Blizzard Entertainment, creators of Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft, recently managed to do something it doesn't manage to do often: make people furious. All it took were plans to strip anonymity from its fans by making them use their actual birth names on Blizzard's message boards.
But all the venom of the last few days--this insane outpouring of hatred from devoted but scared forum users--is needed no more. Blizzard has announced that its real-name plans are toast. So, you can stop posting Blizzard developers' phone numbers, pictures, and other freaky information, jerks.
Blizzard community rep Nethaera posted a letter from company CEO Mike Morhaime on the World of Warcraft message board (via Kotaku) this morning explaining the decision.
I'd like to take some time to speak with all of you regarding our desire to make the Blizzard forums a better place for players to discuss our games. We've been constantly monitoring the feedback you've given us, as well as internally discussing your concerns about the use of real names on our forums. As a result of those discussions, we've decided at this time that real names will not be required for posting on official Blizzard forums.
== TEASER ==From what I gather, a big part of the reason Blizzard wanted to use this Real ID system was to clean up the forums--to keep people accountable for the words they share on the message boards. A vocal minority didn't like this idea. Protest in the original announcement thread was commonplace, as users voiced fears and concerns, like worry over Internet stalking for female World of Warcraft players.
Xx_Bunnyfan_xX4373 Real ID was going to be used first on the StarCraft II message board starting on the game's July 27 release date. The World of Warcraft board was to adopt this policy when expansion Cataclysm launched.
There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point.
Changes are still coming to the Blizzard message board. Morhaime notes that post ratings and better searching is coming. He also mentions that Real ID in Battle.net games, which is primarily used to help friends communicate, will not be cancelled.
" The article says vocal minority, but frankly it was a vocal majority. The entire gaming internet was on fire over this one. "
Exactly. Not just the gamers and not just gaming journalists either... but even the EFF had questioned this just a day before the reversal. Not to mention the Blizzard employees themselves as rumors have it.
The question that went unanswered was how would using your actual name make you any more accountable in the forums? Blizzard had the right to ban anyone from the boards they found problematic whether or not they were using their given name or an onscreen name, so why make people reveal their actual names? It only invited trouble I think especially with the stories you hear about attacks against players over in-game disagreements. And, isn't it illegal to require minors to reveal their true identities? Maybe not, but it's still something every internet safety lesson warns against.
Pure and simple, it was a dumb idea and I'm glad they scrapped it. I blame Bobby Kotick for all this mess. :-p
I think you mean 'in asuccessful attempt to prove a point'.
The Blizz staff clearly weren't happy about the outcome of posting their real ID, so they shouldn't be trying to force it on paying customers. They now appreciate this too it seems.
In the end I suspect it came down to how unnecessarily vulnerable it made Blizzard. If something did happen - something made easier by this policy - then Blizzard would come out of it looking terrible, especially after how strongly they were warned by their own community. Why take that risk?
Great news. For anyone still unsure why the real IDs were a terrible idea, you can check out this amusing, but very valid video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiauaGbxipA
I don't currently play any Blizzard games or frequent their forums, so I'm probably out of turn in commenting on this whole debacle. Still, I think that Blizzard had some serious balls in proposing this change. It's no secret that internet anonymity guises much of the douchedom prevalent across the interwebs. I think removing it would've made for an interesting experiment.
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point. I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
The thing is. it was BEYOND stupid what the user did. To purposely go out and post a dude's PERSONAL info just to prove a point? They are doing the very thing that they dont want to happen to them. If that happened to any other user, they would flipping table and possibly looking into pressing charges or else. You don't prove a point by being a jackass. You prove it, by being intelligent and engaging in intelligent discussion.
If Blizzard was that worried about trolling on their forums they would employ their huge user base and make members administrators to help moderate their forums, not come up with some convoluted idea that if someones real name was displayed it would stop them from abusing someone.
If they want people to be accountable then ban them if they keep stepping out of line.
Pretty much every other forum on the internet utilise their user base to moderate their forums which not only ensures more people keeping an eye on the forums at all times but also brings the community together as those moderators would be members who are online often.
Still doesn't change that RealID is going to be used in-game anyway, so any personal information they gather from it can still be sold for targeted advertising.
" It doesn't matter if you use you real name or not. I'm pretty sure those Blizzard employee info is fake. They're just trying to scare people so they can get away with talking shit like they always do. And to prove it: Christopher Hedy That's my name. Go ahead and try to do something. "
http://www.facebook.com/chrisdhedy It's quite possible you put a fake address there for lulz, but otherwise everyone can find your address. I don't want random WoW trolls finding my address, but that's just me. "
Yeah I had to use an old address because my ex got into my Facebook and threatened to have some dudes come down to my house to do some shit. So uuummmm yeah. Try to figure out my new address. Lol. I'm pretty sure it won't happen. "
So if you had not been stalked before, we could stalk you now.
Erm.
At least you learned the first time...?
EDIT: Haha, I found posts on an anonboard of people messing with you by tracking all of your purchases back when you used Blippy. Heh, you're famous.
@PenguinDust: Exactly right. It does nothing at all for 'sensible' accountability unless your name already means something to people (ie. you work in the industry).
What's the implication here? That you have to watch what you say incase some nutjob takes it too far? That isn't accountability, that's just intimidation. Somebody not being able to say something because they feel intimidated is not a victory.
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point. I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
The thing is. it was BEYOND stupid what the user did. To purposely go out and post a dude's PERSONAL info just to prove a point? They are doing the very thing that they dont want to happen to them. If that happened to any other user, they would flipping table and possibly looking into pressing charges or else. You don't prove a point by being a jackass. You prove it, by being intelligent and engaging in intelligent discussion. "
I dunno, I would've just assumed that the employees of a company that were making you put up your information would be fine with having their's up there too?
" Great. Now dicks can hide behind their usernames again. "
I say dealing with forums dicks is a small price to pay for a little privacy. It's funny that people got so concerned when Blizzard employees started having their information put out there for all to see (bullshit or not), but users who would like the same sort of privacy are "out-of-line"?
@BradNicholson
said:
A vocal minority didn't like this idea.
I'm normally fine with the guy's articles (a fan even) but I'll be damned if this one isn't over-the-top with his personal opinion - I get the impression that Brad N was very in favour of this new Real ID thing?
Anyone stop and think that maybe that "vocal minority" may have consisted heavily of female gamers and people with kids? As a father, the more ideas like this that get crushed the happier I am. "
Ya the article is entirely biased even bashing the users proving there point about how easy it can be to do a simple google search.
Anyway its important to keep an eye on this since they are still going forward with real ID. Once its established and people get used to it they can very easily move ahead with more privacy threatening practices.
Really? A vocal minority? Did Brad even bother researching what the community had to say on this matter? Even the Penny Arcade guys posted that it was a bad idea. The only people I saw that seemed in favor of it were people who already post on blogs with their real names. Would Giantbomb work if we all had to post under our real names?
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point.
I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
Seriously. Also, the "vocal minority" part smells like bullshit. I have a hard time believing that anyone thought RealID was truly a great idea.
Really? A vocal minority? Did Brad even bother researching what the community had to say on this matter? Even the Penny Arcade guys posted that it was a bad idea. The only people I saw that seemed in favor of it were people who already post on blogs with their real names. Would Giantbomb work if we all had to post under our real names?
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point. I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
The thing is. it was BEYOND stupid what the user did. To purposely go out and post a dude's PERSONAL info just to prove a point? They are doing the very thing that they dont want to happen to them. If that happened to any other user, they would flipping table and possibly looking into pressing charges or else. You don't prove a point by being a jackass. You prove it, by being intelligent and engaging in intelligent discussion. "
Wait how is it personal if a simple google search brought it all up. Sorry mate the internet is not private. Was it still a jerk move? yes. Still isn't personal if you voluntarily put it on the net.
Is this a news item or a poor editorial piece? It's hard to tell.
At any rate, if I go to a website and act like an ass, someone can ban my account or ban my IP. It's how it has always worked, and it works fine. Giving someone's real name to someone who has a personal issue with them is like saying it's better to have vigilantism than a police force.
The reason they backpedaled is because a mod posted his name to show it was safe. People then posted his full name, address, phone number, pictures of his house, details of his wife and children and other personal details.
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point.
I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
Seriously. Also, the "vocal minority" part smells like bullshit. I have a hard time believing that anyone thought RealID was truly a great idea. "
I have a sneaking suspicion that of the 12 million subscribers a relatively small portion has seen the forums, a smaller portion has posted on the forums, and a smaller portion has an opinion on that.
" Great. Now dicks can hide behind their usernames again. "
Using "real names" won't stop that and you're a fool if you think it will. The only thing that makes a good community is proper and fair moderation coupled with community feedback. Posting real names just opens the door to internet detectives and doesn't make for any sort of accountability when you can just make new B.net accounts.
It's still a 'vocal' minorty. 70% Of the WoW players doesn't even use the official forums, so they don't care. Like me and most of the people i know in-game for example. :)
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point. I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
The thing is. it was BEYOND stupid what the user did. To purposely go out and post a dude's PERSONAL info just to prove a point? They are doing the very thing that they dont want to happen to them. If that happened to any other user, they would flipping table and possibly looking into pressing charges or else. You don't prove a point by being a jackass. You prove it, by being intelligent and engaging in intelligent discussion. "
Wait how is it personal if a simple google search brought it all up. Sorry mate the internet is not private. Was it still a jerk move? yes. Still isn't personal if you voluntarily put it on the net. "
While I agree that it was kind of a jackass move, how else were you supposed to prove the point that Real ID was a bad idea without googling someone's name?
@Gaff: This is simply not valid. If law enforcement needed information on an offender, they can simply take it from Blizzard. Accounts with real ID only make things accessible by the public.
@KaosAngel: They're not late with the news on this, they reported Blizzard backing off of the idea. If this was an article just about how Blizzard was planning on doing it, then yes, it would be viciously late.
I'm glad they did that, even though I don't use the Blizzard forums. I intend on keeping Google search results for my name blank, since I have an unique name. I'm not approving how cowardly idiots think they can act however they wish just because they can remain anonymous on the internet, but certain people wouldn't want to make their opinions/name/sex/sexuality available for everyone to see or find out, and they have a right to do so.
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point. I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
They are doing the very thing that they dont want to happen to them.
Precisely, therefore they did exactly what was needed. The Activision/Blizzard higher-ups were obviously not willing to listen to the concerns and belittled the risks of identity theft and stalking (as do many consumers, sadly), so why not give them a radical preview of what's really going to go down? There are clinically sick and disturbed people out there, folks.
" A vocal minority didn't like it? That means a silent majority liked it? Thats one of the stupidest thing I've ever heard. "
You made yourself sound stupid for saying that and directing hate for no reason. It can mean that the "silent majority" you're talking about just was not fully against it or did not feel strongly enough to voice it. Think before you start making a dick out of yourself about how someone phrases something.
" A vocal minority didn't like it? That means a silent majority liked it? Thats one of the stupidest thing I've ever heard. "
You made yourself sound stupid for saying that and directing hate for no reason. It can mean that the "silent majority" you're talking about just was not fully against it or did not feel strongly enough to voice it. Think before you start making a dick out of yourself about how someone phrases something. "
Or, only the people who this affected, which was people who posted on the forums, spoke out against it.
People got way too bent out of shape about this whole thing. As if all a hacker needed to steal your private information, is your name. Bullshit paranoia. Just an excuse to be assholes.
" It doesn't matter if you use you real name or not. I'm pretty sure those Blizzard employee info is fake. They're just trying to scare people so they can get away with talking shit like they always do. And to prove it: Christopher Hedy That's my name. Go ahead and try to do something. "
Took about 20 seconds. One piece of information leads to another. Someone who actually wanted all of your information could have it quite readily. There is already a thread with near 50,000 replies on the WoW forums about this. Guess who won? Stop fighting a fight that has already been lost.
" People got way too bent out of shape about this whole thing. As if all a hacker needed to steal your private information, is your name. Bullshit paranoia. Just an excuse to be assholes. "
Eh, I think the idea behind the outrage was that all you need to do is have a name and Google just like they did with the Blizzard employee. I do think the paranoia was a little unfounded (you can find tons of random peoples' names on facebook, etc), but I think overall it was just a stupid, pointless idea that really wouldn't really help.
" People got way too bent out of shape about this whole thing. As if all a hacker needed to steal your private information, is your name. Bullshit paranoia. Just an excuse to be assholes. "
Clearly, you don't have much experience with the internet.
" @Apathylad: It's still a 'vocal' minorty. 70% Of the WoW players doesn't even use the official forums, so they don't care. Like me and most of the people i know in-game for example. :) "
Right, but then those people aren't even a part of the sample are they? The implied sample is WoW forum users, not WoW players.
@Metal_Mills: Yeah, because that information is available on facebook and the phone book. Hell, I can make up a name, look in a phone book and then check the internet for information.
It never ceases to amaze me how surprised people are that information they make public to the internet can be found by strangers.
Frankly, I don't see a problem with it. Anonymity is the catalyst of the Greater Internet Fuckwad Theory. Anonymity is needed by those people living double lives on the internet. A games company is not responsible for maintaining your facade.
" There was an uglier side to the rabble, as documented by VG247 and Kotaku. Some users began throwing out personal details of Blizzard employees, phone numbers and the like, in a sorry attempt to prove a point.
I strongly disagree with the implication that this was some sort of sorry perverted vendetta. You know, I could just as easily check up on a certain Brad Nicholson. I bet you would be thrilled to read every detail of your private life. "
Seriously. Also, the "vocal minority" part smells like bullshit. I have a hard time believing that anyone thought RealID was truly a great idea. "
I have a sneaking suspicion that of the 12 million subscribers a relatively small portion has seen the forums, a smaller portion has posted on the forums, and a smaller portion has an opinion on that. "
True. Most actual WoW players probably don't care either way because they don't use the forums. But for the people that visit the forums, even on a fairly irregular basis, probably think Real ID is a bad idea. As far the people who actually use forums on the internet; however, it certainly wasn't a "vocal minority". If anything, the people in favor of Real ID are the extreme minority. I don't think I'd be using GB's forums if they made me use my real name (even though I have an extremely common name) when I used the forums, would you?
Saying something comes from a "vocal minority" is a very poor debate tactic. It's right up there with using "some people say" to make an outlandish claim while ducking personal responsibility, and the "slippery slope" fallacy.
Any complaint can be said to be coming from a "vocal minority" and suddenly the burden of proof is on your opponent to prove otherwise? No, screw you, that's not how it works.
Let's try an example we should all be able to get behind. A "vocal minority" of GameSpot users feel that Jeff Gerstmann shouldn't have been fired from GameSpot. This would be "technically" true, because most people who use GameSpot don't even have forum accounts and never gave their opinion on the matter. Does that suddenly mean Jeff Gerstmann SHOULD have been fired from GameSpot? After all, everyone who complained about it was just a vocal minority.
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