Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsBlizzard disbands extreme erotic roleplaying guild
by Elizabeth Wachowski 
Sep 17th 2007 at 10:44AM
I've been sidestepping writing about this issue for some time, since it's bound to generate some controversy here and I hate bringing publicity to bad people. But as the topic keeps popping up again and again, particularly on roleplaying servers, it might be time to bring it out into the open.
An erotic roleplaying guild that now spans two realms has been accused of defending pedophiles and engaging in extreme sexual situations without any way to verify that their members are above the age of 18. While the guild in question says it has been reported many times and is not violating policy, and that minors joining an ERP guild are being poorly parented, Blizzard has forcibly disbanded the guild -- only to have it reform under a new name. There might be some disturbing content following the cut, so click at your own risk.
Abhorrent Taboo was mainly a Hordeside RP guild on Ravenholdt, but recently expanded to an Alliance auxillary on Blackwater Raiders. The guild leader posted a somewhat hostile "welcome message" on the BWR forums: "Role-playing is legal. Even if you are role-playing something that would be considered deplorable and highly illegal IRL, it's still just role-playing and isn't subject to any form of disciplinary action. Negative publicity is still publicity. Make a Digg or website about how sick we are. Report us to PervertedJustice. All it does is bring in more members. In fact, the Digg the guy on Ravenholdt made about us was so effective, several people signed up for WoW just to be in our guild. The bottom line is: We're allowed to do what we do on any server we please and no one can do anything about it."
Now, most RP servers are okay with ERP, if a little squicked out by it -- serious roleplayers tend not to like being thought of as cyberers. But AT has a history. As reported by TenTonHammer and then Dugg, AT's leader has talked about pedophilia in a positive way in guild chat. The exact quote is "I want to defend us, but I also want to defend the pedosexual community." The guild leader notes that she was talking about pedophiles who don't actually molest children and that she hates kids herself.
After AT opened their BWR auxillary, a 25-page thread sprung up and was deleted about AT's intentions. AT's recruitment policy, which was reposted onto the BWR forums from elsewhere, stated: "NOTE: Be advised that we frequently ERP in guild chat and often engage in even potentially offensive kinks such as (Extreme) Ageplay, Bestiality, Child Birth, [something that is censored by the WoW forums so I can't tell what it is], Watersports, or any other kink those playing may wish to explore. If you are easily offended or upset by others using kinks you may not personally enjoy, this is not the guild for you. Furthermore, we are a guild based on freedom of love and sex. Monogamy of any kind runs counter to this, and so, all sexually exclusive relationships are prohibited." They add that officers should enjoy ageplay and bestiality. There have also been insinuations, denied by the guild leader, that AT is purposefully lax in checking up on the ages of applicants, and a poster from Ravenholdt says that the guild solicits new players in chat channels without informing them of the purpose of the guild.
As a result, there have been several posts in the Customer Service and Suggestions forums asking that Blizzard do something about extreme ERP. Basically, the opponents say that since Blizzard lets minors in the game, they are responsible for protecting them from unsafe environments, and that AT is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Supporters, or at least non-opponents, say that AT is only engaging in fantasies, that ERP doesn't actually hurt people, and that it's close to impossible to keep minors from joining a guild if they really, really want to.
It looks like Blizzard has come down on the side of the opponents, as Abhorrent Taboo has been forcibly gdisbanded. "This matter is not one Blizzard takes lightly in any way, shape or form, and we do not wish to have this topic continue circulation," wrote Blizzard employee Verrith. " ... Let it finally be said that we appreciate those of you who brought this particular issue to our attention and that we will continue to follow up with this matter in the future to ensure the safety of all parties concerned." However, the members have reformed as Vile Anathema.
I'm torn on what side of the fence to fall on about Blizzard's actions. I'm highly creeped out by "ageplay" in a video game where it's impossible to verify actual age, and the guild leader's posts do seem like they're actively seeking out controversy. But fantasy isn't reality, and I'm not entirely comfortable about the precedent this sets. What do you think about this situation?
Filed under: Virtual selves, News items, RP
Reader Comments (Page 8 of 8)
starx Sep 29th 2007 9:07PM
Well, if a kid actually joins this guild, they would probably have no idea what anyone was talking about and leave. If they DID know and still wanted to be in the guild, then clearly they are a perverted child already. In any case this is hardly a threat, internet access itself is worse.
Shotgunbadger Oct 1st 2007 11:59PM
I love the "DEERP if u mention that stuff like Succubus and other things are highly sexual (freaking NEs for god's sake) ur just like a pedophile" kinds of arguments.
I could care less about this, who cares if someone wants to pretend sex, yea if it happens in real life bust them and send them to the fudge-packing kinda jail in a heart beat, but courts have ruled over and over, cyber world=/=real world you idiots.
Wolfgaar Oct 5th 2007 2:24PM
Anonymoose, THANK YOU for saying it in plain, fearless English. I am whole lot less interested in people's self-declared rights than I am in the responsibility that each of us has to ensure that we create and maintain a solid, ethical, and livable society for ourselves and for the generations that follow us. I think it was Jefferson that basically said that democracy and freedom are dependent upon morality. Once a society's morals degrade, our freedom will follow close behind.
Well said, "What's wrong with you?" What those people are doing is intolerable and good people have every right, nay, RESPONSIBILITY to stand up and point the finger and say, "KNOCK IT OFF." Bravo to Blizzard. It's not a public forum, it's your servers. Ban these vile people from it.
cenovis Oct 11th 2007 7:03PM
Well I'm glad to see some intelligent discourse on the subject and not just a bunch of emotional reactions from the close-minded. I'm probably more vanilla than anyone here, but I have no problem with other people engaging in their kink, on or offline. As long as no real minors are involved, it's not really my business.
I do have to say that I don't appreciate Blizzard being forced to babysit their entire customer base though. People who let their children run around on the internet without supervision should be jailed. There is a lot of inappropriate content on the net which is freely accessibly to anyone who wants to view it. If people are so concerned about their kids, they should take some responsibility for them and not treat the net, or WoW as their virtual babysitter. Shame on those parents.
cenovis Oct 11th 2007 7:15PM
@131
i have a right to play wow in a non offensive enviorment.
No you don't. This is kind of attitude is a plague on today's society. Everyone is so self-entitled. I'm offended by nearly everyone I meet, nearly every day, but I keep that to myself and so should you. People like you are responsible for all these recent ridiculous laws being put into place, like banning smoking in bars, PC language, and unnecessary litigation.
OPINION cannot be argued either way. Laws deal strictly with FACTS. If your feelings are hurt by this, then it's my that you should DIAF. I need no God, or government, to justify my thoughts on the matter.
If you want, you can take the above argument and apply it to the morality argument. The only reason people keep mentioning God in this thread, is because they can not argue one way or another without "Him" that what they're saying holds any water. It's a poor cop out from people who can't accept OTHER people have different values.
Nikademus Oct 21st 2007 10:31PM
LMFAO!!!! this is awesome, people getting all bent out of shape over a bloody game. I mean come on people, just because your personal morals and the "CURRENT" social views of these things do not mesh with what this guild thinks does NOT give you or Blizzard ANY right to flame them. If you dont like it DO NOT JOIN. If your kid is in the game and happens to either team with or join a guild like this then DO YOUR DAMN JOB as a parent and stop it. Why should Blizzard or anyone else have to police your little snot monster while in a game, and if people want to pay 15$ a month to do this then bloody well let them.
NOW on the other hand if this is something that goes from the game into real life and people start molesting children and such then by all means throw the book at them, but until then STFU and play the game, dont like it, ignore them. All of you whiners need to grow up and realise that the world DOES NOT relove around you and your petty BS concerns. And no matter what Blizz does to this guild they will ALWAYS come back under a differant name, if they ban accounts these people will just go buy new ones, its obvious that they like the game and just happen to enjoy various "kinks" in the process.
I laugh at you whiners when i read stuff like this... do you really think that anything can or will be done about this? oh no, Blizz disbanded our guild again, oh well, just have to come up with another whitty guild name and get all the core players back into it.
You whiners are probly the same people that think video games make people go out and kill others because the video game made them desensitized to violence. BullSH!T, it was your slacker arse that did NOT PARENT your kikd like you should have.
just my .02$... feel free to reply to this or to my personal email, Nikademus@mindless.com, i would LOVE to continue this discussion with you, and blast you for the infantile morons that you probably are...
may the farce be with you,
oh yeh, all you whiners probly voted for Bush to didnt you???
Wyxt Oct 28th 2007 5:45PM
This was brought to my attention the other day. I won't lie, I've done my fair share of ERP (no pedo thanks, kids don't do it for me), and I always at least asked to see if people were 'of legal age,' though they could very well have lied to me, but I never saw a reason to do any ERP 'in' WoW. While I might meet the occasional fun person to play with in WoW or such, I always just took it to IRC to avoid drama. I find the situation with Taboo 'amusing' up until the point where pedophilia is raised, at which point the whole lot of them need to die in a fire. No tolerance for pedophiles.
Lisa Nov 24th 2007 6:46PM
I think it's hilarious how people think that the First Amendment allows them to do whatever they want, wherever they want.
If someone came to my house, gave me $50, then told me that they like to molest little girls, I'd kick them out. My house is in America, but it's *my* house and I make my own rules of what I'll put up with.
These people are using an ISP (which has its own house rules) to access WoW (subject to Blizzard's house rules) and are basically sneaking in the back door and doing a /dance in the living room.
If my imaginary visitor did this, I'd be exercising my Second Amendment rights. Unfortunately, Blizzard only has access to a banhammer. Oh, and an army of lawyers.