Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsThat 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 4 of 9)
MusedMoose Jul 8th 2010 8:59PM
[citation needed]
Daedhir Jul 8th 2010 11:15PM
No it's not.
See? That's all it takes to respond to a completely unfounded statement.
Tim Jul 8th 2010 9:01PM
The "OH HALLOW-ED GAWDS" at Blizzard need to admit their mistake for once (Oh! did I say Blizzard Gawds made a mistake? Yes I sure did) and just drop this whole real id on the forums bullshit. Or fix the mistake that add on folks can see your real name. I agree with wutsconflag, if you use the GS add on and some add on providers can see your real name due to a flaw in Warcraft programming (tsk tsk, there I go again) then this exploit needs some attention given to it. Or a lot.
Deb Jul 8th 2010 9:08PM
A few days ago, one of the WoW Insider writers said that there were going to be some editorials forthcoming. Are you guys being sequestered?
Claire Jul 9th 2010 12:09AM
I was wondering about that, too.
Hravik Jul 9th 2010 1:28AM
I've been wondering the same thing too. There was supposed to be a wow-insider about and plus the editorials. Since then it seems to have nearly dropped off the radar as far as wow.com goes
Kaylad Jul 9th 2010 2:16AM
Yup. I keep looking for said editorials. Much longer and I'll be left with the distinct impression that some pressure or leverage has been used to shut people up.
Hoggersbud Jul 8th 2010 9:08PM
Yay for distractions.
chasingsol Jul 8th 2010 9:09PM
Fake? No it's not. Why do you think the writers of GearScore have pulled their beta page? Deleted it completely. Here's what a fellow guildie (a female) saw when she logged on today using the beta of GearScore. Obviously I've removed her real name, but looks to me like an addon was retrieving her information.
http://chasingsol.com/stuff/gearscore321.jpg
MysticalOS Jul 8th 2010 9:19PM
that has nothing to do with gearscore...
that's from an out of date dbm being installed
http://www.deadlybossmods.com/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2644
and that information was not sent to anyone, just displayed in local chat box to yourself only. and was aready fixed in an immediate follow up release.
chasingsol Jul 8th 2010 9:28PM
Fair enough. Considering that it "could" happen right now with the functionality in-game, it's still pretty scary.
Lexasdel Jul 8th 2010 9:11PM
Naturally its a Blood Elf too.
Perhaps it is now time to ban Blood Elves and leave gearscore?
MysticalOS Jul 8th 2010 9:17PM
not only that but you can patch the realid in game "possible exploit" at client end just installing blizzbugssuck
http://wow.curse.com/downloads/wow-addons/details/blizzbugssuck.aspx
simple enough fix.
DG Jul 8th 2010 9:18PM
Netizens want anonyminity and the ability to share. They want to be able to choose where their name goes. And how it goes. The evil corporate culture is willing to erode this basic need by proclaiming privacy is a thing of the past. They want your name and address for $$$. Sounds like a good mmorpg.
wutsconflag Jul 8th 2010 9:20PM
http://www.eff.org/issues/anonymity
Anonymous communications have an important place in our political and social discourse. The Supreme Court has ruled repeatedly that the right to anonymous free speech is protected by the First Amendment. A much-cited 1995 Supreme Court ruling in McIntyre v. Ohio Elections Commission reads:
"Protections for anonymous speech are vital to democratic discourse. Allowing dissenters to shield their identities frees them to express critical, minority views . . . Anonymity is a shield from the tyranny of the majority. . . . It thus exemplifies the purpose behind the Bill of Rights, and of the First Amendment in particular: to protect unpopular individuals from retaliation . . . at the hand of an intolerant society."
krstcs Jul 8th 2010 9:50PM
@wutsconflag
Except that that has absolutely NO bearing on private contracts between private entities...
You do not have ANY 1st amendment RIGHT on Blizzard's forum or games, so using a constitutional argument is a straw man here.
I agree that this is bad on Blizzard's part, but you have to make the decision for yourself if this is worth paying the fee for...
If it is, shut up and color...
If it isn't, take your ball and go home...
Hoggersbud Jul 8th 2010 10:39PM
The reasoning still applies, if the law doesn't...then perhaps we ought to change the law.
Killik Jul 9th 2010 8:31AM
You mean change the First Amendment?
Hoggersbud Jul 9th 2010 12:44PM
It has long been established that there are reasonable restraints on speech. There's no great need to change the first amendment, though if you do want to rewrite the bill of rights, we can certainly tackle that issue in an appropriate forum.
When do you want to call a Constitutional Convention?
Danieru Lynx Jul 8th 2010 9:21PM
The whole point of the Real ID system is that it's optional, and although I don't agree with the complaints, there ARE complaints, and a shitload of 'em too. So what the hell would an addon author hope to gain from doing such a thing? (FYI - Yes, I know the screenshot is a fake, but as has been stated in the comments already, it's hardly a far cry for an addon author to do that.) They'd cause total anarchy amongst the naysayers, and totally defeat Blizzard's intention of this being an optional level of social interaction between real life friends. As stated, I may not agree with the complaints (and I'm not here to argue with them now), but of course I acknowledge one's right to choose to opt out of such a feature if it doesn't fly one's kite, and the potential for this to happen would go against that right.
If an addon author ever does this, then they're doing it purely to raise hell, and swift intervention by Blizzard will be required so as to ensure that the system of theirs that has already raised a huge amount of skepticism isn't abused in a way that blows those fears into overdrive.
A large amount of the fear regarding this system can be boiled down to the potential for it to be misused, and misused for no reason other than to throw fuel on the fire and watch the sparks fly.