Blizzard Entertainment, the American video game developer and publisher, recently updated its End User License Agreement (EULA) for all its games, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo III. These changes are important for gamers to understand, as they outline new rules and regulations that can affect how they play and interact with Blizzard’s games.

One of the most significant changes to the EULA is the addition of a mandatory arbitration clause. This means that any legal disputes between Blizzard and its users must be settled through arbitration rather than going to court. This clause has been controversial because it limits users’ rights to sue the company for damages or legal action. Instead, they are only allowed to pursue arbitration, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Another change to the EULA is the introduction of a new section that addresses in-game harassment. This section prohibits players from engaging in behavior that is “abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or otherwise unacceptable.” This includes using offensive language, making threats, or engaging in hate speech. Players who violate this section of the EULA may face disciplinary action, including account suspension or banning.

Also, Blizzard has updated its privacy policy to comply with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), which requires companies to disclose how they collect and use users’ personal information. This update also clarifies how Blizzard collects and uses player data, such as IP addresses and device information, and how players can control their data.

Finally, the EULA has undergone several smaller changes, including the updating of several sections to clarify language and make the agreement easier to read. For example, the section on account termination has been reworded to be more straightforward, and the section on user content now specifies that Blizzard owns the rights to content created in its games.

In conclusion, these updates to Blizzard’s EULA are essential for gamers to be aware of as they affect how they interact with the company’s games. It’s important to read the entire agreement and understand the new clauses to avoid disciplinary action or disputes down the road. Blizzard’s updated EULA can be found on its website, and if you have any questions, be sure to contact their customer support team.