Server Merge - Naming Policy

[sucinum]

I just entered the testserver and found out that i lost 2 of my precious character names - including the one of my main (Lissandra). I talked a bit with a GM and he was right with his answer that another player
might be bound to his character or famous in the same way then i was on Dorn.
So maybe i could live with a namechange, but i suggest, no, i demand, that inactive accounts count last. I even suggest that EVERY name (even unique ones) on inactive accounts gets the servername-addon, because i learnt to know that many good names are blocked by quitters or even former trial accounts, who will most probably not come back - and even if they do, they can't be bound to their characters in the same way as a paying customer.

[Temeryx]

/signed...

But how to tell, if an account is inactive? What I would like to know is: there are two PCs called Xyz on two Servers. After the merge one is called Xyz~Dorn, the other one Xyz~Aureon. Both players can rename their PCs; can one choose the name Xyz WITHOUT the servername? Or is this forbidden?

If you can change it back to the old name - fine; first come, first serve. Bad for two active Xyz-players, but at least all the inactive accounts don´t matter then. If not - the whole name is gone forever!

Also - if the number of characters you can use for names wasn´t that limited you could name a character Lissandrá for example.

[Shadow83]

Should have it oldest name get's it unless acount is inactive for longer than a time period

Stalker

[Praesideus]

Well there is no easy solution, is there? Since headstart event ive played only one char, my main until this day and if im forced to change that name and lose my characters identity simply because some server was added before mine was, well what can I say... guess im leaving then.

Im not a roleplayer, but I try to be. Characters name is the most important thing for me in roleplaying games. All you do, is tied to that name. People know you and so on. But what happens when someone loses the name they have been using to someone complete stranger? Your char loses identity, its almost like selling your account in ebay. Owner changes..

I really do hope there is alternatives for this naming thing. The way presented to us just isnt it.

[Doubleblade]

I agree with Praesideus, loosing a name is spoyling all RPG of the game. The solution they came up with is ridiculous: "Doubleblade Boldrei"? Sometimes i think they forget that this is an RPG, that this is D&D! Bringing the servers together might be nice but i think things are also fine as it is, and if bringing the servers together means loosing our chars identity (and it can degrade performance in the game by overcrowded servers), i think its a change not worth having!

[Grungnir]

I don't really wish to change my name.

Do we really need to rename our characters just because other players share your name? Why can't we all be different by our surnames?

I'm Gunnar Silverbane, if there's another Gunnar on the merged server, he'll likely have a different surname! Why not make it that we have to enter the surnames of characters in our friends list, etc.

Could this not be a solution? Use the entire name (first and surname) to identify us...is this possible? You'll end up with other characters with the same first name; but that's realistic, isn't it - I've lost count of the people I know with the name Dave or John or Chris, etc

[Doubleblade]

And what if someone had the same surname as well (very unlicky but it could happen)? And what if you were in a party with 2 gunnar (or more even)?

Just something to think about

[Grungnir]

It's an idea.

The chances of the same surname on every server is remote, and considering that the most servers merged will be three probably, it would mean three of the same name on one server - to have two together, unlikely, but yes possible.

Just a suggestion really - if people are unhappy with the situation then what we need to do is find alternatives. So lets put our heads together and do that

[Burty]

If like in most sensible MMORPGS you just click on the names either in a social panel or chat box you would never need to ever type it and then surnames could and should be used but with DDO and its system based on something from Asherons Call 1 shows it age

I don,t have a problem having same name as another but player but played pnp since 2nd ED. ADD with the same character names and dont want bolderi added to the ends of them however i dont want to see 100 wizards all called Gandalf either

how about instead of the old server name suffix then give people options whos name would be changed to add a title like "lord" to the front or something like "the third" to the end, they have to sound better than -dorn at the end

[Doubleblade]

Yep, i agree with burty, we should have a say if our name gets changed! We should be contacted in order to find a solution! Its better then running around with boldrei over your head, as if were all of the same family or something!