7 replies to this topic

[Fatty Limes]

So I've been lurking on these forums forever. I found out about MWO maybe a month or so ago, and have been reading topics, trying to catch up on BattleTech lore, playing old MechWarrior games, getting way too excited for something that's way too far off, etc. But I only just registered for the forums today, why? Because I couldn't decide how to handle the "pilot name" field.

Frankly, I still don't. I wound up going with my standard Internet handle because I felt like that was going to be the best way to attach my MWO experience with people outside the game and the Internet friends I have. Still, I kind of wish I could have a legit, character name for my pilot. Basically it's unfortunate to have to choose.

Also, the lack of consistency between people who go one way and those who go the other certainly isn't going to do anything for immersion in the fiction. Having pilot names AND callsigns might be a way to have the best of both worlds, even if the callsigns are on the wacky side and still a little out of touch with the fiction (like mine).

I don't know how the split could be implemented. I guess you could

• have times when the callsign is used and times when the pilot name is used, like, game-wide
  
• let players decided when/if they want to display their callsign vs. their pilot name
  
• let players decide if they want to see only callsigns, only pilot names
  
• let players see what other players chose to display (bullet point 2)

Anyways, just a thought I had. I'm probably over thinking this. Not sure if this has been covered before, but I just wanted to mention it since it provided such a huge barrier to entry for me, although I will admit that I am ridiculously indecisive. Moreso than your average freebirth.

Thoughts?

Edited by Fatty Limes, 03 January 2012 - 02:27 PM.

[That Guy]

hmm an interesting idea. in some cases it would really work. it could lend a more serious aura to the game.

down the line when the game is going and we get the ISN updates about player accomplishments and such ; "today on the western front mechwarrior John "xXxl33th3dSm@shaxXx" Doe served heroically by single-handedly bringing down 5 enemy mechs and capturing the powered down enemy dropship..."

sounds more legit than just using what ever asinine names we give our selves on the internet

but on the other hand its just another box to make a griefy or trolly name in

[CeeKay Boques]

Have to agree. This is my callsign, not my characters name.

And some of us might start out with just one name... and get a Bloodname later on.

Names are important in BT, I hope we can sculpt ours...

[Fatty Limes]

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down the line when the game is going and we get the ISN updates about player accomplishments and such ; "today on the western front mechwarrior John "xXxl33th3dSm@shaxXx" Doe served heroically by single-handedly bringing down 5 enemy mechs and capturing the powered down enemy dropship..."

The good news is that there's been word that all special characters are going to get stripped out of names, but yeah, there are definitely times that a callsign can break immersion (like above) and times when you don't want to have to tell your friends "Oh, dude. You should play MWO with me. Friend me; my name is Vladimir Kerenskivich"

Quote

but on the other hand its just another box to make a griefy or trolly name in

True, but trolls are gonna troll. This is more for people who want to try and immerse but also be able to use a standard name. I can't see any way this could make trolls any worse than they would be otherwise if you're only seeing one name at a time.

Edited by Fatty Limes, 04 January 2012 - 08:27 AM.

[Nik Van Rhijn]

Having an avatar/forum name and a callsign strikes me as being useful, and well established both in RL &BTU. My forum name is from TT & MW RPG.I'd prefer something shorter for use in battle coms. Given the number of "Wolf", "kerensky" etc names on this forum it would cut down on the confusion. The problem with individual call signs is the sheer number of them that would be needed. Not a pproblem if yiur gaming with a clan. The alternative is to go with standard BT military nomenclature within and between lances.

[MaddMaxx]

For the News Feeds that would be great. Having combined my first and last into a handle made things easy though.

Maddison Maxximilliion aka "MaddMaxx"

or was that Maxximilliion Maddison aka "Maxx......"

"MOM! what was your fourth husbands friggin last name?

Mom!"..........................

[Frantic Pryde]

+1

[Gattling Fenn]

This would be great, particularly because Id actually rather go by my real name "William Kerrigan" and just have "Fenn" as my in battle callsign.