Use of VoIP while playing POTCO

[Basil Dreadflint]

Using VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)

There has been a lot of discussion here on the forums lately about using VoIP while playing the game. Many people have voiced opinions about it, some for and some against. There have been many statements that the use of VoIP programs are against the Disney Terms of Service, TOS. (By the way, there is no Disney terms of service, they are called Terms of Use. If you are going to quote the rules, make sure you know the rules, first.)

Those who are against VoIP claim it is cheating, and violates the "Use of third party software" rule. Those who are for it, claim that this is not so.

The TOU are written in deliberately vauge terminology when dealing with third party software. The Disney Terms of Use says nothing about VoIP programs.
It's the Disney House Rules (their version of Netiquette) that has a mention about VoIP, but it's about providing PII and information to initiate the connection.

Originally Posted by Disney House Rules / Netiquette
You should never give out any personal information about yourself or anyone else, and never ask for personal information from others. This means no posting of phone numbers, screen or user names (including Voice Over Internet Protocol), addresses, e-mail addresses, Social Security numbers, passwords, or any other private information. In addition, any discussion of Web addresses or social networking Web sites where personal information is, or can be posted or exchanged, (VoIP's again) is not allowed.

This adresses what goes on in Disney chat, and would include the address or instructions on how to load, access, and use the VoIP site/program.

The Member Agreement mentions third-party software but as we all know it's intended for software that changes the PiratesOnline client itself or modifies intended gameplay.

Originally Posted by PiratesOnline Member Agreement
AUTOMATED GAMEPLAY AND OTHER CHEATING METHODS

Use of any software, code, device or other mechanism that allows automated gameplay, expedited gameplay, or other manipulation of gameplay or game client will result in immediate termination of the Account. Disney reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to determine what constitutes manipulation of gameplay or game client.

The intent of the Member Agreement rule is to make sure that persons do not cheat the GAME. Use of third party programs that cheat the game include Macros, and any program that can be written/acquired that increase a players ability in the game.I.E. Speed software. It also is adressing use of devices and mechanisms that allow automated gameplay. The use of VoIP DOES NOT have any impact on a players game interaction or performance. It DOES however, allow players to communcate without having to take their hands and minds off the task at hand to communicate.

Quite a few persons have asked Disney of this directly, and there have been conflicting answers, some of which are because of the wording and method of the questions being asked.

Below is an actual email exchange between a gamer (not me) and Disney Member services.

from [email protected]
reply-to [email protected]
to <myemail>
date Fri, Sep 11, 2009 at 6:06 PM
subject RE: Pirates Online Member Services Ticket: [7804713-27936]

Dear <myname>,

Using it to talk to friend is your choice. However, we discourage any guests from give others their VoIP name or attempt to convince them to download the program to talk to each other. The simple exchange of any Personally Identifiable Information is strictly prohibited. Please refer to the Terms of Use for further details.

Robert
Pirates of the Caribbean Online Member Services

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ORIGINAL MESSAGE - do not edit below this line

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> From: <myemail>
> Date: Sep 10, 2009 - 10:14 AM
> To: <myemail>
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> Email Address : <myemail>
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> From Name : <myname>
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> Comments or Questions : Quick question.
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> Is using a Voice over IP (VoIP) program while playing Pirates of the
> Caribbean Online regarded as an activity that violates the game's Terms
> of Service (TOS)?
>
> Thank you.
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Ticket ID: 7804713-27936

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Please make note of the way the question was asked. Straighforward and open. No couching the question by saying that it is cheating, no hiding the meaning of the question by stating in the question that in your 'opinion' the terms of usage are being violated. The answer is plain and simple, it is your choice. BUT, do not give out the information in Disney chat. VoIP has been around for over a decade. It has been used by the gaming community since it's inception. Disney knew all about it and it's potential uses long before they even created ToonTown, let alone POTCO. The fact that they do NOT specifically name it in their terms and agreements is because, IT IS THE CHOICE OF THE INDIVIDUAL!

Those who argue that VoIP violates the "third party' rule, should think about everything else they run on their PC. OpenGL and DirectX are third party programs. Your ISP is third party. The wireless router is third party, your anti-virus program, any help you recieve through this site, POF, and even your web browser are third party. If no third party programs at all could be run while you play the game, you would not be able to play the game at all.

Personal opinion: Disney cannot ban any user or group of users that utilize a VoIP program. They CAN ban you for passing the information along ingame. Any group of players who play together, or hold any events together must make their own rules and determinations about the use of VoIP. If the group rules against it, then using it is agianst THEIR rules, but not Disney rules. It is up to them to police it themselves. While it does not give anyone an advantage in questing, fighting, one-on-one PvP, weapons leveling, etc., I can understand how it MAY provide an edge in group activites and competitions such as SvS. Again, it is up to the event organizers and participants to decide how to handle event rule violators.

The threads and postings about the topic have been brash. People have been posting their 'interpretation' of the Disnay rules as if they were facts. Arguements have ensued, and have led to some hard feelings. Many of the posts have needed to be edited or deleted by the mod staff due to trolling/flaming/naming names or other violations of POF policy.

Unless and until Disney makes a hard and fast statement, I recommend that future discussions on the forums should be kept to, "Yes, we allow it in our event", or "No, we don't allow it in our event."
Thanks for reading this.