Suggestion Character name changes

[Tower]

The reason people would like to change their character's name is customisation without the loss of progression. There is no multitude of benefits, but it is a very simple idea that would come in handy for a lot of people. The 'feasibility' of the idea, I don't know about as I'm not on the team, but there is clearly a demand for this feature, so it could be considered.




The issue is users dodging accountability, as he said. Someone could break the rules, then quickly change their name afterwards so that the mods would have a harder time tracking them down. This is a strong argument against your idea, if you assume that people could change their names whenever they wanted, with no waiting period.


I mentioned in my post before that this idea was very simple. On its own, its hard to see anything wrong with it. To view this idea as a bad one, you would have to make the assumption that it would be placed in the game in the way you wouldn't want it to be. We should think "this could be a huge problem, here's how we can avoid this" instead of "this could be a huge problem, so let's scrap the concept".

I completely agree with what you're saying. Also, if the feature gets added in the vision of the community, we'd more than likely only be able to change our names once every few months. So with that being said, I really can't see the whole "break rules and change your name to dodge report" thing really working out for most players. Besides, this could be patched pretty easily (depending on how the current reporting system works, which I don't know). It could simply be made so that when you report a user, the system takes their account name rather than character name.

 

[Stormtimbers]

I completely agree with what you're saying. Also, if the feature gets added in the vision of the community, we'd more than likely only be able to change our names once every few months. So with that being said, I really can't see the whole "break rules and change your name to dodge report" thing really working out for most players. Besides, this could be patched pretty easily (depending on how the current reporting system works, which I don't know). It could simply be made so that when you report a user, the system takes their account name rather than character name.

The report dodging could be further countered by having a log of all previous names when you look at a user's profile card.

 

[Johnny Mak]

But then again the only positive note put forward that I've seen is, and also trying to bypass being rude but not succeeding unfortunately, is the underlying theme of people are too lazy to make and level a new character with the name they finally decided they like... Until the next time they want to change it lol. Since it wasn't part of POTCO I doubt it will be implemented, but it's always a possibility. The reporting system is fairly simple with this game as it is attached to your account not your pirates names that wouldn't be an issue for the whole report dodging posts, and while I do dig the idea of changing a characters name once you get bored with it or decide you don't like it from time to time... I also know how many character slots we all have... Pick up the rusty cutlass from Turner as you start over mates

 

[Jack Treasurehunter]

I like this idea.

 

[LilBitOWhimsy]

I'm for it but rather than once every like 3,6,12 months i'd prefer 3 times a year. Not that i'd use it considering I stick with Jack RedHawk

Nice idea and I like Jack's idea of a limit, perhaps 2 to 3 times per year. One definite advantage would be for those who want to marry their pirate loves and enjoy donning the same last name.

 

[Punkin Pie]

There could be downsides to this as mentioned above, but overall, I think in a controlled way, it would be good for people to be allowed to change a character name. Not to run around like a foo wreaking havoc and then run to hide behind a new name, but for this very good instance: I had a friend who had a bad reputation. He wanted to change but because his name followed him, it was impossible. People harassed him just by the sight of his name. It was sad. Maybe even if only allowed once every 6 months or something, being able to change a name could be great for some people.

Will folks be friends with someone's whole account (USER ID) like it was in Potco or by each individual character? (sorry if I missed this somewhere). I hope not by User ID. This makes it impossible to choose what alts you want your friends to have access to. For instance if you have a character you want to solo on to loot or pvp or whatever you choose, you wouldn't be showing up in all your friends lists.

 

[Shamus The Brute]

...So with that being said, I really can't see the whole "break rules and change your name to dodge report" thing really working out for most players. Besides, this could be patched pretty easily (depending on how the current reporting system works, which I don't know).

Aye, this is true but you and a lot of other people are not looking at this issue in a much broader sense which goes beyond just in-game reporting. (Pirates, after all, are notorious for taking 'screenshots' and/or uploading 'videos' to social-media for one reason or another). As such, who's to say that what is presented to the public in this way will be for legitimate/innocent purposes?

I guess what I most fear about such an option is I could simply change my name to "Tower Jr." and tell people what I really feel about them and have others on social-media share screenshots and/or videos made with myself advertising the name-change. I could do all of this if I didn't particularly like you..which I do like you, mate. Do you now see the dilemma?

You're going to dislike my opinion about this but, then again, I've gained years of insight devoted to just how "imaginative" people can be towards the abuse of even the most innocent of loop-holes acquired. With that said, I hope that you might understand that it's probably best for the both of us to agree to disagree on this matter.

 

[Punkin Pie]

I guess what I most fear about such an option is I could simply change my name to "Tower Jr." and tell people what I really feel about them and have others on social-media share screenshots and/or videos made with myself advertising the name-change. I could do all of this if I didn't particularly like you..which I do like you, mate. Do you now see the dilemma?

I do agree with you Shamus. I know too well how this goes.

I really don't think it's a good idea to change a name, except in that extreme case that I mentioned, about someone who seriously needed a new identity, and not be known by the bad name he made of himself.

I'm guessing if someone is that bad and really wants to change from evil to good , they could start over again. Since there will always be a way for people to try and manipulate the system, I would vote for name changes to not be allowed (I know it's not a vote).

*I still hope that we won't make friends by USER ID as in Potco, and that we can make friends on a character to character basis. Maybe Mike or a TLOPO member could answer that? @Mike Wass *

 

[Punkin Pie]

Nice idea and I like Jack's idea of a limit, perhaps 2 to 3 times per year. One definite advantage would be for those who want to marry their pirate loves and enjoy donning the same last name.

That's a cute idea, but maybe they could add a "Sirname" option, as Lotro has. This allows you to make a sirname for yourself anytime you want, and doesn't affect your original first name.

 

[Mike Wass]

I do agree with you Shamus. I know too well how this goes.

I really don't think it's a good idea to change a name, except in that extreme case that I mentioned, about someone who seriously needed a new identity, and not be known by the bad name he made of himself.

I'm guessing if someone is that bad and really wants to change from evil to good , they could start over again. Since there will always be a way for people to try and manipulate the system, I would vote for name changes to not be allowed (I know it's not a vote).

*I still hope that we won't make friends by USER ID as in Potco, and that we can make friends on a character to character basis. Maybe Mike or a TLOPO member could answer that? @Mike Wass *

Friends are stored as your avatar ID. I.e if I'm player 100000285 and I add player 100000342, it will say that I am on each of their friends lists as that long player number. Your friends are not related to your account ID, that's entirely separate.

Player friends are still a good idea imo, so you can be friends with somebody globally on your pirate's account. It's just a matter of how to implement such a system.

 

[Captain Redhorn]

In order to allow changes and prevent abuse, Star Wars The Old Republic Online (I know we're talking about tlopo, but I'm just comparing) charges an in game currency, which is bought via real money, to change your name. This prevents people from abusing the system because nobody wants to pay real money for name changes very often.

Since TLOPO cannot and will not charge real money, I think it would be a good if you could purchase a name change via in game gold. Maybe like 50-100k? This would prevent the system from being abused, yet still allow people to change their names when they want.

Just an idea I had

 

[Punkin Pie]

Friends are stored as your avatar ID. I.e if I'm player 100000285 and I add player 100000342, it will say that I am on each of their friends lists as that long player number. Your friends are not related to your account ID, that's entirely separate.

Sorry for my needing more explaining, but I want to make sure I understand. Are you saying if I make 2 alts named Sriracha and Rhianna, and I make friends with Wassup while on Rhianna, then when I log into Sriracha , Wassup won't be in my friends list? Or Wassup will be on mine still but my other alt won't be in your list?

 

[Mike Wass]

Sorry for my needing more explaining, but I want to make sure I understand. Are you saying if I make 2 alts named Sriracha and Rhianna, and I make friends with Wassup while on Rhianna, then when I log into Sriracha , Wassup won't be in my friends list? Or Wassup will be on mine still but my other alt won't be in your list?

If I add a pirate as a friend, they will only be friends with me on the pirate I added them on. Works the same way in reverse: They will only see you as your friend on the pirate you added them on.

 

[Punkin Pie]

If I add a pirate as a friend, they will only be friends with me on the pirate I added them on. Works the same way in reverse: They will only see you as your friend on the pirate you added them on.

Yesssss! Thank you Mike

 

[Shamus The Brute]

In order to allow changes and prevent abuse, Star Wars The Old Republic Online (I know we're talking about tlopo, but I'm just comparing) charges an in game currency, which is bought via real money, to change your name. This prevents people from abusing the system because nobody wants to pay real money for name changes very often.

Since TLOPO cannot and will not charge real money, I think it would be a good if you could purchase a name change via in game gold. Maybe like 50-100k? This would prevent the system from being abused, yet still allow people to change their names when they want.

Just an idea I had

I really, really like this idea. However (lol, sorry for being a stickler/negative Nancy)...

1. Name changes could cause indirect "abuse" of the naming system (from that to which it was intended) if both ill-intent and social-media are still used. Maybe consider the scenario I gave above. In essence, such a scenario does not fully protect players off-game from being misrepresented (or experiencing defamation of character in lieu of social-media)
2. The GOLD-for-new-pirate-name caters only to those players whom can afford it, thereby (indirectly) causing an unbalanced system not fair to those scallywags positioned within the middle/lower class. In essence, such a system could see the wealthiest/successful pirates prosper while the poorest noobs are called only "Poor Richard"

 

[Captain Redhorn]

I really, really like this idea. However (lol, sorry for being a stickler/negative Nancy)...

1. Name changes could cause indirect "abuse" of the naming system (from that to which it was intended) if both ill-intent and social-media are still used. Maybe consider the scenario I gave above. In essence, such a scenario does not fully protect players off-game from being misrepresented (or experiencing defamation of character in lieu of social-media)
2. The GOLD-for-new-pirate-name caters only to those players whom can afford it, thereby (indirectly) causing an unbalanced system not fair to those scallywags positioned within the middle/lower class. In essence, such a system could see the wealthiest/successful pirates prosper while the poorest noobs are called only "Poor Richard"

I understand that name changes can be abused, that's why I suggested something in the middle.

Since this game barely has an in-game player-to-player economy, generally wealth = playtime. Name changes, in my opinion, should not need to be used very often. It's fairly easy to gain money, so a small amount such as 20k or 50k shouldn't be too difficult to earn. The higher price something like this is, the less it will be abused, but more difficult to use when needed. I think, if they did use something like this, the community should vote on a number as the price for this.

Just wanted to respond as to why I suggested what I did

 

[Shamus The Brute]

I trust the in-game system, of such an option. What I don't trust is...the extent and role social-media plays to where such an option offers little to no protection for those targeted by those whom would choose to corrupt such an option.

Within the past and current world of all things POTCO, there's very little gap which exists between in-game and off-game interests.

 

[PirateJasonS]

If there was a price set on it, I think that it should go up each time you change your name. Maybe even double it, like 20k, 40k, 80k, 160k. But I'm still on the side of "it doesn't seem very necessary".

TLOPO obviously has a great support team. I feel like if a person wanted a name change under certain circumstances, they could contact the support staff and request it.

 

[Stormtimbers]

I really, really like this idea. However (lol, sorry for being a stickler/negative Nancy)...

1. Name changes could cause indirect "abuse" of the naming system (from that to which it was intended) if both ill-intent and social-media are still used. Maybe consider the scenario I gave above. In essence, such a scenario does not fully protect players off-game from being misrepresented (or experiencing defamation of character in lieu of social-media)
2. The GOLD-for-new-pirate-name caters only to those players whom can afford it, thereby (indirectly) causing an unbalanced system not fair to those scallywags positioned within the middle/lower class. In essence, such a system could see the wealthiest/successful pirates prosper while the poorest noobs are called only "Poor Richard"

Lol a socio-economic system in TLOPO?