Exploit (online gaming)

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In the realm of online games, an exploit is usually a software bug, hack or bot that contributes to the user's prosperity in a manner not intended by the developers.

What is or is not considered an exploit varies between games and developers. The EULA (End-User License Agreement) typically states what type of gameplay is not acceptable. Thus, some developers may consider AFK gameplay to be an exploit, while others may not.

1 Known types of exploits in FPS games
2 Known types of exploits in real-time strategy games
3 Known types of exploits in MMORPG
4 Consequences of exploitation
5 Miscellaneous
6 See also
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Known types of exploits in FPS games

Wall hack The changing of wall properties in first-person shooters. Most wallhacks are used to make a map's walls at least partially transparent, allowing players to see objects lying behind a wall
Aimbot An aimbot, sometimes called "auto-aim", is software that assists the player in aiming at the target. This gives the user an advantage over unaided players.
Cham hacks or chams for short which generally replace player models with brightly colored skins, often in neon red/yellow and blue/green colors.
Bunny hopping or Strafe-jumping requires a very specific combination of mouse and keyboard input. The exact technique involved depends on the game itself; however, most games follow a certain pattern of user actions. Not all players consider this as a damaging exploit. Some FPS Games have maps made just for this trick.

[edit] Known types of exploits in real-time strategy games

Maphack A cheat that enables the player to see more of the map than the game intends them to see. A common feature in multiplayer real-time strategy games is the inability for the player to see outside the visibility range of the individual units and buildings that the player controls.

[edit] Known types of exploits in MMORPG

Speed Hacking/Teleporting/Subterrain Travel - If character position in an MMORPG is determined by the client side (usually not the case), it is possible for players to send out artificial positional data and be instantly transported to any part of the world or used to speed up traveling speed by increasing positional deltas.
Holes - Some games may contain accidental holes in the map, allowing the player to get under the map. Holes are mostly harmless, although some use them in player vs. player situations to sneak around and get behind their opponent.
Botting - A player who runs a third party program to control their character. The bot will kill monsters, loot money, mine ore, collect herbs or gain levels automatically without the player having to be in front of the computer.^[1]
Duping - Duplicating, or replicating items or money.
Game Mechanics Exploits / Bug Exploits - There are also other exploits involving the physics of the game, sometimes in conjunction with items. This includes using wall-walking to get into unfinished areas or abilities to make one's character unattackable by mobs or other players^[2] and sometimes are able to attack back.
Data Mining - This is typically most common around the time that a patch is released on the public test realm of World of Warcraft. Players will try to access files not yet in game and then host them on websites to expose content not yet released (usually new zones, items, and graphics).^[3]

[edit] Consequences of exploitation

Depending on the EULA and the severity of the exploit, developers may do anything from simply removing the exploited material from the game, to reprimanding the players, or banning their accounts. There are only occasional rare cases of an exploiter being threatened with legal action. This was the case October 25, 2006, when lawyers from Blizzard and Vivendi (Blizzard's parent company) threatening to sue if MDY Industries did not immediately cease selling Glider, a shareware bot for World of Warcraft, and pay back all profits earned from sales of it. However, MDY Industries filed suit against Blizzard and Vivendi in Arizona before they could take action. Blizzard and Vivendi then filed a counter-suit against Donnelly ( the owner of MDY Industries ) personally, claiming that MDY Industries exists merely to remove Donnelly from liability.^[4]

[edit] Miscellaneous

Most companies involved in the development or maintenance of online games forbid their employees from sharing information about known exploits or bugs. Doing so is sometimes considered an exploit but is more often merely a vector by which other exploits are shared.

In recent years people using maphacks on Battle.net have been caught. Maphacking is a violation of Blizzard Entertainment terms of use, which condemns the use of any third party software. Thousands have had their accounts banned; in extreme cases, those caught cheating have had their CD key banned.