Multi-boxing
Encyclopedia
Multiboxing is a term used mostly in MMORPGs to refer to playing as multiple separate characters simultaneously. This can either be achieved by using multiple separate machines to run the game or by running multiple separate instances of the game.
Variations on the term are common. Often, the number of accounts used is reflected in the term used: dual-boxing or two-boxing for two characters, three-boxing for three etc. Less generally, the term hydra has been used to describe multiboxing, after the many-headed serpent from Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra
.
Sometimes it is a matter of convenience, having permanent access to a character that can buff, heal or resurrect the main character.
Overall, Multiboxing is a play style choice. Many people find the additional strategy of multiboxing to be very challenging and, with those additional efforts, very rewarding. Rather than require the collaboration and cooperation of multiple human players, people who multibox instead rely upon themselves to intelligently control multiple game characters and utilize their own cunning as a replacement for human cooperation.
While multiboxing, the player does not necessarily have to spend time looking for a group to join in an adventure with, but rather can run dungeons by himself repeatedly without the risk of someone leaving in the middle of the run.
may be used, which sends the signals from a single keyboard to several computers.
Software tools include programs which can simulate keyboard multiplexing by sending keystrokes to different instances of the game simultaneously, or across networks. Voice command software
can also be used.
Often, heavy use is made of the macros built into the game's default interface. This allows more complex instructions to be issued with a single keypress. Examples include targeting a certain character and healing them, or firing a spell at another character's target.
Some examples of multiboxing software products available today:
End User License Agreements, because the characters are still subject to all the normal rules of the game world and are controlled by the player directly. This is in contrast to bots
that partially or fully control the characters, which are against the terms of service of most online games.
Most MMORPGs only allow a single character per account to be logged in at once, so multi-boxers need a separate account for each character they want to play simultaneously. In subscription based services, this means paying multiple monthly fees, and buying several copies of game expansions. However, with trial accounts, multiboxing for free is possible. Using World of Warcraft: Starter Edition is one example which has unlimited play for free, albeit with certain in-game limitations surrounding maximum level, currency accrual, etc.
Most game developers allow multiboxing in their games. To date, Age of Conan, Aion
, Anarchy Online
, City of Heroes
, City of Villains
, Dungeons and Dragons Online, EVE Online
, Lord of the Rings Online, EverQuest
, EverQuest II
, Lineage, Lineage II
, Ultima Online
, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
, Warhammer Online and World of Warcraft
all allow multiboxing. The Chronicles of Spellborn
and Rift allow hardware multiboxing, but prohibit software multiboxing. Game publishers do not provide technical support for multiboxing, so while it may be allowed, you may find certain games are not designed to be multiboxed.
Variations on the term are common. Often, the number of accounts used is reflected in the term used: dual-boxing or two-boxing for two characters, three-boxing for three etc. Less generally, the term hydra has been used to describe multiboxing, after the many-headed serpent from Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra
Lernaean Hydra
In Greek mythology, the Lernaean Hydra was an ancient nameless serpent-like chthonic water beast, with reptilian traits, that possessed many heads — the poets mention more heads than the vase-painters could paint, and for each head cut off it grew two more — and poisonous breath so virulent even...
.
Reasons for use
Multiboxing is done for several reasons. People may enjoy the additional challenge it can bring, as well as being able to tackle more difficult monsters by themselves.Sometimes it is a matter of convenience, having permanent access to a character that can buff, heal or resurrect the main character.
Overall, Multiboxing is a play style choice. Many people find the additional strategy of multiboxing to be very challenging and, with those additional efforts, very rewarding. Rather than require the collaboration and cooperation of multiple human players, people who multibox instead rely upon themselves to intelligently control multiple game characters and utilize their own cunning as a replacement for human cooperation.
While multiboxing, the player does not necessarily have to spend time looking for a group to join in an adventure with, but rather can run dungeons by himself repeatedly without the risk of someone leaving in the middle of the run.
Tools
Multiboxing may be as simple as running two instances of the game on one computer (each logged in to a separate account) and switching between them. Players may also use multiple computers, each with their own keyboard and mouse. This quickly becomes impractical with an increasing number of computers, so a keyboard multiplexerMultiplexer
In electronics, a multiplexer is a device that selects one of several analog or digital input signals and forwards the selected input into a single line. A multiplexer of 2n inputs has n select lines, which are used to select which input line to send to the output...
may be used, which sends the signals from a single keyboard to several computers.
Software tools include programs which can simulate keyboard multiplexing by sending keystrokes to different instances of the game simultaneously, or across networks. Voice command software
Hands-free computing
Hands-free computing is a term used to describe a configuration of computers so that they can be used by persons without the use of the hands interfacing with commonly used human interface devices such as the mouse and keyboard. Hands-free computing is important because it is useful to both able...
can also be used.
Often, heavy use is made of the macros built into the game's default interface. This allows more complex instructions to be issued with a single keypress. Examples include targeting a certain character and healing them, or firing a spell at another character's target.
Examples of multiboxing
When multiboxing with five characters, one computer and two displays, the player can have one game-instance in full-screen mode on display #1 and split display #2 between the remaining four. Usually with the press of a button the "focus display" is changed, so that greater control of any character can be achieved, in case one of them dies, for example.Multiboxing software
Multiboxing software may include a variety of features designed to enhance multiboxing, such as:- Window management
- Keyboard and mouse broadcasting between game windows and/or PCs
- Key mapping and other input device mapping
- Graphical overlays (interactive and non-interactive)
- Game configuration and macro management
- CPU and GPU management, e.g. to best utilize multiple CPU cores or GPUs
Some examples of multiboxing software products available today:
- EQPlayNice, free or paid, provides framerate limiting for EverQuest
- HotkeyNet is free, programmable multiboxing software, featuring window management and broadcasting features
- ISBoxer is commercial multiboxing software that provides the full range of multiboxing software functionality including window management, key mapping, graphical overlays and video from other windows, and World of Warcraft macro management. ISBoxer supports most MMORPGs that allow multiboxing
- PwnBoxer is commercial multiboxing software geared toward World of Warcraft, featuring window management, broadcasting and World of Warcraft game configuration tools
- WinEQ 2, free or paid, provides window management, game configuration, and CPU management. WinEQ 2 is primarily geared toward EverQuest
Compatibility with Game Rules
Multiboxing is generally allowed by MMORPGMMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
End User License Agreements, because the characters are still subject to all the normal rules of the game world and are controlled by the player directly. This is in contrast to bots
Computer game bot
A bot, most prominently in the first-person shooter types , is a type of weak AI expert system software which for each instance of the program controls a player in deathmatch, team deathmatch and/or cooperative human player. Computer bots may play against other bots and/or human players in unison,...
that partially or fully control the characters, which are against the terms of service of most online games.
Most MMORPGs only allow a single character per account to be logged in at once, so multi-boxers need a separate account for each character they want to play simultaneously. In subscription based services, this means paying multiple monthly fees, and buying several copies of game expansions. However, with trial accounts, multiboxing for free is possible. Using World of Warcraft: Starter Edition is one example which has unlimited play for free, albeit with certain in-game limitations surrounding maximum level, currency accrual, etc.
Most game developers allow multiboxing in their games. To date, Age of Conan, Aion
Aion
Aion may refer to:In music:*Aion , a Japanese metal band**Aion , their 1992 album*Aion , a Polish gothic metal band*Aion , a 2003 album...
, Anarchy Online
Anarchy Online
Anarchy Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game published and developed by Funcom. Released in the summer of 2001, the game was first in the genre to include a science-fiction setting, dynamic quests, free trials, and in-game advertising. The most ground breaking feature in...
, City of Heroes
City of Heroes
City of Heroes is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the superhero comic book genre, developed by Cryptic Studios and published by NCsoft. The game was launched in North America on April 27, 2004 and in Europe on February 4, 2005 with English, German and French language...
, City of Villains
City of Villains
City of Villains is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on the superhero comic book genre, developed by Cryptic Studios and published by NCSoft. Released on October 31, 2005 , the game is integrated with their previous release, City of Heroes...
, Dungeons and Dragons Online, EVE Online
EVE Online
Eve Online is a video game by CCP Games. It is a player-driven, persistent-world MMORPG set in a science fiction space setting. Characters pilot customizable ships through a galaxy of over 7,500 star systems. Most star systems are connected to one or more other star systems by means of stargates...
, Lord of the Rings Online, EverQuest
EverQuest
EverQuest, often shortened to EQ, is a 3D fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that was released on the 16th of March, 1999. The original design is credited to Brad McQuaid, Steve Clover, and Bill Trost...
, EverQuest II
EverQuest II
EverQuest II is a 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Sony Online Entertainment , based on EverQuest, and shipped on 8 November 2004...
, Lineage, Lineage II
Lineage II
Lineage II is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game for Microsoft Windows. It is a prequel to Lineage, and is set 150 years before the earlier game. It has become very popular since its October 1, 2003 launch in South Korea, reporting 1,000,918 unique users during the month of March 2007...
, Ultima Online
Ultima Online
Ultima Online is a graphical massively multiplayer online role-playing game , released on September 24, 1997, by Origin Systems. It was instrumental to the development of the genre, and is still running today...
, Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes
Vanguard: Saga of Heroes is a high fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game created by Sigil Games Online, and now developed and run by Sony Online Entertainment. Originally, the game was co-published by Sony Online Entertainment , and the company producing it, Sigil Games...
, Warhammer Online and World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
all allow multiboxing. The Chronicles of Spellborn
The Chronicles of Spellborn
The Chronicles of Spellborn was an MMORPG, developed by Spellborn International and distributed by Frogster Interactive, Mindscape and Acclaim Games; set in a post-apocalyptic fantasy world...
and Rift allow hardware multiboxing, but prohibit software multiboxing. Game publishers do not provide technical support for multiboxing, so while it may be allowed, you may find certain games are not designed to be multiboxed.
External links
- "Multiboxing.com" A multi-boxing forum mainly geared toward PwnBoxer support and World of Warcraft
- "Dual-Boxing.com: A site for multiboxers." A multi-boxing forum containing macros for a number of MMORPGs and various software guides. Includes a multi-boxing wiki.
- "Multiboxing EverQuest: One Player, Many Characters" article at Extremetech.com