Gamertag vs Real Name etiquette

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Xprimentyl

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#1 Xprimentyl
Member since 2004 • 2283 Posts

When I play online with a person or people I know in real life, we generally throw around our real names. But in a Ranked or Public match with strangers, I find we tend to use each other's gamertags or shortened versions thereof. I'm curious: is there an established, common-sense etiquette on this matter? Do people prefer friends not use their real names when stranagers are in the game? I really don't care; when I established my Gamertag, it was really just for kicks, something fun to toy with and come up with something intriguing perhaps; I never really expected it to act as a barrier to my real identity. Besdies, it's not like we're broadcasting each other's Social Security numbers or addresses; it's generally just first names or nicknames that really can't be tied back to any real form of privacy invasion.

So, is there a breach of etiquette everytime I call a friend by name and not tag, or is this just a personal preference with no real unspoken rule?

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willpd123

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#2 willpd123
Member since 2005 • 970 Posts
No i really don't care what they call me if it is by my real name or my gamertag
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GoldenSilence87

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#3 GoldenSilence87
Member since 2004 • 1047 Posts
I've found that in one on one games (such as FIFA 07 or street fighter or Madden) its best to give your name to break the ice. But in large scale shooters or racers, the tag works just fine.
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mrnitropb

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#4 mrnitropb
Member since 2005 • 666 Posts
Don't let old Jack Thompson know that you're tradign personal info through gaes. You could be target by pedeophiles, or you could even BE one, and not realise it!! oh noes
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b11051973

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#5 b11051973
Member since 2002 • 7621 Posts
My gamertag is my real last name with -er attached to the end. Some people call me my last name just based on my gamertag and probably don't even know it. I call some people that I frequently game with by their real name. I prefer to just call everyone by their gamertag. Makes it easier for everyone.
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skinnypete91

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#6 skinnypete91
Member since 2006 • 6022 Posts

Don't let old Jack Thompson know that you're tradign personal info through gaes. You could be target by pedeophiles, or you could even BE one, and not realise it!! oh noesmrnitropb

 

lol... im not! i promise!

 

i usually prefer to be called by my tag unless im playing only with friends.. 

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incendiumx

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#7 incendiumx
Member since 2004 • 254 Posts
Typically if i am playign w/ just friends, we'll use real names, but if we're playing public we'll use tags... I dont think theres any real protocol for the situation...
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II-FBIsniper-II

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#8 II-FBIsniper-II
Member since 2005 • 18067 Posts
I usualy use gamertags if we're playing with strangers so they know who I'm talking to.
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76ers

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#9 76ers
Member since 2005 • 4747 Posts
i have a few friends that have their first name in their gamertag so i have no choice...
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Raz0redge

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#10 Raz0redge
Member since 2004 • 1796 Posts
I would think amongst friends you could use your real names, but when you're playing many strangers, you might have a overlap of common names and probably some confusion. In those situations, I would think the GT would allow you to identify who you're talking to.. But you're right..just saying a first name isn't going to allow people to steal your identity, it's no different than hearing a name being called out as you're walking in the mall or something..
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deactivated-5f033ecf40fed

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#11 deactivated-5f033ecf40fed
Member since 2004 • 2665 Posts
I call them by their first names if I really know them. I wouldn't use their last names in front of others, though... that's a security thing. In terms of etiquette, I guess if someone is really having trouble figuring out what you're talking about, I'd use the tag. I don't think it really matters though.
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Joeker501

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#12 Joeker501
Member since 2004 • 619 Posts
My gamertag is sort of my real name. joeker501 is my GT.  I sometimes think I'm funny so I get called joe-ker
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Breesy

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#13 Breesy
Member since 2006 • 1035 Posts
I say my friends names by certain insults like one is a **** while the other is a ****
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viewtifulshmoe

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#14 viewtifulshmoe
Member since 2003 • 3532 Posts
i call some of my friends by the gamertags in real life...
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Legolas_Katarn

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#15 Legolas_Katarn
Member since 2003 • 15556 Posts
When I am with friends we always use each others real names while online.