Whereas the client does all the graphics-and-sound.īoth are hard to build. where monsters are, where chests are, combat mechanics, resolving "dice rolls", computing loot tables, inventory management, etc. In particular, the server contains all the command-and-control gameplay logic, i.e. The point is, it's a very tightly coupled dance, where effectively half the game is in the client, and half the game is in the server.
The server determines which virtual items are inside the chest, and tells the client to display a "loot window" allowing the player to review and pick the items of interest.The server decides which effect occurs (trapped chest, additional monsters summoned, or just gives loot).The server tells the client to play the "chest opening" animation and sound.The client tells the server you are interacting with the chest.
Your local client PC draws the pictures and makes the sounds of the kobolds and the treasure chest, but the server is telling your local client PC that the kobolds/chest are there, and what they are doing (attacking you dying etc.) When you open the chest, a bunch of stuff happens: Well, if the game was up, you'd see kobolds and a treasure chest. All the terrain is there, fixed structures, water flow. You can walk for miles inside the game, roaming the landscape. If you've ever had World of Warcraft disconnect from the server, you know what I mean. MMOs and certain other games ( Everquest, World of Warcraft, Diablo III etc.) are always-online client-server games, in which part of the game lives in the client, and part lives on the server. Understanding the relationship between client and server If WOW did not have the second part of "participation on emulated servers", then a user could modify on the router level to point to a private server. If the EULA is like WOW, which forbids both modification of the client and participation on emulated servers then it is a violation of EULA. If the EULA is like MineCraft, then you are good to go.
If the server was recreated from the developers own mind, and was only compatible with the WOW server, then it's a bit more gray and depends on the Judge's level of understanding of technology.ģ & 4) This comes down to the EULA.
However,for games like WOW, In short, yes if the server is profiting or If the server is running stolen or leaked software or If the server is distributing client files. You can host MineCraft servers, and even modify the server code. There are many games that require servers in which this is not only legal, but encouraged by the company. Ok, so it looks like there really are many questions being asked.ġ) Is it illegal to host / own / operate a private server for games that require a server of such? And why?Ģ) Is it illegal to host / own / operate a private server for WOW? And why?ģ) Is it illegal to join a private server for games that require a server? and why?Ĥ) Is it illegal to join a private server for WOW?ġ & 2) This depends on the game that is being hosted.