Disabling of eqgame.dll

[Mardur]

First of all, this post isn't seeking any sort of technical help. It's just something that I've been thinking about regarding the new cheat detection.

At first I was excited about the inclusion of third party software detection and the suspensions, mostly for the Red99 implications. As I stated in another thread, this is a huge boon for Red99 only IF a loophole isn't found. Unfortunately there are two:

ShowEQ vs. MySEQ. The third party software detection can detect MySEQ but not ShowEQ. What this means is, the convenient Windows-based version of MySEQ which absolutely anyone who can install P99 could use, is detectable by eqgame.dll. However, the Linux based ShowEQ is not.

Problem: Those who are able to run ShowEQ on a Linux box have just been given an advantage with this recent hack detection.

The second and largest issue is that players are already altering the eqgame.dll file to disable the third party software detection. I'm sure the implications of this are obvious. Say you have 3 random competing guilds on Red99. GuildA has a member with enough tech savvy (ie. Tyen/Salty) to alter the eqgame.dll and then redistribute it to anyone in their guild. This gives a large advantage to one single guild as they are now able to run MQ2 / MySEQ without automatic detection.

This is the double edged sword of cracking down on those using cheat software. It's obviously ideal if you can come up with a system that protects everyone. Unfortunately, when systems are implemented "half-assed" it only shifts the advantage around to those who know how to cheat the system. This can actually have a larger negative impact than not implementing the detection in the first place. 15% of your serverbase with the advantage of third party software is not really preferable to say 75% of your serverbase with third party software.

I'm not really suggesting anything, just providing food for thought and incentive to somehow combat those that are altering the eqgame.dll file. As far as combating ShowEQ, I have no idea.