Question for those familiar with billing and names and such...

[PyrostasisTDK]

Well Im not a lawyer so cant argue the legality, I just know there were a ton of news reports last year of EULA's coming under legal attack. Im sure they are available through google somewhere for those that are interested.

[Bovidae]

Warning: Opinion follows

It seems to me that the whole account sharing ban was originally conceived to protect an accounts integrity, and to combat 24/7 farming (aka Chinese farming). Thus actioning accounts used by ones spouse/sibling/roomate is a little extreme. It feels against the spirit of the game.

I would guess that a majority of account holders feel the same way, but only speak to the contrary, due to the sheer virtue that it is against the rules.

Is it really reasonable that an account can be closed because I let my friend control my character, from my desk, just to check it out? According to the TOS (and apparently many of you) my characters should burn in hell for such blasphemy..... and that's just unnecessary.

[Sarduci]

Warning: Opinion follows

It seems to me that the whole account sharing ban was originally conceived to protect an accounts integrity, and to combat 24/7 farming (aka Chinese farming). Thus actioning accounts used by ones spouse/sibling/roomate is a little extreme. It feels against the spirit of the game.

I would guess that a majority of account holders feel the same way, but only speak to the contrary, due to the sheer virtue that it is against the rules.

Is it really reasonable that an account can be closed because I let my friend control my character, from my desk, just to check it out? According to the TOS (and apparently many of you) my characters should burn in hell for such blasphemy..... and that's just unnecessary.

And they wouldn't. You'd be able to reopen the account as the rightful account holder. Giving the account information to your friend so they can level while you work or do arena for you would probably get your account rolled back, toon deleted or gear removed.

[Vyndree]

Giving the account information to your friend so they can level while you work or do arena for you would probably get your account rolled back, toon deleted or gear removed.

This.

Let's not guess what is and isn't within the "spirit of the game". Only Blizzard can say what that is. And I agree, it's sucky to have something so vague in the rules.

Another part of the reason why account sharing isn't allowed is because you're supposed to be able to have an equal opportunity compared to other players. Granted, RL will get in the way and some people won't have as much time to play than others, but if you allow account sharing -- even as minute as "letting a friend check it out" -- then you're opening the floodgates to shared accounts where people can play almost 24/7 and achieve more than the average user would be able to.

If you want to "let a friend check out the game" you can very easily get them a trial key without compromising your own account.

[Mac]

Asherons Call (Turbine/Microsoft) allowed the transfer of accounts and sale of items on e-bay for quite some time. I don't know if they ever changed it, but while it was not SUPPORTED, it was certainly allowed.

The problem is exactly that -- the moment a MMO company allows the sale of accounts, then accounts all of a sudden have value.

If accounts and virtual items had monetary value, then they would be taxable. This brings up a slew of new issues.

So, typically, MMOs use the "lease" style strategy where you are leasing the account from them, but they retain ownership. This is why, to my knowledge (which is why I asked), most MMOs do not support account transfer or sale.

The only MMO I know of that had embraced the "virtual goods for real money" was Second Life. And I was under the impression that they were pioneers of that.

Actually, the Swiss RCE now called Entropia Universe ( formally known as Project Entropia ) was way before Second Life. They would allow transfer/sale of accounts as long as you jumped through all their hoops.

[Knytestorme]

but as a MMO'er for 10 years, wow is the first company to enforce 1 player per 1 account...

Everquest enforced it quite rigidly....didn't stop account sharing amongst guildmembers (AN would never have had the world firsts we did if people didn't share) but it was clamped down on hard at times, and god help you if you got hacked and needed a restore with logs showing two significantly different ip's at times

[PyrostasisTDK]

I played eq for a year or so... my brother and I both swapped accounts many times, and account sales were rampant.

They didnt hunt you down and ban you for playing your familys account... blizzard does.

[Vyndree]

They didnt hunt you down and ban you for playing your familys account... blizzard does.

Actually, they don't. See my previous post about a one in a million chance at getting caught account sharing (especially with a family member).

When you multibox, you are a 1:1 chance of getting caught.

In all technicality, BLIZZARD doesn't necessarily hunt anyone down. It's the player reports. Players report you, and Blizzard investigates. Account sharing is one of the EASIEST things to find.

And how often do multiboxers get reported?

[Naylix]

One thing I've seen popping up several times, is the misconception of a minor playing on your account...

Yes, if you are the legal guardian of a minor, you can setup an account for him/her to play on. BUT THAT MEANS YOU CANNOT F****** PLAY IT YOURSELF! The rule of 1 person playing an account STILL applies. You setup the account for your son to play wow ? Then it's your son who plays wow, not you. You need to buy your own account.

This misconception keeps popping up. Simply put: you CANNOT accountshare with ANYONE, not even your offspring.

Just stop worrying about what you can or cannot do, it's simple as hell: Your name on the account, you play. Anything else is a no-go.

/Mwu

[Vyndree]

Eligibility.
You represent that you are an adult in your country of residence. You agree to these Terms of Use on behalf of yourself and, at your discretion, for one (1) minor child for whom you are a parent or guardian and whom you have authorized to use the account you create on the Service.

Of course, if you're concerned you can always contact the customer service forums and get clarification on this policy. But as I read it, you are allowed to create an account for yourself AND one minor child. Not "or".