Blizzard Defends 'Real ID' Implementation in Forums
Mandatory for forums, optional in-game.
This week, Blizzard announced that it would implement a 'Real ID' system to its forums, requiring users to post on Battle.net with their real names. That news did not go down well. Since then, the company has insisted that it is "definitely listening to player feedback" on the matter.
"[We] will be carefully monitoring how people are using the service," a Blizzard rep said to Gamasutra. "Real ID is a new and different concept for Blizzard gamers -- and for us as well -- and our goal is to create a social gaming service that players want to use."
While the Real ID system is a requirement for the forums, it will be an optional feature for those playing within World of Warcraft and Starcraft II. "Players can continue to read the forums anonymously regardless of whether they choose to post in them, and their gameplay experiences will not change if they choose not to use the Real ID communication features in game," adds the rep.
The system will not be implemented into Blizzard's classic forums.
"[We] will be carefully monitoring how people are using the service," a Blizzard rep said to Gamasutra. "Real ID is a new and different concept for Blizzard gamers -- and for us as well -- and our goal is to create a social gaming service that players want to use."
While the Real ID system is a requirement for the forums, it will be an optional feature for those playing within World of Warcraft and Starcraft II. "Players can continue to read the forums anonymously regardless of whether they choose to post in them, and their gameplay experiences will not change if they choose not to use the Real ID communication features in game," adds the rep.
The system will not be implemented into Blizzard's classic forums.
Read More Like This