So, it seems Blizzard (i.e. WOW) wants your real name on their forums very soon. This is really a silly idea (IMHO). Read on:
The internet is raging this afternoon over Blizzard's plans to put World of Warcraft users' real names on their official forum posts. The bastards.
The Diablo developer's revealed that, if you post on the version of its forum that will launch with the new StarCraft, your real name, rather than your username, will be shown.
It seems like Blizzard's looking to turn Battle.net into more of a social network than a competitive matchmaking service, as it says itself:
"It's important to us to create a new and different kind of online gaming environment - one that's highly social, and which provides an ideal place for gamers to form long-lasting, meaningful relationships. All of our design decisions surrounding Real ID - including these forum changes - have been made with this goal in mind."
Our colleagues at PC Gamer UK call the plans "foolhardy" and "asking for trouble".
"The gamers that live and breathe their service, at every level, from the bottom, to the super-hardcore pro-gamers, simply don't identify themselves by their real name when they play," the mag says. "They live by their identity or handle. Battle.net isn't a social network. It's a fight club.
"According to Blizzard's announcement, all StarCraft II and Cataclysm forums will display your real name. That means even the tech support forums. And the roleplaying forums. I'm not sure why I need to identify myself when I'm trying to figure out why Warcraft crashes. Or when I'm pretending to be a druid."
One angry reader said of the plans: "I don't want all the world to know my real name. More social it might be but it's very intrusive to my privacy... In this day and age when most social websites are being pushed for more privacy functions they decide to open it up in one of the worst possible way."
Frankly, we don't give a monkey's who knows our real names. We post stuff on the internet all day with our names on the bottom. But we can see how this could be a problem for MMO fans.
Any WoW players out there care to offer their two pence on this issue?
[ Source: PC Gamer ]
http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=254846 (http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=254846)
Yeah this has been all over the place. For in-game I get it, it's meant for you and your close friends to play together. However a publicly accessible place like a forum is no place for it (not that I ever venture to the cesspool that is the official WoW forums).
See, even in-game to connect I don't really see the need. If I want to play with a friend I just look up their character name. I mean isn't the whole idea of a virtual world and an MMO to put on a new identity? I see Blizzard changing their mind about this one. Should make Blizzcon very interesting if this is still in place.
The issue is that this isn't just for WoW, it's Battle.net-wide, you will have the same freidns list in WoW, Starcraft II, Diablo III and anything else Blizzard puts out. IMO they'll end up implementing a Battle.net screen name. My old WoW handle was billybob476 but that went away with the Battle.net integration, all we're identified by now is our emails (as you know).
Yep - across Battle.net. But even an email ID is probably better than your real name. And a handle type name even better. Other game networks seem to work just fine like that. This idea that "it makes you easier to find" is 100% true - and I think the problem too. Most people like a little anominity when they game online - or do other stuff. ;)
I fully agree. This is not a good implementation especially with the recent privacy issues with Facebook still in people's minds.
I see this and other recent things online just ways for them to learn more and more about you in order to focus ads and targeted revenue making schemes. All pointing to the day when the internet will be about as much fun as junk mail. :(
I like it! It's not like people actually sign up to those sites using their real names anyway. I think taking some of the anonymity out of the internet will make people behave less like jerks. Too many people find it too easy to be insulting jerks while hiding behind their handles.
I know about 14 people that share my first and last name. Unless you have a truly unique name, it's just going to be a name. Most of my emails also use my name. I do it because I'm not going to be doing anything on the net that would damage my name.
I can't stress how much I like the idea because there is a HUGE difference in behavior when your name is attached to what you write.
Quote from: Just X on July 07, 2010, 11:38:26 AM
I like it! It's not like people actually sign up to those sites using their real names anyway. I think taking some of the anonymity out of the internet will make people behave less like jerks. Too many people find it too easy to be insulting jerks while hiding behind their handles.
I know about 14 people that share my first and last name. Unless you have a truly unique name, it's just going to be a name. Most of my emails also use my name. I do it because I'm not going to be doing anything on the net that would damage my name.
I can't stress how much I like the idea because there is a HUGE difference in behavior when your name is attached to what you write.
Wait a minute! Is your name Chris or JustX?!!! ;)
I have always used my actual name on all internet forums. I hide from no man. :)
Quote from: Bryancd on July 07, 2010, 11:45:36 AM
Quote from: Just X on July 07, 2010, 11:38:26 AM
I like it! It's not like people actually sign up to those sites using their real names anyway. I think taking some of the anonymity out of the internet will make people behave less like jerks. Too many people find it too easy to be insulting jerks while hiding behind their handles.
I know about 14 people that share my first and last name. Unless you have a truly unique name, it's just going to be a name. Most of my emails also use my name. I do it because I'm not going to be doing anything on the net that would damage my name.
I can't stress how much I like the idea because there is a HUGE difference in behavior when your name is attached to what you write.
Wait a minute! Is your name Chris or JustX?!!! ;)
I have always used my actual name on all internet forums. I hide from no man. :)
LOL Actually both! X (pronounced either X or Chris depending on her mood) is a nick name that someone calls me ... Most sites need 4 or more characters to create a user name. So I added the just part because I only wanted Just the X.
Also, the BBC also picked up this story.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10543100.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/10543100.stm)
Just a first name is quite a bit different from giving out your full, real name. I've used nicknames or handles but have always tried to only say online what I would have no trouble saying in person. I know many people don't operate like that. But again, this isn't about any of that, in my opinion. This is about them learning more and more about you. And that I do have a problem with. I pay them to play an online persona - that is part of the appeal of gaming and MMO's. Anyway, it will be interesting to see what comes of this.
RAD1701...I just realized those are your initials, duh. :)
Quote from: Bryancd on July 07, 2010, 12:10:20 PM
RAD1701...I just realized those are your initials, duh. :)
Yep - that was one of the first user names I came up with for online stuff way back in the day. Still use it quite a bit. Easy to remember and usually unique enough for most places.
It seems from the article that this change is only in regards to posting on the Forums. If that's the case, those that don't want to be known has the option of not posting. Better some order than them shutting the boards down completely due to flame wars.
...and anyone that has been on the official forums will attest they are not the friendliest of places. I think it's been 3 or 4 years since i've posted there.
Wait you mean kids will have to be responsible for what they say? That's a concept!!!!
This is one of the things I do not like about the interweb thing. People can hide and spew whatever they want.
As if anyone needs his/her boss to know what exactly you're doing in your free time.
It's a loss of privacy and that's bad. Yes, some use their anonymity to say some things they would otherwise keep to themselves, but if you think people would behave if you'd know their real name you never watched daytime television.
If you want privacy I suggest not posting or doing anything on the internet :)
Quote from: X on July 07, 2010, 01:04:35 PM
It seems from the article that this change is only in regards to posting on the Forums. If that's the case, those that don't want to be known has the option of not posting. Better some order than them shutting the boards down completely due to flame wars.
Exactly! The internet is not a private place. The best thing to do is to avoid posting if you want more privacy.
I am also afraid to tell people that its very easy to get all your info from your ISP through a lawyer. The govt can do it anytime they want and not inform you.
Quote from: Blackride on July 27, 2010, 12:19:52 PM
If you want privacy I suggest not posting or doing anything on the internet :)
That's true, but I believe avoiding social media and posting under your real name still makes a difference.
I'm sure an expert could learn a lot about me, but I don't want any noob to be able to just google my name and know everything there is about me.
Oh, Blizzard backed down on this shortly after it all blew up. So, no real names needed. At least for now. I think what they didn't realize was that this all worked both ways. I guess when some Blizzard folks listed their real names that caused them to get harassed in real life. So, it's back to avatars for all again.
I heavily disagreed with this move, as Facebook was already in hot water for pulling something of similar vein. If I WANT people to know my real name, I will select that option. But what Blizzard did was forcibly tell everyone what our names are. Some are cool with that, others are not. I am in the mid-area of people knowing who I am. I use a global Nickname now, but don't reveal my true name, even though some (in this forum particularly :P) have failed to keep it a secret. Not that I mind, but it's something I don't just throw out there every time.
Blizzard didn't give us a choice, and that was a terrible idea in the Facebook rage-wake.
King
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on July 27, 2010, 02:34:11 PM
I heavily disagreed with this move, as Facebook was already in hot water for pulling something of similar vein. If I WANT people to know my real name, I will select that option. But what Blizzard did was forcibly tell everyone what our names are. Some are cool with that, others are not. I am in the mid-area of people knowing who I am. I use a global Nickname now, but don't reveal my true name, even though some (in this forum particularly :P) have failed to keep it a secret. Not that I mind, but it's something I don't just throw out there every time.
Blizzard didn't give us a choice, and that was a terrible idea in the Facebook rage-wake.
King
Don't they give you a choice by not playing the game?
Quote from: Blackride on July 27, 2010, 02:49:59 PM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on July 27, 2010, 02:34:11 PM
I heavily disagreed with this move, as Facebook was already in hot water for pulling something of similar vein. If I WANT people to know my real name, I will select that option. But what Blizzard did was forcibly tell everyone what our names are. Some are cool with that, others are not. I am in the mid-area of people knowing who I am. I use a global Nickname now, but don't reveal my true name, even though some (in this forum particularly :P) have failed to keep it a secret. Not that I mind, but it's something I don't just throw out there every time.
Blizzard didn't give us a choice, and that was a terrible idea in the Facebook rage-wake.
King
Don't they give you a choice by not playing the game?
Or by not posting on the forums?
I don't see how it is forcing anything unless someone places a gun to your head to make you type.
Quote from: X on July 27, 2010, 03:00:47 PM
Quote from: Blackride on July 27, 2010, 02:49:59 PM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on July 27, 2010, 02:34:11 PM
I heavily disagreed with this move, as Facebook was already in hot water for pulling something of similar vein. If I WANT people to know my real name, I will select that option. But what Blizzard did was forcibly tell everyone what our names are. Some are cool with that, others are not. I am in the mid-area of people knowing who I am. I use a global Nickname now, but don't reveal my true name, even though some (in this forum particularly :P) have failed to keep it a secret. Not that I mind, but it's something I don't just throw out there every time.
Blizzard didn't give us a choice, and that was a terrible idea in the Facebook rage-wake.
King
Don't they give you a choice by not playing the game?
Or by not posting on the forums?
I don't see how it is forcing anything unless someone places a gun to your head to make you type.
That's what I don't get either. If they changed this one day without warning people I can see why people may be upset, but if the warned you then stop paying them. Make yourself be heard by not paying them.
Yes, of course no one is FORCING anyone. But here is the key thing here. Blizzard wants to make money. They want to keep making a LOT of money. So, if they want to do this they will have to put up with some issues on their forums. And if there is enough of a problem with any choice they make with regards to WOW, they are in a hard position of having to cave or lose players. This is not like on this forum, where if someone were a problem I just boot them off. I'm not in this to make a profit. But Blizzard is. Really, as simple as that.
Yeah, and my attitude reflects a lot of gamers with similar views. And your right, we can leave and will leave (I'm actually not playing WoW right now anyway, but it still annoys me). Right now, Blizzard cannot really start forcing their heavy weight around, what with Eve Online, Star Trek Online and so many other MMOs starting to take hold on the market. We do have options to change who we pay $$ to.
Also, the "don't post" method doesn't work as well as everyone says it does. Anyone take in the forum Tech Support? What if we don't want everyone knowing who we are when we're filling out petitions for help there. This is where it's forced upon us (until Blizzard backed off).
Again, just reminding everyone, I'm not playing any MMOs right now. But the Forced RealID system was a bad move and could possibly have led to Blizzard getting a suit. Heck, we're willing to sue Apple for "bad products" I can imagine there would be enough ppl willing to sue Blizzard over privacy rights. I'd be interested in seeing just how many ppl would have quit over the forced ID system. If I had been playing, I probably would have.
King
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on July 27, 2010, 03:19:31 PM
Yeah, and my attitude reflects a lot of gamers with similar views. And your right, we can leave and will leave (I'm actually not playing WoW right now anyway, but it still annoys me). Right now, Blizzard cannot really start forcing their heavy weight around, what with Eve Online, Star Trek Online and so many other MMOs starting to take hold on the market. We do have options to change who we pay $$ to.
Also, the "don't post" method doesn't work as well as everyone says it does. Anyone take in the forum Tech Support? What if we don't want everyone knowing who we are when we're filling out petitions for help there. This is where it's forced upon us (until Blizzard backed off).
Again, just reminding everyone, I'm not playing any MMOs right now. But the Forced RealID system was a bad move and could possibly have led to Blizzard getting a suit. Heck, we're willing to sue Apple for "bad products" I can imagine there would be enough ppl willing to sue Blizzard over privacy rights. I'd be interested in seeing just how many ppl would have quit over the forced ID system. If I had been playing, I probably would have.
King
I agree it may be a bad decision but I would also be curious how many people would leave. Sadly I doubt it would make a dent. I think people talk big but are hooked to these games and would not leave.
I do hope Blizzard gets taken down a notch here though. I want to play a good fantasy MMO but they pretty much killed them all with WoW.
If I was still playing STO and they said they were going to do it , I would just drop it. Too many other things in life to do :) .
I myself am really pursuing a fantasy game. I miss my Paladin and wish to play a game that has one. but the only thing that comes close, is the terrible game of Oblivion. WoW has indeed killed fantasy genre for the time being.
I'd like to think more ppl would have quit, I certainly can drop Blizzard. But not many can.
King
I know dozens of people that I played with and none of them including myself ever visited the forums. I wonder how many active players actually visit the forums and what percentage that it.
The it makes me wonder if they would be so quick to give up the game when you can play it without ever having to post on the forums. I wonder if those that get into the forums might be a little more attached to the game than those that don't.