(no subject)
So yea, remember when Real IDs were supposed to be something you use with RL and close online friends?
Not anymore.
TLDR: Real ID is going to be used on the forums. Old posts will remain unchanged, but when cataclysm rolls around all new forum posts will be using your real name.
As someone who's had a history of being harassed by creepy people online, I think this is a terrible idea. Ontop of that names will generally reveal the gender of a person. I play male characters to escape horny little 15-20 yr olds who seem to think women only play games to have e-peenors stuck in them.
the worst part is that it's non optional. If you want to post on the forum at all you will have to use it. That means if I want to keep my name secret I can't advertise RP events, guild recruitment, or provide any kind of feedback.
Honestly, I do think it's a great way to get rid of trolls, but it brings up a whole slew of even greater problems when anyone who looks at the forum has access to your name.
It's such a simple solution to allow people to choose a screen name. hell, even just going with a first name and last initial would be better, but for some reason blizz is adamant about using full real names.