Game players say Blizzard invades privacy

Iria · Aug 12, 2005, 10:10 PM

A number of "World of Warcraft" players are up in arms over software being used by the game's publisher to scan users' computers for hacks prohibited under its terms of service.

Many publishers of MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) contend regularly with players crafting illegal software hacks that provide some form of game play advantage, such as increased speed, awareness of monsters, or the like.

To that end, some publishers have deployed programs that can peer into players' computers in an attempt to detect the existence of such hacking software. And Blizzard Entertainment, publisher of "World of Warcraft," is one of those companies.

Players sometimes cry foul about such practices, though, arguing that a game developer's need to keep out hackers doesn't outweigh customers' rights to privacy.
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Read More / Source: News.com

EcPercy · Aug 12, 2005, 11:19 PM

While I don't play WOW, I don't agree with this article at all.

I don't agree with the statement about making sure we read the EULA. If the EULA was written in everyday english it would be easy to decipher, but EULA's in their present state are full of legalese and cannot be understood by a vast majority of the population so no one bothers to read it.

That said, most game stores will not honor the EULA anyway. Most of the EULA's state something along the lines of: "If you do not agree to these terms you may return the game/sofware for a full refund" The only problem with this statement is that most game/software sales companies will not take the software back once it has been opened.

Back on point. I don't know if people have a right to be upset about a scanner on their computer looking for hacks. A good amount of games I have use PunkBuster (PB) and I have no idea what that program is doing. I hope that it's not taking things off of my computer, but at the same time I am glad that there is something out there at least attempting to stop people from cheating since those people seem to ruin everyone's gaming experience.

The only way you can voice your concern is to cancel the game. I mean after all. You are paying $15 a month for WOW. If you don't like the scanning. Quit. Make sure when you cancel you tell them that you are cancelling because of the scanning.

Aug 12, 2005, 10:10 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Game players say Blizzard invades privacy A number of "World of Warcraft" players are up in arms over software being used by the game's publisher to scan users' computers for hacks prohibited under its terms of service. Many publishers of MMORPGs (massively multiplayer online role-playing games) contend regularly with players crafting illegal software hacks that provide some form of game play advantage, such as increased speed, awareness of monsters, or the like. To that end, some publishers have deployed programs that can peer into players' computers in an attempt to detect the existence of such hacking software. And Blizzard Entertainment, publisher of "World of Warcraft," is one of those companies. Players sometimes cry foul about such practices, though, arguing that a game developer's need to keep out hackers doesn't outweigh customers' rights to privacy. __________ Read More / Source: News.com

Aug 12, 2005, 11:19 PM	#2
EcPercy HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Iraq Posts: 1,535 Rep Power: 0	While I don't play WOW, I don't agree with this article at all. I don't agree with the statement about making sure we read the EULA. If the EULA was written in everyday english it would be easy to decipher, but EULA's in their present state are full of legalese and cannot be understood by a vast majority of the population so no one bothers to read it. That said, most game stores will not honor the EULA anyway. Most of the EULA's state something along the lines of: "If you do not agree to these terms you may return the game/sofware for a full refund" The only problem with this statement is that most game/software sales companies will not take the software back once it has been opened. Back on point. I don't know if people have a right to be upset about a scanner on their computer looking for hacks. A good amount of games I have use PunkBuster (PB) and I have no idea what that program is doing. I hope that it's not taking things off of my computer, but at the same time I am glad that there is something out there at least attempting to stop people from cheating since those people seem to ruin everyone's gaming experience. The only way you can voice your concern is to cancel the game. I mean after all. You are paying $15 a month for WOW. If you don't like the scanning. Quit. Make sure when you cancel you tell them that you are cancelling because of the scanning.