x64 Version of HB

[Zvon]

Hi, Zvon,

This is a fair question, and the answer is not obvious to non-developers.

Making a 32-bit and 64-bit version of Honorbuddy would literally double the resources needed to make repairs to Honorbuddy, and double the length of time we are down on 'patch days'. This happens because:

• Offsets for 32-bit and 64-bit versions will never be the same.
  
  
• It would be quite easy for Bliz to slip anti-bot code into one version, but not the other one.
  Thus, we need to reverse engineer and conduct full analysis for anti-bot machinery in both executables, and all their associated DLLs.
  
  
• The compiler configurations will be different, so two sets of pattern catalogues would need to be maintained
  
  
• Structure of 32-bit and 64-bit data may be different.
  With a larger scalar data structure, alternative and much more efficient algorithms may be employed. This was proven by the Plan9 operating system almost 25 years ago. So, its possible the 32-bit and 64-bit WoWclients could be significantly different structurally.
  
  
• Its possible Honorbuddy would need different implementations for one function.
  This again is due to differences between 32-bit and 64-bit implementations.
  
  
• etc.

Probably the most devastating thing in supporting 32-bit and 64-bit versions...
it doubles the amount of testing.

To "do it right", a 32-bit and 64-bit version of Honorbuddy would effectively need to be treated as two separate bots. BosslandGmbH is a small company, and development staff resources are very limited. Supporting both versions would stretch the already heavily-loaded staff.

This would also explain Bliz's push to move to 64-bit. They want the more efficient algorithms, and would like to dismiss some of their development staff when maintenance of two versions is no longer necessary. The push to 64-bit is an economic decision, trying to increase the 'bottom line' in a tight economy. Recall, that they have lost several million players from their revenue stream in the last year.

cheers,
chinajade

thank you for explaining, glad to know the real reason for this. I can understand the difficulty. But on the other hand, if the majority players have 64-bit OS(I just know they are not, amazingly) and now they are forced to run 64-bit game, what can HB do for that?

The only thing I get from above is: sorry, there is nothing we can do about 64bit users as an non-developer.

 

[timelord]

32 bit will be the death of hb the fact blizzard have made this change you can bet those that hit the patch and then went oh its 64 bit version its already to late if you start up with the 32 bit version it will be obvious im not even going to start my wow in 32 bit and don't think for 1 min after the court case in Germany that Blizzard cant and don't see these forums

 

[jaelae]

That worked. It was only launched 64bit so I renamed the wow-64.exe file and it is now launching wow.exe in 32-bit. Easy fix thanks folks!

 

[Weridoz]

This is utter nonsense. Considering Windows XP is still 33% of the market (as of Aug-2013), and practically speaking it is ONLY 32-bit.

• Yes, we know of the 64-bit version of Windoze XP.
  But its usage statistics are insigificant.
  
  
• Yes, we know the 'general' number probably does not accurately represent the 'gaming community'.
  But its gives a solid indication that the 32-bit market is far far from dead.

Please stop such nonsensical fear mongering. Consider this a warning.



Its very simple... 32-bit works on all Windoze platforms, 64-bit does not. If we only have the staff to support one distribution, its going to be the one with the largest audience.


cheers,
chinajade

What about doing a 64bit version and let people pay extra for it? I'd be happy to pay $100 for a single key. I bet others have the means to do it aswell.

 

[mafiav2]

The game detects if you have 64 bit and will automatically now set the client to 64 bit if you have it. If you don't it will use the 32 bit client. They aren't making 32 bit unsupported just a way to kinda stop dumb botters that think they know how to do things.

 

[rcadams]

That's a big assumption.. There is nothing to lead us to believe that. 32bit or 64bit.. Basing bans on that would be the dumbest move blizzard has every made. Takes off tin hat!

 

[Myriddan]

see post #10

http://www.thebuddyforum.com/honorb...ta-perma-ban-0-2nd-chances-16-accounts-p.html

 

[rcadams]

I call bullshit. But if you would have posted that aweek ago..

see post #10

http://www.thebuddyforum.com/honorb...ta-perma-ban-0-2nd-chances-16-accounts-p.html

 

[Botanist]

Well, ultimately in the end, if HB doesn't wanna make a 64 bit bot, someone else will and that will be money out of their pocket. Most botters are geeks, and they aren't going to continue running an obsolete/outdated OS simply for HB. You either keep up with the croud or be forgotten.

 

[rcadams]

I've been running Windows 8 64 bit since early beta. And even today the launcher is starting the 32bit version of wow.. And no I didn't install their new beta launcher nor was I even asked.

Well, ultimately in the end, if HB doesn't wanna make a 64 bit bot, someone else will and that will be money out of their pocket. Most botters are geeks, and they aren't going to continue running an obsolete/outdated OS simply for HB. You either keep up with the croud or be forgotten.

 

[xLegendx]

Well, ultimately in the end, if HB doesn't wanna make a 64 bit bot, someone else will and that will be money out of their pocket. Most botters are geeks, and they aren't going to continue running an obsolete/outdated OS simply for HB. You either keep up with the croud or be forgotten.

You're looking at it the wrong way.

 

[Spudbot]

I rename the wow-64.exe and ran the wow.exe. It worked perfectly on the x86 version! thank you

Ok, so rename the file I get ONLY x86 version but where do I get the honor buddy for x86 version ? Cause this one I have doesn't work on either x64 or x86..

 

[Myriddan]

I call bullshit. But if you would have posted that aweek ago..

call what you will blizzard takes there time investigating before ban just saying. but you're entitled to your uniformed opinions. And i don't play often anymore think i logged on 1-2 times since 5.4 so i could have been on the "watch list for awhile", however i respect your opinion for the garbage that it is.

 

[rcadams]

First off anyone knows blizzard NEVER gives details like your claiming. And with someone new like yourself 10 posts.. I really have to doubt. Your trying to force a 64bit version of honorbuddy by spreading lies and trying to create fear in the community. But with only 10 post we all just see a nice big "TROLL"

call what you will blizzard takes there time investigating before ban just saying. but you're entitled to your uniformed opinions. And i don't play often anymore think i logged on 1-2 times since 5.4 so i could have been on the "watch list for awhile", however i respect your opinion for the garbage that it is.

 

[BotOperator]

Well it seems that now we can expect some bans, since they are forcing 64 bit version and only the ones botting will use 32 bit.

It does not happen so often that I read such crap on the board. Thanks for this nonsense.
Blizz is not switching to 64Bit to detect botters or because the 64bit wow runs better. It's like chinajade said, the only reasons for them to do so is that this way they can reduce a lot of their developing staff.
Especially in the asia/pacific region there are a lot of systems running with 32bit OS and this will not change so fast.

You run a 64bit OS? Fine but did you know that tons of software you use are still 32Bit applications or compiled to be 64Bit but not optimized for it in any way?
Please stop making people frightend because of this bullshit.

I never say "they will get banned if they don't run 64bit wow", but I said if I were u, I won't even take the risk for the ban when Blizzard just find a better way to distinguish the botters and regular players

It's the same wrong paranoid way of thinking letting people use different IP's, VM's, ***'s and what ever.
It's all bullshit and personally i do not believe they increase security in any way.
If Blizz really wants to detect and ban botters there would be a lot of easier ways to do so.
Never forget that the amount of subscribers is still going down and each botter is a paying customer too.
In my opinion blizz is doing something against botters to show "hey we work against them" but not really pushing this topic.
It costs a lot of money to fight botters and if you are done, you also loose their monthly payments. From a business perspective this is stupid or? ^^

 

[xLegendx]

Never forget that the amount of subscribers is still going down and each botter is a paying customer too.
In my opinion blizz is doing something against botters to show "hey we work against them" but not really pushing this topic.
It costs a lot of money to fight botters and if you are done, you also loose their monthly payments. From a business perspective this is stupid or? ^^

Well, if this was truly the case they wouldn't waste money on suing botting companies (Glider/HB) or have HUGE ban waves like they did with Pirox (I think that was the company) and they had to shutdown for whatever reason. I don't recall why.

 

[Botanist]

Personally, I believe if Blizz really wanted to stop botters, we would all be banned. There are many "easy" ways they could eliminate bots. They want our money and the non botters money. To do that, you convince the non botters you are banning the bots, yet you only ban X acounts per week to keep the botters happy. Play both sides of the fence. This is a common business practice.

Edit: Whether HB is 32 bit or 64 bit makes no difference. The down side to it remaining 32 bit, like all other software manufacturers, is that it slows the progression of the computer industry as a whole. If manufactures have to use resources on maintaining 32 bit for those that can't afford or want better technology, it takes away from what they could conceivably produce in the future.

 

[Darknight1]

No offence chainajade i think you areone the best staff HB has by a long way but you say and i quote

Supporting both versions would stretch the already heavily-loaded staff!!

but the small company does not mind using some of them resources to make a new bot for Neverwinter adding to the already heavily-loaded staff

 

[ShortRound]

Blizzard need to be seen to be making some efforts to combat the botting community. This is also good business sense. If the botters ruin the game too much for non-botters, the non-botters will leave. Then so will the botters because nobody will be left to buy their farmed materials or gold. End result: WoW goes bye-bye.
On the other hand, they don't want to try too hard because botters buy *multiple* subscriptions.

 

[chinajade]

but the small company does not mind using some of them resources to make a new bot for Neverwinter adding to the already heavily-loaded staff

Hi, Darknight1,

Each bot has its own staff. But, its not my place to relate who is working on what.

My comment was in reference to Honorbuddy bot, only. Neverwinter has its own team, and none of them work on Honorbuddy. Same for Tankleader and Demonbuddy.

cheers,
chinajade