Rage quits are forever

[spooky_nine]

So you've heard about the new change Blizzard is implementing, right? That Blizzard is going to make everyone post under their real first and last name on the forums?

I'm outraged. This has so much potential for abuse that I'm shocked. I've written emails to Blizzard and the ESRB Privacy Online program. And I've cancelled my account, explaining that this new change was a direct result of that. Maybe if enough people complain or cancel their accounts this change will be cancelled, or reworked so that people's names will never be associated with their online postings.

Here's (I feel) the most succinct posting on why I disagree with the changes: (thanks to renegade_mime)

Blizzard has indicated that it does not care to hear women's feedback on the game. I suppose that makes sense, as its target demographic is young adult males.

I didn't cancel my account because without posting on the forums, I wouldn't enjoy WoW. Of course I'd still enjoy the game. I cancelled my account because Blizzard's new "if you're afraid for your security, just don't speak up" policy. The forums are our only voice, our only place to make suggestions and have conversations and get clarifications and be heard by Blizzard. Telling people that if they're worried about their safety, they shouldn't participate, shouldn't make their voices heard, should sit down, shut up, and leave the public space to those who don't have to worry about it, well, that makes me rage.

It's like telling black men living in fear of the Ku Klux Klan that they should just not go to the voting booth today.

It's like telling a battered wife that she should just shut up so that her husband is less likely to hit her.

It's like telling Islamic women that if it's dangerous for them to go outside alone, they should sit inside, rather than trying to change anything.

And ultimately, it will lead to victim blaming.

When this system is implemented, and some poor woman is !!@%d or killed, and her !%@%##/killer was able to track her down based upon her name posted on a Blizzard forum - Blizzard is going to release a press release. It's going to say, that what happened to this woman is unfortunate, but it is up to the user to safeguard their internet privay. The internet community at large is going to agree. She should have known better than to be a woman on Blizzard forums. %@#!* had it coming.

And then something in me will snap. RAGE. I play a warrior for a reason.

And that is why I have cancelled my account.

Just six more weeks of paid time left.

Comments

[that1979guy.livejournal.com]

[wring.livejournal.com]

that's ridiculous. and they're doing it cus they're blizzard and they do what they want!

[raptorwrath.livejournal.com]

damn, what a great letter.