Norwegian King Denies Boy's Request to Change Name to Sonic
Norwegian King Denies Boy's Request to Change Name to Sonic
April 25, 2009
Norway's King Harald V stepped in recently when a six-year-old boy sought to change his name to "Sonic X."
As reported by Gamezine, the lad, whose given name is Christer, wrote to the King with his request:
Sadly, the King could not change Christer's name, but not because the change would result in a child running around with a ridiculous video game character's title. No, the request was rejected for the sole reason that at six-years-old, Christer was not old enough to make such a decision. Thus, the boy must contact King Harald V in twelve years time once he's turned 18.
Christer admitted that he was disappointed...
Sega is apparently sending the lad some Sonic-themed swag to ease his disappointment.
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Posted 11/20/09 at 05:42pm
ZippyDSMlee: oh may the cute stab out your eyes, http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat
ZippyDSMlee: oh may the cute stab out your eyes, http://www.youtube.com/user/simonscat
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:17pm
JDKJ: O.K. Suit yourself. But when you're wearing Ray-Bans, sitting on a curb with a white cane and a cup of pencils, and doing Stevie Wonder impersonations, don't say I didn't warn you.
JDKJ: O.K. Suit yourself. But when you're wearing Ray-Bans, sitting on a curb with a white cane and a cup of pencils, and doing Stevie Wonder impersonations, don't say I didn't warn you.
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:10pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No thank you I don;t want your cooties...or STDs...
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No thank you I don;t want your cooties...or STDs...
Posted 11/20/09 at 05:01pm
JDKJ: Me. I'm rehearsing the role just in case I do get dubbed Zippy The Soecnda.
JDKJ: Me. I'm rehearsing the role just in case I do get dubbed Zippy The Soecnda.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:59pm
DarkSaber: Wait, is that meant to be Zippy, me or you?
DarkSaber: Wait, is that meant to be Zippy, me or you?
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:49pm
JDKJ: I cud caer lez. =^^= *wakes up in mid-afternoon after staying up until 3:00AM soldering resistors on to circuit boards, stumbles around in formerly white but now grey underwear, while simultaneously scratching groin with vigor and making coffee*
JDKJ: I cud caer lez. =^^= *wakes up in mid-afternoon after staying up until 3:00AM soldering resistors on to circuit boards, stumbles around in formerly white but now grey underwear, while simultaneously scratching groin with vigor and making coffee*
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:46pm
DarkSaber: knell? Don't you mean Neil? Anymore of tht and I'll dub thee Zippy The Soecnda
DarkSaber: knell? Don't you mean Neil? Anymore of tht and I'll dub thee Zippy The Soecnda
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:44pm
JDKJ: Now, now, Saber. Don't be salty. You weren't the first one to knell and bob and you ain't gonna be the last one, either.
JDKJ: Now, now, Saber. Don't be salty. You weren't the first one to knell and bob and you ain't gonna be the last one, either.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:42pm
DarkSaber: JD's feeling rather desperate it seems.
DarkSaber: JD's feeling rather desperate it seems.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:33pm
JDKJ: C'mon, Zip. You already touch yourself way too much. Spread the love. Before you go blind.
JDKJ: C'mon, Zip. You already touch yourself way too much. Spread the love. Before you go blind.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:27pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No and I ain't touching any part of you or your friends!! :P
ZippyDSMlee: JD:No and I ain't touching any part of you or your friends!! :P
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:25pm
JDKJ: @Zip: You know Lik Mitaint?
JDKJ: @Zip: You know Lik Mitaint?
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
ZippyDSMlee: neill and bob,oldest giveing head joke and most lamest...
ZippyDSMlee: neill and bob,oldest giveing head joke and most lamest...
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
JDKJ: But thanks for the memory. MIB's a classic. *sings* "Here come the Men in Black. Galaxy defenders. Here come the Men in Black. They won't let you remember."
JDKJ: But thanks for the memory. MIB's a classic. *sings* "Here come the Men in Black. Galaxy defenders. Here come the Men in Black. They won't let you remember."
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:18pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:for the record I told you you can suck your own dck.
ZippyDSMlee: JD:for the record I told you you can suck your own dck.
Posted 11/20/09 at 04:07pm
JDKJ: Naw, man. That's Mueedeegiaap and Bob. And you can stop bobbing. I got Zippy bobbing now, too.
JDKJ: Naw, man. That's Mueedeegiaap and Bob. And you can stop bobbing. I got Zippy bobbing now, too.
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:56pm
DarkSaber: OH I get it now! It's Men In Black quote! The twins that run the comm centre in HQ.
DarkSaber: OH I get it now! It's Men In Black quote! The twins that run the comm centre in HQ.
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:49pm
JDKJ: I'd like to introduce you to them. First, Neil. Then, Bob.
JDKJ: I'd like to introduce you to them. First, Neil. Then, Bob.
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:47pm
ZippyDSMlee: JD:I know they are intimate friends of yours...
ZippyDSMlee: JD:I know they are intimate friends of yours...
Posted 11/20/09 at 03:44pm
JDKJ: @Zip: You know Neil and Bob?
JDKJ: @Zip: You know Neil and Bob?
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Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Game Politics and Game Politics logo are trademarks of the ECA.
Comments
Shame the name Sonic does not hold as big a commonplace as Mario... (duh!)
Honestly, if you are gonna change you're name, change it to something badass, but convincing; - Max Fightmaster (Yes, that's the real name of a real guy! Look it up!)
Anyways, that's not the case, but anyways... GP community...?
What would your game-related names be?
Weighted Companion Cube!
I would absolutely love to get my name changed to that!
Max Power
E74.
/b
Overlord Laharl (and hopes people don't get the reference)
*Cackles Evily*
Disgaea, isn't it?
I hate it when people end statements with "Look it up!"
Don't hate on me!!
I would've provided a link, but I am at work at time... (company computers block certain sites)
So I'll gladly EDIT my post with a link later.
Except that you can't edit posts that received replies. =)
Michael Chandra: Ha ha, NOW I know.... it feels pointless to post it now...
SeanB: Well seeing as how I can't EDIT my posts, I'll put a link on proof of the existence of the Fightmaster in the shoutbox on request.
Oh come on, hasn't anyone jumped the PAYNE yet?
srsly... I'm disappointed in you, GP'ers!
I considered it but it requires a last name to fit properly.
...Max Payne... I envy your Name!
I'd rather have the name Harry Keogh.
Sabin Rene Figaro
I'd rather just be called Blitz if I was going that route.
"What would your game-related names be?"
star fox!
http://www.magicinkgaming.com/
Can't let you use the name, Star Fox.
==========================================================
We're all outta PIE! and adult comic books! and i've misplaced my Turbografix!!!
Heh, Wolf O'Donnell FTW.
I'm surprised no one's come up with Douglas Falcon yet.
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"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
UUDDLRLRBA
The most invincible and unpronouncable name ever.
Sol Badguy!
"Science asks how, and faith asks why"
Gato Gonzales. I'll give out 15 Silver Points to the one who can triumph over my metal joints and figure out where that came from.
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"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
You're not referring to the boxer, are you?
Well.... a game is a game.
Nah, it's Chrono Trigger. :P The fight you do at the fair or whatever where you beat a cat robot that for some reason likes to rhyme and win silver points.
PHOENIXZERO: +15 Silver Points
"Gonzales" was his Japanese name, and, ironically, Mario's alias while fighting in the Glitz Pit.
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"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
Meh bad game he will regret that change in his future years
How the hell is Sonic a bad game? Sure, some of the more recent ones kinda suck a little, but the early games were good.
EDIT: Oh, and the fan works. "Sonic VS Super Sonic", "Sonic's Quest For Power", and "Tails and his GBA" (all three can be found on NewGrounds) were seriously sweet.
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"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
First, the sonic games are nothing but a shell of their former glory...
second of all he wanted to name himself "Sonic X" which is the title for the god awful latest sonic anime tv series... oh yes, in 10 years, the kid will be thanking the king for stopping him from making such a stupid decision
IMO Sonic X isn't that bad. It did have the unique idea of bringing the characters to our world, as Mobius is an alternate world. Plus the character development in that series alone was pretty neat.
Plus it was Sonic X that got me into the Sonic series. IMO, the recent games, despite the fact that overall they kinda suck (my friend Ash didn't like Sonic Unleashed despite getting into Secret Rings and Black Knight), they had some really neat features that probably should be imported into a future game.
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"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
Agreed that it wasn't bad. It wouldn't have been bad if 4 kids hadn't gotten their grubby mitts on the localization rights, as well as have their names in the credits of every sonic game since then (from sonic heroes onward)
I remember a site that used to show all the cuts they made to the english version (the site died long ago). They took out 5 minutes of the second last episode and made what would have been an awesome ending to the series suck bad. I watched the uncut french version and the comparison was unbelievable.
Parents are too overprotective over what's on TV these days. I compare fox kids which I loved watching as recently as about 8 years ago to what its become today, makes me feel sorry for the new generations.
Truth be told I'm jealous of my parents for having stuff like Bugs Bunny on TV when they were little.
I wouldn't say the idea of bringing the characters to Earth was unique, since I gather the series was loosely based on the Sonic Adventure games, and those took place on Earth as established within the games themselves.
On top of that, the existence of Mobius as the planet of origin for Sonic was apparently a mistranslation. The Japanese versions of the old games, as I understand it, took place on Earth as well.
I'm nitpicky about continuity.
---
I'm not under the affluence of incohol as some thinkle peep I am. I'm not half as thunk as you might drink. I fool so feelish I don't know who is me, and the drunker I stand here, the longer I get.
Wow, this kid is a serious Sonic fan. My friend Ash would be surprised.
[/offtopic]
I sympathize with Christer, but Harald is right. He's not old enough to change his name. Either way, ouch.
-----------------------------
"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
I have two friends who have actually contemplated changing their names to:
Some Guy
Great Justice
I lol'd. Anyway, the King probably just felt he would change his mind over time. Pretty funny story though, and glad Sega are being good sports about it (though obvious press move is detected)
Great Justice would have been an awsome name. whenever he asks a favor of you, and someone asks about it, you would be able to say "I'm doing ________ for Great Justice!"
Launch Zig
岩「…Where do masochists go when they die?」
Norway has always stood in the way of progress.
Forget Norway!, etc
/b
KENYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Oh Kenya, where the giraffes are... And the zebras!
Kenya believe it?
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I'm not under the affluence of incohol as some thinkle peep I am. I'm not half as thunk as you might drink. I fool so feelish I don't know who is me, and the drunker I stand here, the longer I get.
I had forgotten Norway had a King. No wonder their metal is still about forest trolls and vikings and shit. They're stuck hundreds of years back.
I didn't know they had a King either. I thought they were an autonomous collective.
(Sorry, couldn't resist.)
---
I'm not under the affluence of incohol as some thinkle peep I am. I'm not half as thunk as you might drink. I fool so feelish I don't know who is me, and the drunker I stand here, the longer I get.
Well it was worth a try I guess. Sonic is not a terrible name just... out there a bit. I do find myself surprised that this went all the way up to the attention of the King though. Talk about slow news (or slow politics) days.
I wonder if the kid was planning to join the track team? lol
They call him Sonic, Sonic, faster than lightning,
No-one you see, is smarter than he...
Whoops, wrong show!
GameSnooper
Dude, he knighted a Penguin, so this shouldn't be a big deal.
ankanpoikanen.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/inspection500.jpg
------ Ago. Perceptum. Teneo.
yeah, but you gotta admit, that penguin is badass.
It is not murder; I am merely advancing the hands of the clock, just a bit.
Why hasn't anyone claimed that the King is anti-games because of this? That he is part of a conspiracy to bring down games? Where is the typical paranoia?
Once more you're confusing paranoia and sceptism. May I advise a dictionary?
Thank you, come again!
Because this isn't an article about a delay for the PC release of a multiplatform game. That seems to be the only circumstance where what you described is commonplace or even considered "acceptable". Damn PC fundamnetalists.
How exactly am I confusing paranoia with sceptism?
I'm suprised that there hasn't been the typical victimisation from gamers here who are constantly paranoid that someone is out there to bring down games. I'm sceptical over their typical paranoia.
Well, you can pick. Option A, you're a troll. Option B, you're extremely biased. Option C, you're mixing the two up and are paranoid over typical skeptical behaviour. Truth be told I'm assuming option D given the way you always act in discussions anything like this, always seeking to point out so-called paranoia.
Yes, I do normally point out gamer-paranoia (the typical response to any article that could be construed as being negative towards games). I may technically appear paranoid about gamer-paranoia, but I simply pointed out the fact that that it the normal response from many people regarding these sort of issues.
You still haven't pointed out why I need to use a dictionary, or how I apparently confused the two words: 'paranoia' and 'scepticism', therefore it leads me to assume that you are confused on my initial point.
Regardless the boy was not allowed to change his name because he was not old enough, perhaps when he's old enough he'll decide to change his name to another computer game character, Princess Peach for instance. Sega got good PR out of this as it appears a child likes their products so much he wanted to be named after it (remember when Acclaim asked parents to name their newly-born 'Turok' for some PR?).
Hold it, what's Option D?
(As a pre-emptive strike against critical replies, I failed to understand what Mike meant and I'm asking for clarification. Assuming he most likely placed the meaning in his post.)
-----------------------------
"The sun ever rises on the morrow. We can only live for today, and trust that other days will follow." -Unknown
.....why?
They call me Void Walker
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hookers and Ice Cream aren't free. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/comics/stolen-pixels/5137-...
I call dibs on HK-47!
good call by the king. changing his name to sonic would be even worse than getting that ridiculous tattoo that you regret, years later.
It is not murder; I am merely advancing the hands of the clock, just a bit.
Yeah. Because it's totally easier to remove a tattoo than change your name.
At least with a tattoo removal, you get a scar to remind you of how stupid you were back then, and to never be that stupid again. You can always shred the evidence of stupid-name-changing.
Hopefully his friends wouldn't let him live it down. I don't think there's a Norwegian equivalent of Los Angeles where people flock to to abandon their old life.
Sure there is. It's called Scotland. *runs*
I'm Charlie Owens, good night, and good luck.
The name's Snake. Solid Snake.
"Sega is apparently sending the lad some Sonic-themed swag to ease his disappointment."
I hope this is in jest. If Sega is indeed doing this, then they should be ashamed for encouraging such stupidity.
Dude this is a 6 year old we are talking about, not normally the smartest beings around. I think it is a sound PR move for them and costs them little to nothing.
Kids say the damnest things and get all kinds of useless (to adults) things. They do tend to grow out of it given enough time (though some seem to need 30-40 years).
Have a feeling the given name was also a factor, albeit a minor one.
The power of Christer compels you!
Bob Johnson! .....oh wait
Big McLargeHuge!
I'm Charlie Owens, good night, and good luck.
Pac Man!!
I think that to the kid, his hegehog will always be Sonic X in his eyes.
Nobody should tell him what to name his pet except for himself and his parents.
Wonder what I'd get for requesting my name to be Ryu Hayabusa
"That's not ironic. That's justice."
I've often wondered the same thing...
"De minimus non curat lex"
Lets hope when he grows up he doesn't try to live it through his kids.. I knew twins called Gandalf and Merlin. Their brother was called Frodo.
"We never paid any heed to the ancient prophecies... Like fools we clung to the old hatreds, and fought as we had for generations"
That is like a form of child abuse X.x
Then again, I know a girl named Eowyn.
At age 6 af boy (of course) thinks that he needs to contact the King (of Norway) to change his name. However, the King of Norway has no power to allow this change at all since in Norway, Sweden and Denmark, the Monarcy (kings and queens etc) have no political power at all - anymore.
If he, at age 18, wants to change his name, he could of course, try to write to the King again. He would then probably get a letter saying that ne needs to contact the Secretary of Justice or the Justice Department in order to change his name.
When he turns 18 he should change it to "Sonic XXX" because then he'll be three times XTREME!
Or umm, well the other option...
i would love the name tom fingerbang. lol
I should change my last name to that of the blue-haired chick from Neon Genesis Evangelion, for shits and giggles.
Or R2 D2.
--Raymond A.
MAXIMUS ASSKICKINGTON!
There have always been motherf*ckers, there will always be motherf*ckers, but what we can't do is let them control our motherf*cking lives. -John Oliver, December 1st, 2008