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WOW "Pwnz iDi0t" names!
iceseraph
Member Posts: 202
Seems more than just players have had enough of immaturity ruining the immersion aspect of mmos. Blizzard has updated their naming policy and "pwnd" the idiots - lol.
Heres the summary of unacceptable names:
- Racial/Ethnic
- Extreme Sexuality/Violence
- National
- Sexual Orientation
- Obscene/Vulgar
- Inappropriate language
- Harassing or Defamatory
- Major Religions or Religious Figureheads
- Blizzard Employees
- Illegal Drugs or Activities
- Advertising
- Trademarks
- Partial or Complete Sentences
- Pure Gibberish
- Real World References
- Contain "Leet" or "Dudespeak" - ROFL!!
full link here - http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/policy/naming.shtml
This game will be worth the money just on the naming policy alone! LOL I think other MMO's would do well to follow Blizzards example!
Comments
Enforcing this policy will be the fun part for them though. Good luck Blizzard.
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Killer 86%, Achiever 46%, Socializer 33%, Explorer 33%
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Killer 86%, Socializer 53%, Explorer 33%, Achiever 26%
Something for the gm's to do when they are bored or spot these individuals.
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Played: Asheron's Call 1, Dark Age of Camelot, Earth & Beyond, Star Wars Galaxies
Tested: Asheron's Call 1, Asheron's Call 2, Dark Age of Camelot, Eve Online, Lineage 2, Risk Your Life, Saga of Ryzom, World of Warcraft
Uninstalled ASAP: MU Online, Knight Online, Rubies of Eventide, Priston Tales, Star Sonata, DarkSpace
Naming policies are really nothing new, DAoC has had one for a while now. Unfortunately, they don't enforce it very well. I believe it's something along the lines of them having to receive 3 complaints from separate accounts on the name of a character before they even look into it. This is probably why no one even realizes that they have one, cus they suck so hard at enforcing it.
So kids, what did we learn today?
1.- Implementation of naming policies is nothing new.
2.- Implementation of a rule, and the enforcement thereof are two VERY different things.
3.- WoW hasn't pwnt anything yet, but let's hope they will.
P.S. Your quote rocks, Anne.
Otto!
I'm looking for some friends that I lost contact with over the years...
EQ: Horlain (Firiona Vie)
DAOC: Kaizur (Guinevere)
Anarchy Online had been doing this for years. Altho they dont really do much with it unless someone reports you nick as offencive. Once that happened you nick as changed to a messed up number ID. After that you have to contact Fun Com and request a namechange to something else.
I don't like the policy. I think it is too restrictive and certainly doesn't follow the "fun" theme of WoW. Roleplayers (although I am one) are a minority, but a VOCAL minority of most mmoRPGs (<----- yes I capitalized the RPG part so I don't have to hear the immediate response of what the letters stand for, I know RPG is part of it so ZIP...Zip it, Zip it good...Want a suck of my Zipple?
).
One guy had his name changed and was told that Sorghada (or something like that) was unacceptable. The next day he petitioned, got a different GM and the name was approved...
It certainly needs to be a policy that is prone to less "subjectivity". Imagine you have a tauren character named "Borden" and you get to level 50. Nobody has ever bothered about your name and then a guy petitions because you killed him and says "he cant have that name because it is a milk company" and you lose it. I would be piffed to say the least.
There are tons of NPCs with names like
Nernest Nemmingway (for any who don't pay attention in your English class - For Whom the Bell Tolls, Old Man and the Sea, Farewell to Arms - basically a successful alcoholic novelist Ernest Hemmingway)
Oliva, Newton and John - the three Stormwind bankers
Bro'kin
Tran'Rek
Chasing Aimee_01
Yes, these are all NPCs in a funny, cartoonistic world where a Disney World type feel is wanted rather than an "ultra-realistic godly hardware requirement machine to handle the super graphics game" like EQ2.
Should there be a naming poicy? Yes.
However, it should simply not allow any type of racial/ethnic/sexually explicit, current pop star proper names, any letter but the first capitalized and no symbols or numbers.
Buttsexxor...NO
BritneySpeers...NO
Supernig...NO
Yellowchink...NO
Jewboy...NO
xxXBADASSXxx...NO
T3h0n3...NO
GeorgeDubya...NO
The following though are just Fun names that don't really hurt anybody (and are actual banned names from the WoW forums)...
Ciscokid
Eloel
Wannacookie
Barbie
MrFunHooves - changed to FunHooves
CaptainsMage
MechFLAIR
DaHunta
Drzztmoourden
~~
The only solid argument I read from those supporting the naming policy is IMMERSION. They see Barbie and suddenly they are reminded that they have to work at 8am est and their life sucks again. LOL, but that Mage turning the flying crocodile into a Sheep didn't kind of spoil your realism?
The game is for fun, not for immersion so complete that you experience an out of body internet orgasm everytime you log in. It is fun to roleplay and experience a bit of escapism at times, but not to the extent that it becomes unhealthy and your entire experience is blown when you walk by BuiltHordeTough the big Tauren warrior.
Ease up a little on the naming policy. I have played a Tombs or Tombz in EQ, DAOC, AC2 and the Warcraft ladders. It is a handle that goes with me and I have had for 5 or 6 years. I don't want to not be able to use it and I can imagine there are others who have been thru a number of different games and have become attached to their handle. So let them keep it.
You know who Furor is? Well, although the meaning is based on the definition of "hectic activity or an outburst of indignation" there is a bit of racial ambiguity to it. A jewish person could say "hey that offends me" and be seen only in that context with the naming policy the way it is written.
I say lighten up on it. I will play WoW either way but don't be so weak willed that a Ciscokid destroys your immersion. Beef up your roleplay and imaginative skills instead so he and you can have fun.
Thanks.
City of Heroes changes offensive names to GenericHeroNN.
So far the ones I've asked who had their name changed were all sexual in nature.
It would be nice if the naming policy in many mmorpgs could be enforced. It just isn't, at least not on the scale where it really shows.
Personally it doesn't bother me too much. I am a long time experienced roleplayer who has learned to tune out players who ruin the fun, even if it is just their name. Players who are not roleplayers can still use a name that fits with the game setting, what is the reason for a player to name their character "Barbie"? It's not really that funny.
Although I have seen a handful of very funny names where I actually laughed out loud (I refuse to use the acronyms, hehe), but I think if a player is serious about playing the game, they should use a serious name. I don't mean that there should be no comedic names, a player whose character is a gnome or halfling that is known for his sense of humor should have a funny name. But the name should still fit in with the games setting and background. Hobbits names are pretty whacky, but they fit in Tolkeins world because of their personalities.
It really makes no difference to me now that I learned to identify and ignore certain types of players, but for other players, I'm afraid the fun of the game may be influenced by stupid, silly names.
In Star Wars Galaxies, a game I waited for years to play and finally played for a year, has players with names that are so inappropriate. All of the history and feel of the Star Wars movies has been captured pretty well in the game, but players still try to ruin it with not only their names but their actions in the game (the two are usually the same).
If I decide to try Middle Earth Online, after years of worshipping the books and recently watching the great movies, I am already disappointed because I know I will see a Legolas, Aragorn, and Gandalf name rip-off or something silly like Dildo Faggins. Whatever, it may be funny on forums, but not in the game where players have to see that a lot.
I guess naming freedom is important for certain players to express themselves with their "unusual" names, but I still think there needs to be some restrictions.
posted by Tymora:
what is the reason for a player to name their character "Barbie"? It's not really that funny.
Nobody said it was funny. I will give you a couple of examples of an appropriate usage of it.
City of Heroes - Female Spines Scrapper - Barbie is a pretty damn cool and fitting name
DAOC, EQ, etc - Female Midguard "anything" or Barbarian "anything" - Barbie is a pretty good female name for a barbarian/berserker type character
The point is a policy where things are arbitrarily outlawed because many don't have the imagination or creativity to "get the point" is stupid. Tymora you and I agree on the Gandaalf4 and the ones I listed above. A naming policy is important and necessary, my point is that the current WoW one goes too far in clipping the "fun factor".
edit 1:
Posted by Tymora:
but I think if a player is serious about playing the game
/giggle
/bonk
edit 2:
Posted by Tymora:
But the name should still fit in with the games setting and background.
Female Human In game Emote:
/v flirt -------------> "I can't find anywhere to get my nails done!"
/v silly --------------> "Me and my girlfriends share our clothes because we're all the same size!"
LOL, and we can't have Barbie ????????!!!!!!!!!
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.aspx?fn=wow-general&t=336855#Post336855
Ok, so all orcs will have to use names like Bob and Fred now?
When put into context of City of Heroes or another type of game where Barbie may fit, then I agree it is appropriate. I should have mentioned the games I was thinking of when the example names like Barbie was listed. I suppose different people will get different opinions about which names are fitting and which are not. This is partly why it is so hard to enforce name policy.
Tombs . . . don't make fun. I am very serious about playing games! Hehe.
but I think if a player is serious about playing the game
What I meant to say was that people who play should put into the game what they expect out of it.
At this point, I've seen just about all there is to see from players. Nothing really surprises me anymore. If people want to use a name they like, then that's fine with me. I am just trying to put this into perspective from the games whole player base.
It would be interesting to see peoples opinions about which names are acceptable and which are not.
Tymora I always laugh with you
. I am the worst at being way too serious about a mmorpg (probably why I am divorced twice DOH!). I added another edit by the way.
Yes, I understand the title Arch-Warlord FunHooves is slightly better than Arch-Warlord MrFunHooves. Titles mean no Da, The, Mr, Lord, Captain, Cap etc etc. It is hard though in some cases where it is borderline and you have Dagin...now is that Day-gen or is is Duh Jen. Perhaps he would need a last name to clarify and make it bannable : Dagin Onice
.
I liked the orc name Stabface and I hear that got changed also.
My position: yes, name filter is good and helps protect the integrity of the game but should not be as overly restrictive on creativity and fun as the current policy is.
You guys are missing the point with that one. "Barbie" is copyright protected. . . aaand EQ had a naming policy long bewfore DaoC or AO. I'm pretty sure it's automated to some degree, I would create mules and not talk to anyone and they'd be on me in minutes.
"I can tell you with no ego, this is my finest sword. If, on your journey, you should encounter God. . .
. . . God will be cut."
- Quentin Tarantino, Kill Bill
EQII
Requiiem, Templar
Neriak
OK, I need to get some work done here so I am going to HANDLE this
BARBIE
thing once and for all. Here is a ruling on a case and how the copyright and trademark laws operate as far as the use of a name. It is interesting reading but i will summarize it below for those without the time or inclination.
Barbie Legal Battle
edit: sorry was the wrong link
---
Summary: A photographer (well, I would call him a borderline sicko) created something he called Food Chain Barbie as an artistic display. It had items with names such as Malted Barbie (nude barbie doll in a blender), Barbie Enchiladas (barbie doll wrapped in a tortilla), and Barbie a la Fondue (barbie doll head in a fondue pot floating).
The court ruling:
But last week, artists everywhere had reason to celebrate when the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Mattel, saying that Forsythe's photographs were parodies of the iconic plastic doll and contained messages about gender roles and consumerism. As such, the photographs were legitimate free speech and did not infringe on Mattel's copyright or trademark rights.
The rights of toymakers and others to profit from their original work must of course be protected. But at the same time, courts must, as the 9th Circuit did here, balance legitimate property rights against constitutional rights of free expression.
In essence using a copyrighted/trademarked name in a computer game is certainly not a violation or infringement as the person is exercising their constitutional right to free speech and ARE NOT PROFITING OR CAUSING CONFUSION WITH THE ACTUAL PRODUCT.
In the same article Mattel sued a Danish band called Aqua that released a song about a blonde, bimbo girl called "Barbie Girl" in 1977 and were again told "Sorry, no dice".
Here is the legal criteria:
The Copyright Act
The law identifies a four-factor analysis to aid in determining what constitutes fair use: the purpose and character of the use; the nature of the underlying work; the amount taken; and the potential market effect. Thus, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the rap group 2 Live Crew's parody of Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman" because the audience was different, the new song transformed the old with new meaning, and the market effect was determined to be nil.
You know some kids pay $100k to get into law school and spend four years to learn what you got here at MMORPG.COM for free. So donate!
Now how am I going to tell the 10yr olds apart from the other players?
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"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
-- Ken Olson, chairman of Digital Equipment Corp, 1977
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"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
-- Ken Olson, chairman of Digital Equipment Corp, 1977
Heh.. how exactly would I ask someone to spell "rhinoceros" in chat?
Heheh.. well anyway, I think overall it's a good naming policy.
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"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
-- Ken Olson, chairman of Digital Equipment Corp, 1977
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"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
-- Ken Olson, chairman of Digital Equipment Corp, 1977
Moved to Wow Forums.
- Malkavian
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or better yet they are haveing a camp fire and talking about how strong the deamons are getting gw bush the troll shaman rideing a raptor goes past singing i should be so lucky in love !
the nameing policy is great i say that blizzard have done it well
1,2 buckle my shoe 3,4 knock on the door 5,6 pick up sticks
7,8 GO AND SKATE !
without life we'd be dead.
Well considering how Blizzard has ran their beta thus far, I would say they tend to go from nothing to extreme than finding a pleasant middle ground within what they do. What I mean by this is look at talents as an example, they usually come out pretty over powered than reworked and toned down a bit. I believe this is most likely the same thing with the naming policy. Its at the very extreme end of the spectrum at the moment and will probably be toned back a bit by release, they have been extremely hard core about implementing this and sticking to it in beta also, so if they stick to this policy for release I wouldnt expect them to back off like other games have in the past. I can tell you with the older genre of gamers blizzard has not got the greatest rep with them, purely for the fact of what has been allowed on bnet. Im considering the older genre your 20-40 year old players btw
there a huge majority now I believe.
Now, they defiantly need to keep the "leet" stuff out of game, its a no brainer when it comes to immersion, I think back to a time in beta when I ran by a corpse that was called "pwnedurfaceoff", admittingly I had to chuckle as I ran by and thought to myself serves him right solely for the poor judgment in his/her choice of a name. This really does kill immersion, and I think the younger crowd most likely won't understand this yet, some will, some won't.
Any racial/harrassment etc type names are obvious, the game will most likely be rated 13+, they shouldnt be allowed in game under any circumstance.
If anyone read the post on the lady named Barbara in real life who wanted to use Barbie as a name will know what I am talking about here. This to me is a fine line and walking on peoples toes here. Names like Barbie without a tm behind the name should be allowed, same with Boo'Boo or Yoggi. Alot of these names are purely nicknames for alot of people in real life and life to bring that into their games as well.
Next you get into names such as Hilter etc, obviously shouldn't be allowed, brings too much personal issues/opinions etc into game that are uneeded. Anything people can look at and become emationally attached or irrated to shouldnt be allowed, these really are pretty obvious even though some out there will try and twist this around just to try and prove nothing but their ignorance.
Btw, if you are seriously having trouble being imagative about coming up with a name here is a link to help you out, great tool, and kind of fun to play around with.
http://www.rinkworks.com/namegen/
Sarin~