Heh - some small things have happened that makes WoW much more appealing to me.....
Taken from the WOW news sites:
Accounts Banned for Speed Hacking - Block on 12/3/04
We wanted to take this time to make an announcement about a serious hacking violation in World of Warcraft, one for which we have zero tolerance. Certain individuals have been identified as using speed hacks to accelerate their characters. This goes against the theme of fair play that we have instituted for the game, and is in clear violation of the World of Warcraft Terms of Use.
Those individuals who were caught using the speed hack have been banned from the game and have had their accounts closed. We must stress once again that we are opposed to hacking and cheating of any kind and are dedicated to maintaining a fair environment in our games. This will serve as a final warning to others who are considering using the speed hack. If you are caught using it, you will be banned without question from World of Warcraft and your account will be revoked.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. If you suspect someone of using the speed hack, or wish to report other instances of cheating, please email us at hacks@blizzard.com. Thank you again for your continued support.
and
Bot-Using Accounts Banned - Indoflaven on 12/7/04
We have recently verified that certain individuals were using third party "bot" programs to automate their characters in World of Warcraft. A bot is used to play an account non-stop, allowing its user to accumulate money, items, and experience without actually requiring the user to be physically present to play the game. The use of bots is a violation of the World of Warcraft Terms of Use and is absolutely prohibited. Therefore, the accounts identified as having used bots have been banned.
Blizzard Entertainment is committed to maintaining an environment of fair play in World of Warcraft. As stated previously, the company has a zero-tolerance policy for cheating or hacking of any kind. Players caught using a bot program to automate any of their characters' actions will have their characters removed and their account banned. They will not receive a warning. Over 300 accounts have already been banned for offenses of this nature.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. If you suspect someone of using a bot, or wish to report other instances of cheating, please email us at hacks@blizzard.com or submit a GM ticket in-game. Thank you again for your continued support.
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While it is annoying that people are already cheating in this game - it is very comforting that Blizzards at least announces that they have banned accounts, because that in it self has some preemptive value.
The 3 years (on and off) I played DAOC (Europe) GOA did not to my memory ever state publicly that they were banning acounts, and neither can I recall CPP doing in the 6 months I played EVE.
Cheating in online games sucks, and I do hope Blizzard can and will keep the tenacity up (also on EU servers) and ban as many as possible.... so far though - it looks better then what I'm used to
Blizzard has always been very firm in their no cheating policies. They must have revoked thousands with accounts in diablo 2 for cheating, I hop it will not go to the same extreme in WoW but if it does: "Go get them Blizz!"
"Those who control the past control the future, those who control the present control the past" And I rule the PRESENT!!
I put the 'laughter' back in 'slaughter'
It's always a wonderous sight when justice and vengence come together.
I kill two dwarves in the morning, I kill two dwarves at night. I kill two dwarves in the afternoon, and then I feel alright. I kill two dwarves in time of peace and two in time of war. I kill two dwarves before I kill two dwarves, and then I kill two more. I may be bad, but I feel good.
True...Blizzard is pretty serious about banning accounts on their games (all of which are fun, cheaters or not). I'm pretty confident that Blizz will actually continue banning and changing the game constantly...unlike D2s once a patch changes and bannings...For all you cheaters out there: May Blizzard have mercy upon your tainted soul.
So I offer you respect, and it will take much for you to lose it. But if you do, if you choose to see it as weakness and seize upon your perceived advantage, well...perhaps I'll then let you talk with Guenhwyvar. -Drizzt Do'Urden
I'd wish they would implement the "name and shame" policy as well.... although that is likely not bound to happen.
But the character names of the ones who gets banned for cheating (and possible real name ) would be good information to release.
This way people that have reported the person can actually see that they reports gets taken serious and acted upon, and you can become able to spot a cheater more easily.
The problem I see with the "name and shame" policy is that innocent players might be wrongly harassed. For instance, if a player was in a different server and had the same name as someone who got banned, other people might see them and assume that this person is the cheater.
Anywhere you can find a raving lunatic rambling on about his past and how he received the enlightenment from the toads who hail from the heavens, I'll be there.
Well, about "name and shame" - it is a risk - although small in my view.
I see far more benefits from naming the characters of people that have been banned then disadvantages from it.
It is easy to take on alternate personalities in such games, names and similar - and most (sensible) people would/should know that in games where names are server specific and not game specific - people across servers don't neasecarily have to use the same name (especially if they cheat ).
However with special names (like Xandax for instance) compared to common names, like ripped of versions of Legolas (wonder how many NE Hunters with that name will be around ) - are likely to be the same person, but most would check first anyway.
