Quote: Original post by samoth
For this to work in a legal way, there would have to be an extra field (and logic) added to every post marking it as "old" post (i.e. pre-ToS change), so only new posts show the real name (which the users implicitely agree to).

There's already a date field. They can compare post dates to the new-TOS date. Also, when accessing the page, if current-user-agreed-to-TOS-date < new-TOS-date then they can pop up a new TOS agreement before letting you make any new posts.

Quote: Original post by samoth
For this to work in a legal way, there would have to be an extra field (and logic) added to every post marking it as "old" post (i.e. pre-ToS change), so only new posts show the real name (which the users implicitely agree to).

Blizzard knows their legal stuff:

Quote: One important point which I don't believe has been relayed yet is that the switch to showing RealID on the forums will only happen with the new forum systems we're launching for StarCraft II shortly before its release, and a new forum system for World of Warcraft launching shortly before the release of Cataclysm.

All posts here on the current World of Warcraft forums, or any of our classic Battle.net forums, will remain as-is. They won't (and can't) automatically switch to showing a real first and last name.

All posts in the future on the new forum systems will be an opt-in choice and ample warning will be given that you're posting with your real first and last name.

Quote: There's already a date field. They can compare post dates to the new-TOS date. Also, when accessing the page, if current-user-agreed-to-TOS-date < new-TOS-date then they can pop up a new TOS agreement before letting you make any new posts.

You really don't want to use any such solution whenever real laws are involved. There have been plenty of snafus where such hacks suddenly failed (perhaps clock got messed up).

Since this is dealing with both, EULA compliance (class action) and privacy laws (nasty), the best way is clean restart and completely new database.

I dont know if Blizzard DOES know its legal stuff. Or at least, the people making these decisions. I have lost a lot of respect for blizzard as a company, and I currently do not play any of their games nor do I plan to (anymore, sc2 isnt fun and diablo 3 is a while away).

Military personnel cant reveal their names if they are in positions that require secrecy. When they first made their accounts, they did not know their personal information would be shared. Obviously they can refuse to post, but Blizzard has boasted a forum community where players can interact with others, the staff and contribute ideas and such. Now the players are forced to reveal personal and potentially sensitive information to do something Blizzard has boasted about (and potentially helped players when deciding to purchase the game). Consider kids not knowing better and revealing their names, girls who will now be harassed even more, or names which will encourage tormenting/persecution.

This cannot be a good idea, I have yet to see a good argument made for it.

I don't think the increase in real life harassment will be worth the reduction of online harassment, especially with games like WoW and SC2 that people get so insanely absorbed into. There's enough horror stories out there already without every psychopath online knowing who you are.

And if anyone is thinking of the old "well just don't post inflammatory comments in the first place" argument: Just because you think you have nothing to hide doesn't mean everyone else agrees.

Simple solution: Don't use their forum.

John Smith: this username has already been claimed. Please contact your government to go about formally altering your given name. Some suggestions:
John_Smith, John_Smith448, JSmithington

:)

Seriously if they do that, won't people just ...not...supply their real names?
Call myself Guy Incognito or something.

Quote:
Military personnel cant reveal their names if they are in positions that require secrecy.

Is this really an issue? Are there positions where you can have public discussions so long as only Blizzard can directly tie you to the discussion? Why is Blizzard given so much trust by the military?


For harassment, some of that will be tempered by the fact that the harasser's name will also be exposed and is probably against the TOS.

Also, I have nothing scientific, but my impression is that the proportion of people either posting on the internet with their real name or with their real name trivially connected to their screen name (e.g. in their profile or signature) is increasing. E-mail addresses also often give away a real name.

Quote: Original post by Way Walker
but my impression is that the proportion of people either posting on the internet with their real name

Increasing number of jobs forbid making public statements without explicit prior written approval.

If making a statement in public, and someone records it an republishes it, one can take legal action against them, depending on circumstances. The Blizzard forums will be made available to anyone, and due to nature of internet, any party storing, processing or republishing this information or any aggregated information cannot have effective legal action taken against them.

Then there is another problem - if you have a common name - how will you prove that the foul mouthed troll is not you - once the newly hired MBA grad, gunning for your job tries to discredit you in front of bosses by showing someone named like you is spending all days raiding?

These are real problems, which have already caused no end of problems to people.

I don't think it's a bad idea for certain types of forums. This forum for example, would be a good candidate for real name posting.

But on a game forum?? You just expect a level of trolling/flaming to go on there. Forcing people to give up their identity so they can chat about how lame rogues are seems a little much. Also, tensions run high on wow. Someone's going to get beat up, or get their house broken into, or get killed because of something in game or on the forum and Blizzard is going to have a real media frenzy on their hands.

Also, what happens when little Jimmy using his dad's credit card (thus his name), ruins his dad's reputation on a WoW forum post.

Quote: Original post by ChurchSkiz
I don't think it's a bad idea for certain types of forums. This forum for example, would be a good candidate for real name posting.

I think that real names are a bad idea for almost every forum. The only thing real names does is trade sock puppet trolls for bullies.

Having real names increases the "stakes" for discussion, since they all can be tied back to a real person. Feelings get hurt, since you're not just attacking KewlName, you're also attacking Joe Smith. And worse, it gives a bully even more power, since they can not only hurt your e-feelings, but also affect your real professional life.

That is the real powerful thing about being anonymous, because it allows you to ask the dumb questions and get corrected without risk of labeling yourself forever. It also allows you to discuss something you may not understand entirely with someone who is knowledgeable and get corrected, without having the world see you getting smacked down by a highly respected person.
~~
I think Blizzard's decision is terrible, since they know everyone's real name anyways, the only thing it does is reveal real names to other users, which is problematic in itself.