Character Names

[BMac]

It's using a second-order Markov chain model built from the list of characters in the game, so it's trying to mimic the structure of the names in the game, in terms of what characters usually follow certain other characters.

 

The one I got a couple times while testing was 'Car' 

[BrainMuncher]

You should add it to the game. It's good enough.

 

 

Teenage Mutant Ninja Commando 3
PGA Golf Master Pro Baseball
Hello Kitty: Garden Wars
Disney's Chicken Pirates Plund-Arrr
The Legend of Eroticism

So is Obsidian's next kickstarter any of these?

[tdphys]

It's using a second-order Markov chain model built from the list of characters in the game, so it's trying to mimic the structure of the names in the game, in terms of what characters usually follow certain other characters.

 

The one I got a couple times while testing was 'Car' 

 

 

Yeah,  I think that the 3 letter state space is probably fairly small ...  How does the 2nd letter in the word get picked?  I'm assuming since there's not two previous states (characters)  the engine defaults to a first order chain then?

 

Or, I guess you could start with random two letters...

 

So when do we get a markov-chain based AI?

Edited January 30, 2015 by tdphys

[Osvir]

For fun, I added an Eternity option to my random name generator.  It'll give you some mishmash of a name based on the names of the characters in the game, which might not be good if you care about the particulars of the individual cultures.  Also, you might end up with the name of an actual character in the game, which would be awkward when meeting them (that's fairly unlikely, though).

This. Is. Amazing.

 

Thank you :D :D is this something you consider having in-game (expansive or vanilla?) or is it going to be out-of-game (Browser based on your random generator, as is, basically). Can there be a link or similar in-game in character creator (a tooltip perhaps a la "Having trouble coming up with a name? Check this link!")?

 

EDIT: Also, if meeting someone with the same name that wouldn't be awkward really. Unless it is a world where everyone has a unique name, if I'd name my main character "Edér" I can easily abstract it as "It's not a super rare and unique name that there's only 1 unique Edér".

 

Storywise though, I get it. In books and stories there's almost never more than 1 of [Name] as it gets easier for the reader to distuingish who is who.

 

In Baldur's Gate & Baldur's Gate 2, though, I thought it was more infuriating to meet a character with the same portrait (which often resulted in a reset/new character/start from beginning, during my early days & my first impressions of the titles).

 

A face is unique, a name is often not.

Edited January 30, 2015 by Osvir

[Karkarov]

For fun, I added an Eternity option to my random name generator.  It'll give you some mishmash of a name based on the names of the characters in the game, which might not be good if you care about the particulars of the individual cultures.  Also, you might end up with the name of an actual character in the game, which would be awkward when meeting them (that's fairly unlikely, though).

I just ran the video game name generator and got: NFL GameDay 2000 Series Baseball 2K12.  I laughed for a good three minutes, I give this word generator thing the Karky Stamp of Approval!

[Endrosz]

It's using a second-order Markov chain model built from the list of characters in the game, so it's trying to mimic the structure of the names in the game, in terms of what characters usually follow certain other characters.

 

The one I got a couple times while testing was 'Car' 

 

You get 1000D20 geek points for knowing what a Markov chain is, and using it build a name generator. I'm impressed. Also, I got:

 

Dragon Age: The Game -- Imagine a DA that is actually a game, instead of just a cutscene connector!

[sikanauta]

Oh great. Now my life isn't complete until I've played Strip Poker & Order: Dead or Nothing.

[Lord Wafflebum]

Thankfully I was born with the unmatchable name of Lord Carlos Wafflebum, Fanciest of Fancy-Men.

[Lephys]

Methinks Count Francis Fancyman would beg to differ, u_u...

[Lord Wafflebum]

Methinks Count Francis Fancyman would beg to differ, u_u...

Bah, I doubt you know how to tell the difference between a salad fork and a dessert fork, you barbarian.

[Lephys]

Bah, I doubt you know how to tell the difference between a salad fork and a dessert fork, you barbarian.

Not only do I know this, but I've invented and hand-crafted no fewer than 7 other types of fork. All meals at my estate are served with 9 forks and a complimentary monocle, 6_u...

[Shallow]

It's using a second-order Markov chain model built from the list of characters in the game, so it's trying to mimic the structure of the names in the game, in terms of what characters usually follow certain other characters.

 

The one I got a couple times while testing was 'Car' 

One of the names i got was Wrd, pretty cool thing though.

[Lord Wafflebum]

 

Bah, I doubt you know how to tell the difference between a salad fork and a dessert fork, you barbarian.

Not only do I know this, but I've invented and hand-crafted no fewer than 7 other types of fork. All meals at my estate are served with 9 forks and a complimentary monocle, 6_u...

 

You work with your hands? Your own hands? Is that not what servants are for? Fancy men cannot risk sullying their own hands for such trifles. Nine forks would be a ghastly breach of polite protocol, but at least you attempt to make up for your barbaric dining practices by supplying monocles. Next thing you'll tell me, you entertain folk that work AND eat with their hands!

[Magnificate]

BTW, any suggestion for an Elven Ranger with particular dislike towards ogres? Perhaps in the 'Name the Nickname' format?

[Lord Wafflebum]

BTW, any suggestion for an Elven Ranger with particular dislike towards ogres? Perhaps in the 'Name the Nickname' format?

Dora the Explorer

[BlueLion]

BTW, any suggestion for an Elven Ranger with particular dislike towards ogres? Perhaps in the 'Name the Nickname' format?

 

Alaana 'Ogre Bane'

[charms]

I played around with the Rinkworks fantasy name generator for a half hour and whipped up a Rauatai proper noun generator. Many of them will look strange, but if you press F5 enough you should eventually see "Kana", "Rua", "Rauatai", "Aumaua", and "Mahoa" show up, so it'll come up with names that are consistent to the setting at least some of the time.

[Messier-31]

I have a set of names that I use interchangably. Coming up with a brand new name that isn't weak nor cliche, that's a chore.

[BMac]

I played around with the Rinkworks fantasy name generator for a half hour and whipped up a Rauatai proper noun generator. Many of them will look strange, but if you press F5 enough you should eventually see "Kana", "Rua", "Rauatai", "Aumaua", and "Mahoa" show up, so it'll come up with names that are consistent to the setting at least some of the time.

That's a neat site.  My next Aumaua character shall be 'Mo'. 

[Lephys]

You work with your hands? Your own hands? Is that not what servants are for? Fancy men cannot risk sullying their own hands for such trifles. Nine forks would be a ghastly breach of polite protocol, but at least you attempt to make up for your barbaric dining practices by supplying monocles. Next thing you'll tell me, you entertain folk that work AND eat with their hands!

... I take it you don't refer to your entire estate as "I"? So sorry for the confusion.

[ManifestedISO]

 

You work with your hands? Your own hands? Is that not what servants are for? Fancy men cannot risk sullying their own hands for such trifles. Nine forks would be a ghastly breach of polite protocol, but at least you attempt to make up for your barbaric dining practices by supplying monocles. Next thing you'll tell me, you entertain folk that work AND eat with their hands!

... I take it you don't refer to your entire estate as "I"? So sorry for the confusion.

 

 

I work with my hands. I feel pretty fancy. Occasionally possibly almost dandy. It gives me strong forearms and a confidence I have yet to find for sale anywhere.

[Lord Wafflebum]

 

You work with your hands? Your own hands? Is that not what servants are for? Fancy men cannot risk sullying their own hands for such trifles. Nine forks would be a ghastly breach of polite protocol, but at least you attempt to make up for your barbaric dining practices by supplying monocles. Next thing you'll tell me, you entertain folk that work AND eat with their hands!

... I take it you don't refer to your entire estate as "I"? So sorry for the confusion.

 

I prefer to clearly separate myself from my lessers. Your apologies are a reflection of your graciousness. You have truly exquisite manners.

 

 

I work with my hands. I feel pretty fancy. Occasionally possibly almost dandy. It gives me strong forearms and a confidence I have yet to find for sale anywhere.

 

I would wager your clothing is stained with sweat. Shameful, really. Lephys and I have people that work our muscles for us. Fancy men cannot be bothered with sweating.