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by Mike Schramm 
Jun 26th 2009 at 2:00PM
Our old friend Tim Sullivan, who worked at Wowhead way back in the day, just sent along a note that he's working on a brand new web video series all about something in World of Warcraft that's been gaining a lot of ground lately: multiboxing. Thanks to recruit-a-friend and all of the bonuses that come along with sponsoring a second account, quite a few people have shown an interest in running more than one character in the game, and Tim's series, called Multiboxing.tv, shows live feeds from his gameplay (all five screens of it, four Hunters and one Priest) while people can chat and learn live about multiboxing and how it all works. He's also leveling the group up -- they're currently around level 40, and he says he's headed to 80 eventually.You can check out his front page to see when he'll be streaming next (and someone told us he was streaming for something like fourteen hours the other day -- take care of yourself, Tim!), and if you're interested in how you might get started multiboxing, he and his chat channel are probably more than happy to help you figure out how to do it. He did say he'd be streaming every night this weekend, so if you're around then, you should be able to catch him. Personally (as you probably already know), I'm a big fan of the standard one character gameplay -- I have enough trouble figuring out one toon, much less five. But Turpster, as you've probably heard on our podcast, has dived into this kind of stuff headfirst and loves it, so if you're interested in seeing how it works, tune in to Tim's channel and find out.
Update: Apparently while this was presented to us (and appears to be) just a guy streaming his multiboxing, Tim may have some less generous motives -- he's apparently trying to sell multiboxing software, and you can see the comments below for some other shady moves that have been made. Watch at your own risk, and keep in mind that while the stream appeared legit to us, it may be an advertisement for software you certainly don't need to multibox.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Tips, Fan stuff, Odds and ends, Blizzard
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
Ryan Jun 26th 2009 9:54PM
He/Someone associated with the stream also created an account on another forum strictly to advertise this stream which is frowned on with almost any community. There are obviously monetary reasons for wanting to get the word out about some dudes mutiboxing stream through these outlets.
EZ Jun 26th 2009 10:14PM
he designed his own software, and he mentions it maybe 1 time in a couple hours of playing, and thats 'shady'?
Pretty much every schramm article i read comes across like an infomercial. i have to sigh at the update and i'll even throw in a /facepalm for good measure.
his stream is entertaining, and he is engaging with his audience through the chat program. I don't see any evidence of some dark nebulous ulterior motives.
Ryan Jun 26th 2009 2:35PM
Just advertising. Just like gold sales, this is sleazy.
Nick S Jun 26th 2009 4:19PM
Except that most gold sold these days is stripped from characters, whereas this guy is trying to promote a product that he created by his own labor.
Reselling stolen goods is hardly the same as trying to turn an honest profit.
Urza Jun 26th 2009 11:38PM
So sleazy he just rick rolled the 565 people watching.
Retropally Jun 26th 2009 3:19PM
Multiboxing is a world of fun, even if i've only leveled to lv60 with my characters because it does cost quite a bit...
I've never purchased multiboxing software and quite honestly, I would never do it either. Having 3 mages in the same gear from the same guild in a line is rather cool but I wouldnt buy into software like this...
Naix Jun 26th 2009 3:22PM
Now i am interested in multi boxing. I think a good 5 man team would be
1 Paladin tank
3 hunters
1 Shaman healer
Or
5 Druids
I-man Jun 26th 2009 3:32PM
i fail to see this evil advertising scheme. just looks like a streaming video...
/shrug
shadies Jun 26th 2009 3:38PM
What is shady about someone advertising software? I find ads as annoying as anyone, but they're not exactly shady. Even if he is only streaming the video to sell his software, I don't see anything wrong with that. If his program sucks or he is just taking money and not delivering, thats one thing. But this type of marketing isn't really uncommon or anymore shady than any advertising.
I must be missing something.
Svpernova09 Jun 26th 2009 3:51PM
I'm Svpernova09 from dual-boxing.com I'm an admin over there. I just wanted to say that the reason we don't allow Tim's software / discussion of his software, is because mousecloner was found to violate the WoW EULA. And that he keeps showing up under different names spamming our users with advertisements for his software. Dual-boxing.com does NOT make any software, we're just a community out to protect other multiboxers from predators like Tim who are just out to make a quick buck. You see TIm's banners all over wowwiki multiboxing articles, but you DON'T see banner ads for keyclone (or any other boxing software). That's because other software developers are out to HELP and BUILD the community, not make a buck off it as Tim clearly is.
Mike Schramm Jun 26th 2009 3:57PM
Apparently there is a history here between two segments of the multiboxing community, and I'm washing my hands of it. I've updated the post, I think the bias is disclosed, and I'm done. I'm just going to let the fur fly (as long as you don't curse or anything -- anything obscene is getting deleted), and you guys can fight it out if you want. I'll let the moderation system decide who gets greyed out or who stays easy to read.
shadies Jun 26th 2009 4:09PM
You seem to have conflicting opinions on software costs. On one had you pay (at least) $15 a month to blizzard for their software, but on the other hand, you don't like that this guy wants to sell his software. If he took the time to build it, it works well, and people want to buy it...then why is he a shady quick buck making businessman?
Thats not to say you shouldn't warn people against purchasing EULA violating software or frown upon forum posts that are ads.
I just don't get the argument that his software costing money doesn't still help and build a community of multiboxers.
Nick Jun 26th 2009 4:58PM
Supernova i just posted your comment on his site and he responded to it live . . .i think you are wrong in no way do i feel like i am trying to buy a product. This guy is very friendly very instructional and providing this vid free of charge. and no where is he advertising anything that i see.
Laughtrey Jun 26th 2009 5:30PM
if hes violating the EULA how does he have like 10 80s with his software? He would have been banned by now for sure.
His video isn't even an ad, he's just showing a video of him multiboxing, he hasnt even explained his software or made it obvious that he's trying to sell it. It took a few minutes for me to even realize he was playing with is own software.
20 bucks a year for a piece of useful software for multiboxers is great I think, it costs more in one month to pay for the accounts than the software. Get a grip.
Richard Long Jun 27th 2009 6:16PM
You don't discuss Tim's product because you work for a rival company called Keyclone, yup, we know all about you bud.
I think we can disregard everything you say, as well as your crappy Keyclone software; have a nice day!
Qot Jun 26th 2009 4:10PM
Interesting to watch. He's live right now and actually answered my question from chat.
And he called it a good question. I felt validated.
Svpernova09 Jun 26th 2009 4:41PM
Considering I've paid $20 x5 for 5 keyclone licenses, PLUS I maintain a subscription to InnerSpace, I think it's pretty clear I don't care that he's selling his software. I care that he's spamming users (via PMs on dual-boxing.com) like your garden variety gold spammer.
My argument isn't that his software costs money. My arguement is that he doesn't care about the community by endangering them with potential (and 1 proven) EULA/ToS violating software. I just commented here to clear the air that dual-boxing DOES NOT make it's own software, we are no one's "rival" site. We're a community, and we protect our own.
He's a shady quick buck business man because on at LEAST 3 separate occasions he has shown up to dual-boxing under 3 different user names promoting and spamming his products all over the site. If you don't think that's shady, then I assume you think all gold selling companies that constantly spam in game are all Better Business Bureau approved and upstanding companies don't you?
shadies Jun 26th 2009 5:00PM
I'm going to quote myself here:
"Thats not to say you shouldn't warn people against purchasing EULA violating software or frown upon forum posts that are ads. "
So yeah, I don't like that kind of advertising...its extremely annoying. But I don't think it necessarily makes him a shady guy. He might just need to take some marketing courses.
SaintSinner Jun 26th 2009 9:46PM
If you accept ad revenue from a company selling Multi-Boxing software, you are in fact an ad-hoc competitor of Tims, if he isn't paying you ad revenue as well.
Considering its in your better interest if your ads help sell the other guys software, you bad-mouthing a competitor of your income stream is pretty damn shady, IMO.
So, yeah -- you ARE a "rival".
EZ Jun 26th 2009 10:21PM
supernova bashing this guy on the comment section of wowinsider is the true "shady" act going on. So what, if he messed up and made a mistake trying to promote some software the he created and is probably proud of. that gives you no right to slander him by comparing it to gold-selling. If theres anyone shady here, then its supernova from dual-boxing.com (notice how every post he sneaks in a shady advertisement for his site while at the same time attempting to defame this Tim guy)