[Ryuko]

I was wondering how you all felt about this:

In FFXIV, not only are you able to choose a first name... but you also MUST choose a 'surname'.

More recently, they announced that players who link their PlayOnline account to their FFXIV one will be given the option to name themselves their character name and server name. (If I did this from the original server I'd want to, it would be "Ryuko Diabolos.") Interestingly enough, I -didn't- have to link anything during beta to choose that name. I was able to name myself Ryuko Diabolos without any problems.

But here we are -- many, many years after FFXI reached its most popular 'peak' and not only are most of us scrambling to try to figure out which server to join (since many of us want to meet up with 'old friends'), but we also must choose our name.

The first question is the first name: Are you going to choose the name you were known as in FFXI, or choose something different? My name was Ryuko, but what if it's taken, or what if I'd rather not have that name? I have had a few aliases since then that I may choose to use instead. But how will people know who I am (unless I link my PO account, but still... you'd only know me if we were 'friends'). I may choose a completely different first name.

The last name: No doubt, some will choose their FFXI server names, but what about other options? I was in Ilterendi for a very long time, and I would consider it the linkshell I identify most with, by far. Are there other people who feel the same about their linkshell and will make their favored linkshell their last name? Will this lead to drama in the case where your particular linkshell has a less than desirable reputation? (Ilterendi, my ls, was pretty neutral, but what about the hate wars between Poisoned and PJ's?) If you choose a linkshell that had a controversial reputation, you are more or less branded forever.

Some people have told me they may choose to use their real first and last name. As far as I know, only one person I knew chose their FFXI name as their real first name, but that's not that bad, considering so many people have the same first name. But if you use both your real first and last name... That may not be a very good idea.

Finally, and I saw many people in the beta who did this... There's always the option to choose a two word combination so that you have a 'space' between. As an example, "Two Fish."

So what do you people think you will do?

[Logan Draconia]

The amazing thing about FFXIV names is that you are guaranteed to be Ryuko as long as your Surname is different from the other Ryuko. Just like in the real world, there are many Johns and Jessicas, but 99% of them have different last names, unless it's a common one like Smith or Johnson.

So you take your name and you like it. I'll be happy being Kagato for once without having to slap a last name in it because a Kagato already exists. Kagato Jurai > Kagatojurai.

[Rhayve]

To be honest, I didn't really like being forced to have two names, since if you have a cool character name, adding a surname that isn't nearly as cool kind of ruins it. Plus 2 names hovering over a character is somewhat unaesthetic. Not to mention it can be annoying having to type a full two names to send tells to people.
Nevertheless, I have gotten used to it (partly because I have also played Guild Wars for quite a while, as well), so I guess it's not too bad, since I already conceived a fairly good name I like. Also, as mentioned above, it's a great method to avoid identical names or blocking names. Though I would have preferred the surname being optional.

[Ryuko]

Oh, don't know how many of you got to take a stab at the beta... but in the closed beta, there was no 'auto reply' function. To reply to someone, I had to /t their full name. The person who got me the code was named, "Thunderblaze Krakenclub" (a known troll, apparently, lol)... You can imagine my annoyance EVERY TIME I had to type his name in. I'm sure they'll add this in eventually... Well, they better.

I sort of agree with both of you.

Yeah, it's cool that I will definitely get the name I want, but it's also unaesthetic to have to have a long name. Being known as something short was good, but having a long name is sort of exhausting. I felt 'forced' into choosing a last name when every other game I just had to pick one alias and that was it. (I did pick up Guild Wars at Launch, but never played it long... so it never sunk in for me).

For the most part, it's very unlikely that two people in the same ls will have the same first name... so people will likely only be referring to each other as first names and only need long names for server-wide clarification.

Also, I agree -- Kagato Jurai > Kagatojurai

Anyway, I'm still considering what I'll have as my last name. I'm unsure. But I'll probably stick with Ryuko as a first name. It has a bit of stigma behind it for people who remember me from the first few years of the game (I was a young, bipolar and angsty teenager... a little bit of an elitist and know it all, etc). Now, I'm 22, and I'd rather not be remembered for my former 15-16 year old self. Yet, at the same time, I do have many good friends I'd like to see again and it'd be nice if they recognized me.

[Paper Shroom]

Rhayve, on 25 August 2010 - 08:04 PM, said:

To be honest, I didn't really like being forced to have two names, since if you have a cool character name, adding a surname that isn't nearly as cool kind of ruins it. Plus 2 names hovering over a character is somewhat unaesthetic. Not to mention it can be annoying having to type a full two names to send tells to people.
Nevertheless, I have gotten used to it (partly because I have also played Guild Wars for quite a while, as well), so I guess it's not too bad, since I already conceived a fairly good name I like. Also, as mentioned above, it's a great method to avoid identical names or blocking names. Though I would have preferred the surname being optional.

Well i cant rember where i heard it but i think u can pick to show ur full name or ur first above ur char not sure though, but the tell thing yea tht might be a problem and i really dont see away around tht unless they make it where only one person can have tht first name

[Ander]

I could take or leave it. And look at it this way, a second name is just one more string of characters that can be some variation of the name sephiroth.

[Ryuko]

Ander, on 26 August 2010 - 12:26 AM, said:

And look at it this way, a second name is just one more string of characters that can be some variation of the name sephiroth.

That's very bad. Very, very bad.

Sephi Roth

Seph Iroth

Sef Yroth

ugh

[Boss Rockius]

My name is either gonna be Rock or some variation of the name Rock, I always do that for everything. I mean when it comes down to it, my name IS Rock, that's what I identify with. To be honest the only reason I was Infinite at PS2 launch is because after playing a metrosexual Hume and flat out female Mithra for enough levels I attempted to compensate by picking the manliest race I could find(Galka) and used the manliest name I could think of(Infinite is pretty tough). Far as a surname, I dunno to be honest. I never really knew I had to have a surname so I never really gave much thought to it. Maybe I might have some form of Rock as my last name and think of something completely different for my first name. I got about a month to figure it out so I'm gonna be brainstorming for a while.

This post has been edited by Boss Rockius: 26 August 2010 - 04:26 AM

[Ryuko]

Or, you could make your name "Boss Rockius" lol.

You'll be the token mob boss of the server.

[Inutock]

Eh I was far from perfect myself Ryuko, but I won't hide from my past.

Inutock (surname) it will be. Or possibly (*******) Inutock, with Inutock being my surname.

[Ander]

Boss Rockius, on 26 August 2010 - 04:24 AM, said:

My name is either gonna be Rock or some variation of the name Rock, I always do that for everything. I mean when it comes down to it, my name IS Rock, that's what I identify with. To be honest the only reason I was Infinite at PS2 launch is because after playing a metrosexual Hume and flat out female Mithra for enough levels I attempted to compensate by picking the manliest race I could find(Galka) and used the manliest name I could think of(Infinite is pretty tough). Far as a surname, I dunno to be honest. I never really knew I had to have a surname so I never really gave much thought to it. Maybe I might have some form of Rock as my last name and think of something completely different for my first name. I got about a month to figure it out so I'm gonna be brainstorming for a while.

Your name should be Rock Stone.

This post has been edited by Ander: 31 August 2010 - 08:57 AM

[Boss Rockius]

Ander, on 31 August 2010 - 08:57 AM, said:

Your name should be Rock Stone.

It's all good now. I've come up with a pretty sweet name now, just waiting for the chance to use it. ^^