PS4 Will Let You Use Your Real Name At Launch

Players will be allowed to identify themselves using their real names on the PlayStation 4's online services as soon as the console launches, Sony has confirmed to Kotaku. 

It will not be mandatory, meaning players who enjoy gaming under aliases will still have that option. It is also a clear point of comparison with Microsoft, who have already confirmed that Xbox One gamers won't be allowed to use their real names from launch, but that it hopes to introduce that feature in the future. 

Both Microsoft and Sony have a shared ambition of moving gaming into a more personal and sociable experience, and the prospect of gamers using real-life names could affect their plans for social integration. Social networks such as Facebook and Twitter are heavily reliant on utilizing real names, whereas online gaming has traditionally been more anonymous. 

There are potential issues, such as more personal online harassment, but Sony has stated that those who use the real name option will still be able to game under an alias. 

What are your opinions - given the choice, would you game online with your real name, or choose to stick with an alias? Let us know in the comments. 

The Playstation 4 will release globally on November 15, and the Xbox One will launch a week later on November 22.