Selling World of Warcraft In-Game Content for Real Money

Bloodthroe · Post by **Bloodthroe** » Fri Dec 10, 2004 10:08 pm

Selling World of Warcraft In-Game Content for Real Money

Selling World of Warcraft In-Game Content for Real Money - Block on 12/10/04
It has come to our attention that certain individuals are selling Blizzard's in-game property for cash on auction sites such as eBay and on personal websites. The World of Warcraft Terms of Use clearly states that all of the content in World of Warcraft is the property of Blizzard, and Blizzard does not allow "in game" items to be sold for real money. Accordingly, Blizzard Entertainment will take any and all actions necessary to stop this behavior. Not only do we believe that it is illegal, but it also has the potential to damage the game economy and overall experience for the many thousands of others who play World of Warcraft for fun. In order to promote a fun and fair environment for all our customers, we are actively investigating those individuals who engage in this inappropriate activity and reserve the right to take legal action against these individuals to protect World of Warcraft for all those who "play by the rules." If you are found to be selling in-game property (such as coins, items, or characters), for real money, you will lose your characters and accounts, and Blizzard Entertainment reserves its right to pursue legal action against you as well.

We also want to remind potential buyers in the game to please refrain from buying in-game property with real money. We understand the temptation to purchase better items, but Blizzard, and not the seller, does own all in-game property. In addition, we feel that characters can find ample equipment and money within the game through their own adventuring and questing. Please understand that if you do purchase in-game property from sellers on eBay and personal sites, we may temporarily suspend your account, and at the very least, delete the offending items.

Thank you for understanding our position. Blizzard Entertainment is committed to maintaining the atmosphere of fair play and fun in World of Warcraft.

Which is something I felt was normal in Online gaming.

garazdawi · Post by **garazdawi** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 1:40 am

[QUOTE=Bloodthroe]Which is something I felt was normal in Online gaming.[/QUOTE] It is but it shouldn't be IMO, if people don't have the time or patience to find or trade for godly items ingame then they have chosen the wrong kind of game IMO. Then again if people want to spend money on something that has no real value then that's their loss.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:00 am

It is normal - but it is very very rarely allowed by the terms of use with the MMORPGs (at least the ones I know).
Many people e-bay characters and some people even set up professional shops where they sell leveling, items, in-game money for real life money.
I've even seen a place where you can order a specific character with the specific items and pay - then a week later or so you will be able to take control of said character equipped with the order items.

Such people are wierd in my view and if people found doing this in-game should be insta-banned.

MordorMan · Post by **MordorMan** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 8:26 am

[QUOTE=Xandax]I've even seen a place where you can order a specific character with the specific items and pay - then a week later or so you will be able to take control of said character equipped with the order items.[/QUOTE]

That is really sick! And I don't know which of the two parties are sicker, the buyers or the sellers.
The more sad this is because chances are high that such a character will be used for griefing rather than roleplaying.

Hats off to Blizzard who are really seem to be making a point of weeding out game abuse as soon as it starts.

Bloodthroe · Post by **Bloodthroe** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 1:08 pm

I think they're just taking advantage of people's desire to play a game to make money.

Xandax · Post by **Xandax** » Sat Dec 11, 2004 2:27 pm

That is very true @Blood. Some people wish to gain "much" withouth putting in the effort, and they will generally tend to purchase what they want instead of earning it.
Me personally - I think that if people wish to play the game, they should indeed play it and not buy their way through it.
I think such people are better suited for playing single player games instead of multiplayer games.

I support the Blizzard actions taken so far - and I only hope they continue to deal swift and hard punishments for people breaking their rules.
Their game - their rules.

Bloodthroe · Post by **Bloodthroe** » Sun Dec 12, 2004 9:23 am

Besides if anyone is selling specific characters with specific items, it ought to be Blizzard seeing as how it is their game to sell.