What's in A Name?
Vegaskane from the VN Boards put it correctly, "to some RPer's, realism=fun". What he meant was that there are those that take their role playing very seriously, but to what degree? Let's attack this further though, shall we? I've been doing a lot of reading here lately on various forums and have found that in the past couple of months, the naming policy for toons has grown way out of hand!
This situation will never die due to the fact that there is a consistent war of appealing and appeasing those with names that are thread bare of acceptability! The last time I attacked this issue I went off on a tangent and wasn't looking at the seriousness of the situation. But doing my homework, I was able to find that many policies and ideas can be questioned to no end. Some things that people do to get recognition, fame, or even just trying to be clever are in some way, disregarding the rules. There are limits that are breached beyond the line for some that try to abide by them. However, what is that limit? What are the boundaries that are broken in cases like these where toon names are concerned? Well, to answer that, it varies from player to player and what their stance on rule enforcement is. Many may just let certain names slide; some will do whatever they can to get rid of that name. The 'Naming Nazis', though I don't really like that term, are those that feel that just about any name that doesn't suit THEIR criteria of naming should be banned from all account. And these standards could be based on whether or not these players role play or not. But again, Vegaskane made it very clear and relevant of the fact that even though the game is based in the medieval times, it is still fantasy and a GAME!
If you want to get technical, just about any name that you come up with will practically break the rules in some form or fashion. That's right, because there are certain names that are in game that never existed in that time period or in real life. However, what gives certain names the grounds to be accepted by the standards of not only players, but Mythic as well? Well, consider the fact that the game isn't historical. It is complete fiction and fantasy. Trolls, Elves, Luris, Kobolds, Slyvans, Inconnus, Dwarves, Firbolgs and Valkyn and even magic never existed in the time frame or real life that the game takes place in. So, on these grounds, we then go attack names because they aren't 'politically correct' in the gamers eyes. But what's correct in names? What's the standard for making a name? Oh, please I sure would like to know! Yeah, I have an Inconnu and every other afore mentioned race up there on several realms/servers, but I don't have a name that is suited for them. Everything is contradictory and it will remain so because it is a GAME.
The level of immersion to some is set on the period that the GAME is set in. Some are into the RvR and adventuring. Some are into the idea of the way a toon looks and their name is. And some are just there to give the rest of us a hard time. The other level of immersion is the willingness to go on an RP server and follow the rules and actually role play. However, this isn't done a lot now due to the fact that many rules are offset by the fact that CSR doesn't do much to get into the grit and actually do what's necessary. Even the naming policy is flawed because common sense is thrown out the window the moment someone appeals a name. How did the name break the rules? How is the name spelled? Has there been anyone else to appeal this name? On what grounds was the name appealed if it met the standards by CSR? I'd have to ask the last question the most since as I said before, you do have the 'Naming Nazis' out there that just don't like your name. Why? Just because. But then you get back into the immersion bit, where some want to be surrounded by names that fit the time period and want to be surrounded by people that go to that similar level. Again, it comes back to everything including the principles of naming contradicting itself. It's a vicious circle and many don't want to deal with it more than they have to. Having to appeal a name just because they felt it broke a rule is a chore. Most role players now have been scared back into their hole because of the lax attention names have been receiving in the RP servers.
Now, this problem doesn't just exist in the RP servers alone, but in the non RP servers as well. However, the boundaries are pushed beyond the limit and then some. Where names that have no thought, completion or understanding, they just make up something and try to be clever and get away with it. People continually appeal these abominations because to put it simply, these people that come up with these crazy, out-of-bounds names are juvenile! If you want to be 'UberSniper TheLeet', or 'Pajama Mama', or 'NewbieLewter', go do it on another GAME!
I've appealed plenty of names in my time on the RP server that I play in, however, only because the names either came from a cartoon, comic, or there was just no thought what so ever put into it. I have my limits as well, but at least I won't appeal every Tom, John, or Joan. Why ruin the fun for someone if they are at least trying to abide by the rules. There are real live humans on the other end of that virtual toon. Try to consider them for once instead of your own personal greedy wants in a MMO for once. Talk with them and find out why they chose that name. You never know, they might actually have a valid reason for it. And if you still feel that they break the rules, then appeal it but only once. To do it continually, you ruin their play and you chase more and more off from this effect.
People, just try a little harder when it comes to names. At least use the name generator if you can't think of anything. But if you try to be clever or just want to break the rules, then I feel that you deserve a /appeal. As for CSR, I don't believe that it's justified for players to 'dictate' what's best for others when it comes to names and what they want. Many feel that players abuse the /appeal command only to grieve the game to death. And I have to agree with that. It really should be CSR's responsibility to maintain some form of order for these names and situations should they arise. I understand that they can't be in all places all at once, but they do have the ability to keep a log or screen these names that are made the moment the toon logs on to the servers. At least make the effort to break these 'd00d' habits in trying to be sneaky and making themselves out to be the one that got away and was able to tell the tale about it.
Here are some methods that I think that might help with the naming game...
1. If you can't think of one, use the name generator. It's there for a reason.
2. Take your name, and add some extra letters in there somewhere. You would be surprised what you come up with.
3. Take a generated name and modify it to your liking. However, within limits.
4. Try to steer clear of comics, cartoons, all too common names if you can.
5. Do a google search for name generators and see what you can find.
The possibilities are endless. And these steps will help keep you from getting appealed more than likely. Well, not 100% due to the 'Name Nazis'. But stick to your guns and do what you know is best. Common sense does play an advantage on your side when you know for a fact that you haven't broken any rules.
But didn't someone ask, "What's in a name?" a long time ago.
I don't know, you tell me.
