Non-existant character support system.

[shinraiden]

Today I had another crash with the current public updated build of PS:CB. When I reconnected I discovered a chain of issues with the character support system and management.

When I reconnected, I discovered that my character\'s name had been changed from Manpage Fsckngrep to Ilak Olerd, without notification or any other communication.

The first issue is their is no comprehensive policy or guidelines for RPG interaction rules, beyond very limited information regarding the currently implemented PvP system. For example, the extent of the public;y defined naming rules from http://www.planeshift.it/community_faq.html#Must_our_name_be_role-playing_style_ is this:

 Yes, absolutely. We will not allow names like \"1m C001\" or \"Sw33t Ch33ks\" or any other non rpg-related name. We do encourage the Role-Playing side of the game in all its aspects.

No where that I\'ve found is there any definition of what the mandatory naming format is. For example, what one user may view as a name derived from a legendary Czech or Swahili character, another may view as ROT13 encoded Japanese porn star\'s name.

The developers have generously configured a large number of default names, however a very large number of the players I have observed have chosen - as have I - to personalize a name for \'their\' character.

This reflects the primary division in RPG theory and practice. This is to create and control an expression, or avatar, of the user in a generated virtual world. The opposite format is where the player adopts the character\'s format, rather than dictating the characters format.

In addition to the lack of a clear policy there is also a corresponding lack of infrastructure for submitting batches of names for verification and authorization.

Next, there is a break down in communications from the GM\'s. Comments made on the #planeshift channel on quakenet suggested that the name change was an arbitrary, and unannounced action by a GM. No effort was made to contact me via IRC, IM, email, or in-game PM to inform me that there was a problem with what the GM evidently termed to be unacceptable.

This suggests that the GM presumed I was an experienced RPG\'er (which I am not, PS being the first and only RPG or MMORPG computer or otherwise I have participated in), and that I was experienced and competently aware of the PS format and structure, which I am also not aware of.

To date I have not recieved any complaints about my prior character name or behavior. If there have been problems, I have not been aware of them, nor have I been made aware of them.

Thanks.

[Nimfis Altmer]

That has to be the funniest message ive read all day..Good job man

[steuben]

Manpage Fsckngrep

...or any other non rpg-related name.

using *nix commands as a name... while it may meet the letter, it walks the line in terms of spirit.

[shinraiden]

A) How is it not an RPG name, if the role I am playing is my my bewildered n00b state? How is it determined that a name is indeed an RPG name? There\'s plenty of players with \'real\' names, and not \'ficticious\' names, which the GM\'s have access to.

B) So how are we to guess the \'spirit\' of the GM deities? Skulk around and hope we don\'t get whacked for ignorance?

Suppose I choose the name Blind Bartimaeus. I\'d be using an \'antiquainted greek\' style name, and I\'d be pretending to be a blind man running into things and incapable of actions due to the bug of currently messed up 3rd person view movement controls. By all intents and purposes I\'d be RP\'ing, but how would you know that I\'m not being a billboard advocating disrespect and dissent?

Or suppose that I chose Gohan of Rohan. Am I infringing on JRRT Intellectual Property, or am I interjecting Dragonball Z manga fandom? How is the GM to determine that?

What about Kiteretsuran Tatakinohara? It\'s artificial, it fits one online personality of me, but is aggravating to others attempting to communicate with me.

What if I decided to form a guild called the Guild of the White Rabbit? Sounds innocent enough, but what if we were to spend all our time talking about drugdealing or non-RPG techy or geek stuff?

My original point was that I\'ve seen two types of RP\'ing, which I expected that the community was familiar with as well. Players either insert themselves into the game as an expression of their own persona, or they instead attempt to parrot a box given them. I don\'t care what Manpage or Ilak want to do, \"I\" want to dig and sell, drink and yell, buy and build, and of course hack and slash - with the rest of you.

But above all the other concerns, the most disturbing is that of arbitration without communication. Unfortunately, that is reflective of the general standoffishness of much of the community.

For me, Planeshift has been an opportunity where I could kick back for a few minutes, have a virtual me head down to the pub, chat with a few people, and embark on some petty quests. Not much, but pleasently diverting. And I\'ve tried to repay that as much as possible by welcoming fellow n00bs and imparting what assistance I have to offer.

[Moogie]

Naming rules are posted here:
http://planeshift.oodlz.com/wbboard/thread.php?threadid=14066&boardid=13&styleid=3

We\'re currently discussing the addition of the rules ingame, probably somewhere during the Character creation process.


GMs work hard and have alot of things to take care of ingame. If people have obviously OOS (out-of-setting) names, there\'s no reason that a GM should give any warning to that player before changing it. However, personally, I make it a rule of thumb to always explain why it was changed afterwards, and make the player aware that they can request a new name from me.

But note that we have tonnes to take care of ingame, and we don\'t always have the time to ask each and every person if they have an RP history associated with the name that makes it suitable for the game. Thus sometimes they\'ll just be treated as if the name was deliberately OOS or offensive or whatever.

If you want it changed to a name of your own preference, speak to a GM ingame. If you have an argument to give, take it up with the GM that renamed you. I\'m afraid the forums arn\'t the place to dispute this sort of issue.