A forum post about WoW. A important read for anyone.

QuickSilver · #1 01-20-2006, 01:06 PM

This a the post in question: http://gamers.experimentations.org/f...ST&f=63&t=6852

I know this a GW fansite forum, but I feel this is still a intresting topic and should be known.

Be forwarned: have a open mind when you read this, if you are offened by homosexuality or of a minor age don't read this article. I will post my views about this subject later when I have more time.

Photics · #2 01-20-2006, 02:05 PM

Ha... I just love when video games become a real-world issue.

This is an interesting debate. I agree with Blizzard...

Quote:

>Thank you again for your follow up e-mails regarding this issue. We have
>reviewed this case and have determined that advertising for a guild based
>on Sexual Orientation is not appropriate for the World of Warcraft.

I do not think that guilds should be based on Sexual Orientation - especially in a game with minors. Your post says it all... "if you are offended by homosexuality or of a minor age don't read this article." Does so much as discussing this subject makes you nervous? Imagine what Blizzard must be thinking about this topic.

Yet... there is an interesting double standard. Can a homosexual based guild be banned for advertising? If so, why do I hear inappropriate discussion all the time in these video games? I can log into either game... Guild Wars or World of Warcraft... and hear discussion that is totally derogatory and sexual in nature. This problem is so rampant that it's basically part of the MMORPG vocabulary... Twink, Gimp, Ganked... WTF? LOL?!

I'm not opposed to intelligent and responsible debate at this website.
I'm going to allow this thread to continue.

Yet, I realize something...

1 - I don't like any guild that recruits.
2 - What about the religious guilds? Aren't there are Christian guilds out there... should they be banned as well?
3 - Do civil liberties exist in cyberspace?

This is an interesting topic. It will define the strength of the EULA. If this does indeed go to court, it could ultimately have reprocussions for the entire genre.

Remember... civil liberties do not exist at Photics.com. :lol:
If this thread gets ugly, I will shut it down.

Ronduwil · #3 01-20-2006, 05:25 PM

One thing Sara doesn't seem to understand is that the wording of the EULA give Blizzard sole discretion over what does and does not constitute inappropriate content. That means that they could suspend her for something as trivial as starting an orc-only guild if they decide to. I don't think that Sara has the right to advertise for a GBLT guild that is hosted on Blizzard's servers. Now, if she wanted to independently start a GBLT Blizzard fanclub and host her own web site for it, she would have the right to do so (provided her ISP was OK with it). The kids on South Park put it quite eloquently when they stated that tolerating homosexuality isn't the same as embracing it. Let them be GBLT, but they don't have to wave it in our faces, particularly on a game that is predominantly marketed to teenagers.

QuickSilver · #4 01-20-2006, 09:04 PM

I acullay disagree with both Rondwil and Photics. I belive that there was no need for any kind of warning and/or discipline type action. I think Blizzard just over reacted, and that this is becomeing out of hand.

I saw no problem with what she had said. Hopefully this matter will be solved peacfully.

Though if brings about the slow destruction of WoW, I will be very happy none the less.

Quote:

Your post says it all... "if you are offended by homosexuality or of a minor age don't read this article." Does so much as discussing this subject makes you nervous?

No, it doesn't make me any bit nervous, The reason why I didn't say my opinon about this was that I wanted to see what others would say, that and I was in class. I am glad that Photics is not going to close this down right away, that was the biggest thing I worried about with him banning me from the fourm and the guild because this could be seen as "inapproprite", so I put that warning on just in case I might have gotten in trouble for posting it.

( yes, I know I misspelled some words. Spelling is not my strength.)

Ronduwil · #5 01-21-2006, 02:18 AM

But you do agree with Blizzard's position, Quicksilver. It's right there in your post: if you are of a minor age, don't read this article. That's my point. Blizzard has the right to ban references to transvestites and homosexuals on their server, just like they have the right to ban references to heterosexuals, masturbation, or any other topic of discussion that is best left to private discussion between parents and their adolescent children.

Even if I agreed with Sara, it wouldn't matter. Their EULA is very specific. They maintain the right to censor anything on their server at their sole discretion. It's Blizzard's server, and they can choose what gets publicized on it. The way the license agreement reads, Blizzard can ban vegetarian guilds if they want to. They are trying to reach a broad market audience, and if they feel that enabling Sara's behavior will narrow their market, they have the right to act to protect that market.

I am not vehemently opposed to homosexuals, but I don't believe that one's sexual preferences constitute an appropriate foundation on which to form a guild. As a married man, I regularly engage in behaviors that are not appropriate topics of discussion on this board, and I would never consider incorporating them into my guild's name. If I am able to refrain from discussing my endeavors, would it really kill Sara to do us the same courtesy?

ericd · #6 01-21-2006, 09:56 PM

I actually agree with blizzard. Because of so many minors, that is the exact response they should have. You said for minors not to look, but I am a minor and I looked at it anyway. You cant stop what underage people will do but you can try to control what they have the option to see.

Tseng Shinra · #7 01-26-2006, 01:21 PM

I dont agree with what Blizzard did but I do think that they have the sole power to decide, its quite sad really.

Photics · #8 01-27-2006, 07:57 PM

This topic has hit the front page of DIGG...

http://www.digg.com/gaming/Blizzard_...ld_of_Warcraft

...you can see the obvious difference in the level of discussion. People disagreed here, but they didn't get hostle. That's a great sign for strength of this community.

I wonder how this will ultimately effect WoW.
- Will subscriptions start to decline?
- Are GLBT guilds banned in Guild Wars?

What I find ironic is how openly religion is bashed in the DIGG thread. If people want me to stand up for the rights of others, throwing rocks at my rights isn't going to win me over. Then again, that's DIGG.com and this is Photics.com.

We're smarter here. ;)

Photics · #9 02-14-2006, 12:38 PM

In media, a negative story is usually hyped. Yet, when the problem is resolved, is it reported with the same ferocity? Generally, no. So... if anyone cares... here's the conclusion...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4700754.stm

WoW will have a new chat channel for Guild Recruiting & the banned guild has received an apology.

I wonder if Guild Wars would implement such a chat channel?

residentgood · #10 02-14-2006, 01:56 PM

Most likely only if the problem of recruiting rose to levels as high as this article stated. I wonder how easy/difficult it is to add chat channels? I would think that if its not too hard, arena net could just add however many channels that were needed. Then again, there obviously was some sort of agreement as to the number of channels there are now, so maybe this is all we need.