It's a horrible idea. Anyone with some basic Google searching skills can uncover a lot about people based on (presumably) their real name. For people such as myself with a name that is not so unique, it is not a huge issue. But for a lot of people who might have more uncommon names, such information can easily be used to find addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, social networking accounts, and other information. This is an identity theft and privacy nightmare. And given the ages and types of people who can play the game, I see it being very successfully exploited.

I must ask this to anyone who really knows what is going on with Real ID and the Battle.net system (in addition to Blizzard politics). How much influence does Activision truly have over Blizzard's day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives? Is the eerily 1984-esque move to Real ID and the Battle.net system in more and more areas a product of the fated acquisition or is it something that Blizzard has implemented after getting more out of touch with reality? At first I didn't mind Battle.net or even the Real ID system as using your account name was optional, but now they are expanding it (presumably to combat trolls or dissenters and to better foster "camaraderie") to their forums. How long until they start implementing it in their game world? This is like the Facebook debacle all over again, only without many options. I am hopeful Blizzard will reevaluate this policy as it is not popular and definitively not a good idea from a privacy standpoint. The more coverage it gets, the more of a chance there is to see it scrapped. Especially now that there are other forums where WoW-related stuff can be discussed. Mass exodus from Blizzard forums ahead? Either way, I still wonder if this whole Battle.net and Real ID system is Activision's fault.

I for one welcome our bionic cat overlords!

"Fuck you, you Google bastards!"

Now now, Ballmer has moved on. He doesn't throw chairs anymore...he throws tables.

Microsoft did not make the list simply because there is a distinct lack of places to sit for employees. Who wants a job, when you can't even have a chair?

Well that blows!

I wonder how high Green ranks.

At least they know where to send their DMCA takedowns to now.