JohnTyra.com

So, WTF is multi-boxing? If you must ask, it means you’re normal. That’s right…normally people have no idea what multi- or dual-boxing means. For the gamers out there, like myself (yes I admit), we all know ~exactly~ WTF multi-boxing is. Oh yes, it’s the ever popular sub-culture of playing multiple characters at once.

GAMERS: You can skip this next paragraph, as it’s background info for non-gamers. =)

Ok, so let’s take a step back for a second for those who are not into the gaming scene. Today, you have two different types of games: FPS and MMORPG/MMO games. FPS is “first person shooter”, like Quake or Unreal Tournament, where it’s very fast and very intense but not very lengthy in game play. The gameplay is usually over in a matter of minutes or maybe even a few hours if it’s a really large scale setup. The other is MMORPG/MMO which is “massively multi-player online role playing game” like Everquest and World of Warcraft. These games do have their ‘FPS’ moments, but are usually a longer self-pased interaction that may or may not even have an ending.

Now that we’ve established a background, on to our article! So, FPS games are usually so intense that it takes all you’ve got and then some to make your character do what you want and defeat the other person(s). However, MMORPG games are more stragetic and less ‘in your face’ thus you can control multiple characters (or ‘toons’) at once…if you have the right setup.

The ‘right’ setup:

* One or more decently geared PCs (if you have to ask, then don’t bother) with a recent vid card.

* Synergy (KVM over IP) LINK

* Hotkeynet (Technically BETA, but works GREAT!) LINK

* WoW Maximizer LINK (Sorry EQ folks, I don’t know of an EQ equivliant…)

Short version: You setup said two (or more) systems with Synergy to allow for only one keyboard and mouse. Then, use Hotkeynet to program  your own ’script’ to allow key(s) to be sent to multiple windows over both boxes at the same time. So, when I press hotkey ‘1′ it also sends hotkey ‘1′ (or whatever) to four different windows across two different machines. WoW maximizer allows said windows to be small enough to fit multiple on a decent sized monitor. (Does EQ allow this already?)

Long version: LOL, ya…I’m not giving away all my secrets…try it out for yourself!