Diablo 3 Outrage?

[kouriichi]

Well, for those of you who do, or dont know, the Diablo 3 open beta has started.

But before you all jump with joy and run to download it, you should know about the terms of service that comes with it. They ripped a page right out of EA's book and have you agreeing to the following by installing the (one hour long) beta.

(Only the major problems i have with it will be listed, not every detail)
"You allow Blizzard to obtain hardware and software information from the computer system that you will use to take part in the Test (the "System") prior to registration for the Test in order for Blizzard to determine if you are eligible to participate in the Test;"

"Blizzard may monitor and record any and all communications, electronic or otherwise, pertaining to the Game including, without limitation, packets, chat, email, message board postings, etc.;"

"Blizzard may transfer software program files to the System, including a program that will collect and send Blizzard CPU, RAM, operating system, video card, and sound card information from the System."

Now, dont get me wrong, they have the right to protect their Beta, and information related to it. But this is a bit extreme? I mean, Origins is a program that runs and manages a large list of games, and people freaked out over their TOS (which isnt to far from what this one is doing). But this is a BETA, and just a BETA, not even a long one.

Do you find this a bit extreme like i do, or am i just Drama Llama over nothing? Giving them the right to monitor, record, and go through every inch of your data seems a bit much doesnt it?

 

[Pearwood]

Old news to be honest, it's what they do with WoW and Starcraft as well. It's not the data they're looking at just what your computer specs are.

 

[Atmos Duality]

Sounds like typical Closed/Private Beta fare, actually.
They don't like it when people slip the bonds and leak the game for one.
For another, a lot of that data is sent to try to determine what else (if anything) could be interacting with the game.

Beta-testing is more of a contract job than a form of entertainment. You're helping them improve their product after all. Expect it to be a more controlled relationship.

Which is a fair bit different from having those terms mandatory for when you buy the game.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

"Blizzard may monitor and record any and all communications, electronic or otherwise, pertaining to the Game including, without limitation, packets, chat, email, message board postings, etc.;"

That's the only one that makes me blink. How on earth would they propose to do that, exactly? Are they reading your emails to Grandma to make sure you're not leaking the beta?

 

[Aeshi]

Of course that assumes anybody's been able to even log on to the beta yet

 

[kouriichi]

"Blizzard may monitor and record any and all communications, electronic or otherwise, pertaining to the Game including, without limitation, packets, chat, email, message board postings, etc.;"

That's the only one that makes me blink. How on earth would they propose to do that, exactly? Are they reading your emails to Grandma to make sure you're not leaking the beta?

Its less about why they would do that, and more about the fact that your giving them the right to.

You give them the right to read everything. See everything you run. Your basically giving them the right to put a person in the room with you at all times, looking over your shoulder. Sure, they can say "Its so you dont copy the beta", but you cant say there isnt more to it then that. The beta itself is open to anyone, so why would they care if you send it to a friend? Its the evasion of privacy over something everyone on PC can play. They want to monitor all of your information just so they can see what you have to say about a one hour beta?

I know i sound a bit paranoid, but when someone says, "Give me free rain over all your private information and chats you have with anyone at anytime", i should probably react in some way.

 

[Diddy_Mao]

Beta test is not a free demo.

Don't expect to have full access to all of the content, be prepared to have your character data wiped clean as they update add and remove features to fine tune the game.

And yeah your terms of service are going to be a lot more strict than most people might be prepared for.

If you're not comfortable with that then don't participate.

 

[EmptyOptimist]

Sounds like typical Closed/Private Beta fare, actually.
They don't like it when people slip the bonds and leak the game for one.
For another, a lot of that data is sent to try to determine what else (if anything) could be interacting with the game.

Beta-testing is more of a contract job than a form of entertainment. You're helping them improve their product after all. Expect it to be a more controlled relationship.

Which is a fair bit different from having those terms mandatory for when you buy the game.

Except this isn't a closed beta - for the next 3 days they are running an open beta for any/all to join.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

I know i sound a bit paranoid, but when someone says, "Give me free rain over all your private information and chats you have with anyone at anytime", i should probably react in some way.

Hehehehehe. Hehehehe. Heh. "Free rain".

My friend! Rain is ALWAYS free.

(reign)

 

[Atmos Duality]

Except this isn't a closed beta - for the next 3 days they are running an open beta for any/all to join.

Well, then the only data they need to gathering is hardware and OS info.
In that case, I'd call the data-mining for "software" excessive.

 

[Weaver]

Well, they're at least telling you WHAT they're harvesting. It also clearly states they're only collecting things pertaining to the game itself. EA's original EULA (which has now been revised) basically said they can do whatever they want and you just had to deal with it.

To me it all seems benign. Yes they monitor your in game chat, like a lot of online games have for years. They're collecting system stats which again, I have no problem with. Nothing here really says to me they'll be scanning your hard drive for personal information or any such things.

 

[kouriichi]

Well, they're at least telling you WHAT they're harvesting. It also clearly states they're only collecting things pertaining to the game itself. EA's original EULA (which has now been revised) basically said they can do whatever they want and you just had to deal with it.

To me it all seems benign. Yes they monitor your in game chat, like a lot of online games have for years. They're collecting system stats which again, I have no problem with. Nothing here really says to me they'll be scanning your hard drive for personal information or any such things.

"may monitor and record any and all communications, electronic or otherwise, pertaining to the Game including, without limitation, packets, chat, email, message board postings, etc", Isnt just in game chat. x:
And the only way they will know if its about the game, is if they monitor it all. This means everything think you type, say, or send over the internet in any form can be read. So much as you mention the game online, and the entire conversation youve had is now subject to it. Talking to your wife about getting freaky, and tell her you got the diablo beta so your stoked about anything? Great They now know your wife is on the bed, wearing something lacy~!
You give them the right to everything you have, and say, for an hour long beta.

 

[RJ 17]

I know i sound a bit paranoid, but when someone says, "Give me free rain over all your private information and chats you have with anyone at anytime", i should probably react in some way.

Hehehehehe. Hehehehe. Heh. "Free rain".

My friend! Rain is ALWAYS free.

(reign)

Rain may be given out for free, but the rain gods certainly have been stingy lately around where I live.

OT: Joke's on you for caring about a Blizzard game.