Game ID's

[J_A_B]

Here's a question for HTC--

I am curious as to why HTC does not allow people to use characters such as _'s or $'s in their in-game names.  For a lot of people, this is a total non-issue, but for me it means I basically lose my identity when I log into AH.

J_A_B  is who I am.   "JAB210" is stupid, and I hate it, and simply is not me.  In CS I was J_A_B, as I was J_A_B in NFS and UT and AW and AOK and DOOM and QUAKE and every other online game I've ever played.

I wish I could also have my normal ID in AH; unfortunately I am stuck with the stupid ID.

Now, this isn't a whine.  I'm just asking a serious question--why can't people use non-alphanumeric characters in their in-game names?

J_A_B

[2Late4U]

It was (is) probably implimented for a few reasons.  First it makes it a whole lot easier for the system to identify less than acceptable language ( prettythang_Man for example...just wouldnt be right..err worry bout that).

Another reason is to prevent stupid, imposible to identify troublesome players.  How does one tell the difference between a player named _____ and ______  while in the arena...or (*&#$&^# from (*&$#&^#.

One last good reason is to prevent name stealing/identity imposters.  There is always some prepubecent 14 year old dweeb (heck , maybe the bozo is 29) who would think it funny to log on as Zigrat_ or Voss_, next thing ya know we have

Zigrat
Zigrat_
_Zigrat
_Zigrat_
__Zigrat__

and it becomes a real issue to the pour soul who is being imitated as many will not notice the difference.

JUST 1MO

[J_A_B]

I thought that might be the reason myself--as it is a logical reason.  However, when I began to think about it, those reasons, while logical, don't actually hold up online.

The name-stealers can already steal names.  

How much difference is there between VOSS and V0SS (second one used a zero).  Or between Zigrat and Z1grat or Zlgrat (i, 1, L)??  If someone is enough of a jerk to want to impersonate someone else, they can.

As for silly names.  Yes, that is possibly a reason--some people who can use characters use peculiar names.  But some conventionally-spelled names are pretty silly too--to say nothing of names like "1876747861".

Still, those reasons may very well be the same as HTC's thinking.   As said, they do make sense.  Perhaps they're not perfect, but they do make sense.

My own theory is HTC simply never gave it any thought.  None of the HTC crew is affected by this issue, and I have yet to see a post about it on these boards.  It's something which affects only a very small minority of online players.

If HTC really is concerned with people using distracting/non-identifiable names, then perhaps it would be possible to work out an arrangement with them, much like how they're willing to work with people who pay using means other than credit cards?  I might even be inclined to keep this game permanently if I could actually use my normal ID instead of a stupid one (my identity means that much to me).

Thanks for responding.  Now, hopefully HTC will clear things up  

J_A_B

[AKSeaWulfe]

Does it really matter that much to you JAB?

You're only going to have an account for 2 months, then you're leaving. You've already previously stated you will not pay for this after your gift runs out.
-SW

[-Pirado-]

right,
past weekend i noticed a guy called Parado and my handle is Pirado. Later some guys asked if Parado was me.
Well, no, it was not me.

And i only met Parado in MA once, looks like a joke. My squadie Nath BDP got surprised too.

------------------
Pirado
Messerschmitt Bf109
9./JG54 "Grüenherz"
Horrido!

[J_A_B]

SeaWulfe--

Yes, it matters that much to me.  My name is important.  I an no more willing to change my Internet name than I am willing to change my REAL name.

Let me put it this way:   If I could use my normal ID, there would be about a 50/50 chance of me keeping a subscription.  I would definately think it over.  I'd SURELY keep it open long enough to try an AH scenario--the scenarios would either make or break the game for me.  I could forgive the MA problems if the scenarios were good enough.  Right now, there is a 0 percent chance of me keeping my account open.  As stated above, I am not willing to give up my identity.

J_A_B

[OpIvy]

I dont see it that important. I cant have my name Operation Ivy as i have in every other game ive played online because it wont fit. But I still wanted to play so i shortened it to OpIvy. Problem solved. I dont see the _+%$ signs making a difference. If anything your going to get these wanna be hacker speech as names which is pathetic.

[AKDejaVu]

Ever seen an on-line game that had problems tracking why their server was crashing... only to find that the use of - or + in an ID combined with a specific action would ax the server?

All of those concerns are easily erased when you remove the chance for odd-ball wildcards.

Besides.. the argument that _ defines your identity is somewhat silly.

AKDejaVu

[J_A_B]

I'll just say that although it may not be an issue to YOU, doesn't mean it isn't an issue to ME.

Still hoping for an official response.

J_A_B

[hazed-]

whos got the TIME to worry about it?

 


hazed

[10Bears]

Jab, you win "most interesting post of night" award..

what if they just assigned you a number?
10Bears--

[GrimDude]

Meet me at the Playground and I'll explain it to you.  

[J_A_B]

punt so HTC sees this thread (Monday so they'll be back in office)

J_A_B

[Westy]

Testing out my new handle:

 (___w___)


 Westy of the  Fatass Squadron!


 or maybe??

w  8====D

 Biggus Dickus BomberWing

[J_A_B]

That first one is better, because entirely too many computer geeks DO end up as fatasses    Heck, I've gained probably 25 pounds in the last few years.  I'll probably look like that handle whithin a few years.

As for the second.....how many characters does a name allow in AH?   16?  That would allow for some pretty long "members".

Of course, offensive names are against TOS no matter how they're spelled  

J_A_B