Online identity crisis: Real ID on the World of Warcraft forums

Authors

  • Anne-Mette Albrechtslund Aalborg University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v16i7.3624

Keywords:

identity, text analysis, gaming, internet research, narratology

Abstract

In July 2010, Activision Blizzard announced that the Real ID system was going to be implemented on the official World of Warcraft forums, meaning that players would be required to identify themselves with their real names to be able to post on the forums. The plans were withdrawn only a few days later because of the overwhelming negative response from players. This article analyzes examples of players' responses on the forums and, having identified central themes concerning identity and sociality in this online setting, explores possible reasons why anonymity is so important to the player community.

Author Biography

Anne-Mette Albrechtslund, Aalborg University

Ph.D. candidate, Department of Communication and Psychology

Downloads

Published

2011-06-20

How to Cite

Albrechtslund, A.-M. (2011). Online identity crisis: Real ID on the World of Warcraft forums. First Monday, 16(7). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v16i7.3624