Name That Toon

This week's blogs cover the who-why-what-where-when-how of "Rolling a New Toon" in World of Warcraft (from my point of view).  Let's start with 'who'. 

You can have 50 characters on one account. In its heyday, WoW had millions of subscribers. Characters are never deleted, because Blizzard (the company that produces World of Warcraft) is not stupid. People who quit playing might re-subscribe, and they'd want their old toons to still be there.

What this means is... the name you want for your toon, that reflects who you and your toon are, is not available. Every name in the universe is pretty much taken on every server. A wonderful cartoon called "The Noob Comic" said it best.

It takes ages to find a unique name you think you can live with. Even then, sometimes you can't. By the time "LittleFartFace" gets to level 65 the joke is no longer funny. Nobody takes you seriously.  And "HotsyTotsy69" would probably like to finish a quest without getting propositioned. (I'm kidding here. Names like that could be reported and Blizzard would instruct you to pick a new one.)

The names that aren't crude or offensive are the ones you are stuck with. I've had quite a few of those "What was I thinking?" names, and so have the other people I've met in-game. Perhaps special characters in the name are too annoying for other players to type, right Æ╟leen?  Maybe you chose a 1-off from the name you wanted, and it just isn't working. Right MissElizabooth? Maybe the nickname your wife called you isn't so great now that the divorce is final, eh Bubbsy-pie? 

Blizzard charges for name changes. A lot of people are willing to pay. The alternative is to delete "Bubbsy-pie" or park him on the sidelines and start leveling up MrBetterName as fast as you can.  (Hurry... level 90 is a long way off, and the expansion is coming this Fall.)

Not just names, but also the race is a huge part of the "who" question. Do you want attractive? Exotic? Amusing? Ferocious? Each race has its own traits and corresponding "style" of names. If you observe the names Blizzard has given the non-playing characters of your new race, and can find a unique one that fits in, that's probably a name you can live with for as long as you play.

Class is another factor to consider as you define "who" you are. For example, Druids are shape-shifters who are attuned to nature. Warlocks control demons, and Paladins righteously run around doing heroic things. Something that reflects this is a good choice.

So... if you want toons from every race and class, you'd better get rolling!


P.S.  In case Mom ever reads this, a "toon" is short for "cartoon." It is the animated character that represents you in-game, your "avatar," so to speak.  You design and control it.  With this "toon" you participate in the game and interact with the other players in it. 

P.P.S. Hi again, Mom. "Rolling" goes back to the days when games like this were played with dice.  A roll of the dice determined who you were at the beginning of the game.  With WoW you at least get to pick "who" you are from the selection offered.