Poll: It's really time to stop supporting Blizzard

[Littlee300]

http://www.cheathappens.com/article_blizzardbans.asp
I'm sure you all have seen this by now but for those of you who haven't get a look at what those bastards are trying to get away with now. I'm calling for an escapist wide boycott on everything Blizzard.

Now, WHO'S WITH ME!!!

Oh cry me a river, they already have cheats outside cheats aren't needed.

 

[TheMariner]

So let me get this straight. People were using third-party programs, a violation of the EULA, to gain advantages (aka cheating). Blizzard then banned them and you have a problem with this? Oh, heaven forbid a company actually enforce their own rules.

The trainer in question even comes with a warning: "SINGLE PLAYER OFFLINE USE ONLY. USE AT OWN RISK." Meaning that the creators knew there was some risk involved in using the program. I really don't understand how the offender could even say that they were shocked that this happened at all...

 

[mjc0961]

Even though I haven't been supporting Blizzard anyway (do they even do anything other than WoW and Starcraft?), I voted no. I'm not buying their stuff because they have nothing of interest to me, not because of some silly boycott.

 

[bob1052]

I'm a little mixed on this.

Were they banned from using the cheats PUT in the game?

Or banned for using cheats blizzard didn't make?

Third party software. Blizzard aren't THAT thick. Thus, they were unbalancing the game by unlocking a bunch of achievements, which affects multiplayer.

Oh, then I have no problem with what they're doing.

Sure, achievements don't mean that much, but people are still messing with their creation.

Besides, you have an invulnerability cheat and a bunch of others...Why would you need any more?

Their creation??? Geez, doesn't it count for anything that people BOUGHT the game?

But why did they need to make their own cheating software?

There's cheats to give you all the minerals you need, remove defeat conditions, and become an unstoppable god.

Why do people do a variety of things when there are other options? Why do people use the Game Genie when they could use the controller Contra code? Maybe because it's just more fun to use cheats that aren't authorized.

That Blizzard added cheat codes doesn't invalidate cheat codes from other sources. If Blizzard had not added their own codes, would it really change many opinions on this issue?

Here's the thing, there's a EULA, if you violate the EULA, you're at fault and you get the consequences. You chose to buy the game, if you decided to violate them then that's your fault. There's no arguing it, you agreed to their terms and then willingly violated them.

The EULA is not legally binding.

Not in a court of law, but it is more than enough for Blizzard to ban.

 

[Snotnarok]

I'm a little mixed on this.

Were they banned from using the cheats PUT in the game?

Or banned for using cheats blizzard didn't make?

Third party software. Blizzard aren't THAT thick. Thus, they were unbalancing the game by unlocking a bunch of achievements, which affects multiplayer.

Oh, then I have no problem with what they're doing.

Sure, achievements don't mean that much, but people are still messing with their creation.

Besides, you have an invulnerability cheat and a bunch of others...Why would you need any more?

Their creation??? Geez, doesn't it count for anything that people BOUGHT the game?

But why did they need to make their own cheating software?

There's cheats to give you all the minerals you need, remove defeat conditions, and become an unstoppable god.

Why do people do a variety of things when there are other options? Why do people use the Game Genie when they could use the controller Contra code? Maybe because it's just more fun to use cheats that aren't authorized.

That Blizzard added cheat codes doesn't invalidate cheat codes from other sources. If Blizzard had not added their own codes, would it really change many opinions on this issue?

Here's the thing, there's a EULA, if you violate the EULA, you're at fault and you get the consequences. You chose to buy the game, if you decided to violate them then that's your fault. There's no arguing it, you agreed to their terms and then willingly violated them.

The EULA is not legally binding.

I fail to see how, they laid out terms, you agreed to them, you broke them, you get to buy your game again good day sir.

 

[Neonic-Ink]

Sorry, I love Blizzard. I grew up with their games. I can't tell how annoying trainers are to me, especially when I have put so much time and effort into my characters on D2 and then have some punk have all the cool shit that he didn't even earn.

 

[Nifarious]

hahahahahahaha
What a pussy movement.
The only people in it already have their knickers in a knot about Blizzard for some other petty reason.

So, if the guy who invented chess was a dick, does that mean I have any reason whatsoever to not play the game? How about if I buy local produce from a bigot? Or to stick truer to this current theme, would I enter into a contractual agreement that preserves the authority of the creator in scenarios that I already deem to be unimportant to me? To play an amazing game? Hell yes!

 

[XzarTheMad]

I dunno. If we're talking the kind of cheat-codes also existant in, say, SC1, then a ban for that is completely out of line. However, using 3rd party programs to play.. I see nothing wrong in banning those who do that. Problem is, I think, that you can't easily tell when people are only using it for single player purposes. So I guess they'd rather be on the strict side than let cheaters ruin other people's fun.

I ain't boycotting, though. That shit is stupid. Look at how effective those L4D2 boycotters were.

 

[bob1052]

I'm a little mixed on this.

Were they banned from using the cheats PUT in the game?

Or banned for using cheats blizzard didn't make?

Third party software. Blizzard aren't THAT thick. Thus, they were unbalancing the game by unlocking a bunch of achievements, which affects multiplayer.

Oh, then I have no problem with what they're doing.

Sure, achievements don't mean that much, but people are still messing with their creation.

Besides, you have an invulnerability cheat and a bunch of others...Why would you need any more?

Their creation??? Geez, doesn't it count for anything that people BOUGHT the game?

But why did they need to make their own cheating software?

There's cheats to give you all the minerals you need, remove defeat conditions, and become an unstoppable god.

Why do people do a variety of things when there are other options? Why do people use the Game Genie when they could use the controller Contra code? Maybe because it's just more fun to use cheats that aren't authorized.

That Blizzard added cheat codes doesn't invalidate cheat codes from other sources. If Blizzard had not added their own codes, would it really change many opinions on this issue?

Here's the thing, there's a EULA, if you violate the EULA, you're at fault and you get the consequences. You chose to buy the game, if you decided to violate them then that's your fault. There's no arguing it, you agreed to their terms and then willingly violated them.

The EULA is not legally binding.

I fail to see how, they laid out terms, you agreed to them, you broke them, you get to buy your game again good day sir.

Well, for one thing agreeing to the EULA is simply clicking and that can only be done after the game is purchased and opened, which at that point it cannot be returned.

If your CD key is unused, and you disagree with the EULA of any game, call them and demand your money back and let them void your CD key.

 

[Littlee300]

Uhm, it's not blizzard's fault noone read the fucking user agreement forum. Tough luck. their fault, move on

NO ONE READS THAT

This boycott is still for whiners though

 

[bob1052]

I'm a little mixed on this.

Were they banned from using the cheats PUT in the game?

Or banned for using cheats blizzard didn't make?

Third party software. Blizzard aren't THAT thick. Thus, they were unbalancing the game by unlocking a bunch of achievements, which affects multiplayer.

Oh, then I have no problem with what they're doing.

Sure, achievements don't mean that much, but people are still messing with their creation.

Besides, you have an invulnerability cheat and a bunch of others...Why would you need any more?

Their creation??? Geez, doesn't it count for anything that people BOUGHT the game?

But why did they need to make their own cheating software?

There's cheats to give you all the minerals you need, remove defeat conditions, and become an unstoppable god.

Why do people do a variety of things when there are other options? Why do people use the Game Genie when they could use the controller Contra code? Maybe because it's just more fun to use cheats that aren't authorized.

That Blizzard added cheat codes doesn't invalidate cheat codes from other sources. If Blizzard had not added their own codes, would it really change many opinions on this issue?

Here's the thing, there's a EULA, if you violate the EULA, you're at fault and you get the consequences. You chose to buy the game, if you decided to violate them then that's your fault. There's no arguing it, you agreed to their terms and then willingly violated them.

The EULA is not legally binding.

I fail to see how, they laid out terms, you agreed to them, you broke them, you get to buy your game again good day sir.

Well, for one thing agreeing to the EULA is simply clicking and that can only be done after the game is purchased and opened, which at that point it cannot be returned.

If your CD key is unused, and you disagree with the EULA of any game, call them and demand your money back and let them void your CD key.

Then what?

Ship it back to them at my expense then wait how long to get my refund?

CD keys can be voided without giving them your physical copy.

 

[Therumancer]

I have mixed opinions here.

On one hand I am not buying "Starcraft 2" in part because of the way it was marketed (1 3rd of the campaign).

As far as them taking action on the cheaters for single player, I think there is nothing wrong with that. Understand that the game involves Acheivements which are viewable online and contribute to a player's "Blizzscore" as I heard it described. Allegedly their long term plans for the Blizzard achievements are to eventually include special content in their games (on the level of pre-order items or whatever) that is unlocked based on someone's Blizzscore and their loyalty to Blizzard's products and long-time play in the community they are building.

On XBL, STEAM, and other services "boosting" achievements and finding ways to cheat to get them is annoying, but ultimatly harmless. The action is likewise trivial in that it's not worth anything other than bragging rights, and maybe someone getting all butthurt about someone easily exploiting an achievement they worked hard to get legitimatly. On the other hand if there are actual rewards for the gamerscore, and/or the company wants it to mean something, ensuring it's integrity is going to be important.

I remember hearing about Blizzard's intent back when Achievements first hit World Of Warcraft. Nothing ever came of it, but this being taken seriously does lend some credability to the rumor. I also remember hearing that the first game that would be making use of "Blizzscore" is going to be their next generation MMO, with WoW, Diablo III, and Starcraft 2 being the planned games that would have an influance in additional content.

This does raise some interesting questions overall, but the bottom line is that this move actually seems to be contrary to what a Bobby Kotick would want, because it costs money to police games, and every person banned is potentially one less moneybag if they remain annoyed.

Ironically this article has actually gotten me to re-consider my choice about Starcraft II to some extent. If they continue to take it that seriously, I might eventually decide it's worth getting a copy, though to be honest I'm still far more likly to wait until they release the entire campaign together as a single package in a battlechest or whatever. It's hard for me not to be upset about the way they decided to release this game, especially seeing as an article here on "The Escapist" talking about them had Blizzard saying that to do the entire campaign would have taken them 14 years.... (uh huh, I believe that guys). That kind of drivel makes me angry just to think about it... oh wait, now I'm re-considering my re-considering as I write this paragraph...

 

[Korroth Dyahwanre]

Feck the cheating BS what the fudruck are they doing about the people hacking the 15million Battlenet Accounts? Before World of Warcraft came out I had a Battlenet account for my diablo and Starcraft games that I used periodically for years. Never once did I ever have an issue with it. Since that era and the fact that Blizzard's customer service doesn't want to do their job's I stopped paying them 3 years ago. They refuse to answer any of my e-mails to tech support,(which I am still awaiting even a no-reply@blizzard/techsupport response to) its been three and a half years. Other then in-game issues with my characters getting stuck after patch days, I never had a problem with WoW other then how simple it was to do anything. During this 3year personal boycott time, they've decided the best thing they could do to increase "security" was to switch everyone over to a battlenet login. Since this move I don't know of a single player that hasn't gotten hacked lost a ton of stuff and had to fight or otherwise wait for the things lost to be returned to their toons. I've received 5 e-mails telling me my account has been hacked and suspended for questionable activity.... HOW?!?! I stopped playing!!! I stopped doing anything that had anything to do with your game and your battlenet. Blizzard sucks and they will never see my money again.

Forget the cheaters in one player gaming that's pointless, even retarded and validates my reasons for Boycotting blizzard. I didnt cheat all the time but every now and then it was fun to get the guys together play some warcraft II and throw in a couple glittering prizes cheats just for giggles. Who are they(the single player cheats) harming.... Really? Fix your security on battlenet.

Fine you don't want people to cheat in your games.... problem solved, I haven't bought a single one of your products in 3 years and I can continue to use the ones I do have as toilet paper(manuals) and coasters(discs). Starcraft 2 sucked anyhow(in my opinion) waste of money, I hated the beta I got into(at the behest of a friend of mine) it was worthless and unimaginative nothing truly changed sure they updated a few troops made some cosmetic changes to the landscape and added very little to the content. But it was boring. I admit I didnt get to delve into the champagne portion of the game but why would I when i can re-install my StarCraft and brood wars games get some friends over and Lan party it out.

With all the restrictions Blizzards put on Starcraft 2 and the plan boring aspects of it now, I wouldn't play the game if they payed me too. Ok it would depend on how much they were paying me to play it. I have no desire to spend my money on their products anymore. Whether others join in the boycott or not I'm not "joining the boycott" I started it years ago.

 

[zehydra]

I haven't played Starcraft II, but I know all the games from Starcraft and prior and cheat codes built into the game.

 

[Buccura]

55 people in the world cheat with trainers.

 

[bob1052]

I have mixed opinions here.

On one hand I am not buying "Starcraft 2" in part because of the way it was marketed (1 3rd of the campaign).

Just a quick off-topic response, the one-third of the campaign in Wings of Liberty is longer than many standalone games.

 

[saxist01]

I'm a little mixed on this.

Were they banned from using the cheats PUT in the game?

Or banned for using cheats blizzard didn't make?

Third party software. Blizzard aren't THAT thick. Thus, they were unbalancing the game by unlocking a bunch of achievements, which affects multiplayer.

Oh, then I have no problem with what they're doing.

Sure, achievements don't mean that much, but people are still messing with their creation.

Besides, you have an invulnerability cheat and a bunch of others...Why would you need any more?

Their creation??? Geez, doesn't it count for anything that people BOUGHT the game?

But why did they need to make their own cheating software?

There's cheats to give you all the minerals you need, remove defeat conditions, and become an unstoppable god.

Why do people do a variety of things when there are other options? Why do people use the Game Genie when they could use the controller Contra code? Maybe because it's just more fun to use cheats that aren't authorized.

That Blizzard added cheat codes doesn't invalidate cheat codes from other sources. If Blizzard had not added their own codes, would it really change many opinions on this issue?

Here's the thing, there's a EULA, if you violate the EULA, you're at fault and you get the consequences. You chose to buy the game, if you decided to violate them then that's your fault. There's no arguing it, you agreed to their terms and then willingly violated them.

The EULA is not legally binding.

I fail to see how, they laid out terms, you agreed to them, you broke them, you get to buy your game again good day sir.

Well, for one thing agreeing to the EULA is simply clicking and that can only be done after the game is purchased and opened, which at that point it cannot be returned.

If your CD key is unused, and you disagree with the EULA of any game, call them and demand your money back and let them void your CD key.

Then what?

Ship it back to them at my expense then wait how long to get my refund?

CD keys can be voided without giving them your physical copy.

I'm simply surprised it took till page 4 to have it said the EULA doesn't mean shit. Hell, that was like the fifth post of the other thread about this today.

 

[loremazd]

B, b, b, but, I need my Diablo fix. Sorry, I generally play on a PC that isn't even connected to the internet. I'd love to see them try and lock me out of that.

And I'd love to see you try to play Diablo III without activating it first.

Easy, some of the pirates out there are fairly clever, and if its possible with Starcraft 2 (which it is) I doubt Diablo will be different.

I never understood the issue with online activation, in fact, I think it's hilarious when people post online, using the internet, to complain about needing the internet to do a 5 second check the first time you load a game. Whoopty do.

 

[maddawg IAJI]

Or...you know, don't cheat. Blizzard takes cheating very seriously, this should have been known when they set out to ban multiplayer cheaters. To put it in their own words, they probably wanted to ban single player cheaters in Starcraft one, but didn't have the technology or the time for it. Now they do and do it they shall.

 

[bob1052]

I'm a little mixed on this.

Were they banned from using the cheats PUT in the game?

Or banned for using cheats blizzard didn't make?

Third party software. Blizzard aren't THAT thick. Thus, they were unbalancing the game by unlocking a bunch of achievements, which affects multiplayer.

Oh, then I have no problem with what they're doing.

Sure, achievements don't mean that much, but people are still messing with their creation.

Besides, you have an invulnerability cheat and a bunch of others...Why would you need any more?

Their creation??? Geez, doesn't it count for anything that people BOUGHT the game?

But why did they need to make their own cheating software?

There's cheats to give you all the minerals you need, remove defeat conditions, and become an unstoppable god.

Why do people do a variety of things when there are other options? Why do people use the Game Genie when they could use the controller Contra code? Maybe because it's just more fun to use cheats that aren't authorized.

That Blizzard added cheat codes doesn't invalidate cheat codes from other sources. If Blizzard had not added their own codes, would it really change many opinions on this issue?

Here's the thing, there's a EULA, if you violate the EULA, you're at fault and you get the consequences. You chose to buy the game, if you decided to violate them then that's your fault. There's no arguing it, you agreed to their terms and then willingly violated them.

The EULA is not legally binding.

I fail to see how, they laid out terms, you agreed to them, you broke them, you get to buy your game again good day sir.

Well, for one thing agreeing to the EULA is simply clicking and that can only be done after the game is purchased and opened, which at that point it cannot be returned.

If your CD key is unused, and you disagree with the EULA of any game, call them and demand your money back and let them void your CD key.

Then what?

Ship it back to them at my expense then wait how long to get my refund?

CD keys can be voided without giving them your physical copy.

I'm simply surprised it took till page 4 to have it said the EULA doesn't mean shit. Hell, that was like the fifth post of the other thread about this today.

Although I agree the EULA serves no actual legal purpose, it is used to set official unofficial ground rules that you can expect to be banned for breaking. Thats why I said the EULA is "more than enough" for Blizzard to ban you, if they wanted you gone because they want your name for a personal account, you are gone and there's nothing you can do (unethical yes, but true). Cheating just guarantees that.