Source: http://www.screwattack.com/news/linux-users-beware-blizzard-will-ban-your-d3-account
Blizzard is, yet again, being the true
They have recently banned a few Linux users who were using the program "WINE" - a windows emulating program.
Their reasoning for banning is this (from the EULA):
Unapproved Third Party Software
A third party program is any file or program that is used in addition to the game to gain an unfair advantage. These programs may increase movement speed or teleport heroes from one place to another beyond what is allowed by game design. It also includes any programs that obtain information from the game that is not normally available to the regular player or that transmit or modify any of the game files.
If a player is found to have used such a program, they may:
Be temporarily suspended from the game
Have further action taken, up to and including account closure
A third party program is any file or program that is used in addition to the game to gain an unfair advantage. These programs may increase movement speed or teleport heroes from one place to another beyond what is allowed by game design. It also includes any programs that obtain information from the game that is not normally available to the regular player or that transmit or modify any of the game files.
If a player is found to have used such a program, they may:
Be temporarily suspended from the game
Have further action taken, up to and including account closure
Now, there are several MAJOR problems with this.
First, WINE is a windows emulator, and supposedly not a program that allows the modification of their games.
Second, their explanation lacks any real evidence of the people they're banning breaching their rules or the program they're using (WINE) modifying their game.
Third, They are REFUSING to even refund the closed accounts. $60 down the drain
Lastly, WINE is an acceptable program for SC2 (atm). What the fuck?
Remember all that fiasco about censoring the word "dyke"? I truly think that Blizzard's PR is a troll and should be fired and then shot on the street.
Yesterday, I watched a Ted Talk video on how employers approach work as a set of rules and incentives, rather than morals. This ordeal so closely parallels this that it is disturbing. http://www.ted.com/talks/barry_schwartz_on_our_loss_of_wisdom.html
I admit that it is probably wrong to assume that Blizzard banned them just because they're a Linux user or because they're using a program that they do not support. I'm actually now quite certain that something besides that must have happened. As Sacrieur said, they wouldn't ban them for doing legitimate things.
However, I stand by my statement that this continues to hurt Blizzard's reputation. The reason is that Blizzard has been doing many things wrong lately, and there has been many problems with their recent games (SC2 and D3). People buy Blizzard games for the product AND the service, and the service has been piss poor.
The reason why people are not happy about this is because this ban gives them a sense of insecurity. As paying customers, D3 acts like an investment. If the company you've invested in have been having troubles since the beginning (D3 errors and gold haul and whatever), the reputation will be lowered. The gold haul should not have been a problem if Blizzard's services were up to par and able to satisfy their customers. Blizzard's reply to this is evidently not good enough as well, and they have failed again and again to reprimand their customers.
Yes, in the end, the banned people may have been cheaters, but it is the way that Blizzard handles these situations that bugs me more and more.
Quote
Playing the game on Linux, although not officially supported, will not get you banned – cheating will.
There is not a whiff of apology. It is more like a threat.
If D3 was a free game, then this is fine. But seriously, D3 is a $60 investment. If you invested in a company, and then you hear that they suddenly revoked the investments from some people without giving out conclusive reasons and evidence, do you really want to continue investing in this company?
Wake up guys. This isn't about the game itself (b/c, as I'm sure, it is amazing), it is about PR.
Post has been edited 3 time(s), last time on Jul 5 2012, 2:03 am by UnholyUrine.
None.