You simply cannot run software which modifies the Planetside 2 client in any way, say SOE. Because if you do, you will be “indistinguishable” from those using cheats that work in the same way; collateral damage in the developer’s war on hacks. “The result of this is that you will be banned from gameplay and lose your characters/items.”
“We cannot make exceptions to this,” SOE continued in a forum update last night. “We do understand there are relatively harmless apps that fall in this category, but if we allowed those they would simply be used as a shield excuse by players trying to cheat.
“This same rule applies to data that Planetside 2 uses for gameplay. Do not modify any of these files or attempt to modify them in memory. There are some applications that modify the windows or directx environment without changing the client. These may also result in suspensions unless we specifically exempt them and declare them ok to use.”
The message is clear: regardless of its purpose, if you use any mod or third-party program that doesn’t have SOE’s explicit approval you’re likely to be banned, banned, banned. It’s worth noting that the same doesn’t apply to homemade *.INI file changes, which are universally harmless and totally okay with Sony.
It’s a strict policy, but SOE can hardly afford to be anything else. Planetside 2 aimbot hacks began appearing even before the game’s official release this month. Have you encountered any in-game?