Official word on names, naming, last names and 2nd and 3rd characters?

Sorry if there has been a definitive answer on this somewhere. I couldn't find one other than that founders will have their last name reserved as of the previous wipe. With the final wipe looming, knowing how naming will work long term is important (especially the impact on second and third character slots, since those won't be available until much later in the year)

If one of the Devs (@Berek @DarkStarr @Chris ) could weigh in on this, I would greatly appreciate it.

• Will last names be mandatory?
• Will last names be shared among characters on the same account?
• Will last names be exclusive to a single account?
• (Assuming last names will not be mandatory) If a primary character does not have a last name, can second and third characters have a last name?

Thank you for your consideration of these issues.

 

These are the naming rules as of today. We reserve the right to change them in the future.

• Names must be unique. They can be unique singular first names or a unique combination of a first and a last name.
• Last names are not mandatory
• If your first character has a last name all additional characters will share that last name
• Last names will not be exclusive
• If you first character does not have a last name additional characters can have last names but those names must be identical to each other (i.e. character 2's last name must be the same as character 3's last name).
  • NOTE: We are considering that when you add additional characters and if your first character does not have a last name we might require you to choose one at that time.

 

I hope this will not happen.

 

Thank you for the fast response on this!

Hmmn.. I wonder how that would work.

Say my name is "Selene" (because it is) and then when I add additional characters, I have to choose a last name.. but the last name I want is no longer available because some crafty person chose "Selene Noctua" or "Selene Isabunny" or whatever else. I am either forced to change my primary character's name to something I DON'T want.. or not have a second or third character? A lot can happen between final wipe and the implementation of 2nd and 3rd characters... Kind of forces single named characters to the back of the naming bus even if they have been in the game since day one.

Would be good to know what the decision will be on this BEFORE deciding on names in a few weeks.

 

I hate the mandatory last name rule and forcing my main char to use one if I decide to play two. Fortunently I have two accounts and can avoid this stupidity.

 

@DarkStarr When you say "we might" require last names on any account with multiple characters, it sounds like there is some back-and-forth internally regarding this.
Would you please tell us what the pertinent facts are that are causing this uncertainty, so that we might weigh in ?
I'm assuming ( and I hate assuming ) that it must have something to do with reputation, but then again I thought that reputation was account-bound (not character-bound).....

 

This is exactly what I was hoping to see.

Please help us identify alts. It's important on so many levels. People abuse alts to death, I hate them, and this would help lighten the impact of some of the worst alt behavior.

 

It forces people to get a second account.

 

More money for the game, no downside.

 

True ive no issue with that aspect, but its unfair to those who wanna play it legit.

If I want my main crafter called hammerda smithy and my caster firey mage souding name its gonna be stupid with smithy as its last name.

 

No it's not really unfair. It's in fact an additional feature that requires more money to obtain. It's just as fair as buying the game verses not buying the game.

Please, this is no something I want to discuss forever.

I've already discussed this forever on other forums.

 

U got me while i was editing an explanation

 

I'm scratching my head on that one, Baron.
Why do you need a way to associate an alt with another character on that account ?

If reputation is based on account, then how exactly does this abuse you are concerned with come about ?

 

I dislike the "I'm your friend" oh wait I'm using an alt "I'm your enemy" nonsense that happens in every MMO. Yes I know it will still happen with secondary accounts, but this type of thing is really annoying to me. Having the same last name will prevent a great deal of this, as most people that are immature enough to do that with their alts will be unlikely to have money to waste on secondary accounts for the sole purpose of being idiots with them.

It's a social thing. It's my belief that the worst behaviors online are performed when people think they can get away with it without being held accountable. By linking last names, we minimize the number of people doing this.

 

Anonymity often breeds questionable behavior.

 

And then I can do all the bad stuff using my second account and not risk my primary one. Forcing people to have the same last name for all their characters solves nothing.

 

It's the reality we live in. There's no stopping the purchase of multiple accounts.

 

Completely agree with @Baron Drocis Fondorlatos and @Rufus D`Asperdi.

There are a lot of trolls who may not risk trolling if their entire "family" reputation was at stake. They'd be known for their behavior, good or bad.

I suppose they could still loop around it with first name chars only and troll all they want.

 

Right, so forcing everyone to have that same last name for all the characters on their account is nothing but punitive.

 

A role playing opportunity.