Mr Luke Hinton

[Lukehi]

I was just reading this article about how the World of Warcraft .com forums are forcing users to post using their real names.  The hope is that people will be less like to flame and troll if other know their 'true identity'.

The article gives the views of both sides of the argument but I'm siding with Blizzard on this.  Not that I use their forums but it makes sense that users will think twice before flaming.  As for the nay-sayers, if I wanted to look someone up on the interweb then there's already lots of ways to find them so I dont think it will make much difference.

<Article>


What do you guys think?  Good idea or big mistake?

[GamerMan316]

I get abuse no matter what name I use so it makes no difference for me. 

[nCogNeato]

I can definitely see Blizzard's point-of-view.  The WoW forums are rediculous.
I tried playing WoW a couple years ago.  I even got my character up to Level 18 I think.  But I just couldn't find a way to participate in the community.

Every time I posted on the forum, I would receive one of the following replies:

• "If you don't know, you shouldn't be playing."
• "WoW sucks."
• "Live nude teens.  CLICK HERE"
• "Join my guild and I'll answer your question.  You have to play as [specific class] character.  You're not allowed to have any other friends.   We require all of your time, money, blood, ..."

However, a company's top priority should always be customer privacy.  There are a lot of shady people on the WoW scene.  I predict bad things.

[Jaynestown]

I think WOW should go to Room 101!!!

[Failed]

won't this just increase phishing ?

I like my online persona, i got called Failed all day at the 360DF day out. People must have thought the others cruel.

'Poor guy being called Failed'

[nCogNeato]

won't this just increase phishing ?

I like my online persona, i got called Failed all day at the 360DF day out. People must have thought the others cruel.

'Poor guy being called Failed'

It's like that show The Guild.  I don't think they even know eachother's real names.

[Lukehi]

I can never remember all of your names...

[nCogNeato]

The whole concept of my online identity is for people to not know my name.   

[Jaynestown]

I can never remember all of your names...

What's your name Luke?

[Lukehi]

The whole concept of my online identity is for people to not know my name.   

Ok then...dont tell them your name Pike!

[Jaynestown]

Ah, so it's Pike, cheers Luke, I'll try to remember that! 

[Maibs]

Read this on another forum:

Wow Forum Users have been Duped!

It is a proven leadership tactic that when you want to introduce something unpopular, you first pretend you are going to introduce something even more unpopular. Then you rescind the really unpopular change leaving the one you wanted to get through. Happens in government and business all the time.

A ratings system is going to be unpopular. So how do you sell this to the forum users? You pretend you are going to publish their real names with their posts. After the furore erupts you then reconsider and decide not to show the real names. But the ratings system is still going ahead. With a triumphant power to the people feeling WoW forum users have agreed to a ratings system.

One of the best sucker punches I have ever seen in the gaming industry

[Failed]

heehee! clever subterfuge

[NeuroticSarge]

It's quite amusing as you all call me Sarge,because when we play with randoms a lot of the time people ask if I am in the army! Of course,I reply.Frightens the f*ck out of em!

[DFUSIONITE]

It's quite amusing as you all call me Sarge,because when we play with randoms a lot of the time people ask if I am in the army! Of course,I reply.Frightens the f*ck out of em!

[/b]

I thought you were in the army....