World Transfers

[Zoraine]

Now that character creation is disabled on these worlds, when can we transfer? I would like to get this unpleasant business over with. It feels like living in a foreclosed house but having no idea when you will be allowed to move out of it.

Let them test - let them test lots! I want to know the move will be as smooth, and safe as possible. I know the waiting feels awful, I am fiddling with my belongings, acting like I'm going on a real trip, making sure the things most valuable to me are on my person, so to speak.
Also rolled an alt on my chosen destination to see what it was like, might as well get some easy TP while I wait for the big kids to get there

[SabrielofLorien]

re: Commendation Cap Limit and Transfers

The newest comm cap is 15,000 comms. What happens if I move freeps/creeps where the combined totals are greater than 15,000 comms? Will I lose the overflow? Should I Spend Down my comms before switching servers?


ex:

creep dead-server-A has 10,000 comms
freep dead-server-B has 12,000 comms
freep dead-server-C has 9,000 comms
creep dead-server-D has 2,000 comms

Moving all to Survivor-Server-1

[maartena]

Now that character creation is disabled on these worlds, when can we transfer? I would like to get this unpleasant business over with. It feels like living in a foreclosed house but having no idea when you will be allowed to move out of it.

The next step is to allow transfers between the 5 remaining worlds in each international realm. Since they aren't forced to move, this will allow them to test under a slightly lower load then an actual transfer, as the amount of transfers are expected to be relatively low, as people don't HAVE to move.

That said, you are right about the "getting anxious" bit. Now that we as a kin have decided to make the move, I would like to go ahead and actually do it. At the very least, I think after 1 week of testing, I think it time for the Blue Names(tm) to chime in before the weekend and just give us a "hey guys, this is where we are at" shoutout.

So Vyvyanne, Frelorn, anytime you are ready.

[LittleBigUCN]

First, thank you for your measured response and input. I appreciate it. I would respond by saying that as long as the player with the greatest investment is awarded the contested name, I think it would work just fine. I do, however, understand your comment and realize the name swapping could potentially carry on for some time. I considered this prior to making the suggestion and one thing I had considered was to distribute the Name Challenge Token via in-game mail at some point after the transfers for the last server to be closed had begun. This way the in-game mail and attached token would evaporate after 30 days (if I'm not mistaken about unopened mail lifespan). Indeed, the token itself could be designed with an expiration date. Unfortunately, this further complicates a system that was intended to be relatively easy to create. But it *could* be done.



I agree with this completely. Had the proposal come at the first announcement of server closures then maybe it could have been incorporated...maybe. However, I'm reasonably certain it's far too late now. I do still think the suggestion could be utilized at a later date, perhaps with some modifications, after the transfers were (mostly) completed. It would require Turbine to commit to the notion and make the player-base aware that such a token was in the works and not to use the Rename Token if players were of a mind to fight for ownership of a particular name. This alone may doom the idea.

I was just trying to separate the current transfer process and name conflict resolution process and develop a means by which the current transfer / name conflict resolution system could be left as is but augmented by a further challenge process. My goal was to pick up where they left off, as it were.

Again, thank you for your response and input.

There is no fair criteria for who should get the name between two active characters it all depends on perspective, there are cases where there might be clear answers but many where it would not be clear, to force a name change on an active character without the name violating naming conventions is something incredibly unlikely to happen. If you wanted to make a suggestion for an item that there might be a really slim chance of actually being created it would be for something that lets you buy a name from another player, ie something you buy from the store, send to the other player, and when used by the other player would change their name to a place holder, give them a rename token, and perhaps a set tp amount (as incentive to give up a name), you would then autmatiacally get the name they had. The downside is that it would encourage people to try and steal names in hopes of someone wanting to buy it, but it would give people willing to pay for their name a way to buy it without the other side being able to receive payment and then not follow through. It would seem like a very complex item to create though as it would need a whole lot of checks to make sure the right name is actually transferred and to the right character so I doubt even that would have much of a chance of actually one day making it to the store.

[maartena]

Regarding the naming issue, it has been discussed to death over the last 6 months I think, and the current policy will stand, which is:

- When a player transfers from server A to server B and the name is taken, the incoming players will be renamed to "Name-1".
- Exception to above rule is when the existing player has been inactive for more than 1 year.

This policy isn't going to change during the upcoming mergers, as developing a new system would take too much time. Two active players can communicate between each other if someone is willing to give up the name, and come to some sort of agreement. That said, I would like to see the following changes implemented at some point:

The rename credit should be replaced with a new "rename system" that has a few buttons when you start it, with the following features:

- A button that allows you to claim a name of an inactive character. Example: If you transfer on to a server with someone inactive for 11 months, you should be able to claim the name 1 month later. Additionally, it should show exactly the date/time a name is about to expire. (So you can get there first).

- A button that allows you to purchase a name change for someone else, and THAT person will get a name change credit. When the person ACCEPTS the rename credit, and USES it, it will "release" the original name to the person who bought the credit, and for 7 days the name is not available except to the person who bought the name change. The person on the other side has the right to DECLINE the name change, at which point the Turbine Points will be refunded.

[olafsureshot]

OK, I understand the transfer thing. And it is to make a better environment on a better well maintained server. That being said I have a problem. I have 38 toons on 8 servers. Most of my well played toons are on 6 of the servers that are shutting down. So it was mentioned that the system would start sending in-game mail to start your moves. So just when is that supposed to start. Since Brandywine is off limits, I have to shove all of them into the other 4 worlds available. So the sooner I could have a heads up the better. Have a kin and multiple houses to transfer.

Thanks,

Olaf

[Marancil]

So I noticed one of my character names is taken on Arkenstone. Meh. I can make a new one, we will see what the transfer script says about who is the older and active one.

Can I check that manually somehow? Other than contacting him? Just to get a heads up?

I can imagine we decide who keeps the name via a sparring duel... but how can you do that if you are waaay off in regards to level and gear? A race at Hengstacer? Ideas?

[Mennhabar]

So I noticed one of my character names is taken on Arkenstone. Meh. I can make a new one, we will see what the transfer script says about who is the older and active one.
Can I check that manually somehow? Other than contacting him?

I was about to ask the same question...
I just spent some time (I started late, I admit it) in creating place holders for my characters on the surviving servers, also in order to see how many clashes to expect.
It turned out pretty well, after all: of my 11 characters moving, one had a conflict on Gladden (so I decide to move to Arkenstone instead), but another (the only one for which, alas, I used a more or less common name) is taken on all servers. :-(

- When I try to make a new character with that name, I only get told 'That name is taken'. It would be nice if I could know in advance (i.e. before the transfer) if the existing character is active or not.

- In order to 'reserve' the name, is it enough to create a new character with the name I want, to be deleted 10' before actual transfer, or do I have to actually login with it, even for few minutes, in order for it to be flagged as 'active in the last year'?

- Suggestion: Turbine, would it be possible to implement a function to directly overwirte a character with the same name when it belongs to the same account? (So no need to delete placeholders in advance)
Maybe with a double confirmation request, as: "You already have a character with that name on the destination server. Do you want to overwrite it?". And then: "Potrzebie of Riddermark will overwrite Potrzebie of Arkenstone. The second one will be lost forever. Proceed?".
That would be a real boon...

[Marancil]

- In order to 'reserve' the name, is it enough to create a new character with the name I want, to be deleted 10' before actual transfer, or do I have to actually login with it, even for few minutes, in order for it to be flagged as 'active in the last year'?

It has been said several times in this thread that you only really need to create the Character. Some claim you might have to login and "play" for a second for the activity flag, but I am inclined to believe that last step may not be necessary, however, it is so easy to do.

Think of it, the name check is done in the character creation panel, before you enter the game, hence that should be enough.

[Mennhabar]

Think of it, the name check is done in the character creation panel, before you enter the game, hence that should be enough.

I think you are right. However there are other occasions in LOTRO when you have to actually login to make something happen: for example unlocking trait slots while you are VIP etc.
So a tiny seed of doubt still remains for me... ;-)

[BlueGhostofSeaside]

Once I find the answer to this, I'm going to facepalm the hardest ever in life...

Hello, quick question.

Where can I even find the transfer option on the launcher? I've looked around the launcher, checked it's settings, got into the game and checked from the starter in game. I can't find the transfer feature anywhere. I'm sure it's in a common place and I'm just not seeing it, typical me, but still. Would anyone be able to put up with me and help?

Thanks,
~ Ashla.

[Castorix]

Where can I even find the transfer option on the launcher?

It is on BR Launcher, not live Launcher
https://www.lotro.com/forums/showthr...75#post7420475

[Marancil]

Once I find the answer to this, I'm going to facepalm the hardest ever in life...

Hello, quick question.

Where can I even find the transfer option on the launcher? I've looked around the launcher, checked it's settings, got into the game and checked from the starter in game. I can't find the transfer feature anywhere. I'm sure it's in a common place and I'm just not seeing it, typical me, but still. Would anyone be able to put up with me and help?

Thanks,
~ Ashla.

Not live yet on the regular servers.

Turbine will release the transfer feature one or a few servers at the time, based on the server closure list. Right now they are testing it on the beta server, Bullroarer, only.

There is no time estimate for when you will see the transfer button in the launcher, but some claim it will begin within a couple of weeks or so. Again, following the server closure list.

[wispsong]

- Suggestion: Turbine, would it be possible to implement a function to directly overwirte a character with the same name when it belongs to the same account? (So no need to delete placeholders in advance)
Maybe with a double confirmation request, as: "You already have a character with that name on the destination server. Do you want to overwrite it?". And then: "Potrzebie of Riddermark will overwrite Potrzebie of Arkenstone. The second one will be lost forever. Proceed?".
That would be a real boon...

I have a character with the same name on several servers and do not plan on deleting any of them. So unless there is a question asking me if I want to delete the placeholder I would appreciate they don't do this.

[Shriya]

- Suggestion: Turbine, would it be possible to implement a function to directly overwirte a character with the same name when it belongs to the same account? (So no need to delete placeholders in advance)
Maybe with a double confirmation request, as: "You already have a character with that name on the destination server. Do you want to overwrite it?". And then: "Potrzebie of Riddermark will overwrite Potrzebie of Arkenstone. The second one will be lost forever. Proceed?".
That would be a real boon...

Oh, that would be an ideal solution. And perhaps an opt-out included like:
If you don't want to overwrite the existing character on this server, please rename your new character. New name: ....

That way, existing characters wouldn't be automatically be overwritten for those who want to keep those characters and you'll be alerted to the fact this character already exists (just in case you had forgotten it ) and of course you'll get the chance to give the moving character a new name instead of overwriting it and instead of the need of name tokens (and the addition of -1).

Personally I was lucky. All the names I had chosen apparently were unique enough, cause none existed yet, not even my kinship name for all my crafters, so that was me being extremely lucky

[Mennhabar]

I have a character with the same name on several servers and do not plan on deleting any of them. So unless there is a question asking me if I want to delete the placeholder I would appreciate they don't do this.

Uhm. I didn't think of that... In that case it could be annoying.
Maybe adding an opt-out to just rename, as the previous poster suggested...

[Rimenuir]

I actively play on both brandy and meneldor, will I be able to get to Brandy on my Meneldor toons?

[Datheor]

I actively play on both brandy and meneldor, will I be able to get to Brandy on my Meneldor toons?

Based on what has been said so far, no. Sounds like Brandy is closed to transfers due to size. All subject to change, of course.

[Ospreyfeather]

I also posted this in the Bullroarer test thread, but perhaps it will get more notice here.
I created a couple of characters on Bullroarer to check the naming protocol. I saw someone else talk about this, but to reiterate, a character who has NEVER logged into the game takes naming preference over an active character transferring to that server. Please, please, Turbine, try to address this before real server transfers begin. Of course there will be naming conflicts, and lower-level newer characters keeping a name over a transferring older character. BUT someone who doesn't really exist?!! Who has never gotten past the character creation screen?!! We know these characters have some kind of unique tag because they generate the "THIS CHARACTER CANNOT BE ADDED" message when you try to add them to a friends' list. Even someone who has logged in just once can be added to the friends' list. Just in a brief search of my own character names on various servers, I have found quite a few of these "un-there" characters. Maybe some of them are people creating place-holders for their names, but then they are active players and can easily log in their place-holders. Nothing will assuage the pain of some people having to rename their favorite toons, but any way to cut down on that list can only be helpful. The non-logged in characters should get the -1. Please.

(perhaps they are also very old characters...not sure...but if they generate the same message, the same fix should apply)

[Friar_Herc]

I read the article that indicates that the world transfer process start after the update on Aug 3rd. I don't see any difference to my game launcher to do character transfer. Any ideas?

[Marancil]

I read the article that indicates that the world transfer process start after the update on Aug 3rd. I don't see any difference to my game launcher to do character transfer. Any ideas?

I posted an answer to that not even 10 posts above yours, before mine there are probably dozens of posts with that answer, please make an effort to read the thread...

[Mennhabar]

You sort of answered to some of my questions above, thanks.

I created a couple of characters on Bullroarer to check the naming protocol. I saw someone else talk about this, but to reiterate, a character who has NEVER logged into the game takes naming preference over an active character transferring to that server.

For me that is a good thing in that, just creating a placeholder character succesfully, it means that nobody is gonna 'steal' its name, even if he/she happens to transfer before me. However, I understand your position.
It would not be such a great hassle for me just to log in each placeholder char for a moment, actually. But if the rules are changed at this point, Turbine should make it very clear...

We know these characters have some kind of unique tag because they generate the "THIS CHARACTER CANNOT BE ADDED" message when you try to add them to a friends' list. Even someone who has logged in just once can be added to the friends' list.

This is something I never noticed. Nice to know.
So if I try to befriend the character who has the name I'm interested in on the destination server and I receive the above message this would mean:
- This character has never gone beyond the creation screen, so -
a) Somebody got his placeholder character befor me (grrr &#%!)
b) Somebody created this character a long time ago but never used it (very unlikely)
If I don't receive this message, I have really not so much more information than before...

Did I understand this correctly?

[Fratonia]

b) Somebody created this character a long time ago but never used it (very unlikely)

Maybe not so unlikely. When I started I first played with one character class that I was interested in most. After I found that I like the game I bought slots and created more characters of other classes to reserve their names and play them later. If I'd lost interest in the game before ever logging them in another player might be lucky to take the names. You can only hope for the best and maybe invent new names and reserve them just to prepare yourself for the worst.

If I don't receive this message, I have really not so much more information than before...

If you don't receive the message and you are able to add the character to your friend list you can at least see the day and month of last activity. The year is missing but like others have suggested you can ask around in /world if someone would be so kind to give you the name of a character that he knows to be absent for more than a year. Then you can add that character and sort for activity. If your names are below that character they have been inactive even longer. Good for you.

[daneyul]

Anyone know the difference between the two messages you can get when trying to create a name:


The name you have selected is already in use
vs
That name is taken

[maartena]

http://mmoreporter.com/2015/08/07/lo...hena-and-andy/

Interesting podcast, an interview with Andy (Frelorn) and Athena (Vyvyanne). The interview starts just after 30:00 or so, and it addresses, among other things, why only 5 worlds were chosen (and why/how the EU servers were chosen), how the bullroarer test is going, the naming system, and it even touches on why EU<->US transfers aren't possible, etc, etc... good stuff!