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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria 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 5 of 9)
Eudeyrn Jul 8th 2010 9:28PM
I think what's really scary here is that people could believe that screenshot is real. 6 months ago, the idea that an addon would have access to your real name, which you provided as part of the account signup process / payment details, would be laughable. I absolutely hate what Blizzard is becoming under the helm of Activision. Zuckerberg being a douche is to be expected, being saddled with Draconian DRM from EA is to be expected, but Blizzard was always seen as a white knight to the gaming community. Blizzard is held to a different standard because they earned it. In the past week, they've pissed away a lot of their nerd cred, and I'm not sure if they'll get it back. This whole situation sucks, period. I have no desire to play Farmville of Warcraft.
zdave Jul 8th 2010 9:58PM
they could get their cred back in full if they just give activision the old heave-ho right about now and start getting their shit together. it'd be great to see them stand up for what they think is right, even if it isn't the most profitable (yet still profitable) choice.
DG Jul 8th 2010 9:31PM
If I could acquire the names of wow players through an add on and attach it to their facebook id. I could send them many many buy wow gold adds. I could sell the list to other gaming companies. the possibilities are endless. I just need to design an actually good addon and siphon information out of it. I could spam them out of the game. something that people like so that they aren't so concerned about their name and email address being collected and used without their consent.
Anonymous Jul 8th 2010 9:35PM
WoW.com - you're pro-RealID and pro-Gearscore? This screenie could have taken down gearscore & realID at the same time, seems to me you're supporting both...
Portals Jul 8th 2010 9:38PM
Don't be a douche.
Hollow Leviathan Jul 8th 2010 9:40PM
False information should not be used as evidence against something you just don't like. That's all sorts of immoral.
Anonymous Jul 8th 2010 9:44PM
Wow, that's mature, thanks for summing up the wow.com community for everyone.
Nareli Jul 8th 2010 10:05PM
Its called factual reporting.
And why does GearScore need to be taken down? Not his fault that some people can't use the addon correctly.
Anon Jul 8th 2010 9:49PM
Relying on false evidence to support your claims is not reliable at all.
In other words, don't be a douche.
Anonymous Jul 8th 2010 9:59PM
Another fantastic response with maturity. Another fantastic representation of a wow.com fan boy.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Jul 8th 2010 10:03PM
(C'mon, ASCII magic, don't fail me now!)
_________
|...DON'T..|
|...FEED..|
|....THE... |
|..TROLL..|
|THANKS.|
|..(mgmt)..|
|________|
........|
........|
........|
........|
........|
Let's see if it works..
krusty_burger Jul 8th 2010 10:03PM
most people that have nothing to say manage to not be douches about it.
Clydtsdk-Rivendare Jul 8th 2010 10:04PM
Meh, could have turned out worse.
Point still stands.
jfofla Jul 8th 2010 9:37PM
There is nothing "scary" about my real name. I tell it people everyday and I have no stalkers, no internet theft, no cyber bullies.
There is a Black Sabbath album you all should listen to PARANOID.
Hollow Leviathan Jul 8th 2010 9:44PM
Then you are fortunate. Not everyone shares your good luck in meeting only decent and upstanding people.
Draaka Jul 8th 2010 9:56PM
Aye and you should go read 1984 by George Orwell. (no reason not to listen to paranoid, Sabbath are damned good)
Seriously though, I see no reason why they couldn't just give the option of only using first names, people wouldn't be quite so against them if blizz gave us the choice, forcing it on us if we wish to continue playing/posting just seems to be the exact kind of thing that people would naturally balk at. The fact that it seems at the moment the blizz team can't program their way out of a wet paper bag is a whole different topic,
The whole "your email is your username" idea is flawed, and as an officer of a large guild hacks because of this have more than doubled since it happened I have even had gm's say that they noticed the number of hacks rise significantly while retrieving stolen guild bank stuff back, real ID just seems like a bad idea extrapolated and built upon, although I can see fan based real ID-free forums getting a massive boost out of this.
Microtonal Jul 8th 2010 10:00PM
Like I said in the other thread from a day or two ago, I can think of several reasons why someone might not want their real name plastered all over the internet for everyone to see. The fact that you personally don't see any need to keep your identity private isn't proof that no one else does, either.
Your opinion is not the only possible opinion. Your life is not the only possible life. Your experience is not the only possible experience. Stop being so narcissistic.
zdave Jul 8th 2010 10:01PM
Would that be the same 1984 by George Orwell that is widely regarded as one of the biggest pieces of fear mongering propaganda of all time?
Hoggersbud Jul 8th 2010 10:41PM
>There is nothing "scary" about my real name. I tell it people everyday and I have no stalkers, no internet theft, no cyber bullies.
And because you've never had a problem, it does not and cannot exist!
Ever!
zdave Jul 8th 2010 10:49PM
"Your experience is not the only possible experience. Stop being so narcissistic."
Stop being so narcissistic? Really? This coming from somebody who is apparently in the same boat as people who are in constant fear of getting cyber stalked, hacked, real life stalked, raped, murdered, etc. Where's your contempt for their narcissism?