you go ahead and at the very least take that subscription fee and set it aside every month by the time the game goes live you should have a decent amount saved towards buying a new PC already.