Today, Blizzard Entertainment announced that boosting communities in World of Warcraft is now prohibited.
“As of today, we will now prohibit organizations who offer boosting, matchmaking, escrow, or other non-traditional services, including those offered for gold,” the forum post reads. “World of Warcraft accounts found to be in violation of this policy are subject to account actions. These actions can include warnings, account suspensions and, if necessary, permanent closure of the disruptive World of Warcraft account(s). Organizations operating across multiple realms and excessively advertising non-traditional in-game sales are contrary to the terms and conditions of the Blizzard End-User License Agreement (EULA).”
Boosting Communities are an extremely contentious topic in World of Warcraft. Their services include allowing players to obtain high-level accomplishments, achievements, and other rare items. Usually, a player will purchase these boosts with in-game money. The transaction can occur in-game, through a Discord, or a website for a specific Boosting Community. Last year, content creator Bellular did an investigative series that explains them in high-level detail.
The statement by Blizzard does seem to be a little vague on purpose. That’s because while boosting communities specifically are now banned, the act of boosting is still perfectly legal. Guilds are still able to advertise their boosts in-game. Level boosters in Classic WoW can do the same as well. The big caveat here is that any large-scale, multi-realm organization is now illegal. Accounts that are taking part in advertising them are subject to suspension.
Many have been vocal in their displeasure of boosting communities in World of Warcraft. The removal of communities and organizations will be seen as a step in the right direction, but it will still exist as a part of the game. As long as the economy exists in World of Warcraft, boosting will live alongside it. Still, it’s yet another step in the right direction for a company trying to earn back the trust of its players.
