Curse

against · Nov 23, 2005, 08:28 PM // 20:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mordakai

For those complaining about Scammers being able to change names:

What's to stop a person from deleting a character who scammed, and creating a new one?

The time to recreate the character.

Still...it takes a ginormous idiot to get scammed. If something is too good to be true, it usually is. Trading for accounts is illegal and if you're trading for something for more than 100K; get some ectos or other item currency.

I think scam victims pretty much deserve it.

Mordakai · Nov 23, 2005, 08:36 PM // 20:36

As I said before, if it was clear that Person Y used to be Person X (by mousing over their name and having a message appear, just as an example), that pretty much takes away any "scammed" related complaint.

If ignore and friends list stays unchanged (just with the new name appearing), this also ends that debate.

So, really, the only issue left is do we really want to punish ourselves with characters named "L33t Nooob Killer" running around.

In fact, I'd like to start another petition to force players to come up with decent names. I have no idea how to enforce it, though....

Loviatar · Nov 23, 2005, 08:45 PM // 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by against

I think scam victims pretty much deserve it.

how about robbery victims going into the wrong part of a city while visiting?

some people still trust other people and have not learned the tricks of the scammer yet.

maybe we should come down at least as hard on the scammer as we do on the victem (oops i meant stupid noob)

Kool Pajamas · Nov 23, 2005, 08:46 PM // 20:46

/Signed BUT

It should be done on the player select screen, and only be allowed once a month or so per character.

And to all the people talking about names possibly being primary keys, I'm sure Anet has already thought about that. If there were any bad things that could happen they will take it into consideration when/if this is implemented. Give them some credit.

nine breaker · Nov 23, 2005, 08:48 PM // 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSecorsky

Doesn't anyone pay attention?

It looks like name is a primary key. What that means, in a nutshell, is that name is used as a lookup into the databases for your characters information. Most likely, this field is not modifyable. That means you cannot change it, and any attempts to do so would throw an error.

Now, IF they were to recreate all the databases, copy all the data from the old databases into the new ones, rename the new ones to the same names as the old ones (after deleting the old ones) and have GW shut down the entire time... then they would have to deal with the headaches that come with having databases with modifyable primary keys.

You don't want this. Trust me. The risk goes way beyond potential scammer abuse.

With all due respect, I doubt that's how the backend is implemented. A user visible string, the character name in this case, is rarely if ever used as the primary key. I'm just speculating here, but combination of account id plus the slot id seems to be a more likely candidate for the primary key.

Besides, if a name change would result in a full database migration / rebuild, then ANet would have a very difficult time dealing inproper character names.

There is a risk for being abused. However, it can be mitigated via,
1. limited use, a scheme similar to changing territory
2. cost, may be something similar to buying skills

I don't see any risk in providing the ability to change appearance. It would be another fun thing for people to do. Just make them pay dearly for their "plastic surgery"

/signed

Greene Axe · Nov 23, 2005, 08:56 PM // 20:56

What about being able to request support to change your name -- thus avoiding everyone's most-loved lunch delicacy?

Rorin Dragho · Nov 23, 2005, 10:38 PM // 22:38

/signed

but i do think there should be rules towards updating your char with new names and appearance

maybe have it depend on faction
as you would need to buy skills and items for your pvp with faction you should also be able to change your name and or appearance with it
that would limit the abuse to a degree

having the option to change your name anytime you like would not be a great idea

what if a player cheats you with whatever nect time you see his char with a different name you wouldnt know hes that guy

and people will be cheated with this new implement no arguments there right?

Victory Gaint · Nov 23, 2005, 11:29 PM // 23:29

Anet should make it so u can have a "nickname" so u wouldnt have to change your full name or delete your char.

against · Nov 24, 2005, 04:48 AM // 04:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

how about robbery victims going into the wrong part of a city while visiting?

some people still trust other people and have not learned the tricks of the scammer yet.

maybe we should come down at least as hard on the scammer as we do on the victem (oops i meant stupid noob)

You don't give a robber your wallet willingly. I bet you've gotten scammed before. Wise up rookie.

against · Nov 24, 2005, 04:50 AM // 04:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greene Axe

What about being able to request support to change your name -- thus avoiding everyone's most-loved lunch delicacy?

Because that would be too heavy of a burden on GMs.

Daegul Mistweaver · Nov 24, 2005, 06:35 AM // 06:35

/signed

Really hope this is available for the expansion; hate to scrap a main character just to stick his name on my new assassin.

Sol_Vie · Nov 24, 2005, 06:39 AM // 06:39

/signed

lyra_song · Nov 24, 2005, 07:39 AM // 07:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by against

You don't give a robber your wallet willingly. I bet you've gotten scammed before. Wise up rookie.

You ever got beaten up by 12 guys 1 block from your house because you have an empty wallet? Ya...blame the robbery victim...its always their fault.

-.-

anyway...i think renaming should be:

1) Free
2) You are allowed a limited number just like server changes.

Cymmina · Nov 24, 2005, 02:27 PM // 14:27

I challenge anyone to name a well known scammer. It's ok, I'll wait.

I'm not sure how anyone figures you'll be able to impersonate someone. Most well known players that are "good" probably aren't interested in changing their names. The unique character names will still be enforced.

Guild Wars is not like a MMORPG where your name actually means something. The servers are too large, making the chances of meeting someone two days in a row fairly small. On top of that, you can get to level 20 in ~2 days thanks to rushing. Sounds a lot like Diablo. Compare that to FFXI where it takes a few weeks to get to level 30 and most people in the 60's know who not to group with in their level range. Or maybe UO where griefing/scamming/pking really is allowed to some extent. Since there's no levels, a well dressed newbie character can pass as an established character *and* there are no unique names (grrr to the 50 Urther Pendragons and Drizzt Do Urden). On top of that, with 60 stealing, you can join the thieves' guild (which lets you steal from players) and get a disguise kit that will temporarily change your hair color/style and give you a random NPC name. Oh, and for $20 U.S., you can get your name changed. People, both good and bad, became well known despite these things.

BTW, if you friend/guild a PvP character that gets deleted, they don't magically vanish from the list. Names most definitely are not the primary key. I suspect, though, that the name is stored when added to the list purely for display purposes, in addition to the primary key of the account.

Epinephrine · Nov 24, 2005, 02:39 PM // 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by against

You don't give a robber your wallet willingly. I bet you've gotten scammed before. Wise up rookie.

You are an idiot.

Advising people to confront muggers is a bad idea. If someone were hurt as a result of your suggestion I'd hope you'd at least feel some guilt.

Oh, BTW, I was mugged by a gang of 6 teens in Paris (bad idea - wander looking for night photography in a bad area, but I was young back then). I'm not going to try to take on 6 teenagers with knives. Wallets are replaceable, my internal organs somewhat less so.

Makkert · Nov 24, 2005, 02:46 PM // 14:46

There should be a sticky here with forbidden suggestions. This idea is just bad.

on it:
- this
- raising the level cap
- UAS (beaten to death, not going to happen as stated, game over)
- ....

Gem · Nov 24, 2005, 03:13 PM // 15:13

The ablitiy to change your characters name would be nice.
It might be abused though, so it should be limited in the following ways:

1) A significant cost. This would prevent constant name changing.

2) Changed by an NPC. This would prevent name changing while in instances or during PvP.

3) Only characters of level 20 or only ascended characters. This would mean that only those characters could change names that are really playing the game. It would suck if any scammers/sell accounts/etc could change names. Maby the NPC should be placed to Dragons Lair.

Makkert · Nov 24, 2005, 03:25 PM // 15:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gem

The ablitiy to change your characters name would be nice.
It might be abused though, so it should be limited in the following ways:

1) A significant cost. This would prevent constant name changing.

Do you think a scammer is one that would be affected by high cost? I think not.

Quote:

2) Changed by an NPC. This would prevent name changing while in instances or during PvP.

that would have be a minimum if it came to be.

Quote:

3) Only characters of level 20 or only ascended characters. This would mean that only those characters could change names that are really playing the game. It would suck if any scammers/sell accounts/etc could change names. Maby the NPC should be placed to Dragons Lair.

Levelling to 20 can be done rapidly. Scammers will learn to powerlevel.

Loviatar · Nov 24, 2005, 03:45 PM // 15:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by against

You don't give a robber your wallet willingly. I bet you've gotten scammed before. Wise up rookie.

i learned not to get scammed before you were born.

i didnt get scammed during the beta events either

you are about 13 years old and have been lucky enough not to have been confronted by a robber /gang member who will simply kill you without even thinking about it if you dont do just what they say.

you have the i am invulnerable outlook of an arrogant child who has not been in that position.

STOP GIVING THE SCAMMERS/CRIMINALS A FREE PASS

AS STATED BY OTHERS YOU ARE AN IDIOT (hopefully you will live long enough to out grow it)

against · Nov 24, 2005, 06:17 PM // 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Loviatar

i learned not to get scammed before you were born.

i didnt get scammed during the beta events either

you are about 13 years old and have been lucky enough not to have been confronted by a robber /gang member who will simply kill you without even thinking about it if you dont do just what they say.

you have the i am invulnerable outlook of an arrogant child who has not been in that position.

STOP GIVING THE SCAMMERS/CRIMINALS A FREE PASS

AS STATED BY OTHERS YOU ARE AN IDIOT (hopefully you will live long enough to out grow it)

Have you ever been robbed by someone who talked you into giving them your wallet? Scamming =/= Robbery. You have to voulenteer to give away whatever you have to be a scam victim. It's not like the GW scammers are threatening your life with a gun. They are just talking you into doing something stupid. Smart people don't get scammed.