idea for name displays in-game

[Princess Aelya]

since this game encourages RP, i think instead of displaying a name above someones head it should appear as \"someone\" or \"a male/female \" for example... someone ive never seen before walks up to me in-game. nor have they ever seen me. instead of looking above each others head to immediately identify each other, it would be more realistic to only have the names appear when introductions are made. then the names will appear above our heads. maybe there should be a way to \"request\" a persons name. if the person grants the request he/she will automatically state his/her name to the person who requested their name. and only then would a name appear. i think a system like this would add a significant amount to a more RP expirience.

[Aduin]

I agree that name shouldn\'t be displayed. I don\'t think that race/sex should be either. Not having names does do a lot for RP, plus it also yields possibilty for disgusing oneself. The only problem with not showing names or anything, would be that the system would need a lot of variety in charecter creation. Like custom faces, height, weight, etc.

[Princess Aelya]

Originally posted by Aduin
I agree that name shouldn\'t be displayed. I don\'t think that race/sex should be either. Not having names does do a lot for RP, plus it also yields possibilty for disgusing oneself. The only problem with not showing names or anything, would be that the system would need a lot of variety in charecter creation. Like custom faces, height, weight, etc.

well...why not race and sex? realisticly you can look at someone and immediatly be able to tell if they are male or female. unless they are completed covered with robes or something. same thing goes with race.

and please explain why a more advanced character creation system would be needed. I dont see what character descriptions has to do with names.

[Silverblade]

That is the best and most original idea i\'ve heard in a long time. It would definitely encourage roleplay, and add to the experience of walkling through a town full of strangers, as oppose to being in an area full of friends.

I really hope the dev\'s take note of this.

I played a MUD the other day in which, when creating your character, you have to enter a one line description of your characters physical appearance.

eg. A short stout dwarf, with blue eyes and long, dirty blonde hair.


The description was not allowed to contain anything about what you character is wearing or holding, because these things can change over time.  The description had to describe your permanent physical appearance. There was also a limit to 120 letters in the description.


Maybe in planeshift, whe you see someone, above their head you see \" \", then when you click on them, you see their description, and then after introductions have been made, you can see their name above their head.

[Aduin]

You argue my point for me Aelya. If you can look at someone in game and tell their race/gender, why would you need it displayed above their head? Plus, lets say someone, a rogue for example, doesn\'t want their identity to be known. If they wear a hooded cloak, you wouldn\'t know anything about them, and wouldn\'t be able to identify them later.

Also, about the detailed charecter creation. If there is a lot of variety in charecter creation, such as custom facial features, height, weight, hair color, skin tone, etc. Then you will be able to associate peoples names with their faces. This can only work in this system, because in a system like EQ where only a few faces are possible, people could get confused as to who is actually who. By not knowing a name, or anything, you would actually have to introduce yourself. If the other person drops a fake name, you won\'t know, unless you do some investigating. This really opens the door for political intrigue, and espianage and stuff.

[Fiere]

I like that last version best Silverblade. Not putting up race and sex leaves you with what? \"Hey You\" ,\"Whatsyerface\" or something to that effect  

But seriously I like the roleplay aspect of this idea, and I think an \"introduction\" function would be a neat addition to the game. When grouping all characters would have to introduce themselves first.

This is not a required feature in EQ and I have occasionally been invited to a group with no prior conversation. Goes like this : Soanso is inspecting you. Soandso invites you to join a group. Press FOLLOW to agree, DISBAND to cancel.  So now I have been inspected without permission which I hate ( an ongoing debate in EQ communities) and someone has decided to trust me with their virtual life based soley on my equipment. This indicates to me that the person  probably isnt a good groupmember and I always refuse.

I think introductions would force people to put a little more consideration into gameplay as well as enhance the roleplay aspect.

[Princess Aelya]

hmm i see your point aduin. so are you saying nothing at all should appear at first.

[Aduin]

I agree completely Fiere, and by not giving any information out about a person, it really forces people to get in charecter, and make the introductions. A function to do introductions I dislike, because it is too informal. To truely enforce the RP side of things, people should actually talk to eachother.

[Aruneko]

Great idea, Aelya!

This would be another reason for people to actually try to roleplay, and another way you could prevent d00ds from invading.

This could easily allow thieves to go undercover, as they could refuse to let people know their real name, and just tell them their alias.

I think that if the game doesn\'t give us enough graphics to tell whether something is male or female and what race it is, it isn\'t living up to its standards.

[Kiern]

Great idea, I really like it

...because if anyone can see your name they can immediatly latch onto you and keep bothering you, this way usually only friends will easily recognize you and you can get by in the world a lot more easily and it will be less annoying

As for forcing people into more RP, i\'m sure they\'ll find a way around it, they always do

[Aruneko]

At least it\'ll delay the non-RPness for a little while...

[Fiere]

Aduin,
I know absolutely nothing about programming but I had thought in order for the name to appear something more would have to be done than introducing  yourself via chat. It does make it informal but I am not sure how else the game would recognize the introduction.

Programmers help me out here?

[Kendaro]

This should remain on the one topic.... Please refur all comments here out to http://www.planeshift3d.com/forum/thread.php?threadid=2038&boardid=11&page=1

[Kiern]

I don\'t understand Kendaro, what is off-topic and why post in the identification thread?

[Fiere]

Actually this thread is reguarding individual identification and the other thread is geared more towards  organization identification. Related but not quite the same imho.