Blizzard Squashes "Thousands" Of Hearthstone Botters For Good

It looks like Blizzard decided to get tough on Hearthstone bots after all.

After a round of criticism following its temporary suspension of botting accounts last month, Blizzard toughened up and "permanently banned several thousand Hearthstone accounts found to be using third-party programs that automate gameplay, which is a violation of our Terms of Use."

It's not quite clear whether this action was in response to criticism of its earlier (in)actions or whether it's simply a carrying out of a "well, we warned you and some of you are still doing it" policy, but it's a welcome move. Granted, it's one that the hardcore botters will probably find a way around eventually, but at least it's nice to see Blizzard is serious about these penalties.