How do you know when a player is using macro(s)? What is macro and when has this term been circulating around the community?
lun, 05/10/2021 - 19:04
I haven't played this game for a while due to being busy with real life and managing my bills, but to get straight to the point:
What is a macro or how do you know when a player uses it?
My curiosity for this question to be answered is because I've heard this word so many times since 2016+. I've also witnessed that there's been discussions about the word since 2012, but it wasn't getting hype, gossip, or recognition until the 2016 - and now era.
I've spectated more lockdown matches than I have with PvE players, but players that come to mind when I hear the words are (and sorry for name calling):
Tiuly
Red-Anarki
Arithereal
Namewithnumbers (not really, but I can sense it in the forms of how quick of weap cancel swap he can do with his Arcana).
And yes, these are accusations that I'm not 100% sure about, but what these players have in common are they have a repetitive cancel swapping when shooting their opponents in lockdown games and they somehow have enhanced UV's.
I also know that accusing people and their skill isn't none of my business, but I truly want to know what a macro is (specifically identifying when a player has them - there are no tutorials or examples on YouTube).
I don't like name calling on a particular situation like this, but I'm genuinely curious.
mar, 05/11/2021 - 05:23
#2
This article might helpA
A macro is an automated sequence of inputs to the computer. It essentially acts as an additional layer between the player and their input device (mouse/keyboard), where this "layer" receives a player input (such as a single button press, or small combination of inputs), and outputs the programmed sequence of keypresses/mouse movements to the computer.
In terms of detecting macros, I imagine it is very difficult. Spiral Knights ToS specifically mentions macroing software as a bannable offense, but I've never heard of anyone getting banned for macros. Unless someone made a macro to farm Vanaduke automatically, and set it for 24/7 playtime for like a month (which would be amazing and foolish), there is no reliable way to detect.
Ar******al definitely seemed like a macro user due to frame perfect weapon switching, not once or twice but every single time they attacked. However, they could simply be an experienced player, with a high end computer setup....probably not though lol
i did some searching, and came to the conclusion that there is pretty much no reliable way to detect macro usage with 100% certainty. most gaming mice/keyboards come with macro software as well (big brands too, like Razer and Corsair), so it may be more common than previously thought.
mer, 05/26/2021 - 18:29
#3
Why did you censor Arithereal? It wasn't censored in the first post.
In games, the term macro generally refers to some system (implemented within the game itself, or externally via some tools) that allows the player to automatically make their character perform a sequence of actions by pressing a single key/button, or perform certain tasks in a loop without continued player input. Macros are generally used to make certain techniques easier to perform in the former case, and for repetitive actions (so they help with grinding/farming in MMORPGs) in the latter.
As far as I know, SK doesn't implement macros, so I guess external tools have to be used; they can be even as trivial as software utilities for keyboard combinations. In any case, I doubt macros have anything to do with the 'enhanced UVs' you mention (unless UV probabilities are somehow affected by client input).
Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong: I've described macros as they're used in games other than this one, so SK players might still be referring to something else entirely