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[Rokam]

So, let me get this straight, you guys all think it was totally fine for these idiots to post Bashiok's family info online, just because he posted under his real name!?

Oooookay.

No, but that's kind of the point. There are jackasses out there that will do this sort of thing if someone gets an item over them, or some other ridiculous shit.

 

[Jonnyram]

If you're going to accuse everybody in this thread of supporting such actions, at least read the bloody thing first.

I didn't accuse everyone, just the majority of the thread is going against Blizzard at this point, and you're hardly defending their decision either, by the looks of it.

No, but that's kind of the point. There are jackasses out there that will do this sort of thing if someone gets an item over them, or some other ridiculous shit.

Yeah, and that kind of act will be dealt with. There'll probably be some trouble at the start of this, but over time this is easily the best solution.

 

[V_Arnold]

no. but i'm not exactly feeling bad for him either since he did it to himself

No. He posted with his real name. That is nothing for NORMAL people.
For freaks, it might scream "STALK THE **** OUT OF ME", but they would be looking for a prey anyway.

The big question is: what would these freaks do with - omg, watch this - names, when there are hundreds of them in the same time?

 

[Zeona]

So, let me get this straight, you guys all think it was totally fine for these idiots to post Bashiok's family info online, just because he posted under his real name!?

according to the article he posted his real name to show everyone that their real id stuff is harmless and the fears of harassment etc. are unfounded. keeping this in mind, yeah, I dont mind that they take him apart publicly to prove him wrong.

 

[ElectricBlue187]

No. He posted with his real name. That is nothing for NORMAL people.
For freaks, it might scream "STALK THE **** OUT OF ME", but they would be looking for a prey anyway.

The big question is: what would these freaks do with - omg, watch this - names, when there are hundreds of them in the same time?

we should just use social security numbers for forum identification instead of names, since there are annoying duplicates

 

[robor]

I think its totally moronic what these people did and they made everyone against this change look like a looney. Some people have every reason for protecting their identity online and Blizzard are forcing you to make your name public - I will not log into WoW until this is changed as I do not want my name given out

Which is what everyone should do. None of this political banter, just avoid logging in at all costs, it's the most powerful statement you could ever convey as a collective.

 

[Mael]

we should just use social security numbers for forum identification instead of names, since there are annoying duplicates

So people prefer to be tracked by a private company than their own government? :lol

 

[soqquatto]

I think that most of the "pro realid" are willingly or mistakenly downplaying the impact this will have. not "might". I'm not posting on Blizzard forums and I don't give a crap about this since I'm not playing (NOW) anything from blizzard. I know it might change. keep in mind this, anyway:

- if playing wow or SC2, you might need to post for technical support,
- you might have a commonplace name, but just wait until you slip up on some additional detail, on another forum maybe
- idiots will get pissed at you for no reason at all
- sleuth-GAF already proven in the past how things can go horribly wrong when posting your details
- finally, identity thefts are by far too common now. I believe the main reason is that people don't think it's important.

this is what we have against real id. what do we have FOR? the only good point is that people who can feel accountable for their actions (and there are also people that can be openly assholish even without the need to hide behind a nickname) will restrain themselves. a good point seeing blizzard forums' general state. but I believe the CONS far outweight this single good point.

 

[X26]

Yeah, and that kind of act will be dealt with. There'll probably be some trouble at the start of this, but over time this is easily the best solution.

How? Even if Blizzard had a huge staff devoted simply to dealing with RealID issues it would be impossible for them to investigate every concerning case

 

[Dynoro]

I think that most of the "pro realid" are willingly or mistakenly downplaying the impact this will have. not "might". I'm not posting on Blizzard forums and I don't give a crap about this since I'm not playing (NOW) anything from blizzard. I know it might change. keep in mind this, anyway:

- if playing wow or SC2, you might need to post for technical support,- you might have a commonplace name, but just wait until you slip up on some additional detail, on another forum maybe
- idiots will get pissed at you for no reason at all
- sleuth-GAF already proven in the past how things can go horribly wrong when posting your details
- finally, identity thefts are by far too common now. I believe the main reason is that people don't think it's important.

this is what we have against real id. what do we have FOR? the only good point is that people who can feel accountable for their actions (and there are also people that can be openly assholish even without the need to hide behind a nickname) will restrain themselves. a good point seeing blizzard forums' general state. but I believe the CONS far outweight this single good point.

Just a little amendment; you don't need to use the forums - even logging onto WoW will expose your real name through addons

 

[davepoobond]

newsflash: you dont have to use the forums. so don't.

if you need help, contact customer service via email or phone.


if you dont like the changes on their forums DONT USE THEM. Blizzard doesn't reveal your name for the hell of it -- its associated with your posts and if you dont post you dont show your name.


Blizzard will get decreased traffic on their forums and whether that is the point or not, they may or may not keep it around. Also I don't think the add-on for RealID showing is real, just a fear-mongering tactic by whatever lobbyist group of forum trolls don't want the realID to go through there.

 

[DarkJC]

I think that most of the "pro realid" are willingly or mistakenly downplaying the impact this will have. not "might". I'm not posting on Blizzard forums and I don't give a crap about this since I'm not playing (NOW) anything from blizzard. I know it might change. keep in mind this, anyway:

- if playing wow or SC2, you might need to post for technical support,
- you might have a commonplace name, but just wait until you slip up on some additional detail, on another forum maybe
- idiots will get pissed at you for no reason at all
- sleuth-GAF already proven in the past how things can go horribly wrong when posting your details
- finally, identity thefts are by far too common now. I believe the main reason is that people don't think it's important.

this is what we have against real id. what do we have FOR? the only good point is that people who can feel accountable for their actions (and there are also people that can be openly assholish even without the need to hide behind a nickname) will restrain themselves. a good point seeing blizzard forums' general state. but I believe the CONS far outweight this single good point.

The accountability issue could be solved simply by having one user-assignable "Real ID" or whatever they want to call it per battle.net account. As far as I can see there is nothing in the "for" column for using real names at all.

 

[Spire]

newsflash: you dont have to use the forums. so don't.

if you need help, contact customer service via email or phone.


if you dont like the changes on their forums DONT USE THEM. Blizzard doesn't reveal your name for the hell of it -- its associated with your posts and if you dont post you dont show your name.

Also be sure to not play the game, since security holes in the RealID system have already led to people being able to see your real name ingame. Actually, it's better to just steer clear of Blizzard entirely for awhile.

 

[DarkJC]

Can we please stop giving credibility to the bullshit "Real ID in WoW Screenshots" stuff please? It's been debunked. Yes, you too can broadcast your real name to all if you download and install an addon that does it for you. The creator of gearscore himself even posted a video on how easy it is to fake those screenshots/videos.

 

[Kimosabae]

They found public info that could be accessed easily through using any local registry?

SHOCK AND AWE LET THE WAR ON INFORMATION COMMENCE!

 

[davepoobond]

the only reason the blue's information was dug out like that was because he was singled out and hundreds of people went after him.

yes, potentially one person can get pissed off in-game and say "i dont like you ganking me" and find out your phone number to give you a call personally.

but then that's called harassment and you can file a police report against him or lobby a complaint with blizzard who usually takes action against harassment as far as I have seen, since I get harassed in the game quite a bit and always make a ticket against those kinds of people.

 

[Dynoro]

Can we please stop giving credibility to the bullshit "Real ID in WoW Screenshots" stuff please? It's been debunked. Yes, you too can broadcast your real name to all if you download and install an addon that does it for you. The creator of gearscore himself even posted a video on how easy it is to fake those screenshots/videos.

And how many people read through and understand the code behind every addon that they use in wow? You can run without addons and without any ReadlID friends and that is safe but how many people use no addons nowadays?

 

[PuppetSlave]

I didn't accuse everyone, just the majority of the thread is going against Blizzard at this point, and you're hardly defending their decision either, by the looks of it.

Actually you did. Also you imply that if you disagree with blizzards policy you automatically think it is ok to post Bashiok's family info online.

It's pretty fucking insulting to hear that since you disagree with this policy you automatically agree with these piss-ants behavior.

 

[Spire]

Can we please stop giving credibility to the bullshit "Real ID in WoW Screenshots" stuff please? It's been debunked. Yes, you too can broadcast your real name to all if you download and install an addon that does it for you. The creator of gearscore himself even posted a video on how easy it is to fake those screenshots/videos.

One screenshot was debunked, it's still possible. A GearScore 3.2 beta does exist, it's not entirely clear who made it, but the only fact that matters is that the code that reveals RealID names is real.

 

[Vagabundo]

It was a silly thing to do and he is paying for his short-sightedness.

But blizzard really need to make this an opt-in; people should be able to remain anonymous is they wish.

 

[RiskyChris]

newsflash: you dont have to use the forums. so don't.

if you need help, contact customer service via email or phone.

if you dont like the changes on their forums DONT USE THEM. Blizzard doesn't reveal your name for the hell of it -- its associated with your posts and if you dont post you dont show your name.

Blizzard will get decreased traffic on their forums and whether that is the point or not, they may or may not keep it around. Also I don't think the add-on for RealID showing is real, just a fear-mongering tactic by whatever lobbyist group of forum trolls don't want the realID to go through there.

Newsflash, my not posting has nothing to do with caring about what happens to those who post.

Stop apologizing for what is likely one of the worst policies about to be enacted by any video game company ever.

 

[Cipherr]

Also be sure to not play the game, since security holes in the RealID system have already led to people being able to see your real name ingame. Actually, it's better to just steer clear of Blizzard entirely for awhile.

He has a knack for being dense. We have said it multiple times but he keeps popping into the threads on the subject saying the same shit. Him and Jonnyram.

I want an opt out button. A button that will lock my account out of the forums since I never use them anyway, and in exchange I want my name COMPLETELY REMOVED from their realID system so PEOPLE WITH FUCKING MODS CANT ABUSE THE SYSTEM AND DISPLAY MY NAME IN GAME.

Get my name out of the fucking system in exchange for not using the forums at all. Thats what pisses me off about this. They can facebook2.0 their network all they want as long as I have a real opt out. Its not an opt out if mods in game and hooks allow my personal information to be picked up by fucking strangers. I dont give a fuck if you dont think anything will happen, I dont give a fuck if you think people are overreacting, I dont give a fuck if you think nothing and noone can have any privacy on the internet, and I dont give a fuck about that cesspool of a forum.

Just allow me to properly opt out and not have my name in the realID system at ALL in exchange for not using the forums. Currently this is NOT the case, and it should be. Hopefully the random bolding can get the shit through the skull of a few of you all rushing to their defense. If they can get this part working right, then as far as Im concerned its all good.

 

[soqquatto]

here, you had it. you don't need mods to know that the guy who ganked you (or who stole your node) lives two block down the street. he's now officially dead.

Penny Arcade also linked an interesting view on this.

http://www.metafilter.com/93492/But-my-name-really-is-Deathblood-Blackaxe#3171416

just check this:

1. Girls are going to get harassed more than they already do. Just like in real life, while plenty of gamer guys are decent people -- gamer guys are the majority of my closest friends -- there are a ton of asshole gamer guys who make life hell for players who are openly female. Really, the gamer community is a much more hostile place for women than society in general. I never tried to hide my gender, so I have a ton of anecdotes I could tell you.

please do read it. I believe "pro-realID" are just thinking about themselves and how they're so cool with sharing their informations. please think about other people as well, it's not much I'm asking, isn't it?

 

[RiskyChris]

please do read it. I believe "pro-realID" are just thinking about themselves and how they're so cool with sharing their informations. please think about other people as well, it's not much I'm asking, isn't it?

yes, potentially one person can get pissed off in-game and say "i dont like you ganking me" and find out your phone number to give you a call personally.

Much ado about nothing methinks.

 

[zugzug]

eh I've been harassed on my realm forums enough by my Character name since Burning crusade by certain players from my faction. I'm quite certain if I saw them IRL I would start a barroom brawl with them. Or even a brawl at Blizzcon. A shame Blizzard moderators didnt do enough to make me feel this way now.

I got sick of it blew up and got perm forum banned from WoW forums so.

 

[Dynoro]

yes, potentially one person can get pissed off in-game and say "i dont like you ganking me" and find out your phone number to give you a call personally.

Much ado about nothing methinks.

To take my example from the other thread - I used to be a teacher and the kids badgered me constantly for my wow name so they could log on and find me. With RealID I would not be able to stop them finding ALL my characters on ALL realms. How is this acceptable?

 

[subversus]

That's why you shouldn't leave any personal information on the web.

 

[RiskyChris]

To take my example from the other thread - I used to be a teacher and the kids badgered me constantly for my wow name so they could log on and find me. With RealID I would not be able to stop them finding ALL my characters on ALL realms. How is this acceptable?

Gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette. Hint: I c/p'd my last post from this thread.

 

[soqquatto]

yes, potentially one person can get pissed off in-game and say "i dont like you ganking me" and find out your phone number to give you a call personally.

Much ado about nothing methinks.

come on. you know there are a lot of crazy people playing wow. I played in a guild where a guild leader had almost a heart attack while raiding because people were getting onyxia's breath because people were absent minded. if he had the opportunity he would literally go get the guy in person and kick his ass - and he was BIG also, a fucking hulk. once we were tackling the demon in the badlands (can't remember its name for the life of me) and another guild stole it from under our nose. he literally wished death on the guy who led that guild. what if that guy was also a fucking madman? you know these things happen.

(also, I would like to remember, people died after escalating in the real world for stupid MMOG issues)

you're also discounting the "girl issue" above. you basically skimmed my post without reading, I know I'm not the most important poster in the world but whay are you even arguing over this if you don't read other people's posts? did you come here just to validate your opinion without even having to discuss? you should save yourself some time and skip to the kittens threads.

 

[V_Arnold]

To take my example from the other thread - I used to be a teacher and the kids badgered me constantly for my wow name so they could log on and find me. With RealID I would not be able to stop them finding ALL my characters on ALL realms. How is this acceptable?

How exactly would they do that?
If you do not confirm that you know them (friend request), they wont know anything about your characters.

It is how it works in SCII anyway.

 

[RiskyChris]

come on. you know there are a lot of crazy people playing wow. I played in a guild where a guild leader had almost a heart attack while raiding because people were getting onyxia's breath because people were absent minded. if he had the opportunity he would literally go get the guy in person and kick his ass - and he was BIG also, a fucking hulk. once we were tackling the demon in the badlands (can't remember its name for the life of me) and another guild stole it from under our nose. he literally wished death on the guy who led that guild. what if that guy was also a fucking madman? you know these things happen.

(also, I would like to remember, people died after escalating in the real world for stupid MMOG issues)

you're also discounting the "girl issue" above. you basically skimmed my post without reading, I know I'm not the most important poster in the world but whay are you even arguing over this if you don't read other people's posts? did you come here just to validate your opinion without even having to discuss? you should save yourself some time and skip to the kittens threads.

Dude if your GL tracked someone down irl just call the cops, it's not Blizzard's problem.

 

[Dynoro]

How exactly would they do that?
If you do not confirm that you know them (friend request), they wont know anything about your characters.

It is how it works in SCII anyway.

Assuming I don't use the wow forum (as they could just google my name then get the character name from the search results). If I was RealID with one person all it would take is someone to friend them. If I was not RealID with anyone then all it would take is an addon harvesting the RealID name then publishing this on the addon's chat channel to build a shared database of all the people with the addon. If I played with no addons and no RealID friends I would be safe - but try raiding or PVP like that

 

[No45]

Dude if your GL tracked someone down irl just call the cops, it's not Blizzard's problem.

If he obtained information on them because of Blizzards systems, it soon will be.

 

[soqquatto]

Dude if your GL tracked someone down irl just call the cops, it's not Blizzard's problem.

jesus christ almighty you are fucking DENSE. that is all I have to say about this matter now.

 

[RiskyChris]

The big question is: what would these freaks do with - omg, watch this - names, when there are hundreds of them in the same time?

You are fucking delusional if you don't think something will happen with those names now just to spite Blizzard.

"omg they're just names" Dumb post or dumbest post?

jesus christ almighty you are fucking DENSE. that is all I have to say about this matter now.

Maybe before criticizing me of not reading people's posts in this thread you could read mine. My first clearly signaled my opinion and since then I've been joking.

 

[X26]

AstroLad's apprentice itt

 

[soqquatto]

Maybe before criticizing me of not reading people's posts in this thread you could read mine. My first clearly signaled my opinion and since then I've been joking.

OK, I'm the dense one then. fair enough.

 

[RiskyChris]

OK, I'm the dense one then. fair enough.

Stop apologizing for what is likely one of the worst policies about to be enacted by any video game company ever.

I mean, just a little. It's not like that post was buried by the time you first quoted me.

 

[JaseC]

I didn't accuse everyone

Sorry, it seems I've misunderstood your use of the phrase 'you guys all think ...'

Spoiler

, just the majority of the thread is going against Blizzard at this point, and you're hardly defending their decision either, by the looks of it.

"By the looks of it"? I don't see how suggesting Blizzard's rationalisation behind the implementation of RealID is disingenuous is tantamount to me joining the pitchfork-armed villagers. This whole RealID fiasco doesn't involve nor affect me at all, and as such it's hardly appropriate for me to comment on the matter at hand beyond, "I can understand why it's upsetting people."

 

[Deleted member 30609]

AMERICAN GUN LAWS WILL MAKE PEOPLE KILL EACH OTHER

VIOLENT GAMES WILL MAKE PEOPLE SHOOT EACH OTHER

REAL ID NAMES WILL MAKE PEOPLE HUNT YOU DOWN

 

[RiskyChris]

AMERICAN GUN LAWS WILL MAKE PEOPLE KILL EACH OTHER

VIOLENT GAMES WILL MAKE PEOPLE SHOOT EACH OTHER

REAL ID NAMES WILL MAKE PEOPLE HUNT YOU DOWN

Maybe Blizzard should just post GPS coordinates of everyone on the forums because hey, using this logic with loopholes bigger than Paris Hilton's vag stands up to that too.

 

[Rubezh]

Fuck it man. The People using Google Street View to see his house really creep me out.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

no, I understand. when I post a listing to sell my trampoline in the paper I always worry that just anyone will read my name and track me down.

every day is a day I face with fear.

I don't use Facebook either because a pervert might find my account DP and see my name and try and rape me.

 

[rainking187]

here, you had it. you don't need mods to know that the guy who ganked you (or who stole your node) lives two block down the street. he's now officially dead.

Penny Arcade also linked an interesting view on this.

http://www.metafilter.com/93492/But-my-name-really-is-Deathblood-Blackaxe#3171416

just check this:



please do read it. I believe "pro-realID" are just thinking about themselves and how they're so cool with sharing their informations. please think about other people as well, it's not much I'm asking, isn't it?

Oh yeah, gamer girls will be in for a hell of a time with this.

 

[V_Arnold]

Assuming I don't use the wow forum (as they could just google my name then get the character name from the search results). If I was RealID with one person all it would take is someone to friend them. If I was not RealID with anyone then all it would take is an addon harvesting the RealID name then publishing this on the addon's chat channel to build a shared database of all the people with the addon. If I played with no addons and no RealID friends I would be safe - but try raiding or PVP like that

1. "(as they could just google my name then get the character name from the search results)"

Wut? No character information would be linked to your Real ID on the forums, as stated above.

2. You should not (I am sure this is the way how it works) see your Real ID friend's friends, especially not in the same way as the friend system works now.

3. Again: no addon should gather information of this high level out of the interface: getting a Real ID means absolutely NOTHING if you do not have the proper method to gather data based on it. Blizzard's "gather data" method is used by the friend system, therefore if you are a friend of someone, with Real ID, you seei if he is on with X or Y char, or if he plays with SCII. This should be (or is) exclusive to the client, leaving addons and freaks out in the cold.

4. But let us say such addon is in the works now, and it does not get banned in a matter of days: how is that relevant with your raiding?
If you raid, you use Deadly Boss Mods, you use some custom action bar if you want, you use recount, and some class-specific addons like PallyPower. They have nothing to do with this "suppoosedly real" addon which gathers Real ID-s.

 

[RiskyChris]

no, I understand. when I post a listing to sell my trampoline in the paper I always worry that just anyone will read my name and track me down.

every day is a day I face with fear.

I don't use Facebook either because a pervert might find my account DP and see my name and try and rape me.

So just to be clear you are completely impervious to the notion that this will be a problem for anyone anywhere, right?

You're cool with codifying the "no girls allowed" rule on forums?

 

[Deleted member 30609]

I think I have a higher chance of being hit by a bus on the way to work then I do being hunted down and being discomforted in any way as a result of my name being readily available next to an internet post.

just to extend a tad on my earlier post, which I typed kind of early in the morning without covering some obvious holes in it, but I wasn't trying to say that if you're trying to protect your privacy then you are, definitely, a total scumbag with a pathetic life or something, or that there aren't benefits to totally anonymous forums like GAF, I was trying to say that a space like Blizzard's official forums is as good a place as any to have an alternative to the traditional GAF-like forum system.

One of the things I love about GAF is that it doesn't matter whether or not you're a man, woman, gay, straight fat, skinny, tall small (etc), if you type something interesting or well-thought out, people WILL listen. I am not against this and I don't think this should disappear any time soon.

At the same time, on an official forum space that might not attract as high or educated a population as GAF (take that as you will, but let's assume for the sake of this argument that GAF is the 'gold-standard' in similarly sized gaming communities on informed, if not always super-intelligent users) and doesn't have as strict a moderation policy (what, they're going to ban 50% of their traffic?), I feel like this is an interesting initiative. Will it work? Do I agree with it? Not necessarily, but I think it's a worthwhile thing to explore in smaller and/or official forum spaces.

As far as protecting your privacy is concerned, I would still argue that giving out your name on the internet is not anymore dangerous than giving it out in any other social situation. Also, maybe more controversially, I still believe that a lot of the outrage surrounding this does have to do with the fact like some people don't want their not-exactly-super-model faces readily available to be mocked on the internet alongside their long balance-related rant.

So no, I don't want this for GAF or many other spaces; no, I don't think your privacy is at threat; yes, I think this will clean up smaller and/or official and/or less moderated forums considerably and make them a much more sensible, if not as welcoming, community. Should this fail, I won't hesitate to say 'well, that sucked' and declare this a failure, but at the same time I do understand the, if not the publicly stated, logic behind Blizzard's actions. It's easy to be cynical, but I'm choosing to be optimistic.

 

[Salazar]

I think I have a higher chance of being hit by a bus on the way to work

In Australia, quadruple whatever odds you had in mind. Fucking madmen.

 

[RiskyChris]

I think I have a higher chance of being hit by a bus on the way to work then I do being hunted down and being discomforted in any way as a result of my name being readily available next to an internet post.

Great, your experience doesn't describe everyone. Other people are going to be vastly more susceptible to the risks of their name being published.

 

[V_Arnold]

Great, your experience doesn't describe everyone. Other people are going to be vastly more susceptible to the risks of their name being published.

And they are still not being forced to use the official forums.
Personal experience is anecdotal at best, but I have been playing WoW since 2006 jan, and not once was I needed to post on the official forums. To what end?