Blizzard Scraps Plans To Display Real Names In Forums

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MegaDrive20XX

Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
Following an overwhelmingly negative response from fans, Blizzard has decided not to implement the planned forum changes that would require players to post using their real names.

In a post by Blizzard staffer Nethaera on behalf of Blizzard CEO and president Mike Morhaime, the controversial changes have been reversed.

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.

Blizzard originally revealed its decision on Tuesday, after which the forums exploded with negative fan response. The response spilled out onto the internet at large, with many detractors going to extreme lengths to protest the changes, including posting the personal information of Blizzard staffers on Facebook and personal blogs, including the names and phone numbers of employees' friends and family.

Blizzard will still be going forward with other planned changes to the forums, including comment threading, a voting system that will allow users to downgrade or upgrade comments, and improved search functionality.

The post also notes that the Real ID system used in-game to help players communicate with one another will remain in place, and this decision will not affect plans in that area.

It bears noting that Morhaime's message does say "at this time," which is language echoed in a statement given us by Blizzard PR on the matter. Could the issue rear it's ugly head again? Perhaps, but for now, your identities are safe with Blizzard.


http://kotaku.com/5583405/blizzard-scraps-plans-to-display-real-names-in-forums
 
Yeah real Id on the forums is a baaad idea. At least in game you have to give the person your friend request to be able to see your name.
 
I think its just to make it easier to stay in touch with real life friends across games or something like that. Because you know, I'm too stupid to remember that Grindspine is Chuck on Starcraft AND Diablo.
 
SpartanEvolved said:
I think its just to make it easier to stay in touch with real life friends across games or something like that. Because you know, I'm too stupid to remember that Grindspine is Chuck on Starcraft AND Diablo.
Click to expand...

And Steam...
 
The fact that people could, in theory, use their real name in those games and on those forums, but don't, should have been enough for Blizzard to realize this was not a good idea.

My take on the whole situation? Some kind of advertising deal was cooked up between Blizzard (or rather Activision) and Facebook (or rather GoogleMe), but it required a persistent ID between the sites, or some such nonsense.

The reason: to "contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they haven't been connected before".

The first two points might be true in the sense that they really do believe it would help them manage their community, who knows, but its the last part that's really interesting. It is unclear what kinds of connections they're referring to, and it's worded cleverly to imply that such connections would still be within the domain of Blizzard, but the language is vague enough to extend to other communities, networks, social networks even.

I don't think this is the last we'll hear of it though. Be prepared for incremental moves toward this, for the completion of whatever sinister plot lurks beneath.
 
I would avoid those forums at all costs. I mean, while it may not be common by any means, think of the story of the CS player who knifed a guy in real life because he got knifed in game. He did that without even knowing the guys name, things like that would only become more common.
 
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