official World of Warcraft

[bjoswald]

Why do they have to modify the forums to show our real names? Other than identifying troublemakers, I can't think of one good reason. I'm not one of those people that are constantly paranoid about my name floating around, nor am I one of those loudmouthed "I have mah rights!" folks. But as a player and customer, it just doesn't make sense. All the downtime, hassle and drama that's sure to follow could easily be averted by leaving the forums alone and only showing real names in-game. I think they're just trying to emulate Steam or something.

[mad_onion]

Complacency and the willingness of people like Sethos and Elliot to be forced to give up information and personal rights is just sickening.

There is no excuse for that.

Yeah pulling the "civil liberties" card isn't going to work here. It's so annoying when people use that as the be all and end all of arguments. In most situations people willing give away their privacy voluntarily, this is one of those situations.

[the evn show]

Real ID was a little creepy but then I realized that the only people who'd be getting on my list were people that already knew my name, where I lived, what I looked like etc.

I'm in two guilds: one made exclusively of people that live nearby: former co-workers, college friends, family, etc. I see many of those people a dozen times a year just heading

out for dinner or a movie on Friday night.

My priest is in a guild that's a little bit more loose (ie: it's an end-game raiding guild, so you can't be so restrictive about membership) but even with that many of us are still

reasonably close. Many of us have a half-dozen guild members living nearby, we have semi-annual(ish) meetups for barbecue and beer or if we're travelling we try to catch up

for a night out. Having "real" people to play with makes games much more fun. Most of the time we're on a first-name basis anyway because of alts/re-rolls, etc.

I have a couple dozen people on my real-id friend list but it's all people who had my email address (and probably phone number too).

The "Friends of Friends" feature is a little strange but it doesn't map character names to real name and I got over that fairly quickly.

The forums is another matter entirely. I don't post there because they're a cesspool but I'm still concerned due to the slow erossion of privacy.

[Minifig]

Once this new RealID on the forums comes in I predict the forums will become completely dead or posted in by people who sign up under another account with fake names. Either way it'll be a waste land after this guaranteed.

Everyone says that, I think it'll be populated by actual mature folks.

[Eric Veteran]

Everyone says that, I think it'll be populated by actual mature folks.

Won't be me... My entire guild has canceled our WoW accounts and SC2 preorders.

Nobody is forcing you drama-queen, nobody is forcing you to play WoW.

Drama queen? Want to see what going to happen? A blue posted their real name to prove it was safe. Want his home address/phone number/police records/etc?

http://wowriot.gameriot.com/blogs/Americans-are-bad-at-games/Real-Names-on-the-Official-Forums-New-REAL-ID-function?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wowriot+%28Latest+Wowriot+Blog+Posts+-+Wowriot.Gameriot.com%29

[notta]

I guess people are getting off work now and reading the post about this. The thread is 489 pages coming up on 10k posts with people against this idea. I wrote a 3 line post and when I clicked submit there were 6 more pages of posts. Insane.

[Slane]

http://wowriot.gameriot.com/blogs/Americans-are-bad-at-games/Real-Names-on-the-Official-Forums-New-REAL-ID-function?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wowriot+%28Latest+Wowriot+Blog+Posts+-+Wowriot.Gameriot.com%29

And the trolls will still continue with this new garbage system.

[ylcard]

Am I the only one that saw this: "Real ID is a completely voluntary and optional level of identity".

I didn't read too much about it, because frankly, I couldn't care less about this new "feature", but from what I read on the official site, it is optional and only your friends can see your real name.

So.. this begs the question, why the hell are you bitching about something that isn't true ? Unless of course Blizzard simply lied and their web site is misleading.

[Slane]

Am I the only one that saw this: "Real ID is a completely voluntary and optional level of identity".

I didn't read too much about it, because frankly, I couldn't care less about this new "feature", but from what I read on the official site, it is optional and only your friends can see your real name.

So.. this begs the question, why the hell are you bitching about something that isn't true ? Unless of course Blizzard simply lied and their web site is misleading.

The first and most significant change is that in the near future, anyone posting or replying to a post on official Blizzard forums will be doing so using their Real ID -- that is, their real-life first and last name -- with the option to also display the name of their primary in-game character alongside it. These changes will go into effect on all StarCraft II forums with the launch of the new community site prior to the July 27 release of the game, with the World of Warcraft site and forums following suit near the launch of Cataclysm. Certain classic forums, including the classic Battle.net forums, will remain unchanged.

Did you complete miss the second paragraph of the blue post?

http://forums.battle.net/thread.html?topicId=25626109041&sid=3000

[trag3dy]

Do they not take into consideration how fanatical some people are with WoW? Just poking my nose in this thread because I just read about it and I think it's a horrible idea.

[Minifig]

Here's a great idea.

If you don't like it..

Continue to play wow/sc2/diablo 3..but.. zomg, don't post on the official forums.

Is .. it really that hard to grasp?

[trag3dy]

Nothing is ever going to be improved if you don't voice your opinion for or against something. Saying just don't use it if you don't like it is silly.

[Slane]

Here's a great idea.

If you don't like it..

Continue to play wow/sc2/diablo 3..but.. zomg, don't post on the official forums.

Is .. it really that hard to grasp?

Since they've made it clear now that all previous post won't be converted over (meaning anything you have posted before will not have your real name added to it) then this is the best only solution to avoid having your real name known to people you don't want to know about it. With Blizz clearing this up, it's what I'm going to do and I feel better knowing people won't know my real name for posts that I have made in the past. That was my concern.

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=25712374700&sid=1&pageNo=34 - Post #667

Edited July 7, 2010 by Rob2687

[Minifig]

Since they've made it clear now that all previous post won't be converted over (meaning anything you have posted before will not have your real name added to it) then this is the best only solution to avoid having your real name known to people you don't want to know about it. With Blizz clearing this up, it's what I'm going to do and I feel better knowing people won't know my real name for posts that I have made in the past. That was my concern.

http://forums.worldo...sid=1&pageNo=34 - Post #667

Nice find, Personally, I know there are several people with my name on facebook.

[vip]

Everyone just use wowhead forums now =)

[Vice]

Stolen from Reddit

[+Anarkii Subscriber²]

Here's a great idea.

If you don't like it..

Continue to play wow/sc2/diablo 3..but.. zomg, don't post on the official forums.

Is .. it really that hard to grasp?

well said. It doesnt take a genius to figure it out.

[Vice]

well said. It doesnt take a genius to figure it out.

And then in 6 months time 'Anyone in your guild can see your real name' and then 6 months later 'Your player Avatars are now your real name'.

It started with a Friends list. People you added to your friends list could see your real name. Then anyone on your friends friend list can see your name, now anyone on the forum can see your real name. What's next?

You need to look at the big picture.

[ylcard]

And then in 6 months time 'Anyone in your guild can see your real name' and then 6 months later 'Your player Avatars are now your real name'.

It started with a Friends list. People you added to your friends list could see your real name. Then anyone on your friends friend list can see your name, now anyone on the forum can see your real name. What's next?

You need to look at the big picture.

So you're a fortune teller now ? Wait and see.

The only people who will be harassed are celebrities, or people with names of celebrities.

Believe it or not, nobody on the whole ****ing internet gives a flying **** about our real names, there are obviously people who do scams, but you need to be an idiot to be done that way.

I have no problem with people knowing my name, it's not unique but it's not a common one that you see everyday, plus my location makes me easily identifiable, you can even find my address if you try hard enough - and so freaking what, I invite you to my house, we'll either have a beer together or you'll get the bottle broken on your head, your choice.

[+Audioboxer Subscriber²]

And then in 6 months time 'Anyone in your guild can see your real name' and then 6 months later 'Your player Avatars are now your real name'.

It started with a Friends list. People you added to your friends list could see your real name. Then anyone on your friends friend list can see your name, now anyone on the forum can see your real name. What's next?

You need to look at the big picture.

Fat zitty mountain dew gurgling WoW players in ur computer stealing ur megahurtz.

[Vice]

So you're a fortune teller now ? Wait and see.

The only people who will be harassed are celebrities, or people with names of celebrities.

Believe it or not, nobody on the whole ****ing internet gives a flying **** about our real names, there are obviously people who do scams, but you need to be an idiot to be done that way.

I have no problem with people knowing my name, it's not unique but it's not a common one that you see everyday, plus my location makes me easily identifiable, you can even find my address if you try hard enough - and so freaking what, I invite you to my house, we'll either have a beer together or you'll get the bottle broken on your head, your choice.

Why don't you tell us what your real name is then?

And no I'm not a fortune teller but they have already taken this RealID system to far and they have aspirations to go further. Especially with Starcraft II they want to turn it in to a proper sport and not just a game and that is why they are pushing Real Names really hard

Just because you don't care who knows what your name is doesn't mean the hundreds of other users who have commented in the 100+ page thread do. I certainly don't and Blizzard shouldn't make that decision for me. It should be opt-in. And everyone keeps saying don't like it don't use the forum well what if I wanted to use the forum? I have posted there before and the community was a good resource for getting a new Guild or asking questions. I shouldn't be forced to lose that resource.

EDIT:// Here is a blue poster commenting on their 'Plans' for RealID. Source

Just to respond to those that don't think we read through all of these responses and threads, we do and have been. We will continue monitoring feedback as well.

We put a lot of thought into this change and have a long-term vision for the Real ID service and wanted to make sure that we communicated ahead of time and very clearly as to what will be changing and how. Keep in mind that posting is optional, and we recognize that some players will choose not to utilize the Real ID feature in game or post on the forums and support everyone's individual choice on using or not using it.

This is obviously new ground for us and for you as well, but we want to make sure we're creating a great social-gaming service that people will want to use. We just want to make sure that if people are sharing feedback, that they keep it constructive, and yes, as I said, we are reading.

Emphasis mine, It clearly says they have a long-term vision for the Real ID service which I take to mean there is more to come.

[ylcard]

Vadim Riskin, knock yourself out.

I really don't understand this, from what I'm reading on RealID's official web site, it's entirely optional, as you want it to be.

You don't HAVE to use RealID, you also don't HAVE to use Blizzard's new forum, use the old one, or simply email them for support.

You also don't HAVE to use RealID in-game, it's as optional as choosing the class you play, simply don't use it.

Whether you're willing to admit it or not, people bitch and moan about this "feature" are people who have something to hide, or are simply bloody liberals that want their "privacy" at all costs.

So, what do you have to hide ? Are you somebody's girlfriend in your guild ? You're afraid that people will find out that you're THAT John Doe, the fat ass one that lives in his mother's basement, unlike what you claimed to be in the first place ?

Seriously, get over yourself.

Your name is NOT private.

Edit:

It's an ambiguous statement, you interpret it as you wish, I can do the same and say that he means Blizzard will expand it to other games, like Diablo, or add new features, such as offline messaging, or using the foundations to create cross-realm mail system, or simply use it for A LONG TIME.

[Elliott]

Emphasis mine, It clearly says they have a long-term vision for the Real ID service which I take to mean there is more to come.

So turn Real ID off in parental controls and don't post on the forums (the posts you currently have won't retroactively have your name on them). There, now you get to sleep easier at night.

[the evn show]

So turn Real ID off in parental controls and don't post on the forums (the posts you currently have won't retroactively have your name on them). There, now you get to sleep easier at night.

The forums are the official bug report and support channel: discouraging users from helping to improve the game is a bad move IMO.

Notable bugs that either I or close friends have reported:

• The ability for certain class/race to 'tank' striders on vashj
  
• The ability to obtain infinite frost badges in a day by exploiting RDF and dire brew remote
  
• The ability to obtain "free gold" by buying and vendoring certain items (ie: purchase price was < sell price).
  
• Method to bug inner focus allowing 'free' spells with +25% crit for an unlimited amount of time.
  

Likewise I'm not particularly big on the idea of what I do in my spare time being broadcast to the world (real id -> character -> armory -> list of when I play).

An easy way to confirm my 9-5 employment status (by noticing I never play before 5 PM or after 9AM) or my other evening activities (I'm never on thursday)

allows nut jobs more information about my private life that I'd like.

If the goal is to limit level 1 troll alts: simply list all characters tied to an account and moderate aggressively. Real names clearly aren't required given the

level of discourse at sites like Elitist Jerks.

[Minifig]

Stolen from Reddit

~Snip~

I knew there was a reason I didn't go to that site, stupid things like that.

I mean seriously everyone's making a huge stink over something that is really no big deal. If you don't like it, don't post on the official forums. No one will ever know your real name.

Besides, whats the difference in this, and giving out say, a Facebook page? People will get your real name irregardless.

My, facebook and my deviantArt, both have my real name in their URL. Hell my deviantArt name IS my real name. Do I care? Not especially. I'm a 29 year old (almost 30). I can defend myself, and I'm mature enough to realize that if people look my real name up, they'll find : My ... gasp.. deviantArt, and my facebook. You aren't going to find much on my Facebook because it's locked down tight. If you find my Website, you won't know it's me writing because I only ever sign my name "-A" or "-A-" or even "Mini", or hell, "Minifig".

I don't think it's really that big of a deal.