Name Change - Guild Wars Forums

RHR · May 31, 2005, 11:18 PM // 23:18

Short of deleting and starting a character over, is there any way to change a character's name once created? Or would this trounce all over the database?

Madjik · May 31, 2005, 11:26 PM // 23:26

To my knowledge this is not possible.

C-Tzar · Jun 01, 2005, 12:12 AM // 00:12

Theoretically, allowing name changing should be relatively simple from a database/coding standpoint, especially if allowing it was planned from the code's inception. But allowing name changes causes far too many other in-game problems that make it not worth it IMO. Just as one example: Easy name changing is a scammer's wet dream. Pull a scam, change your name, rinse and repeat.

dwarf stomper · Jun 01, 2005, 12:43 AM // 00:43

yea being able to change your name would make scamming more common

also if you were able to change your name, wouldnt you not be able to equip everything that is personalized? you would need new armor and usually a new weapon, so not worth it

when u first make the character just pick a name u know u will like forever

Oni No Arashi · Jun 01, 2005, 01:01 AM // 01:01

Actually on a database it's not that easy. They're more then likely using the name as either the primary key for the character database table(s) or a foriegn key for the other tables so that your stats and inventory stick to one character.

Once it's assigned as a key, allowing it to be dynamic could corrupt the hell ouf of the database after a while. Since it's the one stat we really can't change, that's more then likely the case.

C-Tzar · Jun 01, 2005, 01:04 AM // 01:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwarf stomper

also if you were able to change your name, wouldnt you not be able to equip everything that is personalized?

If planned from conception, characters could easily be accessed by a handle or ID number. The name would simply be a field making it easily changeable in every aspect of the game. I have no idea how the coders actually did choose to store/access characters, but either way the in-game issues are far more important than the coding involved. Most RPGs do not allow name changing, and for good reasons.

May 31, 2005, 11:18 PM // 23:18	#1
RHR Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bremerton, WA Guild: FMS Profession: W/N	Name Change Short of deleting and starting a character over, is there any way to change a character's name once created? Or would this trounce all over the database?

May 31, 2005, 11:26 PM // 23:26	#2
Madjik Lion's Arch Merchant Join Date: May 2005 Location: Somewhere, U.S.A. Guild: Gold Pheonix	To my knowledge this is not possible.

Jun 01, 2005, 12:12 AM // 00:12	#3
C-Tzar Krytan Explorer Join Date: May 2005 Location: North AL, USA Profession: E/Mo	Theoretically, allowing name changing should be relatively simple from a database/coding standpoint, especially if allowing it was planned from the code's inception. But allowing name changes causes far too many other in-game problems that make it not worth it IMO. Just as one example: Easy name changing is a scammer's wet dream. Pull a scam, change your name, rinse and repeat.

Jun 01, 2005, 12:43 AM // 00:43	#4
dwarf stomper Ascalonian Squire Join Date: May 2005	yea being able to change your name would make scamming more common also if you were able to change your name, wouldnt you not be able to equip everything that is personalized? you would need new armor and usually a new weapon, so not worth it when u first make the character just pick a name u know u will like forever

Jun 01, 2005, 01:01 AM // 01:01	#5
Oni No Arashi Frost Gate Guardian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Puget Sound area, WA State Guild: KnightMare Brigade [KB] Profession: E/R	Actually on a database it's not that easy. They're more then likely using the name as either the primary key for the character database table(s) or a foriegn key for the other tables so that your stats and inventory stick to one character. Once it's assigned as a key, allowing it to be dynamic could corrupt the hell ouf of the database after a while. Since it's the one stat we really can't change, that's more then likely the case.