Guild Wars 2

Good afternoon,

Hopefully I don’t mean to be bothersome with this question, but for some reason when I tried to log onto my main character today, the game stated that I must change her name in order to play.

I have never received an email about this, nor do I understand why this has suddenly become an issue, as I’ve had this character name since release, and back into Guild Wars 1. The name was originally a joke on the R/N Touch Ranger build.

Normally I wouldn’t hesitate to change a character name, but this is my main’s name and the one that all my guildies and friends recognize me by.

For reference of the character name, see that attached image.

When I wiki’d it, it came up as a way to say that something is ghetto.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Two%20Hand%20Touch

I guess that is considered a slur of a kind.

It’s a reference to touch football, as far as I knew. It does get mentioned in a pretty dirty song, I guess I could see why someone might have thought it was sexual?

I find that a bit odd. The main meaning of the name means a type of non-contact football game. I really don’t see it as an issue just because some nimrod turned it into something dirty in a song. I mean come one here, my gym teacher used the term during gym class in elementary school LOL.

I’m usually on the other side of these name change arguments, but that one seems silly.

Edit: I didn’t mean the gym class reference in a shady way either. It was just something the teacher would yell at us when we were playing football and knocking each other down.

Like I said, the original intent was a joke on the R/N ranger touch build of GW1, but I figured the name was also safe as a regards to the child’s version of football.

Here’s my character from GW1, and no name change is being requested of that.

If you want to keep the name send in a support ticket. There have been a few cases were a name was blocked in error. The only thing is you won’t be able to use that toon untill you get it taken care of and the cases were they changed a name decission are very few.

Seems a little excessive, even if its the urban dictionary meaning of calling something ghetto. Try appealing I guess.

Unless it’s another name they are requesting you change “Two Hand Touch” seems pretty far fetched as being offensive…

Kiddies play rugby with the “two hand touch” substitute for tackling – don’t see anyone complaining there.

I dunno, if people are running around reporting something like this as offensive, they have bigger problems to worry about in their own life. They probably shouldn’t be even be playing Gw2.

If I were the devs, whoever reported this, I’d ban their account for 1 year at minimum.

Sorry to hear about your name change issue, I too recently have had the same problem.

Precedents have been set, that any name -even if the name itself means something totally harmless- appears in popular culture in a setting that could in any way be considered rude, will be banned.

For instance my own problem was a name got banned because it was a weapon, that was used in a southpark episode. I’m not kidding.

There is no appeals process. You can open a support ticket. They admit that almost NO names are reinstated.

Also- most importantly. When you change your character name, the admins will check your account 24 hrs later. THEY CONSIDER YOU GUILTY UNTILL PROVEN INNOCENT. The level of scrutiny they consider is to the point where they will actually go out of their way to actively SEARCH for a meaning in even the most harmless name.

Sorry mate, best of luck though.

Ellis.8562:

Sorry to hear about your name change issue, I too recently have had the same problem.

Precedents have been set, that any name -even if the name itself means something totally harmless- appears in popular culture in a setting that could in any way be considered rude, will be banned.

For instance my own problem was a name got banned because it was a weapon, that was used in a southpark episode. I’m not kidding.

There is no appeals process. You can open a support ticket. They admit that almost NO names are reinstated.

Also- most importantly. When you change your character name, the admins will check your account 24 hrs later. THEY CONSIDER YOU GUILTY UNTILL PROVEN INNOCENT. The level of scrutiny they consider is to the point where they will actually go out of their way to actively SEARCH for a meaning in even the most harmless name.

Sorry mate, best of luck though.

Ummm, lie very much Ellis.8562? Some weapon in some show is not the reason Gaile gave for your name banning.

Ellis.8562:
This is getting absolutely stupid.
Yesterday, after a day in the mists doing spvp I went up against a hardcore guild team. We won. Abuse was heaped on me. It was totally one sided. What do I care?
Untill I got a message saying I had commited a name violation. The forced me to rename my character lol.
THEN
A day later, as of today, 5 minutes ago I logged on my main I was kicked from the game with ANOTHER banned message, stating another name violation, except I cannot even log into my game to see why, or which character has done this offense.
This is just stupid, i’m banned for 72 hours and I don’t even know why, what do I do?

Do you seriously think that naming your characters with silly references to sexual body parts, or to embarrassing medical conditions is going to be acceptable. Really??
You chose bad names. You were blocked and required to rename. Less than four days later, you chose several more bad names and were suspended again.
Serve your time and, in the future, choose wisely.
Gaile Gray
Support Liaison
ArenaNet

Maybe, just maybe you should stop lying in the forum.

Lie? why would I lie? I am replying to someone elses thread with hints and tips that I have since discovered the hard way.

As to what you mention regarding Gaile: The name in question was Snuke (pretty good name for a clone mesmer I thought). It is a suitcase nuke, a term that was around for years, but got used rather rudely in a Southpark episode. Like the OP, any term with multiple meanings, they will search by default for the one with the rudest reference, no matter what else it might mean. The medical condition was another Asura I made called Piles, no excuses, I did miss the medical conditions under the policy, I named him after the pained expression on his face.

But, anyway, thanks for posting about something you know nothing about. And quoting Gaile at me,that’s rich. To those interested in seeing Guild Wars 2 manager at work, search a thread GW2 name violation “Nipper”. A name that got banned without any questions asked, took a lengthy post, even lengthier second consideration by a team of people and THEN only after said protest, to then finally admit it was ok… I think that’s madness, but then it’s my opinion and i’m entitled to it.

If something is in breach of the policy then it’s in breach of the policy. If you have too actually search into so that it is more acceptable somewhere and less acceptable elsewhere then you’re missing the mark. By that criteria almost NO name is Guild Wars 2 is safe. In a global society terms, slang and various things from adult entertainment to violent video games colour everything. I mean for a laugh I googled the last 3 GM’s who spoke with me, including Gaile’s name, and ALL would be in breach if they were a character. (For those interested one was an actor, one had religious reference, and one breached copyright)

@Ellis
You said it was a weapon in a show. Gaile said it was for sexual body parts and embarrassing medical conditions. Of the two of you, she has more credibility.

Edit: mistyped what Gaile said.

Thanks for your reply. Listen, please.

I’m trying to help the OP. If you, or Gaile want’s to try and discredit what I have to say then whisper me directly. I myself did make a mistake, honest I might add, but my innocence meant nothing. Only one name was reported, a team (or Gaile?) looked into it and then charged not one but FOUR characters with name changes (these were by discretion of the GM, they were not reported by anyone)

I tried googling the names myself and if I went deep enough and seedy enough they did have rude references. Is that what the naming policy has come to? see which part of the filthy underbelly of the internet has in common with character names?

If you disagree with what i’ve said that’s perfectly fine. By all means offer alternative advice to the OP. I’m am honestly trying to offer him some helpful guidance here, you are simply trying to discredit what i’m saying by trying to discredit me.

When I encountered my problems I did some research and time again I was honestly shocked by how….how…obtuse their thinking was. No, that’s not fair actually, they were single minded. I just really felt their thinking was skewed and jaded. They are trying to keep a secure enviroment for everyone, and I think they would rather play it safe and ban a name, then enter in discussion about it and risk offending others.

I’ve accepted their decision, I have no choice but to. The OP and me, i’m sure, do not want to upset or offend anyone.

To OP. Sorry your thread got hijacked, I hope my advice has helped and maybe you will get your name back, but I doubt it. Be careful on the renames Like I said, they are going to be extra critical.

Anet has every right to look into an account, and process a name change for any name that they deem to be inappropriate. All it takes is someone to make the initial report. If a GM only looks at one inappropriate name, and not others, that player can consider himself to be lucky. However, if more players report the other names, that could lead to more lengthy bans (i.e. 2 strikes, 3 strikes, etc). The player could be considered even luckier if the GM looks at all the inappropriate names, and only issues one strike for them combined.

Players also have the right to dispute the ruling, but that must be done directly with Support, and not on the forums. Do remember that this is their game, and if they feel a certain name is worthy or unworthy, we players have to accept that fact.

Ok Penguin, yes I agree, when we choose to play the game we click a box that accepts they have the power, and the right. Whatever they do, it is within their right. Nothing we do, or say, least not on the forums will change it.

My message is:
However, this does not place them beyond reproach, not in this case, my case or any case. A forum is a perfect place, the only place a concern like this can be raised and discussed as a community. And a friendly healthy discussion could result in positive change.

I have no doubt this thread will be very soon be locked however, as indeed most threads on this site are, where a contrary point is raised.

What I would like to point out is that old saying “Might does not make right” don’t expect presumed guilt, lack of any formal appeals process, and a decision making process unsupported by any transparent guide lines or advice except a document so broad as to simply be a crutch to support their ultimate decision making power over any possible conceivable name.

Does’nt this irk anyone? it should’nt, it being a game and all, but it annoys the heck out of me, and I can’t really place why.

A positive suggestion: If someone feels offended or that a name is in breach, let that person be the one to support that complaint when it is made. Let them trawl the seedy parts of the internet. Not only would it make less work for the GM’s, it would put the responsibility on the reporting player to show why, in their own region something was not right. All the Gm has to do is review the cases, based upon said reason, and either impose a name change or discard the ticket, less people would get upset on both sides I think.

It is your right to be offended. It is your right to make a complaint and be heard, it is NOT your right to impose your thinking patterns on someone else.

The problem here is that each person has his or her own definition of what’s “offensive”. While some people may think “Two Hand Touch” is ok, I respect the fact that some might think otherwise. Another example would be the “N” word. People outside of the US might not see that word as a problem, as it’s just a legit translation of the word “black” or “dark”. But since it causes pain to a certain group of people, it’s fully understandable as to why it’s not allowed. That’s why, from what Gaile has said, the Support team discusses certain names among themselves, and if there’s a consensus that it’s bad, it’s bad.

You raise a good point Penguin, each person thinks differently.

-One does not becomes group, let the one argue his own case, and if it’s a group complaining then chances are it could be bad.

-A name is a name, does it breach the policy or not? as I mentioned they actively search for rude references. Two Hand Touch, those words together or seperately are simply not rude, in any way. In the example of the N word, if wikipedia, or a dictionary states that it is a slur, then it’s a slur. I suspect they only look at the Urban Dictionary, a positive cesspit. Did you know your forum name Smooth Penguin means something really quite different? I don’t know if there any player character’s called Gaile, but if there I would change your name : quickly.

-The team has no solid criteria to base their decision. What sites do they look on? if a word has multiple meanings, which definition takes precedent? is there sticky with this information to help new players somewhere? and I don’t mean the naming policy as already discussed that can be used almost on any name. It would be a great idea if a sticky were made with some things they look at, where we could look, and something anything would really help.

I’m not sure which N word penguin is talking about – I think it’s the translation from Spanish for black, not the word commonly confused with a synonym for miserly – but as far as you pulling up the Nipper example :

It’s very close to a racial slur. And was viewed by others as a reference to body parts. That person lucked out in the end getting to keep it I think. As far as what meaning to go by, it’s a judgement call, and they do tend to err on the side of caution.

On a related note, I’m all for the creation of a new language. We’re running out of words in English that don’t have offensive slang meanings!

Yes, hah! a new language, I don’t think it would be too long before it would be sullied…

In a global society, especially English, where everything means something else, they gotta start being more plain, I repeat : The Golden rule.

Does it break the rules or not?
The Nipper example, Nipper was close to a body part, and close to a racial slur bit was neither. I think they have to use more recognized texts, dictionaries, wikipedia etc, perhaps with an eye on so called urban slang as lesser backup. So far it seems the other way around, and judgement calls tend to be " It’s easier to block that name and be done with it"

Your case proves that point that a player can dispute a ruling, and it can be corrected. But again, it’s up to Anet. Should another player report it in the future, it can be re-reviewed and put up for change again. Nothing is set in stone, as situations can change. Just like how my name could be a bad slur in the future. But each situation must be taken on it’s own merits and treated separately. We can’t say “Player A had his ticket overturned, therefore Player B deserves the same courtesy.”

Smooth Penguin.5294:

We can’t say “Player A had his ticket overturned, therefore Player B deserves the same courtesy.”

Or if you do, with the understanding of the fact that the courtesy was the review, the not the overturn.

For the OP : I hope you get the name back. The only dirty reference I can think of is the above mentioned song, but if that’s enough to get a name censored, we can’t mentioned coffee or bad weather in game either!

Ellis : The Southpark reference is obscene. The only other reference I found was a Jersey Shore reference, which is also obscene

Ellis:
I do believe the names you gave as examples bear out what Gaile said and not what you claimed. For one, it wasn’t because of a reference to a weapon, but to where that weapon was placed on the female body. Second, if you didn’t know the medical meaning of the other word, why did you choose it for a character, ‘because he had a pained look on his face’? What made you choose that word unless it had the medical reference that tied it to the pained expression?

Sadly, it seems the decision was final. They would not let me keep the name. Oh well, I guess on to a new name.

Vagrant.7206:

Sadly, it seems the decision was final. They would not let me keep the name. Oh well, I guess on to a new name.

Well, I guess it has some lesser known meaning, or something. Better luck with the next name.

Vagrant.7206:

Sadly, it seems the decision was final. They would not let me keep the name. Oh well, I guess on to a new name.

If you want to give it one more try, in three days you could post in the review thread.

Argh sorry Vagrant, it’s a darn shame, was hoping you might catch a break

Astral: Piles did breach the medical side of the policy, I did know the reference, you’ve misunderstood me (again) I just did not know that medical things are against the policy, nor at the time did I personally find it offensive, but whatever. The “Snuke” thing, guys, have you read nothing in the above? using Urban dictionary are we? well it does’nt matter, my case is dead and long gone, i’m not seeking review, just upset at how blurred the lines are here. Let’s hope none of his other names get used somewhere offensive and become second meanings for something else…

Anyway I hope others review this thread, i’ve said in the other posts some of my own thoughts, and others have contributed.

I’m just thinking of things we could add to a sticky to help others?
1) Use Urban Dictionary, there is no other guidance other than
-check song lyrics, google cartoons, wikipedia or other dictionaries are pointless.
2) Rude references take precedent
3) There is no appealing, open a support ticket and it might reviewed
4) But is unlikely to get changed
5) Names can be reviewed at any time, a second or third time if they wish

Thing is with snuke – it wasn’t that popular a term. Until now, I at least had never heard of it. And because of south park , it’s primary has changed.

Ellis – your claim that you mean it be “suitcase nuke” is not supported by your reference to the South Park episode (that basically changed the old meaning to a new (hilariously) offensive meaning). Your attempt at playing innocent is not fooling anyone and that is what was meant by you “lying”. A more accurate term would have been “intentionally misleading”, but they both mean the same thing.

That’s the problem with words, they have meaning dependent upon the context. However people have filthy minds and assume the worst. :U

Brother Grimm, you confuse me.

Like Astral you are saying I am lying or misleading. You know what I don’t care, I don’t even know i’m supposed to be lying about. My case is over, as the chap above stated, Southpark has hijacked the meaning. I have the email saved to my inbox where the GM actually confirmed that was the reason Snuke as a name was not acceptable. Southpark. Not kidding.

Please comment on the body of my suggestions instead. My case was denied, it’s over and done with. I aint gonna get it back, but what’s in a name anyway?

I find it interesting you have totally ignored every discussion so far to try and discredit me. For the sake of argument let’s just say i’m a raging pervert who sits around wearing tinfoil hats. (i’m considering what I just typed and laughing :P – omg ty)