diff --git a/client/scripts/newgame/new_game.gd b/client/scripts/newgame/new_game.gd
index 6ed2cac..c06b196 100644
--- a/client/scripts/newgame/new_game.gd
+++ b/client/scripts/newgame/new_game.gd
@@ -19,6 +19,9 @@ static func construct(origin: Dictionary, world: ContentDB, creation: Dictionary
 	if class_id not in allowed:
 		errors.append("class not allowed by origin: %s" % class_id)
 
+	if creation.get("name", "").strip_edges() == "":
+		errors.append("player name is required")
+
 	if not errors.is_empty():
 		return {"ok": false, "errors": errors, "log": null, "state": null}
 
diff --git a/client/tests/unit/test_new_game.gd b/client/tests/unit/test_new_game.gd
index 8e62dee..b529b1f 100644
--- a/client/tests/unit/test_new_game.gd
+++ b/client/tests/unit/test_new_game.gd
@@ -87,6 +87,18 @@ func test_unresolved_origin_is_rejected():
 	assert_true("unresolved ref: location:nowhere" in res["errors"])
 
 
+func test_empty_name_is_rejected():
+	var missing_name := _build({"class_id": "sellsword"})
+	assert_false(missing_name["ok"])
+	assert_true(missing_name["errors"].size() > 0)
+	assert_null(missing_name["log"])
+
+	var whitespace_name := _build({"name": "   ", "class_id": "sellsword"})
+	assert_false(whitespace_name["ok"])
+	assert_true(whitespace_name["errors"].size() > 0)
+	assert_null(whitespace_name["log"])
+
+
 func test_non_companion_override_goes_to_state_not_log():
 	world.npcs["oda_fenn"] = {"id": "oda_fenn", "name": "Oda Fenn", "role": "npc"}
 	var o := _deserter()