Again, my thanks for the kind words. I've updated the first post with a few designs of old, as well as altered the general context of the thread somewhat.

My thanks for the comments. I added an overview of the details for the sake of clarity.

(is that an amulet of Xiosia I see?)

It is indeed an attempt of such.

...GN desecration about which players are "worthy" or a name change and which aren't..."

It is not a question of being worthy, more so than simply being viable. Viable implying that a player has a good reason, which I'd personally find to be requesting the service due to realistic role playing circumstances.

Why would a generic power leveler be in need of a name change for example, or even apply if the cost defeats the purpose?
If the player is viable in turn, it is ultimately up to a GM of high enough tier to decide. I am using the word tier as I suppose that certain GMs might be able to change names, where as others can not.

As for the abuse issue what we don't want to see is people very casually deciding that they are bored with their current character and they want to start over and thus do the permadeath and ask for a name change. -

If you decide to only grant this service once per player, for one character only. Clearly stipulating it in official policy that it is a one time offer, I'd find it extremely unlikely that players would request it casually. More so, let's assume one is asking for a name change to preserve a series of hard aquired skills. This wishing to assume the role of a baker, craftsman or what have you.

Inducing such an unresonable debuff to skills would leave the inevitable grinding that follows, more or less defeating requesting it in the first place. True, it would be worse to start anew entirely. Yet the price still appears unbalanced in my mind.

Maybe letting the player choose a skill or two to keep intact would be a good solution, as if choosing a class, only to let them play out their new role without having to mine, gain progression points, and the time consumtion that entails.

With that said, it is good to hear that discussion on the matter is upheld rather than negated. Surely, it can come to benefit all of us once coined as policy.

If the aim is for the player to pay a price, I'd think the sole cut of half one's stats to be reasonable, or simply returning to the amount given past creation. Should logs like that exist.

That is presuming skills which would have RP implications remain, should one like to play a mage, warrior, cook, craftsman or what have you anew.

The idea of the stats themselves dropping below the average players might indeed present a problem in turn, and a heavy cost at that. I would rather have it as such however, than have to repeat the insufferable grinding needed for the skills benefiting the immersion of one's new role.

We've come a long way from nothing, and the GMs discussing the matter is good to hear.
Surely, more discussion will follow to balance the price one should pay so that it would deter only those seeking to abuse it.

Real life preoccupations would be the reason why I don't have time to roll a character and train it according to it's role once more.

I simply wish to receive a clear response on the matter, whether it be granted or negated. This so that I in turn can plan out what free time I have, as I would like to entertain some form of creative outlet.

And I'll happily share my ball with you Bilbous, fret not 

My thanks for the many replies and support thus far.

I would like to point out that said function of a name change should be made available for all of us however. Not myself exclusively.
Surely, there are more role-players finding themselves in the same predicament.

I would not feel justified receiving a name change whereas others might be neglected.

An effort such as this can make all the difference, promoting valuable creative growth within the community.

Well met,

It has been long since I last visited Planeshift, although I've felt the sentimental urge to do so more than once.
I came here anew with the hope of being able to take part in the community once more, And that which I wish to discuss publicly is the matter of changing the names of characters who are for all intents and purposes dead from an IC [In Character] standpoint.

The reason why I'm raising the issue would be due to a personal predicament, that being my own character being deceased, although OOC [Out of character] very much alive.
I think such an issue to be shared in varying degrees, from characters having concluded in true death to players simply having grown tired of roleplaying them.

There is, afterall a limit on character development one can experience given the duration of which many find themselves here on Planeshift. Not to mention the impact events on a large scale can have.

There is however, a way to counteract such means. That being, allow players to change the name of one, and only one existing character once if they can provide a solid IC reason to do so, as well as a documentation of said characters demise in the forum. [Such as an event, a story or what have you.]

The review of such documentation might sound like a function in need of much effort, yet given the competence of the GM team I'd say a quick skim or an exchange of PM's would be enough to deem if a player's intentions are viable for a name change.

Why not roll a new character?

Most would agree that leveling a new character for a second time to be out of the question. Said leveling being simply for the sake of being able to roleplay as a warrior, mage, craftsman or what have you.

The time spent on repeating the turmoil of grinding may instead be used to contribute to the community in a positive way by roleplaying and creating events.
Something that may once more, simply be counteracted by a name change.

On the earning of skills and stats:

The function would not administer any unfair advantage what so ever, seeing as the stats and skills of a particular character applying for a name change has already been earned once.
The name is hence altered, whereas the numerial attributes of the character stays the same.

On testing:

Given as Planeshift is still a beta, players are relied upon to serve as testers. To my understanding, calculations and measurements are made to balance the game, based particularly on how testers level their characters, taking every relevant variabel into account.

I for one however, consider myself a player before a tester. Thus, I find the concept of starting anew and aquiring whatever skills needed for a new RP character for the sake of testing to be unintresting. As earlier stated, grinding once more consumes time that would be better put towards contributing to the community in a creative sense. More so, most would find themselves without the time to begin with.

Pros:

- A way for roleplay to be reuvinated within Planeshift, bringing forth a fresh start to the roleplaying community.

- Inspiration for the players to establish their new characters through events they could otherwise not IC'ly attend.

- Improved relations with the existing RP portion of the PS community.

- The possible return of many players of old.

- A boost of creativity!

Cons:


-The function having to be tended to by members of the GM team, consuming to me an unknown amount of time. ["gm team additional workload"]

-Players looking to abuse the function?

- "why you and not me" syndrome (we are still quite full of this)"

- risk of favoritism


It is of interest to me how others might perceive this idea, thus I hope to get your opinion on the matter.

Should one time name changes be allowed for existing players, so that they may start anew with their accumulated stats and skills intact, this from an RP perspective?

If so, why, why not?

What is the best way to implement such a function, if at all?

With hope of a relevant discussion on the matter, and best wishes,

- Jacula