In the near future, posting on Blizzard¡®S forums will mean having to use your real name. Blizzard has announced on their official forums that they will soon require all users to post using their real first and last names, with the addition of character names alongside it being optional.

The change is being made in an effort to combat what Blizzard considers "flame wars, trolling, and other unpleasantness."

"Removing the veil of anonymity typical to online dialogue will contribute to a more positive forum environment, promote constructive conversations, and connect the Blizzard community in ways they havent been connected before," wrote a Blizzard representative. "With this change, you¡¯l see blue posters (i.e. Blizzard employees) posting by their real first and last names on our forums as well."

Blizzard also said that the changes are being made to create a "new and different kind of online gaming environment -- one thats highly social, and which provides an ideal place for gamers to form long-lasting, meaningful relationships."

The changes will go into effect on all StarCraft II forums with the launch of the new community site ahead of the games official release. The World of WarCraft Gold site and forums will follow suit around the launch of Cataclysm, with certain classic forums remaining unchanged.