Kourage Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 In case you haven't been browsing the boards lately, it seems that most of those "placeholders" have already been taken in favor of characters that have actually been played. Recent playtime was a big factor in the rename issue during transfers. That only helps those who had the name during the last transfer batch. If they lost it previously or never were able to select it they are out of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaonis Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Won't matter if they did anything or not, those who lost names still lost names and can't ever get them back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adreal Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 It is possible but when they can, with a reasonable forewarning, tell something like "All the characters that do not reach level 10 in 2 months are going to be cancelled". You have a right to level up your character, other people have a right to not see a name reserved indefiniely by a zombie character... Otherwise with F2P will start to see impossible names because of lack of possibilities. I mean if you pay them to play shouldnt you have the right to have the desired names? Even if you cant get to those characters immediately. A lot of people rp with written stories with all the ppl they made at the beginning of the game and named. I'm startin on my 4 and 5th character, but i still have 7 more to go and it could take a while longer to get to them and each time a patch comes out its easier and easier to lvl 'em. That makes ppl hold off on characters as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianDavion Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 That only helps those who had the name during the last transfer batch. If they lost it previously or never were able to select it they are out of luck. yeah BW really screwed over the active players who transfered when enchouraged to do so with this consolidation, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darth-Rammstein Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 That only helps those who had the name during the last transfer batch. If they lost it previously or never were able to select it they are out of luck. yep, during the voluntary transfers a few months back I lost the name of both my 50s. I looked up the names in game and they were in fact taken by a level 1 place holder. I can't help but wonder if I held out and stayed on my old server until mergers if I'd have gotten to keep those names. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defledermaus Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I created myself a complete family through the legacy system, complete with children as younglings in the force...I did it that way in order to have all the names I wanted. Currently, I have one level 50 that I'm working on getting geared, raising my valor, amassing credits, and crafting gear for characters later. The remaining characters are all level 1, and will sit until I'm ready to begin their teachings, which may be 6 months down the road until I start the first one (I'm a casual player, haters gonna hate). It's all very RP (my own personal RP as I'm primarily a solo), so I play the game at my leisure using the systems they gave us - legacy. Sorry, you can't have my names ...my 7 level 1's will sit until I'm ready to advance each of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceMcVeer Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 This is simple game maintenance. Something will need to be done as the current policy is not maintainable with the massive F2P enviroment that they are pushing for. Anyone can log in, create 20 names and there they will just sit while PAYING customers are forced to have names like Zinglewanamaker. There are only about half a million 5 letter names with at least 2 vowels (and y) available. There are only about a million and a half six letter names with at least two vowels. Over 2 million people have purchased the game. Now think about how many times that will be at least trying out F2P. Stop using faulty arguments saying that this will punish people who are taking a short break or are away on military duty. That's not what this is about. Accounts that have always been F2P and haven't logged in for 3+ months should have their character name dropped if someone with a current or past subscription wants it. Paying customers > long gone freeloaders. It will help attract new customers as well as they won't get frustrated during one of their first experiences with the game in trying to find a decent name and having every option on the name generator say its in use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surakis Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 This is simple game maintenance. Something will need to be done as the current policy is not maintainable with the massive F2P enviroment that they are pushing for. Anyone can log in, create 20 names and there they will just sit while PAYING customers are forced to have names like Zinglewanamaker. There are only about half a million 5 letter names with at least 2 vowels (and y) available. There are only about a million and a half six letter names with at least two vowels. Over 2 million people have purchased the game. Now think about how many times that will be at least trying out F2P. Stop using faulty arguments saying that this will punish people who are taking a short break or are away on military duty. That's not what this is about. Accounts that have always been F2P and haven't logged in for 3+ months should have their character name dropped if someone with a current or past subscription wants it. Paying customers > long gone freeloaders. It will help attract new customers as well as they won't get frustrated during one of their first experiences with the game in trying to find a decent name and having every option on the name generator say its in use. Oh how, oh how to other MMOs with unique first name system ever do it? You'd almost think by some of these posts that SWTOR was doing something unique by using the first name system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosnacky Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 They did prioritize character activity with this server merger, as it was stated by a dev post. Any level 1 "squatters" most likely lost their name. I know I lost the one name I was sitting on. Also, while everyone in my guild who had been logging on all their characters kept their names, the people that hasn't logged in months lost theirs, unless it was a very unique name. I kept all mine and I have quiet a few...sucks to be you I guess Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AceMcVeer Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Oh how, oh how to other MMOs with unique first name system ever do it? You'd almost think by some of these posts that SWTOR was doing something unique by using the first name system. Everquest 2 routinely deletes (Yes, DELETES) characters that are under a certain level, have not been played in x amount of time, have less than y play time, and less than z currency on them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarletBlaze Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Now that the servers have been consolidated once again, will the Bioware Development team do something about all of the "Names are unavailable" characters that have never been played // have no sign of being played? Place holding is one thing, taking up the name and never using it is another. We'll just call this a "spring cleaning", if you will. Any information would be well appreciated. sidenote: If we're aware of a character name that is taken but never played, can we petition to have it? It could be they are leveling other characters and plan on leveling that one just as well. Some people take their time in leveling and they created a character they wanted with a name for that particular toon and plan on leveling it as soon as they get the one they are working on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surakis Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Everquest 2 routinely deletes (Yes, DELETES) characters that are under a certain level, have not been played in x amount of time, have less than y play time, and less than z currency on them. How often is "routine"? And what kind of specifics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SithEmpress Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) I don't think people should loses there character's name just because they haven't gotten around to leveling them. Maybe I could get behind accounts that haven’t been activate for months but no way should a person loses their name if they are actual paying for the game. It was bad enough name were lost in the server mergers, now think how bad people would reacted if there characters names were changed or delete simple because they didn’t level them fast enough. I think they should simple tie the name to the account name, thus opening all the names, or add actual last names. Either of these two would solve the problem. Edited September 24, 2012 by SithEmpress Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshlaBoga Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 It is possible but when they can, with a reasonable forewarning, tell something like "All the characters that do not reach level 10 in 2 months are going to be cancelled". You have a right to level up your character, other people have a right to not see a name reserved indefiniely by a zombie character... Otherwise with F2P will start to see impossible names because of lack of possibilities. The only issue with that is that you can reach level 10 in 4 hours without any legacy bonuses, with legacy bonuses you can hit level 10 in under 3 hours. So that's not enough to prevent people from using placeholders. I'd make it "complete Act I" instead of "reach level 10." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savro Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 The only issue with that is that you can reach level 10 in 4 hours without any legacy bonuses, with legacy bonuses you can hit level 10 in under 3 hours. So that's not enough to prevent people from using placeholders. I'd make it "complete Act I" instead of "reach level 10." It's true that is not enough but it requires a "minimum" effort anyway, a rule forcing to complete act 1 would be too tight IMHO simply because one person can level upo very slow for his reaon that i can' know, or because that toon is simply a toon used as a cargo toon (not to level up but simply to have additional cargo bays) or a crafting toon, or a GTN toon (to have additional 50 sell slots) or whatever. Noone can be forced to complete chapter 1. one person can also simply use swtor to earn credits, without liking to reach level 50, and stay on the fleet all the time, and he can do it as soon as he completes the first planet. The level 10 suggestion was simply because the first 10 levels are just like a game tutorial, not the real game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanhedgehog Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 It is possible but when they can, with a reasonable forewarning, tell something like "All the characters that do not reach level 10 in 2 months are going to be cancelled". You have a right to level up your character, other people have a right to not see a name reserved indefiniely by a zombie character... Otherwise with F2P will start to see impossible names because of lack of possibilities. or they are using it for storage? those with a large sense of entitlement may disagree, but first come first served. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savro Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 or they are using it for storage? those with a large sense of entitlement may disagree, but first come first served. To have access to the cargo vault, or to be able to use GTN, you have to reach the fleet, so around lvl 10, just i proposed. That's the reason i don't agree with AshlaBoga when he ask to set as requirement: "complete act 1", as i you can see in my last answer, just above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanhedgehog Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 The thread is not about giving to one the name he wants but about cleaning up the character database from zombies... It should not be a thing to request, but a simple routine operation on the server db. you keep telling yourself that. He cannot tell the difference between a level 1 toon on an inactive account or a level 1 on my account. I currently raid multiple days a week and am very active. I have a few that are waiting for my wife to be ready to level her toon that is linked to mine. (she has a tank and raids more than me). Also, some rpers have made characters to fill their legacy and have back stories for each of them. some may stay under level 10 for story reasons. If you steal their names you mess up their rp world. You will not run out of names with the current lmit of slots. unless you insist on making yet another skeyewalker or some such name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savro Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 you keep telling yourself that. He cannot tell the difference between a level 1 toon on an inactive account or a level 1 on my account. I currently raid multiple days a week and am very active. I have a few that are waiting for my wife to be ready to level her toon that is linked to mine. (she has a tank and raids more than me). I didn't talk about differences "between a level 1 toon on an inactive account or a level 1 on my account" if a toon is inactive it is inactive, no matter if it is in an used account or not... Bw can also differentiate between subscribed and f2p accounts, and also give the possibility in the cartel shop to buy the "life support" for placeholders. If the player care about them can put some effort on them in any way, putting effort on them prove enough imho that they are zombies. Also, some rpers have made characters to fill their legacy and have back stories for each of them. some may stay under level 10 for story reasons. If you steal their names you mess up their rp world. You will not run out of names with the current lmit of slots. unless you insist on making yet another skeyewalker or some such name. I don't understand the "story reaon" part, seriously. Can you give me examples of motivation to maintain a toon below lvl 10 indefinitely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarthEpitaph Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 No. I've already lost enough of my character names, thank you. Several of them twice now. I'm sorry you didn't get the name you wanted, but: A. Neither did I, in many cases B. I should not be punished further just so you can have a specific name Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarletBlaze Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) I didn't talk about differences "between a level 1 toon on an inactive account or a level 1 on my account" if a toon is inactive it is inactive, no matter if it is in an used account or not... Bw can also differentiate between subscribed and f2p accounts, and also give the possibility in the cartel shop to buy the "life support" for placeholders. If the player care about them can put some effort on them in any way, putting effort on them prove enough imho that they are zombies. I don't understand the "story reaon" part, seriously. Can you give me examples of motivation to maintain a toon below lvl 10 indefinitely? One example: The toon under level 10 could be a child that they want to remain a child for quite a while. While you may not understand it I can. Roleplayers are very precise in what they choose their characters to be and they are very precise if they are going to use a character for a child/infant. I would say more of an infant/toddler for under the level of 10. But I have known it to be done on a number of occassions. As yes they could roleplay a leve 50 as a child/infant it is much simpler to keep it under the level of 10 because there are some players that will look at levels and say well it's level 50 and you shouldn't be roleplaying as a child. This way it causes less aggravation to the person roleplaying as a child. Edited September 25, 2012 by ScarletBlaze Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosiett Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 The problem in taking away "inactive" names is clear in this thread. Initially, OP says it's for level 1, never-played chars. Then someone else says "maybe level 10". Another says "6 months unplayed" or "a year unplayed". Another says "how about finish chapter 1". Once you agree to take names from inactive characters, people start wanting to redefine inactive, and they want it defined as playing any amount less than what they've played their own characters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savro Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 One example: The toon under level 10 could be a child that they want to remain a child for quite a while. While you may not understand it I can. [...] As yes they could roleplay a leve 50 as a child/infant it is much simpler to keep it under the level of 10 because there are some players that will look at levels and say well it's level 50 and you shouldn't be roleplaying as a child. This way it causes less aggravation to the person roleplaying as a child. THis is really the first time i hear something like that, i trust you about it. Bw can for them a different set of rules the applies only to "RP" servers, that is a particular server type that can require particular rules, they already have particular requirements. I simply think that a solution can be found to reduce the numebr of lvl 1 zombies without any damaging people that need these characters for any reasonable motive. Wiuth a 6 months forewarning all the single situation can be taken into consideration. I agree that it can't be done today, that would be a useless mess, but scheduling it for march 2013 (or whenever) (and since then one time each month) i hope it can work well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savro Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) The problem in taking away "inactive" names is clear in this thread. Initially, OP says it's for level 1, never-played chars. Then someone else says "maybe level 10". Another says "6 months unplayed" or "a year unplayed". Another says "how about finish chapter 1". Once you agree to take names from inactive characters, people start wanting to redefine inactive, and they want it defined as playing any amount less than what they've played their own characters. That's "THE" problem. choosing the limit is always hard, and in this case it is particularly hard. That's the discussion reason. One thing can be difficult, it doesn't mean that it has no solution! And one thing is good IMHO, that this thread regards a difficult matter, and contains many posts, but (except really few exceptions) each one is trying to explain his suggestion/problem/doubt without attacking other persons, and that's good IMHO. Edited September 25, 2012 by Savro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samiel Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Speaking to the frustrated many who have lost their names in the transfers and server merges, if you've already lost the name, what good is it to have it now? Will everybody be willing to re-roll a mirror character just to get the name back? I think the other thing that bothers me is that for many people who "reserved" names, did so by watching the SWTOR site like a hawk pre-release, made sure they pre-ordered the minute it came up (I know I did!), and made sure they were pre-loaded and ready to login in the minute the servers went live (which again I did) for early access. The primary reason I bothered with all of that (and bearing in mind I live in England so I was up half the night after the pre-order was leaked the day before, just in case I needed to get my pre-order in although as it turned it out it was more our morning the darn thing came up!!) was to secure the names of my characters. This I dutifully did, and I do not think it's fair to now set new goalposts after the fact. I get that people are frustrated, and I have at this stage only have my smuggler sat at level 1 waiting to go, and I don't want to be forced to play through the first 10 levels before I'm ready to level the character as I want to embark upon that character's journey over a few months when I next feel like playing the character. The only solution I see as viable at this point is to allow everyone who has the names they have now to keep them, and institute something like they have in Guild Wars 2, where you have 18 characters, and you can put a space in essentially giving yourself a middle name or a surname (if your willing to switch how the legacy displays to under your name, or even using your planned legacy name). This opens up the possibility of the maximum number of people having names, or combinations of names that they want. Anything else just shifts the upset disenfranchised people around. You instigate removing all level 1s and you'll just see a different set of people starting threads, trying to get their names back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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