Blizzard Scraps Plans To Display Real Names In Forums

Source: www.kotaku.com

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.

Regarding real names in forums

I've never seen the WoW community unite against one thing so adamantly. I hope this discussion never has to be brought up again.

I think a better idea would be to use real names as a form of punishment.

And this just goes to show that a community can still affect developers.

And this just goes to show that a community can still affect developers.

foxhound_fox

if only something like that could work with ubisoft to get rid of that drm.

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

it was such a bad idea to bring a huge dose of reality to that game and the forums. the whole point behind rpgs is to leave your regular life out of it.

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]

And this just goes to show that a community can still affect developers.

TheShadowLord07

if only something like that could work with ubisoft to get rid of that drm.

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

heretrix

To be fair there's no better way for someone to understand your POVthan byfeeling the effects themselves. What I understand from this was that blizz employees weren't too happy with the change either, so I guess all that contributed. But yea doing that was a bit extreme TBH.

I've never seen the WoW community unite against one thing so adamantly. I hope this discussion never has to be brought up again.

Espada12

[QUOTE="Espada12"]

I've never seen the WoW community unite against one thing so adamantly. I hope this discussion never has to be brought up again.

SamiRDuran

Offtopic: That sig. :lol:

Ontopic: Good news. :)

terrorism, it doesn't count if elves are doing it...

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

heretrix

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

Espada12

To be fair there's no better way for someone to understand your POVthan byfeeling the effects themselves. What I understand from this was that blizz employees weren't too happy with the change either, so I guess all that contributed. But yea doing that was a bit extreme TBH.

well that was a smart moveferret-gamer

Your sig is by far the best on the forums :lol:

on topic, well why would they want to do that anyway? Sounds flatout dumb. You should never do that.

seems to me it was more trolls fearing their annonymity being taken away then actual privacy concerns. they should make it optional really.

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

Ninja-Hippo

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

Ninja-Hippo

seems to me it was more trolls fearing their annonymity being taken away then actual privacy concerns. they should make it optional really.

WilliamRLBaker

Every time we want something reversed, we must post "2000" pages worth of posts. That's the trick guys. Elian2530

Nice Blizzard, thanks for listening to your fans.

Good, nowno one needs to know Im a guy that plays a Female Dranei Shaman. ......... A ****

I'm pretty torn on the idea. On one hand, anonymity allows freedom of expression. People can voice their opinions without fear of personal reprisal. On the other hands, people hiding behind anonymity for trolling, griefing and harassment have no fear and no repurcussions. Anonymous people who go out of their way to harass and deride people should be subject to the very real possibility of an a##-beating, just like if they had done it in real life.

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

heretrix

I can't find a sense for the Facecr4p implementation in a game. Really, means no sense.

You want a social network for gaming? Then you have Steam, Xfire, etc. There's no reason to put your real name and private stats in a forum from a damn game. After near 5 years playing online nobody aside personal friends have a clue of my real name, and works well.

Lately Blizzard is starting to worry me, making absurd decisions as to disable LAN in Starcrat II, reducing the max amount of players in Diablo III to 5, and selling virtual items in WoW. The Kotic's shadow is currently long; I'm afraid that Blizzard is turning to the dark side...

I'm pretty torn on the idea. On one hand, anonymity allows freedom of expression. People can voice their opinions without fear of personal reprisal. On the other hands, people hiding behind anonymity for trolling, griefing and harassment have no fear and no repurcussions. Anonymous people who go out of their way to harass and deride people should be subject to the very real possibility of an a##-beating, just like if they had done it in real life.

hellhund

Why not have a setup like GS? Pretty simple imo. They already have the report button just have more moderators and drop the ban hammer a little easier on the blatant trolls.. simple enough.

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

Ondoval

I can't find a sense for the Facecr4p implementation in a game. Really, means no sense.

You want a social network for gaming? Then you have Steam, Xfire, etc. There's no reason to put your real name and private stats in a forum from a damn game. After near 5 years playing online nobody aside personal friends have a clue of my real name, and works well.

Lately Blizzard is starting to worry me, making absurd decisions as to disable LAN in Starcrat II, reducing the max amount of players in Diablo III to 5, and selling virtual items in WoW. The Kotic's shadow is currently long; I'm afraid that Blizzard is turning to the dark side...

[QUOTE="hellhund"]

I'm pretty torn on the idea. On one hand, anonymity allows freedom of expression. People can voice their opinions without fear of personal reprisal. On the other hands, people hiding behind anonymity for trolling, griefing and harassment have no fear and no repurcussions. Anonymous people who go out of their way to harass and deride people should be subject to the very real possibility of an a##-beating, just like if they had done it in real life.

Espada12

Why not have a setup like GS? Pretty simple imo. They already have the report button just have more moderators and drop the ban hammer a little easier on the blatant trolls.. simple enough.

[QUOTE="Espada12"]

[QUOTE="hellhund"]

I'm pretty torn on the idea. On one hand, anonymity allows freedom of expression. People can voice their opinions without fear of personal reprisal. On the other hands, people hiding behind anonymity for trolling, griefing and harassment have no fear and no repurcussions. Anonymous people who go out of their way to harass and deride people should be subject to the very real possibility of an a##-beating, just like if they had done it in real life.

hellhund

Why not have a setup like GS? Pretty simple imo. They already have the report button just have more moderators and drop the ban hammer a little easier on the blatant trolls.. simple enough.

You can't create a troll account on WoW's forums. Unless you pay 20 dollars retail and keep paying for it monthly just to troll.

Was a bit like Big Brother, You Known: in communist Russia the game plays you. I can catch the irony. Not supporting the people who did it, but I can't say that I'm surprised of how did go, not at all.

I have to question the reasons they wanted to do this in the first place...anyone with any clue of what gamers actually want would have known that this was a bad idea.

[QUOTE="hellhund"][QUOTE="Espada12"]

Why not have a setup like GS? Pretty simple imo. They already have the report button just have more moderators and drop the ban hammer a little easier on the blatant trolls.. simple enough.

Espada12

You can't create a troll account on WoW's forums. Unless you pay 20 dollars retail and keep paying for it monthly just to troll.

[QUOTE="hellhund]

I was speaking more about the idea than this specific example.

Oh I was just referring to blizz.

Comment from a WoW player discussing the initial Real ID announcement:

• 32260.Re: Battle.net Update: Upcoming Changes to Fo07/07/2010 07:51:22 PM PDT

"As a working adult and someone who tries to keep his personal life separate from his professional life, I am not a fan of someone being able to do a google search on my real name and the first thing to pop up being me engaging in a discussion on gnome etiquette or how the Dance Studio is going to revolutionize WoW. I have been playing online games the past 13 years, and chose to use a handle instead of my real name so that I could differentiate the two, and I'd prefer to keep it that way."

Win :lol:

Comment from a WoW player discussing the initial Real ID announcement:

• 32260.Re: Battle.net Update: Upcoming Changes to Fo07/07/2010 07:51:22 PM PDT

"As a working adult and someone who tries to keep his personal life separate from his professional life, I am not a fan of someone being able to do a google search on my real name and the first thing to pop up being me engaging in a discussion on gnome etiquette or how the Dance Studio is going to revolutionize WoW. I have been playing online games the past 13 years, and chose to use a handle instead of my real name so that I could differentiate the two, and I'd prefer to keep it that way."

Win :lol:

WhenCicadasCry

well that was a smart moveferret-gamer

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

heretrix

I don't agree with the means protesters used but I do agree with the end.

Good, nowno one needs to know Im a guy that plays a Female Dranei Shaman. ......... A ****

XboximusPrime

No wai me too, and a Female Nelf Druid, but who can blame us when the males of both races look ridiculous, damn Alliance males !!!.

I've never seen the WoW community unite against one thing so adamantly. I hope this discussion never has to be brought up again.

[QUOTE="heretrix"]

"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."

Ah, the big stupid internet never fails to amuse me with their misguided nonsense. As much as I disagree with Blizzard's idea, to expose anyone's personal info without their consent as a way of protest is going way over the line. It's this kind of behavior that shows me that some people need to take their asses outside for a few years.

SaltyMeatballs

I don't agree with the means protesters used but I do agree with the end.

Ross_the_Boss6