Removing unaccessed lvl1 characters

[Enkidoh]

Really, is it hard to think of an original name instead of a name of a character from <insert favourite anime/game/TV show/movie/novel/comic here> that is the current flavour of the month just to look hip? Incidentally, it's actually against the terms of service you agreed to when you first created your account with SE to use a character name that is actually copyrighted to another company (meaning you're actually not allowed to use names of other characters from other TV shows, games, films, anime, cartoons, comics etc), although I have never heard of someone getting their account suspended because of it, it's still there in the ToS).

I also understand that there is actually a default block on using certain names, particularly certain popular FF characters like Cloud and Sephiroth, but that doesn't stop people 'creatively' thinking ways to get around that.

So really, this is a non-issue. If you're that hard up for choosing a name, there is actually a random premade name generator built into character creation that you can use to choose a clan-accurate name for your character.

Also, I have several level 1 characters who I hardly play as, but they are still my characters, one is a Legacy character from 1.0 complete with Onion Helm, Hermes Shoes and 'Mark of the Twelve' on her back, so it would be extremely unfair to players to have such characters deleted simply 'to free up character names'.

[Zorzi]

Really, is it hard to think of an original name instead of a name of a character from <insert favourite anime/game/TV show/movie/novel/comic here> that is the current flavour of the month just to look hip?
[...]
If you're that hard up for choosing a name, there is actually a random premade name generator built into character creation that you can use to choose a clan-accurate name for your character.

To be fair, even this isn't a guarantee. When I was making alts to test out looks for fantasias, I'd hit the random name generator and I came across a bunch of names already used. It could be bad luck, but I ended up having to generate around 10 names before I found one combo unused. And since a few of the races have naming conventions based on real life, someone can also inadvertently steal your original name too, if you both did your research (aka read the same Wikipedia list. )

[SaitoHikari]

This is an old wives tale. There's never been proof that this actually works, it's only just hear say by individuals with no proof provided to support their claim.

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to get alts onto both servers before and after maintenance with no luck, and until I succeed or physically witness some other person succeed. I will be incline to believe that this statement is false.

I would guess that the person you quoted is actually right, but the reason why people still have a super hard time getting in is because a few months ago, someone made the observation that bots IMMEDIATELY flooded those servers as soon as maintenance ends - despite Balmung's reputation of being relatively bot-free.

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Also on the topic of deleting old characters to free up names:

It's a good idea on paper, but it comes with its own set of problems. I came from another game that did that, and all it really resulted in was a lot of names being strung up by tons of new level 1 alts and thrown into a black market. It got so bad that I (as a volunteer moderator for that game's official forum) was instructed by the staff of that game to start deleting trade threads where people were blatantly selling character names.

A couple people did get their desired names though, but there was so much shady crap in the aftermath. ("This guy promised to delete his character so I can use that name if I gave him the gold for it, but he didn't!")

[Evangela]

Get your own unique name. You don't need to be Asuna Yuuki or Sasuke Uchiha to play this game.

[Kosmos992k]

This is an old wives tale. There's never been proof that this actually works, it's only just hear say by individuals with no proof provided to support their claim.

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to get alts onto both servers before and after maintenance with no luck, and until I succeed or physically witness some other person succeed. I will be incline to believe that this statement is false.

It's no old wives tale, I know because I've done it before - not on Balmung,but you can create a character on a locked server if you are in the right place at the right time.

[Ametrine]

This is an old wives tale. There's never been proof that this actually works, it's only just hear say by individuals with no proof provided to support their claim.

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to get alts onto both servers before and after maintenance with no luck, and until I succeed or physically witness some other person succeed. I will be incline to believe that this statement is false.

I've actually done this on both Balmung and Gilgamesh, but in the 2.0 days.

It doesn't surprise me at all that it's almost impossible now as the servers have done nothing but grow. And, as mentioned, bots flood it to get in without paying for a transfer.

[LaylaTsarra]

This is an old wives tale. There's never been proof that this actually works, it's only just hear say by individuals with no proof provided to support their claim.

I can't tell you how many times I've tried to get alts onto both servers before and after maintenance with no luck, and until I succeed or physically witness some other person succeed. I will be incline to believe that this statement is false.

I have 3 on Gilgamesh and 2 on Balmung I created after maintenance so it's certainly possible.

[basketofseals]

If they use a super conservative amount of time, then I see no harm. I think it's fair to say that if someone hasn't logged in in 3 years, then they're not really gonna wanna keep that name.

[Kosmos992k]

If they use a super conservative amount of time, then I see no harm. I think it's fair to say that if someone hasn't logged in in 3 years, then they're not really gonna wanna keep that name.

I don't think that is fair at all. I don't think that they should ever remove characters to free up certain names. However I have to say that irrespective of anything else if the account that a character is attached to is active, even if the character hasn't been touched in 3 years, then that character needs to be considered to be active.

Regarding names and the stated desire of some to remove characters to free up a name for them... I don't agree that anyone's characters - even if you consider them an obvious placeholder for a name - should be removed because someone wants to use the exact same name. Have a bit of imagination, use the forename and change the last name. You don't need the exact name and spelling to play a character that is like one from a fictional source. Even if you're just using a known character from some other source as inspiration, you don't need to have their exact name.

My Kosmos is inspired by KOS-MOS from Xenosaga, and also my character from my last MMORPG who was also based on/inspired by KOS-MOS. But, that Kosmos became known as Kos or Kossy, and took on a character of her own. When I came to Eorzea, Kosmos got a new last name, and an appearance a bit closer to the original inspiration, but she's still Kos, Kossy or Kosmos, and always will be.

[Welsper59]

To be fair, even this isn't a guarantee. When I was making alts to test out looks for fantasias, I'd hit the random name generator and I came across a bunch of names already used. It could be bad luck, but I ended up having to generate around 10 names before I found one combo unused. And since a few of the races have naming conventions based on real life, someone can also inadvertently steal your original name too, if you both did your research (aka read the same Wikipedia list. )

In my case, not many people are willing to name themselves in a way that sorta translates to "maximum perversion". It sounds neat though, at least from what I've been told lol.