10-25-2006, 02:54 AM
Account numbers did not provide any way to compromise a user's account, though their one-per-user nature did have some consequences (i.e. stalking non-friends is easier with them). Account numbers were retired in part because they were no longer meaningful. The rise of game-emulating clients led to an entire generation of bots which received a new number with every logon, causing a rapid spike in the numbers issued. The problem was exacerbated by users hoarding account numbers, which could then be used to quickly switch among several seemingly different identities.
Account numbers were great while they lasted, but they were not bound in any effective way, so they were easily abused. It would have been better if the number was derived from your cdkey, though that leaves open the issues of how to number non-keyed games (Diablo 1, and all sharewares) and how to assure multiple games receive the same account number (so you keep the same number when switching between Starcraft, Diablo 2, etc.).
Account numbers were great while they lasted, but they were not bound in any effective way, so they were easily abused. It would have been better if the number was derived from your cdkey, though that leaves open the issues of how to number non-keyed games (Diablo 1, and all sharewares) and how to assure multiple games receive the same account number (so you keep the same number when switching between Starcraft, Diablo 2, etc.).