This game seriously needs a name purge

[Tscheuss]

Missing the point here. I, as most people who play many RPGs have a certain set of names that I usually use, in fact I have a library of about 10 which work in my personal canon who all have certain external and internal characteristics. Most of them are rather short, some are longer, neither is even close to being tied to some existing work of fiction. Names are important. And you don't go into a game trying to find a game, you go into a game trying to give a name. Sure, I can name characters, but if they don't get the names I had in mind for them when creating a character, it just doesn't feel the same. Yes, if you play for the grind and they are just toons to get loot with - who cares? My banking toons don't mind having roman numerals in their names to indicate which level of item they hold. My favor farmer doesn't need a name that can be pronounced. My main? She cares. And if she's a female halfling rogue, she doesn't like being called "Urgalf Stonebreaker", eventhough that name might technically be available.

I agree that someone is missing the point. You can keep banging your head against the wall, or maybe get some help finding a name that fits (or maybe try making that name on HC for a transfer back to your home server).

[JohnFlory]

I agree that someone is missing the point. You can keep banging your head against the wall, or maybe get some help finding a name that fits (or maybe try making that name on HC for a transfer back to your home server).

It's really hard to tell whether you are actually semi-illiterate or simply don't know what role-playing is. Either way, your presence in a forum for an RPG is fairly odd.

Maybe an analogy could help. Imagine you're playing your favourite pen and paper RPG.

You: "Hey, DM, I want to name my character 'Asdalor', that alright?"
DM: "No, we once had a player choose a similar name. He was 'Asdala', you can't have it."
You: "Why?"
DM: "Can't have two heroes with the same name."
You: "You just said it was only similar."
DM: "Yeah, but the char died at level 2 and he built a new one. He liked the sound of the name, so he took 'Asdalor'.
You: "Ok, but why can't there be two heroes of the same name?"
DM: "What if he wants to play the char again?"
You: "Didn't he die?"
DM: "No, he just moved to another country."
You: "I meant the character."
DM: "Oh yeah, but could be ressurrected."
You: "Wait. He moved to another country? So he hasn't played with you in a while?"
DM: "Yep. 7 years now. Haven't heard from him since."
You: "But the name is still reserved?"
DM: "Well, what if..."
You: "Ok, how about 'Calendor'? Can I name him that?"
DM: "Sorry, no. I have an NPC named Rodnelac and you can't pick a name that alludes to NPCs."
You: "Hmmm.... 'Asdalorio'?
DM: "Also taken."
You: "How? 'Asdaloriorion'?"
DM: "Taken."
You: "Any names not taken?"
DM: "Well, ask one of the other players. He will give you three options to choose from. He believes that he is really creative."
You: "I'm gonna join a different group. Bye."

[Tscheuss]

<lipsum>

Please correct any part that is inaccurate. I am trying to see whether I understand your position.

• You are not interested in anyone's help to find a fitting name.
• You feel entitled to someone else's name because you want it.
• You feel that SSG should free up other's names because you want them.
• Anyone who does not agree with you is to be insulted.

Is this about right?

Edit: Never mind. I just realized I stopped caring about your position. Ta.

[bls904c2]

this has been a interesting thread but i wonder of the chance to add the surnames to the names. currently the surnames do nothing but enhance the name in game world. Is it to difficult to make the name both name and surname the point of location. i know im not being clear on it but examples

drittz son of who
drittz son of whom
drittz son of whocares

where all 3 are first name of drittz but the surname makes them different? so would be exponential number of first names with surnames being the factor that makes them different.

i dont care one way or the other never had an issue creating names in less then 5 minutes

[JohnFlory]

Please correct any part that is inaccurate. I am trying to see whether I understand your position.

• You are not interested in anyone's help to find a fitting name.
• You feel entitled to someone else's name because you want it.
• You feel that SSG should free up other's names because you want them.
• Anyone who does not agree with you is to be insulted.

Is this about right?

Edit: Never mind. I just realized I stopped caring about your position. Ta.

Inaccuraccies:
1. I don't need help finding names.
2. Characters are not supposed to have OTHER PEOPLE'S NAMES.
3. Using the word "entitled" like that makes you sound like a right-winger who thinks buzzwords can substitute for actual arguments. I am entitled to receive content I pay for. I am entitled to expect a game to work. I am entitled to not have my personal information stolen. I am entitled to not be shot in the head when I walk down the street. I am entitled to use any name that's not copyrighted or offensive.
4. Do YOU feel that people who haven't played in 10 years are entitled to keep their names?
5. Do you feel that you are entitled to create potentially hundreds of heroes just so noone else can take names?
6. Do you feel entitled to have unique first names?
7. I don't insult people, I only describe them. If you prove that you either don't understand arguments made or don't try to understand them, I will call you out on that fact.


So yeah, as long as you still don't understand how having your own name is important and any name-generation, name-borrowing or something along those lines is absurd from a role-playing perspective, this conversation is moot. I mean if anyone would ever want other players to find them names, that's pretty much the same as just stealing a name from a work of fiction. It. Would. Not. Be. Your. Name. And thus not an option for many people.

[HungarianRhapsody]

It's really hard to tell whether you are actually semi-illiterate or simply don't know what role-playing is. Either way, your presence in a forum for an RPG is fairly odd.

Maybe an analogy could help. Imagine you're playing your favourite pen and paper RPG.

If you're going to imagine you're playing your favorite pen and paper RPG, please remember to imagine that there are a few thousand other people at the game table with you and the GM.

[Alrik_Fassbauer]

I think the biggest mistake consists of using normal words. Standard words. Understandable words, from any dictionary.

As soon as you try very weird sounding combinations of letters, you'll have more luck.

If you look at this comic, you are presented actual names used for adventures - or so the comic says : https://media.dnd.wizards.com/toon_G1R1Full.jpg

You need to get away from the will to use standard words. As long as you invent your own, you won't run into preoccupied names that often anymore ...

[Arkat]

There's a name on Khyber that was taken during Head Start back in early 2006 that was used to make a level 1 Dwarf fighter that has never been played.

Someone obviously created a toon to park the name for use later but has never actually used the name for a real, played toon since then.

That's over 13.5 years for one parked name. There are others.

I would have taken it and used it myself but I was a bit late and didn't make my original toons until about an hour after the servers opened.

That's my only real DDO regret.

[SoVeryBelgian]

Inaccuraccies:

3. Using the word "entitled" like that makes you sound like a right-winger who thinks buzzwords can substitute for actual arguments. I am entitled to receive content I pay for. I am entitled to expect a game to work. I am entitled to not have my personal information stolen. I am entitled to not be shot in the head when I walk down the street. I am entitled to use any name that's not copyrighted or offensive.

Ease up there Tiger, lets not bring clearly-American Politics into this Ballyhoo.

While I agree that name-sniping is an issue that plagues ANY public game, the fact that Millions are playing (many with alts in various games) are perfectly capable of making the name work.

And DDO, being so old, isn't replete with people calling themselves "XxxWulfGARxxX".

If you wanna 'roleplay' with your oh-so important character, I suggest playing PnP. If the name is taken, it means someone else beat you to the punch. And I know it can be sad, hell, I wanted to call one of my toons Globellins. It was taken. I tried 5 other related names and 3 permutations. So I ended up naming him Anthocyanins after my other hobby, gardening. And wouldn't you know it, the name wasn't taken! So that's settled right there.

I guess what matters in the end is creativity, and isn't that just grand?

[Tscheuss]

It would have been nice to get my real name or close variant on a character, but that was taken on all servers long ago. Then I thought I could grab it on the HC, but someone beat me to it. If I were really nuts about it, I suppose I could watch for the death notice, then see who is faster in character creation , but that might be a little mean.

[Uska]

It's really hard to tell whether you are actually semi-illiterate or simply don't know what role-playing is. Either way, your presence in a forum for an RPG is fairly odd.

Maybe an analogy could help. Imagine you're playing your favourite pen and paper RPG.

You: "Hey, DM, I want to name my character 'Asdalor', that alright?"
DM: "No, we once had a player choose a similar name. He was 'Asdala', you can't have it."
You: "Why?"
DM: "Can't have two heroes with the same name."
You: "You just said it was only similar."
DM: "Yeah, but the char died at level 2 and he built a new one. He liked the sound of the name, so he took 'Asdalor'.
You: "Ok, but why can't there be two heroes of the same name?"
DM: "What if he wants to play the char again?"
You: "Didn't he die?"
DM: "No, he just moved to another country."
You: "I meant the character."
DM: "Oh yeah, but could be ressurrected."
You: "Wait. He moved to another country? So he hasn't played with you in a while?"
DM: "Yep. 7 years now. Haven't heard from him since."
You: "But the name is still reserved?"
DM: "Well, what if..."
You: "Ok, how about 'Calendor'? Can I name him that?"
DM: "Sorry, no. I have an NPC named Rodnelac and you can't pick a name that alludes to NPCs."
You: "Hmmm.... 'Asdalorio'?
DM: "Also taken."
You: "How? 'Asdaloriorion'?"
DM: "Taken."
You: "Any names not taken?"
DM: "Well, ask one of the other players. He will give you three options to choose from. He believes that he is really creative."
You: "I'm gonna join a different group. Bye."

Ridiculous I played for over 10 years and never had trouble coming up with a new name that fit the genre and I had a lot of characters

[Uska]

Please correct any part that is inaccurate. I am trying to see whether I understand your position.

• You are not interested in anyone's help to find a fitting name.
• You feel entitled to someone else's name because you want it.
• You feel that SSG should free up other's names because you want them.
• Anyone who does not agree with you is to be insulted.

Is this about right?

Edit: Never mind. I just realized I stopped caring about your position. Ta.

You’re always so crazy that’s for the laugh

[Goalt]

Probably ~90% of the players don't play anymore and it's not like DDO even keeps a "Player's Online" tracker or something on their website (to advertise), so yeah, they should delete some of the old names and allow them to be reused by (the ever-shrinking population of) new players. Seriously, there's probably guys who haven't played for a decade and are probably happily living their life away from the computer... ought to give them a wipe.

Or maybe do something like sending an email to their email after a few years asking whether or not they want their account to be deleted... pretty sure most of them (if they even check) would say "Yes", most of the people who return to this game after years don't even know what's happened (so it's like they're new).

And delete the 10,000 f2p accounts that were played for a week then abandoned!

[Ralmeth]

I think if someone hasn’t logged on in a year, their name should be able to be taken. If they happen to log that character on then they are told their name was taken due to inactivity, and they need to rename their character.

[SirValentine]

1. I don't need help finding names.

Whether you do, the OP seems to. If you can already find a name just fine, then why are you supporting name-stealing?

I am entitled to use any name that's not copyrighted or offensive.

Not if it's already taken, you don't. The person who had it first is more entitled to it than you are.

4. Do YOU feel that people who haven't played in 10 years are entitled to keep their names?

Yes, absolutely.

5. Do you feel that you are entitled to create potentially hundreds of heroes just so noone else can take names?

I don't think SSG even sells hundreds of character slots. Doesn't it top out at, like 40? But if someone is such a great customer that they're buying that many, then sure.

7. I don't insult people...

And yet you've repeatedly done so.

So yeah, as long as you still don't understand how having your own name is important...

Oh, we understand it just fine. After all, we're not the ones lobbying to steal people's names away from them. If you actually think it's important, too, you might want to rethink your position here.

[Enoach]

One of the choices Turbine made at the start and appears at this time SSG is following is the position of not deleting inactive accounts.

While some feel this "robs them" of some enjoyment in the game because they wanted a name for multiple reasons, it is interesting to me how they disregard the enjoyment of the person that already chose that name.

Over the 13+ years I've seen players come, leave and even come back. Many of them doing this cycle multiple times. Do you really think they would have a good customer experience if every time they came back they had to "rename" their characters?

[Arkat]

I think if someone hasn’t logged on in a year, their name should be able to be taken. If they happen to log that character on then they are told their name was taken due to inactivity, and they need to rename their character.

One year isn't enough time to pass by. People often take extended breaks lasting more than a year before coming back. Five years, however, seems to be more than enough time to take a break.

I'd make it five years of inactivity before a name becomes available.

[Ralmeth]

One year isn't enough time to pass by. People often take extended breaks lasting more than a year before coming back. Five years, however, seems to be more than enough time to take a break.

I'd make it five years of inactivity before a name becomes available.

We’ll have to disagree. Tough cookies, I say. A year is a long time, and I personally don’t think life should wait for people that may or may not decide to show up. You snooze, you lose

[HedgeHogShadow]

Apologies for the necro (I don't even play pale master)!

BUT, I went on Argo today to make a toon and the following names are taken

BillyBob, Buckwheat, Badtemper, Skeeter, Marmalade, SweetCheeks, SweetCheecks, Bilgewater and BilgeBreath.

I had to settle for BilgeBucket.

How hard is it to give back some names from those that haven't logged in 5 years? I want a Horc Barb named Beefcake.

[FranOhmsford]

It is absurd how many names are taken. The only other game I have seen with this issue is Path of Exile, and thats because the names are saved between all leagues, and people make nonstop new characters since the start of the game in 2013. It's to the point in that game where people just name themselves things like "FrostyTotes" or "FirePerson" because literally every name is taken. That's how this game is. I just don't understand how so many names are taken in a game that is this low pop.

If someone hasn't been on their character in 5+ years then the name should be freed up.




It's been an hour and a half and I have tried every variation of every decent sounding names. Many of which are so insanely obscure, some even made up by me. All taken. This is actually enough to make me not even continue with this game... I'm not going to play a Dungeons and Dragons game where I'm not even allowed a decent sounding name for my character.

https://www.ddo.com/forums/showthrea...now-your-Enemy

I've had a few problems with naming characters myself but nothing like what you seem to be going through OP

Obviously I couldn't get Enoch as being a real name it was already taken on Cannith before I came to the game in 2010 but luckily it's only 5 letters and with the surname I wanted also being of moderate length I was able to get Enochpagett
Yes it's annoying not having the name properly as first name space surname with the P in pagett uncapitalised as well BUT I have to just accept it and after 10 years it's not so bad

I didn't have any issues with...
Larystessian - My very first character named after an old PnP character I had - Elf Wizard
Sylveria - My third character in DDO also named after an old PnP character - Drow Rogue
Molineux - My 5th character in DDO named after the home stadium of my favourite football team - Warforged Bard
or amazingly even Coliseum - Bladeforged Paladin - I got into the habit of naming Warforged after Stadia and as he was Silver and Black I went with the Oakland Coliseum
on Cannith!

Jelina - My second ever character in DDO - Human Cleric - I actually wanted Helena but as that was taken I went with a variant spelling/pronunciation - No problems

Lieuk and Lieucille should be obvious enough - Yes Luke's surname is Skywalker

Celeia just sounded right - No it's not Celia, it's pronounced Ce'Leia

Mihtycricket - Dwarf Monk - I had to lose a letter as there's a max 12 letter count for first names so the "g" had to go

Corellia was already taken but no problem - Just add an extra "i"

Lithya - Actually surprised I got this name as she was created when Warlock came out but it was available when I wanted it so great

Urik of Gulg - H-Orc Barbarian - Urik and Gulg are city states of Athas in D&D Dark Sun....I happen to think the name is pretty fitting for a H-Orc Barb.

Jennantar - Named after a minor character in the Deverry series of novels by Katherine Kerr.

Shaelynteal - I happen to really like this name, no idea how I came up with it but for a Deep Gnome I think it works well {She did have a different name on her first life but I can't recall for the life of me what it was now}.

Annatalisa - It's pretty common for girls names to be doubled up and there's a lot you can fit on the end of Anna if you think about it.

Ealdred - Another H-Orc Barb - TBF this was one I expected to not be able to get but it was available when I made him.

Jaisan - Yes it's just Jason with a different spelling

FranOhmsford - Had to be doubled up as a first name for two reasons 1) Fran was taken 2) I didn't want anyone pretending to be me on Cannith - I barely play him.

Yaark - I'm still waiting for Kobold Player Characters Devs!

Tamilyn - The "i" is silent

SgtMagnus - Should be clear enough.

Rojelio - I think I got this name from an episode of Stargate where they went to Mexico to find a Sarcophagus

SARLONA

Keltenn Kaltenson - Kalten is Sparhawk's brother in arms in David Edding's Elenium and Tamuli - Keltenn was modelled on him.

Curleag Greenleaf - Named after a character in Gary Gygax's Gord the Rogue novels {Yes he's a Druid}.

Franq - Well it's Frank with a "Q"

Athiina - I'm guessing Athena was taken on day one on every server

Wulfruna - Named after the City of Wolverhampton

Llogi Berners Bell - Artificer - This one was rather annoying because I actually got Logie on Argo when I created him but when I transferred him to Sarlona I had to change his first name due to it being taken there - Named after John Logie Baird, Tim Berners Lee and Alexander Graham Bell.

Krymsondeath - Another Barb

Nyszsa - Yes it's Nyssa with a Z in the middle cos Nyssa was taken!

Nalpheyn Tinilith - I wonder how many of those Drizz't fans will actually get where I got this name from?

Beyrton d'Albion - Named after Burton Albion FC

KHYBER

Tannadice and Tynecastle - Warforged named and coloured after the Home Stadia and Colours of the Scottish football teams Dundee United and Heart of Midlothian.

Anaqin - Yep it's Anakin with a "Q" - I already had Lieuk Skywalker so I thought why not

Athenion Castiel - the surname is from Supernatural and the first name is another variant on Athenian.

Ellivo - I had a brain freeze and couldn't come up with anything any good for him so he's stuck with this.

ARGO

Junocesarina - Juno the Roman Goddess and Cesarina from Caesar.

Clievelund Brown - Say it out loud - Warforged FavSoul

Bjorkalina Vespertine - Vespertine is the name of Bjork's fourth studio album - And I personally happen to think Deep Gnome females look a bit Bjorkish

ORIEN

A second Lieucille

And

Allanaira - Another name I've used multiple times because I think it sounds nice.

GHALLANDA

Hassannavid - It's Hassan Navid merged into one.

Openerone - OK he was made as an Elite Opener for my secondary account which is no longer on Ghallanda.

WAYFINDER

Auslander -

Jilyan Marie - My sister's birth name {we were both adopted} only Gillian wasn't available.

Athenamaria - Athena+Maria

Aeryc of Clapton - I'm not gonna dignify this with an explanation

Rhamphorynci - Made just prior to Dragonborn coming out which is why she's Drow - A Rhamphorynchus is a Pterosaur

Natasza - Just a variant spelling on Natasha

Aerious of Ghallanda - The second account character I was talking about above - I transferred him to Wayfinder this week and didn't have to change his name {though honestly I think I should have probably made a character with that name on Wayfinder first so I could change his name as I had real problems with his name when I created him on G-Land 8 or 9 years ago which is why it's such a mess of vowels
Of course my friends immediately renamed him Hairy A?se.

Devaberiel Silverhand - You can thank Katherine Kerr for this one as well as Jennantar. - Seriously though...The Deverry series is a great set of novels. http://deverry.com/?page_id=22

Another Beyrton d'Albion

Sotherton - Rogue Acrobat named after British Heptathlete Kelly Sotherton.

Muleteer - A Bank Mule.

THELANIS

Ciaric Drowbane - Drowbane because he's a Svirfneblin and Ciaric is pronounced Keer Ric


Names aren't that hard to come up with - You just have to want to come up with a decent name and not let yourself be stumped by the stubborn need to have your first choice