The name bug explained

[iRockMyiPod]

Saw a Thread like this before, and when I saw my friend's name, it popped right back in to my head.

The original guy that posted this was someone that went in a BG, saw a Mage with a strange name and then posted this up, but he had no luck, as he didn't know how to do it. I however, know how.

My friend recently transferred from another realm to this one and when he logged on today his name was a bit strange:



His name is RuumiCCE357E, as the picture shows. here's another picture of the chatlog:



Basically what happened:
1.He decided to transfer to my server
2.He logged on and his previously chosen nickname was already taken, therefore his name got bugged and changed.

Though I should note that this is probably coincidental, and the extra part of his name is chosen by Blizzard and is entirely random so there won't be any Leetdawgis1337 names going around anytime soon. I figure this is an exploit since it is kinda Blizzard's fault and mistake, though you can remove this if you want to, I'm just trying to explain how this works.

[The-Eradicator]

When you transfer servers and someone has your name, you're prompted to select a new name. If this ever worked, it was a long time ago. If it still works, you're missing details.

[Aldun]

I transfered server a few days ago and changed name, couldnt keep the weirdo one.

[Jicre]

Heh, reminds me of when you make a new character on the PTR.
Thanks for the explanation tho'!

[iRockMyiPod]

When you transfer servers and someone has your name, you're prompted to select a new name. If this ever worked, it was a long time ago. If it still works, you're missing details.

I said this is coincidental, Ruumi is on the Horde side on my realm, so I guess there must have been some sort of mix up.

[iRockMyiPod]

Heh, reminds me of when you make a new character on the PTR.
Thanks for the explanation tho'!

No problem.

[Confucius]

Normally it requires you to change names before you login.

[iRockMyiPod]

Normally it requires you to change names before you login.

It's a bug, a fail on Blizzard's end. It can happen to anyone that realm transfered (or possibly even namechanged, but I'm not sure about that so don't take my word on it).

[ßetray]

I was looking into this and couldn't find anything whatsoever.

I know many people who have xferred and gotten name changes. None have ever said anything about something like this happening to them.

If what you say is how it actually happens then it seems to just be a screw-up in Blizz's system and therefore isn't replicable beyond hoping Blizz's computers screw up in your favor.

[iRockMyiPod]

I was looking into this and couldn't find anything whatsoever.

I know many people who have xferred and gotten name changes. None have ever said anything about something like this happening to them.

If what you say is how it actually happens then it seems to just be a screw-up in Blizz's system and therefore isn't replicable beyond hoping Blizz's computers screw up in your favor.

tl;dr :

It's coincidental.

[[the Sills]]

When you migrate and your name is taken, your name will be XXXX then some random shit, like Sills18384Asdf.
But then, when you try to login, a popup tells you to change your name and you have to type it in to proceed. Somehow, this guy hasnt had to type in a new name..

[iRockMyiPod]

When you migrate and your name is taken, your name will be XXXX then some random shit, like Sills18384Asdf.
But then, when you try to login, a popup tells you to change your name and you have to type it in to proceed. Somehow, this guy hasnt had to type in a new name..

Yeah, just like Jicre said, it's like when you make a premade on PTR and 1st login.

[comanderx14]

so what if you just delete the char after you switch realms and get a GM to restore it?

[ivansmashem]

But then, when you try to login, a popup tells you to change your name and you have to type it in to proceed. Somehow, this guy hasnt had to type in a new name..

It could possibly be because the owner's account is flagged for inappropriate names. In such an event, you are not prompted to change your name when a random one is given to you. I'll use myself as an example...

I had a Mage named Clytoris. Someone reported the name and I was prompted to change it. I changed the name to Labya. Someone reported that name, and now I am no longer prompted for name changes; whatever random name is assigned to me, I have to keep.

In the case of a reported name change, I assumed that a GM handled the case themselves, and would probably use a random name generator to give you your new name. In the case of a server transfer, one probably gets assigned automatically. If you are unable to receive the prompt to change your name, then I suppose it would just stay whatever it was after your character transfer is complete.

So here would be the steps...
1) Get a character's name forcibly changed enough that you no longer receive a name change prompt, but are assigned a new one
2) Transfer your character to a server where your name is already taken
3) Enjoy whatever random ass name you receive as a result of the server transfer

Please note: I have not tested this, as I do not wish to transfer any of my characters. This is purely speculation based on information that I already have. My logic in believing this works is based on the assumption I have made that once you are unable to change your name yourself via a name change prompt due to having your name reported too many times, you are unable to receive that prompt in any situation, regardless of whether or not it was a harmless server transfer.

[iRockMyiPod]

It could possibly be because the owner's account is flagged for inappropriate names. In such an event, you are not prompted to change your name when a random one is given to you. I'll use myself as an example...

I had a Mage named Clytoris. Someone reported the name and I was prompted to change it. I changed the name to Labya. Someone reported that name, and now I am no longer prompted for name changes; whatever random name is assigned to me, I have to keep.

In the case of a reported name change, I assumed that a GM handled the case themselves, and would probably use a random name generator to give you your new name. In the case of a server transfer, one probably gets assigned automatically. If you are unable to receive the prompt to change your name, then I suppose it would just stay whatever it was after your character transfer is complete.

So here would be the steps...
1) Get a character's name forcibly changed enough that you no longer receive a name change prompt, but are assigned a new one
2) Transfer your character to a server where your name is already taken
3) Enjoy whatever random ass name you receive as a result of the server transfer

Please note: I have not tested this, as I do not wish to transfer any of my characters. This is purely speculation based on information that I already have. My logic in believing this works is based on the assumption I have made that once you are unable to change your name yourself via a name change prompt due to having your name reported too many times, you are unable to receive that prompt in any situation, regardless of whether or not it was a harmless server transfer.

This seems... Plausible. Though people are forgetting that your name will only stay like that for a week maximum if that's your main character, because people will notice the wierd name and some will report you.