Idea Proposal: Unique Character Names

A couple days ago, after I got home from work....unpacked my lunchbox, let the dogs out......you know, general stuff.....I sat down, in front of the comp, and checked in on things. Maximized my windows client and holycrap.........one of my toons was dead lol. Right in the house.

I laughed for a minute when I recalled Atraxi giving me the lesson about where to stand in the house.....totally missed it by 1 square. No worries though. I wasn't vigilant enough to square my char away, so I deserved it.

I began going through the "would you like to report x person as a murder" gumps.....and lo and behold I saw a name I actually recognized. BLAISE! Haha, damn......


So, naturally. I go on IRC and tell the whole story.....I died in my house by Blaise and company xD. Turns out though.......it wasn't Blaise at all. Apparently there are like 7 or 8 Blaise characters scurrying about. It's like Agent Smith from the Matrix all over again, or Stewie from Family Guy during Y2K.

This is just the scenario in which this idea popped up in my thunker tank. I honestly thought names were unique to begin with....an honest mistake I think, I don't recall it being mentioned anywhere on the website.



Maybe I'm asking too much, what do you all think? Is it a reasonable suggestion to ask that our character names be unique?

While it was one of the few features I really liked about IPY2, I don't think it's truly appropriate here. It is easy enough to ensure your identity is unique by way of apparel and guild title/tags. Not only that but the website will show quite clearly the records, should the characters choose to be public.

I've come down pretty hard verbally on some folks for not knowing it wasn't me out there being a piece of **** PK, griefing with the intent to defame another. I've cleared it up a handful of times but how is everyone to know?

That said, get to know people before you start making accusations towards any forum/IRC handles.
With douchers like LoL around, it's bound to happen again and again to anyone they are jealous enough of to make a doppelganger for.

I don't know Blaise, surely you'd like that trident stapled down eh?

Maybe it's just me, but I find that actually having some real accountability for the actions we all accompany in should not be obscured behind a mendacious character. Sure, anonymity is already the staple mark in which could arguably be the backbone that bears the weight of accountability already present in near every faucet of web glory around, but does that really have to directly translate in UO:R?

If you ask me, players that create new players with pseudo names of existing people is a very trammel concept. It assumes no personal responsibility on there actions. I'm reminded on why I like and enjoy playing on this server every time I recall to my house. Every time I risk killing mobs for gold......every time I macro inside my house afk. That is because I have to take accountability for the each of those actions. If I fail to manage any one of those.......I can, and have paid the consequences. Why should it be ok to allow other players to assume the identity of another person at no risk to any type of scrutiny?

I agree also, if the name is taken you can't have it. You can however change the lower case to upper case and what not is fine so long as its unique...

Cherie and Diablo

Gold sink idea? I think the file of disallowed strings is easy to edit. I like duplicate names for many reasons but I think this has great gold sink potential.

Then what? Grandfather clauses for all doppelgangers in existence? Over time, it may impact the population because people will get bitter if they can't use their preferred name.

Often imitated, never duplicated. Blaise is truly one of a kind :lol:

I have to agree that using guild tags should suffice in making one's character unique. While it may be a common mistake for new player, once someone spends a day or two in IRC they will get to know the real Blaise and all the other unique characters we have. A monopoly on names seems a bit extreme. I for one would be flattered had they found me such a thorn in their backside as to create fake Wises running around causing mayhem. Perhaps one day...

Yes to grandfathering, as that is also what requires the least work (I.e. none).

If there's new people getting bitter, we're not charging enough. Gold sinks are not staples, they are luxuries.

I think you all are thinking too far ahead here and how this idea can be implemented.

There is no gold sink required.


Simple really. Anyone who had created the doppelganger name (exact spelling and punctuation) will have there name automatically changed to a generic type........i.e. (James, Charles, William, Jennifer, LeRoy, Antonio, Demarcus, Jerry....etc.).

When you log on and find your character has had there name changed, a name change deed will appear in your bank. This name change deed is non transferable......it's special (it can only be used for that toon).

If you decided to exploit this mechanic, and create 3 or 4 characters with names already previously taken, they will serve little purpose since those deeds are non transferable.


I know at least Blaise supported this idea the first time I mentioned it a couple days ago, as well as quite a few members as well in irc.

No must be the new pink?

Monopoly, such a loosely used word. A word that has no real value in this argument. Do you not have an monopoly on yourself? Or, should we argue whether you should indeed have ownership of your own flesh and blood? The word monopoly was defined a long time ago for a reason, and it has no value to argue in this reality.

I do understand your other argument though. Guild tags do make things more easy to pick out for instance as you stated. But, what's it to say Blaise couldn't simply create another character named......oh "Blaise", with no guild tag? Can we only speculate the possibilities? Can I not wear different armor at anytime I decide to drag my cursor?

People also leave guilds from time to time. Sometimes peacefully, sometimes forcefully. Who is to say those players won't/will not......let things be what it is without resent? Bad blood? Emo aggression? The doors are wide open for additional grieving, and irresponsibility to "own" up on.

Excellent point, lets look at the definition of Monopoly as shown on Google when typing "Define: Monopoly"

mo·nop·o·ly
məˈnäpəlē/Submit
noun
noun: monopoly; plural noun: monopolies; noun: Monopoly
1.

• *the exclusive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service.
  "his likely motive was to protect his regional monopoly on furs"
  *the exclusive possession, control, or exercise of something.
  "men don't have a monopoly on unrequited love"
  *a company or group having exclusive control over a commodity or service.
  "areas where cable companies operate as monopolies"
  *a commodity or service in the exclusive control of a company of group.
  "electricity, gas, and water were considered to be natural monopolies"

So, if I make a character named 'John', and no other player is then allowed to name their character 'John', wouldn't you say that I have "the exclusive possession, control, or exercise of something", namely, the name John. Of course you would because that is exactly what would be going on. Now lets take the 10,000 potential players that want to start on this server, they pick their gender, hair styles and clothing color and proceed to name their character. How would they feel if they had to redo their entire selection process with Johnny or Jonny or Jon and each time they get shafted because one guy with 3 account made every possible John sounding spelling because thats how he rolls.

I completely understand the point of unaccountable grief being possible because people can impersonate others.

Well, guess what? As far as I know that has been the case since Ultima Online launched. Scam vendors, fake traders have been part of the game since the beginning of time.

Think how ridiculous its going to get once there are 100 players. 300 unique names taken. What about 1000 players, surely we hope to get that many unique IPs per day one day. What bizzare and ridiculous names will people have to come up with to get a valid character name in the first place.

I dont know about you but I dont want to meet sfnsfn, elwijrfb and oefnfn when I am hunting for pilgrims in 2016.

Making suggestions that nerf certain playstyles is the new pink, actually.

There are obvious pluses and minuses to the ability to have unique names. And, as said a number of times in this thread, there are already ways to ensure your name is unique enough that no true confusion will ever occur - guild tags, etc.

"It can be done" is a weak argument for a change, IMO. And your few minutes of confusion about who killed you is also, IMO, a weak argument in favor of such a change.

I've played WoW, Lotro, GW2, etc. They all have unique names, they still thrive eh? Before you go off, I know.........this isn't any of those games, and I'm thankful for it! Thanks why I enjoy playing here so much. I have idea's mate, and I think they have good merit!

There's scams, fake this, fake that, in every game you play. People with the same name minus a punctuation notation or capitalization application that will always be there. The thing is, with unique names, THOSE ALL CAN STILL BE THERE. They just can't have the same exact spelling eh? What is the harm in that? I mean, comon. Cheifwoah, Cheifwhoa, Chiefwhoa, ChiefWoah, CheifWoah.....all different .......none are unique to Chiefwoah. Don't worry, there is still many ways to continue to exploit names while making names unique.

Do you not have a monopoly on your house?

Do you not have a monopoly on your account?

Do you not have a monopoly on your boat?

Do you not have a monopoly on...........?

"It can be done" is not a weak argument. I explained my situation, and I explained the rest.......it has many faucets. Just gotta think outside the box.

Imposing additional restrictions on players is not thinking outside the box, it is thinking inside the box. IMO.

I'm sorry but I need to go back to this.

How does my suggestion nerf a playstyle? I mean seriously? Are you really suggesting that there are play-styles that revolve around abusing names?

Your OP says you got killed by a fake "Blaise", right? Or perhaps the real Blaise, playing under the guise of a fake Blaise. :twisted:

Either way, it seems like it is someone's playstyle...

And? You are fine with that?

That's the real question honestly.......I mean....unique names is the subject of this thread.

If you endorse that play-style say yes, if you don't say no eh?

sorry you got confused.

this thread is an over reaction, though.