23 replies to this topic

[Amidatelion]

So I was going to ask Ashfire about this in #hawkenscrim but I figure it's of more broad interest than just me and those losers.

 

It seems that there are more and more games that are either not supporting account name changes or actively rolling them back. World of Warships used to have it for a hefty price, but now they only allow it under specific circumstances. Many others straight up don't allow it, including, officially at least, Hawken.

 

Is there a reason for this, infrastructurally or is it, in Hawken's case at least, a manpower issue?

 

Because sure, Hawken devs have better things to do than dig account info all day, but Wargaming is hiring so fast they probably had to install a spinny-door-thiingy. Riot has this on lockdown with (expensive) account changes, but they have an excess of manpower. The only good reason I can think of for these other companies is infrastructure, the way accounts are set up, but with GUIDs on accounts, this shouldn't be too much of an issue. I don't think, at least.

Edited by Amidatelion, 06 October 2015 - 07:29 AM.

[EliteShooter]

Someone might abuse the system.

 

[kaiserschmarrn_]

Someone might abuse the system.

 

That's not even Amid's first problem.

 

His first problem is expecting a response.

[Elite_is_salty]

I actually would love to change my callsign to my actual IRL name. Tho I can't dream of having it changed lol

[Sp3ctrr]

I for one could dig this. I so want to remove the 3 in sp3ctrr :C

[phed]

Uh...

Why do we need name changes? If you want a new identity, do the douchy thing and make a smurf.

It just adds another layer of anonymity we don't need.

[TheButtSatisfier]

Why do we need name changes? If you want a new identity, do the douchy thing and make a smurf.

It just adds another layer of anonymity we don't need.

 

Few questions:

1. By your own logic, being able to change your name may prevent some people from taking the douchey route of making smurfs. Why would you want to prevent something that may reduce the prevalence of smurfing?
2. Why is anonymity bad? Or put another way, why is having more of it bad?

Edited by TheButtSatisfier, 06 October 2015 - 09:52 AM.

[phed]

Few questions:

• By your own logic, being able to change your name may prevent some people from taking the douchey route of making smurfs. Why would you want to prevent something that may reduce the prevalence of smurfing?
• Why is anonymity bad? Or put another way, why is having more of it bad?

• having an alt or two (for temporary anonymity) is not the problem with smurfing, it's the constantly creating new smurfs everytime the mmr climbs over 2k that's the issue.
• when you post on the forums or play in the game you are establishing an identity that the people you encounter come to know. Meeting and learning about the people around you builds community. Most people wouldn't change thier name if they became too well respected - quite the opposite actually. Allowing name changes is tantamount to rewarding bad behavior.

Edited by phed, 06 October 2015 - 10:06 AM.

[Hyginos]

 

Allowing name changes is tantamount to rewarding bad behavior.

 

Something something logical fallacy.

 

The second does not necessarily follow the first.

[TheButtSatisfier]

 

• having an alt or two (for temporary anonymity) is not the problem with smurfing, it's the constantly creating new smurfs everytime the mmr climbs over 2k that's the issue.

 

It sounds like creating a smurf for the sole purpose of having a different account name wouldn't be so douchey then

 

• when you post on the forums or play in the game you are establishing an identity that the people you encounter come to know. Meeting and learning about the people around you builds community. Most people wouldn't change thier name if they became too well respected - quite the opposite actually. Allowing name changes is tantamount to rewarding bad behavior.

 

Having your account name changed doesn't erase your forum history, so that aspect of maintaining a reputation is null. Furthermore I think it'd be hard to argue that allowing name changes would somehow sink the moral integrity of our community any lower than it already is. You're essentially saying that the benefits of being able to readily add clan tags, modify typos, just change your name because you feel like it, etc. is outweighed by allowing evildoers to change their names so they can evade Internet social justice.

Edited by TheButtSatisfier, 06 October 2015 - 10:23 AM.

[JackVandal]

 

2k that's the issue.

 

Thats the line? beans, i should have made a smurf months ago, get ready for JacktheLumberJack folks.

[crockrocket]

I was under the impression that you could submit a support ticket with 3 choices for your new name and they'd do it.

[americanbrit14]

I was under the impression that you could submit a support ticket with 3 choices for your new name and they'd do it.

I was under the impression that you could just say it has personal info in it and they would change it.

 

(thats what Meat- i mean Kaiser-sama told me)

[comic_sans]

I think I'm among the minority here when I say I love changing my name to stupid things and I do it several times a week.  I like it when the name is tied to the steam account, but I understand that this would be difficult/not worth it to implement.

 

It's like smurfing on your main!

[kvazarsky]

Steam has it covered quite well: You can change nickname whenever you want, but it doesn't change link to account, and (name) change history is visible to everyone.

[coldform]

I'm willing to wager that this is in fact an infrastructure issue, but one of code, and not manpower.  I believe game accounts came under meteor's umbrella, and they were tied into the codebase at adhesive.  also, IIRC, capnjosh mentioned something along the lines of meteor credits related codebase was so slipshod that it would always remain Meteor credits.

[crockrocket]

I think I'm among the minority here when I say I love changing my name to stupid things and I do it several times a week.  I like it when the name is tied to the steam account, but I understand that this would be difficult/not worth it to implement.

 

It's like smurfing on your main!

 

That's how they did it in Rocket League, however I don't presume to know jack fuzzy bunny about the back end in this case

[driedjello]

Is the name "Caitlyn_Jenner" taken yet?

[crockrocket]

Is the name "Caitlyn_Jenner" taken yet?

It appears not. Go forth and smurf my son

[Sorroritas]

 

• Why is anonymity bad? Or put another way, why is having more of it bad?

 

 

 

 

It's like smurfing on your main!

 

 

I'm willing to wager that this is in fact an infrastructure issue, but one of code, and not manpower.

 

I agree.

Would have been nice to have probably, but I can also live with the way it is now

[kvazarsky]

Aaaaaand the next topic is: mech gender change. :P

[Amidatelion]

Wow yeah fuzz off with this fuzzy bunny, I was actually hoping for an answer as opposed to a thread lock. You'd think you people would have the sense not to follow the example of a 14-year old edgelord on probably his last strike.

[TheButtSatisfier]

Wow yeah fuzz off with this fuzzy bunny, I was actually hoping for an answer as opposed to a thread lock. You'd think you people would have the sense not to follow the example of a 14-year old edgelord on probably his last strike.

 

I'm pretty sure the least successful way to obtain a development-related answer from the devs is to make a thread. If it's answers you seek then nothing is preventing you from PM'img the powers that be or asking Ashfire in IRC.

 

Edit: replace "development" with "backend" or any other technically-related term

 

Edit2: I AM PROUD OF MY WRONGNESS

Edited by TheButtSatisfier, 07 October 2015 - 07:02 AM.

[LadyTiggs]

We change callsigns when a user contacts support.  :)   If it gets abused, then we'll discontinue offering it.