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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 6 of 12)
lilrabbit129 Oct 13th 2009 1:17PM
Same situation here. We created separate battle.net accounts, problem solved.
Also you'll want 2 accounts so in case you do use a mobile authenticator then you can each have your own.
Slog Oct 13th 2009 1:37PM
Perosnally I have two accounts (one for me, one for dual boxing/kid/wife) in which I placed under one single battle.net account, both can log in at the same time using the one log in. Works out very well.
Bosefasaurus Oct 13th 2009 8:39AM
I love the suggested solution for the first excuse. So let me get this straight, since BLIZZARD is incapable of ensuring that I won't get hacked, I get to pay XX.XX dollars to them in addition to all the other money I pay and have paid, so I can get a little authenticator that won't help anyway if my account still gets hacked. Yeah, thanks for all the help.
Chris Oct 13th 2009 8:46AM
Considering you entered "XX.XX dollars" in place of the actual month-to-month cost, my best guess is that mom and dad are paying for your account.
I'm sure they would be willing to pony up the $6.50 for the Authenticator if you REALLY want it.
Gessilea Oct 13th 2009 8:48AM
It's fairly well known that most security issues are between keyboard and chair. Nothing Blizzard can do about that other than try and educate people (which they do) and make authenticators available so that folk who are lazy with updating their security have another option to protect themselves.
Tutunkommon Oct 13th 2009 8:49AM
Why is it Blizzard's responsibility to make sure *your* computer doesn't get hacked? Blizzard's servers have never been hacked, it is people that are unable to secure their own systems.
After I was hacked (still not sure how, no trojans, keyloggers, or virii were found on any of my machines) I paid the crushingly expensive cost for an autheticator at all of $7 (free shipping).
Never had a problem since.
Malaena Oct 13th 2009 8:55AM
No actually your computer's security is your responsability, not Blizzards. You clicked on the sexleg, you gave your password to your friend, you bought gold from a farmer.
Seriously the Authenticator is the best thing since sliced bread. Worth ever copper.
Rylka Oct 13th 2009 9:02AM
Blizzard is not responsible for anyone getting "hacked." Their servers have never been penetrated. The weaknesses in security are entirely on the players' end.
What Blizzard has done is offer up an additional layer of security that can voluntarily be added to an account in the form of an authenticator.
This authenticator provides a layer of protection greater than that offered by most banking websites and makes it impossible for even a "hacked" account to be interfered with unless the hacker has the authenticator in his possession.
The cost of this device is subsidized in my opinion to far below its value, in part because every authenticator in use reduces the load on the support teams at Blizzard.
To my knowledge, there has never been a successful hack of an account linked to an authenticator.
The only way authenticators are linked in any way to Blizzard's coming requirement for Battlenet accounts is that authenticator holders already had to make Battlenet accounts.
Even after a player converts to a Battlenet account, they do not have to get an authenticator. Though should they choose to in the future, that will be one less step needed in what I found to be a short pain-free process.
Given the small one time cost in money and time, I find the need to type 6 more numbers each time I log in a very reasonable price to pay for the ironclad security it brings to my account. Others may disagree and choose otherwise, but that is their choice. No one is forcing authenticators at this time.
prokarnage Oct 13th 2009 8:40AM
All I can say is I have been a Blizzard gamer for 15 years and this is a HUGE advancement in Blizzard gaming. I can not wait what the future holds for all Blizzard gamers such as myself. Gotta show all the QQ'ers that have QQ'ed all these years and still play Blizzard games. Love you guys, your the best part of this community
tulipblossom Oct 13th 2009 8:39AM
People really need to cool it with being so up in arms about this transition. I mean, I'll be the first to admit, that back when the battle-bots were available, I decided to finally transfer my account over to battle.net. I had always been hesitant previously, because like so many other folks, I had heard the horror stories about people struggling to log in, after doing so. And I, too, resist change in these sort of situations. I get comfortable with how I do things and unless a change is necessary, I'm often not inclined to make one. It's sort of the "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" mentality.
But, I never even once threw a tantrum or got upset about the matter, even in the slightest. I was wary and a little bummed that it was a necessity, if you wanted to obtain the battle-bot pet. But, I decided that the pet was reason enough for me to make the change. And, I knew in the back of my mind that one day, Blizzard would mostly likely make this change mandatory, anyway. So, I figured why not just do it now and get a free, cool pet for my effort? So, I made the change and I have honestly had zero issues.
I think the battle.net idea is a smart one and I can completely understand Blizzard implementing a change like this. There are so many wonderful things that will come with this change, over time, and I'm definitely looking forward to them.
And, to all the of the people who are threatening to leave, I say good riddance. I usually never say things like that, because I usually do try and sympathize with people when they feel frustrated or uncomfortable with something. I try and put myself in their shoes and help them out as best I can, to make them feel more comfortable about whatever it is that has them upset. But, I have seen endless tantrums now on so many sites and on the official forums that I am just entirely fed up. Good riddance.
People are behaving like first graders who don't want to do something, so they threaten their parents with the idea of them running away. That's all fine and dandy when you're six and seven years old, but come on. If there are players out there who are that immature, then I certainly don't want to play with them. So, maybe it's a good thing that these sort of childish people are being weeded out.
Cetha Oct 13th 2009 8:39AM
i did this last night, and my only concern was having to put in my phone #. I can't imagine why they would need it, and if I start to get phone calls of people trying to sell me things I will not be happy.
Greyhame Oct 13th 2009 8:54AM
Considering that this is made and run by Blizzard who, if you have a WoW account, should already have your phone number, it's not a big deal.
Koge Oct 13th 2009 8:46AM
The only thing i have seen is that on some of the patch days merged accounts had problems logging in. other than that it seems like a perfect way to go.
Karl Oct 13th 2009 8:47AM
merged 3 accts - was pretty seamless
Fast Oct 13th 2009 8:50AM
I don't like to type my long email address every time i log instead of my short acc name and no i don't play from home to click the remember username button.
Malaena Oct 13th 2009 8:52AM
So set up a new email with a shorter name.
Kaillas Oct 13th 2009 9:51AM
sooo, when you log into your email account, it is a problem typing in the long email address too? Since you don't play from home, assuming you still have to type it out...
Most people play wow for at least 2 hours at a time, and the 30 seconds it takes to type out an email address is too much?
Find a better excuse.
Malaena Oct 13th 2009 8:51AM
I did this ages ago and I have never received any email from Blizzard other than from Customer Service or from a GM regarding an ingame ticket.
Sarah Oct 13th 2009 8:54AM
Being in IT, I know that whenever something changes, people are going to be upset about it. It will always be that way. I converted my account back when they first started the merge. My husband still has not, and it's likely he will put it off until I do it for him (maybe that's a good idea...make him go without the game for a bit, bwahaha). Anyway. The B.net accounts are just a way of integrating things. It's not the end of the world. I've had a few issues since I converted, but they were always handled promptly by Blizzard when I needed their assistance with it. Plus, I've got a cute little battle-bot from the Mountain Dew promotion campaign.
Isax Oct 13th 2009 8:55AM
The only issue I have found as a major bug, is that once merged, Parental Controls stop you from being able to log in but if you are already in game when the 'no play' time comes into effect, you don't get logged out as you did with the old login server.
Although subtle this is actually a pain for a parent/guardian trying to limit the play time of said individual.
You may not think this needs fixing, but currently this is breaking a 'trust' between Blizzard and parent/guardian of player. It may even go against their T&Cs.
Ironically as a player you may not care, but as somebody who loves the game and wants their kids to enjoy it, but in a controlled manner that doesn't effect their education, this is actually a major major major problem that the player base will not report on because it is not in their 'interest' to do so.