What Constitutes an "Inappropriate" Name?

ArenaNet is in no way required to justify such a ban. Guild Wars is on a private server, and the owners (ArenaNet) can do whatever they want with it. If they feel the name is offensive, they can delete it. I don't know how RED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GORED ENGINE GOed up you have to be to think that using AIDS in a joking matter is not offensive. Why would you even name a character that? I don't see how it could be funny.... Making 'funny' names with sexual innuendo is one thing, but a 'funny' name that jokes about a disease that millions of people have died from is just stupid.

'Black Plague' is not joking, and could mean a number of things. 'Spanish Flu' is fairly borderline (it's pretty specific), but I've never seen any names joking about it (or even mentioning it) so it's possible Anet would ban it, too.

Ok first off, ALL of my pvp names should be banned. Second, I hope they do offend people. Here is a complete list of character names I use.

Kunt Puncher
Gaping Va Gi Na
Incest Is The Best
My Sistr The Fistr
The Red Ragger
Muffdiver Survivor
Fist Full Of Crisco
Kum Swap Queen

To add to that, any other lewd names I can think of get put on a list, and get used from time to time. As far as the name debate goes, who cares, he put aids at the end of his name.

And the spacing in A-I-D-S was NOT an attempt to get around the name filter? You knew it was in poor taste, and you tried to make an end run around it. You're lucky you only got a 72 hour ban.

Also, it seems to be a comment on someone named Snype. This is just as likely to get you a ban as having the name Gayle Gray Smells or some such thing. Quit trying to be clever if you don't have the grey matter to back it up.

Again, there is no filter for the word aids, so he wasn't trying to get around anything. You can put aids in your character name anywhere you'd like, go try it for yourself like I said.

It was in poor taste, but the word is usable.

AIDS is spelled in all caps. Can't do that without spacing. And "Aids" or any form of it is NOT blocked by the name filter.

Also, look at what the name of the user you are replying to is. XD

In reference to the above poster, there is no filter on Aids. I simply wanted all capitals. Also, see my forum name (the one to the left, that i registered under in Guru)? Its "Snype". I've used that name in three games, it is mine. In addition, I agree. The name was in bad taste. I did not have very good judgement about the impact that name might have on one person. However, there is no way that the phrase justifies a ban (according to the Guild Wars Code of Conduct)

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First of all, thank you for everyone who sees my side. I will be sure to include this in my "Ask A Question" email to Arenanet.

For everyone who has called the name immature, stupid, and not funny: I AGREE! The name made no sense, and I feel really stupid after making it. However, my point is that NO WHERE in Anet's Code of Conduct can I find a clause stating that "immature, stupid, or not funny" names justify a ban. I used no vulgar language, inappropriate terms, or offensive nicknames in order to offend anyone. Intent is not the issue here. Banning on the cause of intent is unjustified and unjust.

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Also as a reference note, an Anet employee confirmed that "Snype Has A I D S" was the name that the ban was justified under.

lmao. WTB this person a CLUE, but nevermind, after reading that at the end of their post, it would be wasted anyway. I hope and assume that this was a troll. If it wasnt, and if someone actually needs to ask what is "vulgar and inappropriate" in a civil society, then we have quite a bit further to go. Sure, some things might be defined by a pretty fine line, but to walk right across oblivious?

1. ArenaNet has stated in the past, they do not delete characters. They block them from use. They will unblock a character as soon you comply with their request.

2. OP is of the opinion that the name to which they object is the "A I D S" one. Possibly because he realizes it could be offensive. Otherwise he would be posting his bewilderment over the ban as none of his names could be considered offensive.

3. Many names are offensive to someone else for various reasons. ArenaNet has explained that when a name is reported by a player or observed in-game by a ArenaNet employee, a committee discusses the situation and decides if a ban and name-change request will be issued.

4. Don't like being told what to do? ANet's policy is "their server, their rules." You can always take your marbles and go home. That'll show them.

5. As the Black Plague and Spanish Flu never carried the stigma of AIDS, I don't think the comparison holds. The tragedy is not just contracting the disease, it's what happens to your life while you fight it.

Yes, because nothing bad happens to your life when you have the black plague.

Censorship is silly!

The general rule is that if you have to ask, it's probably not ok.

I'd guess they nixed AIDS for the same reason they would nix a name like "Raging Chlamydia"

Words are Words. They can really only harm you if you let them.

Almost every word can be determined as offensive to someone.

So how do you draw the line inbetween offensive and ok. You can't! The only things that move that line are opinions and Anet's Opinion rules everyone.

If you want to prevent yourself from being banned play on the safe side and be a little more mature.

Slight understatement there!

I'd still like to now what's so damn offensive about naming a pet cat 'Bagpuss' after a very famous kid's TV show? Is this somehow an offensive term to Americans, because it seems to me that the majority of so called offensive terms in this game are of American origin.

It has nothing to do with political correctness. It has to do with decency and maturity. You are not hiding behind a computer screen, you are out in the public when you play this game.

Would You and the OP act like 10 year old kids trying to come up with IDIOTIC names if you weren't hiding in the basement of your parents home?

You really need to let this go, I cannot see why any reasonable adult would stand here and say that rude, explicit, demeaning, racist, etc names are "OK"

What if some guy was playing the game that had AIDS, and his real name was Snypes? Just because something hasn't devastated your life, doesn't mean that it hasn't devastated someone elses.

So if I made the name One Legged John, and a guy on the game named john with a leg missing reported it, I should be banned. Makes perfect sense.

What if, there's someone playing the game who actually has AIDS and want's to name their character with some reference to that fact. Would they be allowed to use the name?

People missing a leg isn't nearly as widespread or deadly as AIDS

I think the operative term here is "Aids is not funny". Why is it such a big deal if people can't pick these names? Will the game become less fun if you can't? Freedom of speech or something?

I have 2 acquaintances who have died from aids. 1 who has died from OD. 1 who has been raped. I do not find people who have named their characters in relation to the above to be funny or amusing in any way whatsoever. It's unneccesary for you to be allowed to name your characters as such. You don't need to be able to play a character named Lolol Aids in order to have fun with GW.

If it's completely unacceptable for you that you can't make fun of aids in GW, then I am not the one who needs to get a life.

No, but it happens. What if John lost his leg because he fought in a war? Or what if John lost his leg because he was in a car accident in which his wife and child were killed?

So the amount of people affected by something bad is what determines whether using a term is socially acceptable or not?