diff --git a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
index 018d9e1b..74ff66ff 100644
--- a/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
+++ b/src/as/com/threerings/parlor/game/client/GameController.as
@@ -62,6 +62,14 @@ public /*abstract*/ class GameController extends PlaceController
         _userIder = userIder;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Returns the persistent user id for the supplied player name.
+     */
+    public static function nameToId (name :Name) :int
+    {
+        return (_userIder == null) ? 0 : _userIder.getUserId(name);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Initializes this game controller with the game configuration that
      * was established during the match making process. Derived classes
@@ -169,14 +177,6 @@ public /*abstract*/ class GameController extends PlaceController
         setGameOver(true);
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Returns the persistent user id for the supplied player name.
-     */
-    public function nameToId (name :Name) :int
-    {
-        return (_userIder == null) ? 0 : _userIder.getUserId(name);
-    }
-
     /**
      * Returns the unique identifier for the current gameplay session.
      */