I know that x-ray texture packs make it much easier to find things, but are they really cheating since you aren't changing any of the game files? Is it a cheat or an exploit?
Both, because texture packs are infact overwriting the original files, and because you know that it is possible and therefore you use it. Either way, will get you banned on most survival servers.
It can be classified as both, but in the end it all comes down to what server owners think about it. I know bukkit has some plugins for server owners to hinder people using them and attempt to catch them.
Yeah, I'd call it cheating. Installing a texture pack IS modding the game, whether you consider it to be or not. Think of it this way:
With mods, some (such as TMI or Single Player Commands) grant you an unfair advantage in the game. Others (such as the aether or Mo' creatures) simply enhance gameplay and don't really offer you any advantage.
With texture packs, you can think of regular texture packs as the mods that don't modify the game, and x-ray packs as ones that do. The general purpose of texture packs is to change the look of the game, not to see through blocks.
In a way it is. Depends where you use it and for what reason though.
In your own maps, who cares?
If you are playing a Pass It On or a server that is requesting you not use mods, yeah, it certainly and without a doubt, is cheating.
Servers and map operators should give thought to XRay pack usage.
When it comes to maps with currency, there is no denying it as a cheat. It's a little less offensive than SinglePlayerCommands/TooManyItems/Millionaire, as they can just give themselves infinite items if they wanted to, but it is still offensive and an unfair advantage over anyone not using it themselves.
I kinda would like to see a feature implemented in the future to allow server hosts to deny connections if players do not join with a certain credentials, such as not running specific mods and/or texture packs, now that you bring this question up.
cheat/CHēt/
Verb: Act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, esp. in a game or examination: "she cheats at cards".
Noun: A person who behaves dishonestly in order to gain an advantage.
Being able to pinpoint diamonds and other ores without the stress of digging out each and every block is considered an advantage, and therefore a cheat.
It all comes down to what you want to use the game for. If you want to play proper survival, then yes. If you want to play an easier survival for kicks, who's to stop you?
Other people on the server might not take so hotly to the idea, but then again they might not mind.
I think this issue requires further thought. If "cheating" is an action that gives you an unfair advantage, then I postulate that having a faster internet connection than someone else is "cheating"--it gives the owner an "edge" over someone who may not be able to afford one. Having a faster computer, better keyboard or mouse, or even quicker reflexes would also be "cheating" under these terms. Heck, does knowledge count? If you know that diamond only spawns under a layer X, are you cheating against a newbie who doesn't?
I think this issue requires further thought. If "cheating" is an action that gives you an unfair advantage, then I postulate that having a faster internet connection than someone else is "cheating"--it gives the owner an "edge" over someone who may not be able to afford one. Having a faster computer, better keyboard or mouse, or even quicker reflexes would also be "cheating" under these terms. Heck, does knowledge count? If you know that diamond only spawns under a layer X, are you cheating against a newbie who doesn't?
Well, we talk of 'unfair' advantages. There is no way to prevent lag and reflexes, so it's not necessarily unfair, just a fact of life. Now, you make a conscious decision to use an x-ray pack, so it's cheating.
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Well, we talk of 'unfair' advantages. There is no way to prevent lag and reflexes, so it's not necessarily unfair, just a fact of life. Now, you make a conscious decision to use an x-ray pack, so it's cheating.
Well, sure there's a conscious decision there.
But a player also makes a conscious decision to install a mod like OptiFine, and I doubt any of you would consider OptiFine cheating.
Ohh, this is a tough one. There's a little shade of gray in there.
well, except there really isn't, is there? Some people would argue that exploits aren't cheating because they make use of the game mechanics (rules the programmer uses to tell you what you can and cannot do) in order to achieve a specific effect.
verb (used with object)
1.
to utilize, especially for profit; turn to practical account: to exploit a business opportunity.
2.
to use selfishly for one's own ends: employers who exploit their workers.
3.
to advance or further through exploitation; promote: He exploited his new movie through a series of guest appearances.
But, really, it's just a different form of cheating. I'm willing to bet you wouldn't like to be exploited by your employer, and yet it's possible to do so while working within the rules the government set for it's corporations. You hear about stuff like that in the news from time to time in fact. People who use a loophole within the rules really are just cheaters.
In other words, there really isn't much reason to state weather this is one or the other, it's still cheating, weather by a different form of the word or not, it's just a different means to the same end.
With mods, some (such as TMI or Single Player Commands) grant you an unfair advantage in the game. Others (such as the aether or Mo' creatures) simply enhance gameplay and don't really offer you any advantage.
With texture packs, you can think of regular texture packs as the mods that don't modify the game, and x-ray packs as ones that do. The general purpose of texture packs is to change the look of the game, not to see through blocks.
So yeah, it is cheating.
But it does give unfair advantages, so yes, it is considered "cheating".
In your own maps, who cares?
If you are playing a Pass It On or a server that is requesting you not use mods, yeah, it certainly and without a doubt, is cheating.
Servers and map operators should give thought to XRay pack usage.
When it comes to maps with currency, there is no denying it as a cheat. It's a little less offensive than SinglePlayerCommands/TooManyItems/Millionaire, as they can just give themselves infinite items if they wanted to, but it is still offensive and an unfair advantage over anyone not using it themselves.
I kinda would like to see a feature implemented in the future to allow server hosts to deny connections if players do not join with a certain credentials, such as not running specific mods and/or texture packs, now that you bring this question up.
Verb: Act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage, esp. in a game or examination: "she cheats at cards".
Noun: A person who behaves dishonestly in order to gain an advantage.
Being able to pinpoint diamonds and other ores without the stress of digging out each and every block is considered an advantage, and therefore a cheat.
Other people on the server might not take so hotly to the idea, but then again they might not mind.
Sarcasm self test complete.
Cheating= Yes
Well, we talk of 'unfair' advantages. There is no way to prevent lag and reflexes, so it's not necessarily unfair, just a fact of life. Now, you make a conscious decision to use an x-ray pack, so it's cheating.
Well, sure there's a conscious decision there.
But a player also makes a conscious decision to install a mod like OptiFine, and I doubt any of you would consider OptiFine cheating.
well, except there really isn't, is there? Some people would argue that exploits aren't cheating because they make use of the game mechanics (rules the programmer uses to tell you what you can and cannot do) in order to achieve a specific effect.
Exploit- at Dictionary.com
verb (used with object)
1.
to utilize, especially for profit; turn to practical account: to exploit a business opportunity.
2.
to use selfishly for one's own ends: employers who exploit their workers.
3.
to advance or further through exploitation; promote: He exploited his new movie through a series of guest appearances.
But, really, it's just a different form of cheating. I'm willing to bet you wouldn't like to be exploited by your employer, and yet it's possible to do so while working within the rules the government set for it's corporations. You hear about stuff like that in the news from time to time in fact. People who use a loophole within the rules really are just cheaters.
In other words, there really isn't much reason to state weather this is one or the other, it's still cheating, weather by a different form of the word or not, it's just a different means to the same end.