Blizzard denies rumors of Diablo 3 Linux bans

Some Linux users have been banned from Diablo 3 and claim they did nothing wrong, but Blizzard says that it has done extensive cheating to make sure only cheaters are slapped with bans.

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Blizzard is making an effort to get out in front of reports that the company is banning Diablo 3 players who use third-party software to play on Linux. The users claim they were not running any bots or exploits using the alternative operating system, but Blizzard seems confident that it has only banned cheaters.

On the Diablo 3 forums, several users complained that they have been banned for using the third-party software WINE to play the game on their Linux system. The players claim they weren't cheating, and could play the game just fine until only a few days ago. This led to some consternation, especially since players with established accounts were being banned.

Blizzard tells a different story. In a statement on the forums, the company says it has not banned users unjustly. "We've extensively tested for false positive situations, including replicating system setups for those who have posted claiming they were banned unfairly," the statement read. "We've not found any situations that could produce a false positive, have found that the circumstances for which they were banned were clear and accurate, and we are extremely confident in our findings. Playing the game on Linux, although not officially supported, will not get you banned - cheating will."

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From The Chatty
  • reply
    July 3, 2012 9:00 AM

    Steve Watts posted a new article, Blizzard denies rumors of Diablo 3 Linux bans.

    Some Linux users have been banned from Diablo 3 and claim they did nothing wrong, but Blizzard says that it has done extensive cheating to make sure only cheaters are slapped with bans.

    • reply
      July 3, 2012 9:16 AM

      Yeah, sure, Blizzard, we believe you. Just like when you talked in your press release about the three days limited accounts, and then you said it was all an error.

      It's not like you haven't lied recently or lowered your standards. No, siree.

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        July 3, 2012 9:34 AM

        Remember that one time with the session hijacks?

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          July 3, 2012 9:46 AM

          Wait, are you saying that was legitimate or not?

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            July 3, 2012 1:35 PM

            well, they denied the snot out of it, so yeah it was probably true.

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        July 3, 2012 11:52 AM

        Or you know, they could be using Linux and cheating at the same time. There's that.

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      July 3, 2012 9:18 AM

      Eehhh... It's not a "statement to Kotaku", it's a forum post.

      http://us.battle.net/d3/en/forum/topic/5978861022?page=21#402

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        July 3, 2012 9:55 AM

        It's a statement to everyone. Kotaku is part of everyone.

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      July 3, 2012 9:28 AM

      Blizzard says that it has done extensive cheating

      BAN BLIZZARD!

    • reply
      July 3, 2012 9:33 AM

      especially since players with established accounts were being banned.

      They were cheaters!

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      July 3, 2012 9:36 AM

      I'm assuming you mean testing?

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        July 3, 2012 9:53 AM

        No, you have to fight fire with fire. It's the only way this could work.

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        July 3, 2012 2:48 PM

        Blizzard cheats while testing cheaters!

    • reply
      July 3, 2012 9:39 AM

      Something very similar happened in the earlier days of WoW with a number of Linux users getting banned in that by Warden. It wasn't until there was a huge public outcry that Blizzard admitted they screwed up and reversed those bans.

      That is precisely why I'm having a hard time believing Blizzard's latest remarks on this. That and the fact they have been very shady with their recent moves (IE: the three day "starter edition" stuff for legitimate buyers of the game).

    • reply
      July 3, 2012 2:45 PM

      I'm sure they'll still be able to play the single player game they purchased though, right?

      Right....?

      (Diablo III, the game that turned Blizzard into EA)

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