I knew when I first created Xailia in Everquest one that I was a straight laced kind of guy. I was not taken in by Dark Elves or by the Gnomes - I wanted my character to look as similar to me in real life as possible. Now, I could have created a human to really go for the affect, but they have no benefits for the Wizard class (back when races in MMOs actually mattered). So, I decided on a High Elf. Throughout the years (and the games) each time I recreated Xailia I always make him a magic casting high elf or whatever is closest. I just can’t break the streak.

Greldor started out as a ranger, than tried a bard - he ultimately went through just about every class EQ had to offer. He ultimately settled on being a Shadowknight - he has been committed to tanking in every game we play. He hasn’t really shown an interest in one race or another though - he will do whatever. He has been anything from a Dark Elf to an Troll.

Landuran has played every type of class and each time we start a new game (or start over) he tries some new combination. He doesn’t seem to be stuck to one type of character or race. Currently he is settled in as a Druid. He has been a Gnome, a High Elf, and everything in between.

So how do you select your character’s look and class for that matter?

We’ve all been pwned by some company’s naming policies before.  Whether it was when you were trying to name your halfling “Bilbobaggins” or your guild “Sony Makes Sucking Look Easy,” there are times where you get a big fat “nice try, lol” from the automated name bouncer.

Rarely, though, does this occur in the realm of IRL.  This gentleman tried to sign up for Verizon DSL and was informed that his last name, “Libshitz,” violated Verizon’s naming policy (look closely to find out why).  The best part, however, was their proposed workaround - spelling his last name incorrectly on purpose to get around the automated filter (sound familiar?).  After three escalation attempts, it looks like Verizon finally admitted that smacking this guy with the banhammer might have not been the best approach from a PR standpoint, and has “made an exception” for him.

In both the real and virtual worlds, naming policies often create a lot of unintended problems.  Let’s hope that companies will begin realizing this soon and add some more “human” quality control into process.