I think Real Names are a huge mistake. Google used to link directly to white page data sources so that you could enter someone's name and find their address. They don't do that anymore.
The Blizzard forums will go dead; everyone will retreat to 3rd party sites, specifically opened in support of privacy and anonymity. What's sad about that is that the official sites will become an overpriced blog for the Developers and GM's to post updates. (And yes, THEY will not be forced to use the system. In fact, the Blizzard employees could file a lawsuit against them for requiring such as a condition of employment.)
What worries me more is where they're going with it. I think their eventual goal was to make it a permanent requirement in order to play the game. Hopefully they're rethinking that now, but I doubt it. The only thing the Activision board of directors hears is money bags jingling. The only way to get their attention is to take the money away.
I think Real Names are a huge mistake. Google used to link directly to white page data sources so that you could enter someone's name and find their address. They don't do that anymore.
The Blizzard forums will go dead; everyone will retreat to 3rd party sites, specifically opened in support of privacy and anonymity. What's sad about that is that the official sites will become an overpriced blog for the Developers and GM's to post updates. (And yes, THEY will not be forced to use the system. In fact, the Blizzard employees could file a lawsuit against them for requiring such as a condition of employment.)
What worries me more is where they're going with it. I think their eventual goal was to make it a permanent requirement in order to play the game. Hopefully they're rethinking that now, but I doubt it. The only thing the Activision board of directors hears is money bags jingling. The only way to get their attention is to take the money away.