If that is truly the case, then you've got my support and thanks for deciding to do this.

And look, yes, some people (including me) were very outspoken, and maybe our tone wasn't so nice. But antisemitism isn't a game and it's not something we can just brush off. Coming immediately on the heels of Yom Ha'Shoah, this was *extremely* upsetting for a lot of us. Seeing something like that? It can make you feel *dirty*. Seeing it, feeling that, and then being told you're wrong, you're oversensitive, you're a sheep, you're a cunt, you're a hypocrite, you shouldn't be offended because other people aren't? That's a recipe for disaster right there.

I'm sorry that you guys felt attacked. But you were attacked over the name of a game - something that you can change in an instant. I've been attacked for being/looking/acting/sounding Jewish more times than I can count. There's *nothing* I can do to change that. And they're not the same thing. They're not even on the same page. There's nothing similar at all.

I also have a feeling that we got so used to it, having used the name for the past two months, and that if someone had come up to us and asked at the beginning to change it, it would have been done without being entrenched in so much trouble. There were poor reactions on our part, I will definitely admit that and apologize for my fellow mods and players. The internet can make you do some crazy things.

Hopefully, this is all starting to calm down. I think we've decided on walpurgisnacht, though further suggestions from everyone are definitely welcome as I've just made the account, I haven't paid for the rename yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walpurgisnacht As long as you're aware that it's still in use as a holiday. It is also the night on which Hitler and Goebbels committed suicide.

"Walpurgisnacht (or Hexennacht, meaning Witches' Night), the night from April 30 to May 1, is the night when allegedly the witches hold a large celebration on the Blocksberg and await the arrival of Spring."

Hexennacht is not as often used. It's associated also with Freinacht, which is the other side of the calendar.

One of my characters actually just made me at least learn the Wikipedia article for Walpurgisnacht the other night, so I did just become aware of that. Would you suggest using Hexennacht or Freinacht instead, or do you think Walpurgisnacht might be okay?

I can't really say, because things are so sensitized to the German/Nazi overtones following the use of Krystallnacht. One reason not to go with a reference directly to Walpurgis is that it's a reference to a Christian saint (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Walpurga), which might be a little OOC for a HP game. Hexennacht means "The Night of Witches", which might be more appropriate?

Also, Zauberer seems to be the word for Wizard or Sorcerer. Zauberernacht would therefore be 'The Night of Wizards', but you might want to consult someone who speaks German to be sure.

Seriously, I know y'all just got jumped all over by a jillion people for the name of your game, but it IS your game and as a writer I know what an important thing a name can be. So if Walpurgisnacht it is, so it is. Some people may feel negatively about any Germanic overtones because of the recent mess but that's something you need to weigh with what the game itself means to you all. If having what is essentially now a vague reference to Germanic history and the World Wars is important to your game, then you may have to live with a certain amount of disapproval for it. I don't think you can make everyone happy at this point.

I think it is important to understand that a lot of people have been directly hurt not just by the name of your game, but by the way they were treated when they objected. I realize that it is 'just a game', but you can't un-ring that bell. That's my only concern with y'all sticking with something German. I hope that whatever you choose, people who were hurt get the acknowledgment they need to feel that they've recovered a little respect. I realize that you personally aren't to blame -- I can tell writing styles apart pretty easily -- but you do seem to have the misfortune of being both rational and in charge.