Blizzard deals Alpha leak site a potential killing blow
by Zach Yonzon 
Jun 20th 2008 at 2:30PM
The WotLK Information Wiki formerly had detailed information on the spells and abilities of the new hero class, the Death Knight, as well as new 51-point talents for most classes. It also hosted and updated a copy of the latest build of the Alpha client, and showed previews of numerous models in the expansion such as speculated vanity pets and armor sets. None of this information is currently available, although the site's message states that they are "having a little trouble" and "hopefully will be back shortly". The current refuge of Alpha-hungry players are in an IRC channel called #wotlkwiki in irc.mmoforge.org, where the header cryptically (or not-so-cryptically) states that "THE MEN IN SUITS, THEY TOOK THE WIKI ON VACATION TODAY. Might return tonight."
If the Alpha wiki team succeeds in conforming (or going around) the rules laid by the intellectual property firm, it might return to serve up information sometime soon. We'll keep a close eye on these developments; whatever happens, we've learned that it's tough to keep a good secret from getting out.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items, Wrath of the Lich King, Rumors
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
innajunglestylee Jun 20th 2008 2:36PM
C&D hits Wiki for 100,000.
Wiki dies.
Aigarius Jun 20th 2008 4:08PM
And ressurects the next day after removing a few screenshots, removing 'official' from the title and mentioning that some content of the pages might be copyright of Blizzard. They are still in the domain of fair use and free speech in all other aspects.
AeitZean Jun 20th 2008 2:45PM
Ill probably treated harshly for saying this but, good!
i was personally fed up of all the new 'leaked alpha' details that tbh have been including many spoilers.
Lios Jun 20th 2008 2:54PM
Then don't look for them? It's not like it's pushed into your face everytime you open your browser, you really have to look for it. No official site has leaks/spoilers. I like seeing little things of what we will get, it keeps me interested enough to keep playing and leveling yet another alt.
PimpyMicPimp Jun 20th 2008 5:52PM
You have no self control, then.
If you don't want to see it, don't look at it. You don't need businesses to parent you. You do have a brain, correct?
uncaringbear Jun 20th 2008 8:13PM
I agree. I'm tired of hearing about leaked information that is highly likely to change before beta, much less final release. And NDA's are there for a reason - to protect a company from competitors. Surely we have some respect for Blizzard's right to protect its investment?
Tenchan Jun 20th 2008 2:46PM
I highly disapprove of breaking NDAs. I hope they do -not- get around the rules.
Lucas J Jun 20th 2008 2:55PM
Quick question... have you read ANY of the information that has resulted from these broken NDAs? Since the client was still in ALPHA, a majority of it will change, if not ALL of it.
Yes, while it is bad to break an NDA, would you honestly expect everyone to actually do so when there are 10+ million people begging for any information they can get?
The same thing happened Pre-BC. There will be other sites that pop up. Once a company releases a product to the public, it's there for good.
ikono Jun 20th 2008 3:03PM
Too bad they never signed an NDA, huh?
Nogun Jun 20th 2008 3:03PM
Some did break the NDA because there were shortly screenshots available of item tooltips. These are only available on the server side, item statistics aren't located in the client.
It came down to level 75 Blue being on par with S4/T6.
Tenchan Jun 20th 2008 3:15PM
Everyone who leaked this information to the Wiki broke the NDA, ikono.
The fact is that NDAs are there -exactly because- information changes. They are supposed to avoid false expectations and demands based on these.
I can understand that you guys can't wait for new info, but that does not change the fact that there is an NDA and that it was broken. Would you defend those who break the TOS/EULA so vigorously too?
Nick S Jun 20th 2008 3:18PM
it's not necessarily a crime to publish information resulting from a broken NDA, provided that you yourself are not under the NDA.
i'd be sad to see it go. i love that site.
Lechter Jun 20th 2008 3:46PM
It's not a crime to break an NDA in almost any case. It's a tort, which can become the basis for a lawsuit in civil, not criminal, court.
Eternalpayn Jun 20th 2008 4:09PM
The dataminers didn't sign an NDA... they just downloaded the client.
Suzaku Jun 21st 2008 12:16AM
Some people did break NDAs by leaking screenshots and information directly from the alpha, but most of the leaks were data-mined from the client by people who didn't have access to the alpha and never signed any NDA. Blizzard can try hitting them with copyright infringement stuff, but the fact is that a non-disclosure agreement doesn't apply to someone who never agreed to one.
This, also, isn't going to stop the leaks, it'll just temporarily disorganize them.
loren Jun 22nd 2008 1:14AM
What if they never actually purchased the game... or never installed the game, thus they would never have actually been bound by an NDA...
chaud Jun 20th 2008 2:47PM
Wiki does not die at all.
Marla Jun 20th 2008 2:58PM
This.
Esdot Jun 20th 2008 3:06PM
Seconded
Kivnel Jun 20th 2008 3:06PM
Chaud > *
Wiki foreva!