CNC Zero Hour

Welcome to the Zero Hour Cheat Accusations forum! If you played a game and think a player used any kind of cheat or deliberately disconnected or mismatched, you can report it by making a new topic in this forum. Our staff members will review your accusation and if they think the case has merit, they will make the topic visible and ask the accused player to explain himself. If the game was played on C&C:Online, they will also post about the allegation on the Revora Fair Play Reports Forum.

If the player does not provide an explanation and prove his innocence, he will be convicted and usually added to our list of convicted cheaters, the Hall of Shame. If a player is a serious offender and was playing on C&C:Online, he may be suspended or banned from playing on C&C:Online. If the player is a member on GameReplays, he will be suspended after his first conviction and banned from the site after his second conviction.

If a player disconnects, mismatches, quits at the start or otherwise plays unfairly in a ladder game on C&C:Online but there is no evidence of deliberate cheating, you can report them here in the same way. If our staff find such a report proven, instead of asking the accused player to explain themselves and posting on the Revora forums, they will usually just make ladder points adjustments to the players concerned or apply other enforcement on the ladder without taking further action.

Use the links here to quickly jump to the desired subject.

Reporting a Cheater
General Rules
Different cheats - Different Rules for Reporting
Accusing a Player of Maphack
Accusing a Player of Intentionally Disconnecting
Accusing a Player of Intentionally Mismatching
Accusing a Player of Exploiting a Bug
Accusing a Player of Armyhack
Accusing a Player of Controlhack
Accusing a Player of Using Other Hacks
Accusing a Player of Ladder Offences
Accusing Players of Observer-collusion

This post has been edited by Ka$$aD: Feb 17 2020, 10:21 AM

Reporting a Cheater

RULES
There are rules for accusing someone of cheating. You must follow these rules, or we will probably not look at your accusation.

Some rules are valid for every accusation; these are listed under General rules. Then there are specific rules for the different kinds of accusations.

OTHER NOTES
In many cases, only replays from online games played on C&C:Online will be reviewed. Network games or games played on Hamachi, Tunngle or gameranger will be reviewed only at the discretion of the Cheat Accusation (Fair Play) Staff.

Even though we all hate cheaters, you must keep the Forum Guidelines in mind. If you are accusing someone, present your case in a mature manner. If you are being accused, defend your case in a mature manner.

Reports for games played on unofficial maps (mod maps) are allowed but you have to attach the map files together with the replay.

Don't post fake accusations. If we catch you trying to get a player convicted of cheating by faking screenshots or replays, you will be punished just as if you were a cheater.

General Rules

Give your topic a descriptive title.
In the topic title, include the name of the player you are reporting and the cheat you are accusing him of using.

Attach the replay.
For every accusation except Point Pushing, the first thing we need is the replay of the game. Without a replay, we can not review your accusation. Please rename the replay file so it's no longer '00000000.rep'. It's best to include the name of the player you are reporting and the cheat you are accusing him of. For example: "SuperHackKiller123_maphack_scudbug.rep" is a good name. See; How to attach a replay.

Submit your accusation.
After you hit the Submit button, your topic will be invisible, and only staff members can see it. Once a staff member has reviewed your accusation, they will make it visible for everyone; please do not resubmit your application just because you think it won't be seen. If you have made an error in your first accusation, you can make another one, or PM either a Senior member of staff or any of the current ZH Cheat Accusations staff.



The current ZH Cheat Accusation (aka Fair Play) staff are:

• -NickName
• ~JoKeR~

This post has been edited by -NickName: Sep 12 2021, 20:43 PM

Different cheats - Different Rules for Reporting

Different cheats have different rules and requirements for reporting. This post shows you a list of all the kinds of cheats for which we accept accusations.

When the staff has reviewed your accusation, it will be 'tagged', which means that the topic title will be edited with a short code like MH - Explain yourself to show the nature of the offence. When there is not enough or no evidence of cheating, the accusation will also be tagged, with NO (meaning 'no maphack') or Insufficient Evidence. If your accusation is invalid, it may be tagged with NA ('not an accusation').


The following are Fair Play offences in Zero Hour and may lead to a conviction:

Intentional Disconnecting DC
The player leaves the game by intentionally disconnecting instead of surrendering, so he doesn't get a loss on his record or (if applicable) lose ladder points.

Intentional Mismatch MM
The player intentionally causes a Mismatch. The game will end and every player gets a Disconnect on their records.

Hacking
Hacking is the use of a third party program or any modification of the player's game client code (including configuration files) to affect the game client.
Note that there are some obvious exceptions to that definition, including using GenTool and keyboard macros. Changes to key assignments and controls are allowed provided that they do not affect the underlying units or support powers that they control.


The following are particular examples of hacking;

Maphack MH
Maphack is the most commonly used cheat and allows a player to see things that he shouldn't be able to see, meaning stealthed enemy units/buildings and enemy units/buildings under the fog of war.

Armyhack AH
Armyhack enables the host of a game to assign any army they like to any player in the game, including himself.

Controlhack CH
Controlhack enables any player or observer to control any other player's contruction buildings, superweapons and General's abilities.

Team kill (friendly fire)
Friendly fire is a deliberate attack on a team mate's units or buildings. We need to be satisfied that the friendly fire was not accidental. Team kill is objectionable in both ranked and unranked games. The severity of the offence is dependent on different factors that are subject to our Fair Play Specialists' own discretion, ranging from no penalty to treatment as point pushing.
Additionally, any other actions that aim to disadvantage the own team will be treated accordingly.

Intentional delaying a match
There are several possibilities to delay the game's progress intentionally. Please provide screenshots showing the extent of delay (GenTool timer) or if possible the quality of delay (e.g. continuous disconnecting / reconnecting) or anything else that proves your accusation.

Intentional Exploit IE
'Intentional exploit' is the name for abusing bugs in the game. There are several exploitable bugs which may lead to a conviction:
- Scud bug
- SDZ (Supply Drop Zone) bug
- Range bug
- Tunnel bug
- Scaffold Unit Bug

Point Pushing PP
Point pushing is artificially manipulating the ladder ranking of a player or team by playing non-competitive matches. In order to result in a conviction, the scale and nature of the conduct must clearly indicate a dishonest intention.

Participation Sharing
Participation sharing is letting another player play competitive matches on one's own behalf.

The following are matters for which a points adjustment or enforcement may be imposed on the C&C:Online ladder

Disconnects
If a player or team disconnects, either accidentally or without evidence of intention, in a ladder game while in a losing position they ought to offer the winning team or player a free win out of good sportsmanship. If they do not, you can report them and a ladder points adjustment (or other enforcement) may be imposed.

Mismatch
If a ladder game mismatches while one of the players or teams are in a clear winning position (or the players' game clients crash ending the match), the player or team that was in a losing position at the time the game ended ought to offer a free win. If they do not, you can report them and a ladder points adjustment (or other enforcement) may be imposed.

Quitting at the start
If a player quits at the start of a ladder game, that may stop the game reporting the result. If a player quits at the start of a game, you can report them and a ladder points adjustment (or other enforcement) may be imposed. We will not make an adjustment where both the armies and the spots were picked.

Point Pushing PP
Point Pushing is playing non-competitive matches with a view to manipulating artificially the ladder ranking of a player or team. If the conduct is sufficiently significant, it may result in a points adjustment, reset or other enforcement.

Unfair or unsportsmanlike conduct
If a player acts unfairly while playing a ladder game (for example, they use an exploit which is not banned in online play), you can report them and a points adjustment (or other enforcement) may be imposed at the discretion of the Cheat Accusation (Fair Play) Staff.

This post has been edited by Ka$$aD: May 17 2020, 09:50 AM

Accusing a Player of Maphack

When you suspect someone cheated by using Maphack, please follow these steps to ensure you make a proper accusation:

• Save the Replay and rename it.
• Watch the replay first, and make screenshots of the incident(s). How to make/attach screenshots.
• While watching the replay, make sure that the suspicious actions can not be explained by anything but cheating. For example, airborne units such as chinooks and helixes have a huge sight range which often explains how he saw your unit. Many Generals' powers reveal their target area, allowing a player to lock on to revealed objects. Here is a detailed guide on the fog of war.
• Examine the replay using the GetTool Map Hack Detection system (MDS). See here; GenTool Documentation. Remember that not every warning is caused by a Map Hack.
• Start a new accusation topic according to the General rules.
• If you played on a mod map (unofficial map), be sure to attach the mod map files as well. How to attach a mod map.
• Attach the screenshots, describe the incidents that show the accused played used maphack.

What is considered proof of maphacking?

• If a unit has locked on to another unit under the fog of war without another, legitimate explanation, it will be considered 100% Maphack.
• Placing demo charges (Burton, Jarmen Kell) or using Saboteurs on buildings while they are stealthed is 100% Maphack.
• Force firing on invisible buildings and force firing on and/or chasing of invisible units (such as Black Lotus, Jarmen Kell…etc) can be 100% Maphack if there was absolutely no way the player could have known the building or unit was there.

This post has been edited by Ka$$aD: Feb 17 2020, 10:22 AM

Accusing a Player of Intentionally Disconnecting

When you suspect someone cheated by intentionally Disconnecting from the game, please follow these steps to ensure you make a proper accusation:

• Save the Replay and rename it.
• You must attach a screenshot of a player saying "I'm going to disconnect!", "DC time", or similar statements which clearly show that the player is planning to intentionally disconnect from the game. Look here for an Example. Just saying "goodbye" etc. and then disconnecting is suspicious but not proof. The more statements, the more evidence there is for the MapHack Replay Reviewer to convict for Intentional Disconnect, because only the statements can prove intent.
• You must attach a screenshot of a player starting to count down in the Disconnection Menu. Look here for an Example.
• You must attach a screenshot of a player counting down in the disconnection menu somewhere between 10'000 and 0. Look here for an Example.
• You must attach a screenshot of the game notification "Player xxx has left the game. Player xxx has been Defeated.". Look here for an Example.

Please note that, if a player repeatedly disconnects while in a losing position in a ladder game, we may take that as evidence that the disconnects are intentional.

Accusing a Player of Intentionally Mismatching

When you think someone cheated by intentionally Mismatching the game, please follow these steps to ensure you make a proper accusation:

• Save the Replay and rename it.
• You must post a screenshot of a player saying "I'm going to mismatch!", "MM time", or similar statements which clearly show that the player is planning to cause an intentional mismatch. Look here for an Example. Just saying "goodbye" etc. and then mismatching is suspicious but not proof. The more statements, the more evidence there is for the MapHack Replay Reviewer to convict for Intentional Mismatch, because only the statements can prove intent.
• A screenshot of the game notification "Game has detected a mismatch. This means the multiplayer game has lost synchronization data between the players". Look here for an Example (note, this example show the German version of the game).
• Attach the replay.

Please note that, if ladder games repeatedly mismatch while the accused player is in a losing position, we may take that as evidence that the mismatches are being caused intentionally

Accusing a Player of Exploiting a Bug

When you think someone cheated by intentionally exploiting a game bug, please follow these steps to ensure you make a proper accusation:

• Save and rename the replay.
• Make screenshots of the moment where the play exploits a bug. How to make/attach screenshots.
• Make a short description of the exploit and attach the screenshots and the replay.

When a verdict has been decided on, the replay will be invisible for regular members to avoid teaching the exploit, but it will be there for staff members as proof for the verdict. Do not upload that replay again.

Which bug exploits can I report?
These are the most commonly exploited bugs:

• Scud Bug—firing a Scud Storm before the countdown has reached 0:00.
• Tunnel Bug—evacuating units from a tunnel before it is finished.
• Supply Drop Zone (SDZ bug)—receiving money from a SDZ before the countdown has reached 0:00.
• Range bug—vastly increasing the firing range of certain units / buildings. Note: this can also happen without intent, so proving that a range bug happened does not automatically lead to a conviction.
• Scaffold Unit Bug—Allowing you to create units from scaffold buildings.
• Worker Building in Garrison Bug—making your worker construct a tunnel or other building while having it garrisoned within a tunnel, building, or vehicle.
• Capture Building from Inside Bug—capturing buildings with your unit inside of the building. [EXAMPLE]
• Scaffold Abuse—A player of the USA faction uses Scan at the start of the game (within the first 45 seconds) to place down scaffolds where you would normally place your Supply Center/Stash and thus ruins the game, you may quit that game and report the offending member for the abuse to have your points adjusted. You must provide the same evidence as you would for Quit at start accusations. [EXAMPLE]
• WSB (Worker Scaffold Bug)—Forcing a worker inside a scaffold by intentionally placing multiple scaffolds on top of each other.

There are other known exploits, and there may be others that are still unknown. If you find any situation that you believe could be a bug exploit, please first make sure it's not a feature. You can always send a personal message to a staff member when you are not sure.

Regarding Bugs in Tournament Matches:

1—If Player A does something potentially controversial Player B should continue playing the game.
2—Once the game is over it should be sent to the tournament host who will determine whether it constitutes intentional bug abuse.
3—If it does the game is automatically awarded to Player B.
4—If it doesn't then whoever won the game would get the win.

This post has been edited by Leikeze: Mar 10 2021, 23:59 PM

Accusing a Player of Armyhack

When you think someone cheated by using Armyhack, please follow these steps to ensure you make a proper accusation:

• The most important thing to consider is that only the host can ArmyHack. Therefore, do not accuse any player in a replay except host.
• ArmyHack can only be proven with video, unless the host hacked someone's army to Civilian or Boss. Only then, a replay will suffice.
• Anyone who armyhacks is also a maphacker, because the program to have the ability to ArmyHack also contains a maphack program. Any ArmyHack conviction will also lead to a MH conviction.
• Steps to take to prove armyhack when the host did not hack a player to Civilian or Boss: The proof has to start in the game lobby, when you are staging in a game. Record a video with a program such as Fraps, Xfire, Gamecam or another similar program. The video must show that people are clicking on the Accept button and the host presses the Start Game button. The video must keep running while the game is loading, "Establishing Connection Paths" and "Connection Completed", Finally, at least record the first 5-10 seconds of the game so your army can be seen. Now you can stop the recording. If your army in the game was different than the one you had selected while you pressed Accept, or you selected random but there is no question mark on the army symbol in RepInfo, you were armyhacked. Now you only have to upload it your evidence so the Cheat Accusations staff can examine it.
• You cannot upload videos directly to GR, you must first upload it to YouTube, WeGame or similar sites and then use a link or embed the video. Example:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd3nAFPCxaw
  wd3nAFPCxaw is the video ID, and you can directly embed the video like this:
  
  CODE
  [youtube]wd3nAFPCxaw[/youtube]
  
  (PM any staff member if you have problems with uploading or embedding a video).

Accusing a Player of Controlhack

When you think someone cheated by using Controlhack, please follow these steps to ensure you make a proper accusation:

• The controlhacker can spend your General points, he can activate your General abilities such as Artillery, Bombers, Sneak Attack, and he can fire your Super Weapons when they are ready. He can set waypoints for all your unit-producing buildings and queue units in them, using your money.
• Every player and observer can use ControlHack.
• It is impossible to prove controlhack with only the replay. A replay does not save whether it was you or an opponent who used your superweapon/ability, it only saves that someone did. Therefore, you must have captured a video of the suspicious situation that clearly shows that it wasn't you who used an ability or superweapon in the suspicious situation.
• Record a video with a program such as Fraps, Xfire, Gamecam or another similar program. The video must show that you were doing something else when an opponent used the control hack on you. Then you have to upload it all so the MH review staff can examine it.
• You cannot upload videos directly to GR, you must first upload it to YouTube, then use a link or embed the video. Example:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wd3nAFPCxaw
  wd3nAFPCxaw is the video ID, and you should post like this:
  
  CODE
  [youtube]wd3nAFPCxaw[/youtube]
  
  (PM any staff member if you have problems with uploading or embedding a video).

Accusing a Player of Using Other Hacks

There may be other kinds of hacks, such as money hacks, which do not fall within specific categories. We will always need a replay when considering hack allegations but try to gather as much other evidence as possible.

Making a Report Regarding an Incident in a Ladder Game

Certain incidents in ladder games played on C&C:Online can be reported in the Cheat Accusation Forum and if they do not amount to a Fair Play offence, they may still result in a Ladder Points adjustment or other enforcement on the ladder, without giving rise to a conviction. Because such reports do not result in a conviction, the Cheat Accusation (Fair Play) staff will decide them based on the evidence, but may use secondary evidence (for example, the server log in a disconnect case) if there are good grounds for not proving the case strictly (for example, if the screen shots of the disconnect screen that are required in an Intentional Disconnect report are, for good reason, not available).

Reporting Disconnects & Mismatchs
Please provide the evidence that would be required in an Intentional Disconnect or Mismatch report. Although evidence of intention is not required, the replay must show that the accused player or team was in a clear losing position. In most cases, the rational for proceeding with the report will be that the disconnect or mismatch was accidental but that good sportsmanship required the accused player or team to offer a free win, but they have not done so.

Point Pushing PP
Please demonstrate from the GenTool uploads that the accused player or team has repeatedly beaten another player in short games.

Unfair or unsportsmanlike conduct
In most cases, only the replay from the game in question will be required.

Quitting at the start
Please provide the replay from the game in question. The game must finish quickly enough (within about 30 seconds) that it is not recorded on the server. The Cheat Accusation (Fair Play) staff will not proceed if both the armies and spots were picked.


Please note that, if a player repeatedly disconnects or mismatches while in a losing position in ladder games without offering a free win, we may treat that as evidence of intention and proceed accordingly. That is another good reason why players that disconnect or mismatch while losing should offer their opponents a free win.

Accusing Players of Observer-collusion

If an observer passes information to somebody that is still playing in-game, and he/she uses that information to gain an edge, both will be guilty of observer-collusion (non-software MH).
This offense will be punished based upon the severity of actions taken by those in violation.

What is considered proof of Observer-collusion?

• A player with a defeated, but observing teammate, makes impossible decisions, such as perfectly avoiding or firing on demo-traps, mines, camouflaged units/buildings, all without ever having knowledge of their whereabouts during the match.
• (Self-)incriminating videos or screenshots containing the collusion itself or a valid admission of it.

Accusing Players of Being Obnoxious

If somebody sits around flaming everybody and spends every moment online trying to be obnoxious, like creating game rooms with obscene names for the purpose of causing offense or using programs to spam messages in the lobby, or adding everybody 500 times after you finished a game and return to the lobby, and this goes on for days on end, then they may be kicked offline.

Punishment will only come for cases that really stand out. Do not report just anything you find offensive or it will be ignored.

What is considered proof of this?

• A lot of screenshots or videos showing that this isn't a one-time thing.