Gaming Safety

Gaming has become a large part of many individuals’ lives.  So much of gaming is done via the internet and World War Rising is no exception.  Because of this, we here at WWR Command felt that it would be a good idea to go over some safety tips for online gaming to not only keep your account but YOU safe as well.

Introduction

There are many ways to slip and let our guard down while gaming.  It is such a social atmosphere, you begin to trust everyone around you despite never having met.  Your alliance becomes your family and often family begins to share logs (login information) to accounts for protection, ironically.  If you know someone may not be able to get on if they are being zeroed, having their logs would protect them, you tell each other.

In addition, the game expands often beyond the game itself to other apps such as Line or Discord as well as real phone numbers and email addresses.  As people get closer, the lines of any danger existing begin to fade.

In this article, I would like to take the opportunity to help us all stay safe and to understand why sharing log in information is never a good idea.  Let’s discuss how to protect our investments (our beloved accounts), our sanity, our finances and our social standing in the gaming community.

Account Protection

“One time I shared my account with another person within the game and the next thing I know I logged into the game, all the gear had been destroyed, troops had been zeroed, and my buildings were gone.  It was a loader.  I pretty much paid him to destroy my account.”  

–  (RYZE) Chrisshero

This is the nightmare of all of us and why gaming safety and protection is so important.  We spend literally hundreds of hours on the game over the course of the year and LOTS of money.  Suddenly it’s gone.  All of it.

So how can we keep this from happening to us?

This simplest and easiest answer to this is to NEVER share login information with ANYONE. Is this really realistic, however? It is what game developers remind us is necessary for the ultimate protection and they are correct.

MOBILE WAR LLC, World War Rising, TERMS OF USE, Last Updated: August 9, 2019 states:

4. No Transfer of Accounts or In-Game Items.

“Your account is for your personal use only. You specifically agree not to: (1) share your account credentials with anyone else…”

6. Code of Conduct.

“You agree to comply with the following requirements (our “Code of Conduct”) when you use the Game:

1. You will not attempt to obtain Login Information or access another player’s account, collect or harvest personal information from other users.

These rules are listed in the code of conduct to not only protect themselves but you as well.  Please bear in mind that if World War Rising does find out that you are sharing login information, they have the right to revoke your account per the terms of use everyone had to agree to in order to continue playing.  You can lose your account.  Again, the safest way to protect your account is to NEVER SHARE LOGS.

A complete copy of the World War Rising Terms of Use can be found here: https://www.worldwarrising.com/terms-of-use#section4 as well as in the game menu.

Now let’s get back to reality.  The truth of the matter is that almost everyone in the game shares login details with at least one other person.  This is done for a variety of reasons.  As I mentioned above, safety.  If your shield drops you have an extra safety net of protection if someone else can log on to shield you… right?  What about the big accounts always so generous to be available to the alliance and give their logs over to talented smaller players to make sure the alliance stays on top?

While many think this is positive, in reality it is very negative.  There are many ways to protect your account through proper building techniques, making sure your game notifications on to know when people are attacking, and simply shielding.  If you have issues with your shield dropping often, the easiest solution is to set an alarm so you do not forget.

I can’t tell you how to trust someone, as that is between you and them, but be sure to realize gaming relationships do not always stay constant.  We will discuss relationship more in the next section, but keep in mind alliances shift, your game wifey gets remarried to a new game hubby, or your bestie decided to join a fighting alliance.  Because of this, you put yourself at risk to lose your account in another way that doesn’t even involve the game company itself.  It is never a good idea to share your account log in information for any reason.  It is simply not worth the risk.

General Internet Safety

“I thought he was someone really special.  We played together for two and a half years and even though we weren’t looking for a relationship, we found each other. We talked every day and played together every day.  He had my logs and I had his.  We ruled the region until one day he misinterpreted a convo in RC [region chat] and we got into a huge fight. While I was sleeping he logged on to my account and deleted everything.  After that, he constantly texts me with horrible messages and I had to block him.  He started using other phone numbers to harass me.  He posted personal pictures I had sent him all over Line and it was a complete nightmare.  I had to change my Line, my phone number and completely leave the region I was in to get away.” – Anonymous

The social aspect of this game is an extremely strong lure.  It keeps many playing when they feel discouraged and are upset with gameplay.  The bonds we develop with our alliance family become extremely strong.  Many relationships form.  I talk to people from my first MZ game from 8 years ago still to this day.  I know babies born from relationships developed after meeting in a game.  It’s even used as a dating site for many. People meet and lifelong friendships develop.  Because of the ease of relationships with online gaming, you have to protect yourself.

We meet people literally from all over the world.  We get a window into different cultures and become a part of their day to day lives as they do ours.  The longer we know someone and the more we talk, the easier it becomes to lose sight of the dangerous possibilities that can happen.  The gaming world offers certain anonymity and gives people the chance to be who they wish they were often.  You CAN get to know someone well, but at the same time, it is impossible to know all, especially when they are not right in front of you. So what are some ways to be safe while still developing the tight bonds?

• Realize that people catfish.  You’d be surprised how often the person you are talking to is not the gender you expected.  Men often portray women when trapping for example because many feel that players are more likely to hit a woman’s account.  In addition, with the added use of apps like Line and Discord, people may post things that are untrue or inaccurate.  Learn to pay attention to details in photos and utilize reverse image searches to see if the images they are claiming to be theirs were found on the web.  I personally like to use: https://reverse.photos If the image was not found on the web, you will not see it in the list of images displayed and the likelihood of them being real and true to the individual is more guaranteed.
• Realize that some are being nice to get free packs. Although this is against the terms of use, some people will butter you up to get something for nothing.  This can go so far as an attempt to steal an account if you hand over logs to let people gift themselves for example.  If you are looking for a relationship, know that some will use you, no different than real life.
• NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION TO ANYONE.  This should be obvious, but you would be surprised.  I even purchase packs through PayPal so the game is not directly tied to my bank for added protection.
• DO NOT GIVE OUT YOUR ADDRESS. Never tell anyone exactly where you live.  Be careful with images you post that may give away your location.  If they have money to buy packs, they have money for a plane ticket.
• Keep family, especially children’s names, secret.  This includes your last name also.  It is easy for someone to google you and get anything they need to know about you from the internet.  They can use the information they find to get whatever else they may need from you personally.
• Do not give out your exact job location. For a similar reason with your home address, you do not want anyone showing up at your work unexpectedly.  You definitely do not want to become the next after school special.  (You old heads will get my meaning there.)
• WATCH ALL PHOTOGRAPHS YOU TAKE FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION DETAILS. This can include a pic outside your car showing a license plate number or a picture in your kitchen and on the counter, you have a receipt from your grocery store with the address or phone number on it.  Be careful with mirror selfies, as the background can often give away location as well. In addition, we know it happens, so let’s not ignore the fact that some people send nudes.  It’s used as currency for some people, so please, for your own sake and integrity, do not photograph your face or any other details that identify you if you share them, because they WILL be shared.
• Realize everything you type or post can be screenshotted, saved or used against you. This isn’t as much about safety per se as saving yourself from some personal anxiety.  Things can be taken out of context and swayed to get others to believe you said things you did not.  Never type anything that can be saved and manipulated.
• Change passwords often.

Familiarize yourself with things online predators may ask. Predatory individuals can be sexual in nature or financial.  They can be violent or even just a nuisance.  You CAN protect yourself.

What Comes Next

There are many different styles of gameplay that you can adapt to.  Take a look at a few of the articles below to learn more about which style may be best for you.

Keep a Sense of Humor

A Day in the Life of a WWR General 

Other Topics to Brush up On:

Understanding Blogs is CRUCIAL

Pack Purchasing

How to Write a Ticket 

Safety First

No matter what is occurring, be sure safety is always first!

Gaming Safety for Female Gamers

Conclusion

I hope this may have brought to light some possible circumstances and more general awareness of our gaming community about the possibilities of being unsafe online and how to protect yourself from them happening.

Join the Conversation!

To speak with the WWR Command Team and other knowledgeable players on different ways to stay safe, join us on Discord, Line, and Facebook to have more in-depth conversations about their adventures and strategies.  We’ll be there!