Blizzard Updates UI Add-On Development Policy :: ZAM

Blizzard Updates UI Add-On Development PolicyMar 20th, 2009 at 2:44 PM by Fewyn

As of today Blizzard has updated their Addon policy, some of the highlights include developers no longer being allowed to sell addons and code must be completely visible.

More info after the jump.

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. For more information...

If you are an add-on developer and have any questions about and this User Interface Add-On Development Policy and how it pertains to the add-on that you've developed, please don't hesitate to email us at WoWUI@blizzard.com.

You can see all this on the offical site here.

Tags: News, WorldofWarcraft

Comments

losing addons...

# Mar 22 2009 at 6:54 PM Rating: Decent

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132 posts

I know I was suprised to see that blizz decided that auctioneer was not allowed to be run, I am not too impressed about that. As I see it, while they own the game itself, I paid for it to play on my computer, so whatever I decide to run on my comp so long as I don't interfere with the other folks playing the game is my business not theirs. There are several things about the eula I feel should be brought into the 21st century, and not just with wow... I recently found that in the everquest eula, my accounts there can be arbitrarily shut down if I allow anyone else from my family to keep a toon of their own on my acct. While I have not taken the time to fully read every single letter in the wow eula, if I find that the case I will probably be contacting a lawyer; as I find that to be illegal in my eyes. I am already talking with a lawyer about the eq eula. I know that there are going to be some that are going to say that it's their way or the highway, I disagree. A eula from my understanding is a form of contract, and contracts that are legally binding are always subject to negotiation before being considering legal and binding.

Edited, Mar 22nd 2009 8:55pm by Galenthor

losing addons...

# Mar 24 2009 at 4:16 AM Rating: Decent

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15 posts

Unfortunately, everybody agrees to the eula and makes it legally bound when they click 'accept' each time they update. You see the accept button after each patch is downloaded and installed usually; That's your acceptance of the legally binding contract.

losing addons...

# Mar 23 2009 at 2:58 AM Rating: Default

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And the post of Auctioneer being "illegal" to use is where?
Since the Auctioneer site and the curse.com release make no mention of it being illegal.

Side Note:

It's not hard devs...REMOVE THE DONATION LINK IN YOUR ADDON you can still solicit donations on the website you host from. I honestly don't know where they come off thinking the community should pay their utilities. At most we should pay for the subscription to the game; that's it.

We are not Welfare Services.

PS: This crap would have been easily avoid had this policy been in place at release....sigh.

losing addons...

# Mar 22 2009 at 7:27 PM Rating: Default

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42 posts

Short for End-User License Agreement, the type of license used for most software. An EULA is a legal contract between the manufacturer and/or the author and the end user of an application. The EULA details how the software can and cannot be used and any restrictions that the manufacturer imposes (e.g., most EULAâ€™s of proprietary software prohibit the user from sharing the software with anyone else).

Notice it says the manufacturer says how you can use if you disagree never click accept and move on to something else. They say what you can and can't do in their house period.

losing addons...

# Mar 22 2009 at 7:22 PM Rating: Decent

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21 posts

Yea but thing is you agree to the contract soon as you click accept. Anytime they make a change you can choose to not agree and stop playing they list them everytime and you have to agree again. So you already said hey this is fine with me let me play. The only thing you own far as WoW goes is the disk it comes on char data and ingame items are not yours you pay 15 a month for the right to use. Same with EQ.

add-ons

# Mar 21 2009 at 4:43 AM Rating: Good

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My question is how will this effect eePanels, kgPanels, Macaroon!, and so on. I love the ability of making a completely custom UI, it was one of the biggest reasons for leaving FFXI for WoW. Off the top of my head I know that MobMap and its 14 databases are gone, and QH is going to take a smack from these changes. I really wonder if Carbonite is going to refund the money to the people who recently (as in a week ago) bought the addon :(

Another good question comes from this:

Quote:

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.

Actually copy/pasting that in I realized AB (Annoying Broadcaster) and Recount are a couple of them. I have seen recounts dumped into channel chat before and it gets rather annoying, but the way that is worded a player can get reported by a guild member for dropping a recount after a guild raid.

Maybe im wrong, but I bet I am right. WoWui makes a solid point, how are they planning to police this?

add-ons

# Mar 23 2009 at 7:30 AM Rating: Good

Sage

1,606 posts

Quote:

Another good question comes from this:

Quote:

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.

I think it's pretty much CYA type of stuff. They are laying down a foundation. It's just another reminder that WoW is their game and they can decide anything they want regarding it. I know it has always been but I think one would be surprised by how many people will argue the point. It's spelled out there in black and white that if they aren't pleased with the impact an add on has on their game that they can block it.

Quote:

Actually copy/pasting that in I realized AB (Annoying Broadcaster) and Recount are a couple of them. I have seen recounts dumped into channel chat before and it gets rather annoying, but the way that is worded a player can get reported by a guild member for dropping a recount after a guild raid.

It's worded in a way that someone can report you for using it but it's totally their (Blizzard's) call. They put stuff in place that allows them to act and to reference that as why. It doesn't mean they will.

Quote:

I would assume Recount and any other Damage Meter is fine since they do not auto-announce data. It is up to the user(s) to click the "post" button.

The way it's worded, it doesn't make a distinction. The add-on puts information into the chat the system. They use "excessive use of the chat system" which is totally at their discretion. They could decide that if the add-on puts stuff in the chat system even once, that it's excessive. It's just more stuff so they can have specific examples of why they are doing something. Here is a rule that clearly says "excessive use of the chat system" and they feel it's violating that one and that's why it's banned.

I guess the one I worry for is QuestHelper. I know, for a while there, that if it was loaded when someone tried to log into a character that was sitting in Dal that it would mess the game up. There were many posts on Blizzard's tech support forum about that. I think they eventually just started copying a generic message in about disabling QH anytime someone had an issue loading in Dal. I've grown very accustomed to having QH and don't really know what I would do w/o it. Just makes stuff so much more convenient.

add-ons

# Mar 21 2009 at 8:46 AM Rating: Default

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Are you talking about the addons asking for donations IN-GAME? Or are you asking about how those addons modify the game?
If you're talking about them asking for donations it is perfectly acceptable for them to ask on their website or site-of-download (ie curse.com). However, they may not mention any thing about donations in-game; whether it be from 'nag messages' or in the "About/Credits" information of an addon.

As for:

Quote:

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.

I would assume Recount and any other Damage Meter is fine since they do not auto-announce data. It is up to the user(s) to click the "post" button.

sigh

# Mar 20 2009 at 11:05 PM Rating: Decent

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If people want to waste money on paid add ons let em but I really could care less

"reasons"

# Mar 20 2009 at 10:24 PM Rating: Decent

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104 posts

Just wondering where these 'reasons' came from that folks are discussing. From what Blizz posted it seems clear that their limitations are designed to prevent:
- hidden code such as keyloggers and account-stealing apps
- add-on folks charging players for their wares (whether for 'community health and fairness' or 'to keep the power-level guide/ gold farmers out of business' is open to conjecture...)
- miserable code that screws up game performance (which btw blizz then gets to troubleshoot and take the blame for)
- addons written to do things that are specifically against the base game's rules/ToU

None of that seems related to licensing, control, other people profiting from their code - seems oriented toward ensuring that other peoples' code doesnt break their game, facilitate bannable offenses, or ***** over their customers by stealing from them (e.g. account info). JMO...

<edited to correct my endless typos>

Edited, Mar 20th 2009 11:26pm by TheNixie

AHAHAHA

# Mar 20 2009 at 9:28 PM Rating: Default

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Sucks to be Carbonite

add-ons

# Mar 20 2009 at 7:33 PM Rating: Default

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Quote:

but, I personally find a problem with forcing someone to pay money for an add-on for a game you already pay money for.

Quote:

I never said anyone was forced to pay the money for the addon

ok if you say so.

Quote:

These addons are not free standing applications. They exist solely because Blizzard has designed WoW to be modified.

Obviously they aren't freestanding, that's why they are called ADD-ONS, doesn't change your original flawed ideas, nor my response. Same with accessories you buy that I used for my response, sure some may be freestanding, but many are not, depending on what purpose the accessory serves. Blizzard allows it yes, but to say they exist soley because of that is ridiculous. They exist because an author took the time to develope them, and some people think that makes them worth paying for (I've never paid for one myself)

Quote:

Yes, but things get different when you start dealing with copyrights, patents, and software licenses

Yes, and some accessories (and add-ons) may be/or need to be licensed, but some may not, and in the context of your statements and blizzards policies, it's really irrelevent to this because blizzard allowed it to be done "freely".

Edited, Mar 21st 2009 12:38am by certainly

add-ons

# Mar 20 2009 at 5:40 PM Rating: Decent

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Quote:

I understand the reasoning behind it and fully support it. Basically, a programmer can make money simply by writing a piece of code that benefits mostly from Blizzard's work... ie the World of Warcraft application (seeing as they'd be making no money whatsoever on their add-on if there wasn't already WoW). If I were in Blizzard's shoes I wouldn't want people making money off my coattails either.

More or less, Blizzard wants community add-ons to be just that...add-ons for the community.

I understand the immense work that can go into programming and keeping these addons current, but, I personally find a problem with forcing someone to pay money for an add-on for a game you already pay money for.

I have no opinion either way on this new policy. That said, your reasonings are majorly flawed IMO.

First of all, nobody was "forced" to pay money for an add-on. The game is fully functional and playable without them, so if someone liked the additional functionality of an add-on that charged money it is fully their choice.

Secondly, people make money off of others work all the time. Ever bought something, and then bought an
Accessory that improved the original product?

Thirdly, Blizzard has improved their UI a lot since the beginning and are making even more improvements come next patch, many of them are a direct result or serve some of the same functions of many of the popular add-ons, so some may even be able to argue that it is Blizzard making money off of the work of add-on authors (by making the game even easier to play and having more functionality that makes the game more appealing, thereby, more people start playing or continue to play).

add-ons

# Mar 20 2009 at 6:54 PM Rating: Decent

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certainly wrote:

First of all, nobody was "forced" to pay money for an add-on. The game is fully functional and playable without them, so if someone liked the additional functionality of an add-on that charged money it is fully their choice.

I never said anyone was forced to pay the money for the addon. However, you are forced to pay for said addon if you want that functionality inside Blizzards game. Mind you, the architecture for that addon being used and the license for that addon being allowed to be implemented into the game was issued by Blizzard.

Quote:

Secondly, people make money off of others work all the time. Ever bought something, and then bought an
Accessory that improved the original product?

Yes, but things get different when you start dealing with copyrights, patents, and software licenses. The only reason these addons work is because Blizzards built the game to be interfacable with addons that have specific requirements. These addons are not free standing applications. They exist solely because Blizzard has designed WoW to be modified.

Not to mention there is a complete area of the EULA covering third party software interacting with the World of Warcraft client and transmissions. As well as specific clauses dealing with third party interface addons.

Add Ons OK Timers not

# Mar 20 2009 at 3:57 PM Rating: Decent

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I'm not big on Add Ons but it seems to me that the wow UI has improved following the Add Ons. Take CTmod for example, they had the mail add for sending multiple mail in one shot now WoW has it. There have been several innovations by CTmod that have been incorporated into the game that might not have otherwise. I never use timers, if I play a healer then my job is to keep the tank alive. (thought I stopped playing my pally as he was always the healer, all the Priests seem to be Shadow spec'ed and just wanted to DPS) So whatever your doing just pay attention stop watching Monday night football while in a raid. If you can't then go get that ADD/HDD fixed.

Add Ons OK Timers not

# Mar 24 2009 at 4:29 AM Rating: Decent

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Quote:

If you can't then go get that ADD/HDD fixed.

Pssst...Attention Deficit Disorder isn't fixable. Just medicable. What's HDD? Never heard of that one...did you mean ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder?

Agreed

# Mar 20 2009 at 3:16 PM Rating: Decent

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Sage

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I understand the reasoning behind it and fully support it. Basically, a programmer can make money simply by writing a piece of code that benefits mostly from Blizzard's work... ie the World of Warcraft application (seeing as they'd be making no money whatsoever on their add-on if there wasn't already WoW). If I were in Blizzard's shoes I wouldn't want people making money off my coattails either.

More or less, Blizzard wants community add-ons to be just that...add-ons for the community.

I understand the immense work that can go into programming and keeping these addons current, but, I personally find a problem with forcing someone to pay money for an add-on for a game you already pay money for.

Agreed

# Mar 20 2009 at 9:02 PM Rating: Default

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Quote:

I understand the reasoning behind it and fully support it. Basically, a programmer can make money simply by writing a piece of code that benefits mostly from Blizzard's work... ie the World of Warcraft application (seeing as they'd be making no money whatsoever on their add-on if there wasn't already WoW). If I were in Blizzard's shoes I wouldn't want people making money off my coattails either.

More or less, Blizzard wants community add-ons to be just that...add-ons for the community.

I understand the immense work that can go into programming and keeping these addons current, but, I personally find a problem with forcing someone to pay money for an add-on for a game you already pay money for.

Using that logic, Blizzard shouldn't be able to charge for Warcraft as they make money simply by writing a piece of code that benefits mostly from Microsoft's work.... ie the Windows OS (seeing they'd be making no money whatsoever on their game if there wasn't already Windows XP, Vista etc....)

That is like you saying you shouldn't have to pay to have a room added onto your house because the house and foundation are already there built by someone else. A lot of work goes into an addon and any programming for that matter. Unless you work in the IT industry as a programmer, it is hard to have an actual appreciation for the work and skill that is required.

Edited, Mar 21st 2009 12:59am by IronhideBismarck

Edited, Mar 21st 2009 12:59am by IronhideBismarck

Agreed

# Mar 21 2009 at 2:29 PM Rating: Default

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Quote:

Using that logic, Blizzard shouldn't be able to charge for Warcraft as they make money simply by writing a piece of code that benefits mostly from Microsoft's work.... ie the Windows OS (seeing they'd be making no money whatsoever on their game if there wasn't already Windows XP, Vista etc....)

But WoW can be played on Macs and Linux (though I think Linux isn't really supported). And it would be more like making Tweakui (a program that lets you modify Windows easier, though it's free and made by Microsoft) and selling that.

Quote:

That is like you saying you shouldn't have to pay to have a room added onto your house because the house and foundation are already there built by someone else. A lot of work goes into an addon and any programming for that matter. Unless you work in the IT industry as a programmer, it is hard to have an actual appreciation for the work and skill that is required.

More like a renter expecting to be paid money because they changed a room.

All the addon makers I know ingame made their addons to enhance their gameplay or did it just to see if they could, and then extended their addons to the community as a courtesy. The fact that people can donate to them is just a bonus. Having forced donations/bought addons removes the spirit of the community.

MMOUI

# Mar 20 2009 at 3:09 PM Rating: Excellent

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There is also a discussion going on about this over at our sister site, MMOUI.

http://www.wowinterface.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21290

____________________________

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Fly High Daevas,
Tamat ~ Andrew Beegle
Community Manager

MMOUI

# Mar 21 2009 at 5:21 PM Rating: Default

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As stated in the MMOUI forum link by Tamat, it's probably due to the wow glider bot lawsuit and they just want to strengthen their defense. IMO it should be up to the user's discression what do add, use and how they use it. If someone finds it offensive, let them take the hit. However, based on bliz being able to allow addons, I would say, they feel responsible and don't want to be a target for future issues with them. The guidelines seem fair even though I believe they are short of staff and really can't control one's personal computer. I believe they mention in their ToA and EULA that users must allow for them to scan computer malloc (memory allocation) points for just this kind of scenario. One just needs to firewall or code a program so they will be blocked to do this without hurting the operation of the game. That is how they previously found glider on user pcs. Currently glider malloc has been moved to a new location. An interesting software but is it worth the trouble? Glider thinks so in their lawsuit.

Could go both ways

# Mar 20 2009 at 2:42 PM Rating: Good

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I believe that we will be seeing either the paid addons disappearing or stripped down. Since they can't make money for them anymore why bother to further keep them around. Other then that I think this is good since some addons that have malicious code to steal keys or other things will no longer have a cover for their progs. A win for some and a lose for others.

Whoa!

# Mar 20 2009 at 2:03 PM Rating: Good

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177 posts

I saw this coming a mile away. I guess Carbonite will be "Free" again soon. Likewise the $50.00 ($50.00x2 for both the allied and horde versions) in-game Zygor leveling guide and all other "Paid" addons.

What do you all think about this?
.
.
.
.

Add-ons

# Mar 20 2009 at 2:38 PM Rating: Decent

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494 posts

I personally would be all for Blizz prohibiting add-ons of any kind. That's what FFXI does and players manage, even though FFXI's UI is quite primitive these days. Blizz's UI is far superior to FFXI's and is more than sufficient for WoW's purposes.

Add-ons

# Mar 21 2009 at 12:09 PM Rating: Decent

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Sorlac wrote:

I personally would be all for Blizz prohibiting add-ons of any kind. That's what FFXI does and players manage, even though FFXI's UI is quite primitive these days.

"quite primitive"? It's worse than that. In ffxi there is no way to see what buffs or debuffs your party members have on- you just have to read the chat log to see them coming or going. You can see your own but you can't see how long they have left. That's just the start of the bad interface ffxi has. (I did play it for 4 years so I'm not just being anti-ffxi).

Also there are add-ons for ffxi. You're not supposed to use them but a lot of people do anyway without getting banned.

Add-ons

# Mar 20 2009 at 2:59 PM Rating: Decent

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Heh. Tell that to the Affliction Warlocks and Feral Druids. Good luck maintaining that DPS without timers.

Add-ons

# Mar 20 2009 at 3:27 PM Rating: Decent

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2,047 posts

Quote:

Heh. Tell that to the Affliction Warlocks and Feral Druids. Good luck maintaining that DPS without timers.

You can maintain dps fine without addons if you pay attention.

Add-ons

# Mar 20 2009 at 3:15 PM Rating: Excellent

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132 posts

It's a vicious circle. Why do they have to pay attention? Because a bunch of number-crunching jack-holes had to figure out how to squeeze maximum effect from abilities. After that, they screamed to Bliz "the end game isn't challenging enough" so Bliz adds more complicated things requiring more attention to timers.

I'll add my voice as saying I'd be happy if all add-ons were banned. I'm sick of seeing whining sniveling players show up at my LAN center and ***** that they can't play the game because they're not allowed to load it up with all their favorite crutches... errr, add-ons.

Add-ons

# Mar 22 2009 at 2:14 AM Rating: Decent

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8 posts

Yngvie wrote:

It's a vicious circle. Why do they have to pay attention? Because a bunch of number-crunching jack-holes had to figure out how to squeeze maximum effect from abilities. After that, they screamed to Bliz "the end game isn't challenging enough" so Bliz adds more complicated things requiring more attention to timers.

I'll add my voice as saying I'd be happy if all add-ons were banned. I'm sick of seeing whining sniveling players show up at my LAN center and ***** that they can't play the game because they're not allowed to load it up with all their favorite crutches... errr, add-ons.

Seems that you're trying to say I cant maximise my game enjoyment. I dont feel the need to micromanage every aspect of my WoW experience. If I can have an addon that gives me the information I want in a unobtrusive manner, then I would probably get it.
I certainly dont remember whinging to Bliz that the game wasnt exciting enough. While I agree there may be a small number of the "I want it harder" brigade, to lump everyone together in such a grouping is just plain wrong.

I'll make an assumption here and think your lan centre is stocked with your computers. If this is so, I can see why you wouldnt want a whole range of possibly conflicting add-ons bogging down you systems.

If you dont want/need add-ons for your game enjoyment, well good for you. But please dont confuse add-ons with crutches. Crutches are a needed addendum for assisting a person, while for me, and Im sure most others, add-ons are an enhancement to increase the overall enjoyment they (and I ) get from playing WoW.

Cheers everyone

Doilihaidyne
Blades Edge

Add-ons

# Mar 21 2009 at 9:28 AM Rating: Decent

__DEL__1592345620963

494 posts

fixed

Edited, Mar 30th 2009 11:49am by Sorlac

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