StarCraft 2 Players Get 1 Free Name Change

StarCraft II gamers can now change their name once for free.

Tuesday Blizzard announced that all StarCraft II accounts were granted one free name change. The company originally said back in August 2010 that the feature was in the works--essentially a "fix" for players who chose character names that typically didn't represent their multiplayer aliases because they were unaware of how character names were used.

"It's important to us that everyone is represented by a name of their choosing in their multiplayer games, ladders, and on the forums and community site," the company said.

Nearly three months later, Blizzard has lived up to its promise. To take advantage of the free character name change, players simply log into Account Management via Battle.net and choose the StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty game license. However like World of Warcraft, StarCraft II players will need to pay a $10 fee to alter the name again.

"On your game license screen a 'Character Name Change' button at the bottom will initiate the request," the company said. "After confirming that you'd like to change your character name, simply log in to StarCraft II and you'll be prompted to select a new one. Please be sure to use this name change wisely."

The emphasis on the word "wisely" points to the company's StarCraft II Naming Policy Overview. Naturally players shouldn't choose a title considered inappropriate, especially those Blizzard would deem racial, ethnic, or of national origin, those containing obscene or vulgar language, or even those using actual names and aliases of Blizzard employees.

"One of the first decisions you will embark upon in StarCraft II will be that of choosing a name," the company states in the Policy Overview. "While your subsequent exploits should prove infinitely more exhilarating, great care should be given to name selection. The first impression other players have of you will be based on your name, so it's best to start off on the right foot."

So much for John_Longshlong.