They did a name release a few years back I thought.
(Clarification): Name releases are automated now. If an account is inactive for two expansions in a row, the names on it are released. That’s 4-5 years of someone not playing before the names on their account become available.
(Commentary): Personally I remain convinced the best course of action is second names/surnames. I can’t say I like the idea of making the release of names much more fast and requiring frequent log-ons, but everyone I try to get to play this game keeps complaining about how hard it is to get a name for a character.
They do it at the beginning of every expansion on inactive accounts.
I get that names get scarce, but OP is trying to punish active players for rolling new toons. It’s silly and nonsensical.
I’m ok with speeding up the time frame on inactive accounts though. If you’re gone for a year or more, you’re likely not coming back for a while, if at all.
2 Likes
100% agree with second names and '.
I agree with changing the length of time. 5 years is ridiculious.
So are these though.
I’d be comfortable with
- 2 years max character
-1 year - between current max and previous expansion max - 9 months previous expansions max level
- levels 10-previous expansions max level - 6 months
- level 10 or lower - 3 months.
Inactive subs:
Half the time for all of them.
1 Like
Or allow similar character names and switch all player communications over to Battle.Net Tags. It’s apalling that in a 2020 MMO we can’t have freedom from naming collisions.
Two years is way too generous. Active max level characters should keep their names so long as the account pays, but inactive accounts should get their names flushed after exactly a year. Inactive characters below level 20 should lose the name after a month of inactivity, regardless of the overall account activity.
4 Likes
I think the name policy is fine how it is. There are plenty of great names out there. It used to be very messy before, they would ask for a name to be released on and account that maybe didn’t play for a year, then the person came back, their name would have numbers after it because the name was given away.
With the rules how they are, people know they have two expansions to get back into the game, or they forfeit their names. Every two expansions is a good pace for people to decide if they want to come back to the game or not.
Maybe the person with Grok (as an example) really needed a break, maybe they were over seas, maybe they were sick, whatever the reason, they have they name Grok, and it’s theirs to get back to, when they want it. If they truly quit the game the name will be free in time.
If people are paying for the active accounts it’s their name, maybe they have plans for the character, but are busy with other things and can’t level it to the max at the moment. Maybe they are working on other alternative characters and will get back to it eventually.
7 Likes
I’ll explain why I don’t like this one at all, so you understand why it’s a bad idea:
I have characters on an old server. I’m planning to transfer then, eventually. I’ve rolled the names on the new server as a place holder. The characters are random, I don’t intend to play them, but I don’t have the gold to switch those characters right now.
I shouldn’t be punished on a ACTIVE account for holding a name this way.
I disagree for the reason I posted above. My account is active. I have a reason for taking that name. I shouldn’t be punished for it.
6 Likes
That is kinda part of the problem though. People doing that on several servers just in case are locking down names on level 1s that could be used legitimately by active characters.
2 Likes
They are being used legitimately, by active accounts.
Focus your ire on inactive accounts where the real problems lie.
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Dunno about you guys but I’d be honestly pissed if somebody was able to take my toons names, active sub or not. I often take breaks so this would likely mean I’d have various names taken from me.
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I have nothing against you personally, but I think that’s selfish. You’re doing the equivalent of locking down a table at the restaurant by putting your coat on it, then going to the back of the line, while the people at the front of the line are denied that table.
And I’m the kind of person who removes these coats.
(Commentary): Gathering dust on a future transfer does not seem particularly like a legitimate use. That said, I’ve already stated my preference in the OP; a second name for characters is the superior option, and would eliminate any need to release names ever again.
I can’t say I understand why it is a bad idea from this. I get why you don’t like the idea but you aren’t using the name. Sure you might not get your name if you move to a new server but I don’t see why you should have priority to a name over a new player.
God forbid you take a 3 month break from a game that’s essentially had no content for the last 6 months
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It isn’t, sorry. I have a reason for taking the name. If you didn’t think of it first, that’s on you. If my account is ACTIVE I shouldn’t be punished.
Again, keep it to inactive accounts. There are LOTS of names tied up there.
Because I’ve already thought up the name and have it reserved. It’s not my fault that someone else didn’t think of it first.
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You’re not using it.
I don’t care who thought of it first. I don’t see why that would be remotely relevant. If the name isn’t being used, Blizzard should let someone else have it. You aren’t using it.
Yes I am. I explained above what my use is.
You don’t get to decide if I can keep it or not.
And you’re calling me greedy?
HA!
4 Likes
But in a thread about what the rules should be, I do get to have an opinion.
That’s my opinion.