Rule of thumb was if it was not applying a custom patch, nor modifying the MPQ file, it was fine. Blizzard no longer uses the MPQ format from what I understand, though I assume policy is more or less the same for the new one. There was a time both sounds and graphics could be added without breaking any rules, but eventually Blizzard broke that functionality with graphics, however they left it in with sounds. I remember it being fine because I posted a sound mod right on the front page of GD back in Wrath, the mod reverted Kel’Thuzad’s new bad Wrath voice back to the vanilla awesome voice.
Changing models without changing textures in vanilla could be pretty funny btw.
https://i.imgur.com/WcCSUu7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/jJT5W6w.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/B468pGy.jpg
Literally nightmare fuel
and yes I said literally on purpose
To add to what they said, this actually happened to a fair number of players either this year or last. A bunch of people got 6-month suspensions. The underlying cause was addon that were circumventing Blizzard’s anti-cheat system to modify flies. The tame use, what got a lot of people swept up, was character models. Blizzard overturned suspensions when it could confirm that was all that it was used for, but strongly warned that it was not allowed.
The key, though, was not the file-swap alone, but the extra stuff the addon had to do to convince the game server things were kosher.
EULA doesn’t superacid the law.
And there is a precedent (Blizzard vs MDY) where it was specifically decided that files are property of the user. But, Blizzard can prohibit the use of modified files. I know, the difference is small for average user. But legally you CAN change files, but you cannot USE changed version.
Edit : And you said yourself “Use the software”. Changing files does not involve using of software.
That’s not how software licensing works. You don’t own the files.
Also:
The Court agreed with Blizzard’s arguments that WoW purchasers were not legal owners of the game software but instead licensees.