[back]Name change

Shakespeare

'..What's in a name? Is not a rose a rose by any other name...' to miss-quote good ol' Shakin'Spear!. I recently changed my name to something a little more appropriate after having a bit of an identity crisis, I couldn't very well keep running around as 'PussyKat' now could I!?. 'kenBOO..!!' a little less gender specific and more suited to by personality, or is it?

ken - mmm. Not bad, nice and normal; BOO..!! aghhh..! You made me jump you fool..! Don't do that..!

Cert. 18

Can the name you chose for a game reveal a little something about your personality? I suppose if I was honest, then yes. And as my brother remarked, other players would think I was a bit of a weirdo with a name like 'PussyKat'. It was an interesting experiment though, I found that 'mature' players avoided using the word 'pussy', preferring 'kat', 'pk' or 'puss' (although this is crossing the line a little!) whereas the more adolescent used it with gay abandon!. Hardly surprising really I suppose, but interesting non the less.

I can understand the importance parents place on finding a name for a new born, you'll eventually establish relationships with that name, people recognise 'you' as you because of the name they chose (that's if they're not staring you square in the face..!).

The same is true of a 'game name', as well as revealing much about your own inner character, it is the only way other players know it's you, especially because the can't see you. The default 'Unnamed Player' is meaningless and I've seen one or two that cause (me anyway), a bit of confusion, especially as I'm still using a 56k modem; 'Connection Interrupted' damn not again, oh wait that's his name... D'oh!

Reality check

Some people do seem to take the naming convention very seriously, unable, seemingly, to separate the game 'you' from the real 'you'; to understand that it's just a game; I mean who really cares if a female character with a female name kicking ass turns out to be a guy....! 'But you lied', 'I thought you were a girl', .... So?, would it have less meaning if it really was a girl kicking your ass? Is it more acceptable for a guy to kick your ass and not a girl?

Ah well *sigh*. I've changed my name now and I'm happy about it (for the time being!). I've informed all my Q3 buddies, they all think it's rather funny actually...! '...identity crisis...', well yeah.! You can get arrested in this country for doing that...!.