Blizzard Deleting 'Inappropriate' StarCraft 2 Maps

Blizzard is apparently deleting user-made maps developed for StarCraft II that the company deems "inappropriate."

The revelation started with this post on the Battle.net forums, as a StarCraft II player--listed as Cyrileo-- reported that his map Ultimate Tank Defense was deleted due to inappropriate content. Apparently the company didn't actually specify the offending material, thus sparking a rant about how long it took to be informed about the deletion once it was done, or given the option to make a quick fix if the deletion was based on his use of the term "bad ass" within the map.

Community Manager Bashiok eventually stepped in and pointed to the StarCraft II Inappropriate Content Policy Overview. "You're confusing our removal of inappropriate content with some draconian measure to delete maps as we see fit," he said, referring to the negative comments about removing the map. "Our goal is purely to ensure that maps don't contain inappropriate content. Keeping people from seeing your hate speech and obscene images on our private game service is not the same as relinquishing your constitutional freedoms in the hopes of increased personal/familial security."

He later explained that words used in the campaign are not things the company is going to action for. "The map that was removed, and for which this thread exists, WAS NOT removed for using the words 'bad ass'," he admitted. "But we're not going to publicly release why or for what reasons we do remove maps. If the map maker receives that information and chooses to do so, then so be it. That's their discretion. We're working on improving our processes to ensure the map maker has more information on why their map was removed, right now it is a bit vague and has obviously led to this misunderstanding."

Eventually it was revealed that unit movement patterns accidentally formed a "certain anti-Semite symbol" on a minimap within Ultimate Take Defense. "This was unintentional and we have since changed the way the units path (you'll notice the spiffy new terrain)," said one of the map's creators, Brashnard. "We would've liked a bit of a warning before the map was deleted, however."

Blizzard's policy states that map makers will be given a warning first and time to make changes. If the offensive material remains, he/she will be temporarily suspended. After a final warning, further violations will evoke a permanent suspension. Accounts will be closed in "extreme" cases.