Real ID is still Real Dumb
Real ID FAQ
Battle.net's Real ID system is a new, optional layer of identity beyond the standard in-game character level of identity that keeps players connected to each other across multiple Blizzard Entertainment games. When players mutually agree to become Real ID friends, they'll have access to a wealth of additional features designed to enhance their social gaming experience. For information on these upcoming features, check out our Real ID page and read the FAQ below.
How will I become Real ID friends with another player?
Both players must first mutually agree to become Real ID friends. To send a Real ID friend request to another player, simply enter his or her Battle.net account name (an email address) using the Add Friend function in-game. The other player will see the pending request in their friends list, and if they accept, you will become Real ID friends with each other.
Who should I add to my Real ID friends list?
Real ID is a system designed to be used with people you know and trust in real life -- friends, co-workers and family -- though it's ultimately up to you to determine who you wish to interact with in this fashion. When you become Real ID friends with another player, you will be sharing your real name and opening up new communication options with that player. In addition, players who are Real ID friends with that player will be able to see your name in a “friends of friends” list, which allows people to be able to quickly send Real ID friend requests to others they may know.
What information about me will other players see when I use Real ID?
If you are using Real ID, your mutual Real ID friends, as well as their Real ID friends, will be able to see your first and last name (the name registered to the Battle.net account). You will also be able to see the first and last name of your Real ID friends and their Real ID friends. Your Battle.net account name (your email address) is not displayed to other players through the Real ID friends list. In addition, players with Real ID relationships will be able to view each other's online status, Rich Presence information, and Broadcast messages, and will be able to see which character and game their Real ID friends are playing across supported Blizzard games.
Am I able to set my status to show my Real ID friends whether I am online or away?
You are always able to set your status to show whether you are online, away, or busy. Any Real ID or character-level friend on your friends list will see your online status. Beyond simple online status information, Real ID friends will see detailed Rich Presence information (what character the Real ID friend is playing, what they are doing within that game, etc.) and will be able to view and send Broadcast messages to other Real ID friends.
How does Blizzard safeguard my information?
We respect the privacy of our players and recognize the importance of providing a secure environment for them. You can find out how Blizzard safeguards user information by reading our Online Privacy Policy.
Cross-Game Chat
With Real ID, friends can now chat cross-game, cross-realm, and cross-faction across all supported Blizzard games. In World of Warcraft and need more players for your Icecrown Citadel raid? You check your Real ID friends list to see if anyone's available, and sure enough, a couple of guildmates are playing a 2v2 ranked match in StarCraft II. Real ID makes it easy to ask them to come along.
Rich Presence
See additional information on your friends list about what your Real ID friends are up to. Find out what your friends are doing and which games and modes they're playing in real time. Invite that buddy just sitting around in Dalaran to play some StarCraft II with you without fear of interrupting a raid or a heated Wintergrasp match.
Broadcasts
Broadcast a short status message for all of your Real ID friends to see, whether you want to issue a call-to-arms or let your friends know about an important change of plans. You can also read your friends' broadcast messages on the "Recent Broadcasts" feed on the Battle.net welcome page -- kind of a "corkboard" to leave messages to your friends when offline or busy.
Friend Once, See All Characters
When you agree to become Real ID friends with another player, both of you will automatically see all the other's characters on your friends list. You'll even see any characters your friend creates in future Blizzard games, carrying your social network forward and helping you stay connected with the people you enjoy playing with most.
Basically: people who are friends will be able to see exactly what each other are doing. They will be able to advertise upcoming events like raids. They will know each others legal names (the ones you give Blizzard that are on your credit card, etc) and so will anyone they're friends with. There is not an invisible option, just "busy". People who do not use Real ID can avoid the privacy concerns, but will miss out on talking to their friends who are sitting in other games or characters on different realms or factions, and won't see those broadcasts about raids. As someone who misses out on a lot because my sister stays up at night playing and then tells me all about what she did the next day ("yeah we ran this dungeon and got this achieve and then I got two more reputations to exalted and one of the guild leaders moved some awesome gear into the public bank tab for me and pretty much I'm a zillion times better than you at everything and everyone likes me more and wants me around"*), being on the outside of the group of people doing things together is not fun at all.
*note that she doesn't actually say that bit, but that's how it sometimes feels - you did see my post about being neurotic, right?
Basically, as things stand this is exactly the system they said they would implement a few months ago. Despite the hundreds of pages of people complaining, and pointing out problems. and discussing their need to feel safe while still being part of the community. Nothing was added for these people. Nothing was changed. It's still just "give out the information we've told you all along to never give anyone, and then a whole bunch of people will be able to see your legal name! As a bonus, if you don't do this, prepare to feel left out and marginalised because you just don't matter."
Fuck yeah, sounds like great fun.
This entry was originally posted at http://keieeeye.dreamwidth.org/117145.html. Feel free to comment there instead because LJ is a poo.
Battle.net's Real ID system is a new, optional layer of identity beyond the standard in-game character level of identity that keeps players connected to each other across multiple Blizzard Entertainment games. When players mutually agree to become Real ID friends, they'll have access to a wealth of additional features designed to enhance their social gaming experience. For information on these upcoming features, check out our Real ID page and read the FAQ below.
How will I become Real ID friends with another player?
Both players must first mutually agree to become Real ID friends. To send a Real ID friend request to another player, simply enter his or her Battle.net account name (an email address) using the Add Friend function in-game. The other player will see the pending request in their friends list, and if they accept, you will become Real ID friends with each other.
Who should I add to my Real ID friends list?
Real ID is a system designed to be used with people you know and trust in real life -- friends, co-workers and family -- though it's ultimately up to you to determine who you wish to interact with in this fashion. When you become Real ID friends with another player, you will be sharing your real name and opening up new communication options with that player. In addition, players who are Real ID friends with that player will be able to see your name in a “friends of friends” list, which allows people to be able to quickly send Real ID friend requests to others they may know.
What information about me will other players see when I use Real ID?
If you are using Real ID, your mutual Real ID friends, as well as their Real ID friends, will be able to see your first and last name (the name registered to the Battle.net account). You will also be able to see the first and last name of your Real ID friends and their Real ID friends. Your Battle.net account name (your email address) is not displayed to other players through the Real ID friends list. In addition, players with Real ID relationships will be able to view each other's online status, Rich Presence information, and Broadcast messages, and will be able to see which character and game their Real ID friends are playing across supported Blizzard games.
Am I able to set my status to show my Real ID friends whether I am online or away?
You are always able to set your status to show whether you are online, away, or busy. Any Real ID or character-level friend on your friends list will see your online status. Beyond simple online status information, Real ID friends will see detailed Rich Presence information (what character the Real ID friend is playing, what they are doing within that game, etc.) and will be able to view and send Broadcast messages to other Real ID friends.
How does Blizzard safeguard my information?
We respect the privacy of our players and recognize the importance of providing a secure environment for them. You can find out how Blizzard safeguards user information by reading our Online Privacy Policy.
Cross-Game Chat
With Real ID, friends can now chat cross-game, cross-realm, and cross-faction across all supported Blizzard games. In World of Warcraft and need more players for your Icecrown Citadel raid? You check your Real ID friends list to see if anyone's available, and sure enough, a couple of guildmates are playing a 2v2 ranked match in StarCraft II. Real ID makes it easy to ask them to come along.
Rich Presence
See additional information on your friends list about what your Real ID friends are up to. Find out what your friends are doing and which games and modes they're playing in real time. Invite that buddy just sitting around in Dalaran to play some StarCraft II with you without fear of interrupting a raid or a heated Wintergrasp match.
Broadcasts
Broadcast a short status message for all of your Real ID friends to see, whether you want to issue a call-to-arms or let your friends know about an important change of plans. You can also read your friends' broadcast messages on the "Recent Broadcasts" feed on the Battle.net welcome page -- kind of a "corkboard" to leave messages to your friends when offline or busy.
Friend Once, See All Characters
When you agree to become Real ID friends with another player, both of you will automatically see all the other's characters on your friends list. You'll even see any characters your friend creates in future Blizzard games, carrying your social network forward and helping you stay connected with the people you enjoy playing with most.
Basically: people who are friends will be able to see exactly what each other are doing. They will be able to advertise upcoming events like raids. They will know each others legal names (the ones you give Blizzard that are on your credit card, etc) and so will anyone they're friends with. There is not an invisible option, just "busy". People who do not use Real ID can avoid the privacy concerns, but will miss out on talking to their friends who are sitting in other games or characters on different realms or factions, and won't see those broadcasts about raids. As someone who misses out on a lot because my sister stays up at night playing and then tells me all about what she did the next day ("yeah we ran this dungeon and got this achieve and then I got two more reputations to exalted and one of the guild leaders moved some awesome gear into the public bank tab for me and pretty much I'm a zillion times better than you at everything and everyone likes me more and wants me around"*), being on the outside of the group of people doing things together is not fun at all.
*note that she doesn't actually say that bit, but that's how it sometimes feels - you did see my post about being neurotic, right?
Basically, as things stand this is exactly the system they said they would implement a few months ago. Despite the hundreds of pages of people complaining, and pointing out problems. and discussing their need to feel safe while still being part of the community. Nothing was added for these people. Nothing was changed. It's still just "give out the information we've told you all along to never give anyone, and then a whole bunch of people will be able to see your legal name! As a bonus, if you don't do this, prepare to feel left out and marginalised because you just don't matter."
Fuck yeah, sounds like great fun.
This entry was originally posted at http://keieeeye.dreamwidth.org/117145.html. Feel free to comment there instead because LJ is a poo.