Hi i find coming up with a name for a game quite hard. What sort of techniques do you guys use to help you brain storm? i find translating certain words into a different language can help sometimes. Also, once you have found a name, what can you do to stop people from stealing your game name? some names can be very generic. I would not be happy putting a name on my game until there is a descent website for the game. What do you think? do you currently have a secret game name which you dont want people to know?

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Also, once you have found a name, what can you do to stop people from stealing your game name?

Stab them.

Seriously, you can't steal names. Or Ideas [tm].

Honestly, I would wait before you pronounce a game name. It should be a lot easier to come up with a game name as soon as the game is finished (alpha, beta, or something close).

and a Trademark prevents people from stealing game names.

Some things I like to keep in mind when coming up with names:
-Will players be able to pronounce it? If they can, it'll be easier for me to perhaps get a few new players due to word of mouth.
-Is it easy to remember?
-If the game is a sequel, then am I making use of the branding - people who liked the first game will be more likely to try a sequel if they're aware of it (fans of Doom want to try out DoomII, DoomIII for example).
-Does the name suit the game? I don't want to call my bloodthirsty shooter (not that I actually have one) something like "Super-fluffy bunnies of joy!!1!".

I personally don't like finalising the name of a game until it's finished - up until then, anything I call it is simply a 'working title'.

You can Trademark the title to protect it. You can also do this for important characters, etc. if you're creating character branding (i.e. 'Lara Croft' is a Trademarked character).

I like to describe the game/program and then make a name out of the first characters in each word.

Bapagen = basic password generatorSpatra = space traveller

I also like acronyms and anagrams

Enselic = anagram of SilenceTIARA = TIARA Is A Recursive Acronym

When I have come up with a new name, I always google for it to ensure that noone else already have come up with the same. I also ensure that the name isn't a common foregin word.

I seldom bother with someone else stealing my names because I really see no reason. I mean if you make software you often want a unique name so that your fans don't confuse your name with someone elses name. Trademarking is to me only necessary if you run a big famous company.

If you name your game without using "real" words you will have a much easier time enforcing copyright/trademark. Don't name your game "Game" or "Shooter." Name your game "Gaeme" or "Shuter." Or combine two "real" words into a fake word: GameShooter. (Ok, that's a horrible example, but you get the idea.)

That said, choose a game name that has something to do with the game and has some meaning for the player! Calling your game "Xzibigible" may sound alien and interesting, but it means absolutely nothing to most people and because it has no meaning, it will easily be forgotten. (Basic psychology -- people have an easier time remembering "fake" words if they have the form and letter combinations of real words. Try it: memorize: "BigglePops" vs. "Bglgepspoi")

Check out Scott Miller's blog for an interesting tirade on this subject.

Trademarks can get pricey though...

Some say $350 (USD) is possible, but it averages at $900 if you do it yourself.
But it can be a complicated process, and you'll probably want a lawyer to do it for you ($1400?)

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Original post by The Forgotten Mindset Trademarks can get pricey though... Some say $350 (USD) is possible, but it averages at $900 if you do it yourself. But it can be a complicated process, and you'll probably want a lawyer to do it for you ($1400?)

Is a trademark really necessary, for a shareware or open source type game (or any other sort of development project for that matter)?
My understanding of copyright law was that a name you created solely to represent an item of intellectual property, was in itself part of that intellectual property.

Please correct me if I am misguided in my assumption,

SwiftCoder

The name of my project is Kestarda. If anyone can figure out what it means, I'll give ya a rating boost [wink]

Dos Nod Nid Ragure An

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Original post by swiftcoder Quote: Original post by The Forgotten Mindset Trademarks can get pricey though... Some say $350 (USD) is possible, but it averages at $900 if you do it yourself. But it can be a complicated process, and you'll probably want a lawyer to do it for you ($1400?) Is a trademark really necessary, for a shareware or open source type game (or any other sort of development project for that matter)? My understanding of copyright law was that a name you created solely to represent an item of intellectual property, was in itself part of that intellectual property. Please correct me if I am misguided in my assumption

Copyrights are free (C), trademarks aren't (TM). Service Marks are free (SM), and are just like trademarks, but service marks are only temporary solutions (last only about 2 years).

Hope it helps. :)