Expert opinion on the influences of bots on the economy and gaming enjoyment in mmorpgs Version dated 29 th March 2012 Compiled by Prof. Dr rer nat. Wolfgang Broll on behalf of Bossland GmbH



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Expert opinion on the influences of bots
7.3. Conclusions
As illustrated, bots have an effect on the economy within MMORPGs in the same way as real players. This is logical as they perform exactly the same tasks as a real player. In relation to the widespread mudflation this means, however, that they neither appreciably accelerate nor decelerate nor otherwise change this as far as can be postulated without extensive empirical investigation.
In contrast, it can be conjectured that the use of bots can further accelerate consolidation in the gold farming sector. However, it remains to be seen whether this external relationship of the gaming currency is only relevant for gold farmers, their customers and potential botters. Possible effects were also not the cause of bot use. All other players who use neither bots nor acquire gold from the RMT market are initially not affected.


Prof. Dr. W. Broll
Gutachten zum Einfluss von Bots auf Spielspaß und Ökonomie in MMORPGS
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8. Critical appreciation of Dr. Edward Castronova’s expert opinion
(2007)
In the expert opinion entitled “Effects of botting on World of Warcraft®” (original dated
13/11/2007; certified translation dated 04/11/2001), Dr. Edward Castronova deals with the use of the Glider bot and its influence on the business activities of Blizzard
Entertainment. Whilst the expert opinion seems to follow an apparently consistent and coherent line of argument, on more intensive examination a series of contradictions and imprecisions become visible which cause significant doubts about the expert opinion’s results and conclusions, as will be shown in the following.
8.1. The legality of bot production
In the conclusion of his expert opinion, Dr. Castranova writes that Blizzard
Entertainment’s and WoW’s conditions for use prohibit Glider and also all other kinds of bot. This statement is false or at least inapplicably formulated in this form. A software producer’s conditions for use basically cannot prohibit the production of software by another provider.
The production of certain software could only be prohibited judicially as is the case in Europe for software which bypasses copy protection. However, Blizzard Entertainment prohibits the use of bots by its players in its conditions for use. This is, however, a decisive difference because this makes clear that the producers of bots are not and may not be limited in their entrepreneurial activities by Blizzard. Regardless of this, the applicability of the conditions for use still remains questionable, at least for European and German users, as already stated.

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