Blizzard Takes On Gold Diggers In World of Warcraft
Spammer told to cease and desist
Spam him at your peril
Blizzard has delivered a blow to MMORPG spammers who sell in-game assets for real currency in World of Warcraft . In a posting on its forum Blizzard reports:
In addition to its real world legal actions, Blizzard has also taken in-game measures to prevent spamming with its latest content patch. Blizzard reports, “... the latest content patch, along with many great new content additions, contains technical counter-measures designed to combat in-game gold spamming. Our efforts to reduce in-game abuse and create a fun, safe environment for everyone are never-ending.”
Peons4hire is no doubt feeling a bit indignant about this. On its website it states, “We operate ethically in game and in life just as any ... corporation would responsibly act.” Apparently World of Warcraft players don't see it the same way, however. Feedback has been positive, with players reporting that the patch has been successful in cutting down spam levels.
If you're not familiar with the practice of gold farming, here's how Peons4hire describes its actions, “We offer in game assets to our customers so they can save the time it takes to acquire these individually, thereby giving you what you treasure the most, time to relax and play.”
Are gold farmers evil opportunists destroying the purity of MMOs, or savvy capitalists sparing us from hours of annoying play and the (apparently moderate) possibility of games addiction? Tell us in the Forum.
“Blizzard has filed a federal lawsuit against the operators of Peons4hire, a popular gold-selling organization which many of you have no doubt seen advertised. As part of the lawsuit, the operators of Peons4hire have been asked to immediately cease all in-game spamming efforts by all entities and websites under their control... If this organization refuses to act accordingly, further legal action will be taken.”
In addition to its real world legal actions, Blizzard has also taken in-game measures to prevent spamming with its latest content patch. Blizzard reports, “... the latest content patch, along with many great new content additions, contains technical counter-measures designed to combat in-game gold spamming. Our efforts to reduce in-game abuse and create a fun, safe environment for everyone are never-ending.”
Peons4hire is no doubt feeling a bit indignant about this. On its website it states, “We operate ethically in game and in life just as any ... corporation would responsibly act.” Apparently World of Warcraft players don't see it the same way, however. Feedback has been positive, with players reporting that the patch has been successful in cutting down spam levels.
If you're not familiar with the practice of gold farming, here's how Peons4hire describes its actions, “We offer in game assets to our customers so they can save the time it takes to acquire these individually, thereby giving you what you treasure the most, time to relax and play.”
Are gold farmers evil opportunists destroying the purity of MMOs, or savvy capitalists sparing us from hours of annoying play and the (apparently moderate) possibility of games addiction? Tell us in the Forum.
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