MMORPGs "Name" Auctioning and Reclamation

[Akkori]

I would be MUCH more in favor of preventing idiot names like "Tig Biddies" and the like. Nothing ruins a good time like seeing someone with an idiot name appear.

**edit**
And I am in the camp that thinks people should be willing to come up with their own name, one without the "cool" built in, and make the name theirs. I did that in SWG, made up a name I have never seen any player in any game use. Its MINE, and its cool.

[Venkman]

Nothing ruins a good time like seeing someone with an idiot name appear.

I've never ever understood this. Names are what people choose to identify themselves as. It's not a fun ruining experience to see someone with a name you don't like. It just means you stay the heck away from that person if it bothers you that much.

I'm pretty sure there are some copyright lawyers who would be most amused if they were to learn that Blizzard was selling the right to be "Drizzt" in their game.

This is a good point, one that is probably the deal killer for most titles. As soon as companies try to own the names of copywrited materials, they have to pay the copywrite holders. And even if the Name Auction System contains names entirely input by the players, that still may be court worthy, because the company is facilitating the exchange of copywrited material. But I say "may" because it was a problem for Napster but not for Cryptic/NC Soft.

[Murgos]

But I say "may" because it was a problem for Napster but not for Cryptic/NC Soft.

It was a problem for Cryptic, they were sued by Marvel over it.  It turns out though that if followed to it's conclusion Marvel would own a few thousand Hero names and Cryptic would own MILLIONS.  In this case it was in no ones best interest to squat on the names.

If you're a one trick pony though there may be an advantage to enforcing your copyright.  If I write a series of books known for one main character (for which I own the copyright and have licenced it out for various purposes) and someone tries to sell the name of that character on some online game you better be sure it's in my best interest to kick up a fuss.

[Venkman]

It was a problem for Cryptic, they were sued by Marvel over it.

The case was tossed out though wasn't it? Going from memory here, but didn't it weaken Marvel's position when it was shown that they made the copywrite-infringing characters themselves? Sure CoH allows players to do it, just like Napster allowed P2P filesharing. But in CoH, players weren't purposely making copywrited characters in droves, so therefore there wasn't a system actually resulted in the wanton abuse of copywrited material (unlike Napster).

I am not a lawyer. And have faulty memory.

In any case, in clear abuse, brand/IP/license holders have the right to go after this stuff, and should. Ultimately, this is their one-trick pony. Items and products just stem from the strength of that brand/IP/license.

[Murgos]

Anyway, it's probably moot.  All ToS that I have ever read include lots of vague wording on what you can and cannot name your character and I am sure it all applies to copyrighted names too.

Upon recieving a cease and desist the offending MMO will just remove the auction and say sorry, didn't see that.  Anything else I can help you with?

[HaemishM]

Nothing ruins a good time like seeing someone with an idiot name appear.

I've never ever understood this. Names are what people choose to identify themselves as. It's not a fun ruining experience to see someone with a name you don't like. It just means you stay the heck away from that person if it bothers you that much.

It IS for some people.

[jpark]

Your first proposal is simply trading one type of "unfairness" for another. Right now it's a first come first served system which is "unfair" for those who enter the game late.

Yup that's a problem.  One simple way around it is while some servers would have this property, others would not.

Letting people buy an already "used" name is also problematic. How do you know that name doesn't have a crappy reputation on that server?

Yup - buyer beware.  But keep in mind that with the "Naming Auction House" the main purpose is for players that have coveted names associated with their account, a mechanism to bring them into community circulation - at their option - in a form of commerce.  The actual transaction may not be game currency - they could be swapping names. 

[Pococurante]

Since we're determined to find new ways to be monetized...  use an expiration / lottery system.  So one truly is just renting the name for awhile.  Takes care of the long-term deal with folks who churned out.  Anyone stupid enough to pay for a name for three months is stupid enough to pay again.

[jpark]

Since we're determined to find new ways to be monetized...  use an expiration / lottery system.  So one truly is just renting the name for awhile. 

That looks like it would create a barrier for returning players to the game who have been inactive for awhile.

[Pococurante]

Look the entire idea is on par with nailing one's head to the floor.

[jpark]

Look the entire idea is on par with nailing one's head to the floor.

Be specific.  If I have some names on my account that others might want to use - what's wrong with setting up a system to communicate their availability?

[Pococurante]

Um hold on.  I thought the idea was to rent the name you wanted.  Now you want an in-game way to sell your cool name?

Sorry I'm in the wrong forum.  IGE is down the hall, to the left, 12-A.  No I don't think there's anything "wrong" with it.  It's just neither a game or a business model I want any part of.  I thought we were discussing "fair" ways to share unique names.  But even that precept is, well, as compelling as vaseline-soaked cockroaches served with a light taupe-tinted latex paint sauce.

[jpark]

Um hold on.  I thought the idea was to rent the name you wanted.  Now you want an in-game way to sell your cool name?

I never mentioned anything about renting.  If you want to post - read the discussion at hand first.

[Trippy]

It was a problem for Cryptic, they were sued by Marvel over it.

The case was tossed out though wasn't it?

They settled out of court meaning Marvel dropped it cause they knew they were going to lose (the judge did toss out some of the claims).

[Pococurante]

I never mentioned anything about renting.  If you want to post - read the discussion at hand first.

Thanks.  Hey don't take this personally, but fuck off.

[Azazel]

Huh. I thought I posted in this thread last night but I must have closed my browser down before hitting send. The post was a lot like that last one of Poco's though. Just more verbose.