First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
The question is: why would you even try to forsee what happens 10 years from now when it's impossible to do so. Anything can happen in 10 years.
Exactly. Maybe I shouldn't drink or party. Hell, I even like to smoke cigs every once in a while, what if 10 years from now they will be considered a controlled substance like cocaine?
No, no, no. You don't understand. It's like blaming the drug test when you come up positive and get fired. If your job and your pastime don't coincide, don't do it.
You're right, I don't understand My job and my pastime coincide, my job and my pastime *being made public* does not.
If you're having to close the windows, turn off the lights and hide what you're doing, you probably shouldn't be doing it.
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
Well, then, you better make responsible comments since you may have to answer for them later.
No, I will avoid posting my real life information on the internet and say whatever I want.
And that's one of the primary problems of anonymouty and explains your motivation against it being removed.
The primary problem is that we're being judged by our past times and hobbies as opposed to our performance at the workplace and it's because of people like you.
I'll give you credit. You've turned the last page or so into a referendum on your views on privacy, but getting back to the bigger picture:
What does the customer gain from this? I mean, as of right now, anyone can choose to add their real name to their post. When this is implemented, I no longer have a decision whether my name is associated with my posts, but what did I gain in exchange for exposing this information?
This is clearly not an attempt to stop trolls since Blizzard can already ban people and they already have the info to do so.
This is clearly not about accountability since so many people believe that exposing your real name carries no risk (no risk = no accountability).
Let's face it, those who disagree on the privacy issue will likely never agree on it. The arguments on both sides, regardless of validity, are becoming extremely redundant at this point.
I don't agree that no risk = no accountability. Those are two entirely separate issues. The accountability comes with your "karma" as it were. What comes around to you by how you treat others. Risk is in someone stealing your identity and getting credit in your name.
I don't know if you've been on the battle.net forums, but being banned there is completely pointless. People just come right back with new CD-Keys.
And the customer doesn't have to gain anything because they're not losing anything other than the *illusion* that they had any privacy to begin with.
So...you're going with the (best Earl voice) "Do good things and good things'll happen" defense?
Now, on the topic of risk, it is weighed differently by different people. If you would rather discuss accountability, the notion that exposing someones name will somehow make them more responsible/accountable, but then saying that name has no value are still contradictory ideas.
Now, previous to this change, I could use the forums without volunteering my name. I have lost that ability whether you consider it an illusion really neither here nor there. Fact is, before this change, no real name, after this change no choice whether my name is displayed if I want to use the forums (be it realm forums, class forums, or even just tech support). So again, what is the gain? If there is no gain, then there is reason to support the change. Pretty simple formula.
-mklinic
"Do something right, no one remembers. Do something wrong, no one forgets" -from No One Remembers by In Strict Confidence
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
The question is: why would you even try to forsee what happens 10 years from now when it's impossible to do so. Anything can happen in 10 years.
Exactly. Maybe I shouldn't drink or party. Hell, I even like to smoke cigs every once in a while, what if 10 years from now they will be considered a controlled substance like cocaine?
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
Well, then, you better make responsible comments since you may have to answer for them later.
No, I will avoid posting my real life information on the internet and say whatever I want.
And that's one of the primary problems of anonymouty and explains your motivation against it being removed.
The primary problem is that we're being judged by our past times and hobbies as opposed to our performance at the workplace and it's because of people like you.
Again, this is like blaming the drug test for having failed it.
If you're having to close the windows, turn off the lights and hide what you're doing, you probably shouldn't be doing it.
Oh lord, you and you're wife aren't... in public... in full daylight.... and on sundays too? I think we're from two incompatible cultures or something...
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
The question is: why would you even try to forsee what happens 10 years from now when it's impossible to do so. Anything can happen in 10 years.
Exactly. Maybe I shouldn't drink or party. Hell, I even like to smoke cigs every once in a while, what if 10 years from now they will be considered a controlled substance like cocaine?
What's your point?
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
The question is: why would you even try to forsee what happens 10 years from now when it's impossible to do so. Anything can happen in 10 years.
Exactly. Maybe I shouldn't drink or party. Hell, I even like to smoke cigs every once in a while, what if 10 years from now they will be considered a controlled substance like cocaine?
What's your point?
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
You're the one who wants to work for someone who thinks your playing a game puts you out of the running for a job.
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
Well, then, you better make responsible comments since you may have to answer for them later.
No, I will avoid posting my real life information on the internet and say whatever I want.
And that's one of the primary problems of anonymouty and explains your motivation against it being removed.
The primary problem is that we're being judged by our past times and hobbies as opposed to our performance at the workplace and it's because of people like you.
Again, this is like blaming the drug test for having failed it.
If you're having to close the windows, turn off the lights and hide what you're doing, you probably shouldn't be doing it.
Oh lord, you and you're wife aren't... in public... in full daylight.... and on sundays too? I think we're from two incompatible cultures or something...
Come on, you really have to have understood that I was referring to hiding what you're doing from people. You don't want anyone know you're playing a game. If it's that important people don't know that you're playing a game, just stop playing it. It's a game.
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
Let me repeat, slowly...This Is NOT Just About Blizzard Forums....
They have a deal with Facebook....your information will be linked through it....you and your family and friends face spamming from all sorts of marketing sources that will jump all over this opportunity to mine for more money....and once you are on their radar, it is a freaking nightmare to get off of it.
IN ADDITION....the way Battle.net is set up, it uses your email for logon and account info, and it is linked to Real ID. Too many people have already had their accounts hacked through Battle.net loopholes, so how much easier is it going to be when they can put together your real name with your other account info?
PLUS...Blizzard has left the door wide open on what ELSE they have planned for this glorious new social network they are envisioning...God only knows what lies ahead from them along these lines.
AND...being a so-called industry leader, like it or not, OTHER games and corporations watch what industry leaders do, and if it works for them, they jump right on the ol' bandwagon to get theirs, too...all at the expense of your privacy, your safety, and your rights.
It is where this leads that has so many up in arms. Have the foresight, for heaven's sake, to realize that.
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
Well, then, you better make responsible comments since you may have to answer for them later.
No, I will avoid posting my real life information on the internet and say whatever I want.
And that's one of the primary problems of anonymouty and explains your motivation against it being removed.
The primary problem is that we're being judged by our past times and hobbies as opposed to our performance at the workplace and it's because of people like you.
Again, this is like blaming the drug test for having failed it.
Only if gaming is illegal.
Maybe you work with some strange people, but people are quite often open about what they do in their pastime in the workplace.
Let me repeat, slowly...This Is NOT Just About Blizzard Forums....
They have a deal with Facebook....your information will be linked through it....you and your family and friends face spamming from all sorts of marketing sources that will jump all over this opportunity to mine for more money....and once you are on their radar, it is a freaking nightmare to get off of it.
IN ADDITION....the way Battle.net is set up, it uses your email for logon and account info, and it is linked to Real ID. Too many people have already had their accounts hacked through Battle.net loopholes, so how much easier is it going to be when they can put together your real name with your other account info?
PLUS...Blizzard has left the door wide open on what ELSE they have planned for this glorious new social network they are envisioning...God only knows what lies ahead from them along these lines.
AND...being a so-called industry leader, like it or not, OTHER games and corporations watch what industry leaders do, and if it works for them, they jump right on the ol' bandwagon to get theirs, too...all at the expense of your privacy, your safety, and your rights.
It is where this leads that has so many up in arms. Have the foresight, for heaven's sake, to realize that.
If I didn't want to be bothered by spam mails, mailings, my information on the Internet, I wouldn't be on the Internet. I have a facebook and a myspace that's got my pictures and my handle and everything. I put it there for my family, friends and people who may find themselves interested in who I am.
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
The question is: why would you even try to forsee what happens 10 years from now when it's impossible to do so. Anything can happen in 10 years.
Exactly. Maybe I shouldn't drink or party. Hell, I even like to smoke cigs every once in a while, what if 10 years from now they will be considered a controlled substance like cocaine?
What's your point?
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
You're the one who wants to work for someone who thinks your playing a game puts you out of the running for a job.
You're missing the point. I do not know what will happen in 10 years. How can I predict what may be used against me 10 years from now? How do I know if my current employer will retain me if he finds out that I'm a gamer?
This is getting way out of hand with speculation so listen, there is a reason why we keep certain information private. You may be a trusting individual and don't mind sharing personal information with complete strangers but not all of us are like that. Some of us have reasons to keep certain information private and you would not understand these reasons until you're in a similar situation. You know what they say about walking a certain distance in someone's shoes, right?
Come on, you really have to have understood that I was referring to hiding what you're doing from people. You don't want anyone know you're playing a game. If it's that important people don't know that you're playing a game, just stop playing it. It's a game.
I don't mind people knowing it, but I do mind the whole world knowing it. Basically, it shouldn't matter to the boss what I do in my free time, but now that google is here he'll make it his business anyway. I'm protecting what I believe is rightfully mine (my free time) by posting anonymously, and it hurts noone. A real name scheme just limits my options without giving me anything of value in return.
I've been watching this from a distance. This is a truly terrible idea. I have thoughts and I have theories. I'm going to lay it on you guys. I do not believe everybody who uses the internet is a truly evil person, just some.
1) Child lovers do something called grooming. If the name of a child, any child, is known via the forums of WoW and RealID, with their characters locked in, it could make that process a little bit easier. If you know the child's name it makes it more personal. Parental controls are not going to stop somebody creating a mod which can reveal ppl's names.
2) Idenitiy theft. I go on the WoW forums, pick a name, google it, find an address, fill out a CC application with a false name and address. I'm not going to care. I'm not getting the bills.
3) I get killed in P2P by somebody. I happen to have them as a friend on RealID or they're on a friend of a friend's list. Makes no odds. I have a fearsome temper. I find their address, I go out there and I do some truly nasty things.
Theories on why they're doing it.
Well, it ain't to clear the trolls up. As many ppl have pointed out, more moderation would do that. You are at some point going to be able to associate your facebook account with your WoW account. Free advertisments with a 'What games do I play' type area on Facebook. WoW mini on there, with micro transactions, or it'll pull more ppl in as they see ppl are playing it. Win/Win. They tap the untapped market. More money. Money is the root of all evil.
I don't got anything else. I stopped playing WoW a while ago. My account got hacked and has remained unusable. I won't be returning. If I was a paying customer I would bail. My daughter will never have a Blizzard account for anything. Not everybody is evil, just enough to scare you. I like my privacy.
First of all, if playing a game endangers your career, you need to stop playing it.
It might be that it's not the activity itself that endangers the career, but the fact that it's presented so openly. What if I want to become a spokesperson for a major firm? The company might not like it if a bunch of gaming discussions come up when they google my name.
Seriously, if I have friend with heart problems on both sides of the family who starts working out religiously and eating only vegetables, I don't point to myself (no known heart conditions in the family) and tell him to relax and have some more beer and chips... If I still want him as a friend, that is
Again.... If it endangers your career just don't do it.
How can you forsee something that will happen 10 years from now? I may switch careers or move up the corporate ladder. But that may not happen because something I did 10 years ago will be preventing me from doing so just because of some comment I made on a video game forum.
The question is: why would you even try to forsee what happens 10 years from now when it's impossible to do so. Anything can happen in 10 years.
Exactly. Maybe I shouldn't drink or party. Hell, I even like to smoke cigs every once in a while, what if 10 years from now they will be considered a controlled substance like cocaine?
What's your point?
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
You're the one who wants to work for someone who thinks your playing a game puts you out of the running for a job.
You're missing the point. I do not know what will happen in 10 years. How can I predict what may be used against me 10 years from now? How do I know if my current employer will retain me if he finds out that I'm a gamer?
This is getting way out of hand with speculation so listen, there is a reason why we keep certain information private. You may be a trusting individual and don't mind sharing personal information with complete strangers but not all of us are like that. Some of us have reasons to keep certain information private and you would not understand these reasons until you're in a similar situation. You know what they say about walking a certain distance in someone's shoes, right?
To be honest, I think you're stretching for a win. If you're afraid that an employer (or current employer) does not want you working for him because you're playing a game, don't play the damn game. But if you're afraid of that, I honestly think you're a fool.
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
But you don't know that. Or are you psychic?
And that is exactly my point. How do I know if anything I do now, will have an adverse effect on anything in the future? I don't. What I do know is that I can minimize any negative issues by not volunteering my personal information everywhere.
Come on, you really have to have understood that I was referring to hiding what you're doing from people. You don't want anyone know you're playing a game. If it's that important people don't know that you're playing a game, just stop playing it. It's a game.
I don't mind people knowing it, but I do mind the whole world knowing it. Basically, it shouldn't matter to the boss what I do in my free time, but now that google is here he'll make it his business anyway. I'm protecting what I believe is rightfully mine (my free time) by posting anonymously, and it hurts noone. A real name scheme just limits my options without giving me anything of value in return.
It's a matter of being secretive to a fault. Rather than letting us move forward and you go do what you want to do, you have to try to impede movement with nonsensical wheel-squeaking.
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
But you don't know that. Or are you psychic?
And that is exactly my point. How do I know if anything I do now, will have an adverse effect on anything in the future? I don't. What I do know is that I can minimize any negative issues by not volunteering my personal information everywhere.
How about you treat it like real life: If you don't want it getting around, don't do it.
To be honest, I think you're stretching for a win. If you're afraid that an employer (or current employer) does not want you working for him because you're playing a game, don't play the damn game. But if you're afraid of that, I honestly think you're a fool.
It's an example. There are other, much better, examples for keeping private information private. The fact is that these issues would not even be issues if Blizzard didn't decide to partner up with Facebook and make private information public.
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
But you don't know that. Or are you psychic?
And that is exactly my point. How do I know if anything I do now, will have an adverse effect on anything in the future? I don't. What I do know is that I can minimize any negative issues by not volunteering my personal information everywhere.
How about you treat it like real life: If you don't want it getting around, don't do it.
But how do I know what to do or not to do? For example, would you consider gaming to be a negative? Or telling a dirty joke to your friend outside of work? Or letting your husband/wife take sexy pictures of you? None of those things are illegal but people have lost their jobs because of them.
You're basically saying that I should stop living, whereas an easier solution would be to keep internet private, just how it always was.
Originally posted by nexus1g Again, this is like blaming the drug test for having failed it.
This is not anything at all like that, even a little bit. To blame the drug test if you failed it would be to fail to acknowledge that what you were doing was either illegal or a violation of written terms that you either had or would have agreed to as part of your employment contract.
To not want your employer to know that you play video games would be to not want to be subjected to the continuing stigma that video games have in Western society.
It is a form of persecution, albeit quite mild, that employers are going to be less likely to hire you if it is known you play an online subscription game. That reluctance stems from the widely publicised reports of people going crazy of games, and doing nothing else, to the detriment of their entire real lives, including their jobs. Employers do not want to take that risk.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it." Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
Comments
Exactly. Maybe I shouldn't drink or party. Hell, I even like to smoke cigs every once in a while, what if 10 years from now they will be considered a controlled substance like cocaine?
If you're having to close the windows, turn off the lights and hide what you're doing, you probably shouldn't be doing it.
The primary problem is that we're being judged by our past times and hobbies as opposed to our performance at the workplace and it's because of people like you.
So...you're going with the (best Earl voice) "Do good things and good things'll happen" defense?
Now, on the topic of risk, it is weighed differently by different people. If you would rather discuss accountability, the notion that exposing someones name will somehow make them more responsible/accountable, but then saying that name has no value are still contradictory ideas.
Now, previous to this change, I could use the forums without volunteering my name. I have lost that ability whether you consider it an illusion really neither here nor there. Fact is, before this change, no real name, after this change no choice whether my name is displayed if I want to use the forums (be it realm forums, class forums, or even just tech support). So again, what is the gain? If there is no gain, then there is reason to support the change. Pretty simple formula.
-mklinic
"Do something right, no one remembers.
Do something wrong, no one forgets"
-from No One Remembers by In Strict Confidence
What's your point?
Again, this is like blaming the drug test for having failed it.
Oh lord, you and you're wife aren't... in public... in full daylight.... and on sundays too? I think we're from two incompatible cultures or something...
My point is that if I'm going to avoid playing video games because my potential employer 10 years from now may not hire me because of my hobby, I may as well stop living.
You're the one who wants to work for someone who thinks your playing a game puts you out of the running for a job.
Only if gaming is illegal.
Come on, you really have to have understood that I was referring to hiding what you're doing from people. You don't want anyone know you're playing a game. If it's that important people don't know that you're playing a game, just stop playing it. It's a game.
But you don't know that. Or are you psychic?
Hit the brakes, people....
Let me repeat, slowly...This Is NOT Just About Blizzard Forums....
They have a deal with Facebook....your information will be linked through it....you and your family and friends face spamming from all sorts of marketing sources that will jump all over this opportunity to mine for more money....and once you are on their radar, it is a freaking nightmare to get off of it.
IN ADDITION....the way Battle.net is set up, it uses your email for logon and account info, and it is linked to Real ID. Too many people have already had their accounts hacked through Battle.net loopholes, so how much easier is it going to be when they can put together your real name with your other account info?
PLUS...Blizzard has left the door wide open on what ELSE they have planned for this glorious new social network they are envisioning...God only knows what lies ahead from them along these lines.
AND...being a so-called industry leader, like it or not, OTHER games and corporations watch what industry leaders do, and if it works for them, they jump right on the ol' bandwagon to get theirs, too...all at the expense of your privacy, your safety, and your rights.
It is where this leads that has so many up in arms. Have the foresight, for heaven's sake, to realize that.
Maybe you work with some strange people, but people are quite often open about what they do in their pastime in the workplace.
If I didn't want to be bothered by spam mails, mailings, my information on the Internet, I wouldn't be on the Internet. I have a facebook and a myspace that's got my pictures and my handle and everything. I put it there for my family, friends and people who may find themselves interested in who I am.
You're missing the point. I do not know what will happen in 10 years. How can I predict what may be used against me 10 years from now? How do I know if my current employer will retain me if he finds out that I'm a gamer?
This is getting way out of hand with speculation so listen, there is a reason why we keep certain information private. You may be a trusting individual and don't mind sharing personal information with complete strangers but not all of us are like that. Some of us have reasons to keep certain information private and you would not understand these reasons until you're in a similar situation. You know what they say about walking a certain distance in someone's shoes, right?
I don't mind people knowing it, but I do mind the whole world knowing it. Basically, it shouldn't matter to the boss what I do in my free time, but now that google is here he'll make it his business anyway. I'm protecting what I believe is rightfully mine (my free time) by posting anonymously, and it hurts noone. A real name scheme just limits my options without giving me anything of value in return.
I've been watching this from a distance. This is a truly terrible idea. I have thoughts and I have theories. I'm going to lay it on you guys. I do not believe everybody who uses the internet is a truly evil person, just some.
1) Child lovers do something called grooming. If the name of a child, any child, is known via the forums of WoW and RealID, with their characters locked in, it could make that process a little bit easier. If you know the child's name it makes it more personal. Parental controls are not going to stop somebody creating a mod which can reveal ppl's names.
2) Idenitiy theft. I go on the WoW forums, pick a name, google it, find an address, fill out a CC application with a false name and address. I'm not going to care. I'm not getting the bills.
3) I get killed in P2P by somebody. I happen to have them as a friend on RealID or they're on a friend of a friend's list. Makes no odds. I have a fearsome temper. I find their address, I go out there and I do some truly nasty things.
Theories on why they're doing it.
Well, it ain't to clear the trolls up. As many ppl have pointed out, more moderation would do that. You are at some point going to be able to associate your facebook account with your WoW account. Free advertisments with a 'What games do I play' type area on Facebook. WoW mini on there, with micro transactions, or it'll pull more ppl in as they see ppl are playing it. Win/Win. They tap the untapped market. More money. Money is the root of all evil.
I don't got anything else. I stopped playing WoW a while ago. My account got hacked and has remained unusable. I won't be returning. If I was a paying customer I would bail. My daughter will never have a Blizzard account for anything. Not everybody is evil, just enough to scare you. I like my privacy.
To be honest, I think you're stretching for a win. If you're afraid that an employer (or current employer) does not want you working for him because you're playing a game, don't play the damn game. But if you're afraid of that, I honestly think you're a fool.
And that is exactly my point. How do I know if anything I do now, will have an adverse effect on anything in the future? I don't. What I do know is that I can minimize any negative issues by not volunteering my personal information everywhere.
It's a matter of being secretive to a fault. Rather than letting us move forward and you go do what you want to do, you have to try to impede movement with nonsensical wheel-squeaking.
How about you treat it like real life: If you don't want it getting around, don't do it.
It's an example. There are other, much better, examples for keeping private information private. The fact is that these issues would not even be issues if Blizzard didn't decide to partner up with Facebook and make private information public.
But how do I know what to do or not to do? For example, would you consider gaming to be a negative? Or telling a dirty joke to your friend outside of work? Or letting your husband/wife take sexy pictures of you? None of those things are illegal but people have lost their jobs because of them.
You're basically saying that I should stop living, whereas an easier solution would be to keep internet private, just how it always was.
This is not anything at all like that, even a little bit. To blame the drug test if you failed it would be to fail to acknowledge that what you were doing was either illegal or a violation of written terms that you either had or would have agreed to as part of your employment contract.
To not want your employer to know that you play video games would be to not want to be subjected to the continuing stigma that video games have in Western society.
It is a form of persecution, albeit quite mild, that employers are going to be less likely to hire you if it is known you play an online subscription game. That reluctance stems from the widely publicised reports of people going crazy of games, and doing nothing else, to the detriment of their entire real lives, including their jobs. Employers do not want to take that risk.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it." Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
WTF? No subscription fee?