If ever an XI-style server merge occurs, SHUNNNN the non-subscribers!

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

In a one-character-does-all, a name is a strong form of identity.

ALTHOUGH, I would also say that a name from an existing SE or media character should have be avoided. Since the identity already belongs to something mainstream and published. If anything, a name enforcement policy should come into play and all those that do not meet it should be given a chance to rename themselves.

No one should sully the name of Leeroy Jenkins, Ranma Saotome, or dare I say... Cloud Strife.

In terms of finding people post linkshell, it's going to be a pain. Through use of these and other forums, I imagine... it will be similar to enduring the end of the umbral era and doing a head count of the survivors.

[Ryuko]

Funny story.

I originally started FFXI on Diabolos server. My name was Ryuko.

At some point many years later, I switched servers, and was able to keep my name.

Later on, I saw a guy with the name "Ryuku" or "Ryoko" or something like that.

He commented on how he used to be on that same server, but transferred away before I joined the server, and then came back after I was already there. People were constantly thinking I was him for a looong time.

With the first name/last name system, most names SHOULD NOT be taken, although if you picked a popular one (John Doe, etc), don't be surprised when you have to choose a new one.

[Lienn]

The priority should go:

1) Active players
2) world priority (natives get to keep their name)
3) character creation date

Lets say Servers A B and C all got merged to server A.
These 3 server each had a player named "Joe Dirt" (Joe Dirt-a , Joe Dirt-b and Joe Dirt-c to keep them straight)

1)If Joe Dirt-a and Joe Dirt-b aren't currently subscribing then Joe Dirt-c gets to keep the name. (if a & b resub they have to change their name)

2)If Joe Dirt-a is still active, then Joe Dirt-b and Joe Dirt-c must change their names.

3) If Joe Dirt-a isn't subbing and Joe Dirt-b and Joe Dirt-c are, then it goes by "born on date." If Joe Dirt-b was created in December of 2010 and Jor Dirt-c was made June 2011; Joe Dirt-b gets to keep the name.

Character creation date should have more priority than native players...would be a shame a mule keeping the name over a main character just because the mule was at "right server". Priority at native players' names already brought some bad issues at FFXI when merges started...so repeating this here would be, at least, reckless of SE.

[Fiosha_Maureiba]

Unfortunately if a mule was created at the same time as the main character, they would have priority as well.

[ChiefCurrahee]

Funny story.

I originally started FFXI on Diabolos server. My name was Ryuko.

At some point many years later, I switched servers, and was able to keep my name.

Later on, I saw a guy with the name "Ryuku" or "Ryoko" or something like that.

He commented on how he used to be on that same server, but transferred away before I joined the server, and then came back after I was already there. People were constantly thinking I was him for a looong time.

With the first name/last name system, most names SHOULD NOT be taken, although if you picked a popular one (John Doe, etc), don't be surprised when you have to choose a new one.

Dude Ryuko! It's ME! HOLDEN! from FFXI! I haven't seen you back in game yet. I see Teiko all the time.

[DoctorMog]

Note to self, make mules of popular community members and high ranked players just to piss em off if "original server" comes before "character creation date" on naming priority.

Check.

/notreallythough

[ChiefCurrahee]

Character creation date should have more priority than native players...would be a shame a mule keeping the name over a main character just because the mule was at "right server". Priority at native players' names already brought some bad issues at FFXI when merges started...so repeating this here would be, at least, reckless of SE.

Unfortunately if a mule was created at the same time as the main character, they would have priority as well.

But how does SE classify what is a mule vs what is a main? Do they just look at creation date? do they look at play activity? does the character with more levels win?

You have to draw a line somewhere. No one likes to lose, but someone has to.

Note to self, make mules of popular community members and high ranked players just to piss em off if "original server" comes before "character creation date" on naming priority.

Check.

/notreallythough

Thats 3 bucks a character, maybe SE would give you a special achievement for doing so.

[DoctorMog]

But how does SE classify what is a mule vs what is a main? Do they just look at creation date? do they look at play activity? does the character with more levels win?

You have to draw a line somewhere. No one likes to lose, but someone has to.


Thats 3 bucks a character, maybe SE would give you a special achievement for doing so.

Ok, Ill just take your name.

[ChiefCurrahee]

I understand your concern. But is it fair if a player is named Doctor Mog on Melmond, and has been playing for 10 months, for you to come in and take his name because you've had yours for over a year?

Answer honestly.

What can SE do to put people at ease?
If they put creation date as top priority, they then need to merge servers under a new name. So no one can stake their claim as a"founder" or what have you. Then the active character with the longer history wins. regardless of duplicate names.

Or once they announce how merges will work, any newly created character from that point on, their name is subject to renaming if a character with the same name and a longer history is merged over. To prevent name claiming and immature actions by the children in the community.

Lets see some more constructive posts from you Doc Mog, you used to be such an upstanding member of this community what happened to you?

[Supergroovegear]

The priority should go:

1) Active players
2) world priority (natives get to keep their name)
3) character creation date

how about:

1. Active players
2. Active game time

On the first priority, I think supporters and critics of SE with active characters alike, agree that non-active players get no privilege to retain their characters' names. It also reduces the amount of data that needs to be handled. So this is a given, really.

Now on my second priority, I think this gets around competing arguments over whether host should get priority or earlier account creation. I think both arguments have equal merit, and there is the problem, stalemate again.

My active game time argument is that if a player's character wasn't played much then it can't have been too important to the player.

I'd also wager than active game time is quite a unique variable.