This game seriously needs a name purge

[Amideus]

I think what most of you wanting to claim someone else's character name don't seem to understand is there are many reasons why character names should never be purged based on how long someone has not logged into the game

Not purged, the names are still able to be claimed if unclaimed. What we want is to reduce the instances of name creep that comes with extended games like this where inactive accounts create clutter and clog. It's only ONE solution the other being surnames. Don't try and frame this as a direct attack on your name.

As a vet I served my country for over 5 years and had little to no chance to log in and play a game I was out protecting my country and the freedoms some of you enjoy because of mine and many others sacrifices while serving our country

people can have many circumstances for a long absence

First thank you for your service. Second not everyone that plays this game is American. Third you could have made this point without the loaded language. The blatant attempt at using your military service as leverage over others for an emotional tool is honestly a little disgusting to me, especially coming from a family of veterans. Your point holds just as much merit just on the basis of extended time away without the additional attempted manipulation.

a stroke learning how to walk, talk, eat, and perform daily tasks again is certainly more important I guess than logging into a game

the death of a loved one during which time they need assistance to deal with financial , emotional, and family issues to name a few in this case

the loss of a job and having to seek not only employment but education to change to a new career opportunity

Alright, but definitely not all of those might keep you from the game for 5 years. And certainly sometimes you might never return to the game either. The issue here is the weight you are putting on the situation. You believe that your personal desire to never lose your chosen name no matter how long you are away from the game never playing and never using the resource you have reserved is the more important value and issue. I disagree. I think that the harm done to the game overall, while small, is still greater without implementing some form of name fix even if it comes to the detriment of others that may be affected. Because the person that steps away for 5+ years without playing is doing nothing for the game during that 5 year period of time and might never return to the game. While a player that is currently playing or might start playing has a direct impact on the game at any given time. AND this is merely a supposed risk, as it's never a guarantee with any reclaimed name that it will ever be used even after expiring. But again, expiring the names is merely a single option.

anyone can end up in one of many situations where they are unable to log into a game when it happens and you finally log back in to find your character name taken sorry you were a day late and a dollar short

I think you might change your mind and be more mindful of throwing rocks in your glass house next time

I am not personally affected by this in this game, but I have played over 20 MMORPGs. I have been affected by a name reclamation more than once. In fact many other MMORPGs have a much less forgiving timeframe than 5 years. Some are 6 months, some are only a single year. I've had a name reclamation happen for my name and lost it more than once in these games. And it was annoying, it was frustrating, but I got over it because I realized that I had been gone for a long time, and I wasn't participating in the game. Regardless of the reasoning behind my absence, it was an absence. I made a choice not to play the game. And I'd rather there be a net benefit for the game as a whole at my own personal loss than to demand that my situation by the most important factor behind any decisions or changes. Because in the end I am not arguing for a benefit to me personally. I have a single main character with the name I want, I don't plan to make any additional characters outside of testing purposes with iconics and veteran status only to delete the character later. It could be a random string for all I care. But I can see the benefit for others and the game as a whole. And so that is why I take the stance I do. And I find it pretty insulting that you don't think that other people could be affected in a similar way and still think differently than you do.

The game didn’t exist in 2004 I have one of the earliest dates and I’m Jan 2006

2009, not 2004. 2004 would have been my first PC and when I started playing WoW. But clearly that was the most important part of my post.

No way purge will ever happen. Security reasons.

If you lack of imagination with naming, you prolly won't see this problem also.

I always find these throw away lines confusing. "Security Reasons" as if this should be enough. First, I don't believe that's true at all considering there are at least four other MMOs I have played with name purges. Second I find it funny just how many people want to use backhanded insults like "You're just not imaginative enough" considering I've used Fantasy Name Generators to generate some of the most obtuse names and not only have those been taken, but all variations of spelling as well. So let's not act like there's not at least some small issue in there somewhere. Whether it's worth investing resources and development time into considering the state of many different classes and playstyles is another matter altogether.