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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBreakfast Topic: The great Battle.net merge
by Matt Low 
Oct 13th 2009 at 8:00AM
Of course, an announcement like this comes with all sorts of complaints. I've perused the forums on the topic and checked out some of the comments when we announced it here. Here's a few common reasons players are against it. Just for kicks, I've offered some solutions!
Common excuses
- Lack of trust in the Battle.net system since some players who converted had their account hacked after (Solution: Get an authenticator)
- Privacy concerns since email address is the sign-in
(Solution: Make a new email address and use that instead of your personal or work email) - Multiple account hassle
(Solution: It's one email login where you can choose which WoW account to get into and yes, you can login simultaneously to different WoW accounts attached to the same Battle.net account) - My WoW account has a different name then my Battle.net account
(Solution: Don't buy accounts) - I'm too lazy
(Solution: Guess we won't be seeing you in game anymore)
Regardless, Blizzard appears to be adamant about this. I've had a few guildies myself who didn't like the idea. I've heard some players were considering quitting which I find extreme. Over what? Because Blizzard's implementing streamlined account changes for the sake of security and convenience?
Come on now!
If you're a GM with players like that, you're not going to have much of a choice other than to call their bluff. Start shopping around for other players to fill their position if they're serious about leaving. Because once November 11th rolls around, you really don't have another choice.
Those are my personal thoughts on the issue. Where do you stand?
Filed under: Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 3 of 12)
Lasher Oct 13th 2009 9:31AM
Nope, steam uses usernames.
Kylenne Oct 13th 2009 11:45AM
@Faar:
It takes approximately 20 seconds (if that) to make a Gmail account, and absolutely nothing to "maintain" it. If that's too much of a hassle for you, I don't know what to tell you.
Suzaku Oct 13th 2009 1:08PM
"but it's absolutely idiotic that the sign-in to b.net is your email addy."
As was stated in the article, and has been stated hundreds of times... Just make a new secondary email address and use it only for battle.net. Problem solved.
I converted to battle.net as soon as it was available, already having a battle.net account for the Wrath of the Lich King beta, which required one. I've had absolutely no problems with it, at all.
Janaa Oct 13th 2009 4:33PM
@Lasher - Originally, Steam *did* use email addresses. I was annoyed when they changed it to mere usernames because I still had to use my email address to keep my < 10,000 SteamID. ;)
@Faar - "but it's absolutely idiotic that the sign-in to b.net is your email addy." I don't see why. Its not like Blizzard supplies everyone's login to spammers to spam. If "the hackers" manage to get your email address, it's because of an account security issue on your end, not Blizzard's.
"That's just a fantastically stupid idea, not only can you get your account hijacked now, but you can also get your email spammed by the thieves who hijacked your account. Fabulous, blizzard, fabulous!"
Why would your account get hijacked? Let me be clear about this: Nobody's accounts get "hijacked" through inaction. There are three primary reasons hackers can get in, all of which are the users fault:
1- User installs a keylogger inadvertantly. Using an authenticator mitigates this risk.
2- User enters account login details on a phising site, trying to get a free mount or pet or whatever. Using an authenticator mitigates this risk.
3- User uses the same password to login in to wow as he uses to log in to other sites with which his email address is associated. Using an authenticator mitigates this risk.
Now of course, in most cases, not being stupid will avoid the risk. But if you can't count on yourself, then having an authenticator helps out. But the main thing here is - nobody gets your email address except whomever you give it to.
Hackers don't magically get your email address just because it's your login. They can't start spamming it once you connect to WoW. You must have given the information to them somehow. Blizz don't give it to them.
Nintendwarf Oct 13th 2009 8:12AM
I merged months ago and have not found one problem with battle.net. Typing in my email was sort of annoying but then again that's what 'Remember Account Name' is for. I have never been hacked, never been spammed, never had a single issue with it. So now because of my trust in Blizzard I now get 2 (3 if you count Grunty) pets for merging my account. To all the naysayers, it's not painful, it's not the end of the world (of warcraft). All Blizzard is trying to do is to make this easier on everyone. Besides with everyone now merged with battle.net they can do cool stuff like talking to your friends cross realms/games, game achievements, and other neat stuff. All I'm saying is, don't quit WoW over a simple merger.
Captn Obvious Oct 13th 2009 9:00AM
Agreed.
I swapped mine over when the Mountain Dew promotion was on - got a cool little pet too.
No problems with battle.net - ever.
OMG - THE SKY IS FALLING!!
Thanory Oct 13th 2009 9:01AM
I merged and got hacked about a month later. Nothing on the computers I use to cause it. Still no idea how it happened. 4 years on old login, fine. 1 month on battle.net, hacked.
Greyhame Oct 13th 2009 9:11AM
@Thanory: That was just a coincidence. They would have hacked you normal account if you hadn't merged would have been the only difference.
Aramis Oct 13th 2009 8:19AM
I merged mine for a battlebot...but since then it's been completely unnoticeable a change...face, some people are just stupid. We keep forgetting this. /sigh
Nix Oct 13th 2009 8:19AM
"Lack of trust in the Battle.net system since some players who converted had their account hacked after (Solution: Get an authenticator)"
What is your suggestion when Blizz does not ship an authenticator in your country?
Sorry about my rudeness but I cry a little every time inside when I see the phrase, "Get an authenticator". I want an authenticator I really do! :/
awa64 Oct 13th 2009 3:55PM
@nix Blizzard Mobile Authenticator for iPhone/iPod Touch might be right up your alley, if that's the kind of thing you'd want anyway.
Nor Oct 13th 2009 8:40AM
Yeah well, not everyone has IPhone-s either... There are lots of places and people who dont have Iphone and where Authenticators are not sold. I dont really understand why, I can buy the game, Blizz is happy with my monthly payment, but doesnt ship something important for account protection (not just a t-shirt, but a real important thing) to my country?
Nix Oct 13th 2009 8:43AM
@awa64: Thanks dude for the tip but like Nor said not everyone has/can afford an iPhone.
@Nor: I almost cried when I saw your comment. Someone out there understands me!
Kaage Oct 13th 2009 8:53AM
Mobile Authenticators are not just for iPhones, actually. I believe you can get them with any app-capable phone. Don't quote me, but when I had my regular (non-phone) authenticator and went to DL the mobile one, the iphone version actually wasnt available but the others were. I'm not precisely sure of the other models it's available to, but it's easy to find out by just logging on to battle.net and follow the authenticator download links.
Seaborn Oct 13th 2009 8:56AM
then quit. Find a game that has more support in your area if account security is that big of a problem. 99% of the time the acct becomes compromised because of something stupid done by the acct holder. Period.
If you don't want to compromise your acct:
-Don't share account info
-Don't click links from in-game mail.
-Don't buy gold
-Don't sell gold
-Don't use power-leveling services
-Don't go to a website that some random whispered to you in-game. No, Blizz is not launching trial mounts that you can sign up for.
-If it's too good to be true...guess what....
gurgle Oct 13th 2009 9:01AM
@Nor,
It's not directly Blizzard's fault; they can't ship them to your country because the US gov't won't allow certain encryption devices to be exported. Blizz would have to use very old, hackable keys in order to ship you a device (and then there'd be no real point).
Nix Oct 13th 2009 9:05AM
@seaborn: listen sugar shake I dont do any of the things listed and I think people are not smart if they do them.
My point is: Like you, and any other Wow player I pay my fee in order to play. My country has no restrictions what so ever for online selling and distribution. It is my right that I feel somewhat safer with my Wow experience.
All I wish is to SPEND more money on a device so I dont get my account hacked so I can continue playing and SPEND more money on my subscription.
Neyssa Oct 13th 2009 9:06AM
@seaborn:
- I dont do any of the above mentioned.
- Never had any problem with my account.
- I still would love to be protected the best possible ways.
- I dont have an Iphone, I have a crappy phone that I am sure wont support authenticator. Not because I cannot afford a better one, but because I dont care about cellphones, and I dont think thats what they are for. They are used to make phonecalls right? If I want to internet, I use my notebook with wifi. If I want to take a picture, I use my Nicon.
I live in Europe. My country is part of the EU. Blizzard accepts payment from my credit card, but doesnt ship to my country. Could you please explain a reason for that? It is not a reason I would quit the game for, it it just annoing, and not fair. Thus it hurts for some of us. At least please try to understand.
traptinacivicsi Oct 13th 2009 9:10AM
Realistically, if people want/try hard enough to get your info, they will. (especially if they happen to know you personally etc.)
And really, this won't help the people who are (I'm not trying to be mean here) dumb enough to get their keys logged..
It's just like people who hack home security systems or safes/vaults that have numerical codes, any string of numbers can be tried countless times over and over (even trying the same numbers more than once) over a long period of time until it goes through.
The fact it changes every time it's tried doesn't make a difference, say it takes two weeks straight for the one program to keep trying. If the person were devoted enough (like an account hacking network member) they could have multiple instances of wow running, each with it's own number generator/input program trying at least once every other second.
Of course the idea here is that the person has already figured out (keylogged) your account name and p/w. Unless there is a system in place that would time you out after so many tries, but I have yet to see that happen.
Or, alternatively, the keystroke catcher can catch the input code as the user puts it in, while blocking the connection to the server so that it doesn't connect, immediately send it to the host (hacker) and then they get a one time free ride to all your hard work, gear, and gold.
Luckily for those of us that don't have an auth. and aren't keylogger friendly, battle.net does make this a bit harder for them since they must know not only what name you choose, but the email provider THEN p/w. Therefore being safer than NOT merging.
Bottom Line: The merge to Battle.net in and of itself is safe. Safer than just getting an authenticator in the past. But sadly, nothing will save those who get keylogged other than experience and better internet browsing safety.
Neyssa Oct 13th 2009 9:12AM
@gurgle:
Not true. I want it to be imported between two European Union countries. Blizzard is in France right? It doesnt even need to be imported - I guess that what the EU is for, no border between countries, I could work legally anywhere without a visa, I just cannot get a piece of electronic device shipped?