Identification

[Suno_Regin]

I think that there should be an identification skill for people you see. It doesn't make sense right now, but say instead of having name labels for everyone to see, instead of pretending IC you don't know that person's name, the labels get removed, so that you don't know the person at all. The only thing it would say, depending on your observation/identification level, would be maybe "warrior" if they have sword blisters on their hands or something. The only way to know who a person is, would be to hear them say their name when you're nearby. Otherwise it'll have a simple title depending on their skills. Now if you would have a low identification/observation (can't think of a name yet) level, it would maybe say "Unknown Kran" or "Common Kran" until that person tells you their name. But this idea would encourage more roleplay, since you can't magically know Janner is Janner without him actually telling you his name. You would HAVE to strike a conversation, or just go somewhere else and not care who the person is. Before I say more, I just want to know what people think of the idea.

[Karyuu]

All of these suggestions that require removing name labels always fail to take into consideration two things: how would the chat system work, and how would abuse get reported.

[Suno_Regin]

You got me there. =P

[Under the moon]

lets say you are a fenki.

Unknown Kran1 says: Greetings.
Unknown Kran2 says: Well met, newcomer. I am Hadderican.
Hadderican bows.
Unknown Kran1 bows as well.
Unknown Kran1 says: And I am Frullic.
Unknown Menki says: Whoot! this game is asome! Hey CATLADY! WANA <not to be spoken words>!!
Frullic says: [that calls for a report]
left click target unknown Menki.
/report target.
System: You have reported Seperot. (j/k)

Players could be 'numbered' in the order you meet them. Another option would be to use Suno's class/description system. Warrior Kran, Mage Kran, Scarred Mage Kran, whatever. These could be keywords assigned in character creation, or ingame as the player deems needed. The client could sort them by relevance and auto assign so that none of them are the same in a group of strangers. Then you could /report Scarred Kran with the same effect. Or, click on the actual offensive text, and report that way.

There is always a way.

[Suno_Regin]

That's what I was gonna say, but I knew it would get waved away with more logic *shivers* so I didn't bother posting it =P

[Under the moon]

*Yoda voice* And that is why you failed.

I would be all for this, as I grow weary of folks coming up and addressing us by name. Very intrusive to RP. Now, add in the clothing options in the other thread, and you've got something going.

<me> says: Go find Fent. Tall Diaboli, wears a red tunic most of the time. He is sometimes in the Tavern.

You go to tavern and see Tall Diaboli wearing a red tunic. Done.

That is, after you ask him if he is, in fact, Fent. Gosh, folks might have to start talking to each other IC. *gasps*

[Suno_Regin]

My first idea that hasn't been blown off by Karyuu's logic...yet. =P

Thanks Moon.

[Karyuu]

I am strongly against numbering in the chat system, even if other descriptive terms are used. Considering that we also have no classes and players can choose to be of many professions or no professions at all, "Warrior Kran506" is not only unattractive, it's unrealistic. Without numbers (and I simply do not see numbers happening at all) along with names, characters would have to choose unique adjectives - and there are far less adjectives in the world than there are possibilities of character names.

[dfryer]

computing/storing the list of "everyone you've ever met" would also be prohibitive, even if you could work out a little "colour-coded" UI to track people whos names you don't know (or something along those lines).  Is it too much of a stretch to assume that someone else would have overheard your name or recognize you from someone elses description?  I've spent some time thinking about name/identity systems but usually in the end it seems like a very cumbersome way to force a one-line "hello".  Impersonation would be an interesting skill but given our current stance towards potential grief I think it is an unlikely one.