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Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Naming violations
Cap'n John has an interesting post how his gnome in WoW was forced to change his name, because "Knuttjob" was found to be offensive. Coincidentally yesterday I did something I really rarely do, and reported another player for a naming violation. But hey, we're on a LotRO role-playing server and the guy has to call his elf Darklegolas? I wouldn't have minded that name in WoW, but on a role-playing server and in this Middle-Earth setting the name just hurts. I am in favor of having a naming policy, and that the rules are stricter on a role-playing server. But personally I wouldn't have minded "Knuttjob", and some people really overdo it playing the naming police.
The conflict about what names are acceptable goes back a long way. I remember many years ago a player called his character in Everquest "Cupid Stunt". While that is certainly sexually offensive, it wasn't in-your-face obvious, and it took the GMs over a year to notice it. If I remember correctly the character was then even banned, although nowadays people are just forced to change their names. Having your name changed after having played for a long time, and suddenly all your friends don't recognize you any more, is harsh enough as a punishment. But sometimes it is necessary.
There are several different reasons why a name could be not allowed. One is copyright. For example City of Heroes already had enough legal trouble when people were able to create superheroes that looked like copyrighted characters. If you could have named your character Wolverine or Superman, they would have been in even worse trouble. Even if you have the license, players shouldn't be allowed to use names from that source. There should be no Gandalfs, Gandalphs, Gandralfs etc. running around in Lord of the Rings Online. It messes with the background story, and breaks the immersion of the other players. They also shouldn't be allowed to name their character after characters from other sources, like Harry Potter, and they shouldn't be allowed to name them after real people, like Arnold Schwarzenegger. This rule has the one advantage that it is relatively easy to police, and it is obvious when somebody is breaking it. A part of the policing can even be done automatically. I couldn't even name my LotRO character Tobold, because LotRO has an exception table with all names from the book, and Tobold Hornblower was on that list. That still leaves variations like Legolaz or Darklegolas, but these are so obvious that they get noticed by a GM or reported before they get very far.
Far more difficult is the rule that names aren't allowed to be offensive to other players. Because what is offensive? WoW has these violations sorted into three categories, "highly inappropriate", "moderately inappropriate", and "restricted", with each case forcing you to change your name, but the higher levels of offence also giving you a warning or suspension. Highly inappropriate would be sexual or racial/ethnic/national slurs. Moderately inappropriate includes using the names of Blizzard employees, like Tigole, or using names for advertising, so don't call your character wwwgoldfarmerscom or something like that. The restricted category has everything else, including using titles (Lordsomething), real world references, leetspeak, or even pure gibberish like "Hjklmwxcv". In practice this is a huge grey area, I'm not even sure what category "Knuttjob" fell into. Offensive to mentally handicapped people? You can run around for years with a name in this grey zone, until some day somebody, who didn't like something you did, reports you for naming violation, and some GM on a bad day agrees. Basically, if your name is "funny", it probably is in violation of the strictest interpretation of the naming policy.
Lord of the Rings Online has very helpful hints on the character creation screen, for each race and origin, on how names are usually formed. It isn't so hard to come up with a name that conforms with those naming suggestions, and isn't offensive to anyone. Some games even have random name generators, which you just hit repeatedly until they come up with something you like. I really don't mind if you prefer a "funny" name, as long as it isn't just plain stolen from somewhere, and not too offensive. But you have to be aware that there is a certain risk involved in that, somebody reporting you and you being forced to change your name.
- posted by Tobold @ 10:34 AM Permanent Link
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Cupid Stunt was the name of a character created by British comedian Kenny Everett, back in the 1980s, just so you know.
As chu chu said, Cupid Stunt was a character by the lat great Kenny Everett. The funny thing to me though is that his show in the 80's used to go out in the early evening and thus (iirc) "pre-watershed". Just shows how attitudes have changed over the years, where once a name like that was acceptable for viewing by minors but now would be probably be for a late night audience only.
An amusing incident happened on our server last week when somebody with an OK sounding fantasy name was told that his name was something really offensive in Danish. A lively disussion started in the [ooc] channel. The poor chap got very upset and started petitioning GMs to assure them it was a genuine mistake. I never found out if it was a wind up or not and I cannot recall the name but I did think tha ta surpriing number of people were suddenly experts in Danish.
I recall a friend that used his nickname everyware.... UO, DAOC, SWG... everywhere he used to call himself "Pinne"
Unfortunatly in WoW it's a bad name (don't know why). Not only you can't make a charactger named "Pinne" but you can't even say it in chat as it will get mangled (if you don't disable an option inside interface options).
So, we as friends couldn't even say "Hail Pinne" to our friend :)
Unfortunatly in WoW it's a bad name (don't know why). Not only you can't make a charactger named "Pinne" but you can't even say it in chat as it will get mangled (if you don't disable an option inside interface options).
So, we as friends couldn't even say "Hail Pinne" to our friend :)
# posted by 
: 2/5/07 14:23
: 2/5/07 14:23
Nice work Tobold,
I have reported 5 so far and still counting, all of them reported, all put on my friendlist, and all were forced to change (Took 5min to a day. Obviously, the player needs to be online)
I don't remember all of them but "Prodigy", "DarksoulMaster" and "Witchking" needs to be punished. They are a waste of carbon. Literally.
I play on RP_DE Belegaer. I hate RP Police. But I respect the Lore and the language of the server.
Geronimo Caduff
I have reported 5 so far and still counting, all of them reported, all put on my friendlist, and all were forced to change (Took 5min to a day. Obviously, the player needs to be online)
I don't remember all of them but "Prodigy", "DarksoulMaster" and "Witchking" needs to be punished. They are a waste of carbon. Literally.
I play on RP_DE Belegaer. I hate RP Police. But I respect the Lore and the language of the server.
Geronimo Caduff
# posted by : 2/5/07 15:20
: 2/5/07 15:20
Someone recently reported my name for my burglar for being offensive. Its a non-RP server and I named him Pokepoke. No real clue as to why they reported.
# posted by : 2/5/07 15:37
: 2/5/07 15:37
I get in a technical sence why the latter two names are in violation, as they are amalgamations of multiple words, which are against the TOS. However, I fail to see how Prodigy is either a violation in the techincal sence, or why it offends you so greatly?
Honestly, I think people who report naming violations, short of those they find offensive in a demeaning way, are just being assholes.
You pay money to play the game the way you want to, and so does everyone else. I think someone names XxMrLeEtxX is annoying, and would probably choose not to group with based on their name choice, but who am I to dictate how they play their game?
Seriously, ya'll should get off your high horse. I am sure the names you chose are just as terrible and someone, somewhere wants to report you for how stupid they think it sounds or how it makes them feel.
Honestly, I think people who report naming violations, short of those they find offensive in a demeaning way, are just being assholes.
You pay money to play the game the way you want to, and so does everyone else. I think someone names XxMrLeEtxX is annoying, and would probably choose not to group with based on their name choice, but who am I to dictate how they play their game?
Seriously, ya'll should get off your high horse. I am sure the names you chose are just as terrible and someone, somewhere wants to report you for how stupid they think it sounds or how it makes them feel.
WoW doesn't really police such things except on RP servers- which is why I was once ganked by an orc named PVPHunter.
I want to know where I can go to report people for being anally-retentive, humourless killjoys:D
When I hear about people being proud of reporting other people it creates an image in my mind of fascist societys where people were encouraged to report their neighbours deviant behavior and many sickos/hypocrites seemed to prosper in such societys.
I would love to know what gives people (god complexes probably) the right to decide for the rest what is and isn't appropriate. Maybe we should have a server dedicated to people who aren't easily offended and we could logon there and not have to put up with self-rightious pricks :D
When I hear about people being proud of reporting other people it creates an image in my mind of fascist societys where people were encouraged to report their neighbours deviant behavior and many sickos/hypocrites seemed to prosper in such societys.
I would love to know what gives people (god complexes probably) the right to decide for the rest what is and isn't appropriate. Maybe we should have a server dedicated to people who aren't easily offended and we could logon there and not have to put up with self-rightious pricks :D
# posted by : 2/5/07 15:54
: 2/5/07 15:54
I would love to know what gives people (god complexes probably) the right to decide for the rest what is and isn't appropriate. Maybe we should have a server dedicated to people who aren't easily offended and we could logon there and not have to put up with self-rightious pricks :D
Amen.
And, I'd like to point out that the person who posted above that is so proud of his reporting achievements is named Geronimo.
As you may know, this is copted from histroical and literary references to the Native American hero of the same name. He was murdered by white settlers, as were every last member of his tribe, in the genocide of the Western frontier times.
I should come on your server and report you for your disgusting display of racism that offends me greatly, and the use of histroical name and the use of a literary figure's name.
You should be ashamed.
As you can see, naming violations are in the eyes of the beholder, and anyone can turn any name into a violation. You thinking you are someone superior to another and your name is better or more appropriate is egotistical and selfish. The difference between me and you, is that I would let you play on as you choose to, while you would have reported you for nothing.
Amen.
And, I'd like to point out that the person who posted above that is so proud of his reporting achievements is named Geronimo.
As you may know, this is copted from histroical and literary references to the Native American hero of the same name. He was murdered by white settlers, as were every last member of his tribe, in the genocide of the Western frontier times.
I should come on your server and report you for your disgusting display of racism that offends me greatly, and the use of histroical name and the use of a literary figure's name.
You should be ashamed.
As you can see, naming violations are in the eyes of the beholder, and anyone can turn any name into a violation. You thinking you are someone superior to another and your name is better or more appropriate is egotistical and selfish. The difference between me and you, is that I would let you play on as you choose to, while you would have reported you for nothing.
Sorry about this coming back to this point but this is a 'touchy' subject and as much as I abhor cencorship I hate proud snitches even more.
A friend of mine has an aunt who is in her eighties and is cursed/blessed with the name of Gay Hoare (which is pronounced whore):D This is undoubtably a hilarious name in this modern era but when she was christened this was a fairly common name here in Ireland and if certain people had their way she would be dragged down to the registry office to change her name or be accused of lewd/inappropriate behaviour and of diminishing their quality of life (game).
I also wonder if 1 person finds your name offensive and complains and entire server says nothing and quietly approves of your name then does that mean that the loud minority are deciding what is and isn't appropriate for the quiet majority :(
A friend of mine has an aunt who is in her eighties and is cursed/blessed with the name of Gay Hoare (which is pronounced whore):D This is undoubtably a hilarious name in this modern era but when she was christened this was a fairly common name here in Ireland and if certain people had their way she would be dragged down to the registry office to change her name or be accused of lewd/inappropriate behaviour and of diminishing their quality of life (game).
I also wonder if 1 person finds your name offensive and complains and entire server says nothing and quietly approves of your name then does that mean that the loud minority are deciding what is and isn't appropriate for the quiet majority :(
# posted by : 2/5/07 16:29
: 2/5/07 16:29
With names that are offensive, as with profanity filters, I think companies like Blizzard keep too far on the side of caution. I can understand why they'd do that, since complaints that a real person has to do something with cost them money. However, if the word 'gay', for example, is deemed offensive, when many people out there use it to describe something quite neutrally, it starts to come across as them condemning the very state of being gay. It's creepy, to me.
Separately, I know that on WoW there are people who go around and ask if you could please report their names as being offensive, so that they can get a new name. I could imagine some players deliberately cooking up something reportable so that they can have time to think of a name they really like. When you get naming policies mixed with a large number of players, people often find they stuck themselves with something that turns out to be silly or unpronouncable, and then they're stuck with it. I wonder what a MMORPG developer could do about that issue.
Separately, I know that on WoW there are people who go around and ask if you could please report their names as being offensive, so that they can get a new name. I could imagine some players deliberately cooking up something reportable so that they can have time to think of a name they really like. When you get naming policies mixed with a large number of players, people often find they stuck themselves with something that turns out to be silly or unpronouncable, and then they're stuck with it. I wonder what a MMORPG developer could do about that issue.
Of course you can have any name that you like as long as its not on a RP server. The RP servers are put aside for those that wish to play on them with a stricter set of rules. For those that are complaining about not having the right to choose any name that wish are you not doing the same to those that are self inflicting a stricter naming policy. If you don't want those naming restrictions its simple, don't play on a RP server.
I'd just like to point out that I'ver never reported someone and likely never will, but I can certainly understand why players would get upset if they chose to play on a RP server and there was character wandering about called Dude.
I'd just like to point out that I'ver never reported someone and likely never will, but I can certainly understand why players would get upset if they chose to play on a RP server and there was character wandering about called Dude.
# posted by : 2/5/07 16:48
: 2/5/07 16:48
There are dozens of servers (in WOW at least) where you can call yourself almost any name you want.
If you choose to roll on an RP server, then you should be playing your character as someone who could exist in that world.
I don't think you are likely to open any of Tolkien's books and see a character called Knutjob (or similar).
The thing is, the more you tolerate non-RP behaviour on RP servers, the more it becomes the norm.
I would say on my WOW RP server, that 90% of players do not roleplay whatsoever, and a lot of them seem to take pleasure in disrupting RP events, too.
Whether you think RP is lame or not, is not the issue.
Don't want to spend 5 minutes trying to come up with a sensible RP name? Stay off RP servers, then.
If you choose to roll on an RP server, then you should be playing your character as someone who could exist in that world.
I don't think you are likely to open any of Tolkien's books and see a character called Knutjob (or similar).
The thing is, the more you tolerate non-RP behaviour on RP servers, the more it becomes the norm.
I would say on my WOW RP server, that 90% of players do not roleplay whatsoever, and a lot of them seem to take pleasure in disrupting RP events, too.
Whether you think RP is lame or not, is not the issue.
Don't want to spend 5 minutes trying to come up with a sensible RP name? Stay off RP servers, then.
# posted by : 2/5/07 17:20
: 2/5/07 17:20
Unless you are playing on a RP server, who gives a rats ass about what your name is unless it is something downright shameful. A night elf hunter with the name Leegulos isn't offensive, its sad and unoriginal, but not offensive. A guy or girl who names their character Hitlerrlz is offensive and deserves to have their character name changed at the very least.
Blizzard having 3 different tiers to measure the level of offense caused by a name is just a way for a pissed off player to make another players life harder. If another player really wanted to, they could probably get blizzard force a name change on me as the name Wolfgang has been the name of multiple historical figures; me adding the doom part was just my personal spin but nonetheless, Wolfgang could be considered a violation of terms. I seriously doubt my name makes anyone feel uncomfortable but as long as that last tier is in place, theoretically another player could rat me out.
Some of the names I have come across may have been a violation of terms, but were so funny that to turn them in would make me feel like a 3rd grade narc. Example: the twink guild on my server with the name of MywafflesareBOP. All of the members of that guild that I have come across have names that have something to do with breakfast foods. Seeing them makes me smile and sometimes laugh which adds to the fun of the game IMO, and isn't that why we are all playing? To have fun?
Blizzard having 3 different tiers to measure the level of offense caused by a name is just a way for a pissed off player to make another players life harder. If another player really wanted to, they could probably get blizzard force a name change on me as the name Wolfgang has been the name of multiple historical figures; me adding the doom part was just my personal spin but nonetheless, Wolfgang could be considered a violation of terms. I seriously doubt my name makes anyone feel uncomfortable but as long as that last tier is in place, theoretically another player could rat me out.
Some of the names I have come across may have been a violation of terms, but were so funny that to turn them in would make me feel like a 3rd grade narc. Example: the twink guild on my server with the name of MywafflesareBOP. All of the members of that guild that I have come across have names that have something to do with breakfast foods. Seeing them makes me smile and sometimes laugh which adds to the fun of the game IMO, and isn't that why we are all playing? To have fun?
It's as much about immersion as anything. You don't want to see Elijah Wood run around in trainers whilst playing Frodo, because it would ruin the idea that you are in a different, magical world. On RP servers, I don't want to come across someone with a stupid name, because it reminds me too easily that it's just a game with people sitting behind keyboards, not some fantasy world with heroes having adventures.
As a side note, you could argue that I should not have names turned on if I want to immerse myself in the world, and I agree. I used to turn player names off during raids, because 40 floating names as well as all the characters got in the way. I got to a point where I couldn't be bothered to switch between showing and hiding names between raids, and am actually enjoying the game more because of it. I also found that I could recognise my friends regardless of whether they had a name above them or not.
I also think that this should not only be the default but that player names should not be able to be turned on, at least not for players from opposing factions. World PvP is a farce when you cannot even use scenery to hide in, because you have a honking great hunter's mark of a red name sitting above your head, alerting any enemy that you are either hiding from a spanking or waiting to ambush them.
As a side note, you could argue that I should not have names turned on if I want to immerse myself in the world, and I agree. I used to turn player names off during raids, because 40 floating names as well as all the characters got in the way. I got to a point where I couldn't be bothered to switch between showing and hiding names between raids, and am actually enjoying the game more because of it. I also found that I could recognise my friends regardless of whether they had a name above them or not.
I also think that this should not only be the default but that player names should not be able to be turned on, at least not for players from opposing factions. World PvP is a farce when you cannot even use scenery to hide in, because you have a honking great hunter's mark of a red name sitting above your head, alerting any enemy that you are either hiding from a spanking or waiting to ambush them.
I haven't reported many names in my time with MMOs, except with CoH/V where I almost felt an obligation to report every Hulk, Wolverine or Superman clone I saw because I didn't want the game shut down by Marvel or others. In Lotro I haven't reported any name so far. I have seen quite a few obvious copies of known characters from the books. Baromir is one for example. The second is almost unique in that it successfully manages to copy not one, but two known characters. One from Lotr and one from another known movie. That name is Eragorn. While the names by themselves aren't obscene or anything like that it screams a lack of imagination, wanting to be cool and trying to defy the rules.
Of course it can be said that Eragon is a lack of imagination in the first place, but that only makes the name copying of that player even worse. Copying something that has lack of imagination. ;)
Of course it can be said that Eragon is a lack of imagination in the first place, but that only makes the name copying of that player even worse. Copying something that has lack of imagination. ;)
# posted by : 2/5/07 17:40
: 2/5/07 17:40
I am a roleplayer and the rp fascists drive me nuts too. The willingness of many roleplayers to break their own immersion with their outbursts and constant GM tickets amazes me at times. (I'm not saying anyone here is in that camp, necessarily.)
Once I was in the Green Dragon listening to people tell stories. Someone used the word "halfling" to describe Hobbits. What resulted was the end of the story contest and an OOC screaming match to determine whether or not Tolkien ever used the word "halfling" in reference to Hobbits. I left in disgust shortly thereafter. Roleplayers will make the most strides forward when they relax and stop killing the thing they profess to love so much.
I play on servers in the US where we don't have the RP / "normal" server types. People are encouraged to play on any server or rp on any server if they want to. Some roleplay fascists do try reporting names they just don't like, often with no results. Given some roleplayers' attitudes, I actually like the lack of separation. Asshats in both the RP-Elitist camp and Anti-RP-Asshat camp start their little whine-fests and tend to be too busy crying to bother the rest of us, roleplayers and non-roleplayers alike.
Anyway, back on the subject of names: I only report the really offensive ones (only reported one since beta). I usually have names off in towns so I don't even see them. I avoid grouping with people with names I think are stupid. I'd rather be playing the game than filling out GM tickets. /shrug Maybe it's just me.
Though, yes, I'll agree that if you create a character on a server designated as "RP" you have to follow that server's conventions.
Once I was in the Green Dragon listening to people tell stories. Someone used the word "halfling" to describe Hobbits. What resulted was the end of the story contest and an OOC screaming match to determine whether or not Tolkien ever used the word "halfling" in reference to Hobbits. I left in disgust shortly thereafter. Roleplayers will make the most strides forward when they relax and stop killing the thing they profess to love so much.
I play on servers in the US where we don't have the RP / "normal" server types. People are encouraged to play on any server or rp on any server if they want to. Some roleplay fascists do try reporting names they just don't like, often with no results. Given some roleplayers' attitudes, I actually like the lack of separation. Asshats in both the RP-Elitist camp and Anti-RP-Asshat camp start their little whine-fests and tend to be too busy crying to bother the rest of us, roleplayers and non-roleplayers alike.
Anyway, back on the subject of names: I only report the really offensive ones (only reported one since beta). I usually have names off in towns so I don't even see them. I avoid grouping with people with names I think are stupid. I'd rather be playing the game than filling out GM tickets. /shrug Maybe it's just me.
Though, yes, I'll agree that if you create a character on a server designated as "RP" you have to follow that server's conventions.
# posted by : 2/5/07 17:58
: 2/5/07 17:58
I'm suprised no one has mentioned it yet, but one of the lead devs at Blizzard, Tigole. Once upon a time in EQ was Tigole Bitties.
I'd say punny names are pretty much par for the course, at least in WoW.
I'd say punny names are pretty much par for the course, at least in WoW.
# posted by : 2/5/07 18:40
: 2/5/07 18:40
What I find ironic about the whole discussion of naming and RP in LOTRO is this:
If you are, indeed, immersing yourself in your character, then how would your character know that Darklegolas or Eragorn meant anything?
In fact, you're no longer role-playing, but are using your RL extra-game knowledge!
A run-of-the-mill RP hobbit should know nothing of the Ring, Aragorn, Legolas, etc.
Also ironic that that many people excuse a name saying "It's not really offensive", and then say something to the effect that you must ban this-or-that "obviously offensive" name.
I have to point out that "offensive name" is a relative, not absolute, measure that changes with various factors such as native language, culture, and as someone pointed out with the Gay Hoare example, even changes over time within a language & culture. And beyond just names, there is the ever-present chat problem, be it "Barrens chat", Chuck Norris, goldseller spams every 15 minutes, or someone having a fit over "halfling" (Who be this Tolkien of whom thou speakest?!)
Talk of censorship has drifted through the thread as an undercurrent; be advised that in reality everyone has a "censorship list". Everyone finds something or someone or some idea offensive. Everyone has names or labels that they do not want applied to them. Everyone has topics that they don't want posted front-and-center where they have to look at and read and deal with it.
As far as I'm concerned, let Blizz/Turbine police it as they will, lodge a complaint if it bothers you, and if you're not happy with the results, take your $$$ somewhere else.
FWIW, Doeg
If you are, indeed, immersing yourself in your character, then how would your character know that Darklegolas or Eragorn meant anything?
In fact, you're no longer role-playing, but are using your RL extra-game knowledge!
A run-of-the-mill RP hobbit should know nothing of the Ring, Aragorn, Legolas, etc.
Also ironic that that many people excuse a name saying "It's not really offensive", and then say something to the effect that you must ban this-or-that "obviously offensive" name.
I have to point out that "offensive name" is a relative, not absolute, measure that changes with various factors such as native language, culture, and as someone pointed out with the Gay Hoare example, even changes over time within a language & culture. And beyond just names, there is the ever-present chat problem, be it "Barrens chat", Chuck Norris, goldseller spams every 15 minutes, or someone having a fit over "halfling" (Who be this Tolkien of whom thou speakest?!)
Talk of censorship has drifted through the thread as an undercurrent; be advised that in reality everyone has a "censorship list". Everyone finds something or someone or some idea offensive. Everyone has names or labels that they do not want applied to them. Everyone has topics that they don't want posted front-and-center where they have to look at and read and deal with it.
As far as I'm concerned, let Blizz/Turbine police it as they will, lodge a complaint if it bothers you, and if you're not happy with the results, take your $$$ somewhere else.
FWIW, Doeg
# posted by : 2/5/07 19:40
: 2/5/07 19:40
Kilrogg, the server on which I play, is a PvE server, not RP, but that doesn't mean players cannot choose to RP there. In fact when I did roll on an RP server I barely noticed the difference between it and Kilrogg. There were still a bunch of Legolas wannabes running around, and there was some, but not a lot, of ((OOC: Anyone want to run VC?))chat, and of course the obligatory Chuck Norris jokes in General Chat. So I went back to Kilrogg where I knew I could hang out with my coworkers, and that's where I stayed.
Knuttjob was originally created as an in-joke with two Guild members, Maniacc and Psychoguy (definitely not RP-approved names) but I went a step further in creating a background for Knuttjob and choosing an angry, scowling face for his bald head, which totally gave him the appearance of a "Gnome on the edge". Knuttjob even has a "younger sister" a Gnome Rogue by the name of Knute, who's not quite as psychotic as Knuttjob, although she can be just as silly in trying to get the most out of life.
Now I'd be the first to agree that you'd never (I think) run across a Gnome named Knuttjob, no matter how crazy he is. More likely he'd be introduced as Bally "Knuttjob" Shizbungo. Unfortunately Blizzard refused to allow us to give our toons both a first and last name, so the name we're more likely to know our friends' toons by are more nicknames than anything else. For a psychotic Gnome, I think Knuttjob is a very appropriate handle.
Apparently I can appeal the decision, which I've done, but I'm not holding my breath. Until then I'm contemplating new names. I like Knutjob, just to press the issue, but I'll probably go with something else. The problem is I have a very angry Gnome, and even if he's not Knuttjob, I still need an appropriate name for him.
Knuttjob was originally created as an in-joke with two Guild members, Maniacc and Psychoguy (definitely not RP-approved names) but I went a step further in creating a background for Knuttjob and choosing an angry, scowling face for his bald head, which totally gave him the appearance of a "Gnome on the edge". Knuttjob even has a "younger sister" a Gnome Rogue by the name of Knute, who's not quite as psychotic as Knuttjob, although she can be just as silly in trying to get the most out of life.
Now I'd be the first to agree that you'd never (I think) run across a Gnome named Knuttjob, no matter how crazy he is. More likely he'd be introduced as Bally "Knuttjob" Shizbungo. Unfortunately Blizzard refused to allow us to give our toons both a first and last name, so the name we're more likely to know our friends' toons by are more nicknames than anything else. For a psychotic Gnome, I think Knuttjob is a very appropriate handle.
Apparently I can appeal the decision, which I've done, but I'm not holding my breath. Until then I'm contemplating new names. I like Knutjob, just to press the issue, but I'll probably go with something else. The problem is I have a very angry Gnome, and even if he's not Knuttjob, I still need an appropriate name for him.
I hate most people's names, as it pulsl me out of the game, but I would never report anyone. To me the only things that make me crazy enough to complain is when they name themselves after characters in the game or other IP. I have no use for Legolaz or Billboh, just as I would cringe to see a HarryPotter or DarthMawl. I agree with the essence of your complaint though, but I just hate to see people policing all the time. I could see it if there was an OFFICIAL RP server, then there could be an agreement by participating on the server to conform. I think a bigger problem is node stealing myself, and that is even not worth reporting.
The only person I have ever reported on WoW was a orc rogue that was using a terrain exploit to give himself a rediculas and permanent boost to his runspeed... which made him able to gank lowbies at no risk. It was an issue that was patched and fixed.
TBH, if you play on a roleplayer server and make retarded and offensive names... your gonna get reported and probably punished in some way (minimally, a name-change). Roleplayer communities are very sensitive and hardly tolerate crap.
I know for example on lineage 2... A few friends of mine were "teasing" roleplayers in the game and used the phrase "hold the beast down" in a roleplay scenario of love-making.. it of course was reported by some angry RPer and they were permanantly banned. In response to the RPers tattling, thousands of Rpers were "greifed" and "pk"d as they tried to play the game normally and it created an even larger ordeal... which sucked for the RP community much worse than the simple phrase "hold the beast down" would have. It was kind of hilarious how messy the situation became, as you know with many online MMOs ... people have major ego problems and pushed the limits of what was allowed all the time.
TBH, if you play on a roleplayer server and make retarded and offensive names... your gonna get reported and probably punished in some way (minimally, a name-change). Roleplayer communities are very sensitive and hardly tolerate crap.
I know for example on lineage 2... A few friends of mine were "teasing" roleplayers in the game and used the phrase "hold the beast down" in a roleplay scenario of love-making.. it of course was reported by some angry RPer and they were permanantly banned. In response to the RPers tattling, thousands of Rpers were "greifed" and "pk"d as they tried to play the game normally and it created an even larger ordeal... which sucked for the RP community much worse than the simple phrase "hold the beast down" would have. It was kind of hilarious how messy the situation became, as you know with many online MMOs ... people have major ego problems and pushed the limits of what was allowed all the time.
Offensive is relative. I once had a series of GMs change my EQ surname several times over a week. The name was "Questaholic". First GM removed it, saying it wasn't appropriate. To what, no idea. I petitioned. The next GM said former GM was nutes and put it back, but used a lower case q "questaholic". I petitioned again to have it capitalized and got a third GM who said that my name needed to fit a roleplay enviroment. My statement to the effect that the game's name, and allegedly the game, is about Quests fell on deaf ears and it was removed. A few months later, yet another GM restored it as "The Questaholic".
*shrug*
*shrug*
# posted by : 2/5/07 21:27
: 2/5/07 21:27
Lately, I've had my first 2 violations of names: Blizzard took offense in my bankchar name "Millionär" (Millionaire) which is alright. But they also forced me to rename my shadow priest "Negatoth". God knows why. He's now called "Patchy", and frankly, I'm waiting for the next ticket on this new name.
# posted by : 3/5/07 08:07
: 3/5/07 08:07
although i never reported people, only if they annoyed me in whispers, i can't stand stupid names like
"orcwarrior", "pvphunter", "frostmage" etc.
didn't spot "hobbitburglar" yet, but they will get reported.
if people call themselves legolos i actually don't care. it's stupid for sure, but in real life there are many many same names :p
"orcwarrior", "pvphunter", "frostmage" etc.
didn't spot "hobbitburglar" yet, but they will get reported.
if people call themselves legolos i actually don't care. it's stupid for sure, but in real life there are many many same names :p
Firstly, I play with the floating names off specifically because I don't want to see idiot people's stupid names. Secondly, I never accept a group invite from someone with a stupid name, trying to avoid them as much as I can. However, should I wind up in a group with someone who has a wildly stupid or extremely offensive name (Like the troll in WoW named Niggerhater or the night elf named Eatmykuntfagit, or something like that) I report them. If you want to name yourself Drizzzzzzziiittt or Raaisstlin or some other bastardization of a popular name, I won't report you, but I also won't group with you or help you in anyway... in fact, if I see you are in trouble, I'll probably stop just to watch you die. :)
@cyndre
It's not about naming in general, especially not my name given by somebody else than me, don't get personal. you should learn some respect of people you don't know anything about. we are talking here not about my name, not your name, not anybody who's name is maybe jesus today and is offending millions of christs.
It's only about following the lore on an RP Server. A ROLE PLAYING server. You MUST follow the lore, these are the rules and you acknowledge them by clicking on a box when you enter the server.
An Elb called Witchking is completely out of lore (and out of language if on a german server).
The name of a band is also out of lore and out of language. Why? Ask big daddy tolkien.
You are open to discuss if english or latin violates the lore on a german server (seems maybe strange to you, but not to Tolkien - he supervised the translation himself).
We choose RP to have this immersion in GERMAN (after all it's a german server and really everything here is in german) and people with their non-lore names are breaking the rules and destroying the game for all other people on the server.
I do not care at all about the names on any other server types - I only reported once a name on a pve wow server, he called himself "Negaschnetzla"..which is spoken out on german like "killer of [bad word for blackpeople]". He was lvl 5 on the starting day, 2minutes later he disappeared.
Geronimo Caduff
It's not about naming in general, especially not my name given by somebody else than me, don't get personal. you should learn some respect of people you don't know anything about. we are talking here not about my name, not your name, not anybody who's name is maybe jesus today and is offending millions of christs.
It's only about following the lore on an RP Server. A ROLE PLAYING server. You MUST follow the lore, these are the rules and you acknowledge them by clicking on a box when you enter the server.
An Elb called Witchking is completely out of lore (and out of language if on a german server).
The name of a band is also out of lore and out of language. Why? Ask big daddy tolkien.
You are open to discuss if english or latin violates the lore on a german server (seems maybe strange to you, but not to Tolkien - he supervised the translation himself).
We choose RP to have this immersion in GERMAN (after all it's a german server and really everything here is in german) and people with their non-lore names are breaking the rules and destroying the game for all other people on the server.
I do not care at all about the names on any other server types - I only reported once a name on a pve wow server, he called himself "Negaschnetzla"..which is spoken out on german like "killer of [bad word for blackpeople]". He was lvl 5 on the starting day, 2minutes later he disappeared.
Geronimo Caduff
# posted by : 3/5/07 14:34
: 3/5/07 14:34
@cyndre (part 2)
Of course I do have a different name in the game. That's a ridiculous assumption from your side that I'm playing with my name. After all, it's roleplaying, not RL playing.
G. Caduff ( Written like this hopefully does not offend your delicate being and some of my ancestors)
Of course I do have a different name in the game. That's a ridiculous assumption from your side that I'm playing with my name. After all, it's roleplaying, not RL playing.
G. Caduff ( Written like this hopefully does not offend your delicate being and some of my ancestors)
# posted by : 3/5/07 14:41
: 3/5/07 14:41
Listen Geronimo, you need to learn to understand what sarcasm means. I was making a statement that almost exactly mirrored your own self-righteous bullshit statement, that Witchking or whatever was a non-imersive name, and you reported it. Well, what if I think your name sucks?
I don't give a rats ass what you are named, and how can you possibly know every name that ever existed in any Tolkien world? What about the black folk? Do you know all of their naming conventions? What about some of the various less know races or aome past itteration of a dialouge? You have deemed yourself the last coming of Tolkien himself, to decided how people get to roleplay their charachters and what fits in YOUR world. That is just selfins and egotistical.
Secondly, "Prodigy" is a band's name? So this band invented that word? It isn't another word that has been in dialect for thousands of years? Wow, thats news to me. Maybe this Elf was called Prodigy as an insult by his peers growing up, because he was bad at everything. It was an insult, which is why he has studied hard and become the best Loremaster around. Maybe the name Prodigy stuck with him through all of that, and now he wears it as his own, instead of that which was given by his sire...
See what I did there? In a few seconds I created a very valid RP backstory to something, you attributed to a band.
GG.. only an idiot would think the word Prodigy was derived from a band.
I don't give a rats ass what you are named, and how can you possibly know every name that ever existed in any Tolkien world? What about the black folk? Do you know all of their naming conventions? What about some of the various less know races or aome past itteration of a dialouge? You have deemed yourself the last coming of Tolkien himself, to decided how people get to roleplay their charachters and what fits in YOUR world. That is just selfins and egotistical.
Secondly, "Prodigy" is a band's name? So this band invented that word? It isn't another word that has been in dialect for thousands of years? Wow, thats news to me. Maybe this Elf was called Prodigy as an insult by his peers growing up, because he was bad at everything. It was an insult, which is why he has studied hard and become the best Loremaster around. Maybe the name Prodigy stuck with him through all of that, and now he wears it as his own, instead of that which was given by his sire...
See what I did there? In a few seconds I created a very valid RP backstory to something, you attributed to a band.
GG.. only an idiot would think the word Prodigy was derived from a band.
Mafti said...
although i never reported people, only if they annoyed me in whispers, i can't stand stupid names like
"orcwarrior", "pvphunter", "frostmage" etc.
didn't spot "hobbitburglar" yet, but they will get reported.
if people call themselves legolos i actually don't care. it's stupid for sure, but in real life there are many many same names :p
Bet it was you that reported me so I had to change Cyd's surname !!!!
/wave
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although i never reported people, only if they annoyed me in whispers, i can't stand stupid names like
"orcwarrior", "pvphunter", "frostmage" etc.
didn't spot "hobbitburglar" yet, but they will get reported.
if people call themselves legolos i actually don't care. it's stupid for sure, but in real life there are many many same names :p
Bet it was you that reported me so I had to change Cyd's surname !!!!
/wave
# posted by : 3/6/07 04:39
: 3/6/07 04:39<< Home
