Problem is most players use a nick name which is copied through all games.

So vanguard is forcing players to pick names other than their nick names because the nickname would clash with the terms.


"9. Names implying status, title, or rank (e.g. The, Officer, Master, Sir, Inspector, Mother). This includes alternate forms of “The” where the name contains a normal word, as they implicate a title. (e.g. LeThug, ZiCrafter, DSmasher)."

This is my only gripe, so many people I know have 'the something' as their nickname..

The Big Knight, or .... Glib THE Gnome!!

My nickname is The Snowman!.. But I cant have 'The'..

seems a bit pathetic especially in this kind of world.

HAHAHA! OK, I think I might be mildy horrified - that was funny though.

Actually they do own the trademark of "Gecko" however that doesn't mean that trademark law needs to be revisited. More than likely there is a lack of education about trademark law in general. Trademarks only apply to the context it's given. The Geico's trademark of "Gecko" applies a to a very specific character they use to advertise their company. If I created a character in an MMPORPG named "Gecko" I could as my character has a totally different context than the one given by Geico. By the same standard I can use the name "Scotchtape" as fair use as an MMPROPG character is a totally diffferent product than an adhesive strip.

Here are my 2 copper:

Yes, keep the naming policy ... actually, you know what, make a /report feature where we can report ppl with obserd names and let the GMs decide what to do with them. If it is a questionable name, put it up for review and see if any more complaints come in.

I have seen, since starting VG, the following and have /petition all of them from various servers including beta:

Baung Smoker
Bongsmoker
Lycket Smuthe
Yomahma Sphat
Hayrlis Beivar
Ikehl Jooh
Chyht Sleenghar
Phock Meah

and on and on it goes. Now, anyone who can say that any of the above are acceptable needs to rethink their morales IMO. Im not saying that some aren't funny, but my that is not the environment I want my kids playing in.

I am glad that this game has such a strict naming policy. I have seen a "Legolas" in every RPG that I have played, and it wasn't original in any of them. I have, of course, also seen things like "Bob1337", "Sue123456", "Ph34r", et cetera.

At first, I did take issue somewhat with " 10. Names that contain full or partial sentences (Ikillgoblins, Spongebob, IkillIerkiller and Toasteroven).", because I thought it would include a lot of Dwarven names. However, as that is not the case, I am quite happy to have that rule around.

I competely agree with the naming policy......to a point. I also play EQ2, and have a character there named Illusory Evanescence. While I absolutely love the band, it has very little to do with that name. It's more about a relationship that appeared to be fading away, but really wasn't. The illusion (Illusory) of fading away (Evanescence).

However, when I tried to create that name in Vanguard, I was given a dialog that stated that "Evanescence" was not a valid name. To me, (yes, I'm taking this a little personally), Evanescence is a very valid name based on the fact that it was in the dictionary long before anyone used it for a band name.

I haven't tried, because it isn't that important, but are names like "Nirvana", "Poison", "Trivium", "Hinder", and "Tuff" also not valid because they were used as band names?

Puredark Passionfire \
Padiddle Passionfire > Shidreth
Evanescent Indignity /

You have a very valid point!

Sometimes, the policy, or even a definition, can be taken too far, depending on who's opinion is being used at the time. I always think of my college english professor who totally ruined reading for me by finding all sorts of hidden meaning and agenda in books. Amazing how perfectly harmless childrens books can become works of the devil in one fell swoop, isn't it? They've been read and loved for decades, then all the sudden....POW! Right in the kisser!

Same thing goes for this, and as stated, perhaps a word that is in the dictionary shouldn't be black listed unless the meaning is not appropriate. My thoughts, anyway!

I think names like "Running Deer" should be allowed. I wanted to make a druid called Sings To'Trees (Wood elf) but I didn't want to break the naming policy. I don't mind names like that because they don't ruin immersion at all. However running around and bumping into Haldir (Whom I actually have seen around) I don't like at all. For one, this isn't Lord of the Rings or The dark Elf Trilogy or Harry Potter or anything like that. For another Sigil can be sued for allowing someone to run around with a copyrighted name. If we enjoy their game then surely it's only right of us to make sure they do not get into trouble like this. That is also a reason why our money each month isn't a good reason for an open naming policy, we can't play the game of a company that's gone broke due to lawsuits.

Ok, I'm annoyed now on thunderaxe, the names are getting ridiculous. To be honest the number of names that are breaking naming policy exceeds those I've seen that should be allowable by it. I'll admit I know my name is grey area, but I'm talking blatent disregard, such as "Ever Quest" or "Ipwn Nubbz." They really need to enforce their rules. Since it's not on topic I won't go into the number of gold farmers obviousl populating the vgplayers site (though on topic their names fall under "nonsense")

Robeph...are you /petitioning those names? I hope so!!

Elrar told us last week, in the VRadio IRC chat, that they have a list going of names and are going to be checking up on them all, so don't hesitate to add yours to the bunch! I'm sure the list is a mile long, so it's going to take some time, but I know that they will get to them all before it's over! They're so busy chasing white rabbits because folks aren't paying attention to the MOTD that has asked them not to petition bugs!! Just from reading the sites, I can tell that a lot of people haven't paid any attention to that.

Don't give up!