Last Names Option for Our Characters

Danievictria

There's a lot of talk about server merges on the forums. Whether it's a social issue ("There aren't enough people around for me to play with!"), drop rates for rare items in dungeons ("The drop rates of *insert item here* are too low to work with NA's lower server populations!"), or an economic issue ("I can't find *insert item here* anywhere on my server!"), there are tons of people who think that a server merge is the best fix.

However, the subject of names often comes up as a reason why we shouldn't. The game may use unique player ID numbers for our characters, but we can't move past naming on the character creation screen if another player on our chosen server already has a character with that name. It's a player identification thing, so that no matter how many times we change our appearance, we can easily be identified by name. With a server merge, players may be forced to change their characters' names...and that's not something players are too keen on.

To remedy this (as well as give us players an opportunity to do some additional character personalization, server merge or no), I propose that players get the option to give their characters last names. I say, option, of course, because not everyone would want one. However, for those who would like to add one, the option would be there.

The way it would work would be this:

1. New Characters: An optional "Last Name" area would appear under the naming text box we currently get. If a player enters a character name that is already taken, a pop-up would appear that says that they should either change their first name or enter a last name. Full name changes would only be prompted if both the first and last name are taken.

2. Existing Characters at Feature Launch (no server merge scenario): You would get an event quest that sends you to an NPC (Duncan, Tin, etc.), who will give you a non-tradeable item that gives you the ability to add a last name to your character. Once you use it to give your character a last name and confirm it, it disappears from your inventory and the last name will be displayed beside the first name above your character.

3. Existing Characters at Feature Launch (server merge scenario): When you log into your character for the first time after the server merge, if your character's name is shared with another player who has not added a last name to their character, then you will be prompted to give your character a last name. Once you have given your character a last name, you will be able to start playing as usual and the last name will be displayed beside the first name above your character.

Naturally, an option in the menu to toggle last names would be added (Show Full Names For All Characters, Turn Off Last Name For My Character, Turn Off Last Name For All Characters, Show Full Name For My Character Only). By Default, everyone's full name would be visible.

So, what do you think? Good idea? Great idea? Bad idea? Stupid idea? Answer the poll and/or comment below with your thoughts and additions.