Real ID Keeps WoW Players Connected
Blizzard is launching a cross-game, cross-realm messaging service in Battle.net.
During E3 2010, Blizzard revealed a new feature for World of Warcraft, StarCraft II, and other games that will utilize Battle.net. Called Real ID, this voluntary service creates a "friends list" of sorts that provides the real names of players, their army of characters, and the ability to see what they're currently doing on Battle.net. Real ID even provides a cross-game, cross-realm chat client.
"One of our goals for the new Battle.net is to create the framework for an online gaming experience that is even more accessible, more engaging, and more entertaining than the previous Battle.net," the company said. "Our new Real ID feature is an integral part of this effort, providing you with advanced ways for forming and maintaining meaningful relationships with your friends on the service."
Borrowing from social networks and IM clients, gamers will also be able to broadcast short status messages to other friends on their list. Blizzard offered an example, saying that Real ID users can issue a call-to-arms, or let friends know about an important change of plans. Broadcast messages are also fed to the user's Battle.net front page--this is handy for sending messages when friends are busy or not logged onto the network.
"When you agree to become Real ID friends with another player, both of you will automatically see all the other characters on your friends list," blizzard said. "You'll even see any characters your friend creates in future Blizzard games, carrying your social network forward and helping you stay connected with the people you enjoy playing with most."
Real ID is expected to launch alongside the upcoming patch (v3.3.5) for World of Warcraft.
This is a but more advanced than Steam...and Blizzard is too unique to become the next Steam slave.
This is one of the stupidest comments vie ever seen - congrats!
The Facebook integration works the other way around...Kotick has nothing to do w/Blizz FYI.
Read up on your history, http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=128252
And facebook comments were a joke about how BNET 2.0 doesn't really add anything other than that while removing a lot of other features.
stupidest...or most hard hitting fact?
History? These are recent events at most. Blizzard's development remains independent - read your own links.
Comments about Facebook are comments about Facebook....there is no other context here. Bnet 2.0 is not yet complete but I certainly welcome the death of spambots.
Certainly, stupidest.
Now you want me to define history for you? Pretty sure the events that occurred in the past is the definition of history. Impossible to argue with a fanboy. You'll keep thinking BNET 2.0 will be the greatest invention since the microwave. While I'll enjoy games that allow an user to reconnect to after being disconnecting for whatever reason. Or I'll enjoy games with lower latency than a set limit by BNET. I could go on but you'll simply dismiss it with a fanboy-ish comment.
Pretty sure this shit is only 3 years old, kid. Please, do go on about a beta product that may change at any time....hate-bot. I never once praised bent 2.0, I'll wait for the final product, thanks.
As for rejoining games, I'm as against it as I am for it...easily abused by obvious trolls like yourself.
Anyways, sure BNET 2.0 is beta. However, where has Blizzard announced any plans of adding new amazing "innovative" features other than Facebook/IM? And how many times have you seen a Beta product do a huge overhaul one month before its release? Keep dreaming, kid. Keep defending BNET 2.0. Good night, fanboy. Go troll 4chan or something.
But, it won't replace Steam. 2 services, 2 different needs.
I see no problem with Blizzard using a similar service when playing their games. I welcome the opportunity to chat with my friends playing SC2 while I am playing WoW or Diablo. I believe others created it before and after Valve did as well. Xfire...
Cheers!