Canon MC name vs Self-Insert?

[blues2]

This depends on my mood and the type of story itself.

For games that have a serious theme or heavy plot, I keep the canon name because it will be immersion-breaking if I use a random name. In such games, the identity of the MC is usually important to the plot.

Light-hearted games on the other hand allow some freedom. I sometimes give the MC a made-up name, in a way I don't think of myself as her, she's more like an OC.
However if the default name gets voiced then I might keep it. It's nice to hear the VAs say her name.
Or I go crazy and just name the MC different every time I start a new route. So it feels like she becomes a different person each route and not just one girl dating multiple guys (≖⩊≖)

Dating sims like TMGS are different though. The MC's identity is almost non-existent, so I usually kind of slip into self-insert mode. It's part of the fun for those games.

 

[Naonao02]

I usually use the canon name as well. If a character does not have an official name in the game, I will use the name from the manga or anime; if that is not available either, I will use the name I usually use.

 

[ShineAnRise]

it also depends for me, both in my mood and in how the story is told.
more than anything in how they present you the self insert or the mc.
both can have their own problems, like a self insert withoud persnality or a original mc that you cant connect with.
cherrs to the authors that can write them, i would be so lost lol.

 

[Lilia]

Almost always the canon name. Though honestly, I don't mind self inserting on rare occasions and see nothing wrong with others doing so either.

 

[heart229]

for voiced otome i always go for the canon names that is set already, i like to hear when the LIs say the name! but for unvoiced otome like voltage titles i use my name :3

 

[Litth]

I usually stick with the canon name too. I rarely self-insert, I prefer seeing the protagonist as her own character and experiencing the story