TOS-breaking names: another clarification is needed

tomofhyrule · December 2022

I think what we need is a definite restatement of section 6.1 to avoid any confusion. As written, it's exceptionally broad and we've gotten mixed messages on what is permissible and what is not (and as the poster above mentioned, ripe for abuse if other players try to group up and mass report a name to troll or retaliate).

If it were me, I'd say something like:

Wholly unacceptable: names including vulgarity or names that are copyrighted (e.g. "Mickey Mouse," "Harry Potter")
Disallowed: Full names of real-world people or names of characters in other copyrighted works (e.g. "Gina Bruno," "Chris Redfield")
Likely not allowed: Full names of major characters from the Elder Scrolls series (e.g. "Martin Septim," "Sheogorath")
Borderline: Full names of minor or irrelevant characters from the Elder Scrolls series; names which are obvious references to real-world or copyrighted characters (e.g. "Tanusea Veloth," "Geena Burn-O")
Likely allowed: Unique names constructed from parts of major Elder Scrolls series characters (e.g. "Gina Tharn," "Caius Draconis")
Allowed: Unique names constructed from parts of minor Elder Scrolls series characters (e.g. "Bernadette Amelion," "Ragnar Bearclaw")
Completely allowed: unique names that do not fit into the above categories

I would assume many players have chosen unique names using parts of major or minor established Elder Scrolls characters, which also leads to the other issue - what if that name is chosen as a future NPC?

I would like if @ZOS_Kevin or someone could allay our fears of if ZOS were to introduce a character which uses a name we have used for years. Again, some of us have poured our hearts and souls into certain characters, so to have that name scooped away would be absolutely crushing.

Do ZOS's writers check that no players are using a name before they give it to a major character? Do they block that name in the database to prevent players from using it, even before that name is announced? Or do we have to live in fear that one day, ZOS might release an NPC who steals the name from our main?

It would be great if ZOS's writers could keep a list of names that long-term players use — even if it was just 'the most-played character from players with more than 1000 hours of playtime' — so that players don't have to fear being forced to name change a character in these circumstances. I've only been playing since Elsweyr, but I have seen that my /played on my main alone is over 157 days (3700+ hours on that specific character), and I know people who have been here longer with single characters they've played for over twice as long as I have. At some point, that name becomes a part of that character, just as their class and story is. Being forced to change that because ZOS just happened to pick that name for a minor enemy (or even worse, a Companion who rubs that name in your face every time you see them) is more gamebreaking to me and others than any of the bugs we've had in game thus far.

Elsonso · December 2022

kargen27 wrote: »

TooWeak2Live wrote: »

I had a toon named "Fetaljuice" (obviously a play on Beetlejuice) for more than 2 years when it was suddenly banned. I read the guidelines many times and could not find any clause it violated. I asked customer service to clarify what rule it violated and they outright refused, in fact they were hostile.

Did you happen to kill someone in Cyrodiil before the forced name change? A friend after having a really good night of PvP was forced to change his characters name after players he had popped reported the name. He explained the source of the name and all that fun stuff. He did get more than you did from customer support though. They told him there were multiple reports that the name was offensive and even though he didn't mean it to be offensive the ban on the name would stay in place.

When I hear "multiple reports" it just makes me wonder how many reports it takes to weaponize customer service against someone.

TooWeak2Live · December 2022

kargen27 wrote: »

Did you happen to kill someone in Cyrodiil before the forced name change? A friend after having a really good night of PvP was forced to change his characters name after players he had popped reported the name.

It's possible, of course. I have played a lot of Cyrodiil. But if customer service can take the time to ban a nonsense toon name of no significance, maybe they should spend just a little time banning ESO streamers who repeatedly and knowingly use exploits and even get called out on it by their own girlfriends. Or who allow GGX/RMT to be advertised in their stream chat. Or any number of things are pretty clearly bad and they never seem to do anything about despite them being reported.

BTW, how do you think they'd respond if I literally named a toon after an in-game item like Polished Elf-Poker (we all know what that's alluding to, don't pretend) or Ogrim *** Caps? I don't understand this focus on toon names when the game itself is littered with direct sexual references and innuendo.

And lastly, does the existence of this body part indicate that ogrim are mammals?

emilyhyoyeon · December 2022

tomofhyrule wrote: »

[*] Likely allowed: Unique names constructed from parts of major Elder Scrolls series characters (e.g. "Gina Tharn," "Caius Draconis")

Piggybacking off this

I'm confused because

ZOS Kevin confirmed from customer service that names constructed from parts of major characters are not allowed.
ex. Definitely Not Fennorian is not allowed because it contains Fennorian
so...
Fennorian Draconis is not allowed because it contains Fennorian ?

(or
the latter is allowed but not the former because the former is cheeky or whatever?)

Is the difference that one character (Fennorian) is just a first name whereas the other character (Andreas Draconis) is a first and last name?

Elsonso · December 2022

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

tomofhyrule wrote: »

[*] Likely allowed: Unique names constructed from parts of major Elder Scrolls series characters (e.g. "Gina Tharn," "Caius Draconis")

Piggybacking off this

I'm confused because

ZOS Kevin confirmed from customer service that names constructed from parts of major characters are not allowed.
ex. Definitely Not Fennorian is not allowed because it contains Fennorian
so...
Fennorian Draconis is not allowed because it contains Fennorian ?

(or
the latter is allowed but not the former because the former is cheeky or whatever?)

Is the difference that one character (Fennorian) is just a first name whereas the other character (Andreas Draconis) is a first and last name?

Hmm... This is how I interpret it... Has nothing to do with a single name vs a first and last name. When the name is used literally, with no spelling and pronunciation tricks, it seems to have everything to do with how closely the player character name references the ZOS character that shares the name.

My guesses...

Gina Tharn ... allowed
Abner Draconis ... allowed
Abner ... probably not allowed?
Definitely Not Fennorian ... not allowed
Definitely Not Abner Tharn ... not allowed

spartaxoxo · December 2022

Elsonso wrote: »

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

tomofhyrule wrote: »

[*] Likely allowed: Unique names constructed from parts of major Elder Scrolls series characters (e.g. "Gina Tharn," "Caius Draconis")

Piggybacking off this

I'm confused because

ZOS Kevin confirmed from customer service that names constructed from parts of major characters are not allowed.
ex. Definitely Not Fennorian is not allowed because it contains Fennorian
so...
Fennorian Draconis is not allowed because it contains Fennorian ?

(or
the latter is allowed but not the former because the former is cheeky or whatever?)

Is the difference that one character (Fennorian) is just a first name whereas the other character (Andreas Draconis) is a first and last name?

Hmm... This is how I interpret it... Has nothing to do with a single name vs a first and last name. When the name is used literally, with no spelling and pronunciation tricks, it seems to have everything to do with how closely the player character name references the ZOS character that shares the name.

My guesses...
Gina Tharn ... allowed

Abner Draconis ... allowed

Abner ... probably not allowed?

Definitely Not Fennorian ... not allowed

Definitely Not Abner Tharn ... not allowed

That's how I read it as well. It can't be obvious you're trying to make your character literally and explicitly reference a specific character from the lore. Someone in the same family, but is your own personal thing, is fine e.g. Gina Tharn.

So, I could probably name a character Raz'aline Bananas and be okay.

emilyhyoyeon · December 2022

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Elsonso wrote: »

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

tomofhyrule wrote: »

[*] Likely allowed: Unique names constructed from parts of major Elder Scrolls series characters (e.g. "Gina Tharn," "Caius Draconis")

Piggybacking off this

I'm confused because

ZOS Kevin confirmed from customer service that names constructed from parts of major characters are not allowed.
ex. Definitely Not Fennorian is not allowed because it contains Fennorian
so...
Fennorian Draconis is not allowed because it contains Fennorian ?

(or
the latter is allowed but not the former because the former is cheeky or whatever?)

Is the difference that one character (Fennorian) is just a first name whereas the other character (Andreas Draconis) is a first and last name?

Hmm... This is how I interpret it... Has nothing to do with a single name vs a first and last name. When the name is used literally, with no spelling and pronunciation tricks, it seems to have everything to do with how closely the player character name references the ZOS character that shares the name.

My guesses...
Gina Tharn ... allowed

Abner Draconis ... allowed

Abner ... probably not allowed?

Definitely Not Fennorian ... not allowed

Definitely Not Abner Tharn ... not allowed

That's how I read it as well. It can't be obvious you're trying to make your character literally and explicitly reference a specific character from the lore. Someone in the same family, but is your own personal thing, is fine e.g. Gina Tharn.

So, I could probably name a character Raz'aline Bananas and be okay.

I don't like Abnur Tharn as an example involving his first name because he has a last name to distinguish him as a character; hence Gina Tharn being allowed. Someone like Fennorian does not have another name to distinguish him. And a lot of us put first names only in our character names.

I understand how Definitely Not Fennorian isn't allowed, but personally I'm not getting how Fennorian Draconis, Fennorian Spellslinger, etc are not allowed while Gina Tharn is unless the difference is that Fennorian, being a main character only distinguished by a first name, is simply barred from use overall because of that fact.

I'm not interested in naming any characters Fennorian or any other current main character names. But I do have many OCs with lore friendly names that could technically be created in the future by ZOS.

If Fennorian Spellslinger isn't allowed, since it isn't obvious you're not trying to impersonate him, then my altmer named Tullanisse Starborne would be breaking the TOS if they ever make an altmer character in a future main questline called Tullanisse. Same goes for everyone else who uses lore friendly names.

Or, if I give my characters unique last names instead of unique titles if the TOS is okay with that approach because then impersonation is less obvious, then I'd rather know now and change my characters' names because I'd rather have less time to be attached to their current name format.

I know the chance of this happening is VERY, VERY low, but I'd still rather know.

Syldras · December 2022

TooWeak2Live wrote: »

BTW, how do you think they'd respond if I literally named a toon after an in-game item like Polished Elf-Poker (we all know what that's alluding to, don't pretend) or Ogrim *** Caps? I don't understand this focus on toon names when the game itself is littered with direct sexual references and innuendo.

"Elf-Poker" is a sword, swords are used to poke people. Also, how is a type of chest adornment/jewelry for male Daedra sexual innuendo?

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

Since Fennorian was the example, does this only apply to first names or something?

Some Dunmer first names are so common that they could be considered the Morrowind equivalent of Steve. Good luck banning all of them... I don't think they will do that, honestly.

emilyhyoyeon wrote: »

I understand how Definitely Not Fennorian isn't allowed

They've clarified that and we can only accept it, but I'm wondering where the damage lies in this case. I mean, obviously no one will confuse "Definitively Not Fennorian" with Fennorian.

NotaDaedraWorshipper · December 2022

Syldras wrote: »

Some Dunmer first names are so common that they could be considered the Morrowind equivalent of Steve. Good luck banning all of them... I don't think they will do that, honestly.

Indeed. There's a bunch of first and last names that appears multiple times throughout the games and they don't seem to be relatives. I even came up with an "original" name for my male dunmer only to find years later there's a character in TES3 who has almost identical name. I just like to joke it is a dunmer equivalent of those common real life names that sound and look so similar. Such as Steve Smith, Stevie Smithe, Steven Smyth, Stephen Smythe, Stephan Smitz etc.

fizzylu · December 2022

Me just over here trying to figure out what's the big deal about a player character and an in-game NPC sharing similar names.... seriously this is one of the most bizarre "issues" I have ever heard of in a MMORPG haha like I understand not having something that's entirely copyrighted like a brand name.... I actually think even that's questionable because while *** is a brand, it's also the name of a greek goddess.... is she copyrighted? Or whatever it is that is why they're saying players can't do this? And what if someone just likes the name Fennorian? What if someone is named Fennorian irl and wants their character to also be Fennorian???? What if they just really like the character Fennorian and want a callback to him in their name? What's the big deal, honestly???? This is just.... I'm sorry, it's nonsensical.
edit: Okay, I checked Facebook.... I found no Fennorian's. Well, I found one.... but it was a cat haha there were a lot of Emeric's and Naryu's though so my point still stands xD

VaranisArano · December 2022

fizzylu wrote: »

Me just over here trying to figure out what's the big deal about a player character and an in-game NPC sharing similar names.... seriously this is one of the most bizarre "issues" I have ever heard of in a MMORPG haha like I understand not having something that's entirely copyrighted like a brand name... but what if someone just likes the name Fennorian? What if someone is named Fennorian like irl and wants their character to also be Fennorian???? What if they just really like the character Fennorian and want a callback to him in their name? What's the big deal, honestly???? This is just.... I'm sorry, it's nonsensical.

Part of its an intellectual property thing. Generally, you want to defend your own intellectual property because if you don't, it gets harder to assert your protection later if someone gets more egregious about it.

Additionally, ZOS seems to want to avoid situations where an Player could be reasonably confused with an NPC, as in the OP. Imagine a character named "Fennorian" spouting nasty stuff in zone chat, and suddenly it makes a lot more sense.

However, I'm not sure myself why "Probably Not Fennorian" wouldn't be acceptable, but that's what Support says, so it is what it is.

Based on the "Gina Tharn" example, I'd try names like:
"Fennorian Stormbinder"
"Fennorian Blood-drinker"
"High Kinlord Fennorian"
None of those are particularly likely to be confused for the real one, whereas something like "Fennorian Ravenwatch" might be.

It's also possible that any name with Fennorian in it wouldn't be acceptable for Support because he's just that notable of an NPC, like how ZOS_Kevin suggests that Razum'Dar variants need to be phonetically distinct as well. I don't know.

Finally, "it's my real name" has usually not been accepted as an excuse by Support. There's been a couple threads I've seen where someone's real name ran afoul of censors and they didn't have much luck with the appeals.

fizzylu · December 2022

Verandis, is that you???? haha jk

VaranisArano wrote: »

Additionally, ZOS seems to want to avoid situations where an Player could be reasonably confused with an NPC, as in the OP. Imagine a character named "Fennorian" spouting nasty stuff in zone chat, and suddenly it makes a lot more sense.

However, I'm not sure myself why "Probably Not Fennorian" wouldn't be acceptable, but that's what Support says, so it is what it is.

Based on the "Gina Tharn" example, I'd try names like:
"Fennorian Stormbinder"
"Fennorian Blood-drinker"
"High Kinlord Fennorian"
None of those are particularly likely to be confused for the real one, whereas something like "Fennorian Ravenwatch" might be.

And yeah, I just have more faith in the playerbase that they'd be able to tell the difference between a player and an NPC.
I'm just saying I've never seen this topic come up in any other games.
Also those examples don't explain why you couldn't do something that sounds similar.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

This is correct for the most part. With the added caveat for the last point. The similar names need to be distinctly different enough, both written and phonetically. Again, circling back to the previous point about circumstance dependent. The example given "Razum-Dar > Rasum-Tar" is different enough written. However, it could pose a potential problem phonetically. If it was "Razum-Dar > Ralum-Tar", you may fair a better chance. The point here is, try to make the name look and sound different enough.

Also, because of my curiosity.... I went to WoW's companion app (you can't even have spaces and last names in that game) and looked at some player names.
Jaina is a character in there, but I found plenty of Jayna's.
Tyrande, another character as well.... I found a ton of Teranda's and Tyranda's.
And mind you, this would never be a problem I'd suffer from since I have unique names for my characters.... I just find it so hard to take Zenimax seriously lately and this is just adding to it.

VaranisArano wrote: »

Part of its an intellectual property thing. Generally, you want to defend your own intellectual property because if you don't, it gets harder to assert your protection later if someone gets more egregious about it.

Because seriously.... how is the playerbase actually harming Zenimax or the game by having a slight callback to a character with a name like "Probably Not Fennorian" within their own game? I guess I could just quietly accept what ZoS support says.... but for some reason, I struggle with this sort of blind acceptance.

Syldras · December 2022

NotaDaedraWorshipper wrote: »

Indeed. There's a bunch of first and last names that appears multiple times throughout the games and they don't seem to be relatives. I even came up with an "original" name for my male dunmer only to find years later there's a character in TES3 who has almost identical name. I just like to joke it is a dunmer equivalent of those common real life names that sound and look so similar. Such as Steve Smith, Stevie Smithe, Steven Smyth, Stephen Smythe, Stephan Smitz etc.

I have a Dunmer side character named Ralyn Dralas. I chose a really common name as I only use him for storing items in his inventory. That's also the reason I don't log in with him very often. He's just standing inside a bank most of the time. Still, he's already met two guys with similar names by chance (I think it was Ralen Drelas and Relyn Drelis - or something like that). I'm sure there are maybe even a dozen more.

VaranisArano · December 2022

fizzylu wrote: »

Verandis, is that you???? haha jk

VaranisArano wrote: »

Additionally, ZOS seems to want to avoid situations where an Player could be reasonably confused with an NPC, as in the OP. Imagine a character named "Fennorian" spouting nasty stuff in zone chat, and suddenly it makes a lot more sense.

However, I'm not sure myself why "Probably Not Fennorian" wouldn't be acceptable, but that's what Support says, so it is what it is.

Based on the "Gina Tharn" example, I'd try names like:
"Fennorian Stormbinder"
"Fennorian Blood-drinker"
"High Kinlord Fennorian"
None of those are particularly likely to be confused for the real one, whereas something like "Fennorian Ravenwatch" might be.

And yeah, I just have more faith in the playerbase that they'd be able to tell the difference between a player and an NPC.
I'm just saying I've never seen this topic come up in any other games.
Also those examples don't explain why you couldn't do something that sounds similar.

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

This is correct for the most part. With the added caveat for the last point. The similar names need to be distinctly different enough, both written and phonetically. Again, circling back to the previous point about circumstance dependent. The example given "Razum-Dar > Rasum-Tar" is different enough written. However, it could pose a potential problem phonetically. If it was "Razum-Dar > Ralum-Tar", you may fair a better chance. The point here is, try to make the name look and sound different enough.

Also, because of my curiosity.... I went to WoW's companion app (you can't even have spaces and last names in that game) and looked at some player names.
Jaina is a character in there, but I found plenty of Jayna's.
Tyrande, another character as well.... I found a ton of Teranda's and Tyranda's.
And mind you, this would never be a problem I'd suffer from since I have unique names for my characters.... I just find it so hard to take Zenimax seriously lately and this is just adding to it.

VaranisArano wrote: »

Part of its an intellectual property thing. Generally, you want to defend your own intellectual property because if you don't, it gets harder to assert your protection later if someone gets more egregious about it.

Because seriously.... how is the playerbase actually harming Zenimax or the game by having a slight callback to a character with a name like "Probably Not Fennorian" within their own game? I guess I could just quietly accept what ZoS support says.... but for some reason, I struggle with this sort of blind acceptance.

I mean, whether or not you accept it is irrelevant. Support (and whoever advised them that "Probably Not Fennorian" wasn't allowed) will continue to force name changes whenever they deem it necessary. In the grand scheme of things, a corporation cares more about their intellectual property than they do one unhappy customer.

I thought Gina gave clear rules. I feel like the additional guidelines ZOS_Kevin relayed from Support only muddy the waters again. Like, seriously, are they worried about a parody character Rasum-Tar? I dunno, I think it's ridiculous...and what I think is irrelevant to Support, who wouldn't allow that name.

But regardless of my opinion, when we play in ZOS' sandbox, we play by their rules. If that's blind acceptance, I remind you that you checked off the same TOS I did in order to play the game...

JoeCapricorn · December 2022

Did Section 6.1 even exist at the start? I don't remember these innocent names being banned in the first 7 years or so of ESO.

JoeCapricorn · December 2022

So if someone had a name that was okay for those first 7 or 8 years, they would have had friends that know them by that name, and that they would have had some sort of recognizable identity based around it. Suddenly, Support changes it to BlueMittens77, and friends unfriend BlueMittens77 because they have no idea who BlueMittens77 is, and no matter what their suggestion is to go back to something resembling their original identity, they are forced to remain as BlueMittens77

This is a fictional example, but I have friends who have had similar things happen to them. Forced name changes either through Section 6.1, or an extremely prudish interpretation of the rules that could only come from a boomer, really aren't fair.

VaranisArano · December 2022

JoeCapricorn wrote: »

Did Section 6.1 even exist at the start? I don't remember these innocent names being banned in the first 7 years or so of ESO.

I think the language has been updated over time, but the Code of Conduct and TOS always had rules about names. Here's a discussion about it right before launch: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/61967/naming-rules/p1

And enforcement has consistently been one where Support won't usually act unless it's reported or the account comes to their attention for another reason.

Elsonso · December 2022

VaranisArano wrote: »

JoeCapricorn wrote: »

Did Section 6.1 even exist at the start? I don't remember these innocent names being banned in the first 7 years or so of ESO.

I think the language has been updated over time, but the Code of Conduct and TOS always had rules about names. Here's a discussion about it right before launch: https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/61967/naming-rules/p1

And enforcement has consistently been one where Support won't usually act unless it's reported or the account comes to their attention for another reason.

Oddly enough, I think the old CoC was more clear on naming rules. The language today seems to be less specific, and more generous for them to implement day-to-day changes in policy.

Ratzkifal · December 2022

Still don't get why we are not allowed to use names of NPCs. I've never seen anyone be confused by that. In fact a lot of people enjoy roleplaying as preexisting characters. We are not allowed to because we are not allowed to. So why does this rule exist?
If Fennorian not having a last name is enough grounds to ban all names including "Fennorian" regardless of additional titles or lastnames, then nobody with a lore accurate first name is safe. At any point ZOS could add an NPC with your character's first name and no last name, which would make your lore accurate name an invalid pick over night. For now Varanis Arano is a valid name, but as soon as "Varanis" is added to the game that name will become invalid. As someone who had their name that previously was not in the game stolen by an NPC with the addition of the Dark Brotherhood DLC, I am concerned.

This rule is stupid and should be changed.

Ratzkifal · December 2022

Oh, another thing I just thought of. It can't be phonetically the same either. So...
Who decides the phonetics of a name? Since not everyone is playing the game in the same language, the phonetics of NPC names differ from player to player. So does that mean names cannot be phonetically the same as names in any of the supported languages? Sounds to me like every name is now a spectrum of forbidden phonetics rather than a singular thing. Finorian, Fännorian, Phänorion, Vinorianne... All of that sounds the same as Fennorian in the right language.

This ruling is becoming more silly the more I think about it.

Elsonso · December 2022

Ratzkifal wrote: »

Oh, another thing I just thought of. It can't be phonetically the same either. So...
Who decides the phonetics of a name? Since not everyone is playing the game in the same language, the phonetics of NPC names differ from player to player. So does that mean names cannot be phonetically the same as names in any of the supported languages? Sounds to me like every name is now a spectrum of forbidden phonetics rather than a singular thing. Finorian, Fännorian, Phänorion, Vinorianne... All of that sounds the same as Fennorian in the right language.

This ruling is becoming more silly the more I think about it.

Who decides the phonetics of a name? Customer support. I would imagine all rulings are final, too, since I can't see them quibbling over how to pronounce a name that can obviously be pronounced in a manner they do not want.

Besides, being too free about how to pronounce a name leads to characters named "Fennorian" but pronounced like "Elsonso".

Ratzkifal · December 2022

Elsonso wrote: »

Ratzkifal wrote: »

Oh, another thing I just thought of. It can't be phonetically the same either. So...
Who decides the phonetics of a name? Since not everyone is playing the game in the same language, the phonetics of NPC names differ from player to player. So does that mean names cannot be phonetically the same as names in any of the supported languages? Sounds to me like every name is now a spectrum of forbidden phonetics rather than a singular thing. Finorian, Fännorian, Phänorion, Vinorianne... All of that sounds the same as Fennorian in the right language.

This ruling is becoming more silly the more I think about it.

Who decides the phonetics of a name? Customer support. I would imagine all rulings are final, too, since I can't see them quibbling over how to pronounce a name that can obviously be pronounced in a manner they do not want.

Besides, being too free about how to pronounce a name leads to characters named "Fennorian" but pronounced like "Elsonso".

It was a rhetorical question. Obviously customer support will have to make that decision every time. But that doesn't mean it'll be the right decision. In a language where "ghoti" is phonetically the same as "fish", basing any such rules on phonetics is a disaster waiting to happen.

JoeCapricorn · December 2022

I can see that with words in other languages that mean completely different things might look too similar to bad words in ours. That particular town in Austria whose sign got stolen so often that they had to reinforce it with concrete comes to mind.

But a name that looks phonetically similar to an established NPC? That just lends more cloudiness to the issue.

I have half a mind to make sure to name my next character "Seissa Hahn" - never had a Redguard character after all, and there are plenty of outfit styles that would enable me to essentially remake Sai Sahan. I've seen the same with many other characters, like Sheogorath, Captain America, Lyris Titanborn, the Pink Power Ranger, The Joker, and Pickle Rick.

The last one is a dig at my own character Fen-Wander who is so green that he looks almost like a pickle.

Dr_Con · December 2022

AzuraFan wrote: »

BTW, how do you think they'd respond if I literally named a toon after an in-game item like Polished Elf-Poker (we all know what that's alluding to, don't pretend) or Ogrim *** Caps? I don't understand this focus on toon names when the game itself is littered with direct sexual references and innuendo.

And lastly, does the existence of this body part indicate that ogrim are mammals?

Daedra are imitations of life. If anything they are an imitation of a mammal, and I doubt anyone's selling Ogrim Milk.

Calling an Ogrim a mammal would be similar to calling a robot with nips a mammal. It's a bit puritanical and hipocritical to censor this while having the subject matter on display ingame for people to find and see. I doubt the target audience this was meant to protect are playing this game, in fact I feel they went extinct hundreds of years ago or chose to forgo the use of technology. But alas, they'll keep the word censored, because if anything it's always another reason to punish people over non-offenses.

joergino · December 2022

Netflix seems to be a name nobody cares about. At least I saw a charcter with that running around today.

zaria · December 2022

Elsonso wrote: »

kargen27 wrote: »

TooWeak2Live wrote: »

I had a toon named "Fetaljuice" (obviously a play on Beetlejuice) for more than 2 years when it was suddenly banned. I read the guidelines many times and could not find any clause it violated. I asked customer service to clarify what rule it violated and they outright refused, in fact they were hostile.

Did you happen to kill someone in Cyrodiil before the forced name change? A friend after having a really good night of PvP was forced to change his characters name after players he had popped reported the name. He explained the source of the name and all that fun stuff. He did get more than you did from customer support though. They told him there were multiple reports that the name was offensive and even though he didn't mean it to be offensive the ban on the name would stay in place.

When I hear "multiple reports" it just makes me wonder how many reports it takes to weaponize customer service against someone.

Its some danger if you are an bomber or tower troll in Cyrodil or fake tank in vet dungeons.
In that case they might report you for an technical reason as you are annoying.
If you are a female breton named Isobel its your problem, now this would not ban you and none of the above is outside of TOS. so you probably get an race and name change.
Now this is used as uses as cheating on taxes on mafia bosses you tag and bag. You will not run into this I hope.
Not saying ZoS don't have their own blinders and are as unaware as the user base feelings as the CCCP and with just as bad reactions.

JoeCapricorn · December 2022

I saw a couple "major NPCs" run around today as well. I won't name them, because they aren't doing anything wrong.

Yet it only takes one cyberbully to weaponize TOS and report them.

It would be great if such bullying tactics weren't so easily available.

fizzylu · December 2022

VaranisArano wrote: »

I mean, whether or not you accept it is irrelevant. Support (and whoever advised them that "Probably Not Fennorian" wasn't allowed) will continue to force name changes whenever they deem it necessary. In the grand scheme of things, a corporation cares more about their intellectual property than they do one unhappy customer.

I thought Gina gave clear rules. I feel like the additional guidelines ZOS_Kevin relayed from Support only muddy the waters again. Like, seriously, are they worried about a parody character Rasum-Tar? I dunno, I think it's ridiculous...and what I think is irrelevant to Support, who wouldn't allow that name.

But regardless of my opinion, when we play in ZOS' sandbox, we play by their rules. If that's blind acceptance, I remind you that you checked off the same TOS I did in order to play the game...

It may be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but not to me haha and aren't we here as players to voice our opinions and feedback? And clearly from these posts, many have a similar view on this subject as I do so this "one unhappy customer" isn't as singular as one would assume. You say yourself that what support says was in some regard ridiculous, yet support also does not care and that's just.... well, it's sad haha just because you choose to stick around, just know that plenty have not. Some will even see nonsense like this and think "is that a game I should be supporting?" I know that's a big question I've started asking myself since Zenimax's mishandling of U35 and that's exactly why I've gotten out of this sandbox haha and I know many other players did as well. This is just a sign that I made the right choice and should keep out of it; because honestly.... how is a player using a NPC related name, within the game said NPC is from, harming the game or company? And no, a player assuming another player is a NPC is not a reasonable answer haha and something tells me there's not one. I also gave proof that other game companies do not care about this.... so why is Zenimax so set on giving their players a hard time and questionable "rules" for what appears to be no good reason? It's simply bizarre and I can't help laughing.

VaranisArano · December 2022

fizzylu wrote: »

VaranisArano wrote: »

I mean, whether or not you accept it is irrelevant. Support (and whoever advised them that "Probably Not Fennorian" wasn't allowed) will continue to force name changes whenever they deem it necessary. In the grand scheme of things, a corporation cares more about their intellectual property than they do one unhappy customer.

I thought Gina gave clear rules. I feel like the additional guidelines ZOS_Kevin relayed from Support only muddy the waters again. Like, seriously, are they worried about a parody character Rasum-Tar? I dunno, I think it's ridiculous...and what I think is irrelevant to Support, who wouldn't allow that name.

But regardless of my opinion, when we play in ZOS' sandbox, we play by their rules. If that's blind acceptance, I remind you that you checked off the same TOS I did in order to play the game...

It may be irrelevant in the grand scheme of things, but not to me haha and aren't we here as players to voice our opinions and feedback? And clearly from these posts, many have a similar view on this subject as I do so this "one unhappy customer" isn't as singular as one would assume. You say yourself that what support says was in some regard ridiculous, yet support also does not care and that's just.... well, it's sad haha just because you choose to stick around, just know that plenty have not. Some will even see nonsense like this and think "is that a game I should be supporting?" I know that's a big question I've started asking myself since Zenimax's mishandling of U35 and that's exactly why I've gotten out of this sandbox haha and I know many other players did as well. This is just a sign that I made the right choice and should keep out of it; because honestly.... how is a player using a NPC related name, within the game said NPC is from, harming the game or company? And no, a player assuming another player is a NPC is not a reasonable answer haha and something tells me there's not one. I also gave proof that other game companies do not care about this.... so why is Zenimax so set on giving their players a hard time and questionable "rules" for what appears to be no good reason? It's simply bizarre and I can't help laughing.

Sure, you've got to decide for yourself what you will or won't put up with.

aipex8_ESO · December 2022

Nevermind