What exactly is the line between acceptable and not?

What exactly is an acceptable name for a guild? Wuite recently, there ws a mix-up with Battery Powered Best Friend [Vibe]. Also, in-game, I have seen "*****smokers looking for recruits!!!" (the ***** is not rude, but is included for anonymity). Does the smokers part cross the line or not, as I know that Guild Wars is against smoking (there was a thread about including cigarettes a long time ago, which was discussed and eventually abandoned).

So...where exactly is the line?

Are you one of those morons who cries about the "distasteful" nature of the guild names you see on the Hall of Heroes message? ANet don't care what you think. Sorry.

If you have to ask ,then it probably means someone will get insulted by it.

Personally, I think the rating of names of characters should be in line with language in movies. If this is a Teen-rated game, then any language in a similarly rated movie should be acceptable...suggestive or not. Before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, know this: I am a middle school teacher who is constantly correcting my students for abusive, inappropriate and offensive language.

If the name of a character is sexually suggestive through a double meaning who cares? Celestial Beaver (big, buck-toothed, tree-chewing rodent) does not inspire thoughts of a heavenly female reproductive organ to everyone. I rather think of it as a constellation like Ursa Minor (little bear). But some have taken offense to that particular name (as stated in Celestial's thread some time back). But there are those who go right for shock value.

Personally, I'm more offended that there are characters out there with variations of "RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO" (racist term for a person of African descent)...like nigga, nigah, and neeger. Anything that demeans a group of people because of race, religion or sex seems obvious to me....but I can't help but wonder why I can pick names like Three Peckered Billy, Twisted Christian and the like, but Jewish Princess is forbidden. I mean, I'm 1/4 Jew and I can't include that part of my heritage in a name, but "Christian" is OK....even Christian Killler. The filter itself makes little sense.

I'd say the line is drawn when someone becomes aware of a name that is personally offensive to them and they make their case that it, in the eyes of a reasonable person, seems over the top. I know a girl named Felicia Oh (not kidding)...and I know a whole family with the last name Swallows (obviously the bird, right?)...No one tells them they can't have their name or display it...it's their NAME. But I guess we have the responsibility to consider that there might be people out there who just want things to be pleasant...nice...unencumbered with the reality that anonymity breeds stupidity and people will go as far as they can for shock value....then cry foul when someone is shocked.

Personally, my biggest pet peeve in the game is the misspelled name...Jeezus Own Teh X....I mean, c'mon!!! or names one letter off that are saying "self invite" and the party fills before you get it typed correctly....maybe that's just me.

In the long run I'd say go ahead and push it as far as you like, Battery Powered Best Friend...an Aibo, right?

We don't make the lines, ANet does. No matter how innocuous a name is, if enough people report it as offensive, ANet will take steps to protect itself and its customers against legal issues.

Really, though, what legal issues? Anything that is within the Teen rating seems OK to me, don'tcha think? And can ANet really be held liable for someone else's first amendment contract with the USA. Not to mention other countries. I can't see the line with any kind of clarity. Seriously, people should pick names that are appropriate...I'm all over that...but there should really be some clarification, some process by which a person can have the option to change a name if someone is offended...Jesus is a common Spanish name, some Jews are proud to be Jewish and would like to say it, Albino Black Man is simply ironic...too many people are too freakin' sensitive. Perhaps there should be a petitioning feature (100 people have signed the petition that the name you have chosen for your character: Three Peckered Billy, is offensive. You have 24 hours to change this character's name or it will be blocked...now known as: Three Fingered Billy. Easy, no fuss, no muss. Some names are just so out there it's hard to say which way the player intended...I'd say if it is as likely to be offensive as not...let it be...Pink Pickle: my auntie makes pickled eggs (they ARE pink) not as bad as it could be...Dry Humped Camel..oh, nos! A thirsty camel! Your mind takes you there...If a person complains, maybe there is something in themselves they don't like...doesn't matter: people will complain about almost anything if it means they can make someone else as miserable as they are...I seriously think ANet should rethink how they go about the process of banning folks for names. Yeah, I'm on the side of people who want to protect their children, but there are times when it goes just a little too far. I like the idea of ANet looking out for people to make the game enjoyable, but think if it is teen rated...then it should allow teen rated names...Funny how once again there are Americans worried about suggestive sexual references in a game that bases it's entertainment value on killing and violence.

Just try and make a normal name, don't try and push it and use drug names etc.

No, it's not me. My own guild name is Realm of Fiery Doom. I was just wondering thoug, because I see lots of guild names on the borderline between being OK andnot.

If they're borderline, then they will probably be ok until someone decides to complain

Something to keep in mind is that the game is international, and there are different obscenity laws all over the world. The "Jewish Princess" example was likely banned due to Germany's extreme paranoia about anything remotely anti-semitic, and they do have laws banning such things.

The more and more I play this game...the more the political correctness kills it. It's getting to be where a person can't even joke around in chat anymore without someone threatening to report something to Anet. It's ridiculous..

It's not so much political correctness as limiting words that lend themselves to abuse. The line between tongue-in-cheek amusing and offensive is subjective; what one persons thinks is funny, another will consider obscene.

ArenaNet takes a stand on what will or will not be accepted by banning names that they (as a company) consider offensive. When an unacceptable name is brought to their attention, by report, making a rank list, or standing in front of a GM, ANet acts. They do not have to explain nor defend their action - it's their game.

There are several guilds on the ladders that have amusing names that could be considered borderline. ANet has decided that they do not consider them offensive.

My advice, if you are trying to push the limit with a "cute" character or guild name, ask a 25yr+ adult for their opinion. Don't ask your peers. Don't ask your parents, they have parent viewpoints, but a grandparent or other relative is fine.

@elLOCOmutha - want to be free to say what you please in chat - form a party and use team chat. Trade spam is enough of a burden without being subjected to chat such as fantasy sex or racial comments.

Hmmmm...."Jewish Princess" anti-semetic? Maybe a bit of a stereotype...International or not, though, if they are going to go that far, should "Chritian Princess" not be considered equally offensive? The word Jewish is not in and of itself offensive. How you use it may be...then again, other words fall into the same category of not offensive until you use it that way...knob, tool, prick, Keifer Sutherlin...context makes the word obscene, not the word. If there is a concern about Jewish references being offensive, why not Christian, Hindu, Buddihst, Prebiterians, Pegan, and all manner of other religious catergorizations equally excluded? For that matter, any mention of god, priests or holy should likewise be banned for the possibility of offending...oh, snap! Obsevance of holidays, including birthdays might offend Jehovah Witnesses...ok,ok, they probably wouldn't be playing anyway...But with the huge Muslim population in the world, drinking is a big no-no! Violence in the game may offend pasifists...and references to real world events may offend the truely hardcore RPGer...Germany can get over it already...Some 12 million people died in concentration camps (not all of them in Germany)...6 million-ish of them were Jewish. Gypsies, homosexuals, mental and physical "defectives" (their words, not mine), Russians, POWs, Catholics, Mongols, anyone with brown skin....all these people made up the other half of the people lead into and never out of little dark rooms. Yet, because Jews were the majority it becomes offensive...now I can't celebrate my anscestor's faith because the people who's ancestors killed a bunch of them might be offended? Just stupid...I'm 1/4 German!!! I don't blame myself for killing anyone...no guilt...none...it wasn't me! I'm 1/4 Russian Jew...big fat hairy deal!!! I'm offended that saying it makes them unconfortable enough that I can't proclaim my heritage in the US of F-ing A!!! <end rant>

<begin new rant>Too much political correctness...dummying down our history, making a homogenious mess of the media, creating fear of discussion and expressing ideas and opinions...just crap. You have no idea how fast the English language is dying because people are afraid of words. Some really great words too...like bantling! It means little bastard...but you won't know that if I get red engined....which is fine. But I swear, I use common English word to my students and they tell me to stop using "big" words. The freakin' newspapers are written at a 5th grade level, the television networks cancel perfectly good shows for not appealling to a broad enough audience (I'm still pissed about Dark Angel)...you know what that means? That not enough people are smart enough to understand it...DE-freakin'-EVOLUTION!!! We are getting dumber as a species because we don't use our brains to survive....we let the idiots feed and breed and live off the government teat...why? Because it isn't politically correct to say, "Hey, moron, either quit screwing around and do you work, or I'll keep you here to repeat the grade until you get it right/fire your ass/kick you outta the club." I'm NOT talking about kids with learning disabilities, I'm talking about the culture of entitlement people seem to feel they have the right to get away with whatever because if they don't they will sue because someone somewhere hurt their feelings....gimmme mine and screw you. All the while, you can't say anything about them being idiots because it wouldn't be politically correct! Am I a little aggrivated? Hell yeah! And you should be too...

If ANet wants to ban you for something they see as unacceptable, they should clearly state what won't be acceptable...but then they will fall into the same pickle as the FCC and Howard Stern...Tell me what I can't say and I won't say it vs. say something wrong and we will punish you. Obscenity is in the eye of the beholder, honestly, you know what it is for you when you see it...but it isn't the same for everyone. A picture of a topless woman eating a pork sandwich and drinking a beer might seem fine in Germany, but her being topless would not go over well in the USA. The UK would think no big deal, while the whole Muslim nation would cry "Ho of Babilon"....ho because even though it means the same thing as RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GO, I can't use it here...though prostitute is fine...more hair splitting, but the mods have drawn their line.

ANet just needs to completely filter out every possible combination of words in every possible spelling so that everyone can be happy...Wait for the 42 Gig patch. If people don't like something in the game, they have the right to report it...It's just too damned bad that so few have the say over so many...get used to it though...Another book is getting a lot of attention and looks to be on the way to getting banned in the Jr. Highs of Washington State...when I was in school they banned "Huckleberry Fin"...some white woman took offense to the use of the N-word...again...my Great Grandad was black...doesn't bother me none. But some white woman feeling guilt over what people did in the past robbed the library of a great classic literary peice of fiction....SHAKE IT OFF PEOPLE!!! Get over it...Instead of dwelling on the slavery of the past, show a little outrage on the sex-slave market of the present where hundreds of children are being bought and sold into slavery for the sole purpose of pedophiles being able to run across the border to Mexico to have sex with children ages 3-12...show a little freaking outrage at THAT!...and people are offended because I want to name a toon Jewish Princess...a little perspective, please.

....They're going to close this thread, huh? My fault? Maybe. Doesn't mean you can't use the words "twin" or "raven" when you name your next character...*steps off soapbox*

I want to name my pet Tiger 'Bagpuss' yet I can't because it's deemed offensive. Yet I see people running around with racist names that would make Enoch Powell blush!

How's that fair? Or is it because ANet automatically assume that America is the birthplace of the English language and not England? Why should we suffer just because some other Country has bastardised our language?

It's the same with the spelling ingame. I have my game set to English, yet it I still get 'Honour' spelled as 'Honor' and 'Favour' spelled as 'Favor'. Now I'm sorry, but that isn't English in my books!

I just felt the need to post this again so maybe if someone skipped it the first time they would read it now.

You are my hero.

EDIT: No sarcasm here. This is exactly how I feel. That kind of attitude has gone way overboard in today's society. Unfortunately, no one seems to want to grow a pair and take on the responsibility of making the first step.

Do Anet ban you temporarilly or permanently for names which could be seen to insult jokingly a guild or a player?

That Vibe thing sucked especially since it took Anet like forever to get the name changed.

First off, Anet has nothing to do with bans at all. It's all handled by the NC Soft support team. Let's try and at least get some fact correct before mindlessly bashing.

Name bans are typically 24-72 hours, and you have to change the character name when you get back into the game.

Does it really matter if one person deems another's name offensive... i mean cmon... get over it FFS, you think boys at school dont get offended by what theyr'e so called 'freinds' call them? Ofcourse they do... but no matter, if they tell the principle, what will happen? NOTHING.

Il just remind you that Blare asked the English community to wish people 'happy holidays' for 'merry christmas' is offensive to other communities...

Do you think a hindu will care if someone wish him a 'merry christmas'???

People need to learn + accept the fact that people need to accept names....

There is a difference between someone who offends you by accident with someone which is normal in his culture (merry christmas), and someone who purposely tries to offend other people.
But yeah, it's a frekin VIDEO GAME. learn to accept it imo. It's not like battery powered best friend [vibe] was that offensive.

Why not [BoB] Battery Operated Boyfriend ? I'd join that guild, simply for the awesomeness of the name. Gotta check if this exists, actually ^_^

I have yet to see guild/character/pet names that offend me. Of course, it's very hard to offend me, so that might be a part of it.

I saw some awesome pet names in Tomb runs, and while some of them definitely crossed into R-rated territory, most team members were amused.

For those that want to shelter their kids from violence (wtf are they doing playing the game then?), vulgarity, dangerous themes and such, you're better off not letting them watch the news.

I spent quite a bit of time in outposts (In Prophecies, not the over-crowded NF or the rather empty Factions), and I saw the chat... and there's rarely stuff that is truly offensive (such as racial/religious slurs). Sure, every now ad then there's the "Get the **** out of here, scammer" and the scammer's reply, or "STFU n00b" usually followed by advice for said noob. And something that is common, especially in Droks and Ascalon, the "PLZ gimme xxx gold" and replies along the line of "Farm it farm it farm it"

I don't see why people are making such a fuss over this. If your name has "shock value" then good for you. When you get the notice to change your name, you should be happy. It meant people paid attention to your name, and noticed it, and were shocked. Good, and it was what you were aiming for when you chose "shock value," right?

Bleh. It's a game played by people all over the world. There is no way to make everyone happy.

The games full of stupid horny teenagers lol what were you expecting, Anet have better things to do than keep track of "naughty names". Rise above it and ignore it.

I'm totally in agreement with the sentiment of this thread - I hate to be censored too. I hate political correctness. I think people should stop letting silly words hurt them and grow up. But you know, the funny thing is... This is a fantasy-themed game and if there weren't so many immature idiots screwing around then this wouldn't be an issue. Pick a name that is properly themed to the premise of the game and you won't have any problems.

Anet put a nice little tool in called a chat filter, if you are a person that gets offended when someone types something then it's as easy as "click" ...and you too could have a politically correct gaming experience online.

Harold Privatespot: Wow look at the body on that necro chick john! Awesome even for a toon..

John Longfellow: OMG! Yea she makes me digitally happy.

Susan: Please stop! You are ruining my gaming experience and my quality time playing a PC game online! I am reporting you to Anet! Your nicknames and the way you type in chat are totally inappropriate!

Lool... I love your'e little example, it made me laugh.... but what kind of idiot would tell his freind (i.e. harold privatespot > john longfellow) that a toon was hot considering that Harold had the ability to WHISPER? Thus why the whisper feature may hav been added, to tell your'e freinds what you want them to know... but no one else.

And tbh... I honestly do doubt that that 'chick' was actually a 'chick', sooo the guy / girl, wtv, might not have been offended in a REAL situation..

P.s. I have never seen such a situation take place, probably never will...

And I would like to stress the fact that if you meet a random guy, in a random district and a random town, who has an offensive name, how should it affect you?? Leave him be... Its not as if this random person is targeting anyone, probably just for a laugh, unless your'e a sadist... and maybe watching this random guy get banned would be fun...

AND PLZ.... someone tell me when i lose this dam title ; Pre-Searing Cadet... Im hardly a newb... and I FIND THAT OFFENSIVE, maybe guru should stop titles alltogether? Putting people into certain groups / levels, i find disgracefull, one who has been around since the start of GW and has been on the site for a while, is no more knowledgable than someone who is quite new to the site but not to GW.

It just disappoints me that ANet is now just taking action against [Vibe]. It's not like they didn't know about the guild name before (especially since they've been in previous tournaments), but they only took action when someone complained. It feels like if ANet knows about the name, and it didn't take action before, it shouldn't take action now that a few whiners are complaining about it. Reporting should only be for names (characters names or some uncommon guilds) that ANet does not know about and would ban if they found out about it. If a guild has been around as long as Vibe, they shouldn't get a second judgment from ANet.

qdq, you'll get rid of your presearing cadet thing once you reach a certain amount of posts. Search forum titles and you'll find how many posts is needed for each level.

American english is what is being used (anet is in the usa), however; american english is becoming the acceptable form of english used in many other countries (I just got back from 2 years teaching enlgish in japan and yes we used american enlgish not british english, sorry).
American english is indeed becoming a separate language from its parent so maybe they should specify what type of english they are using (have the same problem with spanish---mexican, brazilian.....so we are not alone with these linguistic problems).

I know about the English thing. My country (South Africa), uses British English and it's so frustrating having things spelt in American English, but anyway.

I really think that people with suggestive names should be banned. I mean, someone running around with the name "Pat Mygroin" is just wrong...

I just saw a guild recruiting called "Mhenlo Touches Little [BoYz]" (excuse me if we are not allowed to mention names...please notify me if I need to delete it ^^) That name is in no way NOT suggestive. I mean...it only really has one meaning...and that's a sick meaning

1. I'm gonna make English American someday. Now that'll frustrate everyone!

2. Is that a real name of a toon!?! Haha !!!

3. It could be Healing Touch, or something else ...

LOL!

1. Who knows!

2. Nope...not a real name XD I saw that on Will and Grace but thought it would be a very appropriate example :P

3. Yes...it could...but you must be extremely stupid if you don't get what they're implying

I have been around since beta and I have seen alot of what you call "situations" in public chat. My example was just a way to say...c'mon people lighten up and have some fun. Use the chat filter and if a nickname or chat offends you just ignore it and go about your business. I think Anet has more important things to do (making the game better, EOTN, GW2)...rather than slapping people on the wrist for a nickname and politically incorrect chat.

I think Anets focus should be on improving the game/games, hacker/cheaters and all around game security. All this whining about nicknames, chat and whatnot is in a word.... wasteful.

No one is saying that comments about "hot" girls are the problem. You are over-simplifying the problem. What upsets people is when you are subjected to 20 minutes of the equivalent of phone sex.

Yes, you have the option to leave the district/town/outpost which is usually what players do in the end. But why should your game plans be changed due to such behavior? You are not the one breaking the rules.

Are you suggesting that, for example, if you are at a concert and someone seated near you is being loud and offensive to the extent you cannot hear the music, you should be the one to leave?

As for political correctness, I'm against it. It's a band-aid for cultural problems and does nothing to cure the problems.

ANET has the rules and enforces them in order to keep their T rating. Their dilemma is that the 13-15yr age group are the ones causing the problems.

Phone sex...on chat? "click" filter..problem solved. Wow I just can't believe some people can't ignore certain things. I wouldn't go pointing the finger at any certain age group either...can you prove that it's younger players causing the "Phone sex" on chat?

I think you are complicating the problem..hmmm is there even a problem? I can't say I lose any sleep over things said on a PC game on the internet, I have more important things to worry about in real life and also I am too busy having fun to let others spoil my game time. It's the way of the world though...people need things to whine/complain about or they aren't so called "happy". These people probably aren't very happy in the real world either.

The problem is that people are breaking the rules. If people are allowed to break 'minor' rules routinely they see breaking 'major' rules as not that big a deal. Enforcement of all rules also known as 'zero tolerance' works.

People forget that there are other people controlling the characters running around in towns. It's not a faceless, machine 'internet', it's people. If you wouldn't behave that way in real life don't do it in your cyber life.

I have ^_^ I also complimented a very hot Female Necro on her attire once. My exact words were "You're hot ". *shrug* Did it through a whisper.

And when people chose characters, they chose the look that they think best, right? What's wrong on telling them that?

Of course, there's a difference between that and cybersex. ^_^

And about the Mhenlo name, I like it Nice word play, amusing double meaning and it will definitely catch your eye when browsing the guild ladder. Most of the 13-15-yr-old won't really get it, so no worries there. And those that get it are probably mature enough to enjoy the game without letting something like this spoil it.

The problem is very, very simple: Sheeple refuse to think for themselves anymore.

"OMG that name is offensive! I'm reporting you to NCSoft!"

I mean, come ON. That's no different than "I'm telling mom!"

But no, rather than encourage anyone to be personally responsible for their own stuff, we're going to instead make the company that hosts the game do all the work, then slam the tapioca out of 'em when they can't keep up. We have come to the point when we are allowing ourselves to be legislated away from our brains.

Offensive name in chat? TURN LOCAL OFF. Offensive content in chat? TURN LOCAL OFF. Offensive behavior in a zone? TURN EMOTES OFF or FIND ANOTHER ZONE. Having a conversation in local and being interrupted? Team up, or "ignore" the intruders.

There are ways around many "inconveniences" in game, but it seems there are more who'd rather run to mommy than take the extra ten seconds out of their lives to work around the problem.

Overall immaturity, ftl.

I disagree that "Out of sight, out of mind" is the right kind of solution to these problems. If I put local chat off, it won't remove the morons and spammers from the zone, it just removes them from my sight. But you're right, it won't take more than a moment to put in a support ticket.

I have reported a few names myself, most of which have been very offensive in Finnish thus not "caught" by the naming censor.

Trav, I don't disagree with you in theory, but I find it a little like offensive television or radio - we DO have the power to turn it off or change the station. What worries me is the trend that many seem to be following that suggests that fixing the "problem children" is someone else's job.

If we turn off local/use the ignore feature, we take away the juveniles' audience, and therefore, whatever "power" they might feel they get by getting a rise out of someone.

why should the majority change for a small group of people who find these things offensive?

if you find these petty things offensive, then you don't want to know what my character names are. Of course, not many people have realized that they were dirty names. apparently, people are not familier with scientific names for body parts. LOL! :P