King.com webcam verification

[ML90]

Hey

I am just wondering whether anybody has any experience with the webcam verification process?

My account got blocked earlier this month after trying to make a withdrawal, and they said that they required ID and that their security suggested I had a history of multiple accounts. After verifying that this wasn't true and that nobody else I knew was a member of King, I then got asked to complete a webcam verification procedure. I'm not entirely sure how me playing games on webcam verifies that I don't have previous accounts, but que sera sera.

Anyway, I am just wondering if anybody has any experience with this and what happens during it? I completely understand that they want to make sure that nobody is cheating in their games, and I am in the process of arranging a date to complete this verification to prove that I play fairly. However, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't find this a little unorthodox. I still don't really know what it is I am meant to be doing during it, and my responses from King have been a little vague about the whole procedure, which hasn't helped.

As I said earlier, I completely understand and respect the security procedures in place, but broadcasting myself on the internet to somebody I've never met or never will meet, especially in such unorthodox terms, isn't something that makes me feel entirely comfortable. I've even had to buy a webcam for this occasion, which gives some indication on how behind I am on the times when it comes to technology.

Any information is appreciated.

[Renaldo Moon]

To me, that's akin to a clothing store refusing to sell you clothes until they do a NSA-level background check to make sure you've never committed a crime or done anything they don't approve of, because they wouldn't want their clothes being represented by such people, so consequently they're holding every customer subject as a criminal til' they prove they're not.

It's not something I'd feel inclined to stand for, even if it means I don't get to play games for money on King.com.

[Kworb]

What I did was use screen recording software (Camtasia) and record some games that way. I think back in the day they were interested in Mahjong Masquerade and Katana Kaunto. So I just typed in Notepad "this is Kworb" and then proceeded to play the game, saved the video and sent it to them. That was good enough. I really didn't feel like going on webcam, that's a bit invasive to be honest. But I understand why they go to such lengths.

[thice]

I had to go through webcam verification some time ago. They didn't settle with a gameplay video, because they wanted to make sure that I was the one who was playing - not a friend or whoever. I even had to buy a web cam for the process. But the most difficult part was finding a date for the verification. I was blocked for over a month because it always took them about a week to reply to each of my suggestions and they also seemed low on staff back then. I gave them my phone number, Skype and ICQ contact to make finding and appointment easier, but they stuck with their slow e-mails. The verification itself went very easy. They called my via skype and at first I had to smile in the camera and show my ID. Then they asked me to play a game of Bejeweled and Chuzzle (R.I.P.). I had do place the webcam behind me, so that they could see me playing and watch my monitor at the same time. I had to pick some of the more expensive games which activates their security Add-on (the one with the green light on the screen). They seem to be able to monitor all running programs with that Add-on, because after the first game they asked me about StrokeIt, which is a tool I use to control my PC with mouse gestures (e.g. for internet navigation). The whole verification took no longer than 10 minutes. In the end the King representative told me that everything was ok but two other colleagues had to confirm his decision. After another day or two I finally got reinstated.

P.S. I would love if WorldWinner had a similar procedure so that I could proof to them I am legit

[zekila]

Wow, I never heard about this. Must be too insignificant to worry about.

But at GameDuell, where I opened an account last year, in order to withdraw my winnings, I had to send in a copy of my social security card including a signature, which they'd match up with the signature on the form that also had to be filled in. Meaning that some random site, which I hope is honest, now have my personal ID - the "do not disclose this to any unofficial person in the Universe"-thing ... I actually might have preferred a webcam verification process?

[Grrrr]

Alot of king games have scoring flaws in them, take the new majic spinball game and before that animal parade, monkey quest etc., etc., all the webcam verification does is expose there game writers own flaws. Also when you send king your id, they don't take any steps whatsoever to secure it, i mean they are not bothered about securing your details.

[thice]

King also requested a copy of my ID, when I made my first significant withdrawal. AFAIK this is a standard procedure. The webcam verification happened some months later, when I continued making withdrawals. They wanted to make sure that it is really me who is playing, and not one of their existing good players from my town using another (my) ID to play in the low ranks again.

As for gameduell, I know they invite (too) good players either to Berlin, Munich or Cologne for live play. For German players they insist on live tests (and reimburse traveling expenses) – no videos and no webcam verification. Though I don’t know, how they use to proceed with players from the US.

[CreepyD]

My bro was blocked many years ago, I wonder if he could 'request' a webcam session, they never did anything like this back then, and would just block you with no come back.
Good they have moved forward as there must be lots of innocent people being banned, at least they can prove themselves now.

[Ominous]

I had to do this also and once I played everything panned out.

Problem was that I had to spam them (send about 3-4 emails for each 1 response i got).

Also, I had to aquire a "expensive" ~30 USD webcam out of my own funds.