So if I don't use facebook..

The only facebook integration we currently use is for StarCraft II and it let's you ping facebook (by logging in with your facebook account) for any friends that also own the game, and then prompts if you want to send them a Real ID friend request through StarCraft II. Pretty much just making it so you don't have to hit everyone up for their character name/code.

It's pretty cool. And useful.

Q u o t e:
Yes, but when facebook and battle.net merge and gain sentience what will we do? Skynet is coming, and you were part of it!

http://twitter.com/Diablo/status/17749867761

Q u o t e:
That's awesome. Wish I had beta :(

Also, you forgot the armory integration, if that counts.

I knew I was forgetting something. Right, you can hook up your armory to facebook and let everyone know how amazing you are (or otherwise).

Q u o t e:
They also removed any ability to add "friends" without RealID, so you are forced to use this unless you only play random people. So forget clans, forget organized games, forget playing with people you met online.

You haven't kept up. Character codes, yo. Phase Two is the now.

Q u o t e:
"new" battle.net? WTF is that?

I never even HEARD of Battle.net until the day Blizz started forcing us to use it. I have no idea how long it's been around, or what the difference is between "New Battle.net" and "Battle.net Classic". The point I'm trying to make is, you didn't need Battle.net to experience WoW. It wasn't something I asked for, and it wasn't anything I expected - but it still got rammed down all our throats.

Now Blizz is opening our mouths to ram Real ID down our throats. Nobody asked for it and it's optional now, but here it comes like it or not.

Battle.net is a high level account and connection service. One portion of that is the in-game Real ID feature. A completely different topic is displaying real first and last names on the forums.

Having an overarching Battle.net account that holds all of your Blizzard licenses doesn't really have anything to do, inherently, with the specific things you're concerned about.

Q u o t e:
If I don't want people on facebook to know that I play WoW, is there any foolproof method of preventing that aside from not having a facebook membership and not playing WoW?

Don't use the features. They all require you to make a conscious decision to activate.

Q u o t e:
*ENTIRE* SC2 Phase One beta you HAD TO use RealID/Facebook or play ALONE.

That's incorrect. Only after removing unique identifiers because the community told us they didn't like them was the ability to not add friends without having played with them a reality. But as I said, that's no longer the case. The randomly generated characters codes allow you to pick any name you want, and also give you a unique number that allow people to directly add you as a friend.

Q u o t e:
Drysc - are you able to answer the question if your names will be in trade chat or floating above our heads in the game?

If you're not able to answer that, I understand, but a lot of people (I've been on the forums for like 24 hours non stop now) are thinking this is the next logical step.

Is there ANY info about the game itself being considered optional when it comes to RealID?

??

I'm not sure what you mean. You have to consent to becoming a Real ID friend with other players. So yes, it's optional in the sense that you don't have to accept a Real ID friend request.

Q u o t e:
This sounds like you're playing coy. Let's review Real ID's brief history. Please fill in the blanks as you can:

1. Real ID introduced, described as a tool only for real-life friends.
2. Real ID mandatory for posting on forums
3. ???
4. Real ID mandatory for using in-game chat channels?

That's the line of thinking here. Clearly the most recent change isn't the end; it's only a transition. So if this is just a pit stop, where's our destination?

I understand you likely either 1) don't know; or 2) can't say, but let's all try to stay on the same page.

I literally wasn't playing coy, but after reading all of the comments I understand the line of thinking. I don't think it's logical (as stated) but I get it, at least.

The answer is: I don't know. Maybe someone does.

My question is, why does a hypothetical future matter? When that future becomes a reality, wouldn't that be the best time to think about it?

I don't know, maybe I'm just more laid back than most. I don't see the point in worrying about what may or may not happen. Just do your best to enjoy every day until you won't, or can't.

Please don't misunderstand, I'm not telling anyone to just chillax and not care or be concerned, it's just my personal take on the whole hypothetical what-if scenarios. Not everyone is me, I understand that.

Q u o t e:
Why should I invest time and effort into my characters if I'm going to have to walk away in a few weeks?

Because you're having fun, ideally. What if there's a catastrophic database explosion and your characters are deleted forever (please note we have many backup procedures in-place to ensure this wouldn't happen, but...) are you constantly worried?

I know that's not really a great comparison because you feel like you have some control over one of them through feedback and communication, and the other one is completely out of your hands. Either way, my personal recommendation? Play and have fun. It is a game.

Q u o t e:
It stops being a game when Blizzard starts making dictates about how our personal information will be published to the internet at large. Sorry man, but a bunch of us aren't drinking the cool'aid on this one.

The fact that you think there's kool aid to be drunk just sort of illustrates the futility in me attempting to speak to you reasonably.

I'll be back.

I don't want anyone to think we're not listening, or dismissing them. Every one has their views and thoughts on the matter. I think we'll be able to alleviate most concerns though, and I can't accurately speak on these issues until some more info is given that does that.

Q u o t e:
Perhaps in the future, then, your posts will consist of more than "shut up and keep playing." Honestly, could you get any more condescending?

I hope so, I didn't mean to be condescending.

I see what you mean though. That wasn't my intent, I was just talking with people.

Q u o t e:
Dude, I really don't want to sound like a jerk here, but I think you're doing more harm than good.

No, that's accurate, that's why I'm stepping away.