The simple way to prevent smurfs and easily identify people.

Other clients are going to see your IP address? Where the hell did you grab that from? The only thing they're going to see is your GUID. Which would allow them to detect one Neutrino from another. As well as seeing you on the off chance you're smurfing or on another name. It's hardly an invasion of privacy. I really don't know/care where the other complaints you listed came from, but they aren't relevant to this thread in any case, and are probably bait to get Thrax to flame you up one side and down the other.

On the evils comment, I fail to see how being able to know who the other player is, is a "greater evil". Verification of who players are is in large part a very good thing for a multitude of reasons listed earlier in the thread.

Bleh, I don't like the idea, sorry. I think it's more invasive to put it in the clients hands rather than the server, personally. I understand the issues, concerning match play, as far as pubs are concerned... there is where the term tough shit comes well into play.

Anyone should be able to remain completely anon when playing an online game, debilitating that for match play opens up greater evils imo than keeping it a trust relationship between players.

The ramifications on ladders are what should be severe, not the spyware/snoopware that is capable of sniffind out who is who on the client, fuck that. When I join a server I agree that the operater of the server can know who I am by guid, macid, ipaddress, etc... but I sure as hell am not making an agreement that says every other client on the system can know who I am.

In an effort to reduce cheating, we have already lost the ability to script the game, which was one of the greatest things about Tribes. Basically now we have the Game Developers telling us exactly how we will be playing the game rather than allowing the players evolve the game as they see fit. I guess that isn't enough of a loss for some people though, everyone should have a mark of the beast available for any other person to scan at will just in the off chance you're a smurf... :ugh:

any sort of IDing is good in my book :roller:

You could smurf in T2. Only thing was, not a single server allowed smurfs. Not 5150, not us, not any server worth a shit. I wonder why that was?


If you wanna play and act like a jackass on a server, host your own server and do it. There is no need whatsoever for a 3rd party app (like andrew's for t1) to identify smurf names based on ip, which is a total crock of shit.

I think its stupid they arent doing an auth server like t2 had. Even if 200-300k people buy and register the game, those kinds of numbers are a joke for even a low caliber database app which could very easily prevent 95% of the problem with smurfs.

1. Login, gonna have to do this anyhow.
2. Database uses your guid to check for and assign your primary name and smurf names.
3. Pick whatever name you want, the server u join decides whether or not to force your primary name or if smurfing is allowed.

Simple as that.

Heh, that's a good point metro about T2 allowing smurfing. I completely forgot about that. Ix and Neu, if you want any *more* proof that people dislike smurfs, look at T2 servers. Hardly any of them allowed you to smurf via blue names. Even the low end servers (even though they could have forced it).

What the system proposed in the beginning of the thread is, the absolute best part of the T2 system (knowing who people were while preventing smurfing), without the gayness involved with it (huge serverside database, names you flat out couldn't use, extensive dev time, etc).

Metro, I disagree with the second part of your post, just because that requires way more coding and effort than the original system would that's just based on a simple cd key with no logging in. (Auth server assigns guids based on that key).

Heh, that's a good point metro about T2 allowing smurfing. I completely forgot about that. Ix and Neu, if you want any *more* proof that people dislike smurfs, look at T2 servers. Hardly any of them allowed you to smurf via blue names. Even the low end servers (even though they could have forced it).

What the system proposed in the beginning of the thread is, the absolute best part of the T2 system (knowing who people were while preventing smurfing), without the gayness involved with it (huge serverside database, names you flat out couldn't use, extensive dev time, etc).

Metro, I disagree with the second part of your post, just because that requires way more coding and effort than the original system would that's just based on a simple cd key with no logging in. (Auth server assigns guids based on that key).


The work is already done as soon as you have a login server, which they do. All that needs to be done is add a primary name field and a few smurf name fields. They still need a database and a few more fields wont mean dick.

As far as coding goes I did application database programming years ago and it's not difficult or time consuming at all. Especially for something as easy as tying a login name to a guid\cd key\primary name. Anyone with even rudimentary knowledge of say oracle or db2 could set that database up in no time flat.

Heh, that's a good point metro about T2 allowing smurfing. I completely forgot about that. Ix and Neu, if you want any *more* proof that people dislike smurfs, look at T2 servers. Hardly any of them allowed you to smurf via blue names. Even the low end servers (even though they could have forced it).

What the system proposed in the beginning of the thread is, the absolute best part of the T2 system (knowing who people were while preventing smurfing), without the gayness involved with it (huge serverside database, names you flat out couldn't use, extensive dev time, etc).

Metro, I disagree with the second part of your post, just because that requires way more coding and effort than the original system would that's just based on a simple cd key with no logging in. (Auth server assigns guids based on that key).

I never argued that they didn't...

Sorry, I don't like the idea that every other player should be able to know who I am at any given moment, the server administrators do and that is enough.

I don't like the idea that every other player should be able to know who I am at any given moment,

I'll bet you hate it when you walk into a restaraunt and are recognized by the staff, and greeted by name...

All ZP's idea will do is allow people that have already played with you to recognize who you are without having to resort to asking the admin "who the hell was playing as 'UberJackass' on your server last week?"

Frankly if you're going to smurf in a system that doesn't allow for instant recognition, and act like a complete jackass, you should be banned outright, and no amount of "Hey, that was me, Mr. WellKnownPlayer. I'm sorry I was stupid, let me back in". should change that.

If you are smurfing to conceal your identity, WHY? If you aren't acting the fool, or deliberately playing to lose, or some other nonsense, why bother? The ONLY disadvantage to being able to recognize anyone you've played with before, is that they can't get away with anonymously acting like a jerk. This is a good thing. Your rep as a player is the only real recognition symbol anyone has in a MP game, outside of your tribe.

I agree with this 100%.


If you are smurfing to conceal your identity, WHY? If you aren't acting the fool, or deliberately playing to lose, or some other nonsense, why bother? The ONLY disadvantage to being able to recognize anyone you've played with before, is that they can't get away with anonymously acting like a jerk. This is a good thing.

I'll bet you hate it when you walk into a restaraunt and are recognized by the staff, and greeted by name...

All ZP's idea will do is allow people that have already played with you to recognize who you are without having to resort to asking the admin "who the hell was playing as 'UberJackass' on your server last week?"

Frankly if you're going to smurf in a system that doesn't allow for instant recognition, and act like a complete jackass, you should be banned outright, and no amount of "Hey, that was me, Mr. WellKnownPlayer. I'm sorry I was stupid, let me back in". should change that.

If you are smurfing to conceal your identity, WHY? If you aren't acting the fool, or deliberately playing to lose, or some other nonsense, why bother? The ONLY disadvantage to being able to recognize anyone you've played with before, is that they can't get away with anonymously acting like a jerk. This is a good thing. Your rep as a player is the only real recognition symbol anyone has in a MP game, outside of your tribe.

You're smurfing to conceal your identity because: a) After a lengthy break you decide to come back to the game - but don't want people to know you're basically a newbie again b) some punks you'd rather not talk to are playing on your favorite server and you want to join in but not have to deal with them c) people (or a person) you don't like hunt you down via your ID and basically stalk you from server to server d) you're infamous (or famous) for some reason or another and don't like being harassed e) you're in the T:V dev team and hate when these god damn nerds line up to own you while pointing and laughing chanting "omg noob you made teh game but you teh suck!2"

I've got a zillion more. Some people would prefer anonominity. If they find a way to implement anti-smurf measures but still respect the simple fact that some of the people prefer being nameless some of the time, then I'd be all for it...

List "a zillion more", because I'm pretty sure you don't have a zillion. A and B are very stupid, pointless reasons to not have this system. C wouldn't be a problem unless you had servers submit GUID info on simple server queries. D can be annoying but there are simple ways to deal with it in game. If you fall under E you have an unlimited supply of keys (and hence GUIDS), so it really wouldn't effect you regardless.

Pretty weak reasons.

You're smurfing to conceal your identity because: a) After a lengthy break you decide to come back to the game - but don't want people to know you're basically a newbie again b) some punks you'd rather not talk to are playing on your favorite server and you want to join in but not have to deal with them c) people (or a person) you don't like hunt you down via your ID and basically stalk you from server to server d) you're infamous (or famous) for some reason or another and don't like being harassed e) you're in the T:V dev team and hate when these god damn nerds line up to own you while pointing and laughing chanting "omg noob you made teh game but you teh suck!2"

I've got a zillion more. Some people would prefer anonominity. If they find a way to implement anti-smurf measures but still respect the simple fact that some of the people prefer being nameless some of the time, then I'd be all for it...

Smurfing only really matters when it comes to matches. Otherwise, if someone wants to smurf, let them. It's just a game.

Smurfing only really matters when it comes to matches. Otherwise, if someone wants to smurf, let them. It's just a game.

Perhaps you should read through some of the thread and see why it matters outside of competition.

Just make people have to request your permission to add you to their buddy list. That way the 'famous' people (or just people in general) won't have stalking problems...

I will not be brief, because this I care about.
As taken from this thread (http://www.tribalwar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=292178&page=1&pp=20):
Kinda long post here, but really takes 2 mins to read, so please proceed:

I really have trouble understanding those that ask for the ability to customize their names. It seems as though you want to make it your own unique piece of art, while at the same time sacrificing the single mechanism that makes it unique.

It's nice to have colours and all, but there's Paint that can accomodate those needs. When you're playing a serious video game (as far as that seriousness goes anyway) you're not looking for the nicest looking name. You're looking for proper and rapid authentication, proper and rapid identification.

Look at the other FPS for which "it works out". I join a server. I see 30 other names, all meaningless and devoid of any identity whatsoever. Some do have those nice colours, or those very entertaining letter patterns </sarcasm>, but they remain meaningless. When I join a server and see the same name, well it may not even be the same peron anyway, so I don't even bother to notice anyone. I stopped playing BF for a very simple reason. Everybody is a nobody, and it makes for a very poor experience. Why not use good AI? Other than for competition, good AI will fully replace anonymous players.

When I join a T2 server and see KineticPoet, I know this guy's working on T:V. I see MadCapper, I know this guy plays for a top team and is a great capper. I recall playing with him at this and that occasion. I see Asshole01 and recall that this guy likes to satchel his own base. I see GreatCrop, and I know this guy's a great farmer, so I stalk him a bit. Oh! He deploys an invo. Remembering the information about this guy paid off in that it allowed me to adapt a strategy to kill an enemy asset, the invo... Every player has an identity, making the experience MUCH greater.

I read about people being pissed off thinking if they were forced to use another name because their's was taken. Well let's imagine the full situation and not have a limited view. In T2, I'm Jell. That's great. I'm known as Jell, some people know how I play. People know I'm not a newb, yet not the top player in the community.
Now what if instead I can type in any name before entering a server. I see Jell, but hey, that could be anyone. I see kineticpoet there, thrax here, GreatCrop there, MadCapper, etc. These guys are not T:V devs, farmers or cappers. They're nobodies. They could be anyone, and I could be them.

It's fine. You know who's on teamspeak. For clanmates, yeah. So great, you know about ~20 players among the thousands out there. So everyone's a nobody except those 20 guys.

So we're making a choice here. Should we be allowed to be sure that we absolutely get to name ourselves Dragon because, although it's an obviously popular name, it's very important to be named Dragon when playing. </sarcasm>

-OR-

Should we be allowed an identity that creates a unique sense of community and allowed you to know who you're playing with?

I personally think that having an identity is miles more important than what seems to be a childish need to get your little name. Add a "-", a "^", whatever. Big fudgeing deal. At least you won't be playing in complete anonymity.

As far as the GUID goes, it's nice and all, but irrelevant to this. I see GreatCrop running around, I'm going to go check his GUID in the console or what have you to put a name on that guy and look in my notebook to cross-check that it is that great farmer, and then adapt my strategy.
GUID is great for competition authentication? Please. Maybe after you setup a policing system and a fast cross-checking system, but I won't be the one pressing ~, typing :getGUID::GreatCrop for 10 players, writing them down, Alt-Tab'ing to Sierra and again cross-referencing their roster.

I read Thrax' example using ICQ and demonstrating how each name is duplicated many times. Now transpose his example to T:V.
In ICQ, you want to know who you're talking with. Everyone has a unique e-mail and ICQ# which is what really identifies them.
In T:V, you want to know who you're playing with. Everyone has a unique GUID and CD-key which is what really identifies them.

So where's the problem? Everyone's unique after all...
Well the problem lies in that you have no clue who you're playing with regardless of the GUID and CD-key unless you go through some trouble that you can't go through while you're playing. Imagine removing your ability to have a buddylist in ICQ and to easily check people's # and e-mail. Put every single ICQ user in a chat room. How can you possibly find the right Thrax among the 20+?? Sure, you can open your console, type "/geticq# Thrax", have a listing of all the Thrax' numbers, and talk to the one that corresponds to the one in your notebook... If that's annoying even for a chat program, is it viable in T:V? Obviously not, and we all know the devs don't look for this either.

If there won't be a T2 browser style, why not simply use a web-based system with a small authentication front-end? We use that in Allegiance. You open it (ASGS (http://asgs.alleg.net/asgsnet/main.aspx)), type your unique callsign and password, and login. The thing then boots the game up for you, and you're logged as your unique name. You can manage your account on the web. Tags corresponding to the clans in which you participate are listed and you select if you wish to attach one. Clan roster listings are readily available. You can login and edit your profile. The program even identifies players by their hardware and cross-references any changes. T:V doesn't have to be this extreme, but a unique name associated with the unique CD-key certainly would do it, and would equate what we have now.

(NOT IN ORIGINAL QUOTE: Note that that ASGS system allows one player to have up to 5 unique names to allow anonymity.)




Someone regged 'Plasma' in t2 a few days before I could get my copy in Australia, they hadnt played T2 since... That pissed me off.


I understand, and I was kinda glad that Jell was available when I registered my copy. However, at least, after you've played for a few months or more, people know who Plasma- is. You get recognized, you have people who know how you play, people who are tribe-mates, etc.
That's, imo, much better than if you could've named yourself Plasma as you wanted, but you had to play with 20 other Plasma's, and when someone gets owned by Plasma 15 times in the same map, and logs in the next day and sees Plasma, he won't go "Oh shazbot I gotta get revenge on that fudgeer", he'll go "Meh. Probably not the same guy".

It's this whole personal dimension that would be removed. So you can't seek revenge, you can't tell who's who, you can't have information base on previous experiences with people, and so on... That would suck big time.

One more thing.
I recall that Tribes 2 (Idk about T1) has a function that allows players to have both a Warrior Name and a Login Name.
The Login Name is the unique identifier. It's the one displayed in yellow in your Warrior Setup drop-down menu.
The Warrior Name quickly became known as the Smurf Name. You can get as many of those as you want. On servers, it is displayed in purple to indicate that it's not the "real" guy's name. Those are the ones displayed in white in your Warrior Setup drop-down menu.

Now if I recall correctly, the ability of players to use the Warrior Name in servers was disabled on every single serious server. In fact, if you see someone with a purple name, you know that you're on a newb server and that people are hiding their identities.

So...Players had the choice to allow everyone to either use any name they wanted in games (Warrior Names), or to make sure everyone was uniquely identified even in game. The unanimous choice toward unique identification was made a LONG time ago and maintained throughout T2. I think this speaks for itself.

Now this short novel discussed in favor of an authentication system that resembles that of T2.
I agree on most of ZProtoss' points, although I'd like to go further. I think requiring a client side script makes for a tedious task of marking your buddies, just like it is a tedious task to reconfigure your T2 loadouts and controls after a HD format. It also makes it less possible that some people about whom you never cared will get your attention. I don't think Z's idea goes far enough.

If you are a little cry baby who wants to get any name cus having your precious name is really important, you should play more CS and less Tribes. If you want to remain anonymous and be a jackass, you can (like ASGS allows it) play under another name, but be sure that some people will remember that jackass, and when a server host cross-references you, it'll just come out.

So Jell do you average over 100 WPM or what man?!?

I love my identity online!! When I enter a server I am me and I am unique. I enjoy the online identity provided me thru Tribes 2 and the recognition. It is one of the reasons I enjoy tribes over many other online games. I can make a connection to other players and reconize when they enter and leave the server. Other games simply don't provide that level of identity and thus respect for players with great skill or a great attitude. I like my name in Tribes 2 but if it had not been available I simply would have made another. Ultimatly what makes a name good and truly stand out is the player who builds a reputation with it. I will have just as much fun playing Tribes 2 if my name is Exit Wound or Apple Sauce. But one of the great things in Tribes is being able to enter a server and have everyone know that I am Apple Sauce!!!!

I agree with Jell!!!! :signed:

Sigh. The irritating thing about registered nicknames is the fact that someone gets the game before you and reges your nick before you have the opportunity. This happened to me in T2 (Though I never really ended up playing...which is another point).

Some of us use fairly unoriginal names. But because that's what we started with, there's no sense in changing it now as people wouldn't recognize us.

Also, if you're like me and live in craptown, we don't get games on release date.

Edit: Plus funny smurf names and themed names with friends are always fun.

c) people (or a person) you don't like hunt you down via your ID and basically stalk you from server to server

This is the only one you posted that I thought could be a serious problem (no offense, the other reasons just don't seem like that big of a deal to me) and isn't really already addressed, so I'm going to post my idea fix.

Players have two lists. One, your friends list, tracks people from the master server list (when you aren't in a game, but are looking for a server to join) and would still track friends from within the game (as in, if a person on your friends list joins a server you are already on, s/he would be identified by whatever tag name you gave them). This list would require authorization from the person you are trying to add since you could track what server a person is on. If someone decides they don't want to be on your friends list anymore, they delete you from theirs. Now neither of you can track the other.

The second list would be a simple tracker. You cannot track people from the master server list, but this list would still identify people whom you have tagged if they join a server you are currently on, or if you join a server they are currently on.

Yeah yeah, this is slightly more complicated to the new player than having one list. But, it's not so overly complicated that it couldn't be quickly explained (in a sentence or two) to new players in some way. The difference can be made pretty plain depending on what the two lists are named (I would make suggestions, but names are not my technical writing forte).

Jell is a neuroscience major.

Hi Jell. :)

I switched to med school this morning.
Hi pyro. :roller:

This is the only one you posted that I thought could be a serious problem (no offense, the other reasons just don't seem like that big of a deal to me) and isn't really already addressed, so I'm going to post my idea fix.

(NOT IN ORIGINAL QUOTE: Note that that ASGS system allows one player to have up to 5 unique names to allow anonymity.)

This allows you to use a name that keeps you from being stalked as your more famous name. You can remain unstalked, but at the same time you can't just behave like an ass and expect to be respected under that name in the future. I had to do this in t2 because I farm, so disc-spammers, knowing that I farm, simply waited for me to deploy an invo and then spammed it... So I got another name.

T2's naming system was the worst thing in the world. If I want to be Fool it shouldn't matter that some idiot already has that name. This is a FPS, not some roleplaying MMORPG.