![starcraft 2 forums starcraft 2 forums](https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/blog_header/2j/2JJ2X66F7F6O1595462476545.jpg)
"With the launch of the new, it's important to us to create a new and different kind of online gaming environment - one thats highly social, and which provides an ideal place for gamers to form long-lasting, meaningful relationships. It provides a way to link characters and game accounts under a single identity, and keep track of friends by mutual agreement, in the style of social networking sites like Facebook. Part of Blizzard's major overhaul of its online framework, use of Real ID is optional in the developer's games. Parents will be able to disallow children from posting by using parental account controls. "Keep in mind that posting is optional, and we recognise that some players will choose not to utilize the Real ID feature in game or post on the forums and support everyone's individual choice on using or not using it," community manager Nethaera - real name unknown, for now - posted in response to complaints. At time of writing, the threads on the subject on the European and North American WOW forums run to 119 and an astonishing 861 pages respectively, with those numbers rising by the minute. "Removing the veil of anonymity typical to online dialogue will contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they havent been connected before."Īlthough some have welcomed the move, it has sent a shockwave of protest through Blizzard's community. "The official forums have always been a great place to discuss the latest info on our games, offer ideas and suggestions, and share experiences with other players - however, the forums have also earned a reputation as a place where flame wars, trolling, and other unpleasantness run wild," Blizzard offered in explanation of the change. World of Warcraft forums will follow suit "near the launch of Cataclysm", the third expansion pack for the MMO which is expected to launch at the end of this year.Īnyone posting or replying to a post on these forums will have to use their Real ID - their real first and last name, as registered with their account. The change, announced on the forum, will come into effect for StarCraft II forums before the game's release at the end of this month. Blizzard has unleashed a hurricane of internet rage by announcing that it will require users to post under their real names on its forums, in a move intended to create a more "positive", "constructive" community.