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1[[quoteright:320:[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dgemu_1048_pokemon_crystal_uperversion_copy.png]]]]
2[[caption-width-right:320:[[ComicallyMissingThePoint Ah, Mark the Third. Good to see you.]][[note]]He told you his real name, and you get to [[HelloInsertNameHere "report" it to the Police Officer.]][[/note]]]]
3
4-> '''???''': My name is ???!\
5'''Whitney''': That is an odd name.\
6'''???''': I was never given one, so I assigned myself one.\
7'''Killdra''': So you settled on being called ???, spelled out like 3 question marks and pronounced like when you ask something 3 times in a row? Thats lame, really lame, even by DSBT standards.
8-->-- ''WebAnimation/DSBTInsaniT''
9
10When the name of something -- be it a character, object, location, or menu item -- is unknown in a video game, it will often be represented by a string of question marks.
11
12One of the simplest and most prevalent video game interface tropes.
13
14The reasons for this vary (see below), and the result can range from confusion to an InterfaceSpoiler. See also NoNameGiven and PartsUnknown.
15
16ConfusedQuestionMark is for a different meaning of the symbol. Can be related to MyNameIsInigoMontoya.
17
18(If you're looking to pothole this trope, it's written like [=MyNameIsQuestionMarks=].)
19----
20
21[[foldercontrol]]
22
23[[folder:Action Adventure]]
24* ''VideoGame/ANNOMutationem'': The [[MysteriousStranger Masked Woman]] who occasionally appears is referred as [' ??? '] blocked out in text. Certain documents found in areas hint that her name is [[spoiler:Michelle]].
25* In ''Franchise/{{Beyblade}} Evolution,'' when fighting Kyoya for the first time, he refuses to introduce himself to the player until the player battles him, so, for the entire fight, Kyoya is known as "???" until the battle is won.
26* Happens a few times in ''VideoGame/{{Iji}}'':
27** At one point, [[MissionControl Dan]] gets kidnapped by someone who can't resist taunting you about it. Their name is displayed as "???" in the dialogue box, but if you're paying attention to [[MusicalSpoiler the background music]], their distinctive {{leitmotif}} gives away their identity.
28** The first time you meet [[TheDreaded Iosa]] face-to-face, her name is displayed as "???" until she gets around to introducing herself.
29* In ''VideoGame/JetSetRadio'', the game's final SecretCharacter is unlocked not by challenging them specifically, but by challenging someone associated with them. Because of this, the prompt telling you who's joined the GG's lists their name as "???" to avoid spoiling who it is before you see for yourself, as their name has already been said in the game before: it's [[spoiler:Pot([[SpellMyNameWithAnS t]])s, the gang's pet dog]].
30* ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' series:
31** In ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaMajorasMask'', [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext the hand in the Stock Pot Inn's toilet]] is entered in Link's Bomber's Notebook as "???". In a MythologyGag, the same character appears in the past in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOracleGames Oracle of Ages]]'' and in ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaSkywardSword Skyward Sword]]''. In the latter, it belongs to a ghost girl who Fi does not know the name of, but is named Phoeni [[AllThereInTheManual according to the strategy guide]] and her dialogue box in ''Skyward Sword HD''.
32** In ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaOcarinaOfTime Ocarina of Time]]'' the connected places of [[spoiler:Dampé's grave]] and the Kakariko Village windmill, both identified as "?" despite the locations of both entrances being obvious.
33** Furthermore, in ''[[VideoGameRemake Majora's Mask 3D]]'' the [[spoiler:inside of the Moon]] is labeled as "???" if you save, quit, and look at the save file to load it.
34** In the Platform/NintendoSwitch remake of ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaLinksAwakening Link's Awakening]]'', the pile of bones in Yarna Desert that hints to the location of a Piece of Heart if Link sprinkles Magic Powder on it is also called "???" in the dialogue box.
35** In the ''[[VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaALinkToThePast A Link to the Past]]'' ROMHack ''Parallel Worlds'', the Frozen World counterpart of "Your House" (Link's house) is "?'s House" and the owner is never met. There is also the final overworld area in the Light World, from where you can enter the final boss and get the ending, which is simply called "?" like the area in ''Ocarina of Time''. It's heavily implied to be the top of Parallel Tower, but it's not confirmed.
36* ''VideoGame/LennasInception'': As you complete dungeons, you will unlock memories of a figure called "Archangel ???", with the ??? partially obscured by a glitching effect. After clearing the eighth dungeon, [[spoiler:the figure's full name is revealed to be Archangel Lenna]].
37[[/folder]]
38
39[[folder:Adventure]]
40* In the ''Franchise/AceAttorney'' games, a new character's dialogue will be labelled as spoken by "???" until you learn the person's name. This is also occasionally the case for previously-appearing characters who speak from off-screen and then appear. Similarly, any person you talk to gets recorded in your files for later viewing, but their name, age (and depending on the situation, their gender), will all be displayed as "???" until you learn who the person is in greater detail. In ''Dual Destinies'', [[spoiler:this ''becomes'' the phantom's name after you've determined that he is ''not'' Detective Bobby Fulbright.]]
41* In ''VideoGame/CardCityNights 2'', when entering the wharf, a person whose name is only "???", asks the player to get into the storage room.
42* In ''VideoGame/Code7'', names of characters you don't know are displayed as three question marks. Mostly, these are less important {{NPC}}s whose name you never learn, although there are a few exceptions, such as Carla's name being displayed as ??? when she's shouting for someone to get her some bandages from far away, then switching to Carla once she comes closer and Zoya recognizes her.
43* Every main series ''Franchise/{{Danganronpa}}'' game has a character whose Ultimate/Super High School Level talent is unknown, and thus is listed in the Report Card menu and character introduction screen as "Ultimate ???". [[VisualNovel/DanganronpaTriggerHappyHavoc The first game]] has Kyoko Kirigiri (actually the [[spoiler:[[GreatDetective Ultimate Detective]]]]), ''VisualNovel/Danganronpa2GoodbyeDespair'' has the PlayerCharacter Hajime Hinata, [[spoiler:who is actually a talentless Reserve Course student]], and ''VisualNovel/DanganronpaV3KillingHarmony'' has Rantaro Amami,[[spoiler:the Ultimate Survivor/Ultimate Adventurer]].
44[[/folder]]
45
46[[folder:Card Battle Games]]
47* ''VideoGame/MonsterMonpiece'': In the opening cutscene, a "???" says "*pant*" before the person's image appears and it's revealed to be Karen.
48[[/folder]]
49
50[[folder:Fighting Games]]
51* In the arcade version of ''VideoGame/ArtOfFighting'', Mr. Karate had no name. Instead, there was only a "?" beneath his character portrait. "Mr. Karate" was actually a FanNickname, which Creator/{{SNK}} [[AscendedFanon eventually adopted into canon.]]
52* ''Franchise/BlazBlue'': The credits list "??????" as the voice actors for Hakumen and V-13 to hide [[spoiler:the fact that they are alternate versions of Jin and Noel and therefore [[SignificantDoubleCasting have the same voice actors]]]].
53* ''VideoGame/DNFDuel'': The Lost Warrior's name is rendered as "???", even in online matches, until the player unlocks him by completing at least one character's Story Mode playthrough.
54* ''VideoGame/Persona4Arena'' gives this name to some opponents fought in Story Mode. [[spoiler:Specifically, the "Shadows" of the main cast and the {{Big Bad}}s, otherwise known only as "Eerie Voice" and "Malevolent Entity".]]
55* The [[Platform/PlayStation2 PS2]] [[FightingGame fighter]] ''[[Manga/SaintSeiya Saint Seiya: The Sanctuary]]'' has "Gemini ???" as a character. In the series the game is based on, his name is revealed to be [[spoiler:Gemini Kanon]].
56* Kuroko's name card in the non-continue game credits for ''VideoGame/SamuraiShodown 2'' is obscured and "????" is read below, regardless if you fought him or not. Supposedly what's obscured is his real name (Kuroko is an alias).
57* ''VideoGame/ZoneOfTheEndersTheFistOfMars'' does this with any character you currently do not know who is. Using the same number of ?'s as letters in their name, as well as silhouetting their image. However, a keen eye may reveal a couple of identities before the game does.
58[[/folder]]
59
60[[folder:First-Person Shooters]]
61* ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'': In the Missing Link DLC, when Janus first makes contact with Adam, it's over a faulty connection, so he is represented as a blank avatar with ??????????????. Adam first assumes its Pritchard.
62[[/folder]]
63
64[[folder:Minigame Compilations]]
65* Currently unavailable minigames in ''VideoGame/MarioParty'' are represented by "?????????????????".
66* Currently unavailable games on the ''VideoGame/WarioWare'' grid are represented by question marks.
67[[/folder]]
68
69[[folder:[=MMORPGs=]]]
70* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyXIV'', when there is a character who hasn't been introduced yet or someone is speaking off screen before they come into view, their name plate in the subtitles is labeled as "???" until the identity of the character is made clear. The names of zones from ''Shadowbringers'' and ''Endwalker'' that you have yet to unlock are displayed as "???" too, because even knowing what these zones are is a spoiler.
71* Spiruna's assistant, Hella, in ''VideoGame/MapleStory'' is shown as "????" in NPC form.
72* Repeat a particular BossBattle in ''VideoGame/{{Warframe}}'' and you will get a message from a mysterious individual identified as "???" saying that your actions have consequences. Then you will eventually get ambushed during a standard mission by said mysterious figure, called Stalker. What's more, you can scan him to get an entry in your [[MonsterCompendium codex]] that gives some insight into the backstory.
73* In ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'', if something has a significantly higher level than you (more than 10 levels), the level is displayed as "??" in its tooltip (in the level indicator in its portrait, however, the "level" will be a skull). This is also true for things that are coded to be "X levels higher than you", i.e., "boss"-rank creatures.
74[[/folder]]
75
76[[folder:Platformers]]
77* ''VideoGame/CastlevaniaHarmonyOfDissonance'': Death is first called ??? on his text box before Juste names him and he confirms it.
78* ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot'':
79** In the ''VideoGame/CrashBandicootNSaneTrilogy'' version of ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot1996'', when Dr. N. Brio [[HulkingOut Hulks Out]] in his boss fight, the name above his health bar changes to "?!?". The same thing happens when you fight him again in ''VideoGame/CrashBandicoot4ItsAboutTime''.
80** Also in ''Crash 4'', when you first play as Tawna's AlternateSelf, the subtitles refer to her as "???" until you reach the end of the level and Coco recognizes her.
81* ''VideoGame/GunWitch'':
82** In the cutscene after defeating 10 Snails, Itsuka is called "???" until Claire says her name, even though Itsuka can be talked to before the cutscene and her dialog box has her name labelling her.
83* ''VideoGame/KickMaster'': "You have found the ?? magic. This magic will ??" [[spoiler:It allows you to see hidden items.]]
84* ''Franchise/{{Kirby}}'':
85** The secret planet in ''VideoGame/KirbySuperStar'''s "Milky Way Wishes" is named "?". Its name was changed in ''[[UpdatedRerelease Kirby Super Star Ultra]]''... to "???".
86** Both ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand2'' and ''VideoGame/KirbysDreamLand3''[='s=] bad endings feature an EnemyRollCall showing every enemy and boss in the game alongside their names. The exception is each game's TrueFinalBoss, which you have yet to encounter, shown only in silhouette and without their name - the former game's is labeled "!?", while the latter is "?".
87** In ''VideoGame/KirbyAndTheAmazingMirror'', what appears to be Meta Knight is labeled only as "???" on his health bar when fighting him. When it's later revealed [[spoiler:he's not actually Meta Knight but his Mirror World counterpart]], his name changes to [[spoiler:"Dark Meta Knight" for the penultimate boss fight]].
88** ''VideoGame/KirbyPlanetRobobot'': An enemy encountered at the end of [[BossRush The True Arena]] has its name listed as "????" in the entryway before you fight it, likely to avoid spoiling its identity as [[spoiler:[[TrueFinalBoss Star Dream Soul OS]], a [[UpgradedBoss much more difficult]] version of the original FinalBoss that's exclusive to this mode]].
89* ''VideoGame/{{Tomba}} 2: The Evil Swine Return'' has two endgame areas whose names are question marks.
90** "...???" is [[spoiler:where you can meet Kainen after defeating the Evil Flame Pig, and the gate to the final area]].
91** "????" is [[spoiler:said final area, the room where the Last Evil Pig's door is hidden]].
92* The final level in ''VideoGame/YoNoid2EnterTheVoid'' is just called "???".
93[[/folder]]
94
95[[folder:Point-and-Click Games]]
96* ''VideoGame/GriswoldTheGoblin'' has the ???? potion, which is known to have various effects used at random every time it's used, like turning people into various creatures, opening gates to alternate universes, destroying things, and causing the drinker to get big and buff and then shrink to the size of a bug. Haggard Helga even describes it in her spellbook as having to be used "with absolute caution" because of this.
97* ''VideoGame/TheHex'': The sixth patron of the Six Pint Inn, a bar where video game characters are present in, is a humanoid silhouette with the question mark for a face, known only as '???'. [[spoiler:He is actually supposed to be the FirstPersonGhost for an InUniverse interactive puzzle game, and thus, was not supposed to have an identity of his own. Disgruntled by the fact that his developer, Lionel Snill, not only gave him no identity or mouth, but also continuously forced him to listen to the same self-flaunting narcissistic speeches, ??? assisted other patrons (and the bartender) to help them open the portal to the real world and murder Lionel for the suffering he brought upon them.]]
98[[/folder]]
99
100[[folder:Puzzle Games]]
101* ''VideoGame/TheCodexOfAlchemicalEngineering'' gives approximately 13 question marks for the mysterious Level 15 compound.
102* ''VideoGame/ThisStarryMidnightWeMake'': As seen in some [[https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/320090/ss_95ed968dcde5671adc281a3db705c9af341a79ae.1920x1080.jpg official]] [[https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/320090/ss_31549cf15b5e7ef9c9e56af53195e9e6f4235db3.1920x1080.jpg screenshots]], unnamed characters who speak, get "?" as their name in the English version.
103[[/folder]]
104
105[[folder:Racing Games]]
106* In most ''VideoGame/TokyoXtremeRacer'' entries, the TrueFinalBoss, who'll appear upon defeating every single other opponent in the game, is given this treatment for both street name and real name, during the race against them and in their bios. Alternatively, they're referred to as "UNKNOWN".
107[[/folder]]
108
109[[folder:Real Time Strategy]]
110* ''VideoGame/Pikmin4'': Leaflings are always referred to as "???," as they cannot be identified due to the leaf growth covering their faces and their transformations cause ID scans to not work. The only exception is the Sage Leaf, the only Leafling that provides a title for the other characters to use.
111[[/folder]]
112
113[[folder:Rhythm Games]]
114* In the ''VideoGame/FridayNightFunkin'' GameMod ''VideoGame/FriendlyNightFunkin'', [[spoiler:the stand-in for Monster is only referred to as "???".[[note]]Though WordOfGod states their name will be revealed in a future update.[[/note]]]]
115* Three characters in ''VideoGame/HarmoKnight'' get their names put as "???". Two birds, one princess. The princess's name is blurted out, but it will ''still'' read "???" until mentioned again.
116* In ''[[VideoGame/PopnMusic pop'n music]]'', there is a character who is simply called "?"[[note]]fans call him "Hatena", which is just Japanese for "question mark"[[/note]] that acts as MZD's shadow and companion.
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118
119[[folder:Role-Playing Games]]
120* ''VideoGame/BarkleyShutUpAndJamGaiden'' uses ???? for people who are talking but haven't yet been identified.
121* The ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuest'' series: For characters whose names are unknown until given, such as:
122** ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheShiftedSpires'':
123*** Caleb, the second possible battle, named in the cutscene preceding his fight.
124*** Boxxyfan, gives his name before leaving and having a PDF.EXE be the boss battle.
125*** Kelly, the Pirate Captain, named by her First Mate, Nozzy, before taking on the party alone.
126*** Cloaked Figure, who is called "???" in the second meeting, before they enter the screen, who likes themselves as being mysterious, but gives the name "Intrepid" for use in their second meeting.
127*** Cornelia, called "???" before Boxxyfan names them in their meeting.
128** ''VideoGame/BoxxyQuestTheGatheringStorm'':
129*** Arianna, named before being fought in the Lake of Fanfiction.
130*** Mary Sue, named when talked to in the Lake of Fanfiction.
131* In ''VideoGame/ChronoTrigger'', the era/location of your final battles with Lavos is simply "???" as is the overworld of the Middle Ages and the Future before you find out what year it is.
132* The flashy guy/Gigolo/[[spoiler:Loki]] from ''VideoGame/DevilSurvivor'' has his name displayed as "???" on the area menu.
133* The hero of ''VideoGame/EiyuuSenkiTheWorldConquest'' starts off this way for the first battle. He's able to remember his name soon afterwards, but people continue to believe he's a Servant of Heaven.
134* The GBA ''Franchise/FireEmblem'' games have "??" as the HP total for their final bosses at the beginning of the battles, because given that the normal {{cap}} is 60, HP displays are only two digits, and the final boss of each game has 120 HP. Once they're knocked down to 99 HP, they'll show their HP total as usual (even though the in-battle HP bars only show 80 HP.)
135* The ''VideoGame/FinalFantasy'' series: Multiple entries:
136** In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyV'', there's a [[PowerCopying Blue Magic]] spell called "???". The reason for this seems to be the fact that it has no [[CallingYourAttacks call box]] whatsoever. (If you care to know, it [[DesperationAttack deals damage equal to the difference between your max and current HP]].)
137** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVI'': Multiple characters:
138*** This is initially Terra's "name".
139*** The temporary ghost party members you can get on the phantom train have the same "name".
140*** The xylophone-heavy song that plays when first you meet Gau is called "??".
141** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyIVTheAfterYears'' does this straight, and has a variation. When a character talks from offscreen, their name is given as "???". When someone is in disguise (like in [[GratuitousNinja Edge's Tale]]), the name is given with a question mark at the end, like "Trainee?".
142** Happens twice in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX''. First, when Rikku joins you mid-battle early on. Then later, for an Aeon in a battle before you get to choose its name.
143** Appears in ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyVII'' with the "Enemy Skill" materia, where it does the same as the ''FFV'' example.
144** ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyTactics'': Unlike every other enemy in the game, all Zodiac monsters have their stats hidden behind question marks, though if you target them with Life Drain or Demi (which takes off 25% of max HP) or Demi 2 (which takes off 50% of max HP) you can get a pretty accurate estimate of their total HP.
145* ''VideoGame/GloryOfHeraclesDS'' uses this for the main character at the start. Early in the game, he is told he is the great hero Heracles. After ''another'' Heracles joins the group, Leucos asks him to come up with a name for himself to differentiate the two... at which point the player is finally allowed to input a name.
146* ''VideoGame/GranblueFantasy'': Multiple characters:
147** In a typical Visual Novel fashion, any on-screen character who hasn't properly introduced their name yet (directly by themselves or indirectly by other characters) will have them temporarily labeled as "???".
148** Some of the Elite Mooks and bosses of the Arcarum expeditions have their HP and ATK levels replaced with "???" instead of using the typical green and red bar indicators of most enemies encountered in that mode.
149* ''VideoGame/HeroAndDaughter'': Behemoth, the boss of the Forest Dungeon, is called "???" before it gives its name.
150* ''VideoGame/JimmyAndThePulsatingMass'': The "???" that calls "Jimmy, wait!" when he enters the Giant Garden after the Petty Thugs leave, is revealed to be "Timothy Mouse" after he walks up to Jimmy.
151* In ''VideoGame/LiveALive'''s final chapter, [[spoiler:if you pick Pogo to be your protagonist, he has absolutely no frame of reference with which to identify the battery needed to repair Cube. It appears in his inventory as "????".]]
152* In the NES game ''VideoGame/{{Magician}}'', if you try and craft a spell which doesn't exist, the runes full up with question marks and the spell name is listed as "UNKNOWN..."
153* The final boss of ''VideoGame/ManaKhemiaAlchemistsOfAlRevis''. It's because they're TheNameless, as [[spoiler:Vayne's LiteralGenie SplitPersonality]] obviously doesn't have a name of its own.
154* In ''VideoGame/OctopathTravelerII'', The Shadow fought in Castti and Ochette's second side story is labeled as "???". This is fitting, as neither of them have any idea what it even is, despite Ochette's talent of identifying abstract concepts [[TheNoseKnows by scent]]. (It's actually [[spoiler:a fragment of Vide sent to corrupt Castti]].)
155* In ''VideoGame/{{Omori}}'', any significant character who is a stranger to the player character has their dialogue boxes headed by "???" until they introduce themselves. This includes some whose names will be already familiar to the ''player''.
156* ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'':
157** In ''VideoGame/SuperMarioRPG'':
158*** A hidden item in Toadstool/Peach's room is just referred to as "Toadstool/Peach's ???." It is never said what the object is exactly, but it is implied to be something personal.
159*** The character Geno is labeled "???" at first. His actual name isn't much better: it's ♡♪!? in English and a set of unique hieroglyphs in Japanese.
160** In ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiSuperstarSaga'', there are enemies in Gwarhar Lagoon whose initial form is a shark fin poking out of the sand, with its name listed as "????". This is because there are actually two different enemies this could potentially be, and until the enemy pops out of the sand and shows their body when attacking, they look the same. One of them has the official name Sharkbone, while the other is a Blurp with a shark fin strapped on its back. They also regularly shuffle themselves on the battlefield, so you have to keep track of which is which to know whether to jump or not when they attack.
161** In the Japanese and European versions of ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiPartnersInTime'', the Junior Shrooboid is labeled as "????" in battle.
162** In ''VideoGame/PaperMarioTheThousandYearDoor'', this is the name given in the tattle log for [[spoiler:Doopliss]] before you find out his name.
163** This is the name given to [[BigBad Antasma]] when you face him during the intro battle in ''VideoGame/MarioAndLuigiDreamTeam''. Dream's Deep also suffers this on the save screen.
164* ''VideoGame/MegaManBattleNetwork3WhiteAndBlue'': To stop a haywire tank, you must defeat a trio of viruses named ????. This is to obfuscate that they are [[spoiler:small pieces of [[DigitalAbomination Alpha]]. They have an UndergroundMonkey form in the room with the final boss called Alpha Bug, which more clearly states what they are.]]
165* Any tracks/traces from a monster that you haven't identified yet in ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterWorld'' will be designated as "???". Similarly, after reaching High Rank, you start encountering tracks labelled "??? Rathian", showing that they are similar, but also different from regular Rathian tracks. [[spoiler:The final boss is also labelled ??? during the fight, though this is because they don't actually have a name yet. The boss gets a name after it is defeated: Xeno'jiiva.]]
166* ''VideoGame/TheOtherAirisAdventure'': ??? is revealed as Luca after he and Airi talk for a little while and she remembers his name.
167* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'':
168** ''VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver'', [[TropeNamer your rival gives his own name as "???"]]. You're supposed to [[HelloInsertNameHere enter]] his name later, but many a small child ended up permanently naming him ??? when asked, thinking that was actually his name. Averted in the remakes, which instead call him Passerby Boy in the battle dialogue, which is more obviously a description. If you somehow didn't realize that, it's also too long to fit in the naming prompt. Similarly, he no longer tells you his name in dialogue; he instead drops his Trainer Card and the player character sees his name on it, but the player doesn't say anything, a better hint that [[SchrodingersQuestion whatever you tell the officer will become reality]].
169** ''VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire'' and ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' also use question marks to represent non-seen Pokémon in the Pokédex. Similarly, their equivalent/version of [[GlitchEntity Missingno.]] is shown as the same icon, or for another kind, two white question marks.
170** ''VideoGame/PokemonMysteryDungeonGatesToInfinity'' uses this when characters first appear. Later on, [[spoiler:after Kyurem almost kills the player,]] this is also used for no given reason when the player awakens.
171** Before the name was revealed to be [[spoiler:Dark Nova]], the [[LimitBreak Synergy Burst]] of ''VideoGame/PokkenTournament''[='s=] second hidden character, [[spoiler:Shadow Mewtwo]], was simply referred to by just 3 question marks.
172** In ''VideoGame/PokemonXAndY'''s post-game quest, you and Looker fight a series of suspicious trainers all of whom are simply named as "???". They turn out to be [[spoiler:Emma / Essentia in various disguises]].
173** In ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' (and their ''[[VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon Ultra]]'' versions), the Ultra Beasts are named "???" in battle until you catch them and they're registered in your Pokédex (subsequent battles use their proper names). However, in ''Sun and Moon'' they're given code names by the two International Police agents working on dealing with them, and one even gets referred to by its name during the main course of the game[[note]]Specifically UB-01: Symbiont gets referred to as Nihilego by the villain[[/note]]. ''Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon'' also don't hide Poipole and Blacephalon/Stakataka's names.
174** In ''VideoGame/PokemonSwordAndShield'', during the scripted encounter with Zacian/Zamazenta in the Slumbering Weald (shortly after the player and their rival Hop get their starter Pokémon), the game's respective wolf is labeled "???" in much the same manner as the first Nihilego encounter in the Alola games, as the player character hasn't learned about the legend yet. However, as it is merely a mirage, it does not attack and is not affected by any of your Pokémon's attacks. It knocks you and Hop out with mist after a few turns, disappearing shortly afterwards.
175** In Generations II-IV, a "???" type existed which was neutral against all other types. However, this only appeared as the type of unhatched Eggs and the move Curse (which as a status move isn't normally affected by ElementalRockPaperScissors anyway), and in a few other niche situations.[[note]]Using moves like Conversion to become a mono-typed Flying Pokémon, then using Roost (heals the user but removes their Flying type); using Weather Ball in ''VideoGame/PokemonXDGaleOfDarkness'' when the game-exclusive Shadow Sky is in effect; hacking a "??? Plate" into the game and equipping it to Arceus.[[/note]] In Generation V, it was removed (and Curse changed to a Ghost-type move), presumably for the number of headaches it created for the programmers.
176** It came back with a vengeance in ''VideoGame/PokemonSunAndMoon'' in the form of Burn Up and Revelation Dance, with not only a ???-type Pokémon, but also a ???-type damage-dealing move. Like Roost to the Flying type, Burn Up removes the Fire type from its user, but it does not add a type back when the user is left with no type. The mono-Fire Cyndaquil and Growlithe lines get this move, as well as Moltres who is left as a Flying-type. On the other hand we have Oricorio with its signature ability Dancer and signature move Revelation Dance. The former causes the Pokémon with the ability to follow up someone else's dance move immediately, and the latter is a dance move whose type depends on the primary type of the user. Now Skill Swap Dancer onto Arcanine that have used Burn Up, put the Oricorio back into the field, and Revelation Dance. The Arcanine will immediately follow up with its own Revelation Dance, which due to it losing its typing become a legit ???-type damage-dealing move.
177** The interaction of ???-type and Wonder Guard is also interesting in Gen VII. This setup requires a Mimic Shedinja which can only be created by teaching Ninjask the move Mimic all the way back to Gen III. Now the setup requires Shedinja learning Entrainment through Mimic off a teammate, bestowing its Wonder Guard ability to an Arcanine and the Arcanine using Burn Up. Due to the ???-type having no weakness, this Arcanine cannot be targeted by any damaging move, so only status conditions and weather can take it down without changing the Arcanine's type again if the Arcanine cannot use Rest. Otherwise either the opponent has to use Soak, Forest's Curse or Trick-or-Treat to add a type to the Arcanine or faint it with a Perish Song.
178* ''VideoGame/PrayerOfTheFaithless'': The first person we see Aeyr talk to is a ??? that only "says" [[VisibleSilence ...]]. The mysterious man's name is only revealed when he's seen again.
179* The ''VideoGame/StarOcean'' series:
180%%** The unidentified items in the games.
181** In ''VideoGame/StarOceanTillTheEndOfTime'' Bosses HP/MP Statistics are listed as ???, with the only way to find out their exact value is through guides.
182** Enemies in ''VideoGame/StarOceanTheLastHope'' with the type "Other" such as the [[spoiler:Grigori]] and Gabriel Celeste have ??? for their HP Values.
183* ''VideoGame/TalesOfSymphonia'' does this with Kratos, when he first joins the party. Yeah, he was a bit of a lone wolf.
184** Along with every boss, mini-boss or BigBad who doesn't introduce themselves off the bat. Rodyle spends half the game with his name as "???" even ''after you hear his name''. Perhaps justified in that the party was not in the scene at the time, but still.
185* ''VideoGame/TalesOfPhantasia'''s DistantPrologue identifies the PrecursorHeroes and the BigBad with "????".
186* The first energy golem your face in ''VideoGame/TelepathRPG'' is called "???" by the battle interface, this makes sense since these are a new technology from the enemies and your characters don't know what they are by this point, future energy golems are reffered as what they are.
187* Sarn Kamina in the opening of ''VideoGame/TelepathTactics''. [[BigBad Tarion]] is also referred to as "???" until Emma calls him by name in the final arc, even though it's pretty obvious who he is since his name is mentioned prior to that.
188* ''VideoGame/TheTenthLine'': The first character is called ????, until Rik jokes that she thinks she's royalty and her confirmation leads her to be named as "The Princess":
189--> '''The Princess:''' As a matter of fact, I am!
190* ''VideoGame/TrialsOfMana'': Some end-game enemies drop ??? Seeds, which either give the best gear in the game or a special item to allow for the second class change when planted.
191[[/folder]]
192
193[[folder:Roguelike]]
194* ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'': Multiple:
195** An unlockable character [[spoiler:and final boss of ''Wrath of the Lamb'']] is called ??? (alternatively referred to as [[spoiler:Blue Baby]].)
196** Unidentified pill types are also labelled as ??? before they're used.
197** Getting the Curse of the Blind turns all chest/pedestal items into a "?" icon, and won't reveal what they are until touched.
198** The {{superboss}} [[spoiler:Hush]], introduced in the ''Afterbirth'' update to ''Rebirth'', is located in an area named ???, which is nicknamed "Blue Womb" by fans since it's a blue-colored PaletteSwap of the Womb floors.
199** One of the pills introduced in ''Afterbirth'' is named "???", and unlike other pills, this isn't just a way to obscure its name; even after you identify it, this is the actual name of the pill. Since it forces a Curse of {{the Maze}} effect for the rest of the floor, the trope is {{exploited|Trope}}, so that you actually have to remember which pill it is, lest you mistake it for one you haven't identified yet and give yourself a detrimental effect again on a later floor.
200* ''VideoGame/CultOfTheLamb'': ''[[PostEndGameContent Relics of the Old Faith]]'' introduces a divine being - [[OurAngelsAreDifferent closest thing we've seen to an angel]] so far - that goes by ???. Once they begin their partnership with the Lamb, they ask the Lamb to [[HelloInsertNameHere give them a name]] to seal the deal.
201* ''VideoGame/{{Fairyside}}'': Memory 7 has Shirley meet ???, a WingedHumanoid girl who has been [[IHaveManyNames given many names]] and picks Fifi, then calls herself a Luninsula guardian spirit.
202[[/folder]]
203
204[[folder:Sports Games]]
205* In ''VideoGame/{{SSX}} 3'', if you do a huge enough chain of tricks (typically anything that would span greater than 3 lines of text), the game won't even bother trying to write all of them, and will instead list the combo as "???".
206[[/folder]]
207
208[[folder:Simulation]]
209* In ''VideoGame/AnimalCrossingNewLeaf'', your secretary Isabelle's name is written as "???" until she introduces herself following your inauguration.
210* While the Chinese Emperors in ''VideoGame/CrusaderKingsII'' have ''names'', every other stat is a question mark. They're so distant, so aloof from the petty squabbles of the barbarian West, and possessed of such a massive realm that all that matters is their representative in the Western Protectorate.
211* In ''VideoGame/RuneFactory3'', before you learn someone's name or if you hear someone talking in the distance but cannot see him, his name is listed as "???".
212[[/folder]]
213
214[[folder:Stealth-Based Games]]
215* ''VideoGame/HitmanBloodMoney'' has a mysterious female assassin charged with taking out Agent 47, identified only as "?".
216[[/folder]]
217
218[[folder:Turn-Based Strategy]]
219* In ''VideoGame/ProjectXZone'', all characters whose names have not yet been said are identified as "???" even though [[Franchise/StreetFighter for]] [[VideoGame/MegaManX some]], it should be painfully obvious who they are. This also creates a bit of InterfaceSpoiler in the cutscene that introduces [[VideoGame/GodEater1 Soma, Alisa]] and [[VideoGame/ResonanceOfFate Vashyron.]] When Soma asks for Alisa and Lindow to tell him what the hell's going on, "Lindow" speaks up but the name on his text box still reads "???", hinting that he's not actually Lindow.
220* ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' labels unidentified units (ones that haven't fought one of your units yet) with question marks and their status screens are also question marks. In addition, bosses with very high HP (over 100,000 in ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsOriginalGeneration'') have a ???????? HP count.
221** This trope is combined with shadowed portraits (or a generic outline) to conceal the identities of characters in certain dialogue scenes (usually villains plotting). The effect is occasionally spoiled by someone's distinctive hairstyle.
222[[/folder]]
223
224[[folder:Game Mods]]
225* In ''VideoGame/TheSpecialists'', one character actually goes by Question Mark, or Mark.
226[[/folder]]
227
228[[folder:Non-Video Game Examples]]
229
230[[AC:Anime and Manga]]
231* One of the most powerful [[TheHeartless Witches]] in ''Anime/PuellaMagiMadokaMagica'' does not have a proper name attached to it like the rest of its brethren, instead referred to as "Walpurgisnacht" by magical girls who have had the [[TheDreaded misfortune of confronting it]]. Official promotional material takes it a step further, neglecting to mention its nickname in favor of the mysterious "?????."
232* In Episode 7 of ''Anime/WonderfulPrettyCure'', a wolf-like villain with [[RedEyesTakeWarning glowing red eyes]] and a [[InTheHood dark hooded cloak]] briefly appears to give a [[MonsterOfTheWeek Garugaru]] orders. To prevent the viewers from learning his identity, he's listed in the episode's credits as "???" rather than his actual name, which has yet to be revealed in the show proper.
233
234[[AC:Film — Live-Action]]
235* In ''Film/BirdsOfPrey2020'', after Harley blows up the chemical factory and reveals to the world that she's broken up with the Joker (and is [[DidNotThinkThisThrough therefore no longer untouchable]]), people start coming after her to repay her for old grievances. When each one shows up, their name and grievance pops up on screen. But when Huntress shows up, we only get "Name: ??? Grievance: ???"
236* In ''Film/FromRussiaWithLove'', Blofled is listed in the credits as played by "?"
237
238[[AC:Literature]]
239* ''Literature/TheMysteriousDisappearanceOfLeonIMeanNoel'' by Ellen Raskin says at the beginning of the book that Leon Carillon "changed his name to ?". What the "?" ''really'' stands for is part of the solution of the mystery.
240* In ''WebVideo/DemoReel'', the five main characters who make movies are [[SmallNameBigEgo Donnie DuPre]], [[TheDitz Rebecca Stoné]], [[ButtMonkey Tacoma Narrows]], [[MysteriousPast Carl Copenhagen]], and [[OnlyOneName Quinn]]. Because the last of these only has one name, the credits list his name as "Quinn ???????".
241
242[[AC:Live-Action TV]]
243* A meta example from ''Series/Batman1966'': Actor Malachi Throne, guest starring as the villain False Face, was credited in the character's first appearance with a question mark in place of the actor's name, to be consistent with False Face's gimmick as a MasterOfDisguise with no traceable identity. Malachi Throne was understandably unhappy about this, and was given proper credit in his next appearance.
244* ''Series/BurnNotice'' manages to combine this with FunWithSubtitles, while simultaneously PlayedForDrama. When Michael confronts [[TerroristWithoutACause Simon]], the subtitles list him as a Simon; but instead of a description all there is a "?", showing how little is known about him.
245* One time in ''Series/DoctorWho'', when the Seventh Doctor had to sign a guestbook, he wrote a really big question mark.
246* The title of one episode of ''Series/{{Lost}}'' is, you guessed it, "'''?'''" (pronounced "question mark").
247
248[[AC:Music]]
249* The lead singer of [[Music/QuestionMarkAndTheMysterians ? and the Mysterians]], a band most famous for their hit "96 Tears".
250* The Music/GeorgeJones song "Her Name Is" features a variant of this; the song is about a man pursuing a relationship with a married woman, but can't or won't describe her or say her name until she leaves her current husband. Any part of the song where her name or any description would be heard [[SoundEffectBleep is replaced by a few musical notes]].
251* The German New Wave group/performer Music/{{Nena}} (of "99 Luftballons" fame) has a song titled "?".
252
253[[AC:Pinball]]
254* ''Pinball/LedZeppelin'': The final WizardMode is officially referred to as "? Multiball" to heighten its mystique.
255* ''Pinball/TwilightZone'' prints the name of each primary mode on a door panel in the playfield artwork. The WizardMode is instead represented by a single "?" on the doorknob - only upon reaching it is its name revealed to be "Lost in the Zone".
256
257[[AC:Roleplay]]
258* It's not uncommon in a live-action role playing game to see a character whose name tag reads only "???". It just means that not everyone present recognizes that person, and players who know them will have "??? is Bob" or something on their character sheet.
259* ''Roleplay/DestroyTheGodmodder'': Used for whenever an entity's alignment or anything else about them has not yet been revealed. Be it their hit points, their power, and sometimes even what they do.
260** Also invoked by players who will use question marks when they don't want others to know what it is that they're summoning.
261
262[[AC:Web Animation]]
263* ''WebAnimation/DSBTInsaniT'': ???'s name is literally is, because he was never given a name! Killdra really lays into him how ridiculous this name is.
264* In ''WebAnimation/MysterySkullsAnimated'', the [[https://mysterybensmysteryblog.tumblr.com/post/105403522123 profile]] for the green spirit that possessed Arthur's left arm lists its name and all details as "???".
265* In ''WebAnimation/TurnaboutStorm'', Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves/Bright Eyes/[[MemeticBystander the gray pegasus with the bubble Cutie Mark]] keeps insisting that her name is different from whatever Twilight Sparkle is calling her, [[IHaveManyNames changing it every time]]. The [[PaintingTheMedium text boxes change correspondingly]]... until [[EvenTheSubtitlerIsStumped they apparently give up]] and just start calling her a string of question marks.
266
267[[AC:Webcomics]]
268* ''Webcomic/AwfulHospital'' has been known to [[http://www.bogleech.com/awfulhospital/242.html utilize this trope]] from time to time.
269
270[[AC:Western Animation]]
271* Episode one of ''WesternAnimation/OverTheGardenWall'' has Jack Jones credited as voicing "???", [[spoiler:the narrator, Greg's Frog.]]
272* ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretShow'': A weird variant in that when the Chief of U.Z.Z. isn't being referred to as "Changed Daily" by fans and online sources, his name is given as a bunch of asterisks in scripts. This is due to him [[ConstantlyChangingName always having a different name]] in every episode.
273* Every episode of ''WesternAnimation/MickeyMouseClubhouse'' includes three to five "Mouseketools" Mickey and his friends set up at the beginning and use to solve problems they encounter. The last one is saved as a surprise for the young viewers, called the "Mystery Mouseketool," and shown as a question mark next to the others. This can unfortunately lead to toddlers and preschoolers seeing question marks in other contexts and calling them mysteries or Mouseketools.
274
275[[AC:Others]]
276* [=UTF8=] Coding. Should your name contain Unicode characters, those may come out as question marks in media like email or Usenet with a wrong charset.
277[[/folder]]

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