Other Keywords: snag bar

In what is hotting up to be a great dispute regarding the use of automated software within applications, the Farmville Vs Gamers Unite saga it taking many twists and turns.

For those not in the know, Gamers Unite is a gaming website that have developed an automated `bot` called the `SnagBar` or (snag bar) that makes many manual tedious tasks in Farmville completely automatic. The software itself is not malicious (despite what many online rumours claim) but the main argument is that many `anti snag bar` FarmVille users are claiming the use of such software constitutes cheating, whilst `pro snag bar` FarmVille users claim it is simply making long winded tasks much easier.

This is not the first debate of its kind, with the issue prolifically becoming raised within the gameplay of gaming sensation World of Warcraft where many members were famously banned by creators Blizzard from the game for purchasing automated software that levelled up their characters automatically.

There have been many rumours circulating regarding this debate, including -

ZYNGA HAS RECEIVED REPORTS OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHEREAS GAME PLAYERS ARE IN VIOLATION OF THE FACEBOOK AND GAME RULES. AN APPLICATION KNOWN AS GAMERS UNITE IS ONE THAT HASBEEN RECOGNIZED. PLAYERS USING THIS APP. WILL EITHER BE BLOCKED OR WARNED PRIOR TO BEING BLOCKED FROM ALL GAMES. DUE TO PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONS WE ARE UNABLE TO RELEASE THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO ARE IN VIOLATION. THANK YOU

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How it stands currently is that Farmville creators Zynga have stated that the use of 3rd party software is strictly prohibited under their terms of service (read here) and people using such 3rd party software risk having their account suspended, but the admins on the site Gamers Unite have stated that they are yet to hear of anyone being banned for using the Snag Bar – (read here.) - and neither have we.

The whole dispute does have its fair share of fallacies as well.
Firstly – the Snag Bar is not malicious.
Secondly – members will not be banned for being a fan of Gamers Unite or using their website. Their website is large and contains many other less controversial features such as tips and tricks, a forum and other useful information. Many users are being threatened for `liking` the Gamers Unite site, despite not even using the Snag Bar application. The emergence of a link that lets people detect who is using Gamers Unite is making the whole situation worse, with many assuming that people who use Gamers Unite are also using or endorsing the Snag Bar. Simply untrue.
Thirdly - The Gamers Unite! Application is neither malicious or cheating, nor will it get the member using it banned. It is a Facebook Connect application that lets the Gamers Unite website have 1 members list instead of 2 separate ones. Having this application does not mean a user is employing the Snag Bar.

As for the legitimacy of using the Snag Bar, that is up to the individual. Using it will put your account at risk because Zynga have said in no uncertain terms it is against their terms of service, but whether your account will actually get suspended is simply undetermined. What is important is that users do not spread misinformation regarding this dispute.

Have you been banned for using the Snag Bar? Contact us with screenshots at nonsense@thatsnonsense.com

UPDATES:
Rumours have emerged that a recent glitch in Mafia Wars that caused players to lose their loot was down to the Snag Bar toolbar. These are just false rumours. The Snag Bar effects Farmville only.

Rumours are circulating that Zynga has set a deadline for people to stop using the Gamers Unite Application or face being blocked from all Zynga applications and possibly even face a lawsuit. This is false. As we mentioned above that using the Gamers Unite application is perfectly acceptable and does not mean any player is using or endorsing the Snag Bar. It is just an application that lets users connect to the Gamers Unite website.

UPDATE (3):
The following message is circulating through Facebook -
GAMERS UNITE SNAG BAR USERS: We have implemented code to detect users enhancing their game experience by using programs of this type. Once an account has been detected it will be disabled until the end user contacts our Customer Support team. Accounts disabled may be reset to `normal` game play conditions and be noted for potential suspension if other violations occur.

This was written by Zynga but in reality is only 1 paragraph in a much larger message written about Cafe World (another Zynga app) and was not aimed at Snag Bar users. See the link here.

UPDATE (4):
Rumours that the Snag Bar `hacks` into peoples accounts and steals items from giftboxes are unfounded and Zynga have made no annoucement to that effect.


DISCLAIMER: Contrary to rumours, this article is not designed to endorse the Snag Bar, or endorse not using the Snag Bar. It may read like we are endorsing it, but this is only because the vast majority of rumours that circulate regarding this subject are false rumours started by anti-Snag Bar protestors which contain lies and fallacies regarding the Snag Bar. There is legitimate argument that the use of the toolbar constitutes cheating, as there is legitimate argument that is does not constitute cheating. We make no judgement either way - this article just contains the facts.


The Internet, and social networking sites like Facebook, are perfect platforms for spreading untruths, misinformation, rumor and propaganda. Thousands of inaccurate, exaggerated, deceptive or just plain false messages are circulated every single day.

For the anti-scam community to successfully tackle this plethora of false rumours, it is important that anyone who uses the Internet be able to identify false rumours and fully understands the possible consequences of spreading false information.

We have a two part blog post that helps provide this information. Part 1 deals with how to spot and debunk Internet rumours and Part 2 deals with the reasons why you should never circulate false information.

Additionally if you have fallen for this rumour or have Facebook friends that have, you can join our growing Facebook page here.