MAC Addresses - A new counter?

[Noctis]

http://www.alliedassault.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=150338

I sure hope this is right.

[Shockwave]

MAC addresses can be changed manually if you know what you're doing. Also some ISP's don't make it a requirement to register it in order to get service. In the case where an ISP does require a specific MAC address, they must allow for it to be changed in case your NIC dies and needs to be replaced. You probably wouldn't be able to get away with using that excuse more than a couple of times, but it is a possibility.

The true way of identifying players would be a serial number on the copy of the game software that could be queried from the server. Everyone needs to input a unique CD key, so it is possible to generate a unique identifier like a serial number which could be used to identify individual copies of the game. The only way to beat it would be to buy another copy of the game which most cheaters will never do.

You also don't have to worry about cracked versions either. Anyone who didn't pay for the game in the first place certainly doesn't have a leg to stand on if they complain. Besides, once one cracked serial number is banned, all other copies of the crack will be banned as well. :)