Fractal Softworks Forum

Starsector => Suggestions => Topic started by: Wyvern on January 04, 2013, 06:29:05 PM

Title: The Name of the Game
Post by: Wyvern on January 04, 2013, 06:29:05 PM
So, if you were picking out a new name for StarFarerSector, what would it be, and why?

I'd be inclined to go with something like Fractal Stars, just for the symmetry with the software company name, but I'm sure some of you can come up with better.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: CrashToDesktop on January 04, 2013, 06:50:25 PM
Starscape?  I'm pretty sure that's the name of another game, but that's what comes to mind.  Anyways, Fractal Stars is kind of awkward to say.

Maybe Star Works?  Hm.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: jhb on January 04, 2013, 06:50:50 PM
Starfighter, in order to keep the SF acronym.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: K-64 on January 04, 2013, 06:53:35 PM
If keeping it Starfarer was a choice, I'd go with that :P
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: CrashToDesktop on January 04, 2013, 06:55:29 PM
It's the shock of seeing that starfarer is not starsector.  If Alex had announced he was going to change it, I think it would have gone much more smoothly.  Maybe because we didn't have a chance to state what we thought before it happened?
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: K-64 on January 04, 2013, 06:56:52 PM
I wouldn't be so sure on that. I've given my reasons for preferring it in the patchnotes, so I'll just keep it at that
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: CrashToDesktop on January 04, 2013, 07:08:37 PM
Well, I'm over it now that I played campaign for a few minutes.  Just as enjoyable. :)
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: FlashFrozen on January 04, 2013, 07:09:04 PM
Just to get the cheese out of the way, Starwalker! (snicker)

Starworks
StarCruiser
StarGazers

Idk, I personally don't mind name changes too much unless it becomes habitual :P
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: K-64 on January 04, 2013, 07:19:32 PM
It's not a massive issue. If it was, I'd be a bit more vocal about it :P
Just a mere preference for the old name is all
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: PCCL on January 04, 2013, 07:26:52 PM
Maybe Hastaeus or permutations thereof (Sector Hastaeus, Hastaeus' fall, etc.) Googled Hastaeus and the first thing that came up is starfarersector's lore page so it's at least fairly original... Maybe give the name a bit more significance, like name the sector after it or something


otherwise something else lore related, brainstorming here:

Cycle 206
Spoiler
when the game is set
[close]

[sector's name]
Spoiler
Alex came up with some good names (Corvus, Exar, Selenius, Itos, Verdaria, Hastaeus), why not a new one like that? Or just make any of those the name of the sector and, by extension, the game
[close]

Frontiers lost/Frontier's fall
Spoiler
they're on the final frontier (space) and they're lost/falling
[close]


end of paradise/fallen paradise
Spoiler
taken from this line from the state of affairs: "No one knows for sure what caused the end of this paradise." Seems kinda apt
[close]

of vultures and vermins
Spoiler
kinda captures the feel of the setting... maybe if it's changed to somehow imply that this thing is in space it would be a little better...
[close]
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 04, 2013, 07:37:04 PM
Just to be sure everyone in here knows, the name Starsector is "very much final". So all discussions are hypothetical.

Anyway, I always liked one word names. Is there a game named "Space" yet?^^
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Axiege on January 04, 2013, 09:32:46 PM
Why is it very much final? Starsector is so enormously generic. Starfarer had it all right in the name, it's set in space, and you fare (tavel) across it, but more than that, it showed the game was about you and your decisions and how they affect the sector. That is an interesting game, unlike one that sounds like it's about a... uhhmm... sector. Also, Starfarer works as one word, especially in the context, Starsector just looks like you forgot to hit the space bar. Thisisonewordnowbecausetherearenospaces. I'm sorry for the harsh criticism, but despite the game being the same, and other people saying it isn't a big issue, it definitely is a big issue. First impressions are supremely important, and this gives the game, imo, a horrible and dull one. It only upsets me because I love the game, and wish to see it succeed, as we all, including Alex of course, do...

I don't have any of my own ideas for a different name right now, but I'll definitely be coming back when I do.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: mendonca on January 05, 2013, 01:38:14 AM
Starfighter, in order to keep the SF acronym.

You can't have Starfighter, that's the name of a pen 'n paper RPG me and my brother made when we were 14 years old! :D
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Faiter119 on January 05, 2013, 01:43:26 AM
Why did the name have to change anyways? Did someone claim the name? http://www.starfarer.com ?

Or was it because Alex wanted to?
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: sirboomalot on January 05, 2013, 02:22:27 AM
It might have something to do with a game called starfare, but I don't know for sure.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: harrumph on January 05, 2013, 03:46:19 AM
Quote
What's Starsector? it is nor ship, nor crew,
Nor drones, nor space, nor autopulse lasers
Belonging to a game. O, be some other name!
What's in a name? That which we call "Harpoon"
By any other name would hit as hard;
So Starsector would, were it not Starsector call'd,
Retain that dear perfection which it owes
Without that title.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Cycerin on January 05, 2013, 04:11:02 AM
I'd have liked to see a more bookish title, like Fall of the Domain or The Last Sector or something. Since you were changing it anyway. But I understand that you wouldn't want to break from the previous title in a too drastic manner.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: jimy on January 05, 2013, 04:27:20 AM
Why did the name have to change anyways? Did someone claim the name? http://www.starfarer.com ?

Or was it because Alex wanted to?

Oh god this site again...
The first time I accidently went there I thought it's an ad for a strange space-fetish "escort" service.

Quote from: Website
More fun than most web sites allow

Wtf?
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sordid on January 05, 2013, 04:45:33 AM
Yeah... Starfarer was of course a play on wayfarer, which immediately created associations and mental images of journeys into the (final) frontier, voyages into the unknown undertaken by ships with no base to operate from, wandering the stars and scavenging what they need, more jury-rigged than properly maintained. It had a Firefly-esque vibe to it. The new name lacks that completely.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: K-64 on January 05, 2013, 08:22:21 AM
Giving more thought about it, with the fluff and the state of the galaxy, Shattered Domain would be a good sounding title for it, I would think.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Andy H.K. on January 05, 2013, 10:10:38 AM
It might have something to do with a game called starfare, but I don't know for sure.
There is a board game named "Starfarers of Catan", I suppose that's the reason for the name change.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: BillyRueben on January 05, 2013, 01:18:27 PM
Shattered Domain

Would've been a good name. Pointless to discuss since the name change is final.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Axiege on January 05, 2013, 01:42:35 PM
Would've been a good name. Pointless to discuss since the name change is final.

I still haven't gotten a reason WHY the name change is final, and even if there is a good one, the new name stinks, so hopefully it can be changed still. But that can't happen if people are giving up, and just accepting the new name because we've been told there's no other choice.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: mendonca on January 05, 2013, 02:22:13 PM
Would've been a good name. Pointless to discuss since the name change is final.

I still haven't gotten a reason WHY the name change is final, and even if there is a good one, the new name stinks, so hopefully it can be changed still. But that can't happen if people are giving up, and just accepting the new name because we've been told there's no other choice.

There may be a good reason for not telling us any more than 'business reasons'. In my experience it's not in Alex's nature to do something for no good reason, or deliberately ignore the community, so if you don't get any response on this my advice would just be to let it lie.

We aren't owed a reason, really. The developer's need to act in the best interests of the game, and if they don't, ultimately they will be the ones with the problem!

My own personal feeling is that there is no objective difference between either name, only one that we know to be 'our game', and one that is foreign.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: CrashToDesktop on January 05, 2013, 02:28:15 PM
If would've been nice if he'd informed us instead of just renaming the game with the patch. :/ I think that's what got us all.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Verrius on January 05, 2013, 02:46:15 PM
Although it's not entirely untrue though that a name could sell copies, can anyone honestly think of a name so awesome that it was the sole determining factor, or even a significant factor, in you buying it? Was "Starfarer" actually so great that you wouldn't have bought it if it was originally named "Starsector?"

The important thing is that you don't have a stupid name. For example, if your name was something ridiculous like, iunno, "Space Pirates and Zombies," then there might be some people who shun your game and you might lose a few sales. But Starsector won't cost the game anything. Because it isn't weird. It is to us, but not to new customers. They won't give half a darn.

Starfarer wasn't really all THAT unique anyway.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 05, 2013, 02:48:32 PM
I agree that it is mostly a matter of getting used to it. All this concern that Starsector doesn't work phonetically, makes no sense or doesn't fit seems more of a symptom of the astonishment caused by the name change than a real issue.

I mean, how often do you think or talk about the linguistic elegance or the contentual appropriateness of some games name? For me this is a first.

And it is not even unfitting, the game is about the "Sector" after all. If you as the Starfarer or the Sector as a living, breathing game world will be the main protagonist of the game is not yet to see (and may be up to interpretation).


BTW, do we really need two threads about this?

Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Upgradecap on January 05, 2013, 02:49:13 PM
No, but the name fitted the setting better, don't you agree, verrius? The name also summarised the prospect of the game better too.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Verrius on January 05, 2013, 02:57:14 PM
No, but the name fitted the setting better, don't you agree, verrius? The name also summarised the prospect of the game better too.
In a sense, perhaps it did. Depending on how you look at it.

All these meanings derived from the titles "Starfarer" and "Starsector" are all mostly what people feel personally. like Gothars said, Starsector is very fitting in the sense that the game takes place in one sector of space.

To somebody just picking up the game, these things are meaningless anyway. This isn't a book where people are going to be scrutinizing every little bit of symbolism and meaning a century down the line.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hadesian on January 05, 2013, 03:14:35 PM
TB's video is outdated now, with the name changed :/
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: ValkyriaL on January 05, 2013, 03:22:32 PM
That video is so extremely outdated, might as well replace it with a video from either Faiter or Axiege or any other video maker here on the forum.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: MrDavidoff on January 05, 2013, 03:37:02 PM
I would just like to make a sad panda here, because my topic about puppies, mr.  pavlov..
and bad(good actually) memory..
got closed, because somebody had to overtake it and complain about the games name..

Sheeesh.

RIP (http://fractalsoftworks.com/forum/index.php?topic=5263.0)
 ::) :D
 

Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: David on January 05, 2013, 03:48:54 PM
I'll be as roundabout as possible with this.

- "Starsector" is the best compromise between a new name and something close to the original. And coming up with a name within a reasonable timeline.

- It is true that changing the name of an established game causes confusion to fans and w/ regard to past promotion and publicity of the game (eg. various game news sites, TB's video). The cost of doing this has to be weighed against the alternative. I'll say, Alex's whole approach to development shows that he never does anything lightly, doesn't make promises he can't be absolutely sure he can keep, and so on in that spirit*. He's a bit like a wizard. A space wizard, perhaps. With terrible Space Powers largely to do with developing excellent games sold at very reasonable prices.

Confirmed: Space wizard character skill in next release.

* I, on the other hand, have no such compunction so I can just make up random stuff as I go along.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: CrashToDesktop on January 05, 2013, 03:58:09 PM
Wait, what?

Oh, that's just you. ;D LOL
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 05, 2013, 04:01:26 PM
Confirmed: Space wizard character skill in next release.

* I, on the other hand, have no such compunction so I can just make up random stuff as I go along.

You a certainly quick to prove your lack of compunction* ;)


*word added to vocabulary
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Wyvern on January 05, 2013, 04:20:38 PM
So, to sum up what we know:

1: As posted by David, Alex doesn't do things lightly, is usually very open about why changes were made, etc.
2: Several people have asked why.  We haven't gotten an answer.

Conclusion: Whatever caused the name change, it's something where giving us the reason why is worse than allowing rampant speculation and conspiracy theories.

Conspiracy Theory: Therefore, the name change is obviously due to some sort of legal shenanigans.  It can't be a simple cease-and-desist order, since he could tell us about that.  Therefore, the name change & resulting silence must be related to some form of Non-Disclosure Agreement.  Therefore, obviously, Valve is trying to buy Fractal Softworks, but required the name to be changed so as to not conflict with their own super-secret project, coincidentally also named Starfarer.

Footnote: The above is a deliberately ludicrous conspiracy theory, and should be taken for comic value, rather than as a serious attempt to explain the name change.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Upgradecap on January 05, 2013, 04:50:21 PM
To continue on Wyvern's conspiracy theory:

Valve decides to replace alex with their own professional dev team and make starfarer a 3D based game.


In all seriousness, what really bogs me is why the secrecy surrounding the name change? Why not just openly tell us what really happened? Gee, you guys are making it sound like you found the fountain of youth or something. This furthermore fuels rampant speculation (and i am completely with justin here, i think the name is awful. And if this is because of legal shenanigans (and if you had the name domain before them) you could force them to change name)
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: jimy on January 05, 2013, 05:07:28 PM
I can actually, though I don't like the name, live with it.
But I can't live without information WHY the name was changed.

I'm an Information Monster NOM NOM NOM NOM!
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: sirboomalot on January 05, 2013, 05:21:25 PM
Obviously Alex was murdered by a changeling which took his place to change the name of the game without telling anybody why. Such devious creatures...
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: BillyRueben on January 05, 2013, 05:26:30 PM
But that can't happen if people are giving up, and just accepting the new name because we've been told there's no other choice.

Um, yeah, actually it can.

A) This is real life. No matter how bad you want things not to change, you can't always stop them.
B) A developer doesn't change the name of his game he has poured his soul in to on a whim, so there is almost certainly a good reason for the name change.
C) There are many people asking why, and Alex is clearly ignoring the question. Stop asking, you aren't going to get an answer.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 05, 2013, 05:47:29 PM
A) This is real life.

Gamers, just changed a name,
Put a pen against its font,
Scratched it through-uh, now its gone.
Gamers, its life had just begun,
But now I've gone and thrown it all away.
Gamers, ooh,
Didn't mean to make you cry,
If its not back again this time tomorrow,
Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters.

*outofhere*

Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hairrorist on January 05, 2013, 05:48:08 PM
dont aks NE qeustions kk b/c don't LOL

itz ben like 4 hrs n no anser so obv u shud stop aksing LOL
b/c no 1 ever decides 2 anser somtehing aftir its is aksed by they customirz agin so u r gay if u keep aksing! LOL!
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: jimy on January 05, 2013, 06:15:07 PM
dont aks NE qeustions kk b/c don't LOL

itz ben like 4 hrs n no anser so obv u shud stop aksing LOL
b/c no 1 ever decides 2 anser somtehing aftir its is aksed by they customirz agin so u r gay if u keep aksing! LOL!

ARGH! IT'S TRYING TO EAT ME! :(
Help!
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: BillyRueben on January 05, 2013, 06:23:50 PM
A) This is real life.

Gamers, just changed a name,
Put a pen against its font,
Scratched it through-uh, now its gone.
Gamers, its life had just begun,
But now I've gone and thrown it all away.
Gamers, ooh,
Didn't mean to make you cry,
If its not back again this time tomorrow,
Carry on, carry on as if nothing really matters.

*outofhere*



Anyone can see
Nothing really matters to me.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sordid on January 05, 2013, 06:58:50 PM
- "Starsector" is the best compromise between a new name and something close to the original. And coming up with a name within a reasonable timeline.

Does either of those things really matter? I'd even go so far as to say that deliberately picking a similar name makes it feel a bit... cheap. Fake. Like Abibas or Niko shoes. Like it's trying to retain a bit of an identity that it's not allowed to have. It's trying and failing to be something it isn't rather than having an identity of its own. IMO a completely dissimilar name would've been a better choice for this reason.
And does the game really need a new name right now? Can't it just have a development name, like Project SF or something, until a suitable name is found?
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Axiege on January 05, 2013, 07:03:21 PM
But that can't happen if people are giving up, and just accepting the new name because we've been told there's no other choice.

Um, yeah, actually it can.

A) This is real life. No matter how bad you want things not to change, you can't always stop them.
B) A developer doesn't change the name of his game he has poured his soul in to on a whim, so there is almost certainly a good reason for the name change.
C) There are many people asking why, and Alex is clearly ignoring the question. Stop asking, you aren't going to get an answer.


I don't think you understand what I was saying. I was saying there is no chance the name could be changed again if people are giving up and just accepting the new name, which is obviously true... I'm not sure where I was unclear. Even the out of context quote doesn't make it sound like I was saying what you are suggesting I was. Also, I forgot I was in real life.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 05, 2013, 07:36:08 PM
I don't think you understand what I was saying. I was saying there is no chance the name could be changed again if people are giving up and just accepting the new name, which is obviously true... I'm not sure where I was unclear.

Yes, true. If you say something has no chance of happening if we give up, you are however implying that there is a chance if we do not give up. This chance does not exist (BillyRueben listed some reasons), so "not giving up" would unfortunately result in nothing but prolonged commotion in the forum.

Its natural that you (and everyone who dislikes the new name) have to vent your frustration, but I'd say that has happened now. Going on about it can only lead to trouble, and as I see you that cannot be your intention :)

Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hairrorist on January 05, 2013, 07:53:35 PM
I hate the new name.  But that's totally beside the point... Alex can call the game whatever the hell he wants.  I'd still like the game if it was called "Go Eat a Bowl of Dicks Hairrorist."  Still a fun game that reminds me of Escape Velocity with way better mechanics.

But doesn't the abrupt change make you curious?  I'd love to hear the story.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: ArkAngel on January 06, 2013, 08:14:53 AM
Let the rampant speculation begin!  :P
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gabrybbo on January 06, 2013, 09:36:40 AM
The Illuminati did it.

DUN DUN DUUUUUN.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: naufrago on January 06, 2013, 12:47:11 PM
Well, clearly Alex decided he wanted to rewrite the game to include multiplayer, but he had repeatedly stated that Starfarer would never have multiplayer. Obviously, he couldn't go back on his word, so he changed the name instead. Now he's able to stick to his word and he's free to implement multiplayer into Starsector! Hooray!

Clever man, that Alex.


EDIT: (For future reference, my explanation for the name change is a joke. I didn't realize this disclaimer was necessary. Thought it was readily apparent.)
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: ValkyriaL on January 06, 2013, 12:54:54 PM
Well. neither Starsector nor Starfarer would get multiplayer, because it just wouldn't work, I like Starsector the way it is now except the name which ain't really a big deal. but if he implements it anyway, I'm fine with that.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: DelicateTask on January 06, 2013, 01:38:35 PM
Well, clearly Alex decided he wanted to rewrite the game to include multiplayer, but he had repeatedly stated that Starfarer would never have multiplayer. Obviously, he couldn't go back on his word, so he changed the name instead. Now he's able to stick to his word and he's free to implement multiplayer into Starsector! Hooray!
LOL

Well played. That got a good laugh out of me. And as much as I may dislike the current name of the game, I'm not going to get bent out of shape about it. On release, I will simply make myself a mod that changes every instance and graphic of Starsector to Starfarer. Perhaps Alex can't sell it as Starfarer for whatever reason, but there's no copyright law preventing me from changing the name on my personal copy. And even if the graphics change, I have the Starfarer font on my computer and have figured out how to remake the logo by hand!

And no matter what, I love this game as a game, not a name.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: ValkyriaL on January 06, 2013, 04:40:30 PM
Well holy ****, Gothars became a moderator, as it was destined.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hadesian on January 07, 2013, 11:55:18 AM
Let the rampant speculation begin!  :P
Already tons of it.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sordid on January 07, 2013, 12:57:23 PM
You are however implying that there is a chance if we do not give up. This chance does not exist.

With all due respect, you don't know that. The name was chosen by a person, people are known to be able to change their minds. You're just saying that to make people stop talking about it. If that's what you want, just say it plainly. Don't dress it up along the lines of "I'm trying to silence you for your own good, to save you the frustration of nothing coming out of this discussion". We're not idiots, please don't treat us as such.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: ArkAngel on January 07, 2013, 01:08:02 PM
Well holy ****, Gothars became a moderator, as it was destined.
And so it began, with his new found power, he crush the repeated threads! 100 years of peace shall start!
Let the rampant speculation begin!  :P
Already tons of it.
I know right? Curiosity killed the cat but people seem to think the human lived.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 07, 2013, 01:29:02 PM
You are however implying that there is a chance if we do not give up. This chance does not exist.

With all due respect, you don't know that. The name was chosen by a person, people are known to be able to change their minds. You're just saying that to make people stop talking about it. If that's what you want, just say it plainly. Don't dress it up along the lines of "I'm trying to silence you for your own good, to save you the frustration of nothing coming out of this discussion". We're not idiots, please don't treat us as such.

Mh. If the good of the forum is just a dress up, what do you think my "real" motivation is for saying that? oO

That the name will never change is of course not cut in stone, but it is certain enough to call it final. Again, there are good reasons to believe so, many of which are listed in this thread. It's absolutely OK to talk about the name change, there's just no good in obsessing about it.

And even if it the possibility of change was realistic, already a lot of development time has been lost to changing everything to the current name. At least I personally would not want even more time spent on changing all banners, logos and mentions of the name again, time that could be used to improve the actual content of the game.

Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hadesian on January 07, 2013, 02:02:17 PM
Let the rampant speculation begin!  :P
Already tons of it.
I know right? Curiosity killed the cat but people seem to think the human lived.

All on the Starfarer Skype Chat.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sordid on January 07, 2013, 02:32:38 PM
Mh. If the good of the forum is just a dress up, what do you think my "real" motivation is for saying that? oO

I don't think the good of the forum is the same thing as the good of the forum users. I've been around a lot of forums and quite a few mods seem to desperately want a really nice, tidy forum, to the point where they go around shutting down threads for no other reason that they's a lot of activity in them, usually accompanying their actions by some *** excuse along the lines of "there's no point in discussing this". Which kinda completely misses the point of a forum and also the fact that there's no point in discussing anything on the internet. I may have overreacted a bit in my previous post, and for that I apologize. I'd just hate to see such things happen here, and it looked a bit like that's where things might be going. Again, sorry. It's a matter of opinion, but personally I'd rather have a lively but messy forum than a tidy and boring one.

Quote
That the name will never change is of course not cut in stone, but it is certain enough to call it final. Again, there are good reasons to believe so, many of which are listed in this thread. It's absolutely OK to talk about the name change, there's just no good in obsessing about it.

And even if it the possibility of change was realistic, already a lot of development time has been lost to changing everything to the current name. At least I personally would not want even more time spent on changing all banners, logos and mentions of the name again, time that could be used to improve the actual content of the game.

Fair enough. Though I have to say I think hearing these reasons from Alex himself would help smooth over a lot of the ruffled feathers that this sudden change has caused. I also think that the name is such an important part of the game that it's worth the effort it would take to change it to something better. A lot of reasons for why that should be done are also listed in this thread.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 07, 2013, 03:27:58 PM
Apology accepted :) I get your point and I agree that open discussion is the central point of a forum, no sense in trying to suppress it. I feel the name change is a bit of special issue though, a situation introduced from the outside that is awkward for both the developers and the community.

As said, it is likely Alex does not have the liberty to disclose the exact reason behind this change.




Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: OrangeLima on January 07, 2013, 03:45:00 PM
My brother has a real issue saying the letter "F" so he was over the moon.

Just sayin'
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: C-Station on January 07, 2013, 04:10:13 PM
I'm a little late to the party, but this new name does fit the lore really well. After all this is a sector that was cut off from the main civilization. So it is not the end of the world I guess.

I hope it is not a copyright issue because that would be really sad, but if it is to fit the theme of the game better so be it.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: CrashToDesktop on January 07, 2013, 04:11:03 PM
Well, after multiple systems gets introduced, "Starsector" will no long fit according to us. ;D
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 07, 2013, 04:18:28 PM
Well, after multiple systems gets introduced, "Starsector" will no long fit according to us. ;D

The Sector will be the entire game world, including all star systems.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sordid on January 07, 2013, 04:30:05 PM
As said, it is likely Alex does not have the liberty to disclose the exact reason behind this change.

Eh, I have a hard time buying that. Oh well.
I still think the name's not very good, though. Apart from the other things I mentioned, it doesn't really strike me as an appropriate designation for an area of space. It kinda sounds like it refers to a part of the surface of a star. Or maybe a person who sections stars.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 07, 2013, 04:36:46 PM
It's not a new term in scifi.

Startrek:
Quote
In stellar cartography a sector, also referred to as a star sector or space sector, is a large region of space. Sectors are composed of an area and volume encompassing several light years and typically contain several star systems. The system sectors and their numbering was used by United Earth, Vulcans and other spacefaring races at least by the 22nd century.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Andy H.K. on January 07, 2013, 08:01:43 PM
As said, it is likely Alex does not have the liberty to disclose the exact reason behind this change.

Eh, I have a hard time buying that. Oh well.
I still think the name's not very good, though. Apart from the other things I mentioned, it doesn't really strike me as an appropriate designation for an area of space. It kinda sounds like it refers to a part of the surface of a star. Or maybe a person who sections stars.

Well then can you suggest a better "Star*****er" name? Because the way I see it this name is good enough and I myself have no better idea. I do like "Starfarer" better, for nostalgic reason, but Starsector is good enough. Seeing that there is a board game with extremely similar name out there... I suppose....

In the mean time, these weird "name suggestions" keep popping up in my head:

True Crime: Corvus o_O
Call of Lud: Modern Starfare -_-
Hegemony VS Tri-Tachyon DX Turbo ~_~
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hairrorist on January 07, 2013, 08:35:14 PM
The thing is, Goth, why ask people to stop asking and say it will have no effect when you go on to say that you're just working on that assumption?  Using the language of probablies and likelies while demanding that people stop asking because they're doing no good on account of forementioned probablies and likelies is beyond bizarre.

No one is saying anything beyond "I liked the old name more" and "I wonder why this happened so suddenly, I hope Alex can say why?
To which I would add--I hope Alex would say that he' s not able to disclose the story if that is the case.  While discussing reasoning is often against terms of an NDA, as is disclosing that an NDA is in place, I've never encountered one that stipulates that a developer may not say "I can't discuss that" without mentioning that the reason is one of the terms of a confidentiality agreement.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Alex on January 07, 2013, 09:43:48 PM
Guys, let me put it this way - the specifics of the Business Reasons are not something I will discuss, and further, the name change is absolutely final.

My apologies if the above comes across as too curt.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: 736b on January 07, 2013, 10:34:38 PM
That's too bad, I'm really curious why the change was necessary.
Can you tell us why you can't tell us why you had to change it?
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Gothars on January 07, 2013, 10:51:56 PM
No one is saying anything beyond "I liked the old name more" and "I wonder why this happened so suddenly, I hope Alex can say why?

I was specifically reacting to the appeal of "not giving up [to protest the namechange]" earlier in the thread.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hairrorist on January 08, 2013, 12:34:40 AM
Not at all too curt--I'm a firm believer that people appreciate finality regardless of whether they like the content of the answer.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sordid on January 08, 2013, 10:43:51 AM
Well then can you suggest a better "Star*****er" name?

I already explained in one of my earlier posts why I don't think a "Star-anything" name is a good idea.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Wyvern on January 08, 2013, 11:58:40 AM
Guys, let me put it this way - the specifics of the Business Reasons are not something I will discuss, and further, the name change is absolutely final.

My apologies if the above comes across as too curt.

Thank you; I at least, appreciate getting a "will not answer this" much more than arguably ambiguous silence.

And, as others have mentioned, I don't really care what the name is; if the game is good, you could call it "Battle of the Space-going Fruitcakes (BotSgF for short)" or whatever, and... well, ok, I'd still complain, but I still wouldn't consider it important - this is likely to be my last post on the topic.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hairrorist on January 08, 2013, 06:14:34 PM
Star****er is already a copyrighted song by NIN, so he'd run into the same issues there as well.

Mwaha.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: WarStalkeR on January 08, 2013, 10:25:29 PM
If name change was some copyright issue, I'm sure, pretty soon we will know about reason for it, because eventually someone will start digging for information and eventually will know who forced Alex to change the game. It can be weeks, it can be months, it can be entire year, but it will happen.

To continue conspiracy theory and make this thread less depressing. Here is possible list of those, who could act behind the scenes or from the shadows:
1. Electronic Arts - after all they destroy game development studios, maybe they aimed at this studio?
2. Acitvision - well, they destroy game genres, maybe they want to end space top-down 2d once and for all?
3. Square Enix - they ruin every game, they get their hands on. Maybe they wanted to turn Starfarer in to anime?
4. Blizzard - they like making Diablo series. Maybe they wanted to make Diablo in Space and Starfarer is good basis for it?
5. Valve - they like making Half-Life series. And Starfarer is what they need to show how awful war can be between Humans & Combine.
6. FBI - maybe Fox Mulder and Dana Scully found that Alex have something to do with Aliens, that visit our planet quite often?
7. KGB - maybe comrade Putin have some personal grudge against Starfarer?
8. Scotland Yard - maybe they found some impossible and inexistent connections that brought them to Starfarer?
9. The Illuminati - they was bored, so they manipulated copyright and entire countries just for lulz?

P.S. Starsector is quite suitable name for this game, so I actually like it.
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: 736b on January 09, 2013, 08:17:20 AM
2. Acitvision - well, they destroy game genres, maybe they want to end space top-down 2d once and for all?
4. Blizzard - they like making Diablo series. Maybe they wanted to make Diablo in Space and Starfarer is good basis for it?
That's the same company, Activision Blizzard, Inc. And if they did like making Diablo, they wouldn't have done this crappy Diablo 3 (thank goodness I bought Torchlight 2 instead).
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sproginator on January 09, 2013, 08:23:24 AM
Guys, See this bit:
 |
\ /

Guys, let me put it this way - the specifics of the Business Reasons are not something I will discuss, and further, the name change is absolutely final.

Let's just leave it at that, Quit the arguing over petty things and look to the future of this awesome game :)
I suggest a moderator lock this topic now :)
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: hairrorist on January 09, 2013, 08:59:58 AM
No one got my joke :(
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Rowanas on January 09, 2013, 09:13:40 AM
I'm never deleting 54 from my computer though. I'll always have that last version that was still Starfarer! Viva la Resistance!
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Sproginator on January 09, 2013, 09:20:04 AM
You should back it up, just in case
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: Alex on January 09, 2013, 09:51:03 AM
Let's just leave it at that, Quit the arguing over petty things and look to the future of this awesome game :)
I suggest a moderator lock this topic now :)

I don't think that'd be appropriate. I'm glad this thread is here, and am grateful that people care enough about the game to be affected by the change. Besides, sweeping things under the rug doesn't seem healthy.

No one got my joke :(

Well, I got it :)
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: arcibalde on January 09, 2013, 09:56:21 AM
I'm never deleting 54 from my computer though. I'll always have that last version that was still Starfarer! Viva la Resistance!
Heh i have:

starfarer_install-0.35a-pre-RC2
starfarer_install-0.5a-pre-RC3
starfarer_install-0.51a-RC3
starfarer_install-0.52.1a-RC4
starfarer_install-0.52a-RC2
starfarer_install-0.53a-RC4
starfarer_install-0.53.1a-RC5
starfarer_install-0.54a-RC4
starfarer_install-0.54a-RC5
starsector_install-0.54.1a-RC2

 ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: The Name of the Game
Post by: WarStalkeR on January 09, 2013, 11:29:08 AM
Same here, I still will install Starsector as Starfarer in folder Starfarer ;D