I agree with you brymstone.. I've been avidly playing since PS2 launch in 2003, have paid for my character every month since then, and I have a lot of love for this game. Now I'm losing my character's name to someone who hasn't logged in for many years. It seems silly, but the name really means a lot to me and it pains me to change it.

I think it would be MUCH more fair for paid active customers to be able to keep their name. If those who no longer pay want to reactivate their character in the future, then they should be the ones who have to choose a new name. I can't help but feel unappreciated after being a devoted customer for 8 years and then being put through such inconvenience. I've talked to plenty of people who feel the same way, and because of the way the name changes are being handled, sadly FFXI will be losing a lot of customers.