I’ve written a couple times recently about the WoW Glider controversy. To sum up, Blizzard is suing some guy that made a program that other people use to bot in WoW. Some of the Forge’s commenters seemed to feel this was ok.
I’m curious how those people would feel about Microsoft suing this guy if he sold his simple little device, assuming that MS had something in the Xbox Live EULA that prohibits automation? (No idea if they do or not. Consider it a thought experiement if not.)
After all, even if it’s just a simple little machine consisting of a couple of solenoids and drive belts, it’s still a “cheating” device, right? Aside from the copyright infringement claim with WoW Glider (which I’ve got no problem with), I don’t see any sort of real difference aside from DMCA-wankery. It’s a tool created explicitly to ‘bot’ and gain you points in Xbox Live, just like WoW Glider is a tool created explicitly to ‘bot’ and gain you points in World of Warcraft.
Taking it a step further, perhaps Microsoft should sue itself, since I used the cord for the microphone they manufactured to wrap around my dual joysticks on the 360 controller in order to automate my rise up the ranks in Rainbow Six: Las Vegas.
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March 1st, 2007 at 3:48 am
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April 10th, 2007 at 9:35 pm
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February 28th, 2007 at 12:42 pm
Chris
I am so making one of those to beat the Living End song on expert in GH2. Or better yet, maybe I can pay him to make me one…
February 28th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Sisca
The main difference, in my opinion, is that he created something to replace his physical interaction with the controller whereas the WoWGlider people reverse engineered Blizzards code. It’s subtle but it is a difference.
Aren’t all console add-ons licensed, I’m not that up on the whole console hardware market but I thought they had to be officially licensed. If so and he tried to sell it without giving MS their cut he might very well find himself in court.
As one of those that thinks that Blizzard should be going after the WoWGlider guy I also have to say that if this guy were to sell fully assembled versions of his “bot” I’d fully support MS for going after him as well.
As someone posted in the other thread the difference here is intent. He intended to create a device that allowed him to cheat, just as you used the microphone cord to allow you to cheat the system. WoWGlider intended to create something that they could sell to others that would enable them to cheat. In other words they were looking to make a profit off of Blizzards property without Blizzards consent.
February 28th, 2007 at 4:19 pm
Marc/Richter
I don’t believe peripherals have to be licenced, but they don’t fiddle with how the game works, just how you work the game, if that makse sense.
February 28th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Matt
Peripherals do not have to be licensed. To me, WoW Glider is just a peripheral, no different from the 3rd party controllers you used to be able to buy that did “slow-motion” for you by just clicking ’start’ over and over on games that supported it.
–matt
March 1st, 2007 at 12:48 am
Azaroth
Third party programs can be a real problem. In fact, Ultima Online has been out for so long that there are programs that utterly decimate the point of playing. PvPers run automatic fighting scripts, crafters and gatherers run crafting and gathering scripts, and a lot of people downright script for money - which not only ruins the economy, but REALLY discourages the people trying to PLAY the game.
I see that as a problem. A big one.
Blizzard has that, in a way, with WoW Glider. They’ve implemented some serious spyware to handle third party programs in the past, but WoW Glider hides it process and some other nifty stuff to avoid detection. I think they just came to the end of their options and brought out the lawyers, which they’re able (and very willing) to do.
I don’t exactly agree with the morality of suing the guy, but sometimes protecting your own billion dollar cash cow ass comes first. These programs can cause a real problem. And I think that problem starts with the ability to fully automate gameplay that directly affects others and the game as a whole + how many people are using it.
Whereas a controller that causes pseudo-slow motion used in a multiplayer game by (let’s face it) not that many people AFTER the game has already been sold to them and there are no monthly fees or concern for longevity or fair play with the developers might not be considered a huge problem, things like Easy UO and WoW Glider can be. They’re a much different beast.
A beast that should maybe be handled through better attention from GMs, but that shit gets expensive. Whether you’re a small company who can’t afford it, or Blizzard with millions of players and a need to spend a LOT of to hire on enough GMs so that they can pull out the old watch&detect strategy.
Countering with better spyware is an arms race that you’ll always lose. You can either then sue, or train GMs better, and hire way more of them. The former is easier, probably cheaper in the long run, and likely far more effective. As morally murky as it may be.
March 1st, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Andrew Crystall
Actually, Microsoft do require a liscence for XBox 360 peripherals.
lessie.. http://news.com.com/Digging+profits+out+of+Xbox/2100-1043_3-5827110.html?tag=nefd.lede
March 1st, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Matt
That’s not the same thing. Microsoft isn’t able to require a license for Xbox 360 peripherals. What they can require a license for is:
a) Using their trademarks.
b) Hooking something up using their proprietary protocol, I think. The DMCA makes it a crime (stupidly in my opinion) to reverse engineer that protocol though.
Simply making a peripheral however does not require a license, and the guy who made the “cheat” device for Xbox Live wouldn’t need one as long as he’s not using MS’s trademark.
That’s as I understand it at least.
–matt