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

lessie.. http://news.com.com/Digging+profits+out+of+Xbox/2100-1043_3-5827110.html?tag=nefd.lede

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.

–matt

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.