Real ID, Trollsbane

July 6, 2010 Mordil General 118

As Blizzard announced back at BlizzCon ’09, Battle.net is seeing updates as it moves to Battle.net 2.0.

Patch 3.3.5 brought us Real ID, the new way to connect with close friends in-game.

And now, Blizzard just announced new changes that will do away with anonymity on the official forums as Battle.net 2.0 closes in on its launch. Highlights are posted in bold.

Battle.net Update: Upcoming Changes to the Forums

Recently, we introduced our new Real ID feature – http://www.battle.net/realid/ , a new way to stay connected with your friends on the new Battle.net. Today, we wanted to give you a heads up about our plans for Real ID on our official forums, discuss the design philosophy behind the changes we’re making, and give you a first look at some of the new features we’re adding to the forums to help improve the quality of conversations and make the forums an even more enjoyable place for players to visit.

The first and most significant change is that in the near future, anyone posting or replying to a post on official Blizzard forums will be doing so using their Real ID — that is, their real-life first and last name — with the option to also display the name of their primary in-game character alongside it. These changes will go into effect on all StarCraft II forums with the launch of the new community site prior to the July 27 release of the game, with the World of Warcraft site and forums following suit near the launch of Cataclysm. Certain classic forums, including the classic Battle.net forums, will remain unchanged.

The official forums have always been a great place to discuss the latest info on our games, offer ideas and suggestions, and share experiences with other players — however, the forums have also earned a reputation as a place where flame wars, trolling, and other unpleasantness run wild. Removing the veil of anonymity typical to online dialogue will contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they haven’t been connected before. With this change, you’ll see blue posters (i.e. Blizzard employees) posting by their real first and last names on our forums as well.

We also plan to add a number of other features designed to make reading the forums more enjoyable and to empower players with tools to improve the quality of forum discussions. Players will have the ability to rate up or rate down posts so that great topics and replies stand out from the not-so-great; low-rated posts will appear dimmer to show that the community feels that they don’t contribute effectively to the conversation, and Blizzard’s community team will be able to quickly and easily locate highly rated posts to participate in or to highlight discussions that players find worthwhile.

In addition, individual topics will be threaded by context, meaning replies to specific posts will be grouped together, making it easier for players to keep track of multiple conversations within a thread. We’re also adding a way for Blizzard posters to “broadcast” important messages forums-wide , to help communicate breaking news to the community in a clear and timely fashion. Beyond that, we’re improving our forum search function to make locating interesting topics easier and help lower the number of redundant threads, and we have more planned as well.

With the launch of the new Battle.net, it’s important to us to create a new and different kind of online gaming environment — one that’s highly social, and which provides an ideal place for gamers to form long-lasting, meaningful relationships. All of our design decisions surrounding Real ID — including these forum changes — have been made with this goal in mind.

We’ve given a great deal of consideration to the design of Real ID as a company, as gamers, and as enthusiastic users of the various online-gaming, communication, and social-networking services that have become available in recent years. As these services have become more and more popular, gamers have become part of an increasingly connected and intimate global community – friendships are much more easily forged across long distances, and at conventions like PAX or our own BlizzCon, we’ve seen first-hand how gamers who may have never actually met in person have formed meaningful real-life relationships across borders and oceans. As the way gamers interact with one another continues to evolve, our goal is to ensure Battle.net is equipped to handle the ever-changing social-gaming experience for years to come.

For more info on Real ID, check out our Real ID page and FAQ located at http://www.battle.net/realid/ . We look forward to answering your questions about these upcoming forum changes in the thread below.

Blizzard is making changes to the community to make it a more safe, happy and productive environment. I rarely search the forums because I have a hard time sifting through all the filler posts that often offer little additional insight beyond trolling.

With these changes, I see an extreme decrease in random posting because of the lack of, what Nethaera refers to as the “veil of anonymity.” The fact that everyone’s real, full names will be posted online along with their selected primary character with every post may make people hesitate.

On the other hand, the fact that threads will be better organized and rated will probably increase the flow of readers. This increased accessibility and reduced difficulty of reading through the threads will likely bring in more people. Additionally, the grouping of comments will make it easier to spot all the ‘on-topic’ posts.

Blizzard has some good ideas on how to update its systems and keep things new, improved and fresh. Along with Cataclysm, I cannot wait for Battle.net 2.0 to be released. I’m happy that they included that the changes on the World of Warcraft forums will happen before Cataclysm.

What does everyone else think? Will these changes influence the forums for the better, as Blizzard hopes, or will people continue to spam the forum servers with ‘junk’ topic posts?

50 Comments

  1. Because the admin of this site is working, no doubt very soon
    it will be well-known, due to its feature contents.

    Feel free to surf to my site – pick up lines for boys; Mary,

  3. What’s up to all, how is everything, I think every one is getting more from this site, and your views are nice designed for new users.

    Also visit my homepage … urologie kongress graz;
    Gita,

  4. head soccer cheat includes a substantial purpose
    in Us Tradition. A lot of people can often be seen involved in activities associated with head soccer hack.
    That is partially due to the fact individuals
    of most age groups may be engaged and also families usually are delivered together by means of this kind of.
    Typically a person which displays their own hate regarding head
    soccer cheat can be thought to be a outcast.

  5. There are several different techniques used today, the
    most common of which is an exfoliating-style
    cream. Microdermabrasion machine therapies are not
    difficult to find and are some of the best procedures to market.
    The more presentable you look, the better the
    more opportunities you are going to have.

  6. Impressionable area are watching this news, going on line, and entering social medi
    circles, determined to demolish the glass ceiling within the ivory
    towers. It ranges from really expressive ffun cute kids, teens and the younger generation,
    to 25 -60 year old business lolking people or character faces
    then to healthy looking seniors. A local fashion show is coming up and I m being onee of many runway models,
    I m mostly likely going to have to wear a sleevless
    dress, when I auditioned I was wearing a good sleve shirt, so
    that they couldn t see it.

  7. These might even be honey, smooth peanut butter, jam or marmalade, curry source, crab
    paste, tomato puree, liquidised fruits or liquidised liver;
    look into why you are doing this and why you are choosing these substances (see my ebooks.
    To make your own baby shampoo at home, you’ll need:
    . You’ll be able to cook a lot of meals not having
    adding heat for your definitely scorching apartment or house.

    Here is my blog … juicing recipes sweet avocado bread

  8. Great blog here! Also your web site loads up fast!
    What host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
    I wish my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol

  9. The sites have thus taken the initiative of giving special care to
    these products to keep them healthy. With these coupons such as koovs discount coupons,
    online shopping (Malcolm) stores offer you an opportunity
    to get the preferred products depending upon your
    wish. Applying your $1 coupon to the trial size will give you a profit of $0.

  10. Hey! Do you know if they make any plugins to protect against hackers?
    I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?

  11. Spot on with this write-up, I seriously believe that this amazing site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be back again to read more,
    thanks for the advice!

  14. Hello, everything is going perfectly here and ofcourse every one is sharing facts,
    that’s genuinely fine, keep up writing.

  15. Eye creams are generally used twice daily, morning and evening.
    The trick iis usually to learn which colors look better on blue eyes, and commence with those, after which branch out with all the colirs that you are personally drawn to.
    One thing to keep in mid is usully to remember to not apply eye-shadow below
    up your eyes.

  16. My Partner And I fairly recently put in a
    steam shower unit, finest item I have got a hold of for some time, children and relatives think
    it’s great, can not see me heading back to common showers again

    Also visit my homepage; steam shower aromatherapy; http://www.squidoo.com,

  17. It may seem like reconciliation is right around the
    corner and that you’re only a few messages away from jumping back
    into his arms. When this happens, you will be restricted to the price that the home builders will give you.
    One of the best ways to do this is to pick up key points as a person speaks and remember them because you share a
    similar experience or have knowledge about the subject.

  19. Yߋu see in these modern times ѡе ԁo not exert оuгѕelvеѕ aѕ
    haгԁ аѕ οսг fоге fatɦегѕ ɗid wҺіcɦ іs why tҺeʏ ѡоսlɗ еаt a biǥ mеal ɑnd not ɡаіn ԝеiǥɦt.
    ϜurtҺегmοrе, οuг ƄοԀieѕ
    aгe ѕmaгt аnd ɑԁаpt νеrƴ ԛuіϲқly tо tҺе еnvіrоnment eҳƿοsеԀ.

    And im ρalning tօ ɡo геԝіеѡ
    аƅοսt ѕսmρlеmеntѕ,
    but im not ǥоіng tо ƿrοmоtе ɑll tɦе ρгοɗսcеrs іn tɦе ѡοгld, no, ϳuѕt one οr tաօ, that іtгіeԁ, tҺat i ҝnoա taɦt
    tҺеƴ wогҡ.

  20. In the winter, the dog’s body heat is what helps to heat the house.

    The back arm should also form a letter “L”, with the elbow facing down. Well, they
    are easy to use, they can use very light line, it is
    easy to adjust the drag and they are generally less expensive than other kinds of reels.

  21. Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the pictures on this
    blog loading? I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

  22. Have you wondered if older people can enjoy the benefits of vision correction surgery such as LASIK, for example.
    Once again, rely on a very well trained surgeon to perform your Lasik eye surgery.
    PRK is also referred many times as surface ablation and is accepted as just about the most popular eye medical procedures options.

    Feel free to visit my webpage; lasik clinic
    (http://www.youtube.com)

  23. Hi there! Would you mind if I share your blog with my twitter group?
    There’s a lot of people that I think would really appreciate your content.
    Please let me know. Many thanks

    my web-site: clash of clans jailbreak hack – Vivien,

  24. If you are working the bar as a tenant of a pub co, you will
    be obliged to purchase your beer wines and spirits from your landlord, at mostly inflated
    costs to individuals you would shell out if you could resource
    your stock oneself. Sancerre and lightly aged goat cheeses like Chevrot
    or Chabichou du Poitou from the Loire Valley. Purchase or design your own tasting cards that record the
    type of wine, the vineyard, and the year it was produced.

    Feel free to surf to my webpage; pa wine and spirits stores

  27. You could by no means have to fret about currently being discovered by means of cloaking your IP tackle
    to advert safety to your surfing and acquiring data
    through web-sites on the web site. If a rough estimation is made,
    it would be discovered that Nasarawa State can make at least modest
    revenue of forty thousand naira (N 40,000), daily as royalties and fourteen million, six hundred thousand naira per annum.
    That means that you are speaking to him just like how
    his friends talk to him and that makes him interested in listening to what you
    have to say.

    My web blog … portsmouth high school ri

  32. Nice post. I was checking constantly this weblog and I am inspired!
    Very useful info specially the remaining part :) I take care of such information much.

    I was looking for this certain info for a long
    time. Thanks and good luck.

  33. Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so much about this, like you wrote
    the book in it or something. I think that you can do with some
    pics to drive the message home a bit, but instead of that, this
    is wonderful blog. A great read. I will definitely be back.

  34. I really like your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz respond as I’m looking to design my own blog and would like to know where u got this from. thanks a lot

  35. Helo there! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering if you knew wheere
    I could locwte a captcha plugin for my comment form?
    I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one?
    Thanks a lot!

  37. The component selection is decent overall with the primary capacitors, and the lone solid capacitor, being provided by Nippon Chemicon while the secondary capacitors are provided by Teapo.

  40. I like the valuable info you supply in your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
    I am reasonably sure I will be told plenty of new stuff proper right here!
    Good luck for the next!

  41. Hi! Quick question that’s totalloy off topic. Do you know how to make your
    sife mobile friendly? My site looks weird when viewing from myy iphone4.
    I’m trying to find a theme or plugin that might be
    able to resolve this problem. If you have any suggestions, please
    share. With thanks!

    My web site … acne face map

  44. Attractive section of content. I just stumbled upon your
    web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact
    enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to
    your augment and even I achievement you access
    consistently rapidly.

  45. You could certtainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write.
    The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you
    wwho aren’t afraid to mention how tey believe. At all times go after your heart.

  46. I’m ttruly enjoying the design and layout of your site.
    It’s a very eady on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me
    to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme?

    Outstanding work!

  48. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto
    a friend who was conducting a little homework on this.

    And he actually ordered me breakfast simply
    because I found it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this….
    Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanx for
    spending the time to discuss this topic here on your web page.

  49. auburn golf swing stops 13th at the ncaa championship-spun4

    “I usually have looked into Mary Todd Lincoln because somber, grieving widow of Abraham Lincoln who perhaps spent her time sitting in your house alone, crocheting lace from the window,” Ross said. “She really liked the technique of taking therapeutic mineral baths and traveled not only to the Cresson Springs Hotel . And the Bedford Springs Hotel, but she liked to check out grand European resorts such as Bath, England and others on those on french Riviera.”.

    Is a forward that has shifted to defense for people, and Alec is often a fourthyear starter and another solid [url=http://www.nimtech.co.uk/]moncler sale uk[/url] defenseman, Carney said. Three captains happen to be great leaders receiving the team ready willing and able for every game. High school hockey fans may recall that Carney would be a member of the highscoring C Oakmont line along with Ted Chase and [url=http://www.nimtech.co.uk/]moncler hats[/url] Jason Cook nearly 20 years ago, when the Spartans, coached by Dave Uminski achieved the 1993 Division 3 state final before losing [url=http://www.nimtech.co.uk/]cheap moncler[/url] to Bishop Connolly, 41, at Boston [url=http://www.nimtech.co.uk/]moncler hats[/url] College Kelley Rink..

    With these bars to juggle, Englert says, he’d prefer not to spending some time seeking litter and loiterers. “From a male who’s to completely clean up every single day and pick up trash everywhere over the street, I love it,” according to him of the moratorium. In fact, “H Street appears like an entirely different place through the day than it does during the night.”.

    As always, these others went directly to the present shop, as i (with their permission) sped at night lighthouse and seem to the beach, where I walked in terms of I really could out on the rocks without getting good than my ankles wet. Balance out in the point, the vehicle thermometer said 73. Waves [url=http://www.nimtech.co.uk/]moncler sale uk[/url] [url=http://www.nimtech.co.uk/]moncler sale uk[/url] (actually giving them a call waves can be like calling the 2008 Detroit Lions a profootball team) were about 3 inches.

  50. The recent video chat option by Facebook was also a great success.
    Should you ask permission before posting those beach photos on your
    profile and tagging your partner. The third study was searched for potential correlates of personality and Facebook procrastination.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog; G

Comments are closed.