Breakfast Topic: Toons have character
by Krystalle Voecks 
May 16th 2007 at 8:00AM
I never really thought about this before, but someone started a thread on the General forums decrying a term that I use every day. They stated that everyone should quit using the term "toon" and instead use "character" -- or as Drysc commented, "char" for short. Something I will admit to being doubly guilty of, as I realized that I use both interchangeably.
I don't honestly know where i picked up "toon." I am pretty sure that I started using it back when I was playing EverQuest, but I can't say that for certain. I know it was used heavily in City of Heroes, as everyone thought of their characters as being comic book creations by and large. I didn't even notice until the post, but I actually tend to use both terms. I'll say "toonhop" when I'm switching between characters. On the other hand, I also say "I'm going to play this character" if I'm indicating one of my characters as being the preferred one for that run/group/etc. I've also said that I would "jump to another toon" as well. Considering the uproar, I should probably just say "charhop" when I'm switching between characters, but somehow it just doesn't flow as well as "toonhop" does. And really, since I'm just saying that to save my friends the trouble of doing a bunch of "goodbye" "welcome back" typing, does it matter?
So what do you prefer? Character or Toon? And where did you pick your terminology up? Does either term drive you bonkers? Personally, neither one offends me, and nobody's ever asked me to stop using either term. Go figure!
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Virtual selves, Odds and ends, Breakfast Topics
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chives May 16th 2007 8:04AM
I picked up toon from city of heroes, but have since stopped using it because my guildees yelled at me for it :(
speaking of CoH, what an aweful game. I loved designing my costume, but the game was downhill from there...
Switched to WoW within a month
Ian May 16th 2007 8:09AM
The terminology of "toon" drives me bonkers... I really hate it. "Character" is much better in my opinion.
Smithra May 16th 2007 8:13AM
Character all the way. I've been playing for just over a year, so I'm growing desensitized to the "toon" terminology, but it still irks me ever so slightly.
I used to play tabletop RPGs, the original Diablo, its way better sequel, other computer or console rpgs, etc. etc. so I'm used to having characters and shortening it to char when in a hurry. The one real problem with char is it's already an english word. Fortunately its most common usage is a verb and context usually disambiguates if you're talking to someone who's not new to RPGs.
finalforeman May 16th 2007 8:21AM
...really?
This is the silliest debate ever, like Coke or Pepsi, there is no right answer but I'll bash you Coke lovers just the same.
AdamW May 16th 2007 8:27AM
Unless you're playing ToonTown, you should never call your character a toon.
Twinny May 16th 2007 8:26AM
@4 you actually enjoy pepsi?
weird.
the six winger May 16th 2007 8:27AM
I know I don't usually post in this way but.
Why the heck is this a discussion? come on. I perfer "toe-mat-o". sorry may just be a rough morning but this seems really... unimportant, even in terms of a game.
*dons flame proof suit*
Becca May 16th 2007 8:39AM
I use 'character' and 'alt'. I agree with AdamW. If this was ToonTown or Freedom Force or something with a cartoony theme to it, toon might be a little more reasonable. Hearing people call their characters toons make me cringe. Your character should be an awesome force to be reckoned with, not Roger Rabbit.
Jonathon Pop May 16th 2007 8:37AM
I've always called characters other than my main "Alts" or "Alt" singular. As in Alternate Character. You must have started playing everquest during its later, and darker years because everyone called their other characters "Alts" or "Twinks"
Camaris May 16th 2007 8:41AM
It doesn't seem like 'toon' is a very prominent name in the Euro communities. At least... I've never really seen in 'in the wild'. Nearly always character, main or alt.
chaz May 16th 2007 8:42AM
I don't think you can argue that the characters look a bit cartoon-ey at times. That being said, I fully support the end of the term "toon" because it does sound stupid.
chaz May 16th 2007 8:44AM
@4 & 7,
Yes, because usually we're discussing the world's most important issues on here. This arguement is below your level? Come on.
Lunada May 16th 2007 8:46AM
I must agree this is a silly debate. Drysc obiviously has nothing better to do than try and mandate how people speak (or type).
But for me i picked it up from a friend, also typing toon was far easier than character or char. And lastly, toon/character its the same thing. If u think for a second that wither term matters, you have gotten to a point where ur nerdiness has devoured ur common sense and respect for others.
Hellbena May 16th 2007 8:54AM
@9
Don't you remember that Roger Rabbit has a tendency to bring disaster wherever he goes?
Before playing WoW, I was playing D2, and the term 'char' was widely used. But when I came to WoW, I saw people using the phrase 'toon' which got me going wtf? But like #8 said, I just use the terms 'main' and 'alt', or just talk about the class I'll get on. Saves a ton of confusion on both ends.
sirotrax May 16th 2007 8:57AM
Generally I use 'Character', it just makes the most sense to me. I've not actually heard 'toon' until I started reading this blog. :p
dlanier May 16th 2007 8:56AM
"main" and "alt" is all you need 99% of the time. I dislike toon greatly...
Arawn May 16th 2007 9:11AM
A much better debate would be whether to use the word "twink" in reference to alts, considering the origin of the word.
jess May 16th 2007 9:29AM
I prefer character much more than toon.
Rabbid May 16th 2007 9:42AM
I say "Toon". That's just how I roll. And I don't know about your server, but in my experience if I call my game entity a "toon" and someone doesn't know what I'm talking about.....they're usually a newb. Literally. Like new to the game. Or just retarded. You be the judge.
Turn to page 77.
X May 16th 2007 9:47AM
I started with using 'hero' in CoH but i switched to 'toon' when i noticed that was the common term. In gerneral, I like 'Av' for avatar better than 'char' or 'toon'