Profanity filter for player names

[MitchZinck]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Some players may not want to see profanity in player names during gameplay. This is especially important for streamers and YouTubers who record or broadcast the game. Currently, the only workaround is enabling random names, but that removes the ability to see real player names, which some users still want.

Describe the solution you’d like
Add an optional profanity filter specifically for player names. This filter would block common profanity and also allow users to manually add specific player names to a custom filter list. When a name is filtered, it would be replaced with a randomized name instead of being displayed. This would allow players to avoid offensive names while still keeping real names visible whenever possible.

[MitchZinck]

Can assign to me

[evanpelle]

maybe instead we create a list on the server? Then people can request names?

[MitchZinck]

The issue is that people would still find ways to bypass profanity filters. Because of that, it would be helpful to have a client-side option that lets users automatically block or hide names containing profanity. This would be especially useful for people who are recording or streaming.

[VariableVince]

@MitchZinck Have you tried if the existing Hidden Names feature comes close enough (enable or disable from Settings)? It was meant for the specific purpose of anonymizing all player names, so that even profane ones that got past the filter aren't displayed and instead replaced by a random name.

[MitchZinck]

@VariableVince Wouldn’t it be better if streamers and YouTubers could keep player names visible except for those that contain profanity? That would preserve the identity and recognition of players while still avoiding offensive names.

From a viewing perspective, this feels much better than replacing all names with random ones, especially if OpenFront grows to the point where recognizable or high-skill players regularly appear in streams. Most competitive games (like LoL or CS) don’t rely on fully randomized names for this reason, and I think a selective, client-side filter would strike a better balance.

[iiamlewis]

A part of an ongoing issue, I will create this as a new issue and attach it to the wider Roadmap shortly