Can we ask for more privacy features in forums to feel more secure?

[Akariliselle-cenarion-circle]

@Madelke-mannoroth

the best thing about enhanced privacy features will be that people will be able to focus on the topic at hand and engage in meaningful conversation instead of looking at prior grudges with posters.

Why would I want to have meaningful conversations with someone who was borderline advocating for the death penalty for the forums or gives death threats a pass? That is an honest question.

@Madelke-mannoroth

Blizzard allows a “streamer mode” for the forums where every time you log on, you will be given a randomized name that changes every time - again, should you not want to use this feature, you merely uncheck a box in your forum preferences.

that way, everyone gets what they want: one side gets their battle tags on the forums and the other side gets to use randomized names for enhanced privacy.

i think that would be the perfect solution.

As you’ve been quick to dismiss anything that is not 100% comparable to WoW forums, streamer mode is not relevant either using your own logic.

Finally, part of the system compromises you’re suggesting do not work unless everyone participates. If people can just opt out, it’s pointless.

[Nelfas-azshara]

@Teufelgott-shadowsong

Like I said, OP’s idea is never going to gain traction.

it was already implemented in overwatch2. So it might happen here too.

[Akariliselle-cenarion-circle]

Again, streamer mode is not the same thing you’re advocating for here.

[Teufelgott-shadowsong (Teufelgott)]

@Nelfas-azshara

@Teufelgott-shadowsong

Like I said, OP’s idea is never going to gain traction.

it was already implemented in overwatch2. So it might happen here too.

Not a snowball’s chance in Hell, I’m afraid. But I absolutely love your optimism.

[Cäpslöck-proudmoore]

@Nelfas-azshara

it was already implemented in overwatch2.

Yes, let’s copy the overwatch 2 forums exactly on the wow forums.

[Teufelgott-shadowsong (Teufelgott)]

Not the Overwatch forums, the game. Blizzard implemented a system in-game to help prevent streamers’ opponents from cheating by watching the stream.

Not sure how that translates to forum anonymity, but here we are.

[Cäpslöck-proudmoore]

But if OP wants to copy OW2, the relevant thing to copy would be the forums.

[Teufelgott-shadowsong (Teufelgott)]

Or maybe Blizzard implements measures to prevent stream-sniping in WoW.

[Cäpslöck-proudmoore]

I’m not exactly sure if stream sniping is an issue in wow, as (for the most part), being able to see your opponents PoV doesn’t really give you an advantage, or (if it’s PvE), you have to get manually invited for most of the content that gets streamed.

[Teufelgott-shadowsong (Teufelgott)]

That’s okay, I’m absolutely certain forum anonymity isn’t an issue at all, on any Blizzard forum.

[Zapco-sargeras]

@Madelke-mannoroth

i think we should just meet in the middle and offer this solution to everyone:

Blizzard puts btags on the forums but they are completely optional, there would be a box to check and uncheck in your forum preferences - should you choose to uncheck the box, then your btag will not be shown.

Blizzard allows a “streamer mode” for the forums where every time you log on, you will be given a randomized name that changes every time - again, should you not want to use this feature, you merely uncheck a box in your forum preferences.

that way, everyone gets what they want: one side gets their battle tags on the forums and the other side gets to use randomized names for enhanced privacy.

i think that would be the perfect solution.

Your solution can’t be serious, right? People that advocate for btags are specifically asking for it to avoid those who would utilize your “streamer mode” idea, which is essentially giving everyone a random forum handle every time.

The only way to really solve this (excluding some form of btag identifier) would be giving each Battle.net account a unique handle for the forums with no access to in-game or account information, with the exception of post history. If someone wants to divulge their character(s) information for the sake of showing a xmog, flexing their rio or parses, let them. If you want to roleplay, go do it in-game, there are servers for that.
Unfortunately, roleplaying on the forums should not stand in the way.

If forum trolls want to have multiple accounts, so be it. They should not be able to simply “switch character” to appear as someone else, as they can now. If someone is choosing to ignore someone on the forums, they do not want to hear from the person, regardless of what character they are posting from. Only paid Battle.net accounts should have the ability to post in all forum categories. Trial accounts should only be able to post under the Guides and Support categories.

How does this sound?

[Madelke-mannoroth]

@Zapco-sargeras

How does this sound?

personally i beleve the best solution is the one that makes both parties satisfied:

1. give players the option to show their btags - the pro btag crowd can proudly show their btags as they wanted - players who don’t want to show their btags are not forced to do so.
2. give players the option to have a randomized name every time they log into the forums, like overwatch 2 streamer mode - the people who want to have enhanced privacy can do this and be satisfied - the people who want btags can choose to not use the randomized name feature.

it is a complete win-win for everyone involved.

[Zapco-sargeras]

@Madelke-mannoroth

personally i beleve the best solution is the one that makes both parties satisfied:

1. give players the option to show their btags - the pro btag crowd can proudly show their btags as they wanted - players who don’t want to show their btags are not forced to do so.
2. give players the option to have a randomized name every time they log into the forums, like overwatch 2 streamer mode - the people who want to have enhanced privacy can do this and be satisfied - the people who want btags can choose to not use the randomized name feature.

it is a complete win-win for everyone involved.

Can you help me understand what you are not getting from my proposal? The privacy for which you seek, is there. I clearly laid out how what your suggestion lays out is not a win/win for everyone involved. Read sentence # 2 of my post.

I was giving you the benefit of the doubt here, but now I am starting to feel like there’s a small subset of people who just want freedom to post whatever they please as a random name. This gives me pause about what is truly trying to be accomplished here.

[Madelke-mannoroth]

@Zapco-sargeras

This gives me pause about what is truly trying to be accomplished here.

i am trying to offer a compromise that would make both parties happy.

[Zapco-sargeras]

Answer my question directly. What are you not getting from my proposal?

[Madelke-mannoroth]

@Zapco-sargeras

What are you not getting from my proposal?

no one should be forced to do something they dont want:

1. the people who don’t want btags are not forced to use btags
2. the people who don’t want randomized names are not forced to use randomized names.

i can’t see a better solution honestly.

[Akariliselle-cenarion-circle]

@Madelke-mannoroth

it is a complete win-win for everyone involved.

That’s not an example of a win-win situation.

[Zapco-sargeras]

No one is forcing anyone to participate on the forums. Blizzard’s platform = Blizzard’s rules. Also, you’re forgetting that my suggestion does not include the use of Btags. Try reading it again and tell me what’s wrong with it.

[Cäpslöck-proudmoore]

Would it update any previous posts when you change?

[Ayukama-frostmourne]

@Madelke-mannoroth

i can’t see a better solution honestly.

The only solution is we have our BattleTags to the forums so people can’t hide on their alts to promote hate-speech, harassment, racism, real-life threats or outright-toxic behaviour.

After all, it is not your BattleTag, it is Blizzard’s. You don’t own your account, Blizzard does.