That scary GearScore/Real ID screenshot is fake, guys
by Michael Sacco 
Jul 8th 2010 at 8:30PM
There's a screenshot circulating, which is cropped above, that shows a new "beta version" of the infamous GearScore mod that is able to see your Real ID name -- that is, your real name -- just by mousing over your character. It's not real. We reported on a possible security loophole in addons that could, with enough black magic, reveal your Real ID name -- but this isn't what's happening here.
The creator of the image has admitted that the screenshot isn't real. You can officially cease linking it around and freaking out. We know that the idea your real names being on the forum might be scary, but it's important to keep a level head and not let fear take hold of your behavior, no matter what side of the issue you're on.
The important thing is that Blizzard knows how you feel. Post on the forums and let them know, cancel your account (or don't), and if you want to opt out of Real ID altogether, Robin Torres has assembled a guide on how to do just that.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
sooper Jul 8th 2010 8:42PM
People will do anything these days for attention or just to poke at an open wound to see if it'll squirt something bloody. As if people aren't upset enough already.
Thanks WoW.com for taking your time to shoot this down.
mistairdvant Jul 8th 2010 9:09PM
I think I should lend blurry name some of my gear... yikes.
Hope thats an alt xD
Dreyja Jul 8th 2010 9:20PM
@mistairdvant: Hey now - not all of us are willing to pug for our frosties now. Have a heart. ;-p
So I've not read through Robin's post. I didn't think I needed to do anything but opt out. Now I see that I've got to go through all *that* just to protect my ID!
KK... I was mildly annoyed before, now I'm freaking angry.
Thanks for "snopesing" this screen shot though. :)
Guildenstern Jul 8th 2010 9:39PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PQtNRKZq04
It's real.
Alex Ziebart Jul 8th 2010 9:53PM
The creator of the screenshot admitted that the screenshot was fake. Because they were outed, they moved on to making a video.
It is still not real.
TR Jul 8th 2010 10:05PM
I agree with you there!!! The last thing any of us need is unfounded accusations or (worse yet) someone specifically writing an addon just to do this causing a lot of collateral damage to innocent people. It's known terrorism. :(
Qot Jul 8th 2010 10:10PM
As someone who posted this in the Queue, I appreciate WoW.com investigating. I'm a bit unsure as to what Alex is saying though: did they make the fake video and then screencap it for the forums? Or did they admit it was fake and then decide to make a movie where it looked real? And, if so, for what purpose?
Personally, though, RealID has officially entered what Bill Simmons calls "the Tyson Zone": any screenshot or story, no matter how outrageous, would seem plausible at this point.
Majorfalcon Jul 8th 2010 10:18PM
REALID BROKE INTO MY HOUSE AND TOOK MY LITTLE BABY GIRL!
ITS A DEMON AND IT MUST BE STOPPED!
Oriflame Jul 8th 2010 11:15PM
given the functionality available to addons, the fact that this is fake does not in any way change that an addon could do this.
But hey, nothing bad could happen right? you've got nothing to hide!
No worry that if you're impersonated, the actions, forum comments, etc will be attributed to your real name forever.
No worry that forum trolls can now be trolls who call your boss at work.
No worry that after you apply to a job your wow habit can be the number one result.
No big deal. You've got nothing to hide and no need to have privacy. Its an outdated notion!
(sorry to be all tinfoil hat, I'm like this all the time. I'm no fun!)
joshgarrett22 Jul 8th 2010 11:31PM
What's funny is.. people are so worried about how this is going to actually turn out, it's starting to sound more like a bunch of Runescape bicker. Posting on the forums is optional. Sorry to burst your bubble trolls. Grow up and try doing it in person. See if you can rez yourself in the real time.
If you are eager to support the game community located on the forums for Blizzard, then use the forums. I'm nearly positive a multi-billion dollar corporation has brainstormed the possibilities of implementing this Real ID feature. You have to realize beyond each character lies a unique individual. A simple name is not going to ruin your life. If that were the case, people wouldn't know each others in fear of identity theft.
Bottom line, if you aren't an idiot and give away vital information besides your own name to the world, then you'll survive just fine. Don't make this a circus.
Oriflame Jul 9th 2010 12:10AM
Josh,
You do realize that *everything* about you is already owned by some corporation?
Your cell phone records track every location your phone has been, ever credit card purchase you've ever made is recorded, every email you've ever sent through your webmail is retained... and all of those companies reserve the right to do *whatever* they want with that info.
A very few of them are regulated, and the rest we simply trust.
We currently trust blizzard not to publish our real names without opt in. We also trust them not to publish our phone number and address (publishing your home address and phone number is just as legal as your name in the US for a company like blizzard).
You act like they don't have this data on you, but I think you've just failed to think this through in any way and are still happy to trust a company that is more than satisfied to prove it is not worth trusting.
This is not a question of whether they can - it is a question as to whether they should.
Athinah Jul 9th 2010 1:44AM
I have to agree with Josh when he at least said the forms are optional. you don't HAVE to post on the forms, and if you think its a big deal then don't do it.
NM Jul 9th 2010 1:48AM
@Oriflame:
It's not even a question of whether they should. The operative question is whether we should.
Sure, Blizzard can do whatever they want. On the other hand, our relationship is a business relationship, and a highly discretionary one at that. If they want to change the terms such that they show less and less respect for our privacy, that relationship doesn't have to continue.
koolaid201 Jul 9th 2010 1:16PM
Privacy does not equal annonymity. This is not so much about privacy, that argument is a falicy, it is about annonymity. I know at leat 5 ways to get the names of anybody and none of them require a person to do anything but type a name in a search field. Get used to it the info is out there to people to get without your knowledge. Rather I would say that people want to stay annonymous, which is not the same as private. Blizzard has decide to remove the annonymity of those who post to the forums. I cannot agree more, have you been to the forums? Have you seen the trolls and flame wars? How much do you want to bet that most people would never say anything like that if their name was attcahed to it? I would guess that Blizzard is betting on that and I am sure they will get it. They want honest feedback from people, the players, and it is easier for them to get that by making those who post attach their real name to their posts. The results will be fewer trolls and flame wars and more open and honest feedback from players. I fully support them in this as this will make the game better, and if a few people leave because they feel that somehow Blizzard will be responsible for them not getting that job offer because what they said or if they feel that too many people can find out too much about them because their name is attached to a post then so be it, they game does not need the tin foil hats or cyber bullies who hide behind a fake persona to make themselves feel good.
jrb Jul 9th 2010 5:55AM
i think this is interesting because really, how is this any different from what has been proposed in the forums? The creator of this image was just being satirical about the whole real ID / forum issue, rather than craving fame.
Boz Jul 9th 2010 8:05AM
I'm not sure it matters if the image is real or not: The damage is done. Further, the internet doesn't exactly purge old information, and not everyone reads WoW.com, so I expect it will continue to do some damage going forward, for better or worse.
The internet is forever.
Bovinebill Jul 9th 2010 10:29AM
I thought Josh expressed a perfectly valid, if dissenting opinion. It's a shame readers can't disagree with the masses here and not get their comment blacked-out to the point of illegibility.
I'm know I'm asking a lot, but it's time for WoW.com to come up with a new system for their forums. The spectrum of public opinion may have opposing sides, but one side should be no less visible than the other. Perhaps instead of voting down posts to black, they should become red, or green. Any other combination of legible text would suffice, as long as we can still read it. I just like to know what others are thinking, and would like to have an easier time reading their thoughts. Let the forum moderators deal with deleting posts of offensive nature; it's their domain, and they reserve the right to make that call.
Imagine where America would be if all dissenting voices were "blacked out" to the point where they could be no longer heard? The thing that makes us great is that while we let the majority rule, we can simultaneously protect minorities.
Todd Jul 9th 2010 10:35AM
Only a matter of time, if not already, before Blizzard begins selling our data to third party companies who will spam us with advertisements. This is merely the first step.
Hoggersbud Jul 9th 2010 12:56PM
>It's a shame readers can't disagree with the masses here and not get their comment blacked-out to the point of illegibility.
Changing the comment system is a whole different discussion, maybe you should suggest wow.com bring it up in a breakfast topic.
Spark Jul 9th 2010 1:27PM
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Bovinebill Jul 9th 2010 10:29AM
I thought Josh expressed a perfectly valid, if dissenting opinion. It's a shame readers can't disagree with the masses here and not get their comment blacked-out to the point of illegibility.
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Josh's argument was well written - or at least better than the usual smugness expressing that general opinion. However, I find it to be entirely invalid. YMMV.
If you find his post to be illegible, then I suggest you adjust your monitor. I'm able to read his post even with the very stark visual queue. And failing that, one can always go to the point of copying the text to another, easier-to-read text field.