Originally Posted by
billpaustin
We should separate the two types of macroing:
1) creating a "shortcut" that typically collapses several keystrokes into one. This is acceptable and actually should be expected in games.
2) creating a routine where the game is being played without a human. I consider this an exploit, along with terrain exploits, etc.
For example, a simple terrain exploit is to find a place that you cannot be hit, and you can hit the enemy. Easier with a pet in the game, just stand on top of a big, inaccessible rock next to a spot you know a single creature spawns on, and park your pet there. Then when the creature spawns, your pet kills it, and you watch TV or go fishing.
A macro exploit in Xsyon might be for fishing. Your character patiently fishes using a looped macro, and when you come back tomorrow, you're full of fish and have levelled.
So, how could you tell if someone is running an automated looping macro? You probably can't. Not a good one, anyway.
I've seen two problematic results from looping macros: characters that leveled this way sometimes are very inept for the level they are at, and the economy can be ruined.