Difference between revisions of "Choose a Good Xbox Gamertag"
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#Reference your favorite hobby or interest. Video games aren't the only things in the world that interest you, so they don't have to be the only things in your name. Draw on your wide range of skills, hobbies, and interests to think of an idea. You might reference an animal you like, a band you're a fan of, your dream car, or something else entirely. It's all up to you! | #Reference your favorite hobby or interest. Video games aren't the only things in the world that interest you, so they don't have to be the only things in your name. Draw on your wide range of skills, hobbies, and interests to think of an idea. You might reference an animal you like, a band you're a fan of, your dream car, or something else entirely. It's all up to you! | ||
#* '''Examples:''' If you're a musician, you might try names with music terminology like TrebleKill333, BassicInstinct, Bad2theTrombone, BFlattened, and so on. | #* '''Examples:''' If you're a musician, you might try names with music terminology like TrebleKill333, BassicInstinct, Bad2theTrombone, BFlattened, and so on. | ||
| − | #Go for an intimidating name. Intent on completely wrecking your competition online? Let other players know that you mean business with a name that calls attention to your lethal skill with a controller. Go for a name that sounds scary, deadly, or diabolical. Keep in mind, though, that hate speech and offensive content are banned under the XBox Live terms of service.<ref>http://www.xbox.com/en-US/legal/codeofconduct</ref> | + | #Go for an intimidating name. Intent on completely wrecking your competition online? Let other players know that you mean business with a name that calls attention to your lethal skill with a controller. Go for a name that sounds scary, deadly, or diabolical. Keep in mind, though, that hate speech and offensive content are banned under the XBox Live terms of service.<ref name="rf1">http://www.xbox.com/en-US/legal/codeofconduct</ref> |
#* '''Examples:''' 7Obliter8r9, MsJennyDeath, Noobs Beware, KillerJoe, etc. | #* '''Examples:''' 7Obliter8r9, MsJennyDeath, Noobs Beware, KillerJoe, etc. | ||
#Be dark or mysterious. Another way to give your competition the jitters is ''not'' to outright say that you plan to destroy them. Instead, suggest it. Names that imply some sort of mysterious or suspicious quality are quite popular as Gamertags. Sometimes, it's all about what you ''don't'' tell your enemy. | #Be dark or mysterious. Another way to give your competition the jitters is ''not'' to outright say that you plan to destroy them. Instead, suggest it. Names that imply some sort of mysterious or suspicious quality are quite popular as Gamertags. Sometimes, it's all about what you ''don't'' tell your enemy. | ||
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#Make a joke or pun. Your Gamertag doesn't have to be grim or serious. In fact, having a more light-hearted one can make you seem more approachable to other players. This can be good when you're working with teammates toward a shared objective. Names that make someone laugh at first sight are always a good bet. Since you're working with a limited number of characters, quick puns are often easiest. | #Make a joke or pun. Your Gamertag doesn't have to be grim or serious. In fact, having a more light-hearted one can make you seem more approachable to other players. This can be good when you're working with teammates toward a shared objective. Names that make someone laugh at first sight are always a good bet. Since you're working with a limited number of characters, quick puns are often easiest. | ||
#* '''Examples:''' ChrisPBacon, CubaBaddingJR, TheOtherGuy, HeyYou (so that when people talk to you in-game, it's confusing.) | #* '''Examples:''' ChrisPBacon, CubaBaddingJR, TheOtherGuy, HeyYou (so that when people talk to you in-game, it's confusing.) | ||
| − | #* You may want to try using an online tool like the Pun Generator (available [http://pungenerator.org/ here]) if you're having trouble thinking of ideas.<ref>http://pungenerator.org/</ref> | + | #* You may want to try using an online tool like the Pun Generator (available [http://pungenerator.org/ here]) if you're having trouble thinking of ideas.<ref name="rf2">http://pungenerator.org/</ref> |
#Use another language. All you need is a few words of a non-English language to give yourself a Gamertag that's unique in English-language games. You have a few options here. One is to translate a cool-sounding name that's already taken into another language. You can also try using the language's equivalent of your real name. You can even just find a word that you like the look of — it's up to you! | #Use another language. All you need is a few words of a non-English language to give yourself a Gamertag that's unique in English-language games. You have a few options here. One is to translate a cool-sounding name that's already taken into another language. You can also try using the language's equivalent of your real name. You can even just find a word that you like the look of — it's up to you! | ||
#* '''Examples:''' If you're a fan of bears, you might try Urso734 ("Urso" is "bear" in Portuguese) or 123Ayi ("Ayi" is "bear" in Turkish) | #* '''Examples:''' If you're a fan of bears, you might try Urso734 ("Urso" is "bear" in Portuguese) or 123Ayi ("Ayi" is "bear" in Turkish) | ||
| − | #* Online translators like Google Translate and Freetranslation.com can help with these sorts of names.<ref>https://translate.google.com/</ref><ref>http://www.freetranslation.com/</ref> | + | #* Online translators like Google Translate and Freetranslation.com can help with these sorts of names.<ref name="rf3">https://translate.google.com/</ref><ref name="rf4">http://www.freetranslation.com/</ref> |
#Be random. There's no rule that your name has to make sense. In fact, the more random your name, the less likely that it's already taken. Try combining two words that have no connection or using a random adjective to describe a word you happen to like. The more creative, the better! | #Be random. There's no rule that your name has to make sense. In fact, the more random your name, the less likely that it's already taken. Try combining two words that have no connection or using a random adjective to describe a word you happen to like. The more creative, the better! | ||
#* '''Examples:''' GrandioseFox, OceanPillar1524, PantHill93, Seven8Six, etc. | #* '''Examples:''' GrandioseFox, OceanPillar1524, PantHill93, Seven8Six, etc. | ||
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=== Picking a Name No One Else Has === | === Picking a Name No One Else Has === | ||
#Check the availability of your name online. Before you go to the trouble of logging in and making a Gamertag for yourself, save yourself time by checking to see whether it's already taken. There are a few sites that allow you to do this online. A basic search engine query should reveal several. | #Check the availability of your name online. Before you go to the trouble of logging in and making a Gamertag for yourself, save yourself time by checking to see whether it's already taken. There are a few sites that allow you to do this online. A basic search engine query should reveal several. | ||
| − | #* For example, [http://www.xboxgamertag.com/ this site] works well.<ref>http://www.xboxgamertag.com/</ref> | + | #* For example, [http://www.xboxgamertag.com/ this site] works well.<ref name="rf5">http://www.xboxgamertag.com/</ref> |
#Add extra characters if needed. Is a gamertag that you ''really'' want taken? Don't worry! You can probably get a very similar name just by adding or changing a few letters. One common way is to put a string of numbers at the beginning or end of the name. You can also try spelling the name differently, adding extra letters, changing the spacing, and so on. | #Add extra characters if needed. Is a gamertag that you ''really'' want taken? Don't worry! You can probably get a very similar name just by adding or changing a few letters. One common way is to put a string of numbers at the beginning or end of the name. You can also try spelling the name differently, adding extra letters, changing the spacing, and so on. | ||
#* For example, if you want the name "MrJim" but it's already taken, you might try "MrJim127482," "123Mr Jim456," or something similar. | #* For example, if you want the name "MrJim" but it's already taken, you might try "MrJim127482," "123Mr Jim456," or something similar. | ||
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#* Clans will often have instructions on exactly how to format your Gamertag to advertise your membership. Be sure to follow the directions! | #* Clans will often have instructions on exactly how to format your Gamertag to advertise your membership. Be sure to follow the directions! | ||
=== Knowing What to Avoid === | === Knowing What to Avoid === | ||
| − | #Don't make a Gamertag with offensive language. There are very few rules dictating what you ''can'' and ''can't'' put in your Gamertag. There rules that ''do'' exist are covered in the XBox Live Code of Conduct. All players agree to follow this code when they sign up for Live. Perhaps the biggest rule about Gamertags is that absolutely no offensive language is allowed. Accounts that break this rule may be suspended or banned. The Code's definition of "offensive language" includes:<ref | + | #Don't make a Gamertag with offensive language. There are very few rules dictating what you ''can'' and ''can't'' put in your Gamertag. There rules that ''do'' exist are covered in the XBox Live Code of Conduct. All players agree to follow this code when they sign up for Live. Perhaps the biggest rule about Gamertags is that absolutely no offensive language is allowed. Accounts that break this rule may be suspended or banned. The Code's definition of "offensive language" includes:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Curse words | #* Curse words | ||
#* Hate speech (e.g., racist/sexist slurs) | #* Hate speech (e.g., racist/sexist slurs) | ||
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#* Controversial religious topics | #* Controversial religious topics | ||
#* Controversial historical figures or events | #* Controversial historical figures or events | ||
| − | #Don't make a Gamertag with sexual references. The other major rule about Gamertags is that ''very few'' sexual terms are allowed in users' names. As a general rule, anything that could be considered remotely "dirty" is off-limits. However, a few "clean" terms '''are allowed''' in Gamertags. These terms are:<ref | + | #Don't make a Gamertag with sexual references. The other major rule about Gamertags is that ''very few'' sexual terms are allowed in users' names. As a general rule, anything that could be considered remotely "dirty" is off-limits. However, a few "clean" terms '''are allowed''' in Gamertags. These terms are:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* "Gay," "Bi," and "Lesbian" | #* "Gay," "Bi," and "Lesbian" | ||
#* "Transgender" | #* "Transgender" | ||
#* "Straight" | #* "Straight" | ||
| − | #Don't try "sound-alike" names. Even if your Gamertag isn't ''technically'' offensive, your account may still be probated or banned if your Gamertag tries to get around the rules with words that ''imply'' offensive concepts. It's usually obvious when a user is trying to "cheat" the Code of Conduct, so these sorts of names are almost always a waste of time.<ref | + | #Don't try "sound-alike" names. Even if your Gamertag isn't ''technically'' offensive, your account may still be probated or banned if your Gamertag tries to get around the rules with words that ''imply'' offensive concepts. It's usually obvious when a user is trying to "cheat" the Code of Conduct, so these sorts of names are almost always a waste of time.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* For instance, the name "Adolph Hitler" would definitely be prohibited under the rule against controversial historical figures. However, a name like "A. Dolph Hit L.R." would ''also'' be prohibited, since it's clearly referencing the same person. | #* For instance, the name "Adolph Hitler" would definitely be prohibited under the rule against controversial historical figures. However, a name like "A. Dolph Hit L.R." would ''also'' be prohibited, since it's clearly referencing the same person. | ||
#Don't buy or sell Gamertags. No matter what Gamertag you use, make sure it's your own. The buying and selling of Gamertags is against the XBox Live Code of Conduct. In these cases, both the seller and the buyer may be subject to penalties or bans. | #Don't buy or sell Gamertags. No matter what Gamertag you use, make sure it's your own. The buying and selling of Gamertags is against the XBox Live Code of Conduct. In these cases, both the seller and the buyer may be subject to penalties or bans. | ||
