Blizzard’s controversially DRM-locked single player Diablo 3 has just had a swift kick up the arse – reports are emerging that user accounts are being hacked, and in-game gold is being sold off.
According to Eurogamer – and they’d know because one of their writers fell victim to all this – it all happened on Sunday.
When, as users of the game will remember, Blizzard pulled the game with just thirty minutes notice. At least we know why now, and hopefully it’s all fixed, although naturally users aren’t exactly happy at a game that’s seen numerous issues since its launch last week.
Rumours suggest that it was down to a SQL injection, although nothing has been confirmed yet. Oddly, some are also suggesting that even Authenticator-locked accounts were vulnerable.
“Players have seen the loss of items stored in character inventory and stash,” says the report, “and gold removed as their accounts are stripped bare.”
Single player modes that require online functionality? The future.
bmg_123
So let’s get this straight. Items in a virtual world were stolen that had no real-world monetary value?! The future is most certainly not looking good…
nofi
real money is meant to be coming soon. regardless, people invest lots of time into their characters.
gernboes
Read “Halting State” by Charles Stross!
Devil2k
As with every other MMO there will be lots of people selling money/equipment on ebay on other sites like for LOADS of money.
It’s a real business and that’s why Blizzard wants in on it with the auction house.
Devil2k
and other sites like it*
Pollen allergy’s killing me:P
OneShotWook
It worked for Valve i guess.
yogdog
They couldn’t have fucked this launch up more if they tried.
herotoozero
Slightly concerning authenticator accounts have been hacked, i don’t see how this is possible though.
herotoozero
And as for the 1st post, virtual currency is big business..have you seen how much money is spent on WOW gold?
Can’t remember the exact estimate but it’s massive.
Burgess_101
Thankfully nothing happened to my Brother and I probably because we have nothing of value :P
Gamoc
The authenticator accounts that were ‘hacked’ were not proper authenticators, they were dial-in authenticators, which are only there to alert you if someone signs into your account from another country. This is easily bypassed via a VPN, naturally.
Actual authenticators, such as the keychain and the app, have not been hacked.
An-dz
Its a bad day when you can have your account hacked, then your SINGLE PLAYER charecter gets all his gear/items looted or sold on to another player, who thought up the system that allows this and what were they on/why have they not been fired.
The Lone Steven
Diablo 3 just can’t get a break. First the servers end up melting due to the amount of users, which is surprising as Blizzard only did that very large MMO that to this day has yet to be toppled, WOW and therefore they should have known this would happen.
Then people found out that they can’t play the game due to the must be online to play SP DRM then this.
Who on earth pays for in game currency? Just who?
LycanGav
Anyone not using the proper authenticator is a bit silly really, can get it on your phone. Just common sense.
Burgess_101
I dont have a phone though :/
Kivi95
Should not be needed if you play singelplayer.
LycanGav
For a game that handles real world cash? Of course it should. Where real money is involved security should always be paramount, for both developers and players.
Kivi95
note ” Singelplayer”