Linking Forum Character Data (06/23/2011)

[MaachaQ]

A new feature linking in-game character data with player forum profiles will be implemented as part of the regular forum maintenance scheduled for Tuesday, June 28, 2011.

Please click here for further details.

[NA] Linking Character Data to Forum Profiles

We would like to announce a new function enabling players to link character data to their forum profiles. This feature will go live as part of the FINAL FANTASY XI Forum maintenance scheduled for June 28, 2011.

At present, players are required to use a Square Enix ID when logging into the forums. Characters on the PlayOnline ID associated with this Square Enix ID will now be displayed in forum profiles. Players with more than one character registered to their account may select which character to link.

After logging into the forums following the maintenance, players will be taken to the Profile Settings screen and asked to choose an active character. Forum posts cannot be made until a character has been selected.

Forum profiles will now display the following:
- Character name
- World name
- Up to three jobs and levels of a player's choosing
* The above information cannot be hidden.

Players will retain forum handles.

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/10281

[Apelila]

Easier to point out gimps now, hurrah!

[Khamsin]

Easier to point out gimps now, hurrah!

And less anonymous trolling. Can't say anything now without people knowing who to associate it with.

Even on BG, we aren't anonymous but we don't always know exactly who the poster is, in game. We could find out if we bothered to, but at least this way it's readily apparent who it is.

[shaddix]

can link to mule

[Apelila]

might be able to link to a mule, but that ends all the people assclowning threads by talking about how they are experts. Also makes it much easier to dissmiss the person if they're being said assclown.

[Karbuncle]

Apparently they're so afraid that linking your FFXI account is going to be handing the RMT/Hackers their accounts on a silver platter.

I swear this is just another step to proving these people have never been on the internet before... They are literally freaking out at this update like its going to be the end of the world and everyone is going to stop posting because of it.. I mean really, Only the people who make vehemently stupid fucking posts over and over have anything to fear from this.

Surprisingly, those are the people that seem most against it.

[Crab_Cake]

Not really sure if it will help much (at least in terms of the "trolling").

Example - Battle.net forums and SC2 for example (true there is no RealID but there are player stats). Despite showing player name, stats, etc; sometimes it's not a nice forum.

Though to be fair SC2 is more popular currently and thus it's easy to "blend in" amongst the crowd while FFXI is really small in population now (with servers merged twice already) + it's really easy to report or even mute/avoid a person in SC2 compared to FFXI if they harass you in game (for example).

Still though, I'm not sure how effective this will be. (Edit - Of course those who are against it may or may not be posting anymore >.>. ).

[Eeeks]

Apparently, RAIST visited forums but never picked up on all the advice to use NoScript/AdBlock when the hacking activity was at its peak. As Karbuncle mentioned in that thread, linking in-game characters to forum accounts isn't a major account risk. The biggest risks come from visiting ad-supported FFXI sites without NoScript/AdBlock (despite best efforts, a few dirty ads will always sneak through) or sharing account info and passwords with friends. I've had my character linked to FFXIAH for years without an issue.

I could see a reason for outrage if SE forced us to link our actual names and personal information to forum accounts, but I have no issue with linking forum accounts with in-game accounts (I've never associated my RL name with my FFXI character's name online anyways). Also, many posters use their in-game names.

All in all, I have no problem with this change. It might discourage the actual trolls and posters who go full retard (read: Dallas) and separate these posters from the people interested in actual discussion.