Will name changes let ninjas run free?
by David Bowers 
Oct 28th 2007 at 4:44PM
While Robin and I think it's a great idea, some people are in an outcry about the upcoming name-change service that Blizzard is offering. As Monsoon tells Blizzard on the forums:This is probably the worst ever decision ever made. How are we supposed to track ninjas and retards who may apply to our guild if there is no way to track their name changes?"
Nethaera calmly responds:
Perhaps putting them on an ignore list might help.
The ignore list will be automatically updated once that character's name change gets activated. Of course no system is fool proof, and there will always be someone looking to exploit things, but realistically, is it a terribly big problem if people you consider "ninjas" and "retards" yet are still unwilling to put on your ignore list can change their names once every 90 days?
In my experience, the kind of person who likes to call others "retards" generally isn't very nice themselves, and tends to find new "retards" all the time (with no offense meant to Monsoon here). I don't think it would be possible, even if the ignore list were extended to include a potential thousands of names, for some people to be satisfied that all the "ninjas" and "retards" were sufficiently dealt with and removed from the system
In those rare cases where one particular griefer (or, heaven forbid, a stalker) might have their own personal vendetta against one particular person or guild, however, I can imagine how this sort of thing might present a problem.
Suppose for example, this person's character gets a name-change, and, without realizing it's the same person, you decide to remove them from your ignore list in order to make room for someone else -- then you forget that new name and fail to recognize it when that player approaches you again and pretends to be someone you've never met.... I don't think that's likely to happen, but I could understand if someone was sensitive enough to worry about it.
Fortunately, though, Nathaera says (and I agree):
I understand that people are going to focus on the negatives of what could happen, but I have a feeling the fears people are expressing are a bit exaggerated and unlikely to come to fruition. We will of course monitor the effects this has on the community and make any additional changes as we feel are warranted.Whether or not we like it, here it comes.
Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Odds and ends, Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Autumnbear Oct 28th 2007 5:20PM
Suppose that ninjas or stalkers were still harassing or taking advantage of you, assuming that their changed names WEREN'T updated in your ignore lists.
Players would STILL have to protect themselves from bad people like this.
If your group is constantly 'ninja-ed', really, what is the problem here? The fact that it's the same guy that ninja-ed in the past wearing a new name, or the fact that you let it continue to happen?
If you have a 'stalker', how is it that they are able to track you down? What did you give to this person in terms of information that is causing them to want to stalk you?
A name change isn't the problem; it's peoples' lack of prevention that is the issue here. Turn Master Loot on, group only with Guildies or close friends. Make new friends, and use sound judgement. Naturally if you PUG an instance with someone you've never met before, that you'll have a high chance of being 'ninja-ed'. Close friends and people who have worked together in the past seldom even need to explain loot rules at all. They just 'know' from working with your character what needs and wants you have, and they respect that.
Ninjas can't be enjoying their end-game experience at all. Constantly losing face value in front of other players, taking huge gambles to join a group, working extra hard to prove that you can help them defeat a boss, and then stealing the loot is something I find utterly stupid and ridculous. Why work so hard, just to gain a one-time reward? These people are obviously skilled and smart enough to be great guild members, yet they choose to be stupd and ruin the game for other players. Imagine if they put that effort into co-operating with a guild.
Tekkub Oct 28th 2007 5:34PM
Friends and ignores are stored server-side... simplest solution beyond the auto-updating of the name would be to send a reminder mail to the player. "The player Flucker, who you are ignoring, has changed his name to Billyanyteen"
Then noone could cry that they didn't know a ninja changed his name, unless they're too lazy to /ignore the person.
Theserene Oct 28th 2007 5:42PM
Make /ignore lists bigger please then.
And I don't see it as an issue really, I think even Blizz would get suspicious if someone request 20-odd name changes on one character.
Sleepy Oct 28th 2007 5:45PM
I definitely agree that the ignore list should be bigger (same with the friends list). My friends list filled up long ago and I just try to keep them all in a custom channel so i can see when they're on (but it still isn't mail friendly with my mods).
As to the contrived scenario where someone changes their name and approaches you without you knowing its the same person... That would still exist if they created another character on the same account... I don't really think thats an issue.
st0rmy1 Oct 28th 2007 5:47PM
Well, there was always the good ole server transfer. Costly, but it was there. The only difference is you get to keep the same server now.
Justo Oct 28th 2007 5:50PM
i have an idea. everyone should stfu about "waaaaa i dont want so and so talking to me on a different name". be an adult for christ's sake.
Jason Oct 28th 2007 6:22PM
"i have an idea. everyone should stfu about "waaaaa i dont want so and so talking to me on a different name". be an adult for christ's sake."
ah yes, because not wanting to be harassed during your leisure time is so immature and childish...
must be really immature for people to use the /ignore functions, and expect it to not be circumvented...
you're so right, whatever were we thinking?
i guess all those state and federal laws regarding cyber-stalking are immature and childish too...
not like people on here occasionally run into real-life issues and conflicts with people that go beyond the game....
you're right.....
totally immature...we should all grow up...whatever were we thinking?
--j
Geoff Oct 28th 2007 6:23PM
First people were saying $10 was too much. Now they say it's too easy to name change and essentially reset your realm reputation. In my experience jerks are always jerks and rarely think the problem is them and thus are more likely to jump servers (screw you guys, I'm going somewhere better) than change name.
matt Oct 28th 2007 6:36PM
Blizzard knows this is a bad idea they don't care this is just a cash grab
Stormtamer Oct 28th 2007 6:50PM
One thing i was wondering. I dont use any (and this may have changed since i heard about it with the in-game feature) but have heard of ad-ons that increase your ignore list bigger than the Blizzard one allows. Will all these people's names also be changed? or because its an mod outside of the game will it not work?
freehugz Oct 28th 2007 7:00PM
you people find something wrong with EVERYTHING. is chronic ninja-ing REALLY a problem? I've never seen it happen. If someone is an asshat and leaves guild and applies again, and is still an asshat kick them again. And if they aren't... then where's the problem? it's not that big of a deal. the sky is not going to fall every time blizz changes something
bumeyes Oct 28th 2007 8:52PM
But what if the sky were to change his name every time he fell on me. There would be no escape i tell you... HOW DO YOU IGNORE THE GODDAMN SKY?
Jack Oct 28th 2007 9:45PM
If someone ninjas from you multiple times, I'd say it's your fault for inviting them again and not using master looter. If you encounter a jerk, and don't want to ever encounter them again no matter what their name is just ignore them. That's the way it currently works, and that's the way it will continue to work after this change.
If a well-known ninja changes their name, someone will know about it from the ignore list thing, and tell everyone else. And then the ninja will have to wait 3 months to change it again.
Andelorn Oct 28th 2007 10:12PM
I've already countered this in a previous topic.
Name changes are once every 3 months. So a guy ninjas and changes his name, then joins a guild or whatever. Are you going to be completely ruined if he ninjas one thing? No! You'll kick him out, brand him a ninja again, and he'll still have to live with the status for another 3 months. I don't see the problem.
Knowing a number of people who've been trying to get GMs to change their name for various (non-nefarious) reasons, I say this is a very good thing.
billgates Oct 28th 2007 10:20PM
Any time they add something new to the game people sh*t their pants, first it was the armory then it was voice chat now this. Personally I think its nice to see them adding new services to the game, it makes the 15 bucks seem worth it
Shadowisp Oct 28th 2007 10:28PM
Simple solution... Name Change Register Log.
13/11/07: Ininjaloot changed name to Fluffybunny.
At the same time, they should extend the ignore and friends list.
also in thier inspection panel it should also highlight if they have ever changed thier name.
Remember PA Gabe's Theory of the Internet. Reduce the potential.
Another option... you should only be able to change your name, as you change server.
Amok2006 Oct 29th 2007 12:07AM
@1: Incredibly well said. My hats off to you.
What would people say to the party leader being automatically made master looter when you enter an instance?
Those who question how you can be ninja'd repeatedly answer with the correct answer: its your fault. If you're pugging and don't know anyone from Adam, why aren't you on master looter? Many terms come to mind, but "Trust but verify" seems the quickest. Trust your players, but verify they aren't going to screw you over.
The mechanics to protect oneself are in the game. If you're allowing bad things to happen, there is nobody to blame but yourself. Ignorance is not everyone's or Blizzard's fault.
Amok2006 Oct 29th 2007 12:11AM
FYI, here's a nice mod to ignore more folks:
http://www.wowinterface.com/downloads/info5186-IgnoreMore.html
Called Ignoremore.
Marokaen Oct 29th 2007 12:36AM
Actually, there is a situation in which the paid name-changes makes perfect sense. Many guilds have a dedicated character, with some variation on the word "bank" in them. This character will, after Patch 2.3, serve no purpose, what with guild banks and all. Wouldn't it be nice to, for a nominal fee, RE-NAME your bank-alt to something less embarassingly out-of-date?
It's not ALL about looters and stalkers.
Duncan Oct 29th 2007 8:10AM
Name change is a bad idea. this will be taken advantage of for sure. Ignore list needs to be expanded greatly