Application development is nothing new. Back in the day, AOL allowed software makers to develop software to interact with AOL. As far back as I can remember the same thing always happens. Anything online with an API falls down the same path.

• Company allows developers to create software to interact with their product.
• Things go well for a period of time.
• Some greedy developer decides to push the limits, crippling the user experience.
• Company ends up putting in restrictions to block malicious behavior.
• Developers get upset because the rules changed.

People scoff at knowing history but one who takes the time and knows the history of their community or niche will go far by not repeating the same mistakes. Knowing what I stated above, one would think the people who created add-ons for World of Warcraft would not be surprised at the new policy changes. Let’s take a look at what happened and then look into the future.

Things Go Well For a Period of Time

Blizzard, through their API, allows developers to create add-ons that can add functionality to the game or even change the UI’s appearance. World of Warcraft was released four years ago and the add-on community is extremely active. Most add-ons are free, some ask for donations and there are a small amount of premium add-ons that have to be purchased to use. The creativity of the add-on community is excellent. The period of time things went well? Four years. Before we go any further, let’s keep in mind World of Warcraft’s Terms of Service that everyone agrees to when they play the game:

Grant of a Limited License to Use the Service
Subject to your agreement to and continuing compliance with the Terms of Use agreement, you may use the Service solely for your own non-commercial entertainment purposes by accessing it with an authorized, unmodified Game Client. You may not use the Service for any other purpose, or in connection with any other software.

Additional License Limitations.
B. exploit the Game or any of its parts, including without limitation the Service, for any commercial purpose, including without limitation (a) use at a cyber cafe, computer gaming center or any other location-based site without the express written consent of Blizzard; (b) for gathering in-game currency, items or resources for sale outside the Game; or (c) performing in-game services in exchange for payment outside the Game, e.g., power-leveling;

Some greedy developer decides to push the limits, crippling the user experience.

Over time developers got the bright idea of making income off of the add-ons. Most just wanted to recoup their hosting fees and if there was extra they were happy. The ones that wanted to make a living off of their add-on (they went from creating to boost the community to being all about the money). As with all things, if someone is doing something for the wrong reasons they tend to make dumb decisions. Let me be clear in distinguishing the greedy developer from a developer like Zygor. Zygor’s leveling add-on(s) were not free but they handled their “business” like a business by advertising their product, not soliciting customers or abusing privileges, they supported their product, etc. They even had an affiliate program giving bloggers the opportunity to make money. Zygor reminds me of strategy guide publishers. They handled their business the same way.

Enter the Carbonite and QuestHelper developers. Carbonite and QuestHelper are leveling add-ons. Carbonite charged for their add-ons (but had a free limited version) and QuestHelper solicited for donations once the add-on was installed in-game. To compete with QuestHelper Carbonite developers got the bright idea of offering a free version with advertisements, in game. Many users were shocked to update the add-on and find in-game ads. Considering one pays to play World of Warcraft there are not many people who want to see advertisements but there were many people who were dependent on the add-on to level, particularly since the free “crippled” version of Carbonite was included in many UI packages. Things were quickly getting out of hand and it was time for Blizzard to step in. To be fair there are other add-on developers “pushing the limits” but these two add-ons are two the community will always name first.

Company ends up putting in restrictions to block malicious behavior.

The timing was perfect for Blizzard to step in because a patch is on the horizon where many of these add-ons would break. Update under the new terms or leave the playground. Blizzard announced the new add-on policy. Keep in mind that Blizzard does not take away the ability to make money completely:

5) Add-ons may not solicit donations.
Add-ons may not include requests for donations. We recognize the immense amount of effort and resources that go into developing an add-on; however, such requests should be limited to the add-on website or distribution site and should not appear in the game.

Essentially, an add-on developer will possibly make enough to recoup hosting fees and perhaps have extra money but the odds of making a living off an add-on are minimal.

Developers get upset because the rules changed.

Of course, some developers (namely the ones pushing the limits) became upset and some pulled their add-ons. Others will not be updated after the next patch. The add-on community is shaken up a bit but when the patch drops, the community will band together and honestly, there are free add-ons people will migrate to.

The key here: in order for Blizzard (or any company) to stop the deviant behavior, the change has to be applied to the entire community.

History Tends to Repeat Itself

For those that scoff at knowing history, smart people learn from history and do not repeat the same mistakes. If I were a developer I would not expect to earn money from something I built off of someone else’s API unless it was something like Apple or Facebook, where there was a verified (endorsed) system in place. Apple and Facebook charge a fee and encourage the developers to make money. In other words, a better foundation exists to build one’s future. Even in these environments, companies have later added restrictions because of #2 – the greedy developer.

Keep in mind it took four years for Blizzard to implement this change. If you are going to develop something that interacts with someone else’s intellectual property, invest your time with a company that has firm rules in place. It will save you a lot of trouble in the end.

If you opt not to follow my advice and when the inevitable change happens because the greedy developer surfaces, do not complain. Do not whine. You made your bed.

Lie in it. Quietly.