Model Editing - Blue Tracker

#0 - May 5, 2009, 5:42 p.m.

I have a few question about the policy on model editing. I have for as long as I have played wow up until recently used more polished versions of player armour to compensate for the low polly crud that is default. My friend recently told me that model editing is against the rules and that I can get banned for it. I figured he was trolling but then again I wasent sure so I swaped out my higher polly armour and player models for the default ones and made this thread.

He told me that models and thier spacial effects are client side. When I heard this I facepalmed at blizzard being lazy and leaving such exploitable things up to the client rather then the dirt cheap servers they got from ATNT. Which sure takes alot of load off the server but then again leaves open potential exploits.

I am not concernc with exploits my confussion is where the line is drawn.

I ask that if model editing is ilegal then would it be alright if the models you where editing in no way changed gameplay other then a visual perspective that was non-exploitive.

if I like to import the tier set into maya and run smooth a few time or add faces here and there to make it look better is that wrong? I mean it dosent affect gameplay.

I was overjoyed when I heard that the ulduar patch would upgrade the textures and then that turned to dissapointment when I saw that it was only a minor imporvement. As a result I completly retextured most of the WOTLK gear useing the default texture as a guideline. This allowed me to fit the smothed models much better and it would be such a dreadfull dissapointment if I had to never used the models again because then I wouldent be able to use the textures I made unless I completly redid them..

So please provide insight as to the specifics on this part of policy.

#15 - May 5, 2009, 6:39 p.m.

Q u o t e:
if I like to import the tier set into maya and run smooth a few time or add faces here and there to make it look better is that wrong? I mean it dosent affect gameplay.

Intended or not, file modification can be quite detrimental to the intended play experience. Additionally, when you modify files, unintended and unforeseen exploitation may result which can be cause for us to sit up and take notice. We understand that it can be fun to create your own textures or use those created by others, but it is an extremely bad idea to do so.

Q u o t e:

I was overjoyed when I heard that the ulduar patch would upgrade the textures and then that turned to dissapointment when I saw that it was only a minor imporvement. As a result I completly retextured most of the WOTLK gear useing the default texture as a guideline. This allowed me to fit the smothed models much better and it would be such a dreadfull dissapointment if I had to never used the models again because then I wouldent be able to use the textures I made unless I completly redid them..

They have been improved, though I apologize if you find it frustrating that the default textures aren't up to your customized standards. It's important to keep in mind that one of the things that makes World of Warcraft such a great place to play is its accessibility. The visuals have been designed specifically so that as broad a range of systems can continue to run the game in a highly playable fashion, while still providing beautiful vistas and menacing foes.

Q u o t e:
So please provide insight as to the specifics on this part of policy.

Here's the bottom line:

Our terms of use, Part 2, Section D:

http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/legal/termsofuse.html

Q u o t e:
D. modify or cause to be modified any files that are a part of the Game Client or the Service in any way not expressly authorized by Blizzard;

It's simply not okay to modify the game files. Even if you find it innocent, from a technical perspective it can cause issues which diminish the quality of gameplay, it can alter the intended creative vision of our designers in an undesirable fashion, and yes, such file modifications are potentially exploitable.

So, it is in your best interest to refrain from modifying the game files, because we have asked that you refrain from doing so, and you've agreed not to do so.

On the other hand, if you'd like to suggest changes to any in-game models or textures, please feel free to drop by our Suggestions forum. If you have substantial skill with Maya and other modeling apps, perhaps you could even vie for a spot amongst our Development staff. You can check out available positions here:

http://www.blizzard.com/jobopp