Regular Name Wipes

[ShamanMcLamie]

Name Wipes of Inactive players should be done regularly in some sort of fashion to freshen the pool. It can sometimes be discouraging when you can't get a name you really want and there is a good chance the name is sitting with a character that might not be active.

 

Basically it would work similarly to the Name Wipe done last year, but done every 3, 6, or 12 months.

Free to Play would get wiped with 1 month of inactivity and Preferred players with 3 months of inactivity and Subscribers are completely safe from name wiping.

 

They should add level 30 and above to the wipe, but they need to be inactive for 6 months for their names to be cleared.

 

Another feature that could be added is that a Subscription player can get a name before a mass wipe if the character with the name has been inactive for the appropriate amount of time and isn't a subscriber. Could help encourage subscriptions.

Edited October 7, 2014 by ShamanMcLamie

[LyraineAlei]

I'm sorry, the only time I personally had trouble with names were ones based on common ones. Like Ann, Ash, Michael, Gareth. And that's not going into the ones that are popular ones in the video game universe.

 

Usually I pull out some dead language dictionary and the pick a meaning I like, find it or a similar word. Sometimes, I go into my fictional languages dictionary for fun.

 

Haven't had too much trouble. Actually. Nope. No trouble with that method.

 

And if they did make name purges a reoccurring thing, Subs, like before won't lose names. Just F2Ps and inactive Prefs. Don't count on something like every 9 months or so.

 

Why is everyone all "Wah, can't get the name I wanna use first on a two year old MMO!" with this topic anyway?

[ShamanMcLamie]

I'm sorry, the only time I personally had trouble with names were ones based on common ones. Like Ann, Ash, Michael, Gareth. And that's not going into the ones that are popular ones in the video game universe.

 

Usually I pull out some dead language dictionary and the pick a meaning I like, find it or a similar word. Sometimes, I go into my fictional languages dictionary for fun.

 

Haven't had too much trouble. Actually. Nope. No trouble with that method.

 

And if they did make name purges a reoccurring thing, Subs, like before won't lose names. Just F2Ps and inactive Prefs. Don't count on something like every 9 months or so.

 

Why is everyone all "Wah, can't get the name I wanna use first on a two year old MMO!" with this topic anyway?

 

Did you even read what I posted before you replied? I already made it clears subs would be exempt and that the wipes could be done on a yearly bases. While it's great that you've settled this issue for yourself that isn't everyones experience and not the point of the discussion. The point is to propose ideas to improve this suggestion, give reasons for support, make substantive arguments against, or point out why it won't happen. I don't consider people are being cry babies about it to be legitimate point.

Edited October 7, 2014 by ShamanMcLamie

[Ratajack]

Did you even read what I posted before you replied? I already made it clears subs would be exempt and that the wipes could be done on a yearly bases. While it's great that you've settled this issue for yourself that isn't everyones experience and not the point of the discussion. The point is to propose ideas to improve this suggestion, give reasons for support, make substantive arguments against, or point out why it won't happen. I don't consider people are being cry babies about it to be legitimate point.

 

Why not? That seems to be the situation in a nutshell.

 

As has been noted, this game is years old. Most of the popular (uncreative) names are already taken. That means that people need to be more creative with their names, not come to the forums whining that they can't get the name they want and clamoring for BW to do another, or regular, name purges. Some of those whiners even want to be able to "lock in" a name before a name purge so that they can ensure that they get that uncreative name they want.

 

They already did a name purge with very generous criteria. Even if they were to do another name purge, I would expect them to use those same criteria. If they were to do another name purge, I would not expect them to change the criteria simply because some whiners didn't get the name they wanted.

[Gleneagle]

Devising names isn't a creative process when they simply add numbers to the end. I think that if someone unsubs their character names should be made available in the process, and this is from someone who unsubbed and came back.

[LyraineAlei]

Did you even read what I posted before you replied? I already made it clears subs would be exempt and that the wipes could be done on a yearly bases. While it's great that you've settled this issue for yourself that isn't everyones experience and not the point of the discussion. The point is to propose ideas to improve this suggestion, give reasons for support, make substantive arguments against, or point out why it won't happen. I don't consider people are being cry babies about it to be legitimate point.

 

First, I'm not being a cry baby. I'm just tired of reading threads that can be summed up as "I don't have the name I wanted, so do another name puuuuuurge!"

 

Now, you had been suggesting the name purges to be more frequent than just a year. You had said "but done every 3, 6, or 12 months."

 

I have had names I really wanted taken. I wanted Tory for a SW. Couldn't get it, so I tried a few variations and found Toryah, a name I like better.

 

And the point I was making for the discussion was that because this game is almost three years old, you have to get creative in your names. Having all the common SciFi/Fantasy/RPG names already taken forces that creativity.

[branmakmuffin]

Devising names isn't a creative process when they simply add numbers to the end. I think that if someone unsubs their character names should be made available in the process, and this is from someone who unsubbed and came back.

No, taking a subscribing player's character's name discourages re-subscribing. That's why it should only be done after a really long time away from the game (for former subscribers).

[Gleneagle]

No, taking a subscribing player's character's name discourages re-subscribing. That's why it should only be done after a really long time away from the game (for former subscribers).

That isn't true in at least my case, and I doubt it would be true for most others.

 

What was attractive enough to call me back from the big empty was the game itself, plus some rebuilt esteem for Bioware's artistry (which the structurally truncated story arc of ME3 knocked out of me). It by no means was my character names. While I take some pride in my character names, I have many of those available. I identify with my character, not the name. I identify with my character's story and personality, not his name.

[ShamanMcLamie]

First, I'm not being a cry baby. I'm just tired of reading threads that can be summed up as "I don't have the name I wanted, so do another name puuuuuurge!"

 

I wasn't calling you a cry baby I was saying that calling people cry babies, or whiners isn't constructive argument, or criticism against the idea of regular name purges itself.

 

Now, you had been suggesting the name purges to be more frequent than just a year. You had said "but done every 3, 6, or 12 months."

 

12 months is a year. I just think it should be a regularly and be expected. It might even keep the player base more active and encourage subscriptions.

 

And the point I was making for the discussion was that because this game is almost three years old, you have to get creative in your names. Having all the common SciFi/Fantasy/RPG names already taken forces that creativity.

 

While you are right people do need to be creative with their names sometimes. I came up with completely original for most of my character's names to make sure they weren't taken, but with certain names to twist them isn't easy often leading to just adding a number, or changing,removing,adding a letter. People might have roleplay reasons for wanting a name. For me how a name sounds and look can be important.

 

Apparently Bioware last year thought it fit to wipe the names of inactive characters to be open to the active player base. I don't see the harm in making the process regular. What personally bothers me isn't that someone else got a name I want, but the fact that it might just be sitting with a character that's not being played.

Edited October 8, 2014 by ShamanMcLamie

[Jrr_hypernova]

Alt letters are yor friend who cares if you have a French thingy above your e's?

[LyraineAlei]

Alright, so maybe I misread your tone in your OP, but there are other threads on this topic that really boil down to "I can get the name I want right now!!!!1!!one!" So I likely read your post in that same tone.

 

12 months is a year, but you were also suggesting more frequent purges of names. ("3, 6")

 

But you also have no way of knowing if the particular name you want is an active user or not. Subscriber, Pref, or F2P. Or maybe just playing on time you're not. So even if the name purge happens, you have no idea if the name you want will become available.

[ShamanMcLamie]

Alright, so maybe I misread your tone in your OP, but there are other threads on this topic that really boil down to "I can get the name I want right now!!!!1!!one!" So I likely read your post in that same tone.

 

12 months is a year, but you were also suggesting more frequent purges of names. ("3, 6")

 

But you also have no way of knowing if the particular name you want is an active user or not. Subscriber, Pref, or F2P. Or maybe just playing on time you're not. So even if the name purge happens, you have no idea if the name you want will become available.

 

I'm not going to lie a big reason for why I'm proposing this is there is one name not available that I really want and used to have, but I also understand that if an active character, or subscriber is using it there is nothing that I can do about it. I just don't like the idea the name is just sitting around attached to an inactive character when it could be used by a currently more active player.... like myself and the idea it could become available in a future wipe is a nice thought to have even if you may just end up disappointed. That is partly why I think wipes should be regular and expected.

 

I did suggest 3, or 6 months because a year might be too long a wait, or maybe not. Maybe names shouldn't be released to soon because a player is just on hiatus, but Bioware could use more frequent name wipes to it's advantage. Other benefits might be it gets people more active because they don't want to lose character names and could encourage subscriptions. My idea about not having to wait for a wipe to get an inactive players name was also a way to gin up subscriptions, or it could just be Cartel purchase and once again the name must be from an inactive character which you won't know until you try to change your characters name.

 

I don't see at all why it's necessary to know the status of the character who has a name you want. I don't even see how it would give any sort of advantage in getting a name. When you first try to make a character with the name you have no clue if it's going to be available, or not, that should probably be the situation after a wipe.

[Wasbeer]

Nope, a more complicated process than you're making it out to be to start with. The other thing is let's say you had to leave the game for an extended period of time which I had to do at one point, it could not be helped. Now you come back to finally play again only to find the name you had has been taken from you. You put effort into getting the character and spent some time to pick the name most likely and now simply because you could not play or needed to take a break from playing it has been taken from you. Now how would you feel at that point, happy? Most certainly you would not feel happy and it will make rejoining the game less pleasant and it just doesn't feel the same as your character. I lost a name in server merges and it wasn't very fun and it still bothers me to this day.

[ShamanMcLamie]

Nope, a more complicated process than you're making it out to be to start with. The other thing is let's say you had to leave the game for an extended period of time which I had to do at one point, it could not be helped. Now you come back to finally play again only to find the name you had has been taken from you. You put effort into getting the character and spent some time to pick the name most likely and now simply because you could not play or needed to take a break from playing it has been taken from you. Now how would you feel at that point, happy? Most certainly you would not feel happy and it will make rejoining the game less pleasant and it just doesn't feel the same as your character. I lost a name in server merges and it wasn't very fun and it still bothers me to this day.

 

If a more complicated process please elaborate why? They've done a wipe before I'm sure they can do it again.

 

I lost half my characters names do to server mergers as well. I recently started playing again this summer after not playing for a year. To my surprise I found that most of the names I originally had weren't taken anymore and available because of the last wipe. You may be right that needing to leave for a period of time and finding your names gone would suck and lends to the idea of only doing 6 month, or yearly wipes to make sure people don't immediately lose them after a necessary hiatus. But I've also thought that if I go inactive like the year I hadn't played I'd understand if someone really wanted to use a name I have just sitting. While losing names is a bummer if you aren't playing, or taking the simple initiative to keep them active then you probably only have yourself to blame for not holding onto them.

[Ratajack]

I'm not going to lie a big reason for why I'm proposing this is there is one name not available that I really want and used to have, but I also understand that if an active character, or subscriber is using it there is nothing that I can do about it. I just don't like the idea the name is just sitting around attached to an inactive character when it could be used by a currently more active player.... like myself and the idea it could become available in a future wipe is a nice thought to have even if you may just end up disappointed. That is partly why I think wipes should be regular and expected.

 

I did suggest 3, or 6 months because a year might be too long a wait, or maybe not. Maybe names shouldn't be released to soon because a player is just on hiatus, but Bioware could use more frequent name wipes to it's advantage. Other benefits might be it gets people more active because they don't want to lose character names and could encourage subscriptions. My idea about not having to wait for a wipe to get an inactive players name was also a way to gin up subscriptions, or it could just be Cartel purchase and once again the name must be from an inactive character which you won't know until you try to change your characters name.

 

I don't see at all why it's necessary to know the status of the character who has a name you want. I don't even see how it would give any sort of advantage in getting a name. When you first try to make a character with the name you have no clue if it's going to be available, or not, that should probably be the situation after a wipe.

 

DING! DING! DING!

 

This probably explains why you want the criteria for name purges (specifically, the level 30 name protection) changed, as well. It sounds like the name you want did not get freed up with the last name purge and so now you want them to do name purges every 3 months with new criteria in the hopes that you can get your precious name. What happens when they do the first name purge and you don't get your precious name because it is being held by a subscriber or an active F2P or preferred player or the character is over level 30? Will you come back here asking that new criteria be used? Since your precious name did not get freed up in the first purge and you are here now asking for new name purges and that different criteria be used, I'm betting the answer to this question is YES.

 

Second, hypothetically a subscriber is in the armed services and gets deployed overseas for a year. He drops his sub, since he will rarely be able to play while deployed. He then becomes preferred for a year, and loses his name protection. He comes home to find that his name is gone. How would you react if you came home after being deployed for a year to find your name had been purged?

 

As I said before, the criteria used in the last name purge were very generous and if another name purge were to happen, I would hope that they use the same criteria. IMO, there is no need for a new name purge at this time, or in the foreseeable future, though.

[Gleneagle]

Unanswered, according to my reading, is the question into the nature of the problem with wiping inactive account character names.

 

It is misdirection to argue that the problem with wiping inactive character names is that this or that person has been unable to find an open variant of the name they prefer.

 

The question is what problem is there with wiping inactive character names.

[ShamanMcLamie]

DING! DING! DING!

 

This probably explains why you want the criteria for name purges (specifically, the level 30 name protection) changed, as well. It sounds like the name you want did not get freed up with the last name purge and so now you want them to do name purges every 3 months with new criteria in the hopes that you can get your precious name. What happens when they do the first name purge and you don't get your precious name because it is being held by a subscriber or an active F2P or preferred player or the character is over level 30? Will you come back here asking that new criteria be used? Since your precious name did not get freed up in the first purge and you are here now asking for new name purges and that different criteria be used, I'm betting the answer to this question is YES.

 

Before you post asinine assumptions please be sure to at least finish reading the post and the ones posted afterwards. And if you, or anyone else is going to continue distracting this conversation with irrelevant assumptions about a posters reasonings I'm going to start reporting posts as unconstructive and distracting. I want to keep the conversation largely relevant to discussing pros and cons and possible improvements for this suggestion. I'd also like to see the communities attitudes towards this suggestion and proposed ideas.

 

Second, hypothetically a subscriber is in the armed services and gets deployed overseas for a year. He drops his sub, since he will rarely be able to play while deployed. He then becomes preferred for a year, and loses his name protection. He comes home to find that his name is gone. How would you react if you came home after being deployed for a year to find your name had been purged?

 

As I said before, the criteria used in the last name purge were very generous and if another name purge were to happen, I would hope that they use the same criteria. IMO, there is no need for a new name purge at this time, or in the foreseeable future, though.

 

Since that was an actual concern and criticism I'm more than happy to give a response. First off I proposed level 30 and up don't become inactive until after 6 months we could even tier it further with a 40 up at 9 months and 50 up at 12 months. As time goes on and experience multipliers become more prevalent among current subscribers the number of people who drop subscription and leave level 30+ characters is going to grow taking up names. As to the service member who leaves for a year would it be terribly difficult to have a friend, or family log in every once in a while for you? It's not like it would need to be done terribly often and emails will obviously be sent before any wipe to give warnings.

Edited October 9, 2014 by ShamanMcLamie

[Gleneagle]

It isn't unheard of an would probably be a nearly universally good move if they simply exempt guys that go on tour in the service. Verification is a phone call away from the Defense Dept.. I think everyone would applaud such a gesture of esteem and respect. Likely there might be other exceptional cases. But at some point there will be no more remotely sensible names left, and before that time new players face frustration trying to find an open one. It is a no brainer, but then what do we make of those arguing against it?

[Ratajack]

It isn't unheard of an would probably be a nearly universally good move if they simply exempt guys that go on tour in the service. Verification is a phone call away from the Defense Dept.. I think everyone would applaud such a gesture of esteem and respect. Likely there might be other exceptional cases. But at some point there will be no more remotely sensible names left, and before that time new players face frustration trying to find an open one. It is a no brainer, but then what do we make of those arguing against it?

 

The OP is not simply asking for another name purge with the same criteria as the last name purge. He is asking for frequent name purges (as frequent as every 3 months) with fewer name protections. Whether or not this request is driven by his desire to have his precious name or not is debatable. While it would seem to me that this is the major driving force, the OP claims it is not despite his admission that there is a name he wants but cannot have as it already in use.

 

I do not necessarily object to another name purge with the same criteria as the last name purge since it has been almost a year since the last name purge. I do object to changing the criteria for a name purge. IMO, the criteria for the last name purge were very fair and equitable.

 

If the name that player A wanted was either not freed up or someone else grabbed it first, that's life. It is not a reasonable justification for changing the criteria, or asking that the criteria be changed, IMO.

[ShamanMcLamie]

The OP is not simply asking for another name purge with the same criteria as the last name purge. He is asking for frequent name purges (as frequent as every 3 months) with fewer name protections. Whether or not this request is driven by his desire to have his precious name or not is debatable. While it would seem to me that this is the major driving force, the OP claims it is not despite his admission that there is a name he wants but cannot have as it already in use.

 

I do not necessarily object to another name purge with the same criteria as the last name purge since it has been almost a year since the last name purge. I do object to changing the criteria for a name purge. IMO, the criteria for the last name purge were very fair and equitable.

 

If the name that player A wanted was either not freed up or someone else grabbed it first, that's life. It is not a reasonable justification for changing the criteria, or asking that the criteria be changed, IMO.

 

I was simply proposing possible frequencies for wipes when I mentioned three months. My personal preference would be six, but even if the wipe was more frequent so long as a player stays active and levels up higher they don't have to worry too much. Also name wipes could be a good way to gin up activity from time to time. People hear names are being released to the general pool they log in to make/keep active their characters and may start playing again.

 

I've made abundantly clear why I think wipes should be expanded to level 30+ characters. Your going to see more 30+ overtime and ultimately more inactive 30+ holding up good names, but I understand players spend more time building them up and that is why I suggested they have more time before going inactive. I don't exactly see a major problem with such a change in the criteria.

[Ratajack]

I was simply proposing possible frequencies for wipes when I mentioned three months. My personal preference would be six, but even if the wipe was more frequent so long as a player stays active and levels up higher they don't have to worry too much. Also name wipes could be a good way to gin up activity from time to time. People hear names are being released to the general pool they log in to make/keep active their characters and may start playing again.

 

I've made abundantly clear why I think wipes should be expanded to level 30+ characters. Your going to see more 30+ overtime and ultimately more inactive 30+ holding up good names, but I understand players spend more time building them up and that is why I suggested they have more time before going inactive. I don't exactly see a major problem with such a change in the criteria.

 

Yes, you have. Allow me to quote you:

 

Yes, I am proposing much of what I propose hoping that it will increase the odds of the name I want becoming available.

 

As I have said before, the criteria used for the last name change were very fair and equitable. Now, you ask for frequent name purges and fewer name protections since the name you want still isn't available. This leads me to believe that if they do a new name purge and you still can't get your precious name, you will be back here asking for a new name purge with even fewer name protections.

 

 

If you are concerned with whether or not a name is inactive, try submitting a ticket. You may find that a GM will release a single inactive name without the need to jeopardize every player's names.

[Gleneagle]

The OP is not simply asking for another name purge with the same criteria as the last name purge. He is asking for frequent name purges (as frequent as every 3 months) with fewer name protections. Whether or not this request is driven by his desire to have his precious name or not is debatable. While it would seem to me that this is the major driving force, the OP claims it is not despite his admission that there is a name he wants but cannot have as it already in use.

 

I do not necessarily object to another name purge with the same criteria as the last name purge since it has been almost a year since the last name purge. I do object to changing the criteria for a name purge. IMO, the criteria for the last name purge were very fair and equitable.

 

If the name that player A wanted was either not freed up or someone else grabbed it first, that's life. It is not a reasonable justification for changing the criteria, or asking that the criteria be changed, IMO.

Whether or not the OP's motive is personal is irrelevant, so arguing about that is also irrelevant. The value of an idea has nothing to do with who thought of it, and especially not why they thought of it. Decisions like this would further not be based on his or her desires but upon utility from a practical perspective. It isn't or shouldn't be about the person proposing it, it is about whether such a measure would be good for the game overall. Are the benefits greater than the costs?

 

New players have trouble finding a name unless they start adding in gibberish. It is an unnecessary negative experience for potential players if they have to sit there submitting for an hour trying to find a decent name for their character shooting in the dark where even the random name generator is scratching its head as name after name is rejected because a hundred thousand players built twenty two different alts before abandoning the game. If they cared so little about their characters those character names should be forfeit as a consequence.

 

I say if an account is inactive a year then those character names should be made available unless the player establishes that they will be back and puts money on their reservation of those names. Otherwise they should be returned to the pool of names available to new accounts.

 

This tendency to find fault with an idea because of who proposed it rather than the meaning of the idea is worse than illogical, it is the vile spawn of political rhetoric. It is fallacious and wrong. If it is a good and beneficial idea it is so regardless of who came up with it.

Edited October 9, 2014 by Gleneagle

[Lotharofxev]

It isn't unheard of an would probably be a nearly universally good move if they simply exempt guys that go on tour in the service. Verification is a phone call away from the Defense Dept

 

The DoD has much better things to do than answer calls regarding a MMORPG. Furthermore, the status of a service member, ESPECIALLY one serving overseas, is "close hold" information. Now granted, 'Joe' is going to post photos all over Facebook about his daily comings and goings at FOB Stryker, but that's his choice (unless he starts posting sensitive information and or pics) and as of now, not prohibited.

[Gleneagle]

The DoD has much better things to do than answer calls regarding a MMORPG. Furthermore, the status of a service member, ESPECIALLY one serving overseas, is "close hold" information. Now granted, 'Joe' is going to post photos all over Facebook about his daily comings and goings at FOB Stryker, but that's his choice (unless he starts posting sensitive information and or pics) and as of now, not prohibited.

The DoD and all U.S. Government agencies have dedicated phones lines and CSRs to verify employment in Federal Service/Armed Forces. Such verification provides no closely held information, nor PII, and does not provide deployment details whatsoever. You might believe that is a needless expense but there are many good reasons for it, nevertheless if you take exception take it up with your congressional representative. Edited October 9, 2014 by Gleneagle
correction

[Lotharofxev]

I know exactly why they have such things, and yes it most certainly is PII.

 

(For the layman on this, these centers are set up to deal mainly with Red Cross messages that are then relayed to the service member (or his chain of command) which has a secondary effect of trying to assist said SM out of theatre.)

 

PII is Personally Identifiable Information.

 

These call centers * AT BEST * may confirm said SM is a member of the Armed Forces. But they are NOT going to tell some 21-year-old temp from Bioware / EA whether or not said SM is now on orders taking them overseas.

 

Sheesh.