Blizzard: You Can Now Buy Battletag Name Changes

There's this idea that every in-game name chosen in youthful exuberance is an embarrassment you'll eventually want to be rid of. I actually still like and use the one I picked back then, although I occasionally switch it up nowadays because "Notorious P.I.P." is too good a pun to pass up. BUT if you picked a horror of a name as your Battletag, Blizzard are now offering paid-for name changes.

I guess this is good news if you've been looking to start afresh or rid yourself of a weird string of numbers after growing frustrated that every other variation on the tag you wanted at the time was taken (although actually I believe Battletags don't need to be unique because of that hash number system they use in conjunction with the tags). Maybe it's also good news if you've entered a witness protection scheme for game-related crimes but don't want to lose your Overwatch progress?

But the thing is, Blizzard actually already let you have one free name change so I'm wondering about the situation where you've so far ended up with two names you hate and need a third. Perhaps it's going to be used by people who regret the second name and want to go back to the first? Or perhaps it's going to be used for trolling friends. I would probably do that. Or maybe you've got married and you and your partner want to start using your married gamer names?

The free name change

If you're ready for something new and haven't already used your free BattleTag change, simply visit your Account Management Dashboard, and click the Change link under your Account Details to the right of your current tag.

If you haven't used your free change yet, don't worry—BattleTag changes don't expire and yours will be waiting for you if and when you ever decide to use it.

The paid name change(s)

If you've already used your first free change and still feel like a new nickname would be a better fit, the option to purchase an additional change will be available within Account Management. Changes are available for $10 each [£8 in the UK], and your new moniker will be reflected on your friends list automatically after making the change.

Naming Rules

The BattleTag must be between 3-12 characters long.

Accented characters are allowed.

Numbers are allowed, but a BattleTag cannot start with a number.

Mixed capitals are allowed (ex: ZeRgRuSh).

No spaces or symbols are allowed

Must not break the rules established in our in-game and forum violations.

Final thoughts:

1. I'm far more entertained than I probably should be that Blizzard's image of a player seems to be a Viking wearing either a shirt and jumper or one of those sweaters with really pronounced elasticated sleeves. It's like their default scenario here is that a school-aged Norse expansionist regrets "LongshipDude" and "LokiDokey" but will happily pay eight quid for "ErikTheRAD".

2. Will this ruin @ReaperNames?

3. Here's the store link if EdgeLord420 is no longer representative of how your life is going.