5 Reasons Why Blizzard’s Real ID Rule is a Real Mistake
By Justin Massoud
Update: Blizzard has changed its mind about this whole thing. Full coverage here.
To fairly represent both sides of Blizzard’s decision to identify its forum posters by real first and last name, Justin Massoud is standing with the common folk, while Jared Newman sides with The Man. Here’s the take from Justin.
Now that you’ve read one side of the story (the wrong side!), I think it’s time for me to crack a few wisdom eggs and make a knowledge omelet. Blizzard may offer reasoned explanations tempered with years of experience bolstering and supporting a massive community, but when you’re wrong, you’re wrong — and Blizzard is wrong here.
Anonymity can be a good thing
The outcry from those affected by Real ID may seem relatively quiet when measured against the bulk of the community willing to go along with the change, but the concept of Real ID is one that should be scary to everyone who uses the internet.
Have you ever shared unpopular opinions on a message board with a group of like-minded, overzealous individuals who seemed ready to fight anyone that disagreed with them? Would you really want those people to know your name? Many cite anonymity as the leading cause of cyber strife, but it cuts both ways: without anonymity, the crazies could possibly track you down and kill you in your sleep. Well, maybe that’s a bit over-dramatic, but it’s not entirely without merit when you consider something like this.
Bad for business
The backlash against Blizzard won’t be measured by angry rants on gaming forums or critical blog posts, but by the amount of people who choose to boycott the company’s products due to this alteration.
Admittedly to a company as massive as Activision those few aren’t even drops in the bucket, especially when the bucket is really a giant 10-gallon drum and already overflowing with the cash of WoW addicts. But if the company is willing to sacrifice their community’s expectations of relative privacy, they should also be ready to accept the consequences of Real ID.
Betraying a trust
There’s no arguing that most gaming forums are full of personal insults, trolling, and vitriol typically reserved for use by politicians. But what about the honest, upstanding members who just want to talk video games and follow not only the law of the site, but the spirit too?
As it stands Real ID will harm honest users more than it does the rotten eggs of the internet. Those who have always obeyed the rules are having their trust betrayed. Granted they may not have anything to fear from sharing their real names, but philanthropists sometimes prefer to help anonymously. The point being, even if you’re doing good doesn’t mean you want to stand up and be counted.
Alternative Methods
Blizzard purports Real ID is a tool with which it can eradicate the bad parts of its forum. Funny – I thought that tool already existed: it’s called the Ban Hammer.
If people are causing problems on the forum, suspend them. If they continue to do so, ban them. Simple.
It probably won’t work anyway
Blizzard is mistakenly assuming that forcing forum members to post under their real names will prevent trolling, flaming, and all other nastiness. It won’t. People will still bicker and hurl insults. They’ll break the rules. Because even without anonymity, there is no all-seeing, all-knowing entity standing behind them, ready to offer a light tap on the shoulder and stern yet loving reproach right before they hit the “Post” button. And if there was, they’d call it a n00b and lock themselves in the bedroom with their laptop.
Disagree? Maybe you’ll find affirmation with “5 Reasons to Stop Whining at Blizzard Over Real ID.”
Thursday, July 8, 2010 12:27PM
I basically agree, but think the most important point was glossed over: gamers immerse themselves in their games. We SEPERATE ourselves from the constantly-connected nitwits who thrive on social networking sites and first-alert-respond to the ding when a new tweet comes in.
There are ALREADY multple layers of social networking built in to the gamers' world: Ventrillo, Guild sites, common chat, and the existing Forums ( Blizzards and those of the add-ons that work with Warcraft).
The conceit that Activision shows by thinking they can replace this thriving social structure with their own – especially being born in a state of breached promise – is an aberration and abortion of the basic culture of gamers everywhere.
Thursday, July 8, 2010 12:38PM
I don't think that the higher ups realize that it won't work because they have no idea what goes on many tiers below them. They are corporate bigwigs who have never played a video game before.
Thursday, July 8, 2010 2:32PM
The official line is that it's to combat trolling. Dig a little deeper and you'll find the real reason why Real ID is being executed the way it is, and it has everything to do with Facebook.
Thursday, July 8, 2010 3:51PM
The name I chose is pretty much my stance on this.
I gave my real name to Blizzard for billing purposes, not so they could post it up if I ever needed help on the forums customer/tech service pigeon hole you into.
If I wanted a social networking experience, I would have kept my MySpace. I didn’t, therefore I no longer have one. When I log into WoW, I want have fun, kill things, and give gold to my brother on raid nights since he always seems so poor
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The forums were bad, but we play a MMORPG with PVP… emotions will run high and insults will be thrown. Having real names attached to that implies they want real world consequences.
Thursday, July 8, 2010 9:03PM
Justin – there is actually good reason that the nice people in the game will get hunted down. Mistakes happen in game, and there are a few that will go to great lengths because the feel insulted (go back to the reason /ignore has been added to nearly all multiple games). One of my very good friends joined a PUG that didn't go well…he was an excellent tank, but the healer was terrible…none-the-less, one jerk thought it was my friends fault. The jerk created multiple toons just to harass my friend. And, yes, this is but one of many similar stories that my friends (as well as myself) have encountered over the years in WoW. Imagine giving those people the tool to track down and harass innocents (and their families). The jerks are a very small percentage of the players, but a very small percentage of 10 million subscribers is likely hundreds of thousands of them.
Friday, July 9, 2010 1:07AM
The #1 reason why RealId is a bad idea, which no one seems to get, is that it reveals 1/2 of your account login information.
Right now, for you to "hack" my account, you have a lot of work ahead of you – primarily, finding out my BattleNet account name. RealId is tied to that account name. I have to share 1/2 of my login information with "trusted friends and family" in order to link them as a RealID friend, but after that I am networked with every goober they're networked with. Like unprotected sex, I'm exposing myself not just to this person, but every other person whom they've had a relationship with. As "Left-eye" Lopez (RIP) or any other disgruntled paramour who decided to key their ex's car has proven, even the ones you love can be a threat.
The best way for Blizzard/Activision to proceed is require us to make an account-specific identifier that is NOT tied to our login information. Even then, the forced networking aspect is something I do not wish to participate in.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011 2:26PM
There are easy ways to get your Real ID name in-game without ever adding you as a friend, anybody with the IQ above a housecat can do it, Real ID is one of the main reasons i've changed back to private servers and other types of MMOs other than retail WoW.
I doubt this (Realid) will ciest to exist, they told us personal information would never be given out by them – well my name is pretty damn personal to me and i don't wanna be a part of some semi-gaming online facebook sensation… if i wan't people to know my personal information over a game i'd stick to Farmville. A big big fail by Blizzard… again.. unless they somehow gives us (players) the ability to add Game Master Real Id's THAT would even things out as a reprisal.