So my character has received a forced name change. I can’t imagine that the name possibly violates any TOS. Is there a way to appeal this?
Edit: My character appears to have been auto-renamed as PlayerYTSHTR. I am not making this up.
Is Blizzard trolling me?
You can probably just rename your character what it was, but if it indeed did warrant a namechange, you may receive harsher consequences the next time.
That option appears to be gone and it is now PlayerYTSHTR.
I did not choose that name that’s what blizzard renamed it.
I believe the new name is more offensive than the name I picked.
ETA: I suppose its possible the string after “Player” is random but what are the odds that Blizzard randomly renamed “Rittenhouse” into “Player[white shooter]”?
When you try to log in with it, it should prompt you to give it a name.
There was for a second but I decided I wanted to appeal instead of just rename so I pressed cancel and yeah, now it is stuck on PlayerYTSHTR.
Edit again: ok I see what you mean, yeah when I try to login now it does bring that same window up to rename. Nevertheless, I want to appeal this.
What totally non offensive name did they change?
Rittenhouse. The character I am posting on.
Probably got reported for being named after a murderer, like naming “Dahmer” or “Manson” or something might trigger.
that’s just cope.
"When choosing a character name:
All player-made names must follow our Code of Conduct.
World of Warcraft Role Play (RP) realms are intended to provide players with an added level of immersion in the game world and must avoid being disruptive to the world. Examples of common unacceptable or disruptive RP names include (but are not limited to):
Blizzard reserves the right to assign a random name to any character violating our RP naming policy. For more severe or repeat violations, we may apply additional penalties to the account."
This is straight from the source themselves, Blizzard. In regards to the code of conduct part, here is what it says about names specifically.
"Names are subject to the same rules established above. Any name the player has the ability to customize—such as player names, BattleTags, and guild names—must be appropriate and inoffensive. Any name that violates our standards or disrupts the community will be changed, and additional limitations may be placed on the offending account per our discretion.
Take note that acceptable names are determined by player reports and Blizzard’s decision, and role-playing servers may have distinct standards for using game-appropriate names."
That is the code of conduct, referenced in the first bit of information taken from their report page.
I am not here to argue politics, or the verdict of the referenced name in question, but that said, it is an inflammatory and controversial ruling and could be deemed as “disruptive”. You can put the same name in place in the name change and run the risk of having it reported again, but in any case, if it does get reported, Blizzard will not play the world’s smallest violin for you.
Maybe just come up with a better name.
It probably didnt. They have an algorithm in place to where ANYONE can be auto kicked out of any name if enough people mass report it. I was removed from one of my names using such a tactic. I submitted a ticket to Blizz, we had live chat and the person who stole my name using that had theirs removed, I was able to log back in and take my old name back that I had had for years.
But the name that you have there violates the naming policy as that person is actually considered to be too well known of a figure and takes away from immersion. So if it is that toon that got flagged, that is why. No famous of infamous people can you name your toon after, nor any brands or any of that stuff.
That’s only applicable to RP servers.
So if I named my character “Legolas” that would be grounds for a forced renaming?
It seems like some people don’t like the idea that the name could be connected to a name that has been involved in media in a somewhat controversial way.
I can see the issue with some names especially if it was someone infamous for a horrible crime. Add in political differences and you can’t be shocked if someone reports you for it.
I’ve seen a variety of offensive names, some on hunters pets. I’d be curious if OP named himself after said infamous person on purpose and also what their pet name is >_>;
I think that’s true, but “some people don’t like that name” isn’t the same as “that name violates the TOS”
Seems like abuse of the report function, frankly.
That’s just cope.
I had some former guildies report my guild name only to steal it. I opened up several tickets with customer service until they finally agreed to flag them to change their guildname, too.
I’m not sure how pet name is relevant because I’m not required to change it.
As of now the name that Blizzard has given me is “PlayerYTSHTR”. Pretty sure if I entered the world with that name I would also get reported.
You were fishing for a reaction and got one. Good luck with the appeal, it’ll go nowhere.