Copied over from another thread, but should reside here as a sticky:
THIRD PARTY TOOLSWe've been made aware of tools that some players have developed to
assist them in playing Illyriad. Some of these tools are basic
(web-enabled spreadsheets and the like) and some of these tools are
quite advanced (JavaScripts etc that "float" above the web client).
We
haven't had a particularly stringent policy on these tools, and have
been happy to let players develop them.
However, when we've been
aware of functionality within a tool that gives what
we deem
to be an unfair advantage over other players, we've asked that the
functionality be removed until we can find some way of closing down the
source of the data to whatever extent possible, and it is muchly to the
credit of the players who have developed these tools that they've done
what we requested.
We do, now, have guidelines for players who
wish to develop tools, and these are as follows:
1. Data usage must comply with the current, publicly
visible User InterfaceThe tool must only use the data
that is publicly visible and explicitly available on the User Interface
to
all players without having to go into the source code.
If,
for example, the publicly visible interface does not tell you where an
army is travelling to, then this is something we do not intend for you
to know, and tools that attempt to extract this data from the source of
the world map are not allowed.
2. Tools
that automate regular data captureTools that
automatically refresh their data without any intervention from the user
are forbidden. This includes map-scanning tools and event notification
tools that conduct their *own* data refreshes.
We don't have an
issue with tools that ride on the back of manually initiated refreshes
of data (or refreshes of data that Illyriad refreshes itself, such as
Chat channels) but we do have an issue with tools that poll the server.
3. Tools that automate actionsTools
that submit ingame *actions* back to the web server are forbidden.
The
word "action" is important here.
We don't have a problem with
anyone who has (eg) a tool that allows you to click on a player's name
and view their ranking, open a new mail message, look at their profile,
or center the map on their capital city. These are all examples of
reasonable uses.
However, any tool that (eg) dispatches an army,
casts a spell, starts construction etc is a definite no-no.
-------------------------
Please be aware
that these guidelines are subject to change. If you are in any doubt at
all about whether a particular function of your tool is permitted, we'd
urge you to get in touch with us before writing or using it. Please
use Petitions ingame to do this.