Guild Wars 2

I logged in today to find one of my character’s names had been changed.

That’s right – there was no pop up box prompting me to rename my character… his name was changed.

The character’s original name was Personal Stalker. He’s been renamed to Personal Pony.

This is absolutely unreal. Nobody’s ever contacted me saying my name was against the rules (and of course it isn’t, there’s nothing offensive about Personal Stalker) but why on earth would a games company think it’s acceptable to randomly choose a new name for a character, let alone a name like “Personal Pony”?

I’m left thinking that either: a GM has gone rogue and decided to just go around doing whatever, breaking their own rules, or someone’s hacked a GM’s account and is abusing it.

And if you think that “stalker” is offensive, there’s Stalker armor in the game already. There’s also a player called Stalker, a player called Your Stalker, Creepy Stalker etc. – so I’m guessing all of those players will be having their names changed to something Pony too.

Creepy Pony ftw

Doesn’t have to be offensive to be against the ToS. For example – naming your character after an NPC will usually warrant a forced name change. Also naming your character after illegal activities can warrant a name change (perhaps it came under this?).

Also, you would have to take it up with support themselves by submitting a ticket to appeal it. Nothing anyone in these forums can do to help you.

Have you contacted support? That would be your first port of call before the general forums. If it’s legit, then they will explain that. If it’s an error, they will fix it.

Randulf.7614:

Have you contacted support? That would be your first port of call before the general forums. If it’s legit, then they will explain that. If it’s an error, they will fix it.

Well, I know it’s not legit because a) there was nothing wrong with the name and b) they just changed my name themselves without giving me the option to change it.

Considering the amount of genuinely offensive names I see around that remain unchanged, I think it’s safe to say that somebody who works for ANet has taken a special interest in messing with me.

This is interesting because Stalker is still taken, Kindred Stalker, Devious Stalker, Lost Stalker, Deathly Stalker, Evil Stalker, Sick Stalker.

Alright I stopped even checking since all these other names were taken. Challenge it with a support ticket and get your name back or ask why all these other “Stalkers” are allowed to keep it and you are not.

Open a support ticket, there’s absolutely nothing we on the forum can do to help you.

warduke.1780:

Randulf.7614:

Have you contacted support? That would be your first port of call before the general forums. If it’s legit, then they will explain that. If it’s an error, they will fix it.

Well, I know it’s not legit because a) there was nothing wrong with the name and b) they just changed my name themselves without giving me the option to change it.

Considering the amount of genuinely offensive names I see around that remain unchanged, I think it’s safe to say that somebody who works for ANet has taken a special interest in messing with me.

You wont know it is legit until you contact them. Yes there are worse running around, but if a player didn’t report them so the name could be reviewed, then they are getting away with it. If it your name is a legit change (and I can see why it might be), then it is because it was reported by a player and a support agent reviewed the name and changed it. They are well within their rights to do so as well since it is part of the ToS of the game and in fact many MMO’s use an identical policy of changing the name on your behalf, although I agree they should prompt you to change it yourself.

If it is an error then it will be reversed.

You have to admit that the name change is pretty funny. I most likely wouldn’t even
notice if my name changed to be honest, all I do is double click my character icon and go.

Are you sure you just didn’t get drunk one night, or maybe someone else logged onto your account to prank you? Check your Black Lion purchase history (you can see it ingame) and see if a name change contract or wedding bundle were purchased recently.

Create a support ticket, use this link as a guide: Proheals Comment
Where Proheals talks about the new relaxed naming policy and also the first definition of the term: “A person who stealthily hunts or pursues an animal or another person.” As well as all the other people that have different variations on the name.

Good luck.

Ven Zehn.6573:

Are you sure you just didn’t get drunk one night, or maybe someone else logged onto your account to prank you? Check your Black Lion purchase history (you can see it ingame) and see if a name change contract or wedding bundle were purchased recently.

No purchases, and nobody’s logged into my account either.

I know people who have had their names force-changed and all of them have had a renaming box prompt when they tried to play that character.

From what I’ve read they don’t change your name. They suspend your account (or that character) until you change it, for free. If they change it then you have to buy a name change contract to change it to something of your preference. I suspect someone logged into your account from your house to do the name change.

I’ve heard it several ways. Sometimes they force you to change your name upon logging in with that character, other times they change it manually to something they deem appropriate and or being funny.

Open a support ticket, it’s the only suggestion we can give you. Other than maybe reviewing the naming policy as well.

Chad.6104:

From what I’ve read they don’t change your name. They suspend your account (or that character) until you change it, for free. If they change it then you have to buy a name change contract to change it to something of your preference. I suspect someone logged into your account from your house to do the name change.

Nobody’s logged into the account except me (unless it’s an Anet Employee).

Also, if the name had been changed by my own account, it would show up in my Black Lion history.

LanfearShadowflame.3189:

Open a support ticket, it’s the only suggestion we can give you. Other than maybe reviewing the naming policy as well.

Reviewing the naming policy?

That’s a good joke! My name doesn’t break any policy. It’s completely inoffensive; as I pointed out there’s ARMOR IN THE GAME called “Stalker” so if my name is offensive, Anet should change the name of the armor too.

Remember that GW is a global game. I had a guildie who was unable to get the name he wanted and nobody could see anything offensive in it to be banned, but it was. So some other culture or language could be a factor.

Or maybe a GM liked the name so much he stole it!

Honestly though, I think Personal Pony sounds a lot more offensive than Stalker lol, like “Hey, I’ll be your pony, baby….”

And I don’t consider stalker offensive at all, maybe you killed someone in pvp n they reported you?

I wonder if someone can gift a name change to another account. Does anyone else at your house play the game who might have gifted your account a name change contract then logged in and changed it as a prank?

At any rate, to find out what happened you’ll need to contact support.

warduke.1780:

LanfearShadowflame.3189:

Open a support ticket, it’s the only suggestion we can give you. Other than maybe reviewing the naming policy as well.

Reviewing the naming policy?

That’s a good joke! My name doesn’t break any policy. It’s completely inoffensive; as I pointed out there’s ARMOR IN THE GAME called “Stalker” so if my name is offensive, Anet should change the name of the armor too.

It never hurts to be aware of precisely what their rules are. This way when support argues the issue with you (and they might) you are aware and can argue your point accordingly.

I understand that you’re kittened off, but I didn’t do it so chill.

Edit: Also, just because you or I don’t consider the name to be offensive, doesn’t mean anything either. That decision lies completely in Anet’s hands. Like I said, review the policy. It states that quite plainly.

warduke.1780:

LanfearShadowflame.3189:

Open a support ticket, it’s the only suggestion we can give you. Other than maybe reviewing the naming policy as well.

Reviewing the naming policy?

That’s a good joke! My name doesn’t break any policy. It’s completely inoffensive; as I pointed out there’s ARMOR IN THE GAME called “Stalker” so if my name is offensive, Anet should change the name of the armor too.

If Anet regard the two words put together as reference to something that is considered offensive to a wider audience, then they will consider it a tos break and intervene.

Support will confirm if this is the case or whether an error has occurred or whether the possibility of something strange on your account is occurring.

Ven Zehn.6573:

Honestly though, I think Personal Pony sounds a lot more offensive than Stalker lol, like “Hey, I’ll be your pony, baby….”

And I don’t consider stalker offensive at all, maybe you killed someone in pvp n they reported you?

This basically, a friend had two of his characters’ names changed because he upset a group of exploit farmers by completing an event properly. The day after dozens of threats of “mass reports” he was forced to change two of his characters’ names.

It seems clear that either Anet:

a) bow to community pressure and ignore their own rules
b) only follow their own rules sporadically, i.e some people get punished and others don’t
c) hold grudges against certain individuals or hold biases

One of the above is true, if not all. Honestly, the way the game is policed is absolutely abysmal.

unicorngirl.1487:

Ven Zehn.6573:

Honestly though, I think Personal Pony sounds a lot more offensive than Stalker lol, like “Hey, I’ll be your pony, baby….”

And I don’t consider stalker offensive at all, maybe you killed someone in pvp n they reported you?

This basically, a friend had two of his characters’ names changed because he upset a group of exploit farmers by completing an event properly. The day after dozens of threats of “mass reports” he was forced to change two of his characters’ names.

It seems clear that either Anet:

a) bow to community pressure and ignore their own rules
b) only follow their own rules sporadically, i.e some people get punished and others don’t
c) hold grudges against certain individuals or hold biases

One of the above is true, if not all. Honestly, the way the game is policed is absolutely abysmal.

Except ArenaNet don’t make moderator decisions based on ‘mass reports’. They will act on a case by case basis, whether the user has been reported once, or 1,000 times. If someone’s name was against the rules, they would have been forced to change the name even if it was just one report.

penelopehannibal.8947:

unicorngirl.1487:

Ven Zehn.6573:

Honestly though, I think Personal Pony sounds a lot more offensive than Stalker lol, like “Hey, I’ll be your pony, baby….”

And I don’t consider stalker offensive at all, maybe you killed someone in pvp n they reported you?

This basically, a friend had two of his characters’ names changed because he upset a group of exploit farmers by completing an event properly. The day after dozens of threats of “mass reports” he was forced to change two of his characters’ names.

It seems clear that either Anet:

a) bow to community pressure and ignore their own rules
b) only follow their own rules sporadically, i.e some people get punished and others don’t
c) hold grudges against certain individuals or hold biases

One of the above is true, if not all. Honestly, the way the game is policed is absolutely abysmal.

Except ArenaNet don’t make moderator decisions based on ‘mass reports’. They will act on a case by case basis, whether the user has been reported once, or 1,000 times. If someone’s name was against the rules, they would have been forced to change the name even if it was just one report.

That’s just what they say, though, isn’kitten Lots of people have had experiences that would indicate they do make decisions based on mass reports.

They also said recently (or rather “Proheals” did) that they would barely be changing anyone’s name now, no matter how offensive. Yet they changed the OP’s name which isn’t even remotely offensive. LOL!

unicorngirl.1487:

penelopehannibal.8947:

unicorngirl.1487:

Ven Zehn.6573:

Honestly though, I think Personal Pony sounds a lot more offensive than Stalker lol, like “Hey, I’ll be your pony, baby….”

And I don’t consider stalker offensive at all, maybe you killed someone in pvp n they reported you?

This basically, a friend had two of his characters’ names changed because he upset a group of exploit farmers by completing an event properly. The day after dozens of threats of “mass reports” he was forced to change two of his characters’ names.

It seems clear that either Anet:

a) bow to community pressure and ignore their own rules
b) only follow their own rules sporadically, i.e some people get punished and others don’t
c) hold grudges against certain individuals or hold biases

One of the above is true, if not all. Honestly, the way the game is policed is absolutely abysmal.

Except ArenaNet don’t make moderator decisions based on ‘mass reports’. They will act on a case by case basis, whether the user has been reported once, or 1,000 times. If someone’s name was against the rules, they would have been forced to change the name even if it was just one report.

That’s just what they say, though, isn’kitten Lots of people have had experiences that would indicate they do make decisions based on mass reports.

They also said recently (or rather “Proheals” did) that they would barely be changing anyone’s name now, no matter how offensive. Yet they changed the OP’s name which isn’t even remotely offensive. LOL!

And lots of people have had experiences where someone hasn’t been banned for such and such a thing, ‘despite many people reporting them’ – for example maize balm griefing, or ‘spamming map chat’ or placing Boxes O’ Fun in the bank etc.

And as I said in my original reply to the OP – it’s not just ‘offensive’ names that are against the ToS.

LanfearShadowflame.3189:

warduke.1780:

LanfearShadowflame.3189:

Open a support ticket, it’s the only suggestion we can give you. Other than maybe reviewing the naming policy as well.

Reviewing the naming policy?

That’s a good joke! My name doesn’t break any policy. It’s completely inoffensive; as I pointed out there’s ARMOR IN THE GAME called “Stalker” so if my name is offensive, Anet should change the name of the armor too.

It never hurts to be aware of precisely what their rules are. This way when support argues the issue with you (and they might) you are aware and can argue your point accordingly.

I understand that you’re kittened off, but I didn’t do it so chill.

Edit: Also, just because you or I don’t consider the name to be offensive, doesn’t mean anything either. That decision lies completely in Anet’s hands. Like I said, review the policy. It states that quite plainly.

Yeah, I know their “policy” essentially allows them to ban whoever, whenever, for whatever reason. But if they actually continue to do things like this they’ll lose the few customers they have remaining.

Giving yourself a little leeway is one thing, but being corrupt – because that’s what it is, when you apply rules to some people but not to others, or stretch rules because of personal bias – that’s the sort of thing that drives customers away for good.

And if you’ve had a number of name changes forced upon you, I believe ANet eventually takes away the free name change if your name is reported option and just changes the name (because if you’ve been reported too many times for inappropriate names, then they assume that you’ll just rename it to something inappropriate).

I can see why someone would report the name. Stalkers in real life are horrible and the name may have been flagged because of the reference that could be inferred from that (regardless of whether or not you intended that reference or not).

If this is the first time you’ve had an inappropriate name (whether actually one or not is irrelevant), then I would ask for a free name contract as others have had the chance to change the name to something of their own choice. If you’ve had this happen more than a few times, maybe you should stop and think about any possible inappropriate connotations your names may have for future characters.

Seera.5916:

And if you’ve had a number of name changes forced upon you, I believe ANet eventually takes away the free name change if your name is reported option and just changes the name (because if you’ve been reported too many times for inappropriate names, then they assume that you’ll just rename it to something inappropriate).

I can see why someone would report the name. Stalkers in real life are horrible and the name may have been flagged because of the reference that could be inferred from that (regardless of whether or not you intended that reference or not).

If this is the first time you’ve had an inappropriate name (whether actually one or not is irrelevant), then I would ask for a free name contract as others have had the chance to change the name to something of their own choice. If you’ve had this happen more than a few times, maybe you should stop and think about any possible inappropriate connotations your names may have for future characters.

As I stated in the original post, there’s plenty of other players with variations of “stalker” in their names, as well as gear called Stalker gear.

The reality of the world is you can’t tiptoe around all the time in case you offend someone. Of course, if Anet was just very strict and clamped down on any name that anybody in the world found offensive, that’s one thing – but they don’t, as myself and others have reported genuinely offensive (racist, homophobic etc.) names and yet we still see them in the game every day.

Did the OP even contact support? Curious to see the result. Also name isn’t offensive, so go figure. Stalker could mean anything. Context can mean anything. But I know one thing, it doesn’t mean something relating to real life. And I know for a fact, the name isn’t the action, it’s just a name.

warduke.1780:

Seera.5916:

And if you’ve had a number of name changes forced upon you, I believe ANet eventually takes away the free name change if your name is reported option and just changes the name (because if you’ve been reported too many times for inappropriate names, then they assume that you’ll just rename it to something inappropriate).

I can see why someone would report the name. Stalkers in real life are horrible and the name may have been flagged because of the reference that could be inferred from that (regardless of whether or not you intended that reference or not).

If this is the first time you’ve had an inappropriate name (whether actually one or not is irrelevant), then I would ask for a free name contract as others have had the chance to change the name to something of their own choice. If you’ve had this happen more than a few times, maybe you should stop and think about any possible inappropriate connotations your names may have for future characters.

As I stated in the original post, there’s plenty of other players with variations of “stalker” in their names, as well as gear called Stalker gear.

The reality of the world is you can’t tiptoe around all the time in case you offend someone. Of course, if Anet was just very strict and clamped down on any name that anybody in the world found offensive, that’s one thing – but they don’t, as myself and others have reported genuinely offensive (racist, homophobic etc.) names and yet we still see them in the game every day.

I personally wouldn’t have reported it. But I could see why someone would. Maybe that someone had had a stalker in the past.

And just because other names are still in the game that you find are offensive, doesn’t mean you can have a name ANet finds offensive. When you see those with Stalker in their name, report them. And I only said the connotation due to the two words in the name, not just one half of the name.

And it could be Player A had offensive name 1, then got told to change. Then Player B names their character offensive name 1 since the name is now free.

Seera.5916:

warduke.1780:

Seera.5916:

And if you’ve had a number of name changes forced upon you, I believe ANet eventually takes away the free name change if your name is reported option and just changes the name (because if you’ve been reported too many times for inappropriate names, then they assume that you’ll just rename it to something inappropriate).

I can see why someone would report the name. Stalkers in real life are horrible and the name may have been flagged because of the reference that could be inferred from that (regardless of whether or not you intended that reference or not).

If this is the first time you’ve had an inappropriate name (whether actually one or not is irrelevant), then I would ask for a free name contract as others have had the chance to change the name to something of their own choice. If you’ve had this happen more than a few times, maybe you should stop and think about any possible inappropriate connotations your names may have for future characters.

As I stated in the original post, there’s plenty of other players with variations of “stalker” in their names, as well as gear called Stalker gear.

The reality of the world is you can’t tiptoe around all the time in case you offend someone. Of course, if Anet was just very strict and clamped down on any name that anybody in the world found offensive, that’s one thing – but they don’t, as myself and others have reported genuinely offensive (racist, homophobic etc.) names and yet we still see them in the game every day.

I personally wouldn’t have reported it. But I could see why someone would. Maybe that someone had had a stalker in the past.

And just because other names are still in the game that you find are offensive, doesn’t mean you can have a name ANet finds offensive. When you see those with Stalker in their name, report them. And I only said the connotation due to the two words in the name, not just one half of the name.

And it could be Player A had offensive name 1, then got told to change. Then Player B names their character offensive name 1 since the name is now free.

You’re missing the point. I don’t find “stalker” offensive. If Anet finds “stalker” offensive, they should block every single name with “stalker” in the name, then change the name of their “stalker” armor.

What’s happened here is an abuse of power.

warduke.1780:

Seera.5916:

warduke.1780:

Seera.5916:

And if you’ve had a number of name changes forced upon you, I believe ANet eventually takes away the free name change if your name is reported option and just changes the name (because if you’ve been reported too many times for inappropriate names, then they assume that you’ll just rename it to something inappropriate).

I can see why someone would report the name. Stalkers in real life are horrible and the name may have been flagged because of the reference that could be inferred from that (regardless of whether or not you intended that reference or not).

If this is the first time you’ve had an inappropriate name (whether actually one or not is irrelevant), then I would ask for a free name contract as others have had the chance to change the name to something of their own choice. If you’ve had this happen more than a few times, maybe you should stop and think about any possible inappropriate connotations your names may have for future characters.

As I stated in the original post, there’s plenty of other players with variations of “stalker” in their names, as well as gear called Stalker gear.

The reality of the world is you can’t tiptoe around all the time in case you offend someone. Of course, if Anet was just very strict and clamped down on any name that anybody in the world found offensive, that’s one thing – but they don’t, as myself and others have reported genuinely offensive (racist, homophobic etc.) names and yet we still see them in the game every day.

I personally wouldn’t have reported it. But I could see why someone would. Maybe that someone had had a stalker in the past.

And just because other names are still in the game that you find are offensive, doesn’t mean you can have a name ANet finds offensive. When you see those with Stalker in their name, report them. And I only said the connotation due to the two words in the name, not just one half of the name.

And it could be Player A had offensive name 1, then got told to change. Then Player B names their character offensive name 1 since the name is now free.

You’re missing the point. I don’t find “stalker” offensive. If Anet finds “stalker” offensive, they should block every single name with “stalker” in the name, then change the name of their “stalker” armor.

What’s happened here is an abuse of power.

ANet may not find “stalker” offensive. They appear to find “Personal Stalker” offensive. Because that’s the name you chose. Not whether half of your name is offensive or not. It’s whether the entire name is offensive or not. You may appeal that ruling by talking with support. You have a good case, in my opinion, so I would go get specific item and NPC foes names (there are some foes with Stalker in the name) and ask support why they can name things referencing stalkers and you can’t.

And if they don’t reverse the ruling and this is your first offense for inappropriate names, I would ask why you weren’t given the chance to rename your character when others had been given that option.

There’s a big difference between “personal stalker” and the other kinds of stalker that have been mentioned. The difference is in one case it’s being used in a combat sense (as in stalking your foes), and in the other it sounds an awful lot like predatory stalking. Which is of course illegal and could be upsetting to anyone who has actually been stalked before. Feel free to appeal the name change, but I strongly suggest you get them to give you a free name change and you change it to something else.

FlamingFoxx.1305:

There’s a big difference between “personal stalker” and the other kinds of stalker that have been mentioned. The difference is in one case it’s being used in a combat sense (as in stalking your foes), and in the other it sounds an awful lot like predatory stalking. Which is of course illegal and could be upsetting to anyone who has actually been stalked before. Feel free to appeal the name change, but I strongly suggest you get them to give you a free name change and you change it to something else.

So why is there a “Creepy Stalker” in the game? Surely that would be more upsetting than “Personal Stalker”?

Besides, I’m sure even the most humorless person would find “Personal Stalker” an amusing name for a ranger (rangers of course having a pet jungle stalker option at start up…)

warduke.1780:

FlamingFoxx.1305:

There’s a big difference between “personal stalker” and the other kinds of stalker that have been mentioned. The difference is in one case it’s being used in a combat sense (as in stalking your foes), and in the other it sounds an awful lot like predatory stalking. Which is of course illegal and could be upsetting to anyone who has actually been stalked before. Feel free to appeal the name change, but I strongly suggest you get them to give you a free name change and you change it to something else.

So why is there a “Creepy Stalker” in the game? Surely that would be more upsetting than “Personal Stalker”?

Besides, I’m sure even the most humorless person would find “Personal Stalker” an amusing name for a ranger (rangers of course having a pet jungle stalker option at start up…)

Just because you find something humorous doesn’t mean it isn’t offensive. And it seems as though someone has found it offensive and reported the name because of that.

I agree there shouldn’t be a creepy stalker in game. That name isn’t appropriate either. But the fact that it is there isn’t reason for yours to not have been changed. It simply means that nobody has reported that person for their name. Maybe the player is inactive and hasn’t played in a long time, giving nobody an opportunity to report their name.

Player names aren’t reviewed by Arenanet. It’s up to players to make sure they’re using appropriate names, and it’s also up to players to report those they feel aren’t using appropriate names – which are then reviewed by Arenanet.

If you named your pet “personal stalker” then i could understand the humour, which might override any inappropriateness, but since it was your character name the link isn’t remotely apparent.

I find Bloody Stalker and Crazy Stalker, Kill Stalker a lot worse than Personal Stalker. All those others are taken by the way. Yeah best option is support ticket.

Gedekran.1487:

I find Bloody Stalker and Crazy Stalker, Kill Stalker a lot worse than Personal Stalker. All those others are taken by the way. Yeah best option is support ticket.

They could be taken by players that have been banned for one too many inappropriate names. Or players who’ve decided to quit the game over the fact that they got forced to make a name change.

Or people assume that someone else already reported them and don’t report them.

All possibly true, though the fact Personal Stalker was released back to the available names list (As I tried to grab it on my account) means it’s not a actionable name. As has happened in the past with names incorrectly marked for name change or force name changed, then released back for others players to grab. Which is actually what happened in that Proheals comment I posted earlier.

Thus Op just needs to delete his character and create it again. Hassle I know, but probably faster than waiting on a support ticket. I messaged Op as to when the name will drop off my account in 24 hours so he can grab it.

Gedekran.1487:

All possibly true, though the fact Personal Stalker was released back to the available names list (As I tried to grab it on my account) means it’s not a actionable name. As has happened in the past with names incorrectly marked for name change or force name changed, then released back for others players to grab. Which is actually what happened in that Proheals comment I posted earlier.

Thus Op just needs to delete his character and create it again. Hassle I know, but probably faster than waiting on a support ticket. I messaged Op as to when the name will drop off my account in 24 hours so he can grab it.

Thanks – this is all interesting and quite disturbing.

It’s now apparent that my name wasn’t even deemed inappropriate, as it’s not been banned – instead, it was just taken away from me and my name was changed to something the GMs thought would be amusing.

Essentially, I’ve been a victim of bullying by the people who are supposed to objectively follow the rules of their company.

Or… You don’t know what happened until you actually get a support response. It’s not helpful to throw around accusations or conjecture. For all you know it was human error, or your account was compromised, or the name was incorrectly made available again by a new staff member.

FlamingFoxx.1305:

Or… You don’t know what happened until you actually get a support response. It’s not helpful to throw around accusations or conjecture. For all you know it was human error, or your account was compromised, or the name was incorrectly made available again by a new staff member.

Support don’t need to respond; you’re making their excuses for them.

warduke.1780:

FlamingFoxx.1305:

Or… You don’t know what happened until you actually get a support response. It’s not helpful to throw around accusations or conjecture. For all you know it was human error, or your account was compromised, or the name was incorrectly made available again by a new staff member.

Support don’t need to respond; you’re making their excuses for them.

Or you are someone who has had numerous named force changed that support doesn’t trust you to pick a decent name anymore.

None of us know what really happened. It’s obvious something else is going on that you aren’t telling us, since you are refusing to speak to the people who can actually help.

Ellieanna.5027:

warduke.1780:

FlamingFoxx.1305:

Or… You don’t know what happened until you actually get a support response. It’s not helpful to throw around accusations or conjecture. For all you know it was human error, or your account was compromised, or the name was incorrectly made available again by a new staff member.

Support don’t need to respond; you’re making their excuses for them.

Or you are someone who has had numerous named force changed that support doesn’t trust you to pick a decent name anymore.

None of us know what really happened. It’s obvious something else is going on that you aren’t telling us, since you are refusing to speak to the people who can actually help.

I’ve NEVER had a name changed before, actually.

I’m really struggling to believe people are making excuses for the GM’s actions…

warduke.1780:

Ellieanna.5027:

warduke.1780:

FlamingFoxx.1305:

Or… You don’t know what happened until you actually get a support response. It’s not helpful to throw around accusations or conjecture. For all you know it was human error, or your account was compromised, or the name was incorrectly made available again by a new staff member.

Support don’t need to respond; you’re making their excuses for them.

Or you are someone who has had numerous named force changed that support doesn’t trust you to pick a decent name anymore.

None of us know what really happened. It’s obvious something else is going on that you aren’t telling us, since you are refusing to speak to the people who can actually help.

I’ve NEVER had a name changed before, actually.

I’m really struggling to believe people are making excuses for the GM’s actions…

Then make a support ticket or move on. Complaining on the forums about a GM’s actions is actually against their forum rules. I don’t care what your reason is, they have the rule. If you want answers, send in a ticket. Otherwise, move on. You’re just stirring up trouble when only you and support know the truth. And considering all the people who have done the “But I was banned and I only swore 1 time” when in reality it was many many times (Anet was posting what people said on reddit to remove the cloud of doubt, at the person’s request) that it’s really hard for me to believe anyone was “wrongfully actioned again”

You want it fixed, send in a ticket.

Ellieanna.5027:

warduke.1780:

Ellieanna.5027:

warduke.1780:

FlamingFoxx.1305:

Or… You don’t know what happened until you actually get a support response. It’s not helpful to throw around accusations or conjecture. For all you know it was human error, or your account was compromised, or the name was incorrectly made available again by a new staff member.

Support don’t need to respond; you’re making their excuses for them.

Or you are someone who has had numerous named force changed that support doesn’t trust you to pick a decent name anymore.

None of us know what really happened. It’s obvious something else is going on that you aren’t telling us, since you are refusing to speak to the people who can actually help.

I’ve NEVER had a name changed before, actually.

I’m really struggling to believe people are making excuses for the GM’s actions…

Then make a support ticket or move on. Complaining on the forums about a GM’s actions is actually against their forum rules. I don’t care what your reason is, they have the rule. If you want answers, send in a ticket. Otherwise, move on. You’re just stirring up trouble when only you and support know the truth. And considering all the people who have done the “But I was banned and I only swore 1 time” when in reality it was many many times (Anet was posting what people said on reddit to remove the cloud of doubt, at the person’s request) that it’s really hard for me to believe anyone was “wrongfully actioned again”

You want it fixed, send in a ticket.

So you think it’s completely fine for Anet to rename one of YOUR characters without any kind of warning or discussion, then allow other players to use the original name? You think that’s okay?

This is a serious breach of GM responsibility and it’s not even the first time someone’s had their name stolen this way. Posting a thread like this is important because people need to know how the company is currently operating.

It’s astounding that you’re even trying to defend their actions. Actually quite suspicious…

We’re not trying to defend their actions. We are pointing out that the only people who know the full story here are Arenanet. You seem incredibly willing to criticise them for what they’ve done, but the reality is that nobody here aside from them knows the reasoning behind it. We don’t know what prior occurrences may or may not have happened with your account, and we don’t know their reasoning behind it.

Look at it rationally. Instead of waiting for them to reply you’re already vilifying them for their actions. You’ve gone beyond simply stating what has happened to gain awareness of a possible abuse of power. Because you’ve now stated adamantly what you think has happened and how you think it’s an abuse of power, when you don’t actually know their side of the story.

I’m not saying you’re wrong, and I’m not saying that Arenanet’s actions are right. I’m saying until you actually get a response it isn’t constructive to go around throwing accusations.

Yes people need to know how the company is operating. But you haven’t got a response from them. So you dont even know how they’re operating. Wait until you get a response before you start the witch hunt…

sarasvatri.6871:

Then has issues with a character named Personal Stalker.
Yeah, I’d say there’s more to this story. Care to come clean, OP?

Maybe with all that personal stalking, he needs a shower.

This entire thread is silly. Warduke needs to contact support as suggested and see where that goes. It’s pointless to debate the issue because ANet makes the rules and chooses how they get applied, and some of that may be subjective with different results depending on who handles it. So work the system. Then maybe get back to us with the hows and whys.

Behellagh.1468:

This entire thread is silly. Warduke needs to contact support as suggested and see where that goes. It’s pointless to debate the issue because ANet makes the rules and chooses how they get applied, and some of that may be subjective with different results depending on who handles it. So work the system. Then maybe get back to us with the hows and whys.

You mean “ANet makes up the rules and chooses to whom they get applied” and “So the system doesn’t work.”

This thread proves that somebody at Anet is abusing their powers – changing my name but not banning the previous name – and you really can’t deny that, whether you consider the name to be offensive or not.

Without posting this thread I wouldn’t have known that the name hadn’t been banned, so I’m glad I did.