Guild Wars 2

Aside from the obvious, what exactly counts as an offensive name? I had a character named “Phook Yu,” and I was prompted to rename her, which is understandable. Now, I have another character who’s name is supposedly offensive, and I’m now being prompted to rename him as well. His name: Fart Sparkles.

I’ve seen other names far more offensive than that, and on level 80 characters (Fart Sparkles is only lvl 20, and I’ve only had him for two days). Does the word “fart” offend anyone? I’m pretty sure it’s not the “sparkles” part of his name that’s offensive, so I’m somewhat confused on why I’m being asked to rename him.

I’ve submitted a ticket to ANet to find out how his name is offensive, and while I wait for their reply, I’d like to hear what everyone else has to say about this. If you find his name offensive, please, tell me why.

SIDE NOTE: My plan for Fart Sparkles was to get him to 80 without crafting, eventually get a commander title for him, then see him in WvW as “Commander Fart Sparkles,” and make him one of the best commanders on the server I’m on. If I have to rename him, I’ll most likely never touch him again, because I’ll lose interest if he has another name.

EDIT: Were you ever prompted to rename a character who’s name you thought was not offensive? If so, what was their name?

I hope it isn’t considered as an offensive, that name sure is awesome especially when it’s with a commander Imagine, people will be talking about fats and sparkles

Well if you name yourself without the maturity of a 3 year old. You will never run into the problem.

clearly OP you are trolling.. You know the names were offensive and now you just want to troll the masses

I still don’t see how Fart Sparkles is offensive…

I don’t find any of those names offensive. The first name might offend some people because it is similar to the word kitten you. The second one is just funny, I don’t see why that could be offensive, everybody farts.

Meeooww.3742:

I don’t find any of those names offensive. The first name might offend some people because it is similar to the word kitten you. The second one is just funny, I don’t see why that could be offensive, everybody farts.

Yes they do. It’s worse when it’s silent

You sir have far more problems with names.

“Now on day three of waiting for a reply. Simply just requesting a name change for one of my characters after renaming her the same thing after a forced character rename (from “Phook Yu” to “Phook Yú”). Stupid/annoyed decision that I regretted minutes after applying. Don’t want to deal with a three day suspension, so I’ve avoided playing said character while I wait for a reply, and I’d really like to start playing said character again.”

No sympathy. You are looking for trouble.

i have a character named “Big Deal Though”. no one finds it offensive.

yeah, but imagine you stand in an elevator and someone lets off one of those loud and smelly farts and you are stuck in the elevator for another minute before you can get out. Its an extremly traumatizing experience, and someone that sufferd from such a fart might report you, just for the terror your name causes them to feel.

Kumu Honua.2751:

You sir have far more problems with names.

“Now on day three of waiting for a reply. Simply just requesting a name change for one of my characters after renaming her the same thing after a forced character rename (from “Phook Yu” to “Phook Yú”). Stupid/annoyed decision that I regretted minutes after applying. Don’t want to deal with a three day suspension, so I’ve avoided playing said character while I wait for a reply, and I’d really like to start playing said character again.”

No sympathy. You are looking for trouble.

Can I ask where you got that quote? I don’t see it anywhere on the first post.

Gluttony.2017:

yeah, but imagine you stand in an elevator and someone lets off one of those loud and smelly farts and you are stuck in the elevator for another minute before you can get out. Its an extremly traumatizing experience, and someone that sufferd from such a fart might report you, just for the terror your name causes them to feel.

Ugh….. well, as long as it’s not farts from Tacos, I’m good

Click the OP’s ID. And “Show all posts by”.

They have had more issues than names…

@Kumu: Are you saying silly names should all be banned? Because that’s what Fart Sparkles is… just a silly name that was made for kittens and giggles.

@Lysico: How is “Fart Sparkles” offensive? If I knew the name was offensive, I wouldn’t have made him with those plans in mind. Now, for “Phook Yu,” I knew it might eventually happen, so that one didn’t upset me too much.

“@Kumu: Are you saying silly names should all be banned? Because that’s what Fart Sparkles is… just a silly name that was made for kittens and giggles.”

I didn’t say that. Just use more maturity than a 3 year old.

Kumu Honua.2751:

They have had more issues than names…

Yup, like renaming “Phook Yu” (which I already mentioned), and for being banned for being a bot. What does any of that have to do with this?

Kumu Honua.2751:

Just use more maturity than a 3 year old.

Being more mature while giving a character a silly name would defeat the purpose of giving them a silly name.

“Yup, like renaming “Phook Yu” (which I already mentioned), and for being banned for being a bot. What does any of that have to do with this?”

Actually the issue I was talking about was your “Tee Hee, I will just put an accent over the u and make the same name!” garbage you state you pulled.

I foresee even more suspensions/bans in your future. You can’t help to avoid it.

@Kumu: Well, if you read the second half of what you quoted, I knew it was a bad decision, hence me saying I wouldn’t log into the character until I got another rename for the character (which ANET kindly gave me without the 3 day suspension).

Also, how can you foresee me getting more suspensions/bans? You clearly didn’t look at all my posts, and you’re just assuming I’m a person looking for trouble. The only things I’ve gotten in trouble for are having to rename “Phook Yu,” and for being banned for being a bot (along with three other guildies I was with; if you want the whole story, then read the posts about it in my history). So, one unwarranted ban, and two character renames (one being this one) = you’ll continue to get suspensions/bans because you’re a person looking for trouble?

You have had to rename twice. The first time you were belligerent but thought better of actually playing the “Renamed” character.

I doubt you will be able to avoid a third time.

Kumu Honua.2751:

You have had to rename twice. The first time you were belligerent but thought better of actually playing the “Renamed” character.

I doubt you will be able to avoid a third time.

Think what you want, but I doubt I’ll have to rename any other characters, because all their names are more “serious” (and I don’t plan on making more, because I’ve got one of each class now). I’m going to drop this convo with you now, because I’m done making an kitten out of you and me for your assumptions.

they think everyone is 6 years old so pretty much everything is offensive. since gw1 they made my name change 3 times and all my names weren’t offensive at all.

WTS ‘’Pinkie Pie’’ name

I had a thief named “A Piece of Poop” and I got prompted to rename him. So now his name is “Imbalanced Meta”.

Cowrex.9564:

I still don’t see how Fart Sparkles is offensive…

Me either.

It’s a hilarious satirical jab at the vanity and fantasy inherent in MMORPGS and social expectations.

As a girlfriend once said “my farts should smell like cinnamon? yours sure dont!”

My main’s name used to be Gód, but they made me change it after about a month ):
That kind of disappointed me because by that point the best names where taken. At least I still have Charrizard

Navzar.2938:

My main’s name used to be Gód, but they made me change it after about a month ):
That kind of disappointed me because by that point the best names where taken. At least I still have Charrizard

which makes me think their definition of “offensive” came from someone who runs one of those wacko groups you see on the news ranting about how “harry potter” is sending people to hell.

We really need to have clinton start an “anti-political-correctness” movement, because the examples in this thread are severely out of hand.

Btw, they only consider changing it if someone reports it as offensive. At least that’s what the support guy told me anyway.
So I guess someone actually found fart sparkles offensive?

Navzar.2938:

Btw, they only consider changing it if someone reports it as offensive. At least that’s what the support guy told me anyway.
So I guess someone actually found fart sparkles offensive?

This is the first game i’ve seen where there’s a widespread practice of “report trolling”.

People know ANet is overzealously ban happy, and will report people just to see how miserable they can make their lives.

No one player should have unilateral authority to say someone’s name is offensive, and ANet staff should demonstrate more autonomy and personal judgment than to simply carry on the will of a single player (or his obnoxious troll clique) in ruining someone else’s fun.

No profanity, no racial slurs, no religion-bashing, and no veiled threats in a name should be sufficient to categorize it as “non-offensive”, and people who report non-offensive names as such should be warned and banned for acting in bad faith.

I think the problem is that a lot of people might think along these lines" “I think someone else might find it offense so I’ll just report it enough though I personally don’t find it offensive.”

I’ll grant that “Fart” is rather tame. But it’s still unacceptale and annoying and the over zealous won’t blink at reporting it.

Having a past history of being unable to make a normal name just makes a forum post highlight the massive immaturity of the person.

Anet forces the name change. Just do it. No need to flounce all over the forum saying “WOE IS ME!”.

Just grow up. Be funny if you want but utilize at least a modicum of maturity.

Well I guess it does offend somebody after all, but please don’t flame the thread. (…And if you think it’s tame, how is it still unacceptable?)

Kumu Honua.2751:

I’ll grant that “Fart” is rather tame. But it’s still unacceptale and annoying and the over zealous won’t blink at reporting it.

Having a past history of being unable to make a normal name just makes a forum post highlight the massive immaturity of the person.

Anet forces the name change. Just do it. No need to flounce all over the forum saying “WOE IS ME!”.

Just grow up. Be funny if you want but utilize at least a modicum of maturity.

I hear Jersey Shore is absolutely reviled, and was forced off TV by the decent members of society — oh wait.

“maturity”, beyond the scientific meaning of the term, is subjective.

I liked the guy’s name. It reminds people not to take life and gaming so seriously. I think it’s a shame I never got a chance to see those names in-game.

I try to keep the same tradition by naming any nameable player-controlled units after the dumbest examples of politicians I can pull from the news. (in rift I named my skellie “ted stevens”)

Except that TV doesn’t have a “Report this channel for inappropriate content” button for the “decent members of society”.

If it did, that show would have vanished the moment it was aired.

Anet however does have such a button and people should name themselves accordingly. Or at least accept the consequences when things don’t go their way. No need for a forum post about it.

Kumu Honua.2751:

Except that TV doesn’t have a “Report this channel for inappropriate content” button for the “decent members of society”.

If it did, that show would have vanished the moment it was aired.

Anet however does have such a button and people should name themselves accordingly. Or at least accept the consequences when things don’t go their way. No need for a forum post about it.

If you start pushing name changes because 5 people out of 3 million consider a name that is neither profane, racial, sexist, or threatening “offensive”, you are imposing tyranny by the minority.

It’s quickly rising as a form of bullying in this game.

I was once “reported for botting” immediately after pulling off a 10 move combo on my ele involving 3 different attunements.

I’ve seen other people doing this, and there have been (in-game) chat transcripts of trolls like this abusing the mod system on this forum periodically.

There need to be objective criteria and they need to be narrow.

This is not china, freedom of speech is codified in most of the western world and is still considered an ideal even in corporate settings, and should be respected unless real lines are crossed.

Because of some trolls picking on this guy (and ANet subjecting themselves to manipulation, or simply entrusting the “offensive name” reporting system to an automated process), I missed out on a good, innocuous laugh in-game.

I get that ANet was caught off guard by the success of their game in sales, but never should a robot have a final say in governing the account of a human.

For the record, you can report TV programs for obscenity, indecency and profanity, but judgements are made by contemporary community standards.

“We do not permit names that:

Have offensive racial, ethnic, or national connotations.
Include hate speech or bigoted slurs
Reference sexual acts or real life violence.
Are pornographic.
Make inappropriate references to human anatomy or bodily functions.
Reference illegal drugs or activities.
Reference religious or historical figures.
Reference real-life people.
Reference names of copyrighted or trademarked characters, materials, or products.
Use misspellings or alternative spellings of names that violate any of the above rules."

Can you spot the exact offense that the name change is perfectly warranted for?

Navzar.2938:

Btw, they only consider changing it if someone reports it as offensive. At least that’s what the support guy told me anyway.
So I guess someone actually found fart sparkles offensive?

That’s what I figured… It makes me wonder, though, if they actually look at the names being reported, or if they just go straight to making the person rename their character because they were reported. If the latter, it’s really unfair to the people with unoffensive names that are prompted to rename their character just because someone felt the need to report them.

Really hoping I get a reply to my ticket in a timely manner, and that I’m able to keep the name… and until that reply, I’m not renaming him. >:[

Kumu Honua.2751:

“We do not permit names that:

…Make inappropriate references to human anatomy or bodily functions…"

Please explain how “Fart Sparkles” is an inappropriate reference to a bodily function.

Kumu Honua.2751:

“We do not permit names that:

Have offensive racial, ethnic, or national connotations.
Include hate speech or bigoted slurs
Reference sexual acts or real life violence.
Are pornographic.
Make inappropriate references to human anatomy or bodily functions.
Reference illegal drugs or activities.
Reference religious or historical figures.
Reference real-life people.
Reference names of copyrighted or trademarked characters, materials, or products.
Use misspellings or alternative spellings of names that violate any of the above rules."

Can you spot the exact offense that the name change is perfectly warranted for?

The key word in the line you are referring to is “inappropriate.” There is a world of subjectivity in that word.

If the word in question doesn’t have any loaded connotations for the OP, then why is it even considered to be “funny?” Some people like to laugh about biological functions, others don’t.

My rule of thumb in such matters is, “Would I use the word in referring to someone with a loaded gun who was right next to me?” If the answer is no, I won’t use it in other circumstances, either. I would not call such a person a fart, sparkly or otherwise, though ommv.

Oh come on now. Nitpicking the sentence structure?

You could also state that the “or” makes the second qualifier a separate entity. Thus it’s actually two items. 1. Inappropriate references to human anatomy. 2. Bodily functions.

Since Anet chose to suspend the name and force a change. It seems that they indeed believe that it is inappropriate.

So just stop doing it. Or when you are forced to change the name. Don’t come to the forums to cry about it.

Kumu Honua.2751:

Since Anet chose to suspend the name and force a change. It seems that they indeed believe that it is inappropriate.

So just stop doing it. Or when you are forced to change the name. Don’t come to the forums to cry about it.

I didn’t come to cry about, I simply came to see who else found the name offensive and why, and to see what other “offensive/inappropriate” names had to be changed. Calm down, and stop being such a Debbie downer. =]

OP you are clearly looking for trouble…

If ANet had any good sense they would just ban you permanently…

If I saw your nasty names out in the game, I would report you just so you would lose the money you paid for the game.

It’s truly frustrating to see that some of you think I’m “looking for trouble” and deserve what’s happening. Once again, I can see why I had to change the name of my character “Phook Yu,” and it’s becoming more and more clear to me that some people are just out there to ruin other peoples fun.

Soulstar, I bet you’re one of those people that report people for whatever you think justifies a report in the slightest. Also, sorry to burst your bubble, but people reporting me for a name change isn’t making me lose money in anyway.

On a better note, it’s nice to see that a majority of the community sees this forced name change as something uncalled for. To those on my side, thank you for your support. I have a feeling, though, that the reign of Fart Sparkles has come to an end. u_u

I’m starting to wonder if I’ve fallen into 1984.

Is that supposed to be clever? Go to bed after you are done with your homework.

Reporting someone cause of a name is kinda pathetic.

Reporting someone for breaking the rules is pathetic? Disagree with them or not, the rules are the rules, and you agreed to the TOS whether you read them or not.
And no, this is not covered under free speech.
/facepalm

I find the name mildly offensive, in incredibly poor taste, quite intrusive, and ridiculously juvenile. How’s that? Clear enough?

I don’t expect people to create names that fit perfectly into the lore of them game, and I don’t mind odd, quirky, or humorous names as long as they obey the rules.
It’s not like it’s even a long list.

“Make inappropriate references to human anatomy or bodily functions.”
Sorry, it was completely called for, though if they’re still handing out three day suspensions I’ll agree that’s a bit long for a name violation.

From the the Rules of Conduct:
You may not create character names or otherwise transmit, post, link to or facilitate the distribution of any sexually explicit, harmful, threatening, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, hateful, vulgar, racially or ethnically offensive, invasive of personal privacy or publicity rights, or objectionable in a reasonable person’s view imagery or content.

Other people considered your name to be vulgar and that ANet agrees.

Vulgar
1. marked by lack of taste, culture, delicacy, manners, etc

Really tho, names like Phook Yu and fart joke names? When I see someone with a name like that I think, hmmmm must be a preteenager. If you want a silly name for a commander, just find one that’s not “vulgar”. Think of something clever rather than going for the cheap laughs.

Hi everyone,

It seems the conversation has run its course, the thread is now locked.

As a reminder, please do not debate Customer Support decisions on the forums. (forum Code of Conduct)

Thanks for your understanding.