14 DAY TRIAL // Video game developer Blizzard has introduced the BattleTags feature for all its video games and the forum structure, meaning that all players have the option to adopt an official name that can be used across all Blizzard made products.
At the moment players use the character name for each title in order to post on the forums and the new BattleTag will make it easier to maintain an unique identity.
The concept is related but not linked to the Real ID system, which allows players to keep all their real friends connected to their real identity while using a screen name for everyone else.
The BattleTags feature is optional and they will not be unique for each player, with an identifier number used in order to distinguish accounts.
Blizzard has been trying to unify the different accounts for its main franchises for some time but it has been met with significant resistance from players who are concerned about the privacy implications of the move.
When the Real ID feature was first announced some gamers reacted by showing how easy it was to find out and then make public real world information about those who used it.
At the moment Blizzard is working on two high profile game launches that should take place in 2012 while also developing yet another expansion for World of Warcraft.
The first to launch should be Diablo III, the action packed role playing game that will again see the player control a character as he attempts to balance Good and Evil while fighting monsters and collecting impressive amounts of loot.
During the summer fans of the Starcraft II strategy series are also expecting the launch of Heart of the Swarm, the expansion that will be focused on the Zerg while offering new tweaks for multiplayer modes.
The Mists of Pandaria expansion for World of Warcraft might also arrive in late 2012.