Apple's Game Center Now Asks For Real Name

Apple (AAPL) has updated the terms of service for their Game Center application to display a gamer's real name, along with the nickname while sending invitation to friends, a move that is geared towards decreasing anonymity in gaming.

On Wednesday, Apple issued an update that prompts users to first agree to the new terms of service , which says, we have changed the Game Center terms and conditions to provide you notice that if you send a friend invitation, the full name associated with your Apple ID will be shared with the recipient. If you accept a friend invitation, the full name associated with your Apple ID will be shared with the sender.

Consequent to the update, gaming invites sent to friends will include the real name, which users have registered with Apple. Earlier, when friend requests were made, only a gamer's username was appeared and the real name was kept private so those who played could opt to remain anonymous.

However, one can still be anonymous by registering under a false name as Apple IDs are free, allowing a gamer to use a name other than the one registered with Apple.

iPhone and iPad games that support Game Center, which operates like Xbox Live, typically connect to your account automatically, enabling users to become friends with one another online, providing multiplayer support, earn achievements, and post scores to leader boards.

Meanwhile, Apple's latest amendment to the game center terms of services is not new. In July, Blizzard Entertainment, the developer of popular games such as StarCraft and the World of Warcraft franchises, made a similar move where real names were used in place of player's nick name that was widely criticized leading Blizzard to withdraw the change.