They force you to use an ingame overlay which they run ads on you can’t block so enjoy watching tv ads in WoW.
Sadly we don’t know for how long this will be an option since overcancer has decided that they don’t want other add-on managers using their API. Wowup made a post about it saying that if they (overwolf) goes on with locking them (and others) from accessing the api there is very little they can do about it.
Just another thing to show how bad overwolf is, they’re not even offering the addons yet and are already trying to become a monopoly, simply because they know if there is any other option that is not them, people will not choose them, their reputation speaks for itself.
I keep hearing about the malware stuff but no one offering any links to proof. When I googled I got nothing so I’m not 100% on this. Can anyone get a reputable link with proof over overwolf ads injecting malware?
All it will take to keep 3rd party updaters working is for a few major addon devs to get together and tell overwolf that if they close the API they will no longer allow their apps to be hosted on Curse. They wouldn’t even have to follow through on it, just threaten to leave leave curse. IF say the devs for the top 10 downloaded addons that would be a big hit.
If the site / addon manager is used less that impacts their bottom line.
Also everyone one of these threads helps get the news out about Overwolf’s business practices.
You can see here in their help article:
The PC games data available within the Newzoo platform covers a variety of metrics and insights into the engagement of PC players and the performance of games.
The core PC game metrics are obtained through our partnership with Overwolf. Overwolf is a tech company based in Tel Aviv, Israel. They developed an overlay software that allows gamers to install apps that can be used in-game. They have 300+ specific apps for specific games. The Overwolf data sample best represents the male core PC gamer aged 15 to 35.
Source here: http://help.platform.newzoo.com/en/articles/4345617-pc-engagement-data-methodology#:~:text=The%20PC%20games%20data%20available%20within%20the%20Newzoo,a%20tech%20company%20based%20in%20Tel%20Aviv%2C%20Israel.
Malware can be a bit of an umbrella term. There’s the classic viruses and worms. Then there’s spyware such as keyloggers etc. Then there’s ransomware which encrypts all your data till you pay up.
Finally there’s adware and bloatware, which is basically the category overwolf falls into IMO. Bloatware is essentially a feature-creeped, poorly coded, resource hog of a piece of software. Adware essentially will try to insert ads into software you use. Although in this case it’s only inserting ads into itself. Time will tell whether that changes to expanding ads into addons or even wow itself (they wouldn’t be the first company in the world to say one thing but do another).
If you look at the previous threads on the topic, you will see examples of how overwolf typically operates and IMO, Overwolf seems to fit into the umbrella term. However even if you disagree, I still don’t think it healthy for the add-on community to get so commercialised and locked down in an IOS store style shakedown.
Oh no I totally agree. It shouldn’t be commercialized and what Overwolf is doing is wrong, also thank you for the slightly better response than the first one I got.
Indeed, from how I read their statement they want to shut down other Addon managers and basically monopolize the Addon Management market.
They also really like to try and guilt people with money. Their original post, when it was announced that Overwolf would be taking the reigns from Twitch and making their own Addon Manager, was pretty quick to shame anyone who didn’t want advertisements. They said there would be a way to disable ads without premium if “you don’t want to support addon authors” They are pulling the same “Guilt Trip” comments with their latest statement by making it about money and trying to make anyone who wants to use a different manager out as if they are actively trying to harm addon authors by taking away from their “livelihood”.
Also, I know they are saying that “70% of ad revenue” will go to Addon Authors but I doubt most addon authors will see much of anything from Overwolf unless they are a massive addon that gets TONS of traffic like DBM, Weak Auras, etc. Even then, I am 99% sure that they will be getting pennies on the dollar in the same way Youtubers and Twitch Streams do not get much in the way of Advertisement Revenue.
Honestly, ever since their Original Post they have not been winning me over at all and their newest statement just further’s my personal distaste with how they carry themselves. I personally don’t take well to any person, organization, etc. that tries to guilt me and make me into a bad person if I don’t do what they want.
All the more reason to stay away from them. If they’re going to play stupid games like that, then they will win stupid prizes.
Unfortunately for them, I have alternatives already lined up.
If Bartender doesn’t adapt, I have elvui.
I dont even get addons from curseforge. Legacy wow has all the addons i need.
~https://legacy-wow.com/
just going to leave this here and laugh when this inevitably happens in wow, fix the link so i cant post them
https:// medal .tv/clips/3317393/4YxC3EVBD9ht
You are perceived being an employee because you are purposely ignoring sources and links someone posted above.
Yea, could happen.
I’ve looked at those links and sources, but they don’t show anything about the addon client that Overwolf is developing because it’s not even out yet. None show proof of malware or any specific harm Overwolf has caused.
If you read the official posts from Overwolf they contradict half of what people in this thread are saying, but they choose not to believe it because of unfounded rumors basically.
dont mind wasselin, hes just astroturfing for overwolf
I’d also like to see any actual proof that this company is as bad as some are saying. Hell, look at wowhead, it has had issues in the past and people still continue to use it because its such a valuable resource. I would find it very tedious and difficult to be constantly manually downloading addons and updates and unless I can find reliable information online that verifies it is a risk (given you can opt out of data collection and use add blocker technology to help control popups) I will likely use it for pure convenience. And even then, I can test run it myself and if I find its a problem, stop using it.
Seeing that one animated gif someone posted of a commercial playing on top of Hearthstone was more than enough for me.
Nope. Plain and simple. Next.
So I guess the performance hit you take when you have to have your add-on load a commercial for you is inconsequential.
Like I said, nope.
I want my add-on to do what it’s supposed to do, not fill my computer with bloat, then having to install more bloat to mitigate the previous bloat.
OR, I can just replace my add-ons with similar ones that don’t do that.
OMG no no no no!!!
Sketchy place bro. They support NO one but themselves. .
Oh man
We have told you over and over we have history. Overwolf is not new. I will trust my experience with them over lies in a public facing post from a company that breaks it all the time.
You are welcome to do what you want man. But I suspect your computer might look like this.
it’s how he likes it LOL