Looking for 100% correct infos when it is allowed to modify game files and installing mods and patchs, etc.

[Doc✪Hollywood]

Somebody wrote today this:

Originally posted by somebody:

VAC doess not always mean a hack, if you edit any file in game folder, you get it too (not config).

I do *not* want to risk a VAC on my profile, so I want understand this topic 100%.

Please answer my two questions if you are 100% sure that the information you give me is 100% correct, and even better: if you answer shortly and add a link to the written source of information.

1) Editing game files can get a VAC ban, but editing *all* config files are allowed, no VAC ban, 100% secure? Are config files always with ".cfg" at the end?

2) Editing non-config game-files --- like installing a mod for new map section or better looking trees in a RPG, there are so many mods in the Workshops of Steam and other mod sites in the internet, etc. --- gets you ...
A) ... always banned
B) ... only banned for games with VAC protected servers
C) ... only banned for games with VAC protected servers if you *CONNET* to VAC protected server. Even when it was only a mod like in elder scrolls online for more beautiful trees or a new added map section.
D) like C) but with exceptions of games with steam Workshops.


I ask you for *precise* answers. It is important

[Commander Makara]

Thejre's nothing precise.

The defintion as to what consititues a CHEAT in so far as Steam or VAC are concerned is the definition SPECIFICALLY AGREED TO WITH VALVE

software or hardware processes or functionality that may give a player an unfair competitive advantage when playing multiplayer versions of any Content and Services or modifications of Content and Services (“Cheats”).

It's sufficiently vague enough to cover Valve's arse legally in the event of some oversight (not that videogaming media will let them off the hook so easily).

[budozero]

From the VAC KB:

"Any third-party modifications to a game designed to give one player an advantage over another is classified as a cheat or hack and will trigger a VAC ban."

"VAC"
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7849-RADZ-6869

if you get a VAC ban it only affects the game you recived the ban in, with the exception of certain Valve Source and GoldSource games.

"What games can I play if I've been VAC banned?

VAC banned accounts can still play single-player games, local LAN games, and multiplayer on non VAC-secured game servers. To find non VAC-secured servers, from the Steam main menu click on View, select Servers, then select Not secure in the Anti-cheat dropdown.

Cheating in one of the following Source games or a Source mod will result in a VAC ban for all games in the list below:

Counter-Strike: Source
Half-Life 2: Deathmatch
Day of Defeat: Source
Team Fortress 2

Similarly, cheating in one of the following Gold Source games will result in a VAC ban for all games in the list below:

Counter-Strike
Condition Zero
Ricochet
Day of Defeat
Team Fortress Classic
Half-Life: Deathmatch
Deathmatch Classic"

From:
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=4044-qdhj-5691

[Commander Makara]

More clarification may be foud here:
http://steamcommunity.com/discussions/forum/9/365172547940857079/

[budozero]

Originally posted by Commander Makara:

It's sufficiently vague enough to cover Valve's arse legally in the event of some oversight (not that videogaming media will let them off the hook so easily).

I think a simple rule of thumb is, if you are modifying the game, dont play on VAC secured servers.

There are plenty of games that dont use VAC, and allow modding. No point messing around if there is potential for a VAC ban. If its a competative game, and VAC secured, you should, imo, not mod or alter it at all.

[Doc✪Hollywood]

First of all: Thank you for the alread many replies. I wil read the sources as soon I have time.

Originally posted by budozero:

I think a simple rule of thumb is, if you are modifying the game, dont play on VAC secured servers.

There are plenty of games that dont use VAC, and allow modding. No point messing around if there is potential for a VAC ban. If its a competative game, and VAC secured, you should, imo, not mod or alter it at all.

What you write = 1) config files are not allowed to edit on VAC servers and = 2C) You can edit any game files (also VAC games) as long you do NOT CONNECT TO VAC SERVERS. Additionally playing campaign and single player is never a problem, only multiplayer.
=> Correct or not correct?

I never played a game with VAC servers so far.
=>> Is it always *clearly* visible that you would be conncting to a VAC server?

[budozero]

First to be clear, there are no 100% accurate answers and a lot depends on the game too.

Originally posted by ▀▄ Doc Greystone² ▄▀:

What you write = 1) config files are not allowed to edit on VAC servers

Config files are a little different. Normally you change settings in game (resolution etc) and this is stored in the config file. It really depends on the game what is and is not allowed.

I would suggest looking at the individual games before making changes.

Originally posted by ▀▄ Doc Greystone² ▄▀:

= 2C) You can edit any games( also VAC games) and games files as long you do NOT CONNECT TO VAC SERVER. Playing campaign and single player is never a problem, only multiplayer.
=> Correct or not correct?

Both correct and not correct :)

Some games, in LAN or "offline" mode are still VAC secured.

CSGO is a good example, if you host a local game, its still VAC secured. You see people post here often with bans they claim they got from playing "offline" or vs AI bots.

There are options to launch the game disabling VAC though, but just because its not played online does not mean its not VAC secured. Of course if you disconnect your internet, there is no VAC, but you might have authentication issues.

Games like COD have two seperate exe files, one for campaing/singleplayer (No VAC involved) and one for multiplayer (VAC secured). But if you play a multiplayer game vs AI bots, its VAC secured.

And again, the best thing is to look at the specific games before doing anything as each game may work different. The best thing is to be careful, and if unsure, assume VAC is involved.

[Commander Makara]

1) CFG files are fine. You can edit these at your leisure. If VAC considers editing oen to be a problem, your client will be kicked with a message.

2) With CSGO in particular, since all official servers are VAC secureed and ALL GAME SERVERS (including locally hosted and private lobbys) are VAC -secured by default - the "VAC secured server" shield is not necessarily always visible (I think).

3) You can start your client iwth "-insecure" and the server with "-insecure" to ensure the server is not VAC secured. This is recommended if you're testing modificatons.

4) VAC will ONLY detect "cheats" when connected to a VAC secure server. HOWEVER bear in midn tha teffects and remnants forom such cheats, (i.e. modified files or running processes, registry entries etc.) may remain after exiting. So take care to ensure that any potential trces of possible cheats are removed before you next connect to secure server.

5) Typically, Workshop content downloaded directly via the workshop via Steam should not result in VAC bans.

(( I wish I could offer any guarantees of accuracy on point #5 but I have limited expereince there. Sorry.))
CERTAINLY mods that are downloaded from external locations - i.e. non Worskshop - (even suppsoedly 'reputabl'e sites, should NEVER be trusted.

_____________________________________________________________________


It's very good that you are taking the time and responsibilitty to check these things. It's very difficult since there really are no definitive answers - Valve will not ever state "x is safe" "y is not safe" since of course, these things can change and they (understandably) do not wish to offer anything that might help cheat-developers in learning about how VAC operates.

Of course the big factor is that regardless what is said here, if anything happens and a VAC ban is placed on the account, t is only your responsiblity and nothing can be done, so I appreciate how important this may be - I just wish I could give you more reliable, definite information.

[SmollBrain 🏹]

Anything that does not inject or attach to the game process will not get you banned... you can't get vac banned from editing text files or replacing files. If it was something you weren't supposed to change in the files, like a texture/skin, then it will just kick you/ not let you play on a vac secured server until you restore it.

[budozero]

Originally posted by ✿ Bagel ✿:

Anything that does not inject or attach to the game process will not get you banned...

This is not a safe assumption for games in general, you could alter a DLL or EXE file manually, as some cheats do, and get a ban for that.

And as the VAC kb states:

Originally posted by Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC):

The VAC system reliably detects cheats using their cheat signatures. Any third-party modifications to a game designed to give one player an advantage over another is classified as a cheat or hack and will trigger a VAC ban. This includes modifications to a game's core executable files and dynamic link libraries.

"VAC"
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7849-RADZ-6869

I assume this mostly is regarding older games though and also it would depend on WHAT is modified. But if you have file corruption, which is in essense a "modification" its unlikely you will get a ban, based on "designed to give one player an advantage over another" and most likely you would just get a kick if you even get as far as connecting to a VAC secured server.

[SmollBrain 🏹]

Originally posted by budozero:

Originally posted by ✿ Bagel ✿:

Anything that does not inject or attach to the game process will not get you banned...

This is not a safe assumption for games in general, you could alter a DLL or EXE file manually, as some cheats do, and get a ban for that.

And as the VAC kb states:

Originally posted by Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC):

The VAC system reliably detects cheats using their cheat signatures. Any third-party modifications to a game designed to give one player an advantage over another is classified as a cheat or hack and will trigger a VAC ban. This includes modifications to a game's core executable files and dynamic link libraries.

"VAC"
https://support.steampowered.com/kb_article.php?ref=7849-RADZ-6869

I assume this mostly is regarding older games though and also it would depend on WHAT is modified. But if you have file corruption, which is in essense a "modification" its unlikely you will get a ban, based on "designed to give one player an advantage over another" and most likely you would just get a kick if you even get as far as connecting to a VAC secured server.

Most cheats just modify your active memory on the heap and stack, or share it. You obviously shouldn't change an .exe or .dll's assembly... I don't think that's what the OP was planning on doing though

[budozero]

Originally posted by ✿ Bagel ✿:

Most cheats just modify your active memory on the heap and stack, or share it. You obviously shouldn't change an .exe or .dll's assembly... I don't think that's what the OP was planning on doing though

Yeah, this is why I assume its older games/cheats. And without getting into details, injection is pretty easy to detect. You could in theory get a ban/kick for using something like a debugger.

You do get some visual effects that work by using modified DLL files, and even if its not a visual effect that gives an advantage, may still lead to a ban.

But as you say, its unlikely this is OP's intention.