Most servers want custom stuff.
I might be wrong, but I believe most servers don't change protocol (at least not in any radical way). I am wondering now if we could create some kind of "universal otserv protocol", to make the client automatically download custom sprites and stuff, when required.
Big ones implement proxies into ot clients so clients don't feel the lag during DDoS. Security of clients was never big thing in OTS community
Very large servers will naturally be safer.
Rafidea is exactly the server you are asking about. The only thing about not having custom client that hurts me is that it encourages others to use bot as basic otc have built in bots. But even without it people will still easily find a way to use bots (inject in client or use external programs) that I do not have time and wish to pursuit. I just came to a moment where botters and non botters play next to each other, not giving a fk about it as it is a chillout, not competitive type of server.
I took a look and unfortunately it is not my kind of server. It is Poland based (and I am from Brazil) and I more into a RPG experience than about playing an enforced PVP server. But I wish you very good luck at your server.
""I don't trust most of the OT owners enough to run in my computer an executable file given by them." This is really a you problem.
Well, IMO security should be a concern to everyone. 20 or 30 years ago, crackers were just trying to prove themselves or to compensate being nerds without any chance of getting a girlfriend. Nowadays, they want money. So we better watch out if those custom clients aren't stealing passwords or other sensitive information.
There is no way at this time that developers are going to use IP changers to enter their game, it creates extra walls for the player to hop over to even join the game.
It depends. A custom client may be a way to convince some players to try the server, but it will scare those who cares about computer security.
Most players don't even know what an IP Changer is anymore. Now it is all baked into the client, making it as easy as can be.
Notice that I am not complaining about giving the player an option of downloading a custom client. My key point is the absence of other options.
One can argue bot access, however any client CIP or OTC can be created a bot for, macro is always possible with any auto tasker.
It is very hard to get rid of bots, to change the client will only make it harder. I have a strong (and unpopular) opinion that a server where using bots gives a player decisive advantages is a server that's overly encouraging boring, repetitive grinds, and that this is a flaw in the game's core design. But let's drop it, we're already digressing from the main topic.
You are very right tho in your instinct not to trust anyone, especially in this community. People only ever think about money and the gain of it. Most people who are posting opinions often don't even have their own server or have never had one while they talk out of "experience".
Use your own instincts with what server to join, you can see within a glance if it's a cash grab or not, and if it's a cash grab, the trust is lower imo and I would search further.
I can be very biased and give you some servers (Dura) however it's best to find out yourself, this way the server sticks more to you.
Actually, Dura was one of the servers which I found at the "server gala" section and I thought it was worthy trying it out. But I couldn't because the usage of their custom client is mandatory.
You see a server with AI website, AI posts? Yeah good luck, I understand where the distrust come from, really.
I see sometimes hosters having fully AI-developed platform, and they want me to host my project there? Are they crazy.
This community is getting weirder and weirder. I miss the times in which it was about having fun creating servers and playing them, our servers were simpler, but funny. Nowadays many server owners only cares about getting money. It ruined everything.
Well, thank you all for your replies (and apologies for this cold murder of the English language - I am kind of rusty).
Assassina Mutante.