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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/aug/29/world-of-warcraft-iran-us-sanctions
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| World of Warcraft players in Iran hit by US sanctions | World of Warcraft players in Iran hit by US sanctions |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Iranian gamers have been shut out of the hugely popular online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Publisher Activision Blizzard has said that it is complying with US trade sanctions on the country. | Iranian gamers have been shut out of the hugely popular online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Publisher Activision Blizzard has said that it is complying with US trade sanctions on the country. |
| Last week, Blizzard's online message boards began to receive messages from disgruntled players in Iran, complaining that they could no longer access the game's servers. | Last week, Blizzard's online message boards began to receive messages from disgruntled players in Iran, complaining that they could no longer access the game's servers. |
| Eventually, the company posted a statement explaining the situation. | Eventually, the company posted a statement explaining the situation. |
| "What we can tell you is that United States trade restrictions and economic sanction laws prohibit Blizzard from doing business with residents of certain nations, including Iran," it said. | "What we can tell you is that United States trade restrictions and economic sanction laws prohibit Blizzard from doing business with residents of certain nations, including Iran," it said. |
| "This week, Blizzard tightened up its procedures to ensure compliance with these laws, and players connecting from the affected nations are restricted from access to Blizzard games and services." | "This week, Blizzard tightened up its procedures to ensure compliance with these laws, and players connecting from the affected nations are restricted from access to Blizzard games and services." |
| The statement explained that because of the terms of the US trade sanction, it would be unable to offer any refunds, credits, transfers, or other service options to accounts in Iran or other countries where similar sanctions were in place. | The statement explained that because of the terms of the US trade sanction, it would be unable to offer any refunds, credits, transfers, or other service options to accounts in Iran or other countries where similar sanctions were in place. |
| The US is stepping up economic pressure on Iran as it seeks more information on the country's nuclear programme. | The US is stepping up economic pressure on Iran as it seeks more information on the country's nuclear programme. |
| The move has prompted a mixed reaction from Iranian gamers, who are still able to access the game's message boards. While some have expressed disappointment, others have posted angry criticisms of Blizzards actions. | The move has prompted a mixed reaction from Iranian gamers, who are still able to access the game's message boards. While some have expressed disappointment, others have posted angry criticisms of Blizzards actions. |
| One comment on the notice board reads: "Blizzard had full knowledge that this was going to happen. But what did they do? They continued to accept subscriptions and MoP pre orders." | One comment on the notice board reads: "Blizzard had full knowledge that this was going to happen. But what did they do? They continued to accept subscriptions and MoP pre orders." |
| Before Blizzard's statement, there were theories that the Iranian government itself was blocking access to popular online games. Last year, the country's FARS news agency reported that the first-person shooter Battlefield 3 had been banned. | Before Blizzard's statement, there were theories that the Iranian government itself was blocking access to popular online games. Last year, the country's FARS news agency reported that the first-person shooter Battlefield 3 had been banned. |
| More recently, Iranian gamers contacted US game sites claiming that the country's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was cracking down on all titles 'promoting' superstition or mythology. | More recently, Iranian gamers contacted US game sites claiming that the country's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was cracking down on all titles 'promoting' superstition or mythology. |
| Difficulties in accessing other fantasy adventure games such as the popular Guild Wars titles have also been discussed on gaming message boards. | Difficulties in accessing other fantasy adventure games such as the popular Guild Wars titles have also been discussed on gaming message boards. |
| World of Warcraft is the world's largest subscription-based online multiplayer game, with around 10 million users. Participants pay a monthly fee to explore its vast landscapes, engaging in quests and upgrading their in-game characters. | World of Warcraft is the world's largest subscription-based online multiplayer game, with around 10 million users. Participants pay a monthly fee to explore its vast landscapes, engaging in quests and upgrading their in-game characters. |
| A new update, Mists of Pandaria is due out later this year – it's doubtful whether the game's Iranian fans will get to see it. | A new update, Mists of Pandaria is due out later this year – it's doubtful whether the game's Iranian fans will get to see it. |
| Criminal behaviour – it's all in the game | Criminal behaviour – it's all in the game |
| 29 Jul 2009 | 29 Jul 2009 |
| Street gangs and World of Warcraft may not seem linked but analysis of the online role-playing game is helping fight crime in LA | Street gangs and World of Warcraft may not seem linked but analysis of the online role-playing game is helping fight crime in LA |
| 19 Dec 2010 | 19 Dec 2010 |
| World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – review | World of Warcraft: Cataclysm – review |
| 23 Nov 2009 | 23 Nov 2009 |
| World of Warcraft celebrates five-year anniversary | World of Warcraft celebrates five-year anniversary |
| 29 Mar 2007 | |
| Grab some Wow this weekend | |
| 20 Sep 2004 | 20 Sep 2004 |
| World blown away by US storms | World blown away by US storms |
| World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King | World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King |
| 14 Nov 2008 | 14 Nov 2008 |
| This latest expansion pack proves why World of Warcraft is still top dog in the realm of massively multiplayer online gaming | This latest expansion pack proves why World of Warcraft is still top dog in the realm of massively multiplayer online gaming |
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| Blizzard prevents Iranian gamers from accessing the popular online role playing game due to trade restrictions | Blizzard prevents Iranian gamers from accessing the popular online role playing game due to trade restrictions |
| Iranian gamers have been shut out of the hugely popular online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Publisher Activision Blizzard has said that it is complying with US trade sanctions on the country. | Iranian gamers have been shut out of the hugely popular online role-playing game World of Warcraft. Publisher Activision Blizzard has said that it is complying with US trade sanctions on the country. |
| Last week, Blizzard's online message boards began to receive messages from disgruntled players in Iran, complaining that they could no longer access the game's servers. | Last week, Blizzard's online message boards began to receive messages from disgruntled players in Iran, complaining that they could no longer access the game's servers. |
| Eventually, the company posted a statement explaining the situation. | Eventually, the company posted a statement explaining the situation. |
| "What we can tell you is that United States trade restrictions and economic sanction laws prohibit Blizzard from doing business with residents of certain nations, including Iran," it said. | "What we can tell you is that United States trade restrictions and economic sanction laws prohibit Blizzard from doing business with residents of certain nations, including Iran," it said. |
| "This week, Blizzard tightened up its procedures to ensure compliance with these laws, and players connecting from the affected nations are restricted from access to Blizzard games and services." | "This week, Blizzard tightened up its procedures to ensure compliance with these laws, and players connecting from the affected nations are restricted from access to Blizzard games and services." |
| The statement explained that because of the terms of the US trade sanction, it would be unable to offer any refunds, credits, transfers, or other service options to accounts in Iran or other countries where similar sanctions were in place. | The statement explained that because of the terms of the US trade sanction, it would be unable to offer any refunds, credits, transfers, or other service options to accounts in Iran or other countries where similar sanctions were in place. |
| The US is stepping up economic pressure on Iran as it seeks more information on the country's nuclear programme. | The US is stepping up economic pressure on Iran as it seeks more information on the country's nuclear programme. |
| The move has prompted a mixed reaction from Iranian gamers, who are still able to access the game's message boards. While some have expressed disappointment, others have posted angry criticisms of Blizzards actions. | The move has prompted a mixed reaction from Iranian gamers, who are still able to access the game's message boards. While some have expressed disappointment, others have posted angry criticisms of Blizzards actions. |
| One comment on the notice board reads: "Blizzard had full knowledge that this was going to happen. But what did they do? They continued to accept subscriptions and MoP pre orders." | One comment on the notice board reads: "Blizzard had full knowledge that this was going to happen. But what did they do? They continued to accept subscriptions and MoP pre orders." |
| Before Blizzard's statement, there were theories that the Iranian government itself was blocking access to popular online games. Last year, the country's FARS news agency reported that the first-person shooter Battlefield 3 had been banned. | Before Blizzard's statement, there were theories that the Iranian government itself was blocking access to popular online games. Last year, the country's FARS news agency reported that the first-person shooter Battlefield 3 had been banned. |
| More recently, Iranian gamers contacted US game sites claiming that the country's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was cracking down on all titles 'promoting' superstition or mythology. | More recently, Iranian gamers contacted US game sites claiming that the country's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance was cracking down on all titles 'promoting' superstition or mythology. |
| Difficulties in accessing other fantasy adventure games such as the popular Guild Wars titles have also been discussed on gaming message boards. | Difficulties in accessing other fantasy adventure games such as the popular Guild Wars titles have also been discussed on gaming message boards. |
| World of Warcraft is the world's largest subscription-based online multiplayer game, with around 10 million users. Participants pay a monthly fee to explore its vast landscapes, engaging in quests and upgrading their in-game characters. | World of Warcraft is the world's largest subscription-based online multiplayer game, with around 10 million users. Participants pay a monthly fee to explore its vast landscapes, engaging in quests and upgrading their in-game characters. |
| A new update, Mists of Pandaria is due out later this year – it's doubtful whether the game's Iranian fans will get to see it. | A new update, Mists of Pandaria is due out later this year – it's doubtful whether the game's Iranian fans will get to see it. |