Character Names: Putting MY money where YOUR mouth is

Only have a suggestion for #1 - Cryobellum.

Wow. Just... just wow. This is a much more enthusiastic response than I was expecting (and on a weekend, no less!). Thanks, everyone.

You've all given me a huge list of names to consider. And while I haven't nailed down anything for sure yet, I have made a couple of decisions:

1. I'm going to let this thread run until at least 5pm (Pacific) on Monday before I choose anything for certain. I kind of had it in the back of my head when I started this that it might take a few days or even a few weeks to get anything I really liked from this (especially given my specificity), but it looks like I underestimated the community here. Still, I don't want to jump to any conclusions -- you never buy a car from the first lot you visit and all that. That's not a promise I'll make decisions regarding all three characters by then, but it is a promise i won't make any before then.
2. There's no way I can address each suggestion individually like I'd planned. Instead, I'll try to single out the ones I have detailed responses to, since I feel like that's the most helpful, and otherwise provide more guidelines as I go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Organica 1. Dr Cryo (no period), Doc Cryogen, Doctor Cryogen, Professor Cryogen, Doctor Nitrogen, Professor Nitrogen, Doc Refrigerant, Cryogentleman, Doc Cryogenic, Doctor Cryogenic, Sir Cryogen, Sir Cryogenic, Professor Cryogenic.

I admit, I kind of like "Cryogentleman," enough that it's got me thinking about revising this guy's look to something with more from the Steampunk pack and less with the "steampunk" pattern. You may have convinced me to break my own rule here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Organica 3. Shanghai Shark, Shanghai Ace, Shifty Dealer, Ace Shark, Ace Dealer, Shark Ace, Sharkace, Cardshark Ace... eh, not sure I like any of those, maybe Ace Shark (surprising that's not taken) and I should probably explain that Shanghai is a card game my family likes to play, so that's the first thing that popped into my head. I like that name myself, probably wouldn't work if you didn't have that connection in your head though.

I'm actually aware of Shanghai the card game (in that I know it exists; I know nothing of the specific rules or gameplay besides that it uses cards). But what I first thought of upon reading these was the city... which has a pretty strong connection to casino gambling in my mind. Probably the third-most-iconic casino town in the world to me, behind Las Vegas and Monte Carlo (sorry, Atlantic City!). Think of the first fifteen minutes or so of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom... there may be some potential here (or in referencing Vegas, Monte Carlo, or other gambling towns: "I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die" and all that stuff).

I agree "Shanghai Shark" is a great name, though I'd feel obligated to dive head-on into the "Shark" part.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Organica Angle Shooter angle is a technically legal, but borderline unethical, play. For example, deliberately miscalling one's own hand to induce a fold, or placing odd amounts of chips in the pot to confuse opponents about whether you mean to call or raise. A player employing such tactics is called an "angle shooter".

Kind of obscure, but I like the double (triple?) meaning here -- take it literally and it implies a gunslinger who bounces shots off surfaces and around corners (sort of like in Wanted), plus there's the gambling connotation, plus it makes some implications regarding his moral stance; he'd have to be a vigilante, but then, if he's a gun-toting superhero, he's already dangerously close to Punisher territory anyway.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Organica Stud Poker

This exemplifies another problem I've had naming this guy, though it might just be in my head, having grown up on Beavis and Butt-Head and the like:

"Oh, thank you for rescuing me! Who are you?"
"I'm the Stud Poker."
"You know what, I'll take my chances with the Hellions. Thanks anyway!"

This is also why naming him "Ace in the Hole" -- which I tried a while back -- didn't last. If anyone remembers the comic Young Avengers, the Thor analogue had the same problem and ended up having to change his name because of the merciless taunts of his teammates thanks to what "Asgardian" sounds like when spoken out loud.

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Originally Posted by Forbin_Project 3. The Huckster, Double Down, Double Dealin, Broadway Bullet - Broadway is gambling slang for an Ace High Straight, and Bullet is gambling slang for an Ace

"Huckster" and "Double Down" are taken. I wasn't thrilled with "Double Dealin," but I tried "Double Dealer" -- also taken. "Broadway Bullet" is kind of cool, but I think that's one of those names that would need to be explained too much -- anyone who saw it wouldn't thing "ace-high straight," they'd think, "there's no business like show business...."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leo_G I'm surprised you used Refrigerant but not Freon, although I'm not sure if Freon isn't safe to use because of copyright issues. If it's safe, Dr/Prof/Doc/Professor/Doctor Freon. Of course, Freon is one type of refrigerant originally manufactured by DuPont and is known for it's non-toxicity and widely used in refrigerators and air conditioners.

I'd actually be okay with "Freon" in the name -- it's technically a brand name, but I think it's one of those things like cellophane or aspirin that's in common-enough use that nobody would think much of it. I tried both "Doctor Freon" and "Professor Freon," but they were taken. Obviously I'm not the only one not worried about it.

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Originally Posted by Ultimus As a magician/person that can do card tricks I have a few suggestions for character 3 based on techniques we use: Double Lift False Shuffle Charlie Shuffle Backslip Force Key Card Force Fan Riffle Shuffle Spring The Palm Sleight of Hand The Overhand Shuffle Cuts Double Cut The Turnover The Pass The Reverses The Glide (One of my favorite card techniques) The Glimpse Overhand Shuffle Hindu Shuffle Maybe you would like one of those?

An angle I hadn't considered! Some of these I like quite a bit. I'll research exactly what these things mean and see if anything really jumps out at me.

Really, everyone: thanks for participating in this. Even if I don't use your suggestion -- even if I don't specifically acknowledge it here -- please know that every single one is helping, and is appreciated.

Neuro-Freon or Feuron is an idea that just came to me for the ice brain dude.

Pocket Rockets?

(haven't checked for availability)

All this thread "proves" to me is that "good" names are truly in the eye of the user... I seen a lot of suggested and available names that I consider to be very good in this thread.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paladiamors I love you, I Burnt the Toast!

You don't like "Broadway Bullet" as a name?

... how about "Ace-High Straight", then? Or "Ace-High Straight Shooter"?

1. Cold Steel, Ice Veins, Corpsicle, Cold Stare, Hypothermal Hypothalmus, Metal Medulla, Arctic Cuirass (pronounced "ar-tic-yur-***"), Professor Chill Leng, Chilled to the Brain,

2. Dracon Ink, Midnight Shadow, Outraged Umbrage, Caster Shadowspell, Occluded Occultist, Shadowmancer, Heromancer,

3. Ace Kick King

3) I have No-Eyed Jack just sitting around from when I tried a card themed dude and decided to play off the one eyed jack term

Nine days, no update from OP...

Sorry, got busy. Two "prizes" have been awarded (the two 100-mil ones) -- one to Organica and the other to someone who contacted me via private message. The big one is still up for grabs. I'll try to update to original post when I get a chance.

I'm stumped.... how 'bout Ace Fourkind.
Reserved if ya want it.

**Damien**

1. Cool Logic
2. Shadow Viper/Fang/Venom/Strike/Serpent
3. Ace Justice, Adventure/Action Ace, Poker Joker, Lucky Draw

Doc, I've reserved the name 'Final Trump' on Virtue for your Card Sharp-shooter. If it fits your fancy, I'll trade it over to you. Otherwise, I may just have to take it myself!

Be Well!
Fireheart

For your longest unplayed toon:

Cap Game

Used to describe a no-limit or pot limit game with a cap on the amount that a player can bet during the course of a hand. Once the cap is reached, all players remaining in the hand are considered all-in. For example, a no limit game could have a betting cap of 30 times the big blind. Fits well with your idea of a dual pistols guy and brings the aspects of card games into the equation, when you shoot someone, of course your capping them.

Other possibilities with the poker and gun references: Drawing Dead, Ante Off, straight draw, double-draw, gut shot, kill hand, Rakeback pro, splash the pot, squeeze play, under the gun

For the first one I would go with Lucky Pete. I have almost the exact same character, Lucky Fred. The "Lucky" being explained as being the one experiment in X,000 that survived the process that puts a brain in a jar driving a robotic body. Ah, and the Pete could be Tom, Dick, Harry, George, etc. THe sarcasm is heavy on the Lucky, light on the Pete.

Thanks for the update, Doc Roswell.

Character 3: Duel Pistols: Shuffle Shot. Taking the playing card motiff and how you can "shuffle" through the bullet type being used.

Duel Pistols or Blades with card motiff: Double Deck

Any powerset you want, still using the card motiff: Black Spades, High hand

I was waiting for an update. ^_^ Wasn't sure if I was supposed to say anything or not.

I'm not sure how you check names on a server you have no free slots on, best I've come up with is to getglobalname ingame which will work unless char name = globalname for somebody offline, I have checked these, but not in the creator.

For the third one, "Major Player" (in bridge and a few other games, spades and hearts are the majors as they score more than clubs/diamonds).

or "Only card I need" tied to spades

or "Faceless suit" with a suitable ex corporate background

As to one of the suggestions here I'd suggest you Google "Pocket rocket" to see why it will potentially get you into some hot water if you don't know. I had this discussion with support a long time ago and in the end got the name back as it was deemed that as a fortysomething man from the UK I couldn't have known why it's vaguely dodgy in the US and that clearly wasn't the theme of the toon.