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Forums > Home› Neverwinter Discussion › General Discussion (PC)

Character anonymity

Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
edited May 2012 in General Discussion (PC)
At the title suggests, what are peoples thoughts on anonymity?
In a typical online game, you create your character, level him/her up, and join groups. Standard fair is for other players to be able to see your level. They also see your class. Can I spark a discussion about this here?

I for one have no issue what-so-ever with other players knowing my level. I do, and always have had an issue with other players "knowing" what my character class was.

Let's say I'm a level 10 fighter. And I prefer to dress in leather armor and specialize with a bow. And perhaps I prefer to pass myself off as a woodsman, or a forest warrior. As long as I can tell the party what I can do for them, and hold up my end, do they really need to micro-manage my class for me? Or tell me no, I don't need a ranger, I need a tank, so sorry can't use you in our party. What if I've multi-classed and now I'm a Fighter/Rogue (4/6). I'm still level 10. That's just been a peeve of mine for a number of years.

UO was great in that you could customize your character to the Nth degree. But even then, people tried to tell you how to design to be the best this or that.

So, do you see a reason to keep your class private? Or maybe you don't even care.

I say: Level=public Class=private.

Feel free to expand on this topic.
Post edited by Archived Post on

Comments

  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    I could care less either way personally; I know some Role Players would like it, I think it could cause issues if you are pugging for a Dungeon.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    I'd say make at least a toggle option, it would get rid of all those annoying whispers/ tells "hey u wanna tank blah blah" or " come heal so so blah", when u arent even a tank or healer spec. :D
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    An /anon option is quite nice to have, though I'm in favor of total anonymity. In D&D, characters are not supposed to automatically know other characters' levels or classes. Also, I think a LFG search feature where party leaders or seekers can advertise the combat roles they want or can offer is preferable to a class-based LFG search feature regardless of whether or not character anonymity is included.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    I agree,
    knowing someone's information like levels is bad enough, but the thing that bothers me most is the way naming is, and if there is no way to go anon completely, then we'll be stuck with seeing people's forum names tagged on their characters name, which for me is not good for roleplaying.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    I prefer anonymity in general.
    It really depends on how the instances and raids are set up. If you can group with those much higher or lower level then there needs to be some way to indicate that the others in the group are of similar level. As has been stated before let them tell you if they can tank/heal/DPS.

    Other than that I would be all for anonymity. If you want to know my name, ask. If you want to know my level... check out my scars!
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    I don't care about build etc about those playing with me as long as the person is polite(I wanted to use the word sane though).

    My only concern with anony is that the handles I add to my ignore list should still be 'ignorable' because those 'few' I add to ignore list are the abusive players I never want to quest again. If I can't differentiate other anony with those in my ignore list, I would stay away from anonymous people. If I can, then all is fine.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    I can see where your concerns lay. Issues caused by Elitists have struck us all. We see them here already. This class should be played this way bleh bleh bleh.
    I don't mind the option to go anon. If someone needs to hide because of spam asking them to heal or what have you, then they should be able to. The downside to that option is the HAMSTER-hats that will run around as anon all the time so they cant be put on ignore.
    So basically pick your poison :eek:
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    xilix wrote: »
    If someone needs to hide because of spam asking them to heal or what have you, then they should be able to. The downside to that option is the HAMSTER-hats that will run around as anon all the time so they cant be put on ignore.

    For this reason, I think anonymity should apply to level and class, but not player name. Also, an /ignore to a character should actually ignore all characters associated with that account rather than just that one character.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    I have no problem having only the character role (controller, striker, leader, etc.) or nothing but the character name be shown. How it will or won't work with filtering looking for specific types of characters I cannot say (or maybe it can't.)
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    nekoatl wrote:
    For this reason, I think anonymity should apply to level and class, but not player name. Also, an /ignore to a character should actually ignore all characters associated with that account rather than just that one character.

    I hear you. Definately love the idea of ignore working account wide, not just character. Friend should work the same way. I say that because I tend to be an Altaholic :o
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    id say cover names classes lvls anything ooc is out of game my opinion :P
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    xilix wrote: »
    I hear you. Definately love the idea of ignore working account wide, not just character. Friend should work the same way. I say that because I tend to be an Altaholic :o
    Meh. I'd prefer to toggle which of my characters can "suffer" that global friendship "mark" that you propose.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    Wintersong wrote:
    Meh. I'd prefer to toggle which of my characters can "suffer" that global friendship "mark" that you propose.

    Guess it would depend on how long your friend list tends to be. I can usually count on one hand & still have a few fingers left over.
  • Archived PostArchived Post Member Posts: 5,050,278 Bounty Hunter
    edited April 2012
    the-truthseeker wrote:
    I have no problem having only the character role (controller, striker, leader, etc.) or nothing but the character name be shown. How it will or won't work with filtering looking for specific types of characters I cannot say (or maybe it can't.)

    If you are looking for a group, then why not be presented with a simple list of options. Do you want to advertise your class(es)? Level(s)?

    That way you retain your anonymity, until you have a pressing need to do otherwise. This way, when I'm running about minding my own business, I don't get /tells from players looking for a fill-in for their group. But if I do want to be a part of a PUG, then I can put my name on the list and advertise the things that are necessary.

    Just my thoughts on the matter.
  • gillrmngillrmn Member Posts: 7,800 Arc User
    edited May 2012
    Added this to User genrated idea thread - new under
    Class: Social/PvP
    6 - Character anonymity
  • iamtruthseekeriamtruthseeker Member, Moonstars, Neverwinter Beta Users Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited May 2012
    gillrmn wrote: »
    Added this to User genrated idea thread - new under
    Class: Social/PvP
    6 - Character anonymity

    Don't suppose you could bring back the old thread, or did you have to make a new one for OP reasons?
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    [ RoC | ToS | PM | Extended FAQ | Wizards Rock ]
  • devoteoftempusdevoteoftempus Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Guardian Users Posts: 473 Bounty Hunter
    edited May 2012
    I'm against character anonymity in regards to a LFM tool or in any forms of social chat because people can be a complete HAMSTER in a group of whatever without any consequence or that people highlighted as being asses or just bad peeps can get into more groups and ruin others experiences. Having an anonymity option lessens accountability imo. If I'm putting a group together and I get a message that Mr. Anonymity wants to join then that's an automatic decline.

    However I do support say an "invisible" option with people who have your character on their friends list, much like how the invisible option works with yahoo messenger.
  • torskaldrtorskaldr Member Posts: 559 Arc User
    edited May 2012
    I like how the Anon/Role-Play feature in Everquest 2 works. A player may remain unflagged (this is the default state). Other players may see their level, class, and name. If you flag "Anonymous" then your zone and guild are hidden from others in a /who search and your guild tag is hidden when people click on you. If you flag "Role-Playing" your class and level are hidden from others both in /who and when clicked on.

    The flags are check boxes so you can select both Anon and Role-Play. It's a nice feature and adds a bit of character to the game in my opinion. Having the option makes it more so. Some people might be more private and flag both keeping their persona a mystery while others might not flag either in effect announcing themselves to the world.

    edit: I forgot to point out that a character's name always shows. Even though it would be cool if one could hide names until people knew each other I don't think this would work in an MMO.
  • gillrmngillrmn Member Posts: 7,800 Arc User
    edited May 2012
    iamtruthseeker wrote: »
    Don't suppose you could bring back the old thread, or did you have to make a new one for OP reasons?

    Can't edit first post in new thread.
    Oh! And welcome back :-) [wanted to use smiley but ... ]
  • iamtruthseekeriamtruthseeker Member, Moonstars, Neverwinter Beta Users Posts: 0 Arc User
    edited May 2012
    gillrmn wrote: »
    Can't edit first post in new thread.
    Oh! And welcome back :-) [wanted to use smiley but ... ]

    Thanks...and why can't you use a smiley..just click on the emoticon here and...

    b:pleased

    OM MY GOD! WE HAVE BEARS IN OUR POSTS?! AHHHH!


    *Starts shooting before he's told they are friendly bears...but quickly remembers his South Park and responds about the bear slaughter,

    "They were coming right for us!"

    (and I probably made a lot of people +1 happy for that bear carnage :p)
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    [ RoC | ToS | PM | Extended FAQ | Wizards Rock ]
  • mzeeusikumzeeusiku Member, Neverwinter Beta Users, Neverwinter Hero Users Posts: 38
    edited May 2012
    Well youre still gonna have people trolling for tanks/ blah blah blah. Thats the nature of mmos these days. Its best to play with your guildies or friends that are like minded individuals if youre lucky.

    SWTOR had early development vids that stressed the ability of all classes having adaptability. Those of us that got that, use it. The rest, well they dont. And theyre gonna tell you how to play your guy cause they have a level 50 so and so.

    It is what it is...

    Ill be the mage walkin round in chain fumbling his spells...
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