This is just a inquiry into if the wording behind player name unavailability was changed in the last hotfix. Previously trying to get a character name usually resulted in the Menu saying “That name is unavailable”.
Now I am finding new wording. It reads as follows:
“That name is taken. Taken names can’t be claimed (even if Inactive).”
Is this a new version of the original message, or is this Blizzard’s way of saying that the release of names is no longer done at the end of expansions any longer? Or are Taken Names different than unavailable ones and names that will ‘never’ become usable or released to the public period?
Please advise so I have an idea on what this new version means exactly. Thanks.
I just tried a few names I wanted yesterday, and it still read this.
I have never seen this wording. It’s possible you stumbled on a name combination that can NEVER be taken.
There ARE restricted words in the naming files, so you probably hit on one of them.
A good thought, but highly unlikely.
I checked the same exact name the day before and did not get the below message.
Rather like you Beau I got “Name Unavailable”, hence my wondering if something changed last update.
To be clear, the release of names was never done at the end of an expansion. The release takes place automatically based on a time frame that amounts to approximately 2 expansions. It used to be manually done when we first started, then a more automatic system was created to deal with those.
Generally speaking, if the name is listed as unavailable it could mean it is on a reserved list, either temporarily or permanently. A more specific verbiage seems to lend itself to being clearer though, meaning the name is taken by another character so you currently cannot use it and it is not being freed up for your use. This applies to active characters but can also apply to inactive characters, if the WoW license they are on has recently been active.
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Inactive names can usually be released at any time in the expansion cycle, not always coinciding with the end, or the beginning. I’m not sure why the messaging changed though.
Alright, but can you at least confirm if this is a new version of the same old message, or if this is something new that all of us are seeing going forward? Just asking, because Beau said she got the old version of the message the other day, as did I. Now my version is using a different wording, but I didn’t see any sort of patch notes relating to that…?
Also, what is a ‘reversed list’? o_O
That was supposed to be Reserved… I was typing too quickly and spelled the wrong word correctly so… 
The error message is just a more specific one that was updated to mean… this name is taken by another character and is currently not available for use.
As opposed to a name that might be on a reserved list, such as a bad name list, or a name that is reserved by our Dev staff (i.e. Thrall, Jaina, etc…) or a name that is currently reserved after a level 30+ character that held it was deleted or one held by a character service.
Not every update will be in the patch or hotfix notes.
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Thanks Vrak. So it was a change that was made recently then? That’s good to know.
Mainly I was more concerned about whether it was a new change to the that had been made to the client, or whether it was something that had been directed specifically at my account for whatever reason.
The real reason I was curious, was because I did make a thread relating to this topic a few days back; but wound up removing because the General Forums had a lot of people trolling the heck out of it and in general trying to just be antagonistic.
It’s just a change to the messaging. It’s something many of us in CS have asked to have updated for a good while, so huzzah. Looks like they snuck it in. 
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Thanks for your time as always. You always will be the most helpful Centaur in my books. So, one final question. Magram or Gelkis? I ask because it is important to me that your people and allies be supported. ^^
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Galak, actually, from Thousand Needles. 
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Blizzard named the town Thunder Totem after my old main. That’s my story and I am sticking with it.
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2 expansions is waaaaaay too long of a time frame. People that aren’t even interested in the game could make a char and quit and then someone that actually plays will not be able to use that name for like 4 years!
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Keep in mind, most of the policies are in place due to player feedback and developer intention. Yes, it would be nice to a common name and free it up more often, but be on the other side of this. Say you took a break for a little while and find your whole identity was shaken up because of it.
With that said, the policy was created by developers, and the support forums are not routinely checked for player feedback. Your thoughts might work better in a suggestion using the in game help menu. Those do go directly to the development team.
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note this behavior is different then a name thats not available, i am getting this message when I try to get a specific name, but i get the green check mark prior to getting it. it is def NOT THE SAME as not being able to proceed for a taken name.
Please create a new thread then necro a thread a year later the information accurate then is has probably changed by now.
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Necrosing anything older than two weeks or so is frowned upon due to the fact that the system at one point isn’t the same as the revival. There have been hotfixes and patches and even entire expansions later.
In a perfect world this forum would act like the others that lock after X amount of time, but alas that isn’t the case. So when it’s told to someone to create a new thread rather than dredge up old data, it’s trying to keep things current and relevant.
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