GRRR Squad Forum

Hi guys, I had a nice disagreement with somebody on the use of config files to edit graphics settings just to get a boost in FPS. As you all know, it is quite easy to adjust BF4 settings using the user.cfg files etc. However, putting on my lawyer hat, in the terms of service of Battlefield 4, the following is clearly written in the contract we all entered into when we installed the game:

(if you did not read it the first time, here it is: http://www.ea.com/terms-of-service#section11)

I quote point 17 of section 11, "- Modify or attempt to modify any file or any other part of the EA Service that EA does not specifically authorize you to modify."

I have thusfar been unable to find any place where the modification of the user.cfg file is permitted anywhere in the terms of service as such, one must draw the conclusion that EA did not authorise you to make changes to this file.

On the same link as above, point 16, and I quote :"Use any game hacking/altering/cheating software or tools."

now the use of a program that has not been distributed by EA directly has to be used to modify the user.cfg file (Notepad or wordpad is distributed by Microsoft) and it is use to ALTER the game settings. The only program that has been distributed by EA for the use of altering the game settings is Battlelog and or the ingame settings adjustment program. Anything except for those two may thus not be use to alter anything in the game.

Given the above TOS I have to come to the conclusion that if one edits any files outside of BF4 then it goes against the TOS and as a result from EA can be considered a bannable offence. What are your views on this?

I use it to enable my keys that it doesn't want to bind to.
So for me, it has it's legitimate uses.

what keys doesn't it want to bind?

Lol dude

Its a config.cfg file unless there are commands in it that somehow change the actual game then it really is not a problem.

cfg files have been used in games for forever.

There is no issue here.

What point are you trying to make Perd???

@Skoups - It doesn't/didn't allow me to bind "Delete" as my reload key.

I also find it easier to run through all my keys without actually having to be in-game to set it up.

You got an App Eggy?

TygerBS wrote:cfg files have been used in games for forever.

I am not arguing that they've been in used for ever, but the TOS does not authorise you to change them (or any other file) unless done by the game settings itself. (notepad is a third party tool used to alter the game and as such is going against the TOS.

I should perhaps be clear on something, I think there are two things on discussion.
1. What everybody is doing.
2. What you MAY AND MAY NOT do.

In terms of the TOS, there is no difference whatsoever between hacking, using exploits, or altering game files which has not been authorised by EA to be altered by using third party tools. (notepad is third party tool).

So, if we as a clan has a zero tolerance on cheaters, then we need to abide by the rules (whether or not we agree with them or not) to the letter and the rules in the TOS is quite clear unless there is something I have missed in the TOS?

The disagreement was with me, he called me out as a hacker last night because if got a config file for my settings, so all this is about is to proof him or me wrong !!!

Strictly speaking, all settings that Dice/EA want you to edit should be options in the in-game menu.
Historically, many gamers, including competitive gamers have edited and benefited from config file edits without reprimand.
Its a grey area for me. On one side, players with below par rigs who do not have muchos $ can sometimes get playable framerates and compete with rich fucks through config file edits.
On the other side, some people are looking for an advantage over other players any way they can.

Some of the settings that players edited in config files for BF2 are now in-game settings for BF4, thinking of the network slider (latency based setting) and POV.

If your rig can handle BF4, no need to go into the config surely?

Technically Skoups, some people may use their graphics software (nvidia/AMD) to override in-game settings like the filtering which also falls under EA's broad spectrum licence.

Another point is that the config files we can edit are client side and open to edit by players. From my side, all these should be tucked away in an advanced menu in-game to avoid the finger-pointing.

My 2.5c