Bnet forums to be Real Name Only - Page 148

On July 09 2010 14:09 phizzy wrote:
First of all this is my first 'substantial' post on Teamliquid but i have been reading this forum on a day to day basis since i got the invited to the Starcraft 2 beta. I thought i would post my opinion on the use of real names instead of nicknames.
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On July 09 2010 14:09 Chesner wrote:
Will blizzard staff have to post under their Real ID on the forums aswell? Don't know if this question has been asked or answered yet, 150 pages is scary to go through ><

On July 09 2010 14:48 travis wrote:


From what I read that was their plan originally, but after the bashiok incident they backtracked and now say that's a "security risk".

On July 09 2010 14:39 ascoe wrote:


The simple way to stop drivel, flames, and trolls is to actually moderate your forum. It's not a new idea. Displaying real names with zero privacy settings or no way to opt out is not a solution it's a mess thats could easily end in people suing them.

From what I read that was their plan originally, but after the bashiok incident they backtracked and now say that's a "security risk".

On July 09 2010 14:48 travis wrote:


From what I read that was their plan originally, but after the bashiok incident they backtracked and now say that's a "security risk".

On July 09 2010 15:12 Chesner wrote:


This whole effin thing is a "security risk" ._.

On July 09 2010 14:48 travis wrote:


From what I read that was their plan originally, but after the bashiok incident they backtracked and now say that's a "security risk".

On July 09 2010 15:41 Nilrem wrote:
I wonder if Blizzard realizes they have killed the forums. By killing, I do not mean sheer numbers. I am sure there will be plenty of forum posters once Sc2 and Cataclysm are released. But, many of the known and quite insightful users will NOT be posting. That means, there will be a gaping whole where helpful advice and comments would normally ensue. So yeah, at this point, I will not be posting on the forums once it is integrated and I play Sc2. I foresee a drastic decline in the quality of post and possibly not quantity.

On July 09 2010 14:09 phizzy wrote:
First of all this is my first 'substantial' post on Teamliquid but i have been reading this forum on a day to day basis since i got the invited to the Starcraft 2 beta. I thought i would post my opinion on the use of real names instead of nicknames.

The Problem
People are generally upset they will no longer be able to post as anonymous on the official fan forums at Blizzard.

My Thoughts
This is not a bad thing! This move by Blizzard is good for the community. No longer will people be able to post flames, trolls or generally non-productive comments with out those posts being attached to their real name.
The quality of the forum will increase because people will no longer feel the safety of posting as an anonymous user. The saying 'don’t say anything unless it is nice or constructive' will be something most users could say their parents gave them as children as a piece of advice you should live by. I hope at least. Blizzard are just putting this in to use on their forums.
People think that by posting their real names and identity's will be trolled should think about this.
1. If people choose to flame you on Blizzard forums then they will one be posting their own names as well and two that Blizzard have said any abuse of the real name feature will result in serious penalties
2. Make sure you Facebook, Twitter etc is on friends or followers access only (something which it should be anyway)
3. PROTECT your image! whether it be internet or real life they are both important.

Examples
I have decided to give a few short examples for the community so you might understand my thought process behind my opinion.

When Day[9] makes a post (forget that you know his name is Sean Plott) for the most part people will instantly know that the post will have some type of good information or at the very least be worth reading. Day[9] commands this respect from the fellow forum users because of the identity and reputation that his nickname has built up during posting on a forum.
Now what is different about having an online personality which is in fact your own! You post under your name it builds a reputation and instead of Day[9] being given kodus for posts it would be Sean Plott.

The counter example is (made this person up, i hope :S) User123. User123 makes posts like, +1, first comment, you suck, you stink, omg lolz i watched it and think you stink. This user has done nothing to try and enhance his image on this forum and therefore nobody cares what he says. AT ALL
When User123 is forced to post as his real life name (again made up) John Doe he will one think do i want these stupid posts effecting my name and two are they even worth it? This is a positive outcome for the real name system as you are cutting down on useless posts and making people being to think about what they are posting.

When you join an online community such as this one you want to be know as someone who knows what they are talking about or are good at the game by making it attach to your real name instead of your nickname makes no difference you are still looking to be accepted.


The Solution
If you don't want to have your real name spread across the internet then in the days we live in you should not be on the internet because unless you are one of the few who are very security aware there is no way to keep you personal detains off the internet.
Blizzard is not forcing you to post but by allowing real names it is forcing you to think about your image, which unfortunately is something that not enough people on the internet care for.

Conclusion
I just wanted to give a counter argument to some of the people who had instantly blasted this move from Blizzard but i think if you sit down and think about it you can see there are some very big advantages to what they are doing.
On a closing note to the people who believe using real names will 'kill e-sports' i really think you should use some of the advice in this post and try and protect your image.

I should close off with my name is Edward Bayford (Phizzzy) so i don't look like a hypocrite by posting