Blizzard Introduces BattleTag as Real ID Alternative
Blizzard has killed off the Real ID system for an Xbox LIVE-like BattleTag alias setup.
On Thursday Blizzard introduced BattleTags, a new method of identification that doesn't require players to display their real names across the entire Battle.net landscape. More specifically, it's a unified, player-chosen nickname that will identify each player in all Blizzard games, on the official websites and in the community forums.
In a post on the Diablo 3 website, Blizzard said it will begin testing in the next patch for the Diablo 3 beta test, adding basic in-game functionality like chatting and friends list support. However as of Thursday, players can now create and use their BattleTag when posting on the Diablo 3 community website. Eventually BattleTags will encompass the entire Battle.net community -- World of Warcraft, StarCraft 2 -- at a later, unspecified date.
"BattleTags will ultimately give players on Battle.net a new way to manage public profiles, find and chat with friends they've met while playing, form groups, and stay connected across multiple Blizzard games," the company said. "While most of these features are coming soon, players who wish to pick a BattleTag now can do so via Battle.net Account Management. Note that BattleTags are not unique, meaning multiple players can choose the same BattleTag."
Blizzard's new BattleTag system is in response to complaints over its previous cross-game friend system, Real ID. This system actually forced users to provide their real name with everyone on their friends list, thus raising privacy concerns, especially in regards to those under the age of 18. Blizzard killed the requirement to use real names on the Battle.net forums just three days after Real ID launched, and then later provided a means for Blizzard customers to opt-out, letting them skip Real ID altogether.
Blizzard's new BattleTags identifier seemingly borrows from Microsoft's Xbox Live where users choose one alias that's used across the board. "We look forward to sharing more about all of the ways they’ll help you connect and play in the months ahead," the company said without disclosing additional details. "Stay tuned to Blizzard's official community sites for further details."
Blizzard has provided an FAQ which can be accessed here. It points out that the BattleTag isn't unique, but rather is "automatically assigned a 4-digit BattleTag code, which combines with your chosen name to create a unique identifier."
Get Tom's Hardware's best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
-
shin0bi272 having to have a 4digit code attached to my name just makes this lame. All they have to do is have me pick my handle, assign my player profile a 16 digit guid that's not displayed on my name but is associated with it, and then I can do anything on any blizzard game with one name and possibly even save my configs etc to a cloud storage system.Reply -
halls The RealID system didn't show your full name to all your friends, just the ones that you shared your B.net e-mail address with. You could still add in-game friends, but they couldn't see if you were signed into another Blizzard game - RealID friends can.Reply
Been playing the Beta for D3 and it's extremely fun. Can't wait! -
wildkitten shin0bi272having to have a 4digit code attached to my name just makes this lame. All they have to do is have me pick my handle, assign my player profile a 16 digit guid that's not displayed on my name but is associated with it, and then I can do anything on any blizzard game with one name and possibly even save my configs etc to a cloud storage system.Actually the 4 digit code won't be displayed.Reply -
kcorp2003 All the attention focus is on Origin now. I remember when Battlenet and Steam was an issue.Reply
However i really want to play this game. I'm almost done with Skyrim, waiting for mass effect 3 to finish the epic fight :) -
wildkitten For Blizzard to have done this, Real ID must have been a failure or else Facebook would be opposing this vehemently. The question is will they let Real ID die like they should, I will they try to implement it in some other way.Reply -
doorspawn kcorp2003*ahem* in4b the fanboys. NO BUY IF ITS NOT ON STEAM....How can you be before yourself? Steam fanboys are as bad. DRM lovers all.Reply -
doorspawn Actually, no buy fullstop if we're talking D3. It's like WoW minus MMO, free-look, complexity, with a smaller world and RL-money-for-functional-items. It has better graphics, but that's all.Reply