{sidebar id=3}{sidebar id=1}The Protect GameGuard software is an anti-cheat program designed to stop botters and hackers from using illegal third-party programs, but the disabled community gets snagged in this poorly executed "take no prisoners" anti-cheating approach.

Botters and other nefarious individuals use these programs to automate tasks such as repeatable quests or killing mobs for money while away from their computer.  Hackers use these programs to ruin the gameplay of others or boost themselves.  Disabled gamers use legal third-party programs, such as on-screen keyboards, to assist in playing games that would be impossible to play otherwise.

Unfortunately, GameGuard does not care about the difference between illegal third-party programs designed to hurt a game and legal third-party programs designed to help gamers.

What GameGuard does

GameGuard is installed as an additive by developers of video games to bolster the security of the program.  Used mainly in Korea, GameGuard is a sentinel program that hides the process of the game from the system itself.  In fact, the program is known as a rootkit.  Rootkits are programs designed to hide other programs that may take control of your entire system.

When installing GameGuard some antivirus programs will alert the user that it is a rootkit and block the installation.  They recommend uninstalling or disabling both antivirus and firewall programs while running GameGuard.

Video games such as Aion, Lineage II, and Phantasy Star Universe use GameGuard as a security measure.  The software itself is equipped with a database of all known game hacks, bot programs, and illegal third-party trainers, which it uses to shut down any of these programs before they have a chance to interact with the game itself.

Essentially, GameGuard has a "white list" of programs allowed to run.  This list is mostly controlled by the software's creator but a certain extent of the control is left to the individual game's developers to set the programs list of allowed applications.

The problem with GameGuard

The problem with GameGuard lies within the apparent nature of creating a program, which disallows any third-party program that it does not recognize, instead of hunting for specific programs that are known threats.

For example, antivirus programs are similar in nature with one very important difference; antivirus programs monitor your system for specifically listed processes but will not take any action against unknown agents, whereas, GameGuard will shut down any program not on the list.

GameGuard blocks many applications that are perfectly legitimate, including device drivers for many popular gaming mice and keyboards.

"Most of us working in the peripherals industry are disappointed by the "shotgun" approach to anti-cheat methodology employed by GameGuard.  Because they frequently "lock out" software and hardware input technology that allows honest players (and in particular the disabled gaming community) from being able to play these games in the first place," says Tony Davenport, C.E.O. of Good Work Systems, a leader in gaming mice and apparel.

In addition to gaming peripheral, assistive technology is almost entirely disabled rendering most disabled gamers unable to play.  Assistive technologies such as voice recognition programs, on-screen keyboards and switch-based devices such as the ones seen at one-switch.  Gaming mice and keyboards with additional buttons, macros, and gesture controls are also disabled.

Without the ability to use assistive technology, many disabled gamers have to abandon these games entirely.  For those with no disabilities, losing the ability to use your favorite gaming mouse can be overcome if the desire to play the game is strong enough but for those with motor impairing disabilities - it is impossible to play without these special devices.

"On-screen keyboards offer many disabled gamers the opportunity to enjoy video games that they would otherwise be unable to play.  With software such as GameGuard, disabled gamers are rendered unable to play," says Sheryl Flynn Ph.D. who is a neuroscientist turned video game developer that now creates video games for the purposes of rehabilitation.  "Creating a method that would allow disabled gamers a workaround for this type of software is imperative.  With millions of disabled game players around the world, the game industry would be well served if they considered a significant portion of their audience when developing these types of software."

The "shotgun approach" to blocking any foreign program is a reckless act and an irresponsible way to treat a problem.  GameGuard's approach to solving the problem of stopping cheaters is equivalent to using a bazooka to remove an anthill.  The word overkill does not do the situation justice.

Much hated software

Often times the needs of the disabled community do not coincide with the desires of the "mainstream" video gaming community.  However, in this situation, disabled gamers are not the only ones who despise GameGuard.

Not only has the software been proven to shut down assistive technology but everyday programs used by both disabled and nondisabled alike.  Programs like Ventrilo, Team Speak, Skype, and even iTunes are often blocked by GameGuard.

Other people have problems with their computers rebooting, blue screens of death, and other serious computer-related issues all due to a program designed to eliminate other programs - good or bad.

Some users have taken to starting petition after petition across multiple titles, all with the hope of removing GameGuard from their beloved games.  Various users even starting entire communities such as P.A.G.G. (People Against GameGuard) in an attempt to show a united front against the obtrusive software.

Unfortunately, both the makers of the GameGuard and the developers of titles such as Aion are clinging to the idea that the program blocks cheaters.  Although undoubtedly some cheaters may be inhibited by the software, the most serious offenders simply find ways around the software.  Forum users admit it does not block the best illegal automated gaming tools.

AbleGamers will not assist anyone in learning how to circumvent GameGuard.  However, under the correct Google search numerous ways can be found to avoid the program altogether.  Some users on sites such as Aionsource even recommend disabling the software for a better gaming experience. (Just like AbleGamers, Aionsource does not support any EULA violations)

The problem is that disabling the software is completely illegal and you will be banned.

However, it is important to note that aside from GameGuard, video game titles such as Aion have relatively good accessibility.  More on Aion's accessibility in our official review.

Why GameGuard is so difficult

One source spoke to us on the condition of anonymity about GameGuard and why it is difficult to pinpoint exactly what the software does to interfere with so many programs and devices.

"If we investigate the device driver technology and it shows that it blocks other devices using some kind of USB hack, because in general USB policy is not to affect other devices, which are a USB device should not interfere with other devices, but should "co-operate". Unfortunately looking at the software and seeing if we can reverse-engineer it enough to discover the actual mechanisms would cost over $1000.

Understand the game software business is cutthroat and they will use the cheapest, broadest anti-cheat platforms they can.  This is just how it is.  Exceptions like WOW are because they are successful enough to do a much better game specific anti-cheat implementation.

Therefore, we fully understand WHY things are the way they are, and we know it is very unlikely they will change their policy to use these methods, as it is a money-based decision, and these are paramount for companies like these.

We cannot be sure what actual mechanisms are being used, so we cannot offer good technical data to the discussion, which is much needed to clear up the discrepancies related in the forums about the hardware affected. Research and development is expensive."

"Things are the way they are" is a very unfortunate phrase because that statement should not be used to excuse irreparable behavior by a program meant to safeguard a game from people who would harm it.  In fact, GameGuard does exactly the opposite, GameGuard shuts down disabled gamers from being able to play a video game they might otherwise have truly enjoyed.

In recent years, assistive technology has come a long way.  To illustrate the point, we need only look at voice recognition programs like Dragon NaturallySpeaking, which have come from an abysmal joke to 99% accuracy in the last few years.

Voice recognition programs like Dragon NaturallySpeaking, Say2Play, and Voice Buddy are imperative to operating video games that require multiple keyboard actions.  Simple actions such as jumping or looting items can be controlled with voice commands allowing those with physical impairments to have an easier time.  Moreover, one-handed gamers often use voice recognition to ease the burden of hitting keys that are normally spread apart.

Of course, on-screen keyboards are incredibly important as described by Dr. Sheryl Flynn.  The ability to communicate with your friends and a video game is almost as important as the plot line itself.  For those unable to use a keyboard, the on-screen keyboard is the only access they have to communication.

GameGuard disables all of these technologies and makes no apologies for doing so.  The greater good is not served by disabling your customers.  Developers turn to the software because it is easier than employing a larger staff to deal with hackers and botters on regular basis.  However, by using such a broad stroke, innocent victims such as disabled gamers are caught up by an overzealous sentinel program, which was designed to stop "the bad guy," not the bystanders who just want to play the game.

Aion

On Sept 17th The folks at NCSoft NA announced that they first release of the game would not contain GameGuard software. They said, "After analyzing our open beta test results Aion will not feature GameGuard at launch. We will however continue to pursue ways to effectively utilize GameGuard within Aion in the future. Right now we're focused on providing players with the best possible Aion experience."
Thank you AION for looking out for ALL YOUR players. You can see more info here

Aion is heralded to be the next "WoW killer" and why not, with spectacular graphics, amazing gameplay, and relatively good accessibility, the game looked to be the first title in a long time with the ability to challenge Warcraft.

Already hugely popular for over a year in Asia, Aion is a fast-paced action game similar to Warcraft but with many unique and interesting twists.  Unfortunately, NCSoft is determined to make GameGuard work.

From one of their Western representatives, Ayase, the following was posted on Aionsource September 10, 2009:

"I believe we've been clear when letting you know how adamant we are to make Aion as good as we can. We have had and still have a couple of issues with GameGuard, but our work to improve the way this software functions in Aion and to eliminate problems never stops. We are currently working to push out updates to hopefully resolve some of the issues we've seen some of you guys are having.

Our entire team is very aware of what many of you think of GameGuard, and I hope that you understand we do what we can to improve the situation, because we don't want anyone to be obstructed from playing Aion the way it's meant to be played.

We're constantly reading and monitoring the community for concerns and are always taking them in, of that you can be assured."

It is very unfortunate that NCSoft wholeheartedly believes in a piece of software that utterly discriminates against the disabled gaming community.  No one wants to help people be able to cheat, all we ask is that developers not use programs that will disable assistive technology software or stop our daily activities all to be able to play a game.

"We are aware that cheating is a serious issue to game enjoyment, and we also know from experience that game specific methods that use game keys and monitor user online game interactions to detect cheating activity are very effective without interfering with legitimate non-cheat input support technology," says Tony Davenport.

"We hope game publishers realize the extent to which gamers use legitimate products to play games honestly.  We wish they would appreciate that some assistive technology makes gaming possible/enjoyable for a large part of the gaming market (gamers with disabilities are estimated to make up 20% of the market), and focus their efforts on the player/game specific cheating "deeds" rather than broadly barring  supportive PC input technology that undergirds the PC gaming platform."

Indeed, disabled gamers make up a large portion of the world gaming market.  It is unfortunate that game developers who choose to use GameGuard will be missing potential customers.

However, some users declare that the positive pressure to remove GameGuard is working on NCWest, the Western division of NCSoft, whose corporate headquarters is in Asia.

Malstrom of the Aion Beta boards posted the following in the forums:

"I have a friend who works for NCWest (not in the development or administrative teams) and he told me today that the folks in charge of NCWest really are trying to convince the Koreans to allow Aion to release in North America without GameGuard... I want to encourage all of my colleagues here in the Beta Testing to continue to apply POSITIVE pressure to NCSoft (via NCWest) to allow Aion to be released here without GameGuard attached...

So, please continue to provide feedback regarding your thoughts, feelings and experience with regard to GameGuard. The more we can help convince the Koreans that it is a major issue for us, as a consumer base, the more likely it will be that we can have a clean release of a GREAT game."

Now, we all know how these "I have a friend who said" things usually turn out.  Nevertheless, in this situation, we truly hope Mr. Malstrom is not lying.  Assuming that he is not, let this be one more reason for GameGuard to reconsider the way it treats programs and Aion to reconsider using GameGuard, the most offensive program to disabled people we have ever had the displeasure of finding.