So I am finally getting down to writing about some of the MMORPG changes I mentioned earlier. I'd like to start this semi-excruciating subject with character names.
Considering the situation, a fantasy adventure "Role" playing game, its understandable to see a certain degree of abnormal names, especially surnames. For example, a wood elf druid might be seen going by the name Thalos Windwalker. Examining the first name, we can see a typical elvish name. Nothing wrong with that. Following it, Windwalker. Ok, it is definatley a fantasy name, but none the less, it is by no means ridiculous. The problem arises when a person gives their character a "humorous" name. How is one able to seriously roleplay when there is a gnome magician in the group named Fuzzybutt Fizzlesalot? It is understandable for a gnome to have a somewhat comedical name like Coget or Squabble, but Fuzzybut Fizzlesalot sours the role playing experience. While playing Star Wars Galaxies, I actually encountered another player named Snakefart. Am I the only person who sees a problem with this? Maybe so, considering the large amount of horrific names in MMORPGs these days.
Currently, a name restriction system is in place in MMORPGs to prevent players from creating characters with copyright names such as Drizzt or Luke Skywalker. Also, people are unable to place "profanity" of any sort in their name. The system is not foolproof, for you will see many players with such names as Drizztt or Sheeyitface, but it does prevent many characters from being named. I propose that a more extensive name restriction system be issued. It would be composed of a team of people who recieve names from the server as people try to create a new character. This team will then examine the name and determine whether it will continue its journey to becoming a character, or die. A computer program could be written to handle most of this, but people will eventually find a way around it, so actual people are needed.
If by some chance you are reading this post and play a MMORPG under the alias Snakefart, I am not sorry for calling you a dumbass.
By eliminating the "humorous" names in role playing, it allows for a better role playing experience all together. Honestly, how do you role play someone named Snakefart?
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2 comments:
I feel your pain all too well, as I've been dealing with the trend of horrible character names pretty much since I started gaming fourteen or fifteen years ago. Knowing people who named their Ultima VII characters "Slasher" is embarrassing; while it's a single-player game, it nevertheless spoils the mood when an NPC says something like "How art thou, Slasher?". How the hell are you supposed to be a paragon of virtue with a name like that?
MMORPGs have to be the worst, though, since bucketfuls of chumps sign on with the sole aim of amassing power, and such people have no sense of roleplaying. If I still played such games, or more importantly ran them, I'd categorically deny anyone with a) shitty names, b) no interest in the game world, except as a way to compensate for their pitiful real-time lives, and c) failed to roleplay sufficiently.
"Dear User,
It has come to our attention that you spend 90% of your time in-game talking about your out-of-character life. This behavior is acceptable via private channels, but wasting public time by discussing how much Mountain Dew you drank last night, or complaining about your fat fucking wife, is not acceptable. Your account will be suspended until you get your shit together and treat the world of (insert game name here) with a suitable level of respect.
Sincerely,
The Developers
P.S. Player-killing and loitering around respawn points is childish, and nobody likes munchkin fucks like you. Please, learn the real meaning of role-playing, create a legitimate character, and interact with your fellow players as if they were exactly what they're supposed to be- fictional creations in a fantasy world, not your overweight, under-socialized friends in the next subdivision."
Truer words may have never been spoken. The corpse speaks.
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