Missing Genders: A request for Male Miqote, Female Highlander, and Female Roegadyn

This is a good point. If they can force you to change names since you picked a vulgar one or something, they should be able to "force" you to rename yourself if you swap genders.

They should just restrict it to people changing genders, then it should be fine. That's the only valid reason to change a non-vulgar name anyway.

Well, I think a name change might be important for some race changes too, especially for RP'ers and people that followed Eorzean naming conventions. For example, Elezen names sound kinda French to me, while Roegadyn names are heavy on the consonants and Lala names have repeating syllables (just observations, don't quote me on that lol).

Not to mention that a name like Mimi Moe or Purri Fluffkins might not work all that well for a female Roegadyn or Highlander . . . ;)

A lot of people use names that are more "generic" and will fit most any character of that gender, but there are plenty that do not.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fleur

[...]

Not to mention that a name like Mimi Moe or Purri Fluffkins might not work all that well for a female Roegadyn or Highlander . . . ;)

A lot of people use names that are more "generic" and will fit most any character of that gender, but there are plenty that do not.

---

Don't know why, but I really LOL'd at the name "Purri Fluffkins"

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arkhan

Mr. Meow is male, at least.

Have they confirmed 100% that it's not coming? If so, did they even give a reason why?

EDIT:

Oh, I missed that last post.

I don't see how a database would limit being able to change name fields. Updating databases isn't exactly a modern, ground breaking technology. Even Ultima Online lets you do it, and it's older than half the players on FFXIV...

I don't see the reputation thing as a problem.

An idiot is an idiot. Let them keep paying 20$ a pop to change their name when they make a total ass of themselves.. More $$ for FFXIV development!

---

Just to give some programming level insight.
If the game's databases are built as badly as I fully believe they are, it could be that instead of each character having a unique ID, they utilize the character's name as it's ID, so changing the character name in one place would require a manual change of all the references everywhere. Which, when doing such a gigantic batch job as this WILL invariably generate a pile of errors and lead to things like missing achievements, loosing quest progression, GC rank, gil, inventory... Whatever sorts of things that the '[X] is no longer linked to [character]' error can issue.

Of course, here's hoping they manage to find a way around that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soukyuu

They should just restrict it to people changing genders, then it should be fine. That's the only valid reason to change a non-vulgar name anyway.

---

That wouldn't be fair to others at all. :x
What about my name change? I don't want to have to change genders to fix my character's name.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skies

Just to give some programming level insight.
If the game's databases are built as badly as I fully believe they are, it could be that instead of each character having a unique ID, they utilize the character's name as it's ID, so changing the character name in one place would require a manual change of all the references everywhere. Which, when doing such a gigantic batch job as this WILL invariably generate a pile of errors and lead to things like missing achievements, loosing quest progression, GC rank, gil, inventory... Whatever sorts of things that the '[X] is no longer linked to [character]' error can issue.

Of course, here's hoping they manage to find a way around that.

---

My database knowledge is a bit rusty, but even if the character name is indeed the primary key, wouldn't a properly linked database propagate the change?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nabiri

That wouldn't be fair to others at all. :x
What about my name change? I don't want to change genders to fix my character's name.

---

What about your name change? What's the reason you want to change? If it's just you not liking your current one, then why did you choose it in the first place? I'm not trying to be mean here, but allowing unrestricted name changes will just lead to confusion and in some cases people "resetting" their reputation.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soukyuu

They should just restrict it to people changing genders, then it should be fine. That's the only valid reason to change a non-vulgar name anyway.

---

Why? Who decides what's a valid reason, you?

People can change names in real life as well as in many other games. What is your rationale for making name changes invalid in FF14?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soukyuu

What about your name change? What's the reason you want to change? If it's just you not liking your current one, then why did you choose it in the first place? I'm not trying to be mean here, but allowing unrestricted name changes will just lead to confusion and in some cases people "resetting" their reputation.

---

That's irrelevant. I shouldn't be judged on why I want it. If others are allowed, I should be allowed as well. I pay just as much or more than most people who play this game (I have multiple characters.) My name change will cause no more confusion than others'. (Not to mention, I would still have the same last name anyways.) And no one knows me on that character. O.o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soukyuu

My database knowledge is a bit rusty, but even if the character name is indeed the primary key, wouldn't a properly linked database propagate the change?

---

The key here (get it?) would be 'properly linked'. Or for what it's worth, given how ungodly arcane the entire system XIV uses, it could use some really bizarre proprietary construct instead of a database proper.

Truth to be told, i'm just partial to believing that they do, in fact, have programming-level issues with just about every goddamn thing, but I am mostly just making guesses at this point (my knowledge is really just of 'holiday programmer' so I can't claim to fully understand that sort of stuff as well XD)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mirage

Why? Who decides what's a valid reason, you?

---

Square Enix does.
A question to you: who decides if I am allowed to express my opinion, you?

Quote:

---

People can change names in real life as well as in many other games. What is your rationale for making name changes invalid in FF14?

---

While people can change their name IRL, their previous name still exists in the database and can be seen by the authorities in case something comes up, so people can't just run away by changing their names. This is different in this case.

edit: "different" being that the authorities (SE) is less interested in that information than the player community, and the player community won't have access to that info.

I'm basically pushing for Lunarian race. I can care less about new gender-benders(men play female characters anyway and girls get a kick from playing male characters) W...G...A.F !

Lunarians, GO! >=D

It would be a un-lockable race after a future expansion with CoP-like quest!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rukkirii

Hey guys!

The dev. team is working hard to try and create a system that will give you the option to change your name during the character re-customization process. They are performing tests to meet these expectations but keep in mind that we can't promise that it will be possible, but they are trying their best for you guys.

---

http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...l=1#post744218

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by PSxpert2011

I'm basically pushing for Lunarian race. I can care less about new gender-benders(men play female characters anyway and girls get a kick from playing male characters) W...G...A.F !

Lunarians, GO! >=D

It would be a un-lockable race after a future expansion with CoP-like quest!

---

My only thing with this is that Lunarians don't look much different from humans (in this case Hyurs), so them being impltemented is unlikely.

I do remember something about a beast (was it dragon-ish?) like race being in the works. I personally think a Viera option would be awesome *_*

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soukyuu

Square Enix does.
A question to you: who decides if I am allowed to express my opinion, you?

While people can change their name IRL, their previous name still exists in the database and can be seen by the authorities in case something comes up, so people can't just run away by changing their names. This is different in this case.

edit: "different" being that the authorities (SE) is less interested in that information than the player community, and the player community won't have access to that info.

---

Yeah, Square Enix decides what is or isn't a valid reason. Yet, you claim that there is no valid reason. This is where you contradict yourself. Either you have talked directly to a SE representative about this, or you're saying there is no valid reason when you in fact have no way of knowing this.

SE could easily make this info available for a certain period of time after someone performed a name change.

I've never denied you the opportunity to express your opinion. I asked for a rationale for why your opinion is one that should be shared by others, such as for example Square Enix. If you can't, that's fine too, you can keep your opinion regardless.

I've said before, and I'll say again. I wouldn't be against having something in game that would show your old name for a month or two, along with the new name, so people wouldn't have to worry about people running from a bad rep (not that I think it's much of an issue in the first place for a one time name change).
It would be an annoyance I'd put up with for the peace of mind of others.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soukyuu

What about your name change? What's the reason you want to change? If it's just you not liking your current one, then why did you choose it in the first place? I'm not trying to be mean here, but allowing unrestricted name changes will just lead to confusion and in some cases people "resetting" their reputation.

---

My reason for possibly wanting to change my name is because I actually have a back story to my name of sort. Me and my cousin signed up together and decided we would be brothers in-game. So we both have the same surname. But if I change to (and i am planning to) a malequote and he (he is not planning to) does not, the whole brothers thing doesn't make much sense between our characters.

And there are many of us that also tried to follow some kind of guidelines to the races and clans naming system. We want our name to make sense, despite us LOSING OUR IDENTITY for a short time from those that already know us well. Resetting a rep isn't always a good thing y'know.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Skies

Just to give some programming level insight.
If the game's databases are built as badly as I fully believe they are, it could be that instead of each character having a unique ID, they utilize the character's name as it's ID, so changing the character name in one place would require a manual change of all the references everywhere. Which, when doing such a gigantic batch job as this WILL invariably generate a pile of errors and lead to things like missing achievements, loosing quest progression, GC rank, gil, inventory... Whatever sorts of things that the '[X] is no longer linked to [character]' error can issue.

Of course, here's hoping they manage to find a way around that.

---

Well, I certainly hope they aren't doing something that is that incorrect, especially since I'd venture to guess that first and last name are stored separately. Maybe not. Maybe the unique ID is a concatenation of both names.

Anyway, using any of the above combinations for a unique defining ID would be a terrible idea. I doubt they are, since they do force name changes for vulgar names.

A 32 bit integer alone would allow for more unique IDs than we'd probably ever have as players on the game.. (Over 2 billion IDs). Use a 64 bit one, and we get even more! Do the IDs on a per-server basis, and that's even more uniqueness.

So, my guess is that they can do it, but are making damn sure there aren't any unforeseen issues that will pop up from the mass gender change that is most certainly going to occur when like, 50,000 people all simultaneously turn into boycats and change their names from Fluffy McFurry to Sir Purrsalot or something.


Also, it'd be awfully embarrassing if they have database problems that games like UO don't have. You can have 7 characters with the same name on UO! Heck, two of my characters are the same exact name.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Nabiri

That's irrelevant. I shouldn't be judged on why I want it. If others are allowed, I should be allowed as well. I pay just as much or more than most people who play this game (I have multiple characters.) My name change will cause no more confusion than others'. (Not to mention, I would still have the same last name anyways.) And no one knows me on that character. O.o

---

Nabi, I'm with you on this. I want my char's last name changed for personal reasons and I've no plans to change race/gender (yet, at least).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arkhan

Well, I certainly hope they aren't doing something that is that incorrect, especially since I'd venture to guess that first and last name are stored separately. Maybe not. Maybe the unique ID is a concatenation of both names.

Anyway, using any of the above combinations for a unique defining ID would be a terrible idea. I doubt they are, since they do force name changes for vulgar names.

A 32 bit integer alone would allow for more unique IDs than we'd probably ever have as players on the game.. (Over 2 billion IDs). Use a 64 bit one, and we get even more! Do the IDs on a per-server basis, and that's even more uniqueness.

So, my guess is that they can do it, but are making damn sure there aren't any unforeseen issues that will pop up from the mass gender change that is most certainly going to occur when like, 50,000 people all simultaneously turn into boycats and change their names from Fluffy McFurry to Sir Purrsalot or something.


Also, it'd be awfully embarrassing if they have database problems that games like UO don't have. You can have 7 characters with the same name on UO! Heck, two of my characters are the same exact name.

---

Yeah, agreed. And if it is so damn screwed up as a database, they should take the database down for a month if that's what they require to fix it. Better to fix the crap when 2.0 is getting released than to wait until the database is overbloated like Facebook, because by then nothing will work.

Yeah, I just have the feeling that they are going to have to manually perform a lot of those required changes, and all of this work Rukkiri mentioned is more about putting failsafes to ensure no bizzarre occurrances occur than the system to change names itself.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mirage

Yeah, Square Enix decides what is or isn't a valid reason. Yet, you claim that there is no valid reason. This is where you contradict yourself. Either you have talked directly to a SE representative about this, or you're saying there is no valid reason when you in fact have no way of knowing this.

---

It should be obvious that my post merely expresses my opinion, so no, I'm not claiming anything nor have I any sources from within SE.

Quote:

---

SE could easily make this info available for a certain period of time after someone performed a name change.

---

I doubt it, your name being part of your personal information. If anything, they would have to ask you if you are ok with it. Which brings us to people changing names to reset their reputation - they would obviously deny this and there would be nothing SE can do about it except denying the name change and risking to lose a paying customer.

Quote:

---

I've never denied you the opportunity to express your opinion. I asked for a rationale for why your opinion is one that should be shared by others, such as for example Square Enix. If you can't, that's fine too, you can keep your opinion regardless.

---

I stated my reasons in my first post on this topic, but it seems you overflew my post after seeing I didn't think unrestricted name changes should be allowed. Again, for me the only valid reasons are having a vulgar name or changing genders. Allowing name changes for other reasons would just make it easy for people to reset their reputation, and even though there are luckily few people with really bad reputation on ffxiv (I personally know of 2), I don't think opening such an "escape" option is right.

The whole discussion is moot now though, since SE stated they are indeed looking into providing name changes. Since they didn't say anything about restrictions, we can assume either everyone gets a chance, or no one if they can't figure out how to make it without blowing up their database.

And I agree that your issue with dodging bad reputations is a valid concern, which is why I think past names should be possible to check in one way or another, at least for a certain period of time. If you can check if a player used to be someone you hated, I don't really see any reason why he or she shouldn't be allowed to change his name to whatever he wanted.

People change. What they might have thought was a really awesome name when they were 16 might sound really retarded 2-3 years later. While you might think character names should stay with the character forever because of for example role playing reasons, or because it is your identity in the game, other people might not have that sort of an attachment to their character at all. For some people, their ingame character is just a heap of polygons and textures that serves no purpose other than to let you interact with the world. With the amount of time that many players put into a game such as a MMO, I think it is unreasonable to tell people to make a new character just because they want to change their name from "Sausage Bag" to "Arnwolf Skurfe".

In an offline game, a playthrough generally takes less than 80 hours. Restarting and giving the character a different name there is trivial. In an MMO, restarting and getting to the same level and gear you had before could take months even if you played several hours every single day.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mirage

And I agree that your issue with dodging bad reputations is a valid concern, which is why I think past names should be possible to check in one way or another, at least for a certain period of time. If you can check if a player used to be someone you hated, I don't really see any reason why he or she shouldn't be allowed to change his name to whatever he wanted.

---

And I'd be fine with that too, I just don't see it happening.

Quote:

---

People change. What they might have thought was a really awesome name when they were 16 might sound really retarded 2-3 years later. While you might think character names should stay with the character forever because of for example role playing reasons, or because it is your identity in the game, other people might not have that sort of an attachment to their character at all. For some people, their ingame character is just a heap of polygons and textures that serves no purpose other than to let you interact with the world.

---

If they have no attachment to their characters, why does the name matter then, though? Because they are suddenly aware that the name and the character represents them ingame whether they care about it or not. Which brings us to your next point:

Quote:

---

With the amount of time that many players put into a game such as a MMO, I think it is unreasonable to tell people to make a new character just because they want to change their name from "Sausage Bag" to "Arnwolf Skurfe".

In an offline game, a playthrough generally takes less than 80 hours. Restarting and giving the character a different name there is trivial. In an MMO, restarting and getting to the same level and gear you had before could take months even if you played several hours every single day.

---

A valid point. That wouldn't have been an issue for most people if they actually really thought harder when naming their char. Many just roll their face over the keyboard to be able to finally start playing instead of thinking of a proper name. In which case it's their own responsibility, and they are not in any way entitled to a name change imo.

Then there are cases like MrKupo's when the name suddenly doesn't make any sense. I could argue having same last names doesn't mean you're related. But I won't... ;)

People are forgetting though, that an idiot is an idiot.

If they're still an idiot with a new name, it won't take long for everyone to know again.. lol

Concern over players changing their name to avoid a bad reputation is not valid. In every MMO ever that allows name changes, players who try to hide behind a different name are always found out. A name-change doesn't change bad behavior, and people notice when a new character with the same gear/class/level as the bad-rep player suddenly appears on the server.

There is no valid reason to not allow players to change their name if they want to. SE should not spend resources trying to police something players already police just fine by themselves.

I actually agree with this. I'm just trying to be diplomatic, and find a solution both sides can feel all right with.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Radnar

Concern over players changing their name to avoid a bad reputation is not valid..

---

It is a valid point though. The XIV community has proven if there's something that can be abused in the game it will be abused. So using it to avoid bad rep every few weeks is indeed a perfectly valid point. Whether you feel so or not is your opinion, however in terms of abuse, it's valid.

Much like only allowing people who are gender swapping to change names is perfectly valid too, you personally just may not agree with it.

Quote:

---

There is no valid reason to not allow players to change their name if they want to. SE should not be spending resources

---

SE is a company, they're the ones running the show they can deem what they can/should/don't/won't/shouldn't need to spend resources on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elexia

The XIV community has proven if there's something that can be abused in the game it will be abused.

---

That is not something that has been proved by the FFXIV community. That's human nature.

Quote:

---

So using it to avoid bad rep every few weeks is indeed a perfectly valid point. Whether you feel so or not is your opinion, however in terms of abuse, it's valid.

---

What are you actually saying here? Are you saying that the concern is valid, or that you think people will use name-changes every few weeks/months to try and avoid the concequences of their actions? Of course people are going to try, but name changing has never worked in any other MMO to escape a bad rep, and it won't work in this one either.

Quote:

---

Much like only allowing people who are gender swapping to change names is perfectly valid too, you personally just may not agree with it.

---

Again, what are you actually trying to say here?

Quote:

---

SE is a company, they're the ones running the show they can deem what they can/should/don't/won't/shouldn't need to spend resources on.

---

Yes, SE is a company and, yes, they also run FFXIV. I don't see how that has anything to do with my position.

Well, name changes, if possible after the one we're likely to get at the start of v2, are most likely not going to be free. I would also be surprised if there wasn't a solid cooldown on the feature, something like one name change per character per 3-6 months.

Who cares if people want to change name...if people are going to do something bad they will do it regardless. They can always buy the game again and just make a new character if things get that bad. Its not like leveling is hard lol

I cant even understand (nor do I want too) where some of you people are coming from. The topic for the last few pages totally disgusts me, and the fact that people are even considering baring people from a name change because they think they will use it to get rid of a bad rep is just silly. Who gives a shit.

2.0 is right around the corner. Its f*cking make or break time. I want to know how SE is going to entice new players, and what their plans are to ensure player retention. Because so far, Im not nearly as impressed as I'd like to be. We have bigger issues to worry about, everything else is bullshit.

On topic-ish:

Goblins = Win
Viera = Fail

I was under the impression that they will allow a name change when they allow us to change looks and races. They way it was worded made it seem like it was a one time thing... not a new service.

All I'm saying is, If SE wants 2.0 to go well, all us girly named cats better get to get new names.

otherwise there are going to be a buncha fruity male cats running around with names like Kitty Princess and Fifi McFluffyTail


Imagine how dumb the screenshots would look if those are the kinds of names running around on MALE CHARACTERS.

Last post on this topic from me...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Radnar

Concern over players changing their name to avoid a bad reputation is not valid. In every MMO ever that allows name changes, players who try to hide behind a different name are always found out.

---

At the cost of someone getting ripped off again.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Soukyuu

At the cost of someone getting ripped off again.

---

No, it usually happens because people notice when a new characters shows up on the server wearing the same gear and with the same job levels as a prior offender.

Yay for posb name change!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Coombah

Yay for posb name change!

---

And here's hoping it comes into development!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Arkhan

All I'm saying is, If SE wants 2.0 to go well, all us girly named cats better get to get new names.

otherwise there are going to be a buncha fruity male cats running around with names like Kitty Princess and Fifi McFluffyTail


Imagine how dumb the screenshots would look if those are the kinds of names running around on MALE CHARACTERS.

---

The /names command is your friend until they do allow name changes. :o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MrKupo

I was under the impression that they will allow a name change when they allow us to change looks and races. They way it was worded made it seem like it was a one time thing... not a new service.

---

That's all it is so far - a one time deal - there's no information that anyone can possibly go on that it'll be a continued service any time soon (I am of course saying that because things can change in the long run, not that I think or don't think SE will make it a service).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Awahtochchina

My only thing with this is that Lunarians don't look much different from humans (in this case Hyurs), so them being impltemented is unlikely.

I do remember something about a beast (was it dragon-ish?) like race being in the works. I personally think a Viera option would be awesome *_*

---

The thing is, Lunarians are more potent in size, mind and spirit. Regardless if they were the same in appearance in FFiv, this is xiv and Lunarians can look different in appearance. I would leave it open to an expansion so if anyone really wants to change their names or race, when an adventurer get the expansion and completes half-way through the missions, they could be accepted to the Lunarian community and change what ever they want.

Due the the Lunarian superior race and technology, an adventurer could/would be able to enhance a curtain degree of physical stats, attributes and appearance. Breaking the custom on the armoury system, adventurers can adopt a sub or new weapon of choice for their class or job. Lunarians have such superior skills and art that new crafts would be made available with more materials and items, equipment and gear to learn to make. Lunarian race would make such a huge and expansive difference to xiv that it would be plain wrong to ignore this concept.