diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
index 1cbdf81e..b51d07ec 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
@@ -171,14 +171,20 @@ public /*abstract*/ class GameController extends PlaceController
 
     /**
      * Returns the persistent user id for the supplied player name.
-     *
-     * @param spec a Name or OccupantInfo.
      */
-    public function getPlayerPersistentId (name :Name) :int
+    public function nameToId (name :Name) :int
     {
         return (_userIder == null) ? 0 : _userIder.getUserId(name);
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the persistent user id for the supplied occupant info.
+     */
+    public function infoToId (occInfo :OccupantInfo) :int
+    {
+        return nameToId(occInfo.username);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns the unique identifier for the current gameplay session.
      */