Character name can't be hidden.

[Atomic_Skull]

What is the reason for this? If it's to try to make people play nice by linking their Forum name to their character all that will happen is that people will select a level 1 mule.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

I read no where that the character linking was manditory.

[Alhanelem]

I read no where that the character linking was manditory.

It is.

Personally I think people shouldn't try to hide who they are on the game with this being the official forum, though I can understand people's feelings on this.

[Neonii]

I am planning on using my level one mule named Tragic lol.

[Kraggy]

I read no where that the character linking was manditory.

We would like to announce a new function enabling players to link character data to their forum profiles. This feature will go live as part of the FINAL FANTASY XI Forum maintenance scheduled for June 29, 2011.

At present, players are required to use a Square Enix ID when logging into the forums. Characters on the PlayOnline ID associated with this Square Enix ID will now be displayed in forum profiles. Players with more than one character registered to their account may select which character to link.

After logging into the forums following the maintenance, players will be taken to the Profile Settings screen and asked to choose an active character. Forum posts cannot be made until a character has been selected.

Forum profiles will now display the following:
・Character name
・World name
・Up to three jobs and levels of a player's choosing
* The above information cannot be hidden.

Players will retain forum handles.

Highlighted the bit you obviously missed.

[GlobalVariable]

I've already seen people from this forum trash talk on the user profile page of another site when the person here had used their in game name here. For some people displaying their in game name would be a real problem.

I would bet on this being an attempt at preventing sock puppetry or increasing accountability thinking people won't risk their in game reputations. Which I also think would be silly, since moderation alone should be handling problem posts/posters and if it isn't they need to have a look at their moderation itself.

I suppose one could choose to not use the forums anymore if they don't display anything if you don't link one, if it's a problem and you can't use a mule. But what real tangible benefit is forcing the use this feature anyway?

I'll be concerned myself if they displayed all my character names or otherwise prevent me from using a mule as my linked character. I was always under the impression this sort of thing would be optional if only for privacy reasons. I've been cyberstalked before so Ive been made a bit paranoid of connecting any of my screen names even when no real life info is attached. That person got information about me god knows how so I figure the fewer connections the better @.@

My current understanding of what I read in the announcement is just one character linked and displayed, so a mule should work.

[Raxiaz]

I made a slight comment in Port Jeuno /sh today, and Kimble I think it was asked if I was the same Raxiaz from the official forums. Or maybe it was Khajit. I get messed up with K's.

I have no problem with this linkage business. There's nothing I would say here that I wouldn't say in-game, and vice-versa.

[Runespider]

People will use level 1 mules, waste of time completely. What a stupid idea.

If this is to try stop trolling, people don't care about trolling forums. Most of the worst trolls I knew from other sites openly stated who they were and reveled in the notoriety of it.

[Alhanelem]

People will use level 1 mules, waste of time completely. What a stupid idea.

If this is to try stop trolling, people don't care about trolling forums. Most of the worst trolls I knew from other sites openly stated who they were and reveled in the notoriety of it.

It's not a waste of time. If you want people to see your information, you'll know it's real, because it won't be level one jobs. And anyone on your server is going to recognize you anyway. Frankly I'm suprised that this wasn't available from the start.

[Crawlerbasher]

I have nothing to be a shamed about when it comes to having my chacter linked.