SMS Account Authentication - Page 5

Harrison · #1 07-19-2011, 06:00 AM

There are some epic level idiots with reading comprehension problems in here lmfao

greatdane · #2 07-19-2011, 07:14 AM

This is a fine idea, but can we have an option of playing completely at our own risk, i.e not having to supply a phone number at all? I would be happy to relinquish any rights to support in the event of loss of my account. I can't receive calls or text messages from outside of my country. I totally see the merit in offering players the opportunity of increased account security, but there's a fundamental problem with requiring it. Beyond the practical issues, such as for foreigners like myself, there's also a variety of ethical problems. A game shouldn't demand the player's personal information. I don't know the people who will have access to this database of phone numbers, and while I have no doubt that they'll be trustworthy about it, they're still complete strangers who don't do this professionally. Also, if I give out my phone number online, my provider no longer has to waive excess fees in the event of a billing problem - even if the two turn out to be completely unrelated. Since I can't receive the account verification message, that's not hugely relevant for me, but it's still a point. I could (and might) change providers if this turns out to be necessary, but I don't like that I have to. It's not as if we get spambots and gold farmers, so why can't we opt out? I don't foolishly share my account information and I run a retail computer protection package, so I've had no problems since the server launched. I'd opt out of the login authenticator anyway, so I don't see the purpose of having to essentially confirm that a human owns the account. I see the point of a randomly generated login number, but not the point of a one-time verification.

TL;DR: what purpose does the required one-time account verification serve, and why can't we opt out of that as well? I'd be fine with giving up the opportunity for support as a consequence.

Uthgaard · #3 07-19-2011, 07:44 AM

If you think we don't get spam bots or gold farmers, you're mistaken. If we wanted your personal info, we could already have it - just ask anyone who's threatened the server. It's a phone number for a text, not a social security number, and as has already been pointed out, you don't even have to have a real phone to get the text. Anyone who can take the amount of effort to type an entire paragraph, should first take the same amount of time to read the entire thread and find all of the paranoia has already been addressed.

greatdane · #4 07-19-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uthgaard [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

If you think we don't get spam bots or gold farmers, you're mistaken. If we wanted your personal info, we could already have it - just ask anyone who's threatened the server. It's a phone number for a text, not a social security number, and as has already been pointed out, you don't even have to have a real phone to get the text. Anyone who can take the amount of effort to type an entire paragraph, should first take the same amount of time to read the entire thread and find all of the paranoia has already been addressed.

I did read the thread, every post of it, and I still don't see why this has to be required with no opt-out. It's not paranoia, it's a practical issue. I'm just worried about not being able to play. I can't receive texts from outside my country. I'm not being a whiny bitch, it's shit like this:

[You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.]

You don't realize how common that sort of thing is when you're not subjected to it. I'd seriously rather play without account security than having to go through the considerable trouble of verifying my RL existence to strangers across the globe. It's awesome that you're willing to go to these lengths to provide a security service to your players, but I just don't see why it has to be mandatory, or why it can't be conducted in a way that doesn't rule out certain people. I guess I could go ask one of my colleagues if I can use his phone to make a call from Denmark to the United States so some people will let me play on their emulated Everquest server, but I'm not loving that idea either. Isn't there a less awkward alternative? Skype or something?