Profile names for different games

[Goat_DEU]

Many multiplayer games use Steam's profile name and if that's the case, it's not possible to change the name in-game.

I recently rejoined a clan I haven't played for in ages. It's a big clan and it seems to take a while to change my username over there. So for that one game, I have to change to a completely different name. It's a minor issue, but it's bugging me a lot.

Why not have an option in the Steam library game properties to allow a custom profile name while playing a certain game?

[Brian9824]

Publicado originalmente por Start_Running:

Publicado originalmente por cinedine:

No?
The game developers already made a decission to either allow choosing a name, requiring registration on their own services or use a plattform povided name. And frankly, the first I haven't seen in years.

I'm not sure they need to even have their own Service. Technicallly what they're seeing is the Steam UserId #, and pulling the profile name that maps to it. They can implement their own internal server side code to keep a database of Steam IDs and Local Screen names. Some do. Many don't ...the options are available that they do not take those options implies that those options run counter to their desires or goals.

So there's no actual need for Valve to get involved. They have provided the tools for devs to use. Devs are the ones choosing not to use it. Probably because it at least provides some friction versus certain Shenaniganery

I've always been confused by the people that expect Steam to step in and do stuff that the developers of the game have chosen not to implement. I mean its kinda non sensical to expect steam to correct what they feel are poor decisions on the part of the developers.

I mean its not like the developers don't have the option to let the user designate a profile name, they just chose not to.

[Start_Running]

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Publicado originalmente por Start_Running:

I'm not sure they need to even have their own Service. Technicallly what they're seeing is the Steam UserId #, and pulling the profile name that maps to it. They can implement their own internal server side code to keep a database of Steam IDs and Local Screen names. Some do. Many don't ...the options are available that they do not take those options implies that those options run counter to their desires or goals.

So there's no actual need for Valve to get involved. They have provided the tools for devs to use. Devs are the ones choosing not to use it. Probably because it at least provides some friction versus certain Shenaniganery

I've always been confused by the people that expect Steam to step in and do stuff that the developers of the game have chosen not to implement. I mean its kinda non sensical to expect steam to correct what they feel are poor decisions on the part of the developers.

And thats the sort of thing that sours relationships. I mean heck the fact that some games don't even require steam to be launched or played shows quite a bit of 'You do you' on Steams part.

I mean I personally would love this to be a thing. But I know that Steam is ill advised to start dictating to theoir business partners.

[cinedine]

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Publicado originalmente por Start_Running:

I'm not sure they need to even have their own Service. Technicallly what they're seeing is the Steam UserId #, and pulling the profile name that maps to it. They can implement their own internal server side code to keep a database of Steam IDs and Local Screen names. Some do. Many don't ...the options are available that they do not take those options implies that those options run counter to their desires or goals.

So there's no actual need for Valve to get involved. They have provided the tools for devs to use. Devs are the ones choosing not to use it. Probably because it at least provides some friction versus certain Shenaniganery

I've always been confused by the people that expect Steam to step in and do stuff that the developers of the game have chosen not to implement. I mean its kinda non sensical to expect steam to correct what they feel are poor decisions on the part of the developers.

I mean its not like the developers don't have the option to let the user designate a profile name, they just chose not to.

What are you even talking about?!

Maybe re-read the suggestion?
The developers already made a decission to pull the name from Steam.

The sugggestion is to not having to change the display name manually every time before you start the game but have Steam provide a pre-set one.
Which can be useful if you are playing on RP servers or don't have a consistent online name and are known under a different one in another community or sinmply to provide a clan tag.

If the developers have chosen to use a in-game profile name - no changes.
If the developers have chosen to prompt you every time you login - no changes.
If the developers have chosen to use a different service - no change.
If the developers have chosen to use the bloody Windows username - no change.
If the developers have chosen to use the Steam display name - no change. Just a QOL improvement on the user site.

[Goat_DEU]

Publicado originalmente por cinedine:

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

I've always been confused by the people that expect Steam to step in and do stuff that the developers of the game have chosen not to implement. I mean its kinda non sensical to expect steam to correct what they feel are poor decisions on the part of the developers.

I mean its not like the developers don't have the option to let the user designate a profile name, they just chose not to.

What are you even talking about?!

Maybe re-read the suggestion?
The developers already made a decission to pull the name from Steam.

The sugggestion is to not having to change the display name manually every time before you start the game but have Steam provide a pre-set one.
Which can be useful if you are playing on RP servers or don't have a consistent online name and are known under a different one in another community or sinmply to provide a clan tag.

If the developers have chosen to use a in-game profile name - no changes.
If the developers have chosen to prompt you every time you login - no changes.
If the developers have chosen to use a different service - no change.
If the developers have chosen to use the bloody Windows username - no change.
If the developers have chosen to use the Steam display name - no change. Just a QOL improvement on the user site.

Thanks, you seem to be one of the few, maybe even the only one, who actually understands what I'm trying to say xD

[Brian9824]

Publicado originalmente por (WTH) Goat_DEU:

Publicado originalmente por cinedine:

What are you even talking about?!

Maybe re-read the suggestion?
The developers already made a decission to pull the name from Steam.

The sugggestion is to not having to change the display name manually every time before you start the game but have Steam provide a pre-set one.
Which can be useful if you are playing on RP servers or don't have a consistent online name and are known under a different one in another community or sinmply to provide a clan tag.

If the developers have chosen to use a in-game profile name - no changes.
If the developers have chosen to prompt you every time you login - no changes.
If the developers have chosen to use a different service - no change.
If the developers have chosen to use the bloody Windows username - no change.
If the developers have chosen to use the Steam display name - no change. Just a QOL improvement on the user site.

Thanks, you seem to be one of the few, maybe even the only one, who actually understands what I'm trying to say xD

Everyone gets what your saying, its just developers already have the option of allowing you to choose a profile name in game, and many indeed do this.

So if they don't want to give you the ability to change the profile name and create a custom one then its unlikely steam is going to do it as it provides no benefit to steam itself.

I mean even if Steam DID provide the option, its highly likely the developers would need to modify their games to use the new API calls to get the custom profile name for the game, something there isn't even any guarantee of them doing when they could have modified their game in the first place with a spot to put in a custom profile name instead.

It can also be quite more involved as we don't know exactly how the backend works, but again, it boils down to the game developers opting to not to do that, and Steam has no incentive to do something like that.

Something which can be quite dangerous too, as some games you are unable to change your profile name once created, and doing so can cause you to lose all progress and be forced to start over.

[Snapjak]

An additional API call is a lot easier to code in than a prompt for a name which generally requires UI elements and more.

Adding a secondary name for Steam itself would be fairly trivial, along with the extra API call. If devs don't use it they get the normal screen name, not that hard.

Heck you could even make it so that there's no additional call, just override what the game gets if there's a second name entered with a potential "would you like to use this in games" default.

[Brian9824]

Publicado originalmente por Snapjak:

An additional API call is a lot easier to code in than a prompt for a name which generally requires UI elements and more.

Adding a secondary name for Steam itself would be fairly trivial, along with the extra API call. If devs don't use it they get the normal screen name, not that hard.

Heck you could even make it so that there's no additional call, just override what the game gets if there's a second name entered with a potential "would you like to use this in games" default.

The problem is games don't handle it the same way. Some games identify you by Steamid and the profile name cannot be changed once selected. When you have 30,000+ games implementing stuff in their own way doing over-rides and changing API's that are used by them is risky.

So again, the question no one seems able to answer. Why should steam do the work and assume the risk because some developers are too lazy to give people the ability to pick a profile name?

[Goat_DEU]

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Publicado originalmente por (WTH) Goat_DEU:

Thanks, you seem to be one of the few, maybe even the only one, who actually understands what I'm trying to say xD

Everyone gets what your saying, its just developers already have the option of allowing you to choose a profile name in game, and many indeed do this.

So if they don't want to give you the ability to change the profile name and create a custom one then its unlikely steam is going to do it as it provides no benefit to steam itself.

I mean even if Steam DID provide the option, its highly likely the developers would need to modify their games to use the new API calls to get the custom profile name for the game, something there isn't even any guarantee of them doing when they could have modified their game in the first place with a spot to put in a custom profile name instead.

But Steam provides the option to change the profile name! It just has to be done manually. All I'm asking is that the profile name changes to an alternate, which could be typed in in the library's game properties (almost similar to the launch options we have already) prior to launching the game. I don't think the game developers even notice the difference.

[Brian9824]

Publicado originalmente por (WTH) Goat_DEU:

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Everyone gets what your saying, its just developers already have the option of allowing you to choose a profile name in game, and many indeed do this.

So if they don't want to give you the ability to change the profile name and create a custom one then its unlikely steam is going to do it as it provides no benefit to steam itself.

I mean even if Steam DID provide the option, its highly likely the developers would need to modify their games to use the new API calls to get the custom profile name for the game, something there isn't even any guarantee of them doing when they could have modified their game in the first place with a spot to put in a custom profile name instead.

But Steam provides the option to change the profile name! It just has to be done manually. All I'm asking is that the profile name changes to an alternate, which could be typed in in the library's game properties (almost similar to the launch options we have already) prior to launching the game. I don't think the game developers even notice the difference.

Yes steam provides a way to change your profile. So games treat it in various ways

1. Profile name changes as Steam's profile name changes
2. Game profile name ignores steam's profile name alltogethor
3. Game profile name is locked into when you created an account and remains the same regardless of what you change your steam profile name too
etc

Every game is different, so its not as straight forward as type in an alternate name. That game has to actually then take and use the alternate name, and steam trying to force that alternate name on all games can cause issues becuase every game implements it differently.

I mean for instance PSN allowed profile name to be changed and dozens of games broke as the result. Steam has 1000x more games then PSN, and the impact would potentially be far more severe.

[Goat_DEU]

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Yes steam provides a way to change your profile. So games treat it in various ways

1. Profile name changes as Steam's profile name changes
2. Game profile name ignores steam's profile name alltogethor
3. Game profile name is locked into when you created an account and remains the same regardless of what you change your steam profile name too
etc

Every game is different, so its not as straight forward as type in an alternate name. That game has to actually then take and use the alternate name, and steam trying to force that alternate name on all games can cause issues becuase every game implements it differently.

I mean for instance PSN allowed profile name to be changed and dozens of games broke as the result. Steam has 1000x more games then PSN, and the impact would potentially be far more severe.

I don't see a problem here. It has nothing to do with the games. My suggestion is simply changing the Steam profile name prior to launching the actual game (I'm not asking for a profile name which runs parallel to your normal one). If you set an alternate name for a game which doesn't support it, nothing would happen (other than having a different profile name on Steam). If the game pulls the Steam profile name - it displays the alternate name. Here's my suggestion in short:

1. Set alternate name in the game's Steam library's launch options
2. Hit play (game with alternate name)
3. Steam profile switches to alternate name
4. Game starts
5.a If the game is designed to pull Steam's profile name -> it takes the alternate name
5.b If the game uses an in-game option (be it account-locked or not) -> it won't take the alternate name
6. Game closes
7. Steam profile name switches back to the normal one

[cinedine]

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Publicado originalmente por (WTH) Goat_DEU:

But Steam provides the option to change the profile name! It just has to be done manually. All I'm asking is that the profile name changes to an alternate, which could be typed in in the library's game properties (almost similar to the launch options we have already) prior to launching the game. I don't think the game developers even notice the difference.

Yes steam provides a way to change your profile. So games treat it in various ways

1. Profile name changes as Steam's profile name changes

And these are the games the suggestion is talking about. Jesus Christ, you cannot be that dense.
No need to change anything on the game's side. Steam just needs to change the API implementation to support the pre-set names.

[Brian9824]

Publicado originalmente por (WTH) Goat_DEU:

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Yes steam provides a way to change your profile. So games treat it in various ways

1. Profile name changes as Steam's profile name changes
2. Game profile name ignores steam's profile name alltogethor
3. Game profile name is locked into when you created an account and remains the same regardless of what you change your steam profile name too
etc

Every game is different, so its not as straight forward as type in an alternate name. That game has to actually then take and use the alternate name, and steam trying to force that alternate name on all games can cause issues becuase every game implements it differently.

I mean for instance PSN allowed profile name to be changed and dozens of games broke as the result. Steam has 1000x more games then PSN, and the impact would potentially be far more severe.

I don't see a problem here. It has nothing to do with the games. My suggestion is simply changing the Steam profile name prior to launching the actual game (I'm not asking for a profile name which runs parallel to your normal one). If you set an alternate name for a game which doesn't support it, nothing would happen (other than having a different profile name on Steam). If the game pulls the Steam profile name - it displays the alternate name. Here's my suggestion in short:

1. Set alternate name in the game's Steam library's launch options
2. Hit play (game with alternate name)
3. Steam profile switches to alternate name
4. Game starts
5.a If the game is designed to pull Steam's profile name -> it takes the alternate name
5.b If the game uses an in-game option (be it account-locked or not) -> it won't take the alternate name
6. Game closes
7. Steam profile name switches back to the normal one

5a/5b are the issues. Steam doesn't know what the games do as they didn't code the game, and the games all have to release updates if they want to take advantage of that feature. Can guarantee you that 99% of the games aren't going to do so, as if they really cared about it they would have made it an in game option like many other dev's already do.

[Goat_DEU]

Publicado originalmente por brian9824:

Publicado originalmente por (WTH) Goat_DEU:

I don't see a problem here. It has nothing to do with the games. My suggestion is simply changing the Steam profile name prior to launching the actual game (I'm not asking for a profile name which runs parallel to your normal one). If you set an alternate name for a game which doesn't support it, nothing would happen (other than having a different profile name on Steam). If the game pulls the Steam profile name - it displays the alternate name. Here's my suggestion in short:

1. Set alternate name in the game's Steam library's launch options
2. Hit play (game with alternate name)
3. Steam profile switches to alternate name
4. Game starts
5.a If the game is designed to pull Steam's profile name -> it takes the alternate name
5.b If the game uses an in-game option (be it account-locked or not) -> it won't take the alternate name
6. Game closes
7. Steam profile name switches back to the normal one

5a/5b are the issues. Steam doesn't know what the games do as they didn't code the game, and the games all have to release updates if they want to take advantage of that feature. Can guarantee you that 99% of the games aren't going to do so, as if they really cared about it they would have made it an in game option like many other dev's already do.

Are these issues when I change the profile name manually?

[Snapjak]

There really doesn't have to be any issue, it would simply be a case of Steam sending the game an alternate name. Nothing actually *has* to change as far as the games are concerned.

Not sure why it's such a big deal, it's an different name for convenience.