As I haven't played the earlier Elite games, and prefer to use character names which are suitable to the setting, I'd appreciate some advice on name standards. Do all characters tend to have standard western names? How about for example Russian and Asian names, or made-up fictional names such as Han Solo and Mace Windu (not that I would ever use those)?
Name standards in the Elite setting?
- Thread starter ErikNM
- Start date
There were no naming conventions I was aware of while writing for Tales From The Frontier. It was pretty obvious we would not be able to use names such as Han Solo for legal reasons.
Most of the character names in my story are real people, some of them those that pledged and supported the Kickstarter and paid for their names to be included. I made a few names up such as Max Tennantite and Jake Malachite. These characters were from the mining colonies and their second names reflect that as they are types of Copper Ore. No reason why you couldn't use a Russian or Asian name.
Most of the character names in my story are real people, some of them those that pledged and supported the Kickstarter and paid for their names to be included. I made a few names up such as Max Tennantite and Jake Malachite. These characters were from the mining colonies and their second names reflect that as they are types of Copper Ore. No reason why you couldn't use a Russian or Asian name.
I believe that Federal and independent systems cultures are loosely based on North America. If you think about the origin of names in the U.S you cant go wrong. I belive that German surnames are common, followed by Spanish, English,Irish,Scots, various Scandinavian and Asian names also.
I have no idea about the origins of Imperial culture. Caution should be used with invented names; Commander Karlton ' King' Kong made sound good after a few lagers.
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The so called names that make me cringe are those that employ non-alphabetical characters like numbers (L33T springs to mind as an example). Or the annoying usage of * or < or such like to bracket the name. <<L33T>>
I know, Iknow. I'm being a snob about it, so sue me.
I know, Iknow. I'm being a snob about it, so sue me.
Really? How do you work that out?
I'd of thought as it is a game created by two Englishmen and being developed by an English company that it may be a little different.
Note: I'm not here to start a war, just generally curious how you came to your conclusions.
As to the OPs original question... I don't think there is any set rules or regulations of what name you want to use. Personally I'm using the name I've used in offline and online games for years.
If there is a name you like - and it hasn't already been taken - go ahead and use it. It is, like they say in the game info 'Blaze Your Own Trail'
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Its just an idea. Federal culture has a definite affinity with earth, the best analogy to my mind would be North America. Players can call themselves whatever silly thing they want to offcourse, but this thread is in the Elite Fiction section that deals with theoretical DNA of the ED universe,the not gameplay section.
I must admit I thought the OP was about names in Elite Fiction (because it was posted in the Elite: Fiction section) rather than usage of Commander names in game. Looking back I think it is indeed about Commander names in game.
Anyway. From memory, I do believe the Federation is based on the American system of government, constitution, president etc.
Anyway. From memory, I do believe the Federation is based on the American system of government, constitution, president etc.
Yaffle
Volunteer Moderator
It's in a better place now.
The Fiction section is for authorised works of fiction.
Actually, I agree with him, based on the description of the Federation in Newsletter #22
To an outsider, the hierarchy of Federation society is based on democratic principles - people vote within their System/State to elect Congressmen, and a President with an 8-year term and a ‘vote of confidence’ after the first 4 years.
However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the Federal citizen, who goes through life bombarded by advertising.
Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.
The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a large, well-equipped Federal Navy which projects its values and influence.
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, cloning and certain narcotics.
Federal law is based on an agreed Constitution. People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. Local ‘State’ law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.
The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has gone on for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.
However, corporate loyalty oils the machine, and Federation space is a battleground of commerce. Commercial organisations compete as aggressively as the law will allow for the time and attention of the Federal citizen, who goes through life bombarded by advertising.
Corruption is not unusual – individuals defend it shamelessly when caught as ‘getting one over the system’. Social class is only determined between ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots’. There is a lot of poverty about, as well as conspicuous wealth.
The huge gross domestic product (GDP) of the Federation economy funds a large, well-equipped Federal Navy which projects its values and influence.
Culturally the Federation is tolerant of some things (like religions) but utterly intolerant of drug-taking, political activism, and certain cultures. A great many things are illegal, like slavery, cloning and certain narcotics.
Federal law is based on an agreed Constitution. People have rights and freedoms, enshrined by this agreement. Local ‘State’ law prohibits other trafficking to a greater or lesser degree. Things like ship-based weapons, personal weapons, other milder drugs and alcohol are banned in some systems.
The media drives a culture of celebrity. Top ranking politicians, social commentators, entertainers and super-rich all command a great deal of media attention. This provides a massive distraction for the populace, to the extent that foreign wars conducted by the Federation on their behalf get little media attention. This has gone on for many hundreds of years, and there is no sign of it changing.
Anyway, if you want to think of the Federation, and even the Alliance, as hodge-podge cultures who are recipients of many generations of immigrants from all walks of life, then North America isn't a bad model for naming, though, you're right, a whole lot of those names come from Europe anyway, so it's just a matter of how wide an area your local 'phone book' covers. Not sure about the Empire though.
To clarify: When I name my own character/commander, I want the name to conform to the canon name standard of the setting I'm playing in, which in this case is the fictional Elite universe. In other words, I want it to conform to the kind of names used in for instance authorized works of fiction. I figured the fiction forum would be the most appropriate place to ask about this. I've been happy with the kind of replies I've gotten so far, so you can consider the question answered.
P.S. If the fiction forum can't be used for this, I think it in time would be very useful to have a lore forum for discussions not only about canon name standards and such, but about faction ideology, politics and history, etc.
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Flowswithdrek, Scorpio, Guy DudeBroMan,
Thanks for the background info
Thanks for the background info
The so called names that make me cringe are those that employ non-alphabetical characters like numbers (L33T springs to mind as an example). Or the annoying usage of * or < or such like to bracket the name. <<L33T>>
I know, Iknow. I'm being a snob about it, so sue me.
That!
Bonus points for the person using the "l33t" speak not being old enough to have used a BBS via dialup.
(MonoSpods represent).
Write a simple short story about your character then give him a name to suits his background and culture ... have some character creation fun.
+1
And you won't even need a set of AD&D multi-sided dice
I seem to remember at some point the following loose analogy was made either in a news letter or as a comment from one of the devs
- Federal - North America
- Imperial - Roman Empire
- Independent - EU
On the support site of ED, there are some indications for the restrictions
