Notes

Breakfast Topic: Are Private Servers Really that Good?

Blizzard has a clear policy regarding private servers: they are against the rules. You'll be in serious trouble if you have one or you play on one. If you don't meet their demands your account will be closed and you could face legal penalties.



But is their position true? Is it really that big a deal for private servers?



There are two ways that I consider the issue. One way is to view the issue through the lens of morality and legalese. In this regard, Blizzard is on solid footing. They control Warcraft, all associated games and the servers we use. We don't buy the property when we purchase the game. We're buying the right to use it for as long as they continue to pay a monthly fee and we follow their guidelines (the terms and conditions).



Some might argue that there's an inherent right to privacy in the fact that after we've purchased the game (and its associated data), Blizzard has no right to tell us what to do with it or to find out how we're using it. While I am not a lawyer, this is an interesting debate.



No matter what the legal debate could be the fact is that when it comes down to it playing on a private server is ethically and legally speaking, stealing. It is wrong and should not be done.



Let's examine it through the lens of consumerism and capitalism. In this sense, Blizzard is not on the most solid ground.



The goal of Blizzard or any other company (yes, even WoW Insider in the end) is to make cash for its investors. They achieve this by making products that people enjoy to use and purchase. They have done an outstanding job in this regard. Many of us spend hundreds of dollars a year on World of Warcraft. If you go to BlizzCon or the World Wide Invitational, you're likely to put thousands of dollars into the economy all over a game - with the lion's share of the money going to Blizzard's pocket.
https://wow-servers.co/


Ask yourself for a minute what a private server does.



It lets people play a game they like for no cost.



What happens when you play a video game that you love? A game with addictive characteristics like WoW is a good example.



You want to play more. And more. And moar!



If you're on a private server, you'll soon find yourself in the position where you'd like to play on the retail servers provided by Blizzard. What does this mean? They will have more money in their pockets.



Although the amount we're talking about is not that much in comparison to the cash-cow that Blizzard is milking right now and no one can deny it's important. But if they can see an increase in profits from the private server market and they can, it's in their best capitalist interest to allow it to continue as it will increase demand for their product and will put more money in their pockets, and make their investors happy.



You may disagree with some of the arguments, but that's okay. There are a lot of errors in my argument and this can be debated about for years. You're aware of the history of the internet and the philosophy behind it. The same reasoning is used to justify software piratery or warez.



However, this does raise an interesting question. Are private severs really all that bad?



It is important to note that neither I, and neither WoW Insider or anyone else associated with our website, condones private servers or software piracy. It's illegal and it takes money from the hard working gamers who make these games. Don't do it. If you need to make some money, go out and cut some snow or shovel some grass.


Homepage: https://wow-servers.co/