Blizzard Aims Gun at Foot, Pulls Trigger – Real Name-Requiring Forum System Comes Out
Blizzard Aims Gun at Foot, Pulls Trigger – Real Name-Requiring Forum System Comes Out
Posted 07/08/2010 at 11:18am
| by Nathan Grayson
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We don’t usually bat an eyelash when a game’s official forum undergoes a policy change, but we’re making a special exception and batting harder than a mafia hitman against someone’s kneecaps at Blizzard’s decision to switch its forum over to a real ID system. In a nutshell, this means that in order to post on, say, the official World of Warcraft or StarCraft II forums, you’ll soon have to display your real name for all 11.5-million some-odd players to see.
“The official forums have always been a great place to discuss the latest info on our games, offer ideas and suggestions, and share experiences with other players -- however, the forums have also earned a reputation as a place where flame wars, trolling, and other unpleasantness run wild,” said Blizzard’s announcement of the change.
“Removing the veil of anonymity typical to online dialogue will contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they haven’t been connected before. With this change, you’ll see blue posters (i.e. Blizzard employees) posting by their real first and last names on our forums as well.”
Makes enough sense at first glance, right? Look closer, though, and you’ll realize that Blizzard’s missing so many points that anyone not hiding behind a giant, red bull’s-eye probably oughta duck. Foremost, there’s the issue of potential identity theft or other forms of harassment. In this day and age, odds are, if you've got someone's name, you'll find a treasure trove of personal information waiting for you on Google. Also, in these games, you are your handle. You are your character. Why play an MMO if not to become part of another reality – live another life? Worst case scenario, having your real name attached to your character could even change how you act in-game.
On top of that, has Blizzard taken a look at its own game lately? Of course there’s conflict on your forums. It’s called World of Warcraft for Pete’s sake! The trolling, flaming, smack-talking, etc is symptomatic of WoW’s intrinsic, PvP-based design, and forcing players to display their real names isn’t going to change that.
Is general hostility and confrontation an issue in many gaming communities? Certainly. “Issue” is probably understating it, in fact. But this definitely won’t fix it. It will, however, in all likelihood turn Blizzard’s forum into a ghost town. Please, other developers, learn from Blizzard’s potentially community-destroying attempt to unify its community. Think about the consequences of such a huge change before you make it. Look before you leap.
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EthicSlave
July 10, 2010 at 12:40pm
The official standing is that this will not be happening from a blue post. I would Link the topic but I think it violates both WoW and maxPC's forums terms of use...
Rocketpop
July 09, 2010 at 3:59am
Wow. I don't know where this is coming from, but I'm never using the forums again. The risk of being harassed irl just shot up hardcore.
Also, what about the archived topics? If people are quitting now, will their old posts still be visible with their names on them?
Fecal Face
July 08, 2010 at 4:23pm
"if you've got someone's name, you'll find a treasure trove of personal information waiting for you on Google."
If you Google my name, the first page "reveals" that I have a Facebook page, I played on a field hockey team, and I used to have an account on "mocpages"
The second page "reveals" again that I have a Facebook page, and that I signed an online petition concerning 3rd party apps being available on the Zune Marketplace.
Oh no, there goes my identity. /sarcasm
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Vegan
July 08, 2010 at 9:23pm
If you Google my name, I'm a member of British Parliament and the owner of a patio furniture store.
EvilHomerGD
July 09, 2010 at 5:29am
If you Google my name, you'll find that I am a "certified reflexologist" (which I am not), that I've got a Facebook account, a LinkedIn account, and that I am descended from German nobility (really would LOVE to know where all of the family money went!!!)... Google it a little differently (run my first and last name together into one name) and you'll find my posts on a number of tech forums.
Lhot
July 08, 2010 at 2:41pm
...this just the last of a long list. Blizzard turned into a bad apple right before the Diablo II 1.10 patch. Their accquisistion by Activision is only gonna make it worse. It seems most companies seem to think of the customer first until they reach a certain bottom line...then its: %$#$#$ you, you lousy people..we're now so big, there's nothing you can do about it anymore. It's truly a sad statement of the times.
The "CLOUD" is the biggest mistake this country has made...EVER !
roninnder
July 08, 2010 at 10:08pm
If the list is so long why don't you name a couple of items on it?
aviaggio
July 08, 2010 at 2:18pm
All it's going to take is one psycho douchebag to stalk and murder some gamer chick or in-game rival whose name he got from the forums and it's going to be the end of Blizzard and Activision. And with 11+ million players, don't try and tell me it won't happen.
Vegan
July 08, 2010 at 9:25pm
It's doubtful that Blizzard or Activision would be held liable for that.
If you get interviewed on the local news, and some psycho decides to stalk you and kill you, the station is not liable.
aviaggio
July 08, 2010 at 11:42pm
I think they could be, especially if it can be proven that the information obtained from the forums was instrumental in allowing the crime to be committed. Seriously, Google does a bit of unintended wardriving and now they're on the verge of being used by half a dozen countries. There's not a day that goes by without us hearing about another Facebook privacy snafu. Yet no one seems to be taking seriously the glaring privacy issue of forcing up to 11 million people to expose their real names in what can easily be described as a potentially hostile environment. Where is the media? Where is the outrage? Where are the politicians threatening lawsuits???
There is absolutely nothing good that can come out of this. I think we're starting to see the beginning of the end of Blizzard (and possible Activision). They have clearly grown way too big for their britches if they think they can do something like this and not be held responsible for the consequences. It's going to come back and bite them on the ass, hard.
neural0
July 08, 2010 at 9:25pm
God can you imagine how much of a smack in the face that would be to Blizzard? They're making the names public to make money I'm sure, but I would LOVE to see them shell out tens of millions in a lawsuit filed against them if someone does get stalk-murdered.
Wait is this post going to put me in the suspect chair now if this does happen? Oh wait... this is exactly what happens when we have to worry about our names being tied to our rants online... great.
I hate the Linksys WRT600N so much I put it in my signature.
PB cracker
July 08, 2010 at 2:00pm
Give this a read, it's worth it - http://seewhatyoudidthere.com/2010/07/07/realid-changes-the-very-real-ease-of-stalking-in-the-internet-age/
Biceps
July 08, 2010 at 1:12pm
That Facebook handed Blizzard a FAT wad of cash to make this change. It is pretty clear from the comments I have seen on the still anonymous Warcrack forums that this is something most players (that is a majority) do not want the 'real-ID' policy. So, if they go ahead with the change, that means that Blizzard somehow stands to make a substantial amount of money from implementing this new policy. This smacks too much of the recent Facebook Connect controversy for my comfort.... someone at Blizzard is getting paid handsomely to push this change, I would bet.
Saltboy
July 08, 2010 at 1:03pm
I do not troll or spam or flame, but I would quit anything that requires me to publically share my full name. They think trolls are bad now, wait until the troll knows your real name and starts calling you at work and sending your home address bags of dog poo.
Pretty bad move, Blizzard.
Digital-Storm
July 08, 2010 at 1:51pm
Because your real name tells everything about you right? No. Chances are, someone has the same name as you.
Mighty BOB!
July 08, 2010 at 4:00pm
He's got a part 2 up:
http://seewhatyoudidthere.com/2010/07/08/realid-pt2-ethics-voting-with-your-dollar/
Digital-Storm
July 08, 2010 at 12:58pm
So in other words, the writer of this article, somehow believes that the only smacktalk that goes on in the forums, is people talking trash to eachother on pvp. He clearly doesn't visit the battle.net forums often enough to know its just a hellhole of trolling and spamming.
Havok
July 08, 2010 at 12:54pm
I prefer the notoriety and relative anonymity that comes with a screen name. It's kinda cool to recognize your Steam friends on different forums or websites.
YES! This post made it through the Spam Filter!
water_man3
July 08, 2010 at 12:20pm
I've heard that the decision to implement this is out of Blizzard's hands - can someone say Electronic Arts circa late 1990s?
gothliciouz
July 08, 2010 at 12:03pm
damn i'm unistalling wow now!...and anything related to blizzard
FuriousDre
July 08, 2010 at 12:00pm
It's not like anyone is going to quit WoW over it, regardless of how much they threaten to. Just like everyoen will buy MW3 regardless of the price or even if there is a monthly fee. Even if a few do, it won't hurt them. Sadly.
Phosphorous
July 08, 2010 at 1:03pm
Not everyone....I won't buy MW3 and haven't bought the POS called MW2 either. 90% of the members of my CoD clan has not purchased it either and we easily have over 50 members. Yeah, that's a drop in the bucket, but still not everyone.
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