New idea - STEAM-SANDBOX: Cheating Vs VAC

[L0rd_CSVeteran(only HS)]

Many fear cheating in singleplayer will have the account banned. I've researched the forums and most say that you cant use cheats for some games in Single player whilst others you can, for that reason there should be a way to launch a game in "sandbox-mode" for singpeplayer usage when cheats can be utilized without getting the account banned.

This concept benefits the people who are unsure wheter you can use cheats in SP w/o affecting account status.

Thanks for reading, please comment and elaborate!

[DarkCrystalMethod]

Well, my understanding is VAC detects if you've installed an actual program to alter your gameplay (which is why I avoid most game mods unless I know they're safe). If you're using sv_cheats and all the fun that comes with that there is no problem.
However...
Individual admins on their own gameservers can still ban people from their own systems but can't hand out VAC bans.
If in doubt, don't install any cheats. Nobody outside Valve would know exactly what ticks off the VAC system. I have even heard it doesn't like punkbuster.. the previous anti-cheat system.

By the way, this sandbox mode sounds wonderful. An idea on that is anybody NOT running in sandbox mode can't join and that games should be clearly marked. Also should be a way to turn off all your cheats for normal play. Until then, don't cheat.

[DarkCrystalMethod]

This might be more appropriate in the VAC discussion forum...

[Spawn of Totoro]

When you make a server, there is an option to make it VAC secure or not (in Valve Games).

Other thrn that, it is up to the Developers if they want to add that feature. You may want to post this idea in their forums.

[L0rd_CSVeteran(only HS)]

I think I'll bypass the community and email valve themself, you dont seem to get the concept. Im talking about single player not multi, did you skim-read my post?

[L0rd_CSVeteran(only HS)]

no harsh feelings, but i am offended

[soar]

Why would developers design a game where you could just cheat, with no regard to acheivements, Ect.

If you want a sandbox, play GMod..

[Felix]

Let's put it more simply, Paramedic:
If a game uses VAC, don't use any kind of cheats in it. They will be detected and you will get a VAC ban.
If a game doesn't use VAC (IE: most single player games) then VAC will not look for cheats.

Just don't be silly, look things up and you'll be fine.

[ChrisW]

Most game cheats illegally alter copyrighted software and violate their license agreements. Not only do you face a VAC ban, but you could face legal penalties for using such programs. No, they can't take steps to allow you to use such programs and you can't legally use such programs anyway.

[Angel]

I'm not sure if anyone brought this up yet, but if this were to happen, you could launch Team Fortress 2 and completely obliterate the enemy team before the match even starts, or other things too, so in my opinion, this does not look like an idea that would end well if it were put into Steam options.

[ReBoot]

Singleplayer is VAC-free already. As for MP games, just start a server without VAC. This mode is all already in.

[L0rd_CSVeteran(only HS)]

Are you sure ReBoot? I've read in the forums people saying some games are in a grayzone. Yet, to be 100 % sure, i wont buy all my games on one account.

[ManiacMal]

Little paranoid are we? If you are running hashers, mem catchers, outside applications, then you shouldn't be keeping steam online to begin with. I wouldn't doubt that like paramedic is worried about that Steam would catch a scan of it and ban reguardless what they are playing because if it finds it its going to report it. If you are using normal hacks within the game itself for single player use there is nothing to worry about. Start using outside programs and that is where you can take the fall.

[Satoru]

Or you could... not cheat? Really? I mean is not cheating that hard?

[Satoru]

Początkowo opublikowane przez ReBoot:

Singleplayer is VAC-free already. As for MP games, just start a server without VAC. This mode is all already in.

There are exceptions

There is no 'single player TF2'

You have to explicitly launch Dead Island without VAC (which most people don't bother)

Dungeon Defenders has no 'single player'

[ChrisW]

It makes no sense to cheat in single player anyway. Why even bother playing?

And no, using cheats in single player can result in a VAC ban. It all depends on how the cheat is written. Some cheats will replace system files, so it will be running all the time. Do you really want to trust a criminal with your VAC status? There is a reason why you have to go to the back alley of the internet to find these programs and why they are hosted in certain countries that don't respect copyright laws.