Active Account Inactive Chracter - Name Taken

#0 - Sept. 16, 2010, 4:19 p.m.

Recently GMs changed the names of one of my level 1 Rogue.

Well, that really sucks.

The story -

I used to have a Level 80 Rogue on Hyjal. Started him in BC, played it enough to where I raided Ulduar with one of the horde guilds, and was pretty active on the character. I eventually realm transferred him off to a server more local to me for performance reasons (and raided a fair bit of ICC in the new home server), but could not receive the same character name on the new server. Well, someone got it first. Bummers.

But I also created a level 1 Rogue back on Hyjal so the name wouldn't be taken. Apparently this is frowned upon by GMs. Not e-famous enough to think people would impersonate me, but what the heck, it's a pretty big server and I kept some other 80's there (still playing on Hyjal occasionally with my druid mostly playing the auction house and doing occasional dailies and weeklies but not serious raiding) I have a swath of level 80 characters, this is by no means an inactive account.

I'd much prefer to change one of my Hyjal 80's to that name instead of having it taken by someone else. Heck, name change my druid since it's the one I play more on that server. Apparently I should have done and paid for this before someone else requested the name, taking it away from me. Or maybe have GMs do me the same favor to get the name on the new server I raid on, and level up one of my mid-level alts there (who aren't yet known by their names particularly).

Why is it particularly frustrating? It's my real-life last name being taken by someone else. Blah.

I give up. I deleted the offending level 1 rogue after 3 GMs switching its name to give to the other customer (which btw, is described as the name's "availability being unintended" which is rather deceptive after having had the name for years), but am saddened to see my name taken by someone else, instead of being offered some other more positive resolution.

Thanks for listening. :(

- A frustrated customer.

Vrakthris

#20 - Sept. 17, 2010, 12:34 a.m.

We understand that people will have names that they would like to save for use at a later date. I personally have a Goblin and Worgen name saved for the expansion. :)

Unfortunately, due to the fact that World of Warcraft has been out for as long as it has, we now have a vast collection of unused characters that are taking popular and sought after names. These are often on long inactive trial and regular accounts as well as accounts that have been closed. In most cases we want to help a player obtain a name that they will be happy with and to that end we will look into any request that is made.

It is important to note that there are specific conditions as to when/if we will free up a name. One of those requirements is the length of time it has been inactive, another is usually the previous activity for the character. If a character has never been logged in but was created some time ago that may fit the criteria as well.

Q u o t e:

Why is it particularly frustrating? It's my real-life last name being taken by someone else. Blah.

Understandable, Joyeuse, though it should be pointed out that there are 100+ characters spread out over multiple realms that also have that name. :)

I am sorry for the confusion regarding the e-mails sent, they should have been clearer in what was happening. You are welcome to write to wowgmfeedback-us@blizzard.com if you wish to provide any feedback regarding your interaction with our In-Game Support staff. A Supervisor will also be able to review your issue.

If you believe our stance and policies on this issue should be changed in any way you are welcome to post in the Suggestion forum. Your feedback can be collected there.