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Posted Sep 17th 2007 10:44AM by Elizabeth Wachowski

I've been sidestepping writing about this issue for some time, since it's bound to generate some controversy here and I hate bringing publicity to bad people. But as the topic keeps popping up again and again, particularly on roleplaying servers, it might be time to bring it out into the open.

An erotic roleplaying guild that now spans two realms has been accused of defending pedophiles and engaging in extreme sexual situations without any way to verify that their members are above the age of 18. While the guild in question says it has been reported many times and is not violating policy, and that minors joining an ERP guild are being poorly parented, Blizzard has forcibly disbanded the guild -- only to have it reform under a new name. There might be some disturbing content following the cut, so click at your own risk.

Abhorrent Taboo was mainly a Hordeside RP guild on Ravenholdt, but recently expanded to an Alliance auxillary on Blackwater Raiders. The guild leader posted a somewhat hostile "welcome message" on the BWR forums: "Role-playing is legal. Even if you are role-playing something that would be considered deplorable and highly illegal IRL, it's still just role-playing and isn't subject to any form of disciplinary action. Negative publicity is still publicity. Make a Digg or website about how sick we are. Report us to PervertedJustice. All it does is bring in more members. In fact, the Digg the guy on Ravenholdt made about us was so effective, several people signed up for WoW just to be in our guild. The bottom line is: We're allowed to do what we do on any server we please and no one can do anything about it."

Now, most RP servers are okay with ERP, if a little squicked out by it -- serious roleplayers tend not to like being thought of as cyberers. But AT has a history. As reported by TenTonHammer and then Dugg, AT's leader has talked about pedophilia in a positive way in guild chat. The exact quote is "I want to defend us, but I also want to defend the pedosexual community." The guild leader notes that she was talking about pedophiles who don't actually molest children and that she hates kids herself.

After AT opened their BWR auxillary, a 25-page thread sprung up and was deleted about AT's intentions. AT's recruitment policy, which was reposted onto the BWR forums from elsewhere, stated: "NOTE: Be advised that we frequently ERP in guild chat and often engage in even potentially offensive kinks such as (Extreme) Ageplay, Bestiality, Child Birth, [something that is censored by the WoW forums so I can't tell what it is], Watersports, or any other kink those playing may wish to explore. If you are easily offended or upset by others using kinks you may not personally enjoy, this is not the guild for you. Furthermore, we are a guild based on freedom of love and sex. Monogamy of any kind runs counter to this, and so, all sexually exclusive relationships are prohibited." They add that officers should enjoy ageplay and bestiality. There have also been insinuations, denied by the guild leader, that AT is purposefully lax in checking up on the ages of applicants, and a poster from Ravenholdt says that the guild solicits new players in chat channels without informing them of the purpose of the guild.

As a result, there have been several posts in the Customer Service and Suggestions forums asking that Blizzard do something about extreme ERP. Basically, the opponents say that since Blizzard lets minors in the game, they are responsible for protecting them from unsafe environments, and that AT is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Supporters, or at least non-opponents, say that AT is only engaging in fantasies, that ERP doesn't actually hurt people, and that it's close to impossible to keep minors from joining a guild if they really, really want to.

It looks like Blizzard has come down on the side of the opponents, as Abhorrent Taboo has been forcibly gdisbanded. "This matter is not one Blizzard takes lightly in any way, shape or form, and we do not wish to have this topic continue circulation," wrote Blizzard employee Verrith. " ... Let it finally be said that we appreciate those of you who brought this particular issue to our attention and that we will continue to follow up with this matter in the future to ensure the safety of all parties concerned." However, the members have reformed as Vile Anathema.

I'm torn on what side of the fence to fall on about Blizzard's actions. I'm highly creeped out by "ageplay" in a video game where it's impossible to verify actual age, and the guild leader's posts do seem like they're actively seeking out controversy. But fantasy isn't reality, and I'm not entirely comfortable about the precedent this sets. What do you think about this situation?

As long as no one is meeting IRL, I honestly see no problem with the actions.

Anyways, its a sick situation but w/e they are all just retarded.

I have been creeped out by some of the people on WoW. In my short time in WoW I've been asked to "Make Out" and "Talk Dirty" etc. and I saw a bunch of girls stripping in dancing in Booty Bay.

The dancing naked is nothing new but the dirty cyber attempts can get rather annoying.

My personal opinion is each to their own. We live in a free world where people can do as they please and computer games are a release for some people. While I dont find the thought of what they are doing appealing to say the least, it is their choice in what they wish to persue. Blizzard made the right choice disbanding the guild, Protecting children is one of the most important factors in computer games - shielding them from sexual content and language should be a top priority. Im sure some people would disagree and say the game is their for anyone to do as they please but if you want to talk about sexual content or other such business their are plenty of ways to do it via adult websites or personal messaging programs.

What two consenting adults do in a role play situation in a game is one thing.

What an adult does to a child in a role play situation in a game is another.

Think about it.

my 2 cents .... my 15yr old wants to play ... now im not to sure about that ... what ever happened to kids just being kids .... we will most likely let her play only while dad is on ... or me ... and we already talked to our guild leaders and let them know she will be joining so when she is on or in vent the agree they wont out of hand at least beyond what my teenager already knows.... and thats more than what i knew at that age ... too bad kids cant just be kids no more

I agree to the sexual freedom thing to an extent, one has a right to explore all avenues of sexuality that they wish to experience. However I disagree with the Pedosexual comments, those people shouldn't be protected. Cause that is taking advantage of a mind that isn't yet developed and doesn't really know what it does and does not like yet...and is just plain sick.

Roleplay is roleplay, it has it's own limits for each person that enjoys it.

Some like to RP Orcs that march into villages destorying all in their path.

Some like to RP Undead who feast on the living.

Others RP the heroic Paladin and the shady Rogue, RP is just a way to use your imagination and people should let their imaginations flow freely. If sexuality is their imagination release then they have that freedom, as long as the sexuality they wish to RP with isn't breaking any of their own person state laws cause I know a lot of states frown upon beastality and it is Illegal in the state.....{Hopefully this doesn't imply for the state DiP lives in, wouldn't want the law to get in between him and his true loves BAAAAAAAAH }. Cause though WoW is a multi-country game, the province laws of each area still apply to the player.

I'm not saying anything the Guild Leader listed are personal fetishes of mine but I do support the freedom of sex per individual. What you do with your personal life is your business as long as you aren't breaking any laws then whatever tickles your pickle.

Yup... that is why I played men for awhile so I stop getting crap like that... got old... got old really fast. but so far Blackwater Raiders and Farstriders I haven't got much of it... if any fairly rare. Never got hit on on Farstriders... yet... give it time

-RMS Carpathia-

Sorry Glam, I'll quit trying. *sigh*