Blizzard To Require Real First and Last Names For Official Forums

An anonymous reader writes "Recently, Blizzard Entertainment implemented a Real ID feature for some of its current games and all of its future Battle.net-based games. Today, Blizzard announced that it intends to require usage of the real names of Battle.net posters for its StarCraft II forums before release, and for its World of Warcraft forums shortly before the release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. From the announcement: 'The first and most significant change is that in the near future, anyone posting or replying to a post on official Blizzard forums will be doing so using their Real ID — that is, their real-life first and last name — with the option to also display the name of their primary in-game character alongside it. These changes will go into effect on all StarCraft II forums with the launch of the new community site prior to the July 27 release of the game, with the World of Warcraft site and forums following suit near the launch of Cataclysm. Certain classic forums, including the classic Battle.net forums, will remain unchanged.'"

Comments

How does this work for those under 13?

[ImNotAtWork]

I'm assuming it's under the parents name for the account which should be a pleasant conversation at work when your boss asks you why you are trolling the warlock forum?

Re:How does this work for those under 13?

[NecroPuppy]

"Well, Bob, it's like this. Everyone in HR is playing Alliance, and trying to convince Blizzard that Locks are overpowered. You can't expect me to let them get away with that, now can you?"

Re:How does this work for those under 13?

[Chris Burke]

I'm assuming it's under the parents name for the account which should be a pleasant conversation at work when your boss asks you why you are trolling the warlock forum?

Already laying the groundwork for the "it was my 13-year-old" excuse, I see. ;)

Re:How does this work for those under 13?

[Chris Mattern]

why you are trolling the warlock forum?

You can't fool me. Trolls can't be warlocks!

Lawsuit Incoming!

[Nailer235]

Wonder how long it'll be until someone finally tracks down a troll (in real life) and loots their corpse

Jay and Silent Bob

[whisper_jeff]

Images of the ending of Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back come to mind ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjWFZPJZTxU ).

And those images are happy, indeed. :)

Re:trying to imagine...

[Anonymous Coward]

Now you bastards will know how it feels

- Johnathan Doe

Now so bad.

[snarfies]

Fortunately, my real name actually is KÖRGULL THE EXTERMINATOR, so I won't be needing to change my battlenet ID.

Re:Only idiots post with real name

[Divide By Zero]

Sir or madam, I respectfully object to the title of your most recent post. I have found using my real name to be an uplifting experience.

Respectfully,

Divide B. Zero III, Esq.

Re:Hmm....

[kent_eh]

And yet everyone gives out their real name on Facebook when they have the choice to give a fake one.

Not everyone.
not that my "A. Guy" profile is used for much more than looking at other people's public stuff, but still...

Great Idea

[tiny69]

I think posting a person's real name is a great idea. I'd never get embarassed by having my real name associated with some lame username that I picked over 10 years ago.

Re:Reduced server useage

[B1oodAnge1]

Go die in a fire.

Re:Hmm....

[Volguus Zildrohar]

(I'm preparing for contradictory comments below).

No you're not!