imported>TyA: Reverted edits by 92.51.241.47 (Talk) to last version by Groat100

2012-08-03T03:06:42Z

Reverted edits by 92.51.241.47 (Talk) to last version by Groat100

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[[File:Login server.png|thumb|right|The username identifies the player's [[account]].]]

[[File:Friend list.png|frame|The [[Friends List|Friends]] and [[Ignore List|Ignore]] lists identify players by their username.]]

A '''Username''' is the name of a player's character within the world of ''[[RuneScape]]''. It uniquely identifies the player's [[account]] within [[Jagex]]' systems. Players must choose their own username as part of the process of creating an account, and they currently cannot change it at any time afterwards. Previously, any player who was not happy with his or her account's username could only abandon the account and start all over again with a new one. However, on 1 October 2009, Jagex created a way for members to change their viewable name. This is called a [[display name]].

A display name was used to enter a [[clan]], find a player on the [[hiscores]], appeared as the username. But, players still had to log in using their usernames. The clan chat could still be entered by entering the username.

The username is the foremost method of recognition between players. Often players may not know what another player's character looks like, especially given that a character's appearance can change - this may be simply via changing its [[clothes]] or making more drastic changes via the [[Make-over Mage]].

Usernames are also used to identify players on [[Friends List]]s and [[Ignore List]]s. Players can add others to either of these by right-clicking an entry they have made in the [[message box]], and selecting "Add to Friends" or "Add to Ignore".

Other functions require players to type in someone else's username, and they must do this with absolute accuracy for the function to work. These include when entering another player's [[Player-owned house|house]].

==Choosing a username==

===Limitations of usernames===

* Usernames must be between 1 and 12 characters long.
* Usernames may only contain alphanumeric characters, the space, and hyphens (-). Any other characters are replaced with a space.
* Usernames cannot start with or end with a space, but can have any number of spaces between.
* Usernames cannot contain one of several phrases including "Java", "Mod", "Jagex", etc.
* Usernames cannot contain anything offensive such as inappropriate words or curse words.
* A finite amount of usernames can be created per IP before the action is throttled.

===Appropriate usernames===

In addition to the technical limitations of choosing a username, [[Jagex]]'s terms and conditions place some restrictions on what players are permitted to call themselves. These state that players "must not choose a username that infringes the rights of any third party, impersonates Jagex staff or other users, which is deliberately confusing or which is offensive, racist, obscene, hurtful, unlawful or otherwise inappropriate or which breaches the username requirements specified on our site or our Rules of Conduct".<ref name="terms">{{cite web | url = http://www.runescape.com/terms/terms.ws | title = Terms & Conditions | accessdate = 2009-05-22 | date = 2009-04-09 | publisher = Jagex Ltd | location = United Kingdom | quote = You must not choose a username that infringes the rights of any third party, impersonates Jagex staff or other users, which is deliberately confusing or which is offensive, racist, obscene, hurtful, unlawful or otherwise inappropriate or which breaches the username requirements specified on our site or our Rules of Conduct. We reserve the right to make such assessment in our sole discretion, change any username for any reason or take such other action as we believe appropriate.}}</ref>

Other guidelines from Jagex during the username selection process include:
*"Usernames can be a maximum of 12 characters long and may contain letters, numbers and underscores.The criteria used to be that if your name was red_rooster it would appear as Red Rooster in game, but with name changing update on 1st October 2009 capitalisation on names is no longer counted and your name will appear as it was typed when creating/name changing an account.
*"It should not contain your real name, birth date, or other personally identifiable information, to better protect your identity." Some users choose to spell their real name backwards to form a username; this is certainly not recommended, since it is easy to guess.
*"It should not be offensive or break our Terms+Conditions". Usernames are not censored by the [[chat filter]], so it is possible for players to choose a username that is inappropriate. However, accounts can be banned for having an overtly offensive username. Players are not warned if they try to create an account with a username that activates the chat filter, and consequently genuine players may find that they cannot say their own (inoffensive) username in-game without at least part of it being censored. This does not mean that they are in danger of being banned, but simply that the chat filter has detected something as being potentially offensive when it is not. [[Members]] and eligible free players can post on the "Feedback About The Censor" sticky in the [[RuneScape Forums]] if they wish to bring their specific plight to Jagex's attention.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?74,75,224,58234082 | title = Feedback About The Censor | accessdate = 2009-05-22 | author = [[Jagex Moderator|Mod Jon H]] | date = 2009-01-14 | work = RuneScape Forums | publisher = Jagex Ltd | location = United Kingdom | pages = 1 | quote = This sticky is for you to post feedback about the censor. This could include: Words or usernames that you think should be censored, but are not; Words or usernames that are censored, but that you think should not be. We constantly review the censor, so please keep your feedback helpful and constructive.}}</ref>

===Sensible usernames===

Deciding on a suitable username is more important to some players than to others, and what makes a good username is likewise different for everyone. However, some guidelines may be helpful.

It may be sensible for players to choose a username that appears to be a genuine name, so that other players can address them in a meaningful way. In practice, very few players choose to do this. Those who do may prefer to choose a unisex name, because they can freely change their character's [[gender]] in-game, and they may wish to have a name that is appropriate either way.

Some [[clan]]s prefer members to have a reference to the clan in their names. For example if the clan's initals were SIL and your original name was bob then you could change your name to SIL Bob.

===Ideas===

Many of the more obvious usernames have been taken. Ideas of usernames may come from any of the following:
* Characters from books, TV series, video games, etc. Since many of these will be taken, combining two names together (with or without a space) may prove useful.
* Characteristics of what the player expects to be doing. For example, combat-heavy characters may have "pk" (short for [[Player killing|player killer]]) in their name, or reference to the [[Wilderness]]. The drawback with this is that the game can change - for example, player-killing and the wilderness changed with the [[Update:Wilderness Changes, Bounty Hunter and Clan Wars!|Wilderness Changes, Bounty Hunter and Clan Wars update]] of the [[10 December]] [[2007]]. Additionally, players' own goals and interests can evolve.
* Some usernames may consist of [[leet]] to form the names of famous players.

===Unique usernames===

Ideas for how to enhance a chosen name, in order to make it unique, especially if it is taken, may be necessary. These can include:
*Adding numbers to the end of the preferred username; some players are satisfied with this, others are not.
*A prefix that suggests power, such as Lord. Other prefixes derived from Greek, Latin or other languages may be used, including Super, Hyper, Ultra, Omni, Omega or Uber.
*Using numbers as letters such as 3=E or 4=A.
*Making an account with a friend where the name carries the same prefix, such as "Luna Phil" and "Luna Brian"

==Username changing==

[[Jagex]]'s Terms and Conditions have long since stated that the company can "change any username for any reason",<ref name="terms" /> though in practice this is most likely only done for usernames that Jagex considers offensive or inappropriate. Prior to the addition of username changes, a facility to do this had been in demand from many players for some time, and there had been many requests on the [[RuneScape Forums]]. This had reportedly been acknowledged by [[Jagex moderator]]s.

Jagex confirmed via their [[Wikipedia:Twitter|Twitter]] feed on 19 May 2009 that the company is developing a means for players to change their own names, and this had been scheduled for release in summer 2009.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://twitter.com/OfficialJagex/statuses/1845655162 | title = Twitter / Official Jagex: @Boklau: we have a project ... | accessdate = 2009-05-22 | author = OfficialJagex (Mods Ajd and Zapp) | date = 2009-05-19 | work = status updates | publisher = Twitter | location = San Francisco, CA 94107, United States | quote = we have a project this launching summer that to allow all players more freedom with their names, including them being changeable}}</ref> This was confirmed on the [[RuneScape Forums]] on 25 May.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?103,104,1,58567976,goto,4113 | title = "I Need A Mod!" (Forum Help) | accessdate = 2009-06-02 | author = [[Jagex Moderator|Mod Sophie]] | date = 2009-05-25 | work = Contact Us forum | publisher = Jagex Ltd | location = United Kingdom | quote = There should be a name changing feature coming in the summer, so keep an eye out for this update and you should be able to change your name!}}</ref> However, a Twitter update on 1 July 2009 implied that there will be a significant delay by saying: "we hope to have it out this year",<ref>{{cite web | url = http://twitter.com/OfficialJagex/statuses/2422503080 | title = Twitter / Jagex Ltd: @Melvinkooi & @Ayush_S92: ... | accessdate = 2009-07-02 | author = [[Jagex Moderator|Ajd]] | date = 2009-07-01 | work = statuses | publisher = Twitter | location = San Francisco, CA 94107, United States | quote = a name change system is being worked on, and we hope to have it out this year, but no ETA or further info yet.}}</ref> adding that there are "too many factors to say when it will be out".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://twitter.com/OfficialJagex/statuses/2425261610 | title = Twitter / Jagex Ltd: @Melvinkooi we don't have ... | accessdate = 2009-07-02 | author = [[Jagex Moderator|Ajd]] | date = 2009-07-01 | work = statuses | publisher = Twitter | location = San Francisco, CA 94107, United States | quote = we don't have an ETA for the Name Change system. Too many factors to say when it will be out. Assume 'far' to be safe.}}</ref> On [[6 August]] [[2009]], Jagex CEO [[Mark Gerhard]] expanded on the upcoming feature, saying it would be a "display name system" that will "allow you to change your in-game display name to be different from your login name", and that it would be released "shortly".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://devblog.runescape.com/view_post.ws?post_id=23 | title = Q&A: Mark Gerhard's Answers | accessdate = 2009-08-06 | author = Mark Gerhard | last = Gerhard | first = Mark | date = 2009-08-06 | work = Developer Blogs | publisher = Jagex Ltd | location = United Kingdom | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5ipc0Wp07 | archivedate = 2009-08-06 | quote = Yes, we are planning to release a new display name system shortly. This will essentially allow you to change your in-game display name to be different from your login name.}}</ref>

Technical problems that Jagex needs to overcome include the [[Friends List|Friends]] and [[Ignore List]]s, which presumably would need to update automatically, and allow players to see the previous usernames of people on their lists (so that they know who they are talking to). Players may also encounter problems if they change their username, and then try to change it back; someone else may have taken their old name in the meantime, and it might never become available again. It is possible that Jagex may also make the usernames of [[ban]]ned accounts available for others to use.

Previously, Mod Tron had been quoted (by another player) as saying in March [[2008]]: "it remains the case that we are lacking a system which can change account names. I understand that this is something which would make a bunch of people happy, and this is why here at Jagex we are investigating all the possibilities. It is an absolute fact that we are always looking to improve our services for the better. So watch this space!!"<ref name="stuck">{{cite web | url = http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?74,75,858,57519624 | title = Stuck with a 5 years old name | accessdate = 2009-06-02 | author = Janto 86 | date = 2008-08-29 | work = Game Feedback forum | publisher = Jagex Ltd | location = United Kingdom | pages = 1 | quote = Here's a post from Tron and Craddock ... "Mod Tron Jagex Mod 03-May-2008 00:26:50 Last edited on 03-May-2008 00:28:57 by Mod Tron ... it remains the case that we are lacking a system which can change account names. I understand that this is something which would make a bunch of people happy, and this is why here at Jagex we are investigating all the possibilities. It is an absolute fact that we are always looking to improve our services for the better. So watch this space!! ... "Mod Craddock Jagex Mod 02-Mar-2008 22:51:32 Last edited on 02-Mar-2008 22:53:04 by Mod Craddock ... We also might eventually be introducing a system which allows players to change the name of their account. Watch this space." ... "Mod Timbo Jagex Mod 15-May-2009 10:34:10 Last edited on 15-May-2009 10:40:42 by Mod Timbo ... Name change capabilities are in the plans for the future although any further information cannot be disclosed at this minute in time. A lot of people now don't like their name as they've matured and it's only fair that they get the opportunity to do so!" | archiveurl = http://www.webcitation.org/5hEkzjf0u | archivedate = 2009-06-02}}</ref><ref name="changing">[http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?73,74,282,57336516 "Changing your Runescape Name?" - Jagex Store Feedback, ''RuneScape'' Forums]</ref><ref name="able">[http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?73,74,417,57386926 "Be able to change your rs name" - Jagex Store Feedback, ''RuneScape'' Forums]</ref> Similarly, Mod Craddock had reportedly said: "We also might eventually be introducing a system which allows players to change the name of their account. Watch this space."<ref name="stuck" /><ref name="changing" /><ref name="able" /><ref>[http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?16,17,386,55868454 "Possible Name Changes?" - Future Updates, ''RuneScape'' Forums]</ref> However, this is difficult to substantiate because the original posts from the moderators have since expired from the forums.

The topic of username changing on the RuneScape Forums remains on the "Do Not Suggest" list,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?83,84,2,57646251 | title = Do Not Suggest - List | accessdate = 2008-10-03 | date = 2008-09-22 | work = RuneScape Forums | publisher = Jagex | pages = 1 | quote = Skills/Character Suggestions... Username changing}}</ref> where it has been listed for years. This list was reviewed on [[22 September]] [[2008]]; some other items were removed, but this was not. A [[forum moderator]] stated in September [[2008]] that username changing will never be possible in ''RuneScape''. The following is quoted verbatim: "Generally when idea is in "do not suggest" list, it means that there's no need for additional input on that particular topic. It does NOT mean that it will never happen. However, in this case it does mean that. It has been stated(don't remember where though) that it is technically impossible due amount of references all account names have. I'm certain that sheer amount of such requests, cost included or not, would make the task massive if it was possible." Of course, forum moderators may not have the inside knowledge that a Jagex moderator has, and in any case policies are subject to change.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://forum.runescape.com/forums.ws?24,25,75,57609645 | title = Name Changing, I Know Rules... | accessdate = 2008-09-18 | author = Mage Rughar | date = 2008-09-17 | work = RuneScape Suggestions forum | publisher = Jagex | pages = 1 }}</ref>

The FunOrb game ''Dungeon Assault'' gives players the ability to change a suffix at the end of their name. This development pattern of a concept starting in FunOrb and then appearing in ''RuneScape'' will follow a similar development pattern to the full screen mode. Mod MMG has also reportedly stated in his [[clan chat]] that a "name changing" feature will be available in MechScape. On the 1st October, the long awaited name changing update was released, allowing players to change their display name (their login name will still be their original username) once every 28 days.

The option to change your username as of 12/1/2011 is only available to members and free players without a screen name. If you are a member or do not have a screen name, you can change your username by going to the bottom of the home page, and under Account, clicking "Profile and Settings", and then clicking "Change Username".

===Display names===
{{main|Display names}}

[[File:Name changed1.png|frame|Icon next to a friend who has changed their name (hovering over it reveals their old name).]]
A player's '''display name''' is the name seen by other players. This is the name that appears on the Friends and Ignore lists, on the in-game chat and on the website (such as the [[Forums]] and [[Hiscores]]. On [[October 1]] [[2009]], Jagex released an update allowing members of ''RuneScape'' or FunOrb to change their display name. The player's username (which is used to log into the game or website) remains the same.

A player who chooses to change their name will have it reserved for at least 35 days. Once a player changes their name, they cannot change it for 28 days. The name will be reserved during this time. Once this time is up, the name will be reserved for at least 7 more days (the longer the player had the name, the longer it is reserved).

When a player changes their display name, an icon will appear next to their name on the Friends and Ignore lists. When hovering the cursor over this icon, a player can see the previous names of people on their Friends or Ignore Lists. There is no such feature for the Clan Chat or any website features.

==Moderators==
[[Moderators|Jagex Moderators]] have a gold crown next to their name in chat and [[Moderators|Player Moderators]] will have a silver crown next to their name in chat.
==Titles==
With the introduction of loyalty points, players could buy [[titles]] to have beside their name in Public Chat and while hovering over the user's character. Titles will not appear anywhere else, and don't have any extra benefits. Some minigames and quests offer the chance to obtain a title as well.

==See also==
* [[Update:Blog - Display Names: Changing Names|Display Names: Changing Names]]
* [[Upcoming updates]]
* [[Titles]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
[[Category:Community]]
[[Category:Mechanics]]

Username - Revision history

imported>TyA: Reverted edits by 92.51.241.47 (Talk) to last version by Groat100