Having read through the thread I've come to make various observations of interest, some of which I'd like to address.
On the added GM workload:"...this really should not be a big deal. It takes only a second to change a name, I know personally, I've done it before."
Consider the implications of a few seconds effort, or more realistically a few minutes and how significant such effort might be to a player. Would it not be well worth the immersion, increased testing, creativity and role-play it may well bring to the game, possibly for an indefinite duration onward. Even if discussion may follow, as with everything else?
On favoritism, conflict and claiming responsibility: Something which appears a big issue is the fear of favoritism.
Granted, there is no way of pleasing everyone. Yet is it not in the developers best interest to oblige as many players as possible within reason?
What I find paradoxical is having the tools at hand to grant a great service, yet finding oneself hesitant of doing so, whereas denying the same service appears trivial.
Who is going to judge who is viable for a name change? the GM's are, of course. Are they fallible and human like the rest of us? most definitely.
have they not been chosen however, based on merit and their qualities as objective mediators, and accepted the responsibility which follows?
That is something obliging or denying the consensus would answer in my mind, although PS might not be a democracy.
I too know the irritations that comes with being a GM, yet granting a wish which would bring forth more positive than negative appears not only beneficial, and as a service not only to the players, but ultimately the community itself.
On policy:Policy should be ever evolving, presuming there is a good reason for it to be. I'd say altering it for the better takes more integrity than upholding it as it is.
Alternatively, allow this function to occur once to begin with, much as an OOC event, such as the ones allowing players to change the names of items in the past.
The variables of this would need to be discussed, but would counteract those not showing the right to claim injustice.
On names as OOC signposts:Name labels are OOC information signposts. Your character doesn't see them. So what if it says Sean Connery if the description says James Bond?
Granted, the concept of simply using the same name might work. It would more likely lead to massive confusion however, should I myself attempt upon running large scale events or simply indulge in whatever random role-play comes my way.
Such confusion would be derived from the familiarity of the name, and I'm sure that goes for many of those active from around since 09 or earlier.
I for one would like to let the past be the past, and start of fresh from an RP perspective.
An appeal:Lastly, I'd like to appeal to the GM team in reaching a stance on this matter. It would appear many welcome the idea, and that the stated benefits outweighs the negative. Either granting or negating the wish seems a fair request to make, as it was raised two weeks before this thread was posted.
With that, I hope on a reasonable decision on the matter, and a fresh start beckoning. Let us talk plainly, no matter the stance taken.With that, I shall take my leave indefinitely from in game once more, and I wish all of you the very best.