RIFT bringing out a new authentication service today - but not yet

Authenticators are one of the most popular forms of account security around, giving players an extra layer of defense against hackers and keyloggers. RIFT has been dealing steadily with account security issues since launch, so the upcoming authenticator service is no surprise to players. Using a digital authenticator service, players will very soon be able to use their Android mobile devices for authentication services -- but carefully note the "soon," as the service isn't yet ready for prime time.

Currently, using the authenticator will prevent players from logging in, as the code for using said authentication isn't yet in place. A new launcher will be put into place for the game later today, allowing players with Android devices use of the authentication service. While the current release is only for the Android platform, code for the iOS is being finalized, meaning that iPhone and iPad users won't be left out in the cold. So if you're playing RIFT and want to have a little more random number to go with your login, you'll soon be able to do just that. (But not quite yet.)

[Thanks to Puremallace for the tip!]

Reader Comments (66)

And what about those without Android or iPhones?

Will this "game for everyone" know be left to the tech-elite, at least in this new security?

@Space Cobra Umm, didn't they have an interview stating this game isn't for everyone? lol

@Space Cobra

How is making an application for two of the widest available mobile platforms making it for the "tech elite"?
Keep in mind that to make a hardware based authenticator they not only have to secure the rights to do so in the first place (judging by my FFXIV keyring they have to get a contract with Digipass) then sort out distribution and a ton of other stuff I don't see how making a start on two very widely available, commerically viable and popular platforms is alienating anyone. Your turn will come - hell, wasn't it the other way round with WoW authenticators at first?

@Space Cobra
I believe that the Android and iPhone solutions were highest priority precisely because they only required programming. With a non-phone authenticator, they will have to have someone design and build the devices. Does that mean they won't? No, I don't think so. I think that it will just take longer. So, best to protect users any way they can.

No offense but I don't have a smart phone let alone an Android. Why the hell can't I get a normal run of the mill frakking Authenticator like WoW?

@(Unverified) I totally agree! Many of us don't want to pay crazy $ for a smartphone with fancy features. A usb authenticator is what is needed.

@(Unverified) Making a app is a pretty fast job. mass producing a physical object is not done in a day.

@Viiral
Exactly. Trion is rolling things out as quickly as they can. It also makes sense to launch what's ready rather than wait until options are in place for everyone.

If Android is what they have ready first, why not release it immediately?

1) Even if only 10% of players can use it, that's still potentially 10% less fraud to deal with. This in turn means that if you're not an Android user and get hacked you won't have to be waiting for support to handle Android users before they can get to you.

2) As these roll out for more and more platforms or ultimately as physical devices the game will be less and less appealing to crooks. They won't have any way to know who does or doesn't have an authenticator.

How does it hurt anyone if some people have to wait longer than others for this option? Does it really make sense for everyone to have to wait for everyone? Not at all.

@aurickle Or wait here's a crazy idea; for those of us that choose to spend our time playing Rift instead of screwing around with a Cell Phone on Steroids; they could set up a text messaging system where you send a text message code and get your authentication code sent to you. No reason to come up with an app when you can set up a text message relay system or something; since last time I checked everyone's cell phones at this point can text. With my idea every one wins; kind of hard to fake a cell phone location so I imagine it would be impossible for people to hack.

@(Unverified) You're Cell Phone location might be difficult to fake, but using that would entail GPS or AGPS capability, which would still restrict it to smartphones. If you're talking solely about your phone number, those are actually fairly simple to spoof, though they would need to know what phone number you had setup for it. (assuming that you had to setup a specific ph# to use the service with, if its an open query-response type system then if they can figure out the algorithm being used to generate the initial query they can get through as well.)

I agree that a SMS based option could be useful, and for all we know they're working on getting one setup currently as well. I would not be surprised to see a hardware based authenticator coming out before long either.

Still a bit disappointed that there is no separate authenticator device. I don't personally own a android device nor an ipod... But still it's nice to see the extra security measures being put in place.

Can't afford those.

*Rift loses potential customer*

/fail

@Utakata

Yeah yeah sure...

@Utakata

If you can't afford one should you really be considering pay to play games in the first place?

It's sad these days that if you can't pay for a cell phone technology, you can't play MMO's. What a bizarre twisted moralist world we live in.

But seriously, payment plan plus mobile phone cost to get added security to play an MMO? With 3rd party technology that I've done easily without. It's just simply not worth it, IMO. It's too bad Trion was short sighted about this...they where a cool company up until this point. /shrug

@Utakata
*sprays troll-be-gone*

Anyway they will eventually put out authenticators but Trion doesn't have the resources to create authenticators themselves so they need to research companies that make them, see what ones are able to do what they need on a large scale and implement them into their system. Anyone who complains over not having a smartphone is just being immature and/or most likely trolling especially when you don't NEED one and they hardly add any more protection over the coin-lock.

@Scin
*sprays don't be a douche*

Yeah, I'm a troll for not having a "smartphone" now. How nice. Why don't you try to address the concerns that not everyone has these devices? And explain to what it is you mean that we don't need one to access Trion's authenticator. Or authenticators are not as good as coin locks (really!?) We are not immature, we're legitimately in the dark. So a less smartass and more substance please. Thanks

@Utakata

Edit: It should be noted, that I did find my original comment knee jerk'ish. But do want to state, I am was taken back about this a lot. And I am not the only one. For me it's an issue of budget, others have their reasons.

Either way, I have been quietly routing for RIFT, as a good alternative to WoW. And I hope they continue. But found this a bit much. Perhaps it's my own ignorance to the 3rd party technology invold. Since I have been blissfully exisiting on landline and a cable connection which suits my needs perfectly. So when a game dev turns around and states that I need a cellphone to access their security mechanics, that just rankles me a bit. Sorry. :(

@Utakata You're a troll for being an self-entitled whino. Outside of WoW no other game has a physical authenticator. Be happy that Trion is offering the service (free of charge) at all, as other major MMO developers haven't bothered.

Basically, you're whining that your free Ferrari came in the color red. Good Job, you man of real genuis.

| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 20 Comments

RIFT bringing out a new authentication service today - but not yet

Reader Comments (66)

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 7:20PM Space Cobra said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 9:02PM Tizmah said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 11:46AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 3:06PM Scarecrowe said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 7:21PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 7:26PM tvollmer said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 3:57AM Viiral said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 10:50AM aurickle said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 11:33AM (Unverified) said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 12:29PM natzapo said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 7:23PM PaperSpeaks said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 7:24PM Utakata said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 7:48PM Sephirah said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 8:38PM JoolaPrime said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 11:23PM Utakata said

Posted: Mar 29th 2011 11:51PM Scin said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 4:26AM Utakata said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 4:44AM Utakata said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 5:42AM Vagrant Zero said

Posted: Mar 30th 2011 5:44AM Vagrant Zero said

Info

Description

MSRP

Release Date

Genre

Developer

Publisher

Rating

Breaking News

Massively surveys WildStar's Scientist and Settler paths, the Esper class, and the crazy things Jeremy Gaffney says

Featured Stories

MMObility: Why a tablet version of RuneScape is so important

Tamriel Infinium: Elder Scrolls elves are supposed to be ugly

Some Assembly Required: TUG interview reveals the true nature of Soylent Green

Engadget

Joystiq

WoW

TUAW