Someone has a name I really want. What are my options?

[Emil_Jaeo]

I recently transferred to a new server, a refugee from Europe. Not surprisingly, someone has already laid claim to the character name I use for my main, so I'm left with the dreaded "-1" suffix and a rename token.

Now let's say -- HYPOTHETICALLY -- I can somehow charm, bribe, cajole, etc. the current owner of the name into giving it up. I know, I know: "Good luck with that." But let's just pretend it's within the realm of possibility. In the old days (in Europe), I could have asked a GM to give the other player a rename token and give me the desired name. Now, changing a character name is a premium service and the other user would have to pay to rename the toon, which of course he/she would never do.

So what are my options? I highly doubt I could convince them to delete their toon just so I could get at the name. I would gladly pay for their rename token, if that were possible. Any suggestions, or am I just out of luck?

[SongsoulDeveonSulexo]

Normally, I would say you're out of luck. But it all depends on what type of person you are talking about. Some people are nice, and some are just plain rude. If you do happen to go to this person about it, be careful. Try making friends with them first. Then maybe they'll be more persuaded into changing their toon's name. If not, then I'm sorry but you're out of luck.

[Emil_Jaeo]

Normally, I would say you're out of luck. But it all depends on what type of person you are talking about. Some people are nice, and some are just plain rude. If you do happen to go to this person about it, be careful. Try making friends with them first. Then maybe they'll be more persuaded into changing their toon's name. If not, then I'm sorry but you're out of luck.

You are right. My main concern is how easy I can make the name change for the other user. Even if they have no attachment to the name at all, I know asking them to delete their toon or pay real money for the change is out of the question. Is there any way for me to provide them with a rename token?

[Uska]

You are right. My main concern is how easy I can make the name change for the other user. Even if they have no attachment to the name at all, I know asking them to delete their toon or pay real money for the change is out of the question. Is there any way for me to provide them with a rename token?

Nope only real chance is to convince them to buy a name change themselves or delete the character.

I would like to see them add name changes and server transfers to the store so we could use tp for these things.

curious what server and what is the name who knows maybe I have it.

[bryanmeerkat]

What you will likely find is that the toon was created one rainy morning , played for half an hour then abandonded for all time when the creater decided ddo wasnt for him .

[SirAggravator]

What if you chat to them and find an agreeable price to delete that character - assuming they aren't too greedy it may work out for both of you :)

[Anthorin]

What you will likely find is that the toon was created one rainy morning , played for half an hour then abandonded for all time when the creater decided ddo wasnt for him .

I agree. We are now 5 years into DDO. Turbine should really set a timeline for old names where the account hasnt been used.

I seem to recall this was discussed previously on the EU forums and the general consensus was for all old unused names to be renamed (~-1?!) so the names can be reused. Seems to me that especially with F2P any name where the account has been unused for 3 years or more (and probably more like 2 years tbh) is going to be dead.

[Anthorin]

What if you chat to them and find an agreeable price to delete that character - assuming they aren't too greedy it may work out for both of you :)

Be careful you dont cross the boundaries into EULA territory..... ;-)

[SirAggravator]

Be careful you dont cross the boundaries into EULA territory..... ;-)
Ahh yes I meant in game items, not a Real money trade of course (which would break EULA).

[Lorien_the_First_One]

I agree. We are now 5 years into DDO. Turbine should really set a timeline for old names where the account hasnt been used.

I seem to recall this was discussed previously on the EU forums and the general consensus was for all old unused names to be renamed (~-1?!) so the names can be reused. Seems to me that especially with F2P any name where the account has been unused for 3 years or more (and probably more like 2 years tbh) is going to be dead.

Turbine has said for years, and repeated fairly recently, that they will never take away old player names due to inactivity.

[Anthorin]

Turbine has said for years, and repeated fairly recently, that they will never take away old player names due to inactivity.

I appreciate that, and also that DDO is an autocracy (or dictatorship possibly ;-) ). However player pressure can sometimes generate change if done in the right way.

Do we know why Turbine have taken that attitude?

[Lorien_the_First_One]

I appreciate that, and also that DDO is an autocracy (or dictatorship possibly ;-) ). However player pressure can sometimes generate change if done in the right way.

Do we know why Turbine have taken that attitude?

Because the majority of players in every forum debate on this over 4 years have agreed with Turbine.

Quite a number thought that in the days of a trial membership that memberships that were trial and then never went paid should eventually be freed up. That argument vapours with Premium at least. Other than that, most people felt it would be harmful to the game if long term players who had taken a break due to bordom, family issues, military service, illness, etc, to lose their names.

[Tinrae]

I didn't even know they offered a rename service. Good to know.

There is a way to gift points/account services (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=181819) but you'd obviously be taking a bit of a chance by trusting the person to actually use the gifted amount for the rename.

Good luck with your attempt!

[Losercrew]

Because the majority of players in every forum debate on this over 4 years have agreed with Turbine.

Quite a number thought that in the days of a trial membership that memberships that were trial and then never went paid should eventually be freed up. That argument vapours with Premium at least. Other than that, most people felt it would be harmful to the game if long term players who had taken a break due to bordom, family issues, military service, illness, etc, to lose their names.

Can't they sift through the people who actively played and the people who played to level 2 and quit? They must be logging minutes, they could probably do it just based on that if nothing else

[flynnjsw]

Can't they sift through the people who actively played and the people who played to level 2 and quit? They must be logging minutes, they could probably do it just based on that if nothing else

Why should they? Just because someone else wants their name? Maybe they left because of real world issues, but had just as much attachment to their name as you do? Would YOU want to come back to find out that a name you had grown attached to was gone just because someone else wanted it while you were gone?

Try to work it out with the person that owns then name, or think of something else.

[bryanmeerkat]

Because the majority of players in every forum debate on this over 4 years have agreed with Turbine.



To be honest on all the debates ive seen on this people have always been in favour of deleting names that are no longer in use as long as its given a reasonable timescale

[flynnjsw]

To be honest on all the debates ive seen on this people have always been in favour of deleting names that are no longer in use as long as its given a reasonable timescale

Actually in these forums that has not been the general concensus. MAYBE on the old CM forums, but not here.

[Lorien_the_First_One]

To be honest on all the debates ive seen on this people have always been in favour of deleting names that are no longer in use as long as its given a reasonable timescale

All the debates since oct 2010?

[bryanmeerkat]

All the debates since oct 2010?

Yep and theres been 3-4 , which is usually enough to get a consensus .
Usually you get 8-9 people say its a good idea , then one person will make some excuse about people who may have died and are waiting for cryogenics to kick back in

[Emil_Jaeo]

I didn't even know they offered a rename service. Good to know.

There is a way to gift points/account services (http://forums.ddo.com/showthread.php?t=181819) but you'd obviously be taking a bit of a chance by trusting the person to actually use the gifted amount for the rename.

Good luck with your attempt!

Thank you for pointing me to this, Tinrae. That might just be the ticket. It's true I risk losing the money if the person I'm dealing with is dishonest, but I'm willing to take the chance.

[desolateflare]

I used this spell on red names and bosses is cause them to take more damage but not sure because no one gives me an answer would love feedback I have used it on Sully and Harry any feedback would be greatly appreciated