Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums • Hacker News Board

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#41

Post by csallen » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 8:33 PM UTC

This is one of those changes that people rebel against simply because it's a change. If the forums had started out like this, and were now changing to become anonymous, I'm sure at least as many people would be complaining as are now. So let's go over some of these complaints:

>> Gaming is stigmatized by non-gamers

How do you figure? This sounds like it's simply conjecture or personal experience at best... in which case I'll mention that I know plenty of non-gamer professionals who respect gamers. Even if it is stigmatized, it's becoming decreasingly so as older gamer generations age. And the widespread immaturity made possible by total anonymity is a big reason people don't respect the gaming community in the first place. I welcome changes like this, which only serve to accelerate the de-stigmatization of gaming.

>> lots of users will stop playing these games for professional reasons

Why would someone who wishes to remain anonymous stop playing a game, when they can instead simply stop posting on the forums?

>> They don't understand how much they're giving up people's privacy

The "invasion of privacy" flag is waved nauseatingly often. It is not an invasion of privacy for a site to allow you to intentionally make posts under your real name. Blizzard is not tricking you, nor are they exposing your personal life without your permission. They are simply changing the dynamic on their forums to one that places a higher value on personal accountability. If you don't like it then fine, but don't accuse the company of being unethical. I'm sorry, but you don't have a right to be anonymous in everything you do.

People really need to get with the times. For the past 10 years we've lived in a world where people can Google your name and find anything about you. And for the past 5 years, we've lived in a world where more and more online services aren't supporting anonymity. That's the future, and yes * gasp * it's different than the past. Instead of complaining about change, why not adapt and take steps to control your own online reputation?

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#42

Post by shadowfox » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 8:41 PM UTC

marknutter wrote: post #38

hubb wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

this doesn't make sense. the loss of privacy isn't worth a potential gain in the quality of discussion. look at any public group or announcement on facebook: lack of anonymity does not prevent people from being ignorant jackasses

I just think people would be a lot more thoughtful if they had to own up to what they said.

It is also possible that a lot of people would hesitate to say what should be said for the very same reason

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#43

Post by catch23 » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 8:51 PM UTC

gte910h wrote: post #20

rortian wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think this is crazy over the top. They are not releasing game time played for every person. They are getting rid of anonymous commenting on their forums. I think it is a change for the better. If someone is a troll and/or exhibits anti-social behavior online should it effect their profession careers? I'm cool with it. If people have to think twice about being obnoxious, life just might be better. Don't forget that…

I know it's not. My name is unfortunately common enough it's hard for me get it on every website. My prism account is never taken. Additionally, I think you'll find I'm acutely aware of how non-anonymous my posts are, and have always been relatively tame in my posting history on all sights. It's not the acting out that will effect the professional careers of the people. It's the fact they have the hobby at all which…

Yeah, but after leaving Georgia Tech, who would still want to remember such an awkward email handle? I wonder if they are still using the lame randomly generated prism account handles for email these days, I don't think the average student actually needs terminal access in acme anymore.

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#44

Post by m-photonic » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 9:02 PM UTC

marknutter wrote: post #40

prodigal_erik wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anonymity's protection of nonconformists is the reason cities are the source of progress and villages are not. It is the only way you will ever hear What You Can't Say ( http://paulgraham.com/say.html ) from anyone who isn't willing to wreck their life over it. Any forum that requires a True Name is a waste of time for anything beyond small talk. It's not worth it to try to catch a few griefers (who will work around…

By your logic we should all be over at 4chan to discuss startups and tech news. Hacker News is a perfect example of the good that can come from non-anonymity and 4chan is the perfect example as to why total anonymity will always lead to cesspools.

Hacker News isn't non-anonymous. If someone gives out their real name on HN it's because they want to.

There is no substantial difference between the level of anonymity of HN and that of 4chan as far as real life identity is concerned.

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#45

Post by isamuel » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 9:26 PM UTC

It's a mistake to think that pseudonymity inevitably leads to rudeness on forums. Plenty of pseudonymous forums are civil: HN, for one. Reddit also gets a really high quality of user discussion. If Blizzard wants respectful discussions on their forums, they need a culture of respectful discussion. Real ID can't do that.

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#46

Post by gte910h » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 9:37 PM UTC

catch23 wrote: post #43

gte910h wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know it's not. My name is unfortunately common enough it's hard for me get it on every website. My prism account is never taken. Additionally, I think you'll find I'm acutely aware of how non-anonymous my posts are, and have always been relatively tame in my posting history on all sights. It's not the acting out that will effect the professional careers of the people. It's the fact they have the hobby at all which…

Yeah, but after leaving Georgia Tech, who would still want to remember such an awkward email handle? I wonder if they are still using the lame randomly generated prism account handles for email these days, I don't think the average student actually needs terminal access in acme anymore.

They still get them yes, and if you ever go back, you get the same one.

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#47

Post by prodigal_erik » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 9:42 PM UTC

gte910h wrote: post #27

robryan wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't want to work for any company that would discriminate against me for my gaming habits in my own time.

You say that now. Wait till you're out of work for 6 months. This company is hurting their user base in an effort to not have to do what every other forum on the internet does: Police the trolls. I'd thought about buying one of their games this Summer (Starcraft II) to play with some friends, but I'd be hesitant to get the "brand" myself after this change

This. A company with that attitude wouldn't be my first choice, but I'd have to prefer starving on the street before I'd give up the option of ever being able to work there.

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#48

Post by silencio » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 9:52 PM UTC

rortian wrote: post #34

sounddust wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For every Warcraft 3 player, a profile¹ is created (that you can't opt out of) which lists every game the player has ever played, including timestamps and game lengths. The forum posters are already linked to these pages, so presumably their RealId will be as well when the new system is implemented. This means that if you post in the forums once (even for a technical support issue), your real name will be associated…

Please read before you get started with the FUD. It will be optional to display your main characters name. EDIT: To be clear >so presumably their RealId will be as well when the new system is implemented. Is false on its face from Blizzard's announced policy. This, of course, eliminates the last concern of the parent.

> It will be optional to display your main characters name.

Which is hilarious and retarded at the same time, cause I'm posting on the blasted Battle.net forums in the first place because of the game I'm playing (in my case, WoW). It should be in the context of the character in said game, not my real name. WTF does my real name have to factor in what I want to say in my realm's forums or something? And why require real names in subforums that are legitimately being used with little trolling that in-game GMs will actually tell you to go to to post about problems and such?

In fact, WTF does my real name have anything to do with whether or not I will troll? I can go create a new account with a fake Real Name quite easily, and that's only to troll on the forums. Trolling outside of the forums and in real life is probably going to explode with this change. Which I'm sure is great for Blizzard, they can stop hiring so many CMs to moderate their forums.

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#49

Post by eru » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 9:53 PM UTC

jasonlotito wrote: post #16

cheald wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I already thought of that last point. Blizzard doesn't let you edit your name in your Battle.net contact details, apparently.

This will only be an issue if you elect to link your account to various social networking sites. By default, everything is kept confidential. Also, not be able to change your name is pretty key to elements of their security.

> Also, not be able to change your name is pretty key to elements of their security.

Why? Just keep a log of all the names you used. Maybe even visible to the public on your profile.

Re: Blizzard/Activision Removing Anonymity From Game Forums

#50

Post by silencio » Tue, Jul 06, 2010, 9:57 PM UTC

eru wrote: post #17

mbateman wrote: post #3

Some priceless comments from the comment thread in the story: "It will be pretty intresting to see the profiles on facebook/myspace of some of the 'top raiders.' Maybe pull up some DMV records and see what kind of mount they have IRL." "Finally I can stalk that pretty Draenei even more so." "Solution... (I hope) I'll be changing my name in my contact details. Sure, the mailman might be smirking as I have to sign unde…

> "Finally I can stalk that pretty Draenei even more so." She's probably a guy.

Or, you do find out that that pretty Draenei is actually female. Guess where it goes from there.

I get enough shit for joining vent and talking as a woman that plays WoW in anything non-guild related (oh, please, I still got shit there until I became an "established" player in the guild), I can only wait with joy!!!!! to see what happens on the forums.