Pre-order, CE, early access, screwed over

Yeah that's right. Screwed over. I eagerly pre-ordered the ridiculously overpriced Collector's Edition and dived with enthusiasm into the early access period, claiming the names I wanted for my characters. Now I'm being forced into server transfers and, ultimately, name changes as a reward.

Thanks, BioWare.

I just made a post about this. Not only lost two names I liked but lost my legacy name. I don't even feel like playing anymore now because of it.

I'm not paying anymore. My sub runs out in mid August. If I don't see some sort of reparations for the way BioWare is screwing us over by then, the game will be uninstalled and I'll be moving on.

Friend that is still playing did his transfers too and lost all but two of his names.

Welcome to a not very well thought out project that was rushed to release.

Most people had this happen. Including myself. **** happens

I'm sorry but these whining threads are getting comical.
It happen to many folks - including myself. Yeah, legacy too.
Big deal ! - spend a day, think of a new name and use that. Ultimately, your character looks the same and plays the same. Now you are on a more populated server.
Rather than complain about the change, use it to your advantage. Have some fun with the change.
If you can't do that, then maybe console games are best for you. No name changes there.

Just saying.

The problem is their entire design is outdated by 5 years, which causes plenty of problems when meeting expectations people (rightfully) have for a 2011 release. Names being linked to the account and/or followed by a hidden code like in SC2, Guild Wars 2 and probably a dozen games I didnt play would solve the problem. Instead, they went with the same server and naming structure Everquest had in 1999, just added the also unique legacy name on top (I couldnt even pick my name of choice when I reached legacy level, doesnt matter now since the "forced" transfer made me change the names anyway).

Thing is, those problems go so deep that they have many, many more relevant problems to tackle. So as much as I hate the name changes and archaic restrictions we have to endure, it really is a secondary issue that will likely never be addressed or changed. Spilt milk and all.

It's a bit different for some people. Some players get really attached to their characters' names. As an RPer, I wrote over 150 pages for my Shadow and now her name is different. It just doesn't feel the same anymore. In accordance with that, I don't play with her anymore. Had I lost my Vanguard's name as well, I probably wouldn't be playing anymore. In addition, transfers are now becoming automatic. Better yet, these automatic transfers are going from your server to a server that you don't get to choose. Therefore, if your name is taken on that server, then you're SOL. You can't transfer somewhere else or deny the transfer. You're just boned.

However, did I throw a tantrum? No, I just moved on. I changed my Shadow's name and carried on with business as usual. I wasn't forced to transfer, though. It's much different when the power is taken out of your hands, especially with a service for which you pay. I wouldn't be surprised if this forced transfer thing cost BioWare a good deal of subscriptions and it honestly deserves it.

You and your sub are welcome.