Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Video games/Esports style advice

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How to refer to screen names

How should we refer to the names video gamers commonly go by? Terms that come to mind are:

• Screen name
• Gamertag
• Pseudonym
• Monicker
• Nickname

I feel like I am missing an obvious word for these, but in general I would like to see an accepted set of terminology established. ~Maplestrip/Mable (chat) 11:49, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

I'm against using the word gamertag. Do we have any RS's that discuss this? Lee Vilenski ^{(talk • contribs)} 11:57, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

Isn't alias neutral and common enough? ~ Dissident93 ^(talk) 19:07, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

Agh, that's the word I forgot. Alias is perfect, I think. ~Maplestrip/Mable (chat) 05:23, 6 September 2018 (UTC)

alias is fine, but the wording needs to be made sure. I'm not sure I'd be happy with "X (born YZ) under on-screen alias AB". Would "using alias", or something be the right wording? Lee Vilenski ^{(talk • contribs)} 08:03, 6 September 2018 (UTC)

"Under the alias AB", "using the alias AB", or even "under the name AB" and "using the name AB", would all be fine in the opening sentence, I believe. The word alias would be particularly useful in an early career section, like "John Doe started using the alias AB in 20XX." ~Maplestrip/Mable (chat) 19:15, 6 September 2018 (UTC)

Which name

As per the section above, video gamers are typically referred to by their screenname/pseudonym. "ACHES" is an example currently on the page. I think we have an accepted practice for the first line of the lead section, but how should we refer to gamers in the prose of an article? By their legal last name or by their screen name? I can imagine us not reaching a consensus for this, as it may vary from biography to biography. ~Maplestrip/Mable (chat) 11:52, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

A good comparison (And the reason why I used the PW MOS), is pro wrestling. Even someone like Dolph Ziggler uses his last name in prose. You'll see similar things in music and TV as well. Lee Vilenski ^{(talk • contribs)} 11:59, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

I think it can vary from person to person. For example the article on Ringo Starr refers to him as Starkey in his early life and Starr in his later life. Prince is never referred to as "Nelson". But it's true that it is generally more common to use someone's legal name, like in Avicii. I think it can vary from biography to biography, but legal names are probably usually preferred. I hope to get some more opinions on this topic before we make any real guidelines on it, though. ~Maplestrip/Mable (chat) 12:21, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

It should just follow WP:COMMONNAME, which is most often going to be their player names. ~ Dissident93 ^(talk) 19:08, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

WP:COMMONNAME only comments on the article title... Which isn't in doubt. My argument is against saying "ARCHES" say did something in the main body of the text. It certainly isn't something that I would be a fan of Lee Vilenski ^{(talk • contribs)} 08:06, 6 September 2018 (UTC)

Italics

Lee Vilenski suggested using italics for esports events/tournaments and esports brands. In this format, one would refer to Evo 2016 in italics, for example. I have never seen this practice before and am unfamiliar with it. I figured I would start a discussion here in order to get consensus on this topic. Personally, I am opposed to the idea. ~Maplestrip/Mable (chat) 12:00, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

I'm open to whichever. This is the standard on the PW MOS, which I now understand is quite unique, so feel free to edit if others feel the same Lee Vilenski ^{(talk • contribs)} 12:12, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

I wouldn't support this, to be honest. As Lee said, its unique to pro wrestling, with other sporting events/tournaments (boxing, golf, etc) not using italics. ~ Dissident93 ^(talk) 19:10, 5 September 2018 (UTC)

Centralize discussion

This discussion, like any subpage, should be centralized on the main guideline/"MoS" talk page. Otherwise it will only receive a fraction of the participation. czar 19:38, 9 September 2018 (UTC)