Character Name Change Options

[Dias]

Is the only known way to change a character name still the server transfer, wait period, $50 in fees nonsense?

Can I just delete a character, make a new character with the same name, and then reactivate the old character and force a name change?

I realize there have been topics about name changes in the past (I would gladly pay up to $15 for this service) but I just wanted a more concise answer instead of wading through dozens of pages of forum information, if possible.

Thank you in advance.

[Trisscar]

Last I heard on this, the answer was no. But Square really aught to think of the players here. Imagine all those people with names like Darkclouddragonxslayer and how embarrassed they must be feeling to think that these names were actually 'cool sounding'.

So unless they decide to over haul the naming system to something similar to FFxiv's (which I think is likely) I wouldn't think it likely.

[Dias]

Last I heard on this, the answer was no.

Has Square Enix given an official statement on why they will not implement a character name change service? Every other major MMORPG (even ancient ones like EverQuest and Ultima Online) offer a paid or free service to change your character's name. I have come to realize that Square Enix is unconcerned about utilizing a competitive and modern business model, but I would at least like to know why something so simple cannot be done.

[Trisscar]

Has Square Enix given an official statement on why they will not implement a character name change service? Every other major MMORPG (even ancient ones like EverQuest and Ultima Online) offer a paid or free service to change your character's name. I have come to realize that Square Enix is unconcerned about utilizing a competitive and modern business model, but I would at least like to know why something so simple cannot be done.

Yeah, no was official word.

The reason being because of the way the current naming system works and the fact you can't have the same name as another character already in the same server. Even if that character isn't currently active.

But I wouldn't sweet it too much, personally. They're likely to implement the naming system from FFxiv.

[Dias]

Is there a way to request the attention of a community representative so that I can get an official reason for why I can't change my character name without a thoroughly absurd and expensive process?

[0nionKn1ght]

In FFXI you are directly connected to one character usually, and not a myriad of alts and stuff. Your character has a reputation to uphold, and the community revolves around each others deeds and misdemeanours. A name change wipes your slate clean every time, thus detracting from any drive to be well behaved in game, and encouraging poor behaviour instead.

It is unique in that you can do everything on one character in FFXI, whereas in most other games, you need to reroll to play different classes etc.

I don't think this is the overrulling reason, but im sure it's a consideration, and personally I like that you can only trick the system into name changing if you leave the server too. However you can return to the same realm once doing so, but the cost is astronomical.

[Reiterpallasch]

A name change wipes your slate clean every time, thus detracting from any drive to be well behaved in game, and encouraging poor behaviour instead.

This couldn't be farther from the truth though. People have gone so far as to jump servers and get a name change along the way, and if their 'crimes' were bad enough, the community always found out about it. The only thing a paid name service would do for those types of people is waste their money, because as I've said before:

You can change your name, you can change your appearance, but you can't change douchebag.

[Dias]

If they are worried about reputation then there should be an option to see someone's previous name. Though in general I don't think it's a strong enough reason to deny a feature that is in all of their competitor's products and has been widely requested for nearly a decade.

[Dias]

If I use a free trial account to make a character with my primary character's name on a different server, and then transfer my primary character to that server, will I be able to change his name? I am worried the fact that it's just a free trial character will somehow impact this tactic.

[Reiterpallasch]

If I use a free trial account to make a character with my primary character's name on a different server, and then transfer my primary character to that server, will I be able to change his name? I am worried the fact that it's just a free trial character will somehow impact this tactic.

Yes, though you don't even need another account to do it. You can simply make a mule on another server with the same name, jump your main to it, and you'll be prompted with the message saying that the name is already taken and that you must pick a new one. It's how people have done it for years, especially around the times of server merges.

So really, people already change their names. It just requires a server jump and a 3 month wait to get back to your original server.