Poll: Well that's RealID over and done with.

[Joseph Murnan]

Blizzard announced that RealID is now being scrapped due to the massive ammounts of hate that they recieved, they will be going back to the old style of just using character names.

What did you think of RealID? A good idea that people overreacted to, or a simply appauling idea that would stop you playing completely?


(There are still hate topics living on the official forums so spread the word if you can. I don't have a WoW account anymore so I can't.)

 

[Radeonx]

2 threads about this.
I thought it was a decent idea. It had it's flaws, but it might've helped with all of the trolling.

 

[tehweave]

Not a good idea. Which is worse:

1. Having everyone be anonymous, and there will be some trolls doing annoying things in threads or insulting people.
2. Having everyones real name be seen. Said trolls are now being stalked by the people they pissed off because now their REAL identity is out there.

One will possibly lead to someone getting hurt emotionally (if the trolls are good enough to spot your weakness) while one will possibly lead to someone getting hurt physically (if someone took your real ID, found your real house, and hurt your real self).

I wasn't a fan of the idea.

 

[Om Nom Nom]

Other: Forcing people to pick just one character to use on the forums would have had the same effect, with an entire threadnaught less of backlash.

 

[TerranReaper]

I still say it's a terrible idea to make it a requirement. Luckily, they decided to make it optional (Least I think they are, judging by the wording). I gotta say though, I doubt RealID was going to stop trolling at all.

 

[lostzombies.com]

A IP ban system would solve most of the problems, even though it can be overcome, most trolls will not bother with the hassel. Even if they do multiple IP bans stock up against your ISP.

 

[Sonicron]

Good. I was actually toying with the idea of not buying any more Blizzard games, but apparently they've come to their senses.

 

[MisterShine]

I'm glad they're moving away from using real names, now I really hope they'll institute some form of nickname system that once chosen can't be changed, and is forever tied to all your posts on the forums. I think that'd have nearly the same effect, if not even better. Also, only showing the nickname on the forums and people who are on your realid friends list. I hope they don't scrap the idea entirely.

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Crazy idea. Any benefits it could have brought were swamped by the damage it could have done.

 

[Joseph Murnan]

2 threads about this.
I thought it was a decent idea. It had it's flaws, but it might've helped with all of the trolling.

Ah, sorry about that there was so much hate still lingering on the official forums I'd assumed not many people knew. I was just trying to spread the word.

I actually think It was a great idea, not sure about giving out a home adress for all to see on the internet but showing real names would have completely stamped out trolling. As long as you aren't being stupid on the forums then you've got nothing to worry about.

 

[Signa]

Well, I guess I'll be buying Diablo 3 again when it comes out. I was seriously considering passing on it because of this.

I mean, just think how easy it could be to track some one like me with my 11 letter last name. All the Anderson and Smith trolls out there would be practically invulnerable to being found and harassed IRL.

 

[FoodMonger]

The RealID concept seemed fairly interesting, letting you talk to friends who are playing on a different Blizzard game,and also cross-realm or faction. It was completely voluntary and people can agree that it was a good idea when it was introduced in that form.

The way they are making it so that your real name appears all of their forums is a terrible idea, however. Maybe if they modified it to not show your real life name, but a new Blizz-ID name. It would be similar to the RealID thing, but your true name is not revealed, but you have a singular online alias that you cannot change after setting up your account.

*snip*

crap, ninja'd

 

[Ironic Pirate]

The mandatory aspect was horrible, because most trolls wouldn't be phased and everyone else would lose privacy.

 

[Dahni]

I like RealID. I like being able to talk to my friends in other factions/servers. As long as they keep that part, I don't care what they do.

 

[Vuljatar]

That was fast.

I expected them to hold out for another week.

 

[The Shade]

threadnaught.

I see what you did there. -_-

---------------

As more than a few people pointed out, RealID (ie. your name) can lead to a quick YellowPages search,which will reveal a phone number, from which you can discover address. That's all kinds of creepiness right there, and you'd have no choice about putting that potential info in the hands of a bajillion internet weirdos.

 

[tomtom94]

It's not the solution, I'm afraid. Real names can't be just spread throughout the internet.

 

[Lightslei]

I will still boycott any Activision game until they earn my trust back that they will actually use their brain's next time.

 

[Charli]

Oh thank god the cloud of stupid was broken.

 

[Ascarus]

What did you think of RealID?

i thought it was a horrible idea. how many people here have ever "googled" their name? i have and chances are, so have you. mine is not a common name. "Googling" my name will initially link you to every scholarly research article i have ever published or been included as an author on. after that it's a short trip to that journal to find where i work. from there you could head to the the university website and find my picture ...

if i want to share my name with someone on the internet, that should be my choice. it shouldn't be a requirement to post on an internet forum -- whatever rationales are given for it.