How many character name violations until an account ban?

chibog

So I recently was flagged for having a couple "inappropriate" character names. I've since changed them ofc. However, I was surprised that they didn't catch one of my other character names that I thought was more heinous. I won't say exactly what it is, but it's essentially "[NPC name here]'s Side Hoe". I typed it in not thinking it would go through since it has "Hoe" in the name, but it surprisingly did. I wasn't going to spend crowns on a name change so I'm sticking with it for now. But now I'm afraid that someone might flag me again for that name and I'll risk getting perma-banned. How many repeat offenses does a user have to get for it to result in a perma-ban?

Mithgil

There's no defined "amount", etc., as they weigh each case on it's own. If they had a policy say of "3 inappropriate names = account ban" then you'd have a number of people push that limit to two, that kind of crap. So it could be 1 name that does it, or "more than 1".

You might be able to put in a ticket requesting you be allowed to change the character name realizing now that it could be problematic.

Hamish999

Just use that character for antiquities and say it's a play on words ...

FluffWit

I'd suggest you file a support ticket if you're not prepared to delete the character or buy your own name change. Once you get past the automated responses to a person actually reading it point out you had the character before the others got flagged.

All I can say in terms of punishment is I had one friend years ago who was always pushing the limits. After a couple name change demands they just deleted the next character they didn't like. He never got escalated the 3 day/ 7 day/ permabans as far as I know.

I doubt anyone from ZOS is going to spell out to you exactly how the punishments work.

WaywardArgonian

From what I have read about these cases, the people who get perma'd for something like this tend to have a history of committing the same offense and then trying to bypass the naming filters in new ways. It probably also depends on how bad/offensive the names are to begin with.

Like a previous user said, it's best to just file a support ticket and explain the situation. You can never be 100% sure with moderation as we do not know the exact protocols that are used, and your mileage may vary based on context and probably even the mood of the customer service representative in question.

Androrix

I suspect there is a high degree of subjectivity depending on the name and the player's history of flouting the rules. It has to be that way.

What I do know, however, is that I have seen posts on gaming sites by repeat offfenders bewailing their ban and the naming rules. It was informative to see how unsympathetic responses to those posts were.

What I also know is that you are risking a permanent ban. Why would you do that?

Memory_In_Motion

Discussing discipline in the forums is against tos... in before the... yawnnnnnnn

ZOS_Kevin

@sh4y If you place a ticket in noting this issue, customer service should help you through changing your name to something more appropriate. Being proactive in the change is always helpful. If you would like to send the ticket my way for extra reassurance, feel free to do so.

Generally, we do not discuss course of action in moderation because it varies based on the circumstances around the individual and the severity of the infraction.

rpa

If you feel your char have risky name CS can force name change for you if you open a ticket and ask nicely. Have the new names figured out because you need to change the name before getting back to game when that hits.

Amottica

Mithgil wrote: »

There's no defined "amount", etc., as they weigh each case on it's own. If they had a policy say of "3 inappropriate names = account ban" then you'd have a number of people push that limit to two, that kind of crap. So it could be 1 name that does it, or "more than 1".

You might be able to put in a ticket requesting you be allowed to change the character name realizing now that it could be problematic.

and other issues that have been reported would likely be a factor as well.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

@sh4y If you place a ticket in noting this issue, customer service should help you through changing your name to something more appropriate. Being proactive in the change is always helpful. If you would like to send the ticket my way for extra reassurance, feel free to do so.

Generally, we do not discuss course of action in moderation because it varies based on the circumstances around the individual and the severity of the infraction.

Good to know Zenimax is willing to help those looking to help themselves with such matters.

Didgerion

You know the apps that generate strong passwords? I think it is time to use one of those for character name generation.

Androrix

Amottica wrote: »

Good to know Zenimax is willing to help those looking to help themselves with such matters.

Indeed, great advice above, and here is a grovelly draft for you, OP:

"Dear Customer Service Representative,

First let me say how much I love the game and appreciate all your hard work. Customer service is especially awesome.

Second, I goofed. I picked a silly name for my character that I now suspect may violate the naming guide. I plan to do better going forward, but could you please help me change the name just this one time.

I would like to name my character ApologyLearnsFromMistakesMan.

Thank you so much!"

Malthorne

I accidentally named my character [someone]’s side hoe. Happens to best of us…

gariondavey

Which character? XD

Tandor

I suggest that when requesting a name change you put forward several options. That way if there's an issue you haven't foreseen on your first choice ZOS can implement another choice and avoid a lot of to'ing and fro'ing over it.

captainwolfos

I kind of wish they had a "are you sure you wish to be called X" in character creation, or when using a name change token.

I have one character whose name is literally a placeholder because I a) can't think of anything better that b) isn't already in use.

If I were to change their name, I'd have to spend crowns on a name change token, but I would have no idea whether or not the names are available to use or not unless I gamble with the "okay" button, which could potentially waste actual real world money.

Oreyn_Bearclaw

So I also need to change an inappropriate name. I got married and now the character I modeled after her, "Bear's Hippie Girlfriend", needs changed to "Bear's Hippie Wife". I was told by said wife that the old name is no longer appropriate. Think @ZOS_Kevin could do me a solid?

SilverBride

If you create a character and then are not sure about the name just delete it and create another with a different name.

boi_anachronism_

Didgerion wrote: »

You know the apps that generate strong passwords? I think it is time to use one of those for character name generation.

Oh they do. It's call name-a-bot

huntgod_ESO

I've had to change one character name my PVP character Phil McGroin, which was apparently fine for over 7 years but awhile back it was no longer acceptable and I had to change it. It wasn't that big a deal, not had I changed the name to something else inappropriate I would expect that further action might be taken. I have also had a few characters name changed because the names were from well known fiction, didn't mind that either, except that it made two of my characters not have names that worked together anymore, so I actually requested one of the name changes since it also had a recognizable fictional name from a popular work.

belial5221_ESO

FluffWit wrote: »

I'd suggest you file a support ticket if you're not prepared to delete the character or buy your own name change. Once you get past the automated responses to a person actually reading it point out you had the character before the others got flagged.

All I can say in terms of punishment is I had one friend years ago who was always pushing the limits. After a couple name change demands they just deleted the next character they didn't like. He never got escalated the 3 day/ 7 day/ permabans as far as I know.

I doubt anyone from ZOS is going to spell out to you exactly how the punishments work.

They autochange the name,and give you a token to change it to something else.Though for offensive they should make you pay for it as punishment,if it's a purposefully offensive name,would make ppl think about it,lol.

Dr_Con

I've read some stories on reddit about permabans after repeat character name violations, I doubt you'll get an accurate assessment here or there.

People rarely give their full disciplinary history when disclosing violations so it's hard to trust anyone who says they did something once and got banned.

But overall I'm going to say it's situational dependent and it seems support heavily weigh in intent to play and other factors such as if your name has hatespeech loopholing of other rulebreaks in them (i.e. innuendo). A first offense for innuendo probably won't result in a ban in most cases, but if it's severe enough it will.

In your case you have a mitigating circumstance that Support would have to take into account when changing your name, Kevin has already replied to the topic so that's a good sign.

Androrix

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

So I also need to change an inappropriate name. I got married and now the character I modeled after her, "Bear's Hippie Girlfriend", needs changed to "Bear's Hippie Wife". I was told by said wife that the old name is no longer appropriate. Think @ZOS_Kevin could do me a solid?

For a moment I thought this was going to be one of those awkward tatoo stories!

Dr_Con

Oreyn_Bearclaw wrote: »

So I also need to change an inappropriate name. I got married and now the character I modeled after her, "Bear's Hippie Girlfriend", needs changed to "Bear's Hippie Wife". I was told by said wife that the old name is no longer appropriate. Think @ZOS_Kevin could do me a solid?

sounds like a new character needs to be made, to support, uh, this game's time-fluidity