Transmog yourself into an Avenger!
6 blue posts to read before Diablo 3's launch
Cross-realm zones coming soon
All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsNew 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 10 of 10)
Vacant Mar 29th 2009 9:23PM
I'm with Blizzard on this one.
First of all as to whether it's Blizzards "right" to disallow IN-GAME advertising of other companies products, the law says yes. Done.
This personally strikes me as a game balance issue. Carbonite allowing advanced UI functionality for a price is damaging to the game. It's BARELY a step away from a micro-transaction/pay-to-play service, go try some of those games, there's a ton of them out there. Never heard of them? Not surprised.
Imagine if Blizzard charged an extra monthly fee for the tracking ability, or the ability to see quest info, or the ability to see your own mana bar. It would destroy the whole game in a matter of weeks if not days. All those millions of subscribers would be gone. This is almost exactly what addons like Carbonite are doing. Yes they work hard and deserve recognition for that, but I'd love if they went and worked hard at messing with some other game that I didn't like so much.
Blizzard is maintaining the balance of their games with intelligence, attention to detail, and consideration, almost in-spite of such a largely ungrateful community.
Blizzard's business practices have been exemplary. Do me a favor: Take an hour to look around at what other gaming companies offer. EA CHARGES you extra to for the ability to download games that you have already purchased online. Thats right, you buy it from them once, but if your hard drive crashes, you pay them again, while simultaneously denying any free services from providing you with the software, IE: they hold your property hostage, and allow access with a fee. Meanwhile Blizzard's big court cases are fighting BOTTERS. (DAoC ftW!)
Blizzard deserves our support. Anyone with some half baked theory of how this *somehow* is an attempt by Blizzard to make a buck.. well. Its idiotic. Battlenet was the first and is still one of the only large scale FREE online gaming services. They have plenty of opportunities to make money hand over fist charging for services which they gladly give away for free to this ungrateful community. Take a look at what other companies in the industry are offering.
P.S. I'm not affiliated with Blizzard in any way, I just wish I could have more Diablo, Warcraft, Starcraft, and WoW, and less... garbage. Hey, who wants to go play Hellgate: London? oh... wait.
Andy Coburn Mar 30th 2009 9:03PM
Blizzard is getting more rediculous every day. You buy a LExus or any car and you can go put after market parts on it. Why is Blizzard so special ....
I think they just hurt alot of people who do alot of good things for games especially when the BlizUI is totally inferior on it's own and will never compare to the insightfulness the masses of modders out there who create wondrous add ons!
Some of these guys only income is donations mod user fans give for their vigilant work in keeping quality add ons up to date and bug free, it is a shame we can't say the same for Bliz half the time because were are all just a needle in there money pool.
Hence why I have stopped playing the game....
Beekon Apr 2nd 2009 11:31AM
I think the point that most of the readers are missing on this issue is Blizz is not saying that you cant use those addons but that the addons cant spam for donations IN GAME. If the download site has some sidebarss with req's for donations then so be it. All in all it is still their game and under the user agreement that we all seem to forget we check YES I AGREE, it does talk about these things. The comment about a Lexus and after market parts is just stupid! Not even close to the same thing but lets make it similar so maybe you will understand my point. If in you SIGNED agreement with Lexus, the contract clearly stated that if you added anykind of after market parts, regardless if said parts are an improvment to the vehicle, Lexus retains the right to remove said parts or repo the vehicle. Or a better example would be the "If this sticker is removed of seal is broken the warrenty is void" that is found on most store baught comps these days. Its not saying that you cant make those changes but dont get pissed when the company will no longer support the device. It is something you agreed with before getting the Lexus, comp, or in this case playing the game. Now if you didnt read the agreement (as I'm sure most ppl dont) then whos fault is that? I assure you it is not Blizzards.
Like another person stated, I am no way tied to Blizz and I am not against free interprise. I agree that if Blizz takes this to the extreme and removes ALL addons that it will kill the game as we know it but we all have to remeber that this is their game to do with as they see fit. If you dont like it or the changes that are made you do have the option to cancel your account and go play Warhammer Online or other similar games. Dont get mad at a company trying to protect their product. If you still dont get my point then the only other thing I can say is to imagine yourself in their shoes. You have a product that is making you alot of money then I come along and offer a side product that works with your game but I am now asking for money for it. So now I am profiting off all your work, granted with some of my own but then again I didnt create the game but just added some codes here and there. Dont even tell me you wouldnt be pissed after a while and do what you could to stop me!!
kcypher May 7th 2009 11:33PM
Some people are really confused if they think selling an add on for a game is the same as robbing a post office. Seriously people how did you even figure out how to turn on your computer if you believe that.
First of all stop assuming that blizzard has complete control off of how people play their games. User agreements have already been deemed unenforceable in court for several companies. And legally no contact if enforceable if only one party holds all negotiation rights to modify at any given.
Secondly legal proceeding are unpredictable, even with blizzards money if someone fought this it could go either way depending on several factors.
Lastly remember that these mods do not impact the game server side what so ever. They are placed on an individuals computer to make a task easier, just because that task is dependent on another program does not mean they can force you to stop for making money on their incomplete product.
Before you people jump on the burn the modders band wagon remember that if they receive donations or some money to provide you with a worthy service that you find value in then this has no impact on blizzard. this only strengthens your enjoyment of their product.
P.S i don't buy mods the game is easy enough as is. Just give me light headed and tom tom and I'm a happy altaholic.
doug May 19th 2009 11:23PM
i just wanted to let u all know that as soon as blizz released their addon policy change, carbonite made their addon fully free, and have released a new version to help convert it to free version. thanks and i hope that some lvling guide addons become free.