Player Names

On New Bradford, every character name is unique. No two player characters can share a name, so the name you see in the world or in Global Chat always belongs to one person.

This page explains when the server checks your name, what happens if your name is already taken, and how to pick a new one.

How names are checked

The server checks your character's name every time you log in, about a second after you enter the world. That includes the first time you play a brand-new character. The character creation screen doesn't check names, so this is the first point where a duplicate is caught.

A name counts as already in use if another player character has the same name:

• Capital letters don't matter. "Aldric", "aldric", and "ALDRIC" are all the same name.
• Spaces at the start or end are ignored. " Aldric " is the same as "Aldric".
• Every character counts, on any account, whether that player is online or not. That includes your own other characters.
• Deleted characters don't count. Once a character is deleted, its name is free again.
• Staff characters count too. You can't take a name a staff character is using.

You'll also be asked to pick a new name if your character has no name, or a name that's reserved (see Name rules).

If your name is already taken

Step 1: The Character Name prompt

The Character Name prompt you see when your name is already in use.

If your name is taken, a Character Name window opens with this message in red:

That character name is already in use. Enter a unique name to continue.

You'll also see this in your journal:

You must choose a unique character name before you can play.

This window can't be closed. Right-clicking it does nothing, and it keeps coming back until you've chosen a name that's accepted.

Step 2: Your temporary guest name

A paperdoll showing a temporary guest name.

Until you pick a new name, your character is given a temporary guest name. It's Guest- followed by a short ID that belongs to your character, for example Guest-402. You'll see it on your paperdoll and anywhere else your name shows up.

Guest names are only placeholders. You can't keep one, and you can't choose a name that starts with "Guest-".

Step 3: You can't move or chat yet

While the prompt is open, your character is frozen:

• You can't move.
• You can't speak. If you try, you'll see You must choose a unique character name before you can speak.
• You can't use Global Chat. It won't open, and you'll see You must choose a unique character name before using global chat.

If you log out before choosing a name, you're unfrozen, but you keep the guest name. The prompt comes back the next time you log in with that character.

Step 4: Pick a new name

Type a name in the Name box and click Submit. The box holds up to 16 characters.

The prompt after trying a name that's already in use.

If the name you typed isn't accepted, the prompt opens again with a red message telling you why:

Message	What it means
Enter a character name.	The Name box was empty.
That name is not allowed. Use 2–16 letters (spaces, -, ., ' limited).	The name breaks one of the name rules.
That name is reserved. Choose a different name.	The name starts with "Guest-", or is "noname".
That character name is already in use.	Another character already has that name. Try a different one.

Just type a different name and click Submit again. You can try as many times as you need.

Step 5: You're ready to play

Once your name is accepted:

• You'll see You are now known as YourName. in green.
• You're unfrozen and can move, speak, and play normally.
• Your new name is saved, and the name you chose is now yours.
• Global Chat announces your arrival with NB: YourName has come online (for players who have join notifications turned on). This announcement is held back until you have a real name, so nobody sees your guest name come online.
• Global Chat works now. Click the Chat button on your menu bar if it isn't already open.

Name rules

Names you choose must follow these rules:

• 2 to 16 characters long.
• Letters only, no numbers.
• You can use spaces, hyphens (-), periods (.), and apostrophes ('), but:
  • not as the first character, and
  • not two in a row (for example "Ann--Marie" or "Ann .Marie").
• No offensive words.
• No names that begin with Seer, Counselor, GM, Admin, Lady, or Lord.
• No skill titles or reserved words used as a separate word, such as Scholar, Mage, Neophyte, Grandmaster, Smith, Merchant, or British.
• No names starting with "Guest-", and not "noname".
• Not already in use by another character.

Tips for picking a name

• Have a backup or two in mind. Common names are often taken.
• Changing capital letters won't help. "aldric" counts as the same name as "Aldric".
• Add a second word to make a name unique, like "Aldric Stone" or "Mira Ashford". Keep it to 16 characters or less, counting the space.
• Avoid numbers. They aren't allowed, so "Aldric2" won't work.
• Leave titles out. Words like Lord, Lady, or Mage will be rejected.

Quick reference

• When it's checked: every login, including your first time with a new character
• Duplicate means: same name as any other player character, ignoring capital letters and extra spaces at the start or end
• Temporary name: Guest- plus your character's ID, for example Guest-402
• While waiting: can't move, speak, or use Global Chat, and the prompt can't be closed
• Name length: 2 to 16 letters

New to New Bradford? See Getting Started to install the game and log in.