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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBlizzard to break the AVR mod in Patch 3.3.5
by Fox Van Allen 
May 20th 2010 at 5:00PM
Blizzard poster Bashiok broke the news of AVR's impending demise, citing its invasive nature and the fact that it takes away from the need for on-the-spot decision making:
Bashiok -- AVR Mod Broken in 3.3.5This is a notice that we're making changes in 3.3.5 in attempts to break the ability for the AVR (Augmented Virtual Reality) mod to continue functioning. For those unaware, this mod allows players to draw in the 3D space of the game world, which can then be shared with others who are also using the mod. In some cases this manifests itself through drawing/tagging/defa
The full announcement after the break.
Bashiok -- AVR Mod Broken in 3.3.5This is a notice that we're making changes in 3.3.5 in attempts to break the ability for the AVR (Augmented Virtual Reality) mod to continue functioning. For those unaware, this mod allows players to draw in the 3D space of the game world, which can then be shared with others who are also using the mod. In some cases this manifests itself through drawing/tagging/defa
We're making this change for two reasons. The invasive nature of a mod altering and/or interacting with the game world (virtually or directly) is not intended and not something we will allow. World of Warcraft UI addons are never intended to interact with the game world itself. This is mirrored in our stance and restriction of model and texture alterations. The second reason is that it removes too much player reaction and decision-making while facing dungeon and raid encounters. While some other mods also work to this end, we find that AVR and the act of visualizing strategy within the game world simply goes beyond what we're willing to allow.
The change we're making in attempts to break the functionality is light in its touch and approach. When blocking any functionality we run the risk of affecting other mods, but we've targeted the changes as carefully as possible. If we find that the AVR mod (or any mod attempting to replicate its functions) are usable after 3.3.5 we will take further, more drastic steps.
We're making this change for two reasons. The invasive nature of a mod altering and/or interacting with the game world (virtually or directly) is not intended and not something we will allow. World of Warcraft UI addons are never intended to interact with the game world itself. This is mirrored in our stance and restriction of model and texture alterations. The second reason is that it removes too much player reaction and decision-making while facing dungeon and raid encounters. While some other mods also work to this end, we find that AVR and the act of visualizing strategy within the game world simply goes beyond what we're willing to allow.
The change we're making in attempts to break the functionality is light in its touch and approach. When blocking any functionality we run the risk of affecting other mods, but we've targeted the changes as carefully as possible. If we find that the AVR mod (or any mod attempting to replicate its functions) are usable after 3.3.5 we will take further, more drastic steps.
Reaction to the news will surely be mixed -- there are plenty of purists who feel that AVR's very existence goes against what Warcraft is supposed to be about, and there are plenty of people who find AVR an invaluable tool that does little more than enhance their playing experience.
What's your reaction to the news? Did Blizzard go too far, or were they right in stamping out a blight on the World of Warcraft?
Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Add-Ons
Reader Comments (Page 7 of 14)
Grovinofdarkhour May 20th 2010 6:15PM
@Phelps
I don't believe they should have to run every "integrity of the game" decision by the player community first in a democratic way, nor do I believe they should allow any addon at any time no matter what it does. And I don't really buy the argument that it's how they're phrasing their decision that's problematic.
In some circumstances, it makes sense to put a fence around your yard.
In some circumstances, it makes sense to post a "Keep Dogs Off Lawn" sign.
And in some circumstances, when there's just one specific infractor, it makes sense to just tell him hey, I saw what your dog just did, and you'd better pick it up, like, now.
Phelps May 20th 2010 6:19PM
@Grovinofdarkhour
I understand what you are saying. My problem is, this looks like Blizzard has a wide open field with a "DOGS WELCOME" sign in the middle of it, surrounded by dog poop, and they are looking at one guy saying, "not you. Your dog poops too much."
Argojax May 20th 2010 6:32PM
I think that the difference is fairly explicit. The questhelper arrow isn't being drawn on the landscape. If it literally painted a yellow brick road to your target then Blizz would likely ban it.
Similarly DBM is saying "move" whereas AVR is saying "move HERE". The closest I can think of that DBM gets is on Thaddius but even then direction (CW or CCW) required your knowledge and understanding.
Grovinofdarkhour May 20th 2010 6:33PM
Now that you put it that way, I'll counter:
There's no welcome sign; there certainly is a lot of poop, though, giving dog walkers the impression this is an OK spot to do their thing. But the owner's standing there, and he tells this one guy, "sorry, can't let you do that. Your dog's poop actually kills our grass."
As in, Blizz feels AVR "breaks the game" or otherwise violates how they intended certain boss fights to go, and when push comes to shove, it is, in fact their lawn.
Slowly but surely, we're zeroing in on the perfect metaphor. :)
Hoggersbud May 20th 2010 9:55PM
>Blizzard seems really weaselly with how they are doing this. They don't have a real clear reason why they aren't allowing it (just that it "not intended".) That's really vague, and doesn't give much guidance to someone who makes a new addon from here out. They don't give any guidance on how this is bad, but the DXE arrow telling you which direction to run is OK.
I think it is a bad precedent for Blizzard to handle things this way. If there's a function being used by the addon that they don't want, that's one thing, but to intentionally try to break a specific addon (ala a Bill of Attainder) rubs me the wrong way.<
Why do you think they're simply trying to break a specific addon? Because one was named? That's like saying because they give an example of something, they're fine with everybody else who is doing it.
However, they're not. All addons that try to use these functions will be broken. If there aren't any...well, oh well, it's still nothing close to what saying it's like a "Bill of Attainder" means.
But they quite clearly said: If we find that the AVR mod (or any mod attempting to replicate its functions) are usable after 3.3.5 we will take further, more drastic steps.
It's not who. It's what.
Well, I suppose it's a who, in the sense of addon authors, but that's another story. Still, AVR is just named by incident, not by purpose.
And yes, they did give reasons. They might not be enough for you to be happy, but it's enough to understand it. Which is really just building on other things they've said before regarding alterations to the game world.
Try not to make it seem nefarious, it's not.
Zydiahn May 20th 2010 5:39PM
I agree that made some encounters too easy, so I'm not surprised that they're breaking it.
Grovinofdarkhour May 20th 2010 5:40PM
I'm less annoyed that I've never heard of this and therefore didn't get farther into ICC by benefiting from it while it was available, and more annoyed that I missed out on a mod that allowed you to share crudely drawn pictures of genitalia.
(cutaia) May 20th 2010 5:41PM
Time to start an army of level one alts to kill in the shape of a **** in Stormwind.
Nagi May 20th 2010 5:46PM
I'm just glad because now it won't be YET ANOTHER addon that I "absolutely must" have for raiding for people to let me into their groups. I mean seriously, DBM, Gearscore, Omen, Recount, Clique & Grid for when I go heals, etc., etc., etc., by now my addons are bound to be getting close to taking up as much of my system's resources as the game itself! I really wasn't looking forward to having to tack on yet another...and now I won't have to! At least for a few more weeks until some new trend in raiding elitism comes along.
PeeWee May 20th 2010 5:54PM
Why would you "need" the GS addon? Others can just see your score anyway. Recount? Who the heck needs Recount to raid? Clique isn't "needed" either. It does make it easier, but @mouseover macros does the job equally well...
Bound to "F" on my druid:
/cast [@mouseover,help,nodead] Rejuvenation;[@mouseover,help,dead,combat] Rebirth;[@mouseover,help,dead,nocombat] Revive; Rejuvenation
Now I just mouseover the one I want to Rejuvenate or Ress (combatress or not) and press F. Done. G is similarly bound to Lifebloom, T to Regrowth, R to Nourish.
And this can be done without any addons at all, just clever keybinding.
Nagi May 21st 2010 12:19AM
I'm well aware that they aren't literally needed to raid in WoW, otherwise the default UI would already have them. But by my experience if you don't have them you're not allowed into raid groups. Period. Elitist snobbery, pure and simple, and AVR was already catching on with this exact crowd like a fast-moving plague.
Bigred_ore May 20th 2010 5:48PM
There were points where AVRe did cross the line. The fact is there should be an in game tool that allows for actual boss planning, instead of using Flares for everything. By the same token logic Blizzard used, flares should also be removed from the game.
Most people confuse AVR and AVRe. AVRe is the additional addon to AVR that works with your Boss Mods to tell you where not to stand. AVR is simply the enabler for AVRe.
Argojax May 20th 2010 6:40PM
The flares argument is spurious. It's an in game mechanic and even part of it's real function is illuminating position.
theRaptor May 20th 2010 8:40PM
They should just extend the pings on the mini-map functionality but reduce it to the current system when you are in combat. Explaining the fight/positioning to the new people is what wastes half of my guilds raid time.
Wismac May 20th 2010 5:53PM
Booo @ Blizzard...
If people don't want to use it, then don't...
shotiechan May 20th 2010 5:56PM
Ironically I think they're more upset about your ability to deface the game with the addon than they are the fact that it makes many fights EZ-mode.
Chione May 20th 2010 6:00PM
How is AVR any different than DBM? If Blizz is going to break one, why don't the break the other? They're both crutches for raiding. Please explain to me how they are different.
I'm sad to see it go :(
I had so much fun making silly graffiti all over dalaran.
It was fun while it lasted, I guess. :|
K May 20th 2010 5:58PM
Yeah, because if someone does Blizzard's undone work and actually comes up with something that displays the radius of those damned totems, killing that thing is the BEST THING EVER, right?
In 2-3 years, Blizzard will implement it by themselves and say it's the BEST THING EVER and everyone is going to be all like: "Well, seeing my damned totems' ranges really is the BEST THING EVER. Thanks Blizzard."
Amazing.
Suzaku May 20th 2010 8:28PM
If Blizzard wanted the range on totems to be visible, all they'd have to do is add a projected texture that centers itself under the totem on the ground. They've done this for many different AoE effects.
They could also do projected textures for melee range, spellcasting range, aggro range, etc. It would NOT be a difficult thing for them to implement, at all.
My guess is that they want players to try and judge the range themselves, rather than having big glowing circles all over the freaking ground that tell you where to go and what to do.
Diaxaces May 20th 2010 5:58PM
I like the fact that you can draw your strategy, perhaps making it so it can't work DURING the encounter would be a beneficial middle-ground?