New add-on policy makes selling add-ons against the rules
by Adam Holisky 
Mar 20th 2009 at 6:00PM
According to the policy, add-ons must be free of charge, may not solicit donations, and their code must be completely visible.
This means some leveling mods that charge for their use are now against the rules. Essentially if you develop a mod it has to be released and distributed for free – no charge is acceptable. And for those thinking "well, the developer could just charge for the download service then." Not true.
The complete statement after the break.
"All add-ons must be distributed free of charge. Developers may not create "premium" versions of add-ons with additional for-pay features, charge money to download an add-on, charge for services related to the add-on, or otherwise require some form of monetary compensation to download or access an add-on."
That is pretty specific to not allowing add-on developers to gain any money from the actual add-on. While this does not include revenue from ads on the developer's site, the policy does go on to say that add-on may not include advertisements or solicit donations in-game. They've pretty much covered up every avenue available to make money off the actual code.
The final point on the add-on policy says that Blizzard has the right to disable add-ons as they see fit. I read this in two ways: they reserve the right to disable all add-ons, and they reserve the right to disable certain add-ons. Of course this should be understood given that WoW is their game and they can do pretty much whatever they want with it, but seeing it spelled out is a tad... unnerving.
You can read their full add-on policy below, or head over to their site.
World of Warcraft User Interface Add-On Development Policy
With the continuing popularity of World of Warcraft user interface add-ons (referred to hereafter as "add-ons") created by the community of players, Blizzard Entertainment has formalized design and distribution guidelines for add-ons. These guidelines have been put in place to ensure the integrity of World of Warcraft and to help promote an enjoyable gaming environment for all of our players - failure to abide by them may result in measures up to and including taking formal legal action.
1) Add-ons must be free of charge.
All add-ons must be distributed free of charge. Developers may not create "premium" versions of add-ons with additional for-pay features, charge money to download an add-on, charge for services related to the add-on, or otherwise require some form of monetary compensation to download or access an add-on.
2) Add-on code must be completely visible.
The programming code of an add-on must in no way be hidden or obfuscated, and must be freely accessible to and viewable by the general public.
3) Add-ons must not negatively impact World of Warcraft realms or other players.
Add-ons will perform no function which, in Blizzard Entertainment's sole discretion, negatively impacts the performance of the World of Warcraft realms or otherwise negatively affects the game for other players. For example, this includes but is not limited to excessive use of the chat system, unnecessary loading from the hard disk, and slow frame rates.
4) Add-ons may not include advertisements.
Add-ons may not be used to advertise any goods or services.
5) Add-ons may not solicit donations.
Add-ons may not include requests for donations. We recognize the immense amount of effort and resources that go into developing an add-on; however, such requests should be limited to the add-on website or distribution site and should not appear in the game.
6) Add-ons must not contain offensive or objectionable material.
World of Warcraft has been given a "T" by the ESRB, and similar ratings from other ratings boards around the world. Blizzard Entertainment requires that add-ons not include any material that would not be allowed under these ratings.
7) Add-ons must abide by World of Warcraft ToU and EULA.
All add-ons must follow the World of Warcraft Terms of Use and the World of Warcraft End User License Agreement.
8) Blizzard Entertainment has the right to disable add-on functionality as it sees fit.
To maintain the integrity World of Warcraft and ensure the best possible gaming experience for our players, Blizzard Entertainment reserves the right to disable any add-on functionality within World of Warcraft at its sole discretion.
Edited to clarify a few things.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items, Economy, Add-Ons
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 10)
Vassal Mar 20th 2009 6:03PM
What about addons with sound clips, like the Gag addon, which was based off LeeroyHillCatsPower? I don't want to loose my /wtf.
Molly Mar 20th 2009 7:43PM
Imo, addon writers have every right to charge for their code. Doesn't mean I'll pay for it, but maybe someone will :P
Narshe Mar 21st 2009 4:11AM
IMO Carbonite and QH arent even that great. Get Tourguide instead, its easier to use, takes less memory, and is more thorough on what to do/where to go.
Tourguide is completely free and i love it.
Robert M Mar 21st 2009 12:36PM
WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ALL OF YOU SUPPORTING THIS?
First, Blizzard adds advertisements to the forums because they need to make more money right? 11 million monthly subscriptions have GC driving a pinto to work everyday I'm sure. Though I don't think adds should have advertisements, if you download the add, it's your choice to filter through that garbage. Don't like the advertisement? Don't use the add. It's amazing how cleansing the freedom of choice can be.
Second, though I am personally not a user of any add on that requires me to pay for it, this is a country where people get paid for their ingenuity. Blizzard is, essentially, saying that they are the only ones that can make any money on this game.
Third, though the policy on addon code is understood, let's not pretend that Blizzard doesn't at least look at the code that someone else wrote, if only to save them time, when it comes to adding game features. I know this argument can be shot down because no one at blizzard apparently even glanced at a mod like Omen when they put in their built in crap of a threat meter, but they could have used it. So Blizzard is now not only saying that you can't charge for the mod, but we have exclusive rights to steal your intellectual property. Again, I know Blizzard has some of the best programmers in the world, but intellectual property that saves them man hours is still intellectual porperty that saves them cash, and it never even belonged to them.
LONG LIVE BLIZARD AND IT'S CONTINUING SODOMIZING OF WOW FOR GREATER PROFITS!
TJ Mar 22nd 2009 4:36PM
Because adding advertisements to the forums and killing Carbonite has a substantial effect on the game, right?
Mr Magoo Mar 22nd 2009 8:36PM
I am a software architect, so this situation is not a surprise. I love open source software and use it daily, but this issue is pretty clear cut IMHO.
Some key points as I see them:
- Wow is a proprietary platform and there is no sense of it being "open" in any sense of the word (and there are MANY)
- There was no formal agreement between companies to allow them to make money off their add ons. Thus their business model was always shaky at best.
- Glider case just resolved and was a nightmare for Blizzard.
- Premium addons could be in danger of allowing some players an unfair advantage over others who pay money to a company Blizzard has nothing to do with.
- We can now, finally, put to bed the argument over wowmatrix!
- Closed source, "proprietary" addons could contain code that causes WOW trouble. Might just be a bug and not necessarily intentional. Blizz obviously wants them (and you) to be able to examine the code.
As much as this is a bad thing, it is nice to see the "open source" portion of this. (pseudo open source of course!) This means that others can pick up where some left off, branch and improve etc. A very positive change.
There will be casualties, but then is that such a bad thing for most players? Most players use free tools anyway?
The real problem is their being able to arbitrarily kill an addon. Hopefully they will not use this ever but they really can do what they want here. There is a fine line between great addon and unfair advantage in their mind as far as I can tell. (from GC's posts)
For example: he spoke of cooldown timer addons being a bit of a cheat.
What about decursive? Healbot? I vaguely remember (I don't have a healer) him talking about them in less than favourable terms?
Now that glider has been defeated and this bunch of lawyering is obviously one of the results. All paid mods are going down with it also. I guess the theory is that if there is no market, there are no evil market players.
Hopefully their suit wearing types will not invoke some overreaction to all the helpful mods out there as well. I doubt it though - bad PR is not something they want.
slartibart Mar 23rd 2009 11:04AM
Thank you C Anthony for providing some actual real life legal basis for all these arguments
dawnseven Mar 23rd 2009 11:22AM
"Blizzard is, essentially, saying that they are the only ones that can make any money on this game."
Not "this" game, "their" game. It belongs to them. So ... yeah, that's what they're saying.
Khadan Mar 20th 2009 6:06PM
Goodbye Carbonite :)
Krotukk Mar 20th 2009 6:16PM
Glad to see this come about.
The "stunt" David pointed out drove me to uninstall and stop supporting Carbonite in any way. If you want to make money, that's what your job is for. Sure, you might put worlds of effort into your addons, but they should be made and maintained for love of the game. When/If Carbonite becomes what it once was and should have stayed, after the devs cry it out of their brown eyes and wipe it off a bit, I'll pick it back up and resume support on it.
Caine Mar 20th 2009 6:43PM
Krotukk: What stunt?
Amaxe Mar 20th 2009 7:00PM
Yes, i remember carbonite would spam me at times about donations. What I did not like was when it notified me when there was an update... which meant it was somehow passing on information outside of WoW.
I uninstalled it and ran my anti-virus/spyware programs after that
PeeWee Mar 20th 2009 7:06PM
Amaxe:
Don't be alarmed. Quite a few addons occasionally use the invisible means for an addon to distribute data to simple show what version you are running. If your addon detects that another user (in the party, raid, guild) uses an addon with a newer version, it alerts you.
All communication is in-game.
ladrondelanoche Mar 20th 2009 7:08PM
@Amaxe
I'm pretty sure it only does that when someone you group with or otherwise engage with has a newer version of the addon than you do. There are several addons that do this and it is without installing any kind of spyware.
Wasuremono Mar 20th 2009 7:16PM
I love carbonite and gladly give the add on developer money because for me it is worth it. I'm not sure how I feel about this. It seems to me that if they want to charge or not should be left in the hands of the add on developer. I agree however that they shouldn't be allowed to spam people in game for donations.
hold up Mar 20th 2009 7:30PM
"If you want to make money, that's what your job is for. "
Wow. Someone needs to learn a thing or two about Capitalism and how America works. If someone wants to use a skill they possess to create a useful tool that makes someone's life easier and charge for it, it's their right. As a consumer it's your right to choose not to buy it if you think it's priced unfairly or worthless.
This is complete bullcrap and most likely an attempt for Blizzard/Activision to start making their own add-on suites that they will be charging for. Here, let me show you exactly what went on in the boardroom.
Activision exec: "Wait, so you're telling me we let players customize their own game interfaces?"
WoW Dev: "Yep. Some of the things people do are really great and help a lot of people. It really improves gameplay and makes our confusing interface a lot easier to use."
Activision exec: "Do they charge for them?"
WoW Dev: "Well, most are free and maintained by the community but there a few that charge or ask for donations."
Activision exec: "Find out which ones charge and ban them, then we can sell those products to the customer for an extra charge through our own website. Half the user base probably don't know the name of their own operating system nevermind join a programming community. Hey Janice! Are the bonus checks in yet?!"
Alkaios Mar 20th 2009 7:59PM
Hold up's epic post was epic =)
Gerik Mar 20th 2009 9:35PM
Bottom line: It's their game and they have every right to try to control who makes money off of it. If they're not getting a cut of paid addons, then why should they support some other guy getting rich? They don't have to support it, and now they are officially banning it.
and this isn't a move by Blizzard so they can start selling their own addons, that logic is completely retarded. If Blizzard wanted to start charging for things they could have started a long time ago by selling in-game items, preleveled characters, or you name it.
Chris Anthony Mar 20th 2009 11:55PM
"If someone wants to use a skill they possess to create a useful tool that makes someone's life easier and charge for it, it's their right."
Sorry, 'hold up', you're just a bit off-base here. The word you're looking for isn't "right", it's "privilege", and the administrator of any venue has the overriding privilege of denying you that privilege.
I'll illustrate. (Dear FBI agents reading: I promise that I do not have any intent or desire to actually do the following.) Under your philosophy, if I have the skill of being able to aim and fire a gun, I am well within my rights to walk into the Post Office and tell the people waiting in line that I'll murder the people ahead of them in line if they pay me for it. I am using a skill that I possess (shooting guns) to provide a useful tool (a method of eliminating people ahead of other people in line) that makes someone's life easier (shortening the post office line), and I'm charging for it.
This is clearly absurd. The United States government reserves the privilege of putting me in jail for a very long time if I try that stunt.
Likewise, Blizzard controls the game and the interface. They reserve the right to ban you and your add-on if you break their rules.
It's too bad that you don't like it very much, but that is the way it works.
vexis58 Mar 21st 2009 12:13AM
This news makes me very happy. While I would say that Carbonite is an amazing addon, certainly worth the price, I refused to use it out of principle. I did not like the precedent that it was setting. Carbonite starts making money off of WoW, so all of the other successful addon authors think to themselves "hey, why aren't we making money off of this too?" and it's a slippery slope to the day when the only mods worth using all charge a fee.
Kudos to Blizzard for stopping this problem before it starts, by not letting other people make money off of their game.