Blizzard Makes Clear Its Policy on Exploits After Dungeon Exploit In WoW Classic - MMORPG.com

System

Blizzard Makes Clear Its Policy on Exploits After Dungeon Exploit In WoW Classic - MMORPG.com

After an issue that allowed for endless dungeon respawns in World of Warcraft: Classic to be exploited by players, Blizzard made plans to punish the players who were taking advantage of the issue. Due to player feedback, Blizzard had to even clarify this in a new post on the WoW forums.

Read the full story here

Scot

If you know anything about law you know it will be difficult to prove intent, doing some "very weird stuff" once should be enough to establish intent. Otherwise you have to be able to read peoples minds.

Seidr

When in doubt: EULA.

WoW glitches are not always as clear as you might think. M+ snap pulls for example; who figured out that it's an actual "thing", rather than a glitch to be exploited with a ban looming around the corner?

Amathe

They're playing a game as it existed in the past - a past when they likely did not play WoW. How can they be sure what is and isn't working as intended in 2004 WoW?

bng28

with the extent you have to go through to figure out how to manipulate this glitch, proving intent seems fairly straight forward or "open and shut" as blizzard says. Especially when youre doing it on MC.

p4ttythep3rf3ct

Burn the witches!

darkbalth

They also do not have to prove intent. They own the game if they say your banned you are banned. This is not a court of law.

bng28

darkbalth said:

They also do not have to prove intent. They own the game if they say your banned you are banned. This is not a court of law.

also true.

Amathe

darkbalth said:

They also do not have to prove intent. They own the game if they say your banned you are banned. This is not a court of law.

Yes and no. The player and Blizzard are in a contractual relationship, which includes the Terms of Service. Blizzard can't just ban someone on a whim. They have to comply with their contract. But you are right, that contract does not require proof of intent:

License Limitations. Blizzard may suspend or revoke your license to use the Platform, or parts, components and/or single features thereof, if you violate, or assist others in violating, the license limitations set forth below. You agree that you will not, in whole or in part or under any circumstances, do the following:

1. Derivative Works: Copy or reproduce (except as provided in Section 1.B.), translate, reverse engineer, derive source code from, modify, disassemble, decompile, or create derivative works based on or related to the Platform.

2. Cheating: Create, use, offer, promote, advertise, make available and/or distribute the following or assist therein:

   1. cheats; i.e. methods not expressly authorized by Blizzard, influencing and/or facilitating the gameplay, including exploits of any in-game bugs, and thereby granting you and/or any other user an advantage over other players not using such methods;

   2. bots; i.e. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that allows the automated control of a Game, or any other feature of the Platform, e.g. the automated control of a character in a Game;

   3. hacks; i.e. accessing or modifying the software of the Platform in any manner not expressly authorized by Blizzard; and/or

   4. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that can be used in connection with the Platform and/or any component or feature thereof which changes and/or facilitates the gameplay or other functionality;

Kyleran

I recall playing Vanguard shortly after launch where I ran over a certain nondescript piece of ground and seeing one of my key skills unexpectedly ding up.

I went back over the same spot and it happened again. Well, after about 85 or so more repetitions I had said skill maxed at 100. (With all others like under 30)

My guilty conciousness got the best of me so I self reported myself, saying I only repeated it to "test" how far it would go.   

Either they appreciated my honesty or were too busy firefighting for their lives but I never heard back and got to keep my ill gotten gains.

Point is, by my act of repeating the same unusual movement it was pretty clear I had exploited a defect.

Now, had I dinged 100 by walking over the spot once I would not have bothered reporting as it would have truly been an "innocent" act.

Understanding the difference between right and wrong, even those living under the bridge can discern it pretty easily, and have armchair lawyers as good as anyone.

  

Amathe

Kyleran said:

My guilty conciousness got the best of me so I self reported myself,

Dude. Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude.  I both admire and pity this act of self flagellation. I am trying to picture the communication: "I would like to report that I have engaged in an exploit for the *cough* purpose of testing by walking over a dirt patch 85 times and making myself into a bionic avatar." 

Kyleran

Amathe said:

Kyleran said:

My guilty conciousness got the best of me so I self reported myself,

Dude. Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude.  I both admire and pity this act of self flagellation. I am trying to picture the communication: "I would like to report that I have engaged in an exploit for the *cough* purpose of testing by walking over a dirt patch 85 times and making myself into a bionic avatar." 

I am sure I never mentioned exploiting and went with the testing approach and how much of a favor I was doing them.

Didn't share the info with anyone, not even my guildmates.

Just how I roll. 

Utinni

Scot said:

If you know anything about law you know it will be difficult to prove intent, doing some "very weird stuff" once should be enough to establish intent. Otherwise you have to be able to read peoples minds.

The nice thing with gaming EULA is that they don't need to prove anything. Intent is whatever they say it is.

gervaise1

Amathe said:

darkbalth said:

They also do not have to prove intent. They own the game if they say your banned you are banned. This is not a court of law.

Yes and no. The player and Blizzard are in a contractual relationship, which includes the Terms of Service. Blizzard can't just ban someone on a whim. They have to comply with their contract. But you are right, that contract does not require proof of intent:

License Limitations. Blizzard may suspend or revoke your license to use the Platform, or parts, components and/or single features thereof, if you violate, or assist others in violating, the license limitations set forth below. You agree that you will not, in whole or in part or under any circumstances, do the following:

1. Derivative Works: Copy or reproduce (except as provided in Section 1.B.), translate, reverse engineer, derive source code from, modify, disassemble, decompile, or create derivative works based on or related to the Platform.

2. Cheating: Create, use, offer, promote, advertise, make available and/or distribute the following or assist therein:

   1. cheats; i.e. methods not expressly authorized by Blizzard, influencing and/or facilitating the gameplay, including exploits of any in-game bugs, and thereby granting you and/or any other user an advantage over other players not using such methods;

   2. bots; i.e. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that allows the automated control of a Game, or any other feature of the Platform, e.g. the automated control of a character in a Game;

   3. hacks; i.e. accessing or modifying the software of the Platform in any manner not expressly authorized by Blizzard; and/or

   4. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that can be used in connection with the Platform and/or any component or feature thereof which changes and/or facilitates the gameplay or other functionality;

This needs repeating. There is a contract. Players are buying a service; Blizzard is a company and have an obligation to deliver.

If you take the stance "they" own the company and have small print that says xyz then you saying that any company can ride roughshod over its customers. Any company. Not just game companies - they are not unique when it comes to the law.

Which is why the "laws of the land" - which do differ in different countries - are what matter not EULA's.

To quote Douglas Adam's (Hitchhikers):

“But the plans were on display…”
“On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.”
“That’s the display department.”
“With a flashlight.”
“Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.”
“So had the stairs.”
“But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

gervaise1

People. Exploiting! Surely not. Isn't everyone playing WoW for that old time feeling .....

goofy3k

I really don't get why people defend cheaters. They found a bug and instead of choosing to report it, they exploited said bug to get an unfair advantage over other players (in an online game). Any person with a set of morals and sense of fair play will know it is wrong to dishonestly exploit a system to gain advantage for yourself, it is literally the entire problem with human beings and the crises we face here on Earth. Yet here you have small examples of cheating and dishonesty and people try excuse it.

Amathe

Torval said:

This makes me wonder that since it's a service with a monthly recurring contract that Blizzard doesn't need to ban players. They can simply not renew accounts at the end of the service term (i.e.: when the sub time expires).

It's actually a Licensing Agreement (End User License Agreement, or EULA). Your license to use their software can be suspended or revoked for violations of the EULA.

crankked

goofy3k said:

I really don't get why people defend cheaters. They found a bug and instead of choosing to report it, they exploited said bug to get an unfair advantage over other players (in an online game). Any person with a set of morals and sense of fair play will know it is wrong to dishonestly exploit a system to gain advantage for yourself, it is literally the entire problem with human beings and the crises we face here on Earth. Yet here you have small examples of cheating and dishonesty and people try excuse it.

QFT

I mean, how are we even having this discussion? People cheated, were caught doing it and now they are paying the price. There is no defense or legal bullshit or mind games you can play with your self to defend it legitimately.

Nanbino

Back in vanilla days, my guild exploited dungeon runs. We communicated with blizz and they gave us items for helping.
That said, saying noob got you a warning on account.

Times change, noob is ok, calling out bad design gets you banned. Millennials need spanking I guess.

aRtFuLThinG

gervaise1 said:

Amathe said:

darkbalth said:

They also do not have to prove intent. They own the game if they say your banned you are banned. This is not a court of law.

Yes and no. The player and Blizzard are in a contractual relationship, which includes the Terms of Service. Blizzard can't just ban someone on a whim. They have to comply with their contract. But you are right, that contract does not require proof of intent:

License Limitations. Blizzard may suspend or revoke your license to use the Platform, or parts, components and/or single features thereof, if you violate, or assist others in violating, the license limitations set forth below. You agree that you will not, in whole or in part or under any circumstances, do the following:

1. Derivative Works: Copy or reproduce (except as provided in Section 1.B.), translate, reverse engineer, derive source code from, modify, disassemble, decompile, or create derivative works based on or related to the Platform.

2. Cheating: Create, use, offer, promote, advertise, make available and/or distribute the following or assist therein:

   1. cheats; i.e. methods not expressly authorized by Blizzard, influencing and/or facilitating the gameplay, including exploits of any in-game bugs, and thereby granting you and/or any other user an advantage over other players not using such methods;

   2. bots; i.e. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that allows the automated control of a Game, or any other feature of the Platform, e.g. the automated control of a character in a Game;

   3. hacks; i.e. accessing or modifying the software of the Platform in any manner not expressly authorized by Blizzard; and/or

   4. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that can be used in connection with the Platform and/or any component or feature thereof which changes and/or facilitates the gameplay or other functionality;

This needs repeating. There is a contract. Players are buying a service; Blizzard is a company and have an obligation to deliver.

If you take the stance "they" own the company and have small print that says xyz then you saying that any company can ride roughshod over its customers. Any company. Not just game companies - they are not unique when it comes to the law.

Which is why the "laws of the land" - which do differ in different countries - are what matter not EULA's.

To quote Douglas Adam's (Hitchhikers):

“But the plans were on display…”
“On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.”
“That’s the display department.”
“With a flashlight.”
“Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.”
“So had the stairs.”
“But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

While true, you are also forgetting that the also have a contractual obiligation to OTHER players in keeping the game exploit free when possible - that's what other players paid for.

When talking about contractual obligation it is easy for observers to forget that MMO service agreement is not a one-to-one relationship, but rather a multi-tier relationship.

Phry

gervaise1 said:

Amathe said:

darkbalth said:

They also do not have to prove intent. They own the game if they say your banned you are banned. This is not a court of law.

Yes and no. The player and Blizzard are in a contractual relationship, which includes the Terms of Service. Blizzard can't just ban someone on a whim. They have to comply with their contract. But you are right, that contract does not require proof of intent:

License Limitations. Blizzard may suspend or revoke your license to use the Platform, or parts, components and/or single features thereof, if you violate, or assist others in violating, the license limitations set forth below. You agree that you will not, in whole or in part or under any circumstances, do the following:

1. Derivative Works: Copy or reproduce (except as provided in Section 1.B.), translate, reverse engineer, derive source code from, modify, disassemble, decompile, or create derivative works based on or related to the Platform.

2. Cheating: Create, use, offer, promote, advertise, make available and/or distribute the following or assist therein:

   1. cheats; i.e. methods not expressly authorized by Blizzard, influencing and/or facilitating the gameplay, including exploits of any in-game bugs, and thereby granting you and/or any other user an advantage over other players not using such methods;

   2. bots; i.e. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that allows the automated control of a Game, or any other feature of the Platform, e.g. the automated control of a character in a Game;

   3. hacks; i.e. accessing or modifying the software of the Platform in any manner not expressly authorized by Blizzard; and/or

   4. any code and/or software, not expressly authorized by Blizzard, that can be used in connection with the Platform and/or any component or feature thereof which changes and/or facilitates the gameplay or other functionality;

This needs repeating. There is a contract. Players are buying a service; Blizzard is a company and have an obligation to deliver.

If you take the stance "they" own the company and have small print that says xyz then you saying that any company can ride roughshod over its customers. Any company. Not just game companies - they are not unique when it comes to the law.

Which is why the "laws of the land" - which do differ in different countries - are what matter not EULA's.

To quote Douglas Adam's (Hitchhikers):

“But the plans were on display…”
“On display? I eventually had to go down to the cellar to find them.”
“That’s the display department.”
“With a flashlight.”
“Ah, well, the lights had probably gone.”
“So had the stairs.”
“But look, you found the notice, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” said Arthur, “yes I did. It was on display in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard.”

Douglas Adams quotes tend to be awesome, but then, he was a hoopy frood who really knew where his towel was.

Scot

Kyleran said:

Amathe said:

Kyleran said:

My guilty conciousness got the best of me so I self reported myself,

Dude. Duuuuuuuuuuuuuude.  I both admire and pity this act of self flagellation. I am trying to picture the communication: "I would like to report that I have engaged in an exploit for the *cough* purpose of testing by walking over a dirt patch 85 times and making myself into a bionic avatar." 

I am sure I never mentioned exploiting and went with the testing approach and how much of a favor I was doing them.

Didn't share the info with anyone, not even my guildmates.

Just how I roll. 

I have told you guys he is Macavity before.