diff --git a/dgl-common.c b/dgl-common.c
index dbe910a..95050de 100644
--- a/dgl-common.c
+++ b/dgl-common.c
@@ -138,6 +138,13 @@ dgl_format_str(int game, struct dg_user *me, char *str, char *plrname)
 		while (*p != '\0')
 		    p++;
 		break;
+	    case 'N':
+		if (me) *p = me->username[0];
+		else if (plrname) *p = plrname[0];
+		else return NULL;
+		p++;
+		*p = '\0';
+		break;
   	    case 'n':
 		if (me) snprintf (p, end + 1 - p, "%s", me->username);
 		else if (plrname) snprintf(p, end + 1 - p, "%s", plrname);
diff --git a/examples/dgamelaunch.conf b/examples/dgamelaunch.conf
index e642b23..a6028bd 100644
--- a/examples/dgamelaunch.conf
+++ b/examples/dgamelaunch.conf
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@ lockfile = "/dgl-lock"
 # Parameters to the commands are subject to variable substitution:
 #   %r = dglroot, as defined above
 #   %n = user nick, if user is logged in
+#   %N = first character of user name, if user is logged in
 #   %u = shed_uid, as defined above, but numeric
 #   %g = game name, if user has selected a game.
 #   %s = short game name, if user has selected a game.