BBC Tells World About The Warden

Anonymous Cowpat writes "The BBC is running a story about the Blizzard title World of Warcraft. Specifically an article about, 'The Warden', Blizzard's highly-invasive anti-cheating software, which some, including The EFF have labelled as spyware. Most of the people around here have probably heard of it by now, but it's interesting to see the story in the mainstream press and (at time of writing) on the front page of the BBC's technology news section, no less." From the article: "The watchdog program, called The Warden by Blizzard, has been known about among players for some time. It makes sure that players are not using cheat software which can, for example, automatically play the game and build up a character's qualities. However, knowledge of it crossed to the mainstream thanks to software engineer Greg Hoglund who disassembled the code of The Warden and watched it in action to get a better idea of what it did."

Comments

The Watcher?

[Anonymous Coward]

The watchdog program, called The Warden by Blizzard, has been known about among players for some time. It makes sure that players are not using cheat software which can, for example, automatically play the game and build up a character's qualities.

Yes, but who watches the watchers?

For those worried by what The Warden does, Mr Hoglund has produced a program called The Governor that reports on what it is watching.

Oh.

Well in that case, who watches the watchers of the watchers? Hmmm? Answer me that ... if you can!

Re:The Watcher?

[Kenja]

"Well in that case, who watches the watchers of the watchers? Hmmm? Answer me that ... if you can!"

I dont know... The coast guard?

Re:The Watcher?

[Rei]

To take out the Governor in case of abuse, they'll unleash wave after wave of Chinese Needle Snakes. Then, to get rid of the snakes, they'll use a fabulous type of gorilla that thrives on snake meat. Then - here's the beauty part - when wintertime rolls around, the gorillas will simply freeze to death.

Re:The Watcher?

[rebelcan]

Thanks to you, my brain is now stuck in a 'watcher of a watcher...' recursive loop.

It just keeps going. It hurts. Make it stop!

Re:The Watcher?

[kinnunen]

"Who watches the watchers" is +5 Funny? WTF?

No man is just a number

[Nick of NSTime]

In the next patch, all WoW character models will be updated with black suits bearing an individual number.

The Warden?

[loconet]

BBC Tells World About The Warden

Why is BBC telling the world about my girlfriend..

Re:The Warden?

[burrows]

I called my gf "The Warden" once. She pointed out that my computer is the thing that's keeping me in, whereas she always wants me to go out.

Waaaah

[Aexia]

Blizzard sucks because they didn't prevent cheating in Diablo 2!

Waaaah!

Blizzard sucks because they prevent cheating in World of Warcraft!

Waaaah!

Re:Sources

[mopslik]

Why is it that almost more and more news items on slashdot are derived from the BBC?

Pfff, that's typical Slashdot Euro-centrism for you. Why are all of us North Americans constantly pushed to the side? Please, submitters, you must realize that the Internet != Britain.

Re:ummm..ok

[crabpeople]

"Just because you are against druids"

damn right i am! they have a very quick flash heal/regen spell and also can turn into beast form which will rival a warriors tanking. not to mention the very annoying "root" spell. i dont even think you can blink out of root anymore. savages...

i think i speak for everyone when i say nerf teh druids!

Re:ummm..ok

[jahudabudy]

And if the company does the testing without your knowledge?

If a company can collect a urine or blood sample from you without your knowledge, maybe you need to lay off the drugs for a while, anyway.