Why PlanetSide 2 modders will be banned without exception

PlanetSide 2 users who modify the game in any way will be banned and lose both characters and items, Sony Online Entertainment warned on the game's official forum.

Modifications to UI, data, and even programs that affect Direct X can lead to a suspension. According to SOE, these restrictions are to close any loopholes relating to in-game cheating.

"It is vital that you not run software which modifies the PlanetSide 2 client in any way. If you do this, you are indistinguishable from various hacks that work in the same manner. The result of this is that you will be banned from gameplay and lose your characters/items," wrote an SOE representative.

"We cannot make exceptions to this. We do understand there are relatively harmless apps that fall in this category, but if we allowed those they would simply be used as a shield excuse by players trying to cheat. This same rule applies to data that PlanetSide 2 uses for gameplay. Do not modify any of these files or attempt to modify them in memory.

"There are some applications that modify the Windows or DirectX environment without changing the client. These may also result in suspensions unless we specifically exempt them and declare them OK to use. The most simple guidance here is do not use third party programs which change the PlanetSide 2 gameplay in any way unless it has been specifically cleared by SOE."

Players can still make changes to .INI files, however, although SOE warns that if users set their own options incorrectly it can result in bugs.

Check out our interview with creative director Matt Higby just hours after the game went live.