BEWARE: Issue with re-using existing character names

Hello all,
I was specifically directed by NCsoft support to post about this here, so here goes. I hope this is the right spot.

Here is the short version:
I had a character name that I really liked, but I did not like the AT I chose for it. So, I decided to delete the character so that I could re-create it with the desired AT. What could possibly go wrong right? Actually, I have done this in the past without problems until now. But this time, the name was added to the name filter so I could not re-create it.

(note: I am keeping the name in question to myself and support for now, so don’t ask.)

Here is the longer version:
Well, as soon as I went to re-use the name, the little name-checker said that the name was “not available”. At first I thought maybe the database needed time to update or something. But this was not the case, and after a few weeks NCsoft support finally tells me that in fact the name filter is not allowing that name anymore for some reason and they don’t have any way of knowing specifically why or apparently any way of checking.

Note that they themselves could not see any reason the name should not have been allowed up to that point. I pride myself on good names and I have trouble playing a character without a good name. If you think I am blowing this issue out of proportion, well each to their own.

What they told me is that the name filter is constantly updated, and may even include the names of characters that already exist, such that if you ever try and re-create them as I did, you are SOL. Nice huh?

I think you would have trouble coming up with a better way to guarantee a situation where you are going to frustrate / P.O. your customers/users even if you wanted to on purpose. Here I have a name I like, one that I like so much in fact that I am willing to go so far as to re-create it with an AT I like to match, only to be left worse off than I was before because now I don’t even have the name on the original character I had it on in the first place. Now I am afraid to EVER do this again in the future, because I won’t have any way of knowing if my name will be stolen from me. I think people should be aware of this. Granted, this may be an uncommon situation, but there it is.

I have couple problems with this:
* If a name is inappropriate or not allowed for any reason, then the character should be changed to “Generic12345” such as is the typical case. If, for some reason this is not done, why would they not at least check to see if a name exists before adding it to the name filter? If they have a reason not to allow a name, this effectively sets up a trap for people.

* OK, next, this should be one of the FIRST things NCsoft support checks in these cases. Here we were wasting each other’s time, and them accusing me of doing something wrong on my end, and as it turns out it was never going to work. Now, I would like to say, to their credit, they were very patient with me and stuck with me to do the best they could to try and help, so kudos to them for that. But basically this system sets up a situation that makes fools out of both NCsoft support and the customer.

* If existing names are going to be added to the name filter, people should have some way of knowing. It’s great that you can check a name ahead of time before creating a character, but maybe it should say “name in use” or “copyrighted name” or “inappropriate name”, etc. Basically some way to know what the issue is so people don’t go calling support thinking something is just not working.

Well, I suppose I can end the rant here. What I am hoping to gain by posting this, aside from warning people about this issue, is that I am holding out a small hope that a redname looks at this post and can actually take pity on me and help me out. Maybe look up the name and see if something might be done. Maybe it was added by mistake or is the result of some kind of glitch. My expectations are low, but there just might be enough karma left for it.

-Bodai

If you've already boosted your petition up to a senior specialist, you've already appealed and got the no-go. Sorry.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dispari I don't know why Dink thinks she's not as sexy as Jay was. In 5 posts she's already upstaged his entire career.

Yes.

Once you get a Senior GM you can have an actual conversation usually (through e-mail) and try to have them reverse the decision/situation.

No guarantees though.

Also, sometimes tossing a PM to Zwillinger will get the ball rolling.

Note: Politeness and patience DOES count in this process.

One possibility may be that the name matches one for a NPC in content which has been introduced since you created the original character but it is disappointing that they cannot provide a reason for it not being allowed.

It is of course possible it could have been claimed by another player after you deleted to character but before creating the new one.

Thanks for the heads-up. That tells me we should verify the name on a different server(s) before deleting the original.

Well this is disappointing to hear about. With all the toons I have, and new powersets coming out fairly often, I've never hesitated to delete and/or re-name. Guess that saves me some paragon points going forward.

**Damien**