SmashWiki:Username policy

This page documents an official SmashWiki policy, a widely accepted standard that all users should follow. When editing this page, please ensure that your revision reflects consensus. If in doubt, consider discussing changes on the talk page.

On SmashWiki, upon creating an account, a user must select a handle to be known by and for the wiki to track their edits by, known as a username. Users are allowed to use almost any username they desire, however there are some restrictions on what their username can be, as is covered below.

What is considered an inappropriate username

The following types of usernames are considered inappropriate and will not be allowed:

• Vulgar, derogatory, or any other type of offensive username. Such names are disallowed for obvious reasons; allowing such names reflects poorly on the wiki, users with such names are difficult to take seriously, and other users should not have to skirt around saying something offensive just to refer to another user by name.
  • Examples of such usernames would be "[Swear]", "[Slur]", "[ControversialTopic]Hater", and "[UserX] is a dumbass".

• Usernames that consist of gibberish or are otherwise incomprehensible. Such names are disallowed, as they make it very difficult to recognize and refer to the user, if not outright impossible.
  • Examples of such usernames would be "qmcq398cm3489thqm394", ".....", "?!#@&*!(#@?", and " ".

• Usernames that consist of non-English characters. We are an English-speaking wiki, so most users would have difficulty recognizing and referring to such usernames. Additionally, the vast majority of users would not have the means to type the name out, making it needlessly difficult for them to refer to a user using such a username.
  • Examples of such usernames would be "水", "لم أجد هذا", and "Bob ⠍⠕⠝⠑⠽".

• Usernames that are excessively long. Excessively long usernames can create difficulty in recognizing and referring to the user, create complications with the titles of their user pages and their signature, and cause pages such as histories and Special:RecentChanges to have unnecessary long lines and/or line breaks. If you're trying to create such a long name, consider what part of the name is unnecessary or can be cut out, and go without such in your name.
  • Examples of such usernames would be "The Greatest Strongest Best Most Competent Smasher In The Universe" and "Bobthemoneythefreshestthehandsomest".

• Usernames that are very similar, if not identical, to the username of an existing active user, or of a now inactive but significant user. Having such a username can create confusion among some users, as it makes it difficult to immediately discern similarly named users from each other, and it makes it needlessly more difficult to refer to such a user individually. This is problematic on a wiki, where users must collaborate together, and thus immediate recognition and ease of referring are of vital importance. The wiki is not so large that coming up with a unique name that you like is difficult.
  • Examples of such usernames would be "The Omega Tyrant", "To0MaI", and "Cookies & Cream". Note that adding numbers, xX, extra symbols, and similar minor changes to an existing username will not make it considered unique enough to be acceptable.
  • Exception: If there was an existing user with a username very similar to the name you want, but that user is now inactive and did little of note on the wiki, it could then be acceptable to use a username very similar to theirs. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis, but it will still be easier to simply pick a different name.
  • Similarly, if a user has had a significant name change and few if any notable contributions under their old name, it may be acceptable to use a username similar to their previous one. Again, this will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

• Usernames that are the same as or very similar to the name of a significant Smash figure, regardless of whether they have a SmashWiki account, unless the account creator can verify that they are the Smash figure in question. This is disallowed to prevent impersonation, prevent issues from arising if the user makes edits where their true identity is a relevant factor (such as potential conflict of interest editing), and to reserve the username for said Smash figure in case they do want to create a SmashWiki account. What constitutes a significant enough Smash figure for this rule is to be decided on a case-by-case basis.
  • This rule does not apply to names that are overly common or generic, such as first name tags or a generic tag like "Light" that is used by many notable smashers. In the case a significant Smash figure with such a name joins the wiki and find their name already taken, they will still have no "claim" to the name.

• Any other username not covered by these rules but is deemed by the administration to be unacceptable will be disallowed.

Dealing with inappropriate usernames

The following is how admins should deal with a newly created account with a username that violates any of the above:

• If the user has an offensive, incomprehensible, or excessively long name, give them an indefinite block, while making sure to keep their ability to edit their talk page open. If their name consists of non-English characters or is very similar to another user, do not block them immediately (unless it is clear the account is operating in bad faith).
• Explain on their talk page how their username is inappropriate, while linking to this policy, and make it clear that they can select a new username, where (if applicable) their block will then be immediately lifted upon doing so. Additionally, if possible, send them an email pointing out to them to check their talk page.
• Once the user chooses a new name, report it to an active bureaucrat (if you're not a bureaucrat yourself), who will then change the user's username to the newly chosen name, and lift the user's block.
• Good faith should be assumed when dealing with such users, and if it's not obvious, they should not be immediately assumed to be a vandal, troll, or impersonator. However, CheckUser should be used on such a user to assure they're not a known vandal or another user attempting to impersonate. If the user is a known vandal or any other user, standard procedure for dealing with malicious sockpuppets applies.
• If the user refuses to comply and will not select a new username, they must be kept blocked (or if they weren't blocked before, then be blocked indefinitely) until they decide to do so.
• If the user creates a new account with a different, acceptable username, and they behave as a constructive user, allow the new account to function as normal, while keeping the old account with the inappropriate name permanently blocked. Optionally, the two accounts may be merged under the acceptable name.
• In the case of a username that is the same as or very similar to the name of a significant Smash figure, the administration should first decide if said figure is significant enough to merit a username restriction. If so, then an administrator should leave the user a talk page message informing them of this policy and of the need for verification (a typical means of verification would be using an established social media account to confirm the account belongs to them). If the user confesses to not being the person they used the name of or does not provide verification, they will be required to choose a new username that does not violate the policy. If the user refuses to choose a new name or ignores their talk page, their username will be forcibly changed to something else chosen by the administration. Any attempts to create new accounts under the restricted username will be met with further, more severe blocks.