** The project in question (in the following written HDT for brevity) ** https://github.com/Epix37/Hearthstone-Deck-Tracker
Here is an extract from HDT's read me:
Tracks:
- Cards left in your deck or cards drawn from your deck.
- Your handcount, deckcount and draw chances.
- Cards played by your opponent.
- Your opponent's handcount, deckcount and probablities of him having/drawing cards.
- How long your opponent had each card in his hand and what cards have been mulliganed, stolen or returned.[...]
Deck Manager:
- Import decks from websites: arenavalue, hearthstats, hearthpwn, hearthhead, hearthstoneplayers, tempostorm, hearthstonetopdeck and hearthnews
- Circumvent the 9 deck limit: Saved decks can be exported to Hearthstone. (My Decks > More...)[...]
The automated tracking is done my reading out Hearthstone logfile.
First off I find it amazing how many people are contributing to this project! This really shows that there may be some features Blizzard should probably think about implementing in the client themselves. I also understand that a bunch of people think that using this tool is okay since it reads from a plain log file that is openly accessible to anyone using their file browser/explorer.
I feel, however, that this project has transgressed a line that turned it into something providing such an advantage, that not using it if you actually can almost seems dumb.
While I don't downright condemn people using it I feel all the wishy-washy argumentation around this should be made clear. And since Blizzard themselves apparently won't properly answer inquiries regarding possible TOS violations, here are parts of the Battle.net Terms of Service conflicting with HDT itself or its features.
TL;DR for everything below: If they said that HDT was okay they'd be in trouble since it conflicts with the TOS. If they said it wasn't okay they would have to do something about it, which (besides encrypting the log file) is hard (if not impossible) since it is 100% client-side and (besides the deck import to Hearthstone from HDT) not manipulating any game files.
*Official Terms of Service * http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/legal/eula.html
License Limitations. Blizzard may revoke your license to use Battle.net and/or the Games if you violate, or assist others in violating, the license limitations set forth below. You agree that you will not, in whole or in part or under any circumstances, do the following:
Section 1(C)(i)
Derivative Works: Copy or reproduce (except as provided in Section 1(B)), translate, reverse engineer, derive source code from, modify, disassemble, decompile, or create derivative works based on or related to the Battle.net Client or Games.
Conflicts with Section 1(C)(i):
- HDT uses Blizzard assets
- HDT reads the Hearthstone log file and uses that as its base
- HDT modifies Hearthstone game files
- The feature to export decks from HDT to Hearthstone itself
Section 1(C)(ii)
Cheating: Create, use, offer, advertise, make available and/or distribute the following or assist therein:
1. Cheats; i.e. methods, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, influencing and/or facilitating the gameplay, including exploits of any in-game bugs, and thereby granting you and/or any other user an advantage over other players not using such methods;
[...]
3. Hacks; i.e. accessing or modifying the software of a Game or Battle.net in an manner, not expressly authorized by Blizzard; and/or
4. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that can be used in connection with the Battle.net client, Battle.net, a Game and/or any component or feature thereof which changes and/or facilitates the gameplay;
Conflicts with Section 1(C)(ii):
- 1. HDT provides an advantage, otherwise you would not use it
- 3. & 4. There has never been an explicit authorization (I know of) from Blizzard for HDT to read from the log or mess with decks in the Hearthstone client
Section 1(C)(iv)
Data Mining: Use third-party software that intercepts, collects, reads, or "mines" information generated or stored by the Battle.net Client or the Game(s); provided, however, that Blizzard may, at its sole and absolute discretion, allow the use of certain third-party user interfaces;
Conflicts with Section 1(C)(iv):
- Parsing the Hearthstone logfile is the paragon of what this clause prohibits in absence of Blizzards permission
All of Section 2, especially (ix)
The right to create derivative works, and as part of this Agreement, you agree that you will not create any work based on Battle.net or the Games, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement or otherwise by Blizzard in certain contest rules, Blizzard’s Fan Policies, or addendum to this Agreement.
Conflicts with Section 2(ix):
- I have not read Blizzard's Fan Policies, but I imagine there is no clause stating: "It is generally allowed to develop third-party tools that processes game files to perform tracking and/or calculations for the player while using components of Battle.net and/or the Games, that are owned or licensed by Blizzard for its user interface." or any more general statement.
Conclusion
I think even if not all these points may be 100% accurate, it is clear to see that this is not a case of: "Yup, nothing wrong here. Let's go on." HDT clearly is in a pretty dark grey zone, if not completely against the Terms of Service. While I do not expect a response from a Blizzard employee for legal reasons, this may serve as guide for all that keep asking if such programs are okay to use.
What could Blizzard actually do about this if they decided it is an issue? Besides encrypting the log file, it would be really hard (if not impossible) to do anything since it is 100% client-side and (besides the deck import to Hearthstone from HDT) not manipulating any game files.
And lastly to deal with the real question most of you want to ask: "Will I get banned for using this?" - First off: If you are already thinking of asking this question, shouldn't that be your answer already? If something seems to good to be true, it most of the time is. - Secondly: In the case of HDT Blizzard has made repeated statements in relation to it that seem to indicate should they go after this someday they will not outright ban everyone that has been using it but rather go with warning first and if the warnings are ignored then proceed with individual bans.