I just translated the Join Page for MKW into Japanese, and while I was doing it I remembered the angry debates that came up when some Japanese players joined MKDS with nicknames.  So I think it would be best for us all to make a decision about this quickly, before the problem comes up, so we don't have to deal with angry debates later.

The question is, should people be allowed to join with nicknames?  How would you feel about seeing players named ToadRocks or xyzz78 on the rankings?  For whatever reason, some players, especially many from Japan, don't like providing a real name on the internet.  If they refuse to join unless they can use a nickname, what should we do?

Right now my translation says "even if you don't want to write your real name, using a name that looks real is important."  Should I add after that "but if you really want to, nicknames are ok" or "no matter what, nicknames are never allowed" or something else?

Maybe and considerable option would be to display the player's names as JOHN "Dr.BoBo" SMITH. I can see some traditional reasons why not... but it's an option that's a _little_ more sensible both parties...



By the way, nice initiative Robin.. you inspired me to start translating those pages in French. If anyone's already ahead of me, please tell me.

Ideally we want people to use real names but of course there are people, that, for whatever reason are hesitant to give up that information.  In that case they should come up with something that is close to their name and real sounding.  Personally, I wouldn't want to look at the charts and see KingBowser88, XSuperToad, and stuff like that.  

In the submission rules, at least on the MKDD page, it clearly states:  Full name (as you want it to appear in the charts - and no nicknames, we need a proper name).  Perhaps a similar rule should be implemented on the Wii page.

If the situation arises I suggest you try to contact them for a formal name and, if they are still apprehensive, explain that we can work with an alias so long as it is a real sounding name that they will continue playing with.

You should be proud of your scores, not hide behind a fake name...

Gregor Fran wrote on 04/18/08 at 18:51:56:


I agree. I don't want to browse the charts and see that PrincessPeachOMG has passed me in the rankings. I can understand why someone wouldn't want to use their real name on a Mario Kart site, but at the same time, I don't want the MKWii rankings to just be random "nicknames" having times.

If people don't want to give their real names then fine, they should atleast give a fake one then; so it doesn't mess up the site.

Is a poll really neccesary? Of course NO nicknames
If people refuse to give their name, they shouldn't be allowed on the site, no matter what
And like Gregor said, you should be proud, not hide behind a fake name

Ostro wrote on 04/19/08 at 01:27:19:

Of course, that's a requirement for everyone from all countries.  Your name has to be with regular A-Z roman alphabet characters.

please nicknames not allowed!!!

real names are better  

and real names are important for the combined rangking  

Feel free to use a name.....

VAJ is a (nick)name of mine. (these are my initials) I think thats all fine to me.
real names are much better I think.

VAJ

M. Sax wrote on 04/19/08 at 13:00:32:


I second this

I think the reason some people don't want to give their full name is b/c of the last name. Maybe just require first name and last initial, but not the complete last name (where giving the full last name would be encouraged but not required). I don't want to put my full name all over the internet, but I have no problem with Josh H.

As for nicknames, I think it's a good idea to include them, but have them appear like a middle name Josh "Husky" H., or in a different column RR - time - Josh H. - Husky. Or maybe just have them appear on the page for an individual, but not the overall charts for AF, courses, WRs, etc.