Character Name Changes Are Coming October 15

http://maplestory.nexon.net/news//4246/

We are pleased to announce that beginning Thursday, October 15, millions of character names will become available for use! In all of MapleStory’s 10-year history, we have never before freed up the character names of inactive players. Because so many characters exist, it’s difficult to find meaningful names for new players. Many of these characters are no longer played, but the names remain in use.

For the first time ever, we plan to perform a truly massive name change. All characters under Lv. 200 on accounts that have not been logged in since January 1, 2013 will have their names changed to a combination of numerals. This change will be performed in the scheduled maintenance on October 15.

By changing these names to numerals, the original names will once again be available for use. To coincide with this, we will be having a free name change event from October 15 through October 21. After the maintenance on October 15, all players will be able to request a free name change for one character on their account through the event notifier on the left side of the game window. All of the free name changes will be processed in the scheduled maintenance on October 22.

[B]FAQ[/B]

What if I don’t want my character’s name changed to numerals?

If you have an account that is currently inactive, you need to login to the account before Thursday, October 15. This way your account will no longer be considered inactive, and your character names will not be changed.

What happens if my character’s name is changed to numerals?

The next time you login after the name change, you will see a pop-up message asking you to contact Customer Support to request a name change for your characters.

I want to change the names of all of my characters. Can I purchase a name change?

We will feature a sale on Character Name Change Coupons for one week, beginning after the scheduled maintenance on October 22. From October 22 through October 27, you can purchase a coupon for 10,000 NX Prepaid. These name changes will be processed in the scheduled maintenance on October 28.

How will this affect accounts that are permanently banned?

Characters on accounts that are permanently banned will not have their names changed. This is to avoid confusion that could arise by freeing up the names of known hackers or abusers.

Will my character ranking change?

All name changes (whether changing inactive character names to numerals or processing the free name changes afterward) will be reflected on the character rankings on the website.

How will this affect my marriage, guild, friends list, etc.?

Character names will be changed in every location that they are used in-game. This means that the new name will appear on your friends list, in your guild or marriage, and anywhere else that the character name is used. If you encounter any issues after the name changes are processed, please contact Customer Support.

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This probably won't end well. Better log into those accounts, folks.

This is ridiculous.

KMS only decreed characters under 30 disposable.
Here it's any account under 200?
I guess they really really don't want people who quit 3 years ago to ever come back.

On the one hand, finally.
On the other hand, oh gog why.

This is ridiculous.

KMS only decreed characters under 30 disposable.
Here it's any account under 200?
I guess they really really don't want people who quit 3 years ago to ever come back.

As if they ever had any incentive to. Why not just put another nail in the coffin while they're at it?

What?! My original account that I don't access to...

What?! My original account that I don't access to...

You have 3 weeks to try and recover it...
Make a Customer Support Request (ticket), maybe they'll respond in time.

so why couldnt they do this before? after 10 years all of a sudden they caN?

Name changes?
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSS

Characters on accounts that are permanently banned will not have their names changed. This is to avoid confusion that could arise by freeing up the names of known hackers or abusers.

OH COME ON.

LOL that's hilarious

OH COME ON.

What's even more hilarious about it is that they completely are against public shaming of players or "calling them out", yet they don't want to free names of "known" cheaters.

Sweet. There are a number of IGNs I've been wanting for years.

On the one hand, finally.
On the other hand, oh gog why.

This legend doe THIS ONE IS MINE HANDS OFF

hahaha yes. AzNNaRuTo69xXxoOo is mine at last

now must think of new names for my chars. (yay! )

but sadly i have a feeling that this will all end badly somehow. maybe they will wrongly set the cutoff date and people will wrongly have their names lost or something

as for ditching players who haven't played in 2 years - maybe they are acknowledging that some people will never come back and game is slowly shrinking.

but sadly i have a feeling that this will all end badly somehow.

Considering there are people selling IGN-service already (presumably by use of bots to snipe them as soon as the servers come up on Oct 15), this will end badly even if Nexon doesn't screw up.

One thing I'm not clear on.
Do you need to log on the actual character or is it the account to avoid name change?

One thing I'm not clear on.
Do you need to log on the actual character or is it the account to avoid name change?

If you have an account that is currently inactive, you need to login to the account before Thursday, October 15. This way your account will no longer be considered inactive, and your character names will not be changed.

This is ridiculous.

KMS only decreed characters under 30 disposable.
Here it's any account under 200?
I guess they really really don't want people who quit 3 years ago to ever come back.

They were never coming back and I don't even slightly understand the point of this. The game is already slowly shuffled itself to its own demise through mismanagement and lack of content.

MAybe one last desperate move to try and get login numbers up for a month.

I guess it's a good thing I logged in once to try Pink Bean this summer...

Seems dumb that they won't release names on banned accounts. Wonder if anyone would purposely get banned so no one can ever get their name...