• Recent changes to the game made this a total new game that players didn’t signup to 4 months ago
• The current censorship on the public forums , not a single InnoGames game had so much censorship by moderators
• The competition level is broken as moderators get a unlimited pool of gold (premium coinage) This is very unfair, Unlike INNO other games, gold in grepolis can actually help drastically with your rank, I don’t disagree if some one helps out they deserve a type of payment but its kind of beyond the joke when they spend that gold to acquire 20+ citys. I suppose the option is there for everyone to spend gold but its just not the concept is it. Respect to those players who gain culture of Battle points though.

Feel free to ad your comments to this post.

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7. bots and scripts

Please obey the Terms and Conditions:
5. Special terms and conditions for the use of online games and all subsections from 5.1 to 5.7.

There are certain tools which are allowed. A list of permissible scripts can be found on the forum.

Should you be unsure whether a tool which you have is permissible or not, please contact Support and send them the script.
If you would like to write a script, please ask Game Support if your script is permissible before uploading it. ?

It references special Terms and Conditions as well as stating that:

• Certain tools are allowed;
• A list of these is available on the forum (never even seen such a section on the kingsage.org forum. I could be that these words are still part of a standard template that has remained unmodified…);
• If you are unsure whether a tool is allowed, to contact support and send them the script;
• If you’d like to write a script, to contact support first to obtain permission.

The terms and conditions can be found here.

Of interest are:

5.2.The user is prohibited from any form of manipulative interference in the online game. In particular, the user is not entitled to use measures, mechanisms or software that could interfere with the function or the course of the game. The user may not take measures that may cause an unreasonable or excessive burden on the technical capacity. The user is not allowed to block, to rewrite or to modify contents generated by the game administration or to interfere in any other manner with the game.

5.3.The user is also prohibited from running the online game (including all individual web pages) with other programs besides the Internet browser or the client program that has been provided. This refers in particular to so-called bots and other tools meant to replace or supplement the Web interface. Also prohibited are scripts and completely or partially automated programs that provide the user with an advantage over other users. This includes auto-refresh-functions and other integrated mechanisms of the Internet browser, if it includes automated operations.

5.4.    The user may under no circumstances
a) create or use cheats, mods and/or hacks, and any other third party software products that may change the result of the online games,
b) use software, that allows “data mining” or otherwise intercepts or collects information in connection with the online games,
c) use outside of online games, buy for “real” money or sell or swap virtual objects that are used in online games.
This includes all evasions, similar actions or actions that match in their effect the aforementioned bans.

5.5.    The application of advertising suppressing measures is prohibited. It is immaterial whether advertising is deliberately suppressed or generally blocked e .g. by so-called Pop-Up Blockers, or similar.

5.6.    Log-in is only permitted on the homepage of each online game and the Gameforge portal page. An automated opening of the user accounts, regardless of whether the home page is displayed or not, is not permitted.

Which brings me to my next thought: GreaseMonkey for Firefox, GreaseMetal for Chrome and GreaseKitfor Safari. We also have GreaseFire for Firefox in order to help us  find java-scripts for sites on userscripts.org. Wikipedia mentions:

For Internet Explorer, similar functionality is offered by IE7pro , Trixie (Internet Explorer) andiMacros.

As a side note, have a look at some 200 user scripts for another OG, Ikariam.

Running GreaseMonkey in Firefox does not break terms and conditions in section 5.2. or in any section at all. How could it? No one tells me how I use my browser… or that I’m tied to either Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, Opera, lynx or any other browser. I read the paper with FF, read my email, get the tv guide etc etc… I don’t just use it for one website… This is an excerpt fromdiveintogreasemonkey.org:

Greasemonkey is a Firefox extension that allows you to write scripts that alter the web pages you visit. You can use it to make a web site more readable or more usable. You can fix rendering bugs that the site owner can’t be bothered to fix themselves. You can alter pages so they work better with assistive technologies that speak a web page out loud or convert it to Braille. You can even automatically retrieve data from other sites to make two sites more interconnected.

Greasemonkey by itself does none of these things. In fact, after you install it, you won’t notice any change at all… until you start installing what are called “user scripts”. A user script is just a chunk of Javascript code, with some additional information that tells Greasemonkey where and when it should be run. Each user script can target a specific page, a specific site, or a group of sites. A user script can do anything you can do in Javascript. In fact, it can do even more than that, because Greasemonkey provides special functions that are only available to user scripts.

Well then, I hear you say..What about this nifty user script called KingsAgeX of which I wrotepreviously. What does it do and more importantly, how does it work? How is it against the rules? How is it not against the rules? Does it break the terms and conditions you agreed to? Can OG actually uphold such terms and conditions in the first place?

Some facts:

KingsAgeX collects and displays information in the same way it is displayed to the user. It does not alter or manipulate information which it retrieves for you. It is the same information and more of it. It does not play the game, you do. It does not auto-refresh. It does give you a menu option and buttons to click on which are not part of the game menu, it’s part of the HTML that is generated on YOUR BROWSER on YOUR COMPUTER. It does this in mid-air so to speak or on-the-fly. The important thing to note is that your browser still interfaces with the KingsAge server in exactly the same way!

It is partially automated in that it collects data you would otherwise have to click a thousand times for. You could call it a macro that you run on your computer. Normally, you click this much anyway, and that’s how you spend your time playing the game. The unfair advantage is gained because through KingsAgeX you use a considerable less amount of time to do your Intel. Thus, the remaining time you can then choose to spend in Planning or Operations. This speeds up decision making and makes it easier to manage your assets. However, the unfair advantage is lost when everyone uses it. Just like history teaches us, warfare is all about gaining and loosing edges – all the time. Can OG stipulate to you how you use your time playing their game? I think not.

In a sense, it can be detected, because it looks as if you’ve clicked (say for example) a thousand URL’s in a very short time span when you generate a server map. However, if I can manually stitch a map together in 35minutes (which I have done by taking ~16 screenshots and then using Microsoft’s free ICE) and KingsAgeX is made to do it in 35minutes, there’s no difference in web traffic. It’s exactly the same. Save for the interval between clicks. Mine would vary (I can get interrupted – I am human), KingsAgeX would always have the same interval..If KingsAgeX was made to do this with a random interval, it would be another matter again…

In conclusion,  a web browser displays information. GreaseMonkey enables you to load a userscript which can re-arrange this information and or add information from the same or other sources in mid air/on the fly and then display it in your browser. The manner in which this information and or other information is retrieved is through your browser and is the same should you have done so manually. OG can ask you to comply and you can choose to say yes, but these terms cannot be binding for using Greasemonkey userscripts as you are NOT:

…Guilty of manipulative interfering in the online game. (Whatever that may be. Do you mean gaining root access on the server and changing low level code? — Different story that, innit?)

…Interfering with the function or course of the game. (On a technical level you are interacting with it in exactly the same way)

…Blocking, rewriting or modifying content. The content from the server stays the same. If I have non exclusive use from my colleague at work to print out his email, overlay the email with my own thin plastic and highlight certain sections on the thin, plastic and see through layer with a yellow marker pen, it’s my prerogative. I can give his print-out back unmodified.

…Using cheats, mods or hacks. No parameters are changed and send back to the server. As stated before, Firefox remains Firefox. The browser remains the browser. This is the vehicle we speak through and it remains unaltered. Argue differently!

…Data mining. You are not sending data from the kingsage server to another third party server. This however is how kahelper.com works though.

Here we go:

Section 5.3 is absolute rubbish. Who is to stop me from compiling my own browser to access the internet? Everyone knows for example Firefox is open source right?

Section 5.5 is absolute rubbish. I use Adblock Plus for Firefox. You trying to tell me again how to use my browser and view the net? To disable it on kingsage.org or other OG sites? Rubbish.

Section 5.6 People…..

Log-in is only permitted on the homepage of each online game and the Gameforge portal page. An automated opening of the user accounts, regardless of whether the home page is displayed or not, is not permitted.

Well, what about the remember password for sites function found in every browser these days? For every time I logged in, I broke that section…and many with me. Are you telling me again how to use my browser and view the net?

My point: KingsAgeX ought to be endorsed by KingsAge as the experience everyone should share in. Make it so.

Cheers

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This can be installed for either firefox or internet explorer.
1. When taking a SS just click the S in the corner of your browser (top right). This will open the window shown below.
2. Some highlighted features you can do are in the image below (click to expand to full screen)

3. Select either upload or save, upload will host the image for free. Save will copy it to your Hard drive.
4. Copy link into your post.

Download FireShot for Firefox!

Download FireShot for Internet Explorer!

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I’ve recently joined up again on the .org server. Main reason isn’t to play FT, I just can’t bring the amount of time to the table as yesteryear, but to try out certain tools I’ve recently found through a couple of Google searches.

It’s no accident I stumbled upon them. While I had no pre-knowledge of their existence, I’ve tried to learn to use JavaScript in the past to solve a particular problem (enumerate and use particular information), but it took time which I – in the end – couldn’t justify. I figured smarter people than I would surely hit the same idea, and started searching…

First thing I found was http://www.kahelper.com

It seems the founder of this site created a Firefox add-on called kahelpertool which KingsAge players can install in order to enumerate map data, on settlements, player and alliance statistics. One has to register a kahelper.com username in order to upload data. kahelper.com collects, analyses and presents this data on their website. Data for the following servers (see pic left) are available at this time of writing. A caveat is mentioned: Data is only ever as accurate as the last time kahelpers uploaded it. Rankings stats such as this for s2.kingsage.org are readily available though…

Second thing I found was a Greasemonkey script by Arxleol calledKingsAgeX, available from userscripts.org. (Find all KingsAge scripts here)

It’s been downloaded close to 8000 times. That’s quite a spread! Note: a search for “KingsAge” on userscript.org will show 21 results….

The author seems to host his own blog domain over at http://www.axino.net/ covering topics on programming, operating systems, and KingsAge 

I decided to give this a go and found the following options are made available in the build context:

I dialled in my coords in the “XXL map” box and hit Show! This generates a 5 x 5 map, (your coords /map in center)

The result can be viewed here.

I specifically like the “Generate server map” option which stitches all [C|K]ontinents in to one beauty of a map in under 5 minutes….!!

s2.kingsage.org – legend

s2.kingsage.org – quick overview

Download the 1.83MB w2 PNG file here (5250 × 4746)

The author states that usage of this script is hard to detect, but may lead to an instant ban should a Game Operator find out (not verified). Seeing this script has been downloaded over 8000 times, would Gameforge instantly ban that many players if they could track its usage?

There’s certainly nothing illegal at running GreaseMonkey through FF in order to re-arrange data in your web browser to give you a better experience. userscripts.org (the repository for some 2.000.000+ GreasemMnkey scripts) bares witness. However the point is that some (not all) “features” in KingsAge’s “premium” (a paid for) account improve game play by giving access to more information. A free javascript will do the same thing and claw back valuable dollars.. For one, it seems to me that KingsAge needs to give it’s user base better reasons to pay for a premium account….

What do you reckon?

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How to make a chat for your alliance and/or your own alliance website for FREE.

First you need a Free Hosting Account which you also can use to put your own forum on.

The best part of all is that a free web hosting account does not expire! You can use it for lifetime if it suits your needs! We dare say that to some extend our free web hosting partner  is way better than even some paid web hosting services! So create your free hosting account Here

You would most likely also want a free domain name reflecting your alliance this can be done at co.cc

Follow the steps in the FAQ of your hosting account how to point your domain to your new free hosting account.

Once done read on how to upload files and to publish them.

Creating your own chat channel is the easiest part, go to http://ipocalypse.net/flash-chat-web-embed/ and create your channel.

Copy and paste the provided code into notepad and save as chat.html and upload to your hosting account.

If all works fine you will now have a yourdomain.co.cc/chat.html where you can direct your members to.

In part 2 we will look deeper into setting it up lets say a more in depth tutorial for beginners as the above is understandable for people with basic website knowledge.

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Torpia is a web based browser game based upon the interaction of good and evil players. It’s based in the middle ages where troops still used swords and shields to attack others. It encourages interaction between players in the game more than any other game released in this day and age. It’s an exciting new game which incorporates both trade and fighting to create a successful game play. Evil and good players cannot survive without each other and need to support each other to win, as good players supply the weapons evil demands to create troops, and certain ores to create buildings.

In Torpia good players play a massive role of trade, whilst evil players take the fighting stance.

The main differences between Good and Evil:

• Evil players can create troops
• Evil players can conquer other evil villages 
• Evil players attract villagers automatically
• Evil players cannot create produce gold/iron ore, neither can they create weapons or items.
• Good players can create goldmines and iron mines which produce gold and iron ore 
• Good players can send resources by or items to good and/or evil players
• Good players can create weapons & Items (E.g. Shields, Swords, Coins, Planks etc)
• Good players need a chapel to attract villages at a certain point
• Good players cannot create troops, nor conquer villages.
• Good players can build most of their buildings up to 30, whilst evil players can only build up certain buildings/resource fields to level 20

torpia a evil town

Visit torpia at http://www.torpia.com

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Level 2

• Show running times on the map.
  Activate this option, to see the run times of your individual settlements.
  600 600 600
• Show morale on the map
  Activate the indicator on the map, to see how the morale is in each of your settlements.
  900 900 900
• Show your own troops on the map.
  Activate this option, to view the amount of troops in your settlements.
  1.200 1.200 1.200

Level 3

• Show raw materials on the map.
  Activate this option, to view the amount of raw materials in your settlements.
  1.500 1.500 1.500
• Show free settlers on the map
  Activate this option, to view the amount of free settlers in your settlements.
  1.800 1.800 1.800

Level 5

• Show donkeys on the map.
  Activate this option, to view the amount of donkeys in your settlements.
  2.100 2.100 2.100
• Tear down building (also requires a level 15 Main Building)
  Now you can tear down the castle and the other buildings again.
  2.400 2.400 2.400
• Overviews (also requires a 2nd settlement)
  Gain additional views with the quick view of your Empire.
  10.000 10.000 10.000

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 A board administrator can be seen as the board (forum) owner and can add new folders, sections to the board. He also supervizes the super moderators and moderators.

Super moderators perform the same tasks as a moderator but also supervize the moderators ensuring that they don’t abuse their powers.

Moderators are responsible to apply the board rules, give out warnings, help with suggestions, edit and close threads.

A trial moderator is a moderator in training and has basicaly no powers besides giving out warnings.

The Game Staff Ranks

The Game Administrator manages the game and has the most power as ingame staff, the GA supervises the game operators.

Game Operators are the staff members that answer your tickets, investigate complaints and apply the game rules.

The Big Boss

The CoMa or Community Manager is the representative of Gameforge for the game and supervizes the Game Administrator and Board Administrator.

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A premium account is required for color coding. It’s used to organize your map to make alliances, individual players, or even individual settlements stand out. Here’s what your map overview probably looks like before color coding: 

There’s nothing wrong with a map like this, it shows your allies, NAPs, and enemies. Everything that is essential is provided.

But if you’re interested in the other alliances in or around your area, you might want to consider color coding, which can make your map look like this:

This is a color coded map. It’s organized into the alliances near my settlement, so I can see who’s where, and who’s a threat or not.

Now you know what color coding does. Now if you need help doing it for yourself, I’ll teach you how to do it.

Firstly, open up your Map. There will be a key at the bottom, showing the colors used for allies, NAPs, and enemies etc. At the bottom left from there you’ll see the option “Player:” Click that and you’ll be brought to a new window titled “Edit player’s colors”. Keep in mind the alliance(s) or players you’d like to add to the map. Go to “Object Type” and select the type object you’ll be color coding. Player, Settlement, and Alliance are the options. Let’s say you selected alliance. Now go to “Object Name” and type in the alliance’s tag. To provide an example, I chose to mark the alliance EoD on my map:

Click “Create” and it’ll add it to your map. You can add up to 10 alliances, settlements, or players to your color coded map. This is a vital tool for leaders and diplomats and warlords, as it helps strategize good tactics for your situation.

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