Names taken by unused characters.

[Reiterpallasch]

Simply put, there is a name that I want but it is already taken. Understandable, but the problem is that the name in question is on a character that has never been logged in, ever. It simply does not exist on the lodestone, but the name is valid because it is in use on other servers. It was reserved, and will likely stay that way forever, unless...

Does SE ever free up names that have gone unused for a set period of time? If an account is banned (their characters do NOT get deleted), do those names eventually get freed up so somebody else can have them? If somebody quits, do both their used and unused characters (such as those reserving names) get to sit their tying up names forever? What about somebody that does play, but is holding a name on a character that has never been logged in?

While I can understand somebody not wanting to lose the name of their main character, should they quit and eventually come back, but there should come a point when it has just been far too long, and that it's time for somebody else to get some use out of it.

"That other game" has a policy where they will open names by request, on a case by case basis to determine whether a name should be made available or not. Which is great really, because several years down the line a LOT of names will be taken if they are allowed to sit there forever, which is going to up with some ra'ther'stran'ge na'm'es running around.

[Ulathskullsplitter]

Ya SE carried over possibly 100's of thousands of open beta characters to retail. Those names are gone and lost forever.

[Alhanelem]

Simply put, there is a name that I want but it is already taken. Understandable, but the problem is that the name in question is on a character that has never been logged in, ever. It simply does not exist on the lodestone, but the name is valid because it is in use on other servers. It was reserved, and will likely stay that way forever, unless...

it's actually more likely that this name is blocked, not taken.

I could not use the name "Alhanalem" because the name contains the sequence of characters 'anal' within it. The message for the name being taken is no different as far as I'm aware.

[Noshpan]

it's actually more likely that this name is blocked, not taken.

I could not use the name "Alhanalem" because the name contains the sequence of characters 'anal' within it. The message for the name being taken is no different as far as I'm aware.

The name looks better with the "e" imo.

On topic: I honestly don't know if SE has a similar policy as some other games where the name you want to use could be freed up if the character with said name hasn't been logged on after a certain amount of time. I find that to be a perfectly reasonable policy.

[Reiterpallasch]

it's actually more likely that this name is blocked, not taken.

It's actually the same name my character has right now, so I don't think it would be blocked on some servers but not others.

[Saigwa]

I tried making a character wiith a name on Leviathan, but I was not able to. I checked the lodestone, and the name does not exist on the server, though the same name can be found on other servers. As I REALLY like that name, and almost always roll that name in other mmo's im quite sad that I can't use the name when others on different servers have? =-= Something doesnt seem logical to me...

[SolviteSekai]

Thousands of Variations of Cid Highwind, lost forever.

[DivineOracle]

Thousands of Variations of Cid Highwind, lost forever.

I think in the past week i have seen about 10 different highwinds in DF alone. i don't know what it is about this name but it's starting to get pretty weird. it's like there is a secret Highwind clan..

[Sho86]

I think in the past week i have seen about 10 different highwinds in DF alone. i don't know what it is about this name but it's starting to get pretty weird. it's like there is a secret Highwind clan..

Well from characters alone there are three different "Highwind" - technically two if you follow the remake after-story of FF2.

Ricard Highwind
Kain Highwind
Cid Highwind

So trying to 'stem' from an original character they may use the last name or just flat out steal the entire thing. And yes I've seen variations of every one of these names, mostly Kain. x.x....

Edit: Hell a fourth apparently from FFV, Alexander Highwind Tycoon. Only played that one once so I didn't remember heh.

[Arriverderci]

Someone said you can't use
their names to begin with because it against the ToS whatever, I hope I ain't get banned that'll be some bullmess
because I used Noel's name.