And they're not the type that counter intelligence would catch either

well perhaps, I can think of a few ways to stop it but if you can't beat them join them maybe..

I'd do it for gold and items, sell my soul to highest bidder and select my spy alt accordingly

Too easily done ?.. passing on zone chat and group info to the opposing faction

What do you think? Another reason why Guilds and 3rd party Coms will be the way to go?

Perhaps I am just a paranoid android

Then I get this fork, pry open a lid, hide inside and then BLASTO CHANGO! Dang scary.

Hope I made as much sense!

EDIT: People already spy/scout, it's called pressing CTRL and just watching the enemy move around.

Since every character can be in five guilds, this game is perfect for spying

From what I understand, industrial espionage is a big business in Eve Online, so can't see why it wouldn't work in ESO.

This sorta thing is a bit overvalued. Sure any information helps, but its not like spying in a real war where you have logistics to worry about, ie moving a massive army of troops from one place to another. If you want to stake out this keep and take it when the army is gone, they'll still see it on the map, the army can just all kill themselves and reappear very close to you and still wipe you out.

The biggest and best zerg will still win, regardless of whatever information you got.

Keep your guild mates and comms close, and lie about your plans in alliance chat.

True Victorp

it's not paranoia if they really are after you

I would had loved some true espionage considering the ability to go do other factions quest area's.

Maybe it should have been something developed ingame, once you finish another faction's area you may be a spy, of course this would have to have ingame difficulties and only available to 50+ characters.

Right now, this isn't a game feature, it's just an account feature, completely detached from the game, it shouldn't really be possible.

Sure you have voice software where you can have channels and passwords, but who will bother by that? Most of the pvp, early on, will be for fun, mostly zergs etc, and some minor organizing people, but those people wanting to organize will soon get crushed by a guy simply standing there and waiting for them to talk on /zone.

Spy vs Spy?

Spying will be an important element in such an immersive MMO. I am all for it. I don't think it will break pvp as every faction/guild will have equal opportunity to spy on one another. If anything it will breed a higher level of competitiveness with hardcoe gamers.

Competent spies are never caught, and the most competent spies are highly trusted among those they betray.

PTS server has a well known spy on the Ebonheart Pact who gives AD our attack plans.

and we will all meet in a great big mess somewhere along the way..

Personally I prefer small groups or lone wolfing rather the zerg blur .

I had a lot of fun ambushing stragglers after the main herd had past and trying to rain on their parade by passing on info.

Soldiers win wars. Spies make it easier for them to do so. Information is useless without acting on it.

I agree completely. The hardcoe gamers will also no doubt use any means to win the war, like third party software, and heck there might even be some who find a way to utilize stuff like ollydbg??! Naturally, I don't think software like that probably won't be used for spying, but still, I imagine it could be useful to some end. But I think the hardcoe Gamers will probably verify their guild members out of game and then of course try to identify the enemy guilds. Although heck, There probably won't even be a guild in game, these guys being so dam hardcoe end up having their own private network!LOL! It would just look like these guys are randomly showing up and attacking the keep! And add to that, there could be a pretty decent strategy element, like reinforcements suddenly appearing, third party software for alerting player of attacks. But of course, if the hardcoe gamers keep pounding all the little guys, its only a matter of time before everyone in game shows up on that keeps doorstep and simply overruns the place... That'll be fun to see. lol

I think the only way you could smooth it out would be via chain of command. Someone orders archers to fire or cease fire via secure channel, and communicates to other commanders via another secure line. So if the commander of the tanks needs backup for his men, he can just call it in.

simple. people will just have to go with actual anti spy tactics only plan attacks with people you trust out of sight and even if you and your cohorts think your alone speak in code.

The plot. It thickens.

Sure spies will have their role but this is nothing like EVE.

Whatever is taken in this game can be taken back in a short time.

You can lose literally everything in EVE.

After finally getting a chance to play in Cyrodiil, which I'm assuming you are talking about, I don't think it will be an issue. You can, at best, get an idea of what the zerg is doing. But then, you usually know anyway. The map marks where the major battles are happening, and mixed with a bit of common sense, it will give nearly as much intelligence as a spy could give.

The real threats, such as the well-organized guild strike group hitting some of the side-keeps, you won't know about unless they advertise it.

Also, to get much of anything done in Cyrodiil, you need at least some players with you. Having intel is one thing, getting your zerg to use it is another...

I don't use the map much (I've seen hidden players, well not them, just a map floating in mid air) the compass displays similar info anyway

I'm perhaps talking about intel on those groups you describe that are covert until go for launch (which would be made more difficult by friendlies just wishing to tag along for the ride).

and yes, zerg leader's seem to vary between competent and non existent but I must admit even in a mad frenzy its still fun, right up until you get 'death gripped' by a 'dk' and beaten up by a ninja squad of night blades.

thats why eso needs to make it so you can only be in 1 clan and not 5 of them.

stay loyal or find a new clan