Can Blizzard delete a character if they feel like it?

[HotStuff]

I took out a one month subscription and paid via paypal. First time I have done this as I usually buy gamecards, but gamecards have become more expensive than buying time online. I specifically did not check the box that said "renew subscription monthly".

Last nite when I checked by account details it said that I was on a "recurring subscription" which would renew on 1/10/12. Obviously I was not happy about this. The only way I could cancel this was to cancel my account. Rather strong words used by blizzard when all I wanted was them not to take money off me on 1/10/12. My account is still active and will stop/cancel I don't know what on the 1/10/12. My concern is part of the email Blizzard sent me.

At this time, Blizzard has no plans to delete or “expire” characters, even if an account is deactivated or cancelled. However, we do reserve the right to delete the characters on cancelled accounts at any time.

Is this a threat?

 

[magosreborn]

I believe that is just legal jargen that is put there to cover their arse. I have had my account inactive for extended periods and always came back to everything the way it was. It sounds like a threat but its just like the long list of warning labels on all products nowa days, and when the time ever comes for them to stop supporting it they can then clear out the data with no legal issues.

 

[Spicypixel]

On a more literal note since your character is a row of figures in a database, yes they can.

 

[Jayde]

They certainly can, although I never heard of them doing that, even on accounts that had been cancelled for months. In any case I think it's a safe bet that they will toss you an email a couple weeks in advance. They even inform people on cancelled accounts about less important stuff such as upcoming RaF mount changes.

This might become more of an issue towards the end of WoW's life when server merges and the resulting name clashes become inevitable. But even in that case I'm sure they'd just force a character name change the next time you reactivate and log in. Storing characters on their servers costs them virtually nothing and deleting any is not in their best interest.

 

[Silk]

Technically they can delete inactive accounts yes. Practically if they were ever to do this the PR shockwave would be so great it would force them to reconsider.

Long story short, blizz, like any other mmo company, won't delete your account.

 

[Burrick]

Well i cancelled my account over a year and a half ago due to anger issues : ) came back a few weeks ago and everything was exactly how I left it, so no worries there mate...... besides if they had of deleted any of my stuff I would of hunted them down killed them,their family and the fucking dog!

But hey all better now so on with wow!

 

[Huung]

Well i cancelled my account over a year and a half ago due to anger issues : ) came back a few weeks ago and everything was exactly how I left it, so no worries there mate...... besides if they had of deleted any of my stuff I would of hunted them down killed them,their family and the fucking dog!

But hey all better now so on with wow!

Come play GW2, we miss you.

 

[HotStuff]

Thanks for the reassurance guys.

I see no point in playing when MoP comes out in a few days. I am on a pretty busy realm and the queues to connect will be ridiculous. I had to wait 3 hours just after cataclysm was released 2 years ago - I am not getting caught out like that again. Also the AH will have ridiculous prices for for the new items.

Better to stay away for a few weeks and let everything calm down.

 

[Jayde]

Come play GW2, we miss you.

Burrick, ya old roister-doister, listen to the man and getcho buttocks to Tyria!

 

[Burrick]

Burrick, ya old roister-doister, listen to the man and getcho buttocks to Tyria!

lol! Love you guys, I might well come play that one too : )