Server Selection (Prelude)

[Noelle]

Just watch, everyone will avoid Sephiroth and it'll end up being an awesome server. None of the NM's will be camped and the prices will end up being more stable

 

So L or T?

 

heheh if only.

 

All the good people will avoid Sephiroth leaving the rest of em... thousands upon thousands of Clouds and Sephiroths running around with amnesia or looking for their mommy...

 

The horror. THE HORROR!!!

 

I'd actually really like to see that,

An entire server of nothing but clouds and sephiroths would be awesome.

 

 

I always quite liked Jecht, i thought he was a pretty cool character.

X-2 should have been a jecht game, that i would have played.

[Blade]

Retro FF villains for the win.

 

Really just not a fan of Jecht, never really liked the FFX story. As cliche though, it may be I would even go with Sephy over Jecht... or even Shadowlord. But Garland or Kefka or Exdeath, yes please!

 

And while it may only be a server name, it is what we are going to be looking at every time we log in, and we have the choice and ability to decide whether we like that or not. I understand the people who are on Jecht and RPing might like to stay there because the RPC is sorta established somewhat, but at the same time I don't think that the people who were lucky enough to get into the beta should be the ones who have picked the server for those of us without the beta, which would be the majority. Basically I'm just saying I don't think we should default to Jecht for that reason, since server selection should be a group thing.

 

I think that there should be a poll up now for all the RPC to vote on up until the game's release, listing that current beta server names and polling all of us on which server we would like to join if they keep with the naming scheme, and this could stay up until a day before the CE's release in September. That way everyone has plenty of time to make their picks, with plenty of time, and the RPC could announce the winner that day before the game launches.

 

And of course, we could have a backup plan if they names are different, like others are suggesting, first name after L or whatnot. That's just less ideal though since we don't get to pick our servers, but it is what it is. But if the names are possibly going to just remain the same anyways why not just run a poll? Seems like an easy solution to me.

[ArmachiA]

Whatever works, the vote is a good idea to quell the crowd for now and if it changes it would be easy to put up a new poll. But really, It's just a server to me

 

I do suggest avoiding Kefka though, it's the most popular server (crowded) and it's the SA Goons prefered server (If you do not know who they are, they are infamous for griefing entire servers and really hate roleplayers.)

[Kylin]

I'd be on board with holding a vote on the present server names. We'd just have to make sure everyone was aware that the results may be made void if the server names do indeed change (which they likely will). However, I think we should hold off on that until open beta just in case they release the real server names along with the next phase. If the server names don't change by open beta, then I think we should have an initial vote just to quell the worry.

 

However, I do disagree with having the poll run for longer than 5 days max. Server selection is a big deal, and I'm sure the Aion people here can testify to that based on their experience with the server voting. People WILL try to sabotage the vote and the longer the poll runs, the more at risk it is of being sabotaged.

 

Overall, I'd like to make the following proposal (which should cover just about any server selection problems). This is mostly based on the previous proposal, only with minor modifications made.

 

Listed in order of importance. Smaller number always trumps larger number (example: #1 is done BEFORE #2).

 

1. If Square Enix declares an official RP server, we go there. If no official RP server, move on to #2.

--If there is more than one official RP server, we select the second option on the list.

--If the order of the server names shift sequence, we select the RP server based on alphabetical listing instead, starting with C.

 

2. If server names remain the same as beta names, we go the chosen server based on the RPC pre-vote (to start during open beta.). If server names change, move on to #3.

 

3. If final server names are known before September 22nd, we hold a vote in the Assembly Room. Vote would last no longer than 3 days, possibly less depending on how much time there is before the game goes live. If server names are NOT known before September 22nd, move on to #4.

 

4. As a last resort and if none of the above can be done, select the 5th server on the server list.

--If the order of the server names shift sequence, select the server based on alphabetical listing instead, starting with the letter C.

[Vareal]

When is the open beta? Is it that 8 day early access thing with the collectors edition?

[Kylin]

Open beta starts in about 2 weeks according to SE's latest interview. They said "early September" and "ASAP."

[Kashemia]

When is the open beta? Is it that 8 day early access thing with the collectors edition?

 

No, that's an 8 days earlier acces, it has nothing to do with beta. The characters there won't be wiped, and noly people with CE can play.

 

Early beta starts sometime in September, probably around 2 weeks before the CE launch.

[Vareal]

Ahh, very good. I was getting a little concerned because I've beta tested every MMO i've played (well, almost every one) and I was bummed out I didn't get into the closed beta. I got the CE, finished paying it off yesterday, so I'll be there for the early access.

[Asyria]

I wish they had a Zeromus server.

Isn't he just adorable?

[Eva]

'C' now? What happened to 'L'? This seems to be growing unnecessarily confusing.

 

Maybe a silly question, but in order to alleviate some confusion why not change this:

 

4. As a last resort and if none of the above can be done, select the 5th server on the server list.

--If the order of the server names shift sequence, select the server based on alphabetical listing instead, starting with the letter C.

 

to:

 

4. As a last resort and if none of the above can be done, select the server based on alphabetical listing starting with the letter C.

 

Otherwise you've effectively got a 4 & 5 there, even if it doesn't say it. Call it a hunch, but I still maintain that they're not going to stick with villain names for the servers, so this "NO JECHT IS BETTER THAN GOLBEZ" stuff is a waste... but whatever.

 

Honestly, the whole thing can be cut down to 2 easy steps.

 

1. If the server names are known well enough beforehand, conduct a short-term forum vote.

2. If not, select server alphabetically, based on whatever letter you want.

[Asyria]

I agree with Eva!

I hate when things are unnecessarily complicated. ^^;

(also, Zeromus is not really adorable... at all)

[Kylin]

Eh, I thought it was pretty straightforward and not complicated at all. As for why it changed from L to C, that was due to the concerns over how Sephiroth would have been our server choice had we used that system and the server names remained the same. But if we're going to vote on the current server names in case they don't change, I guess that's moot.

 

I don't really see how we could cut out #1. Having an official RP server is a huge deal that can't be simply ignored. However, I suppose we could cut down the other stuff a bit more.

[ArmachiA]

The poll, for now, would really be just to eliminate fears. It's still a month off, but people are still going to be worried about it. If they feel like they're doing something, whether or not these servers stick, people will feel more at ease. So it's not like it's counter productive to have a poll even though we don't know if the server names will change.

[Asyria]

If there are RP servers (which is something I highly doubt will happen), then it's pretty obvious we'll take one. IF there's more than one, we just need to say like "pick the first" or "pick the 2nd". Everything else can be put as Eva suggested, I think.

 

Also, I agree that a vote is pointless right now. We should wait for open beta, for sure.

[Kylin]

Simply picking the "1st" or "2nd" may not be viable though. SE may put in measures to help keep servers from overloading, such as not putting them in alphabetical order and instead making them appear randomly on the selection screen.

 

For example, a typical selection screen may look like this:

Atomos

Chocobo (RP)

Cloud

Garland (RP)

Sephiroth

 

Based on the "pick the 2nd" rule, we'd go with Garland. HOWEVER, what if the list looks more like this?

 

Person 1:

Atomos

Chocobo (RP)

Cloud

Garland (RP)

Sephiroth

 

Person 2:

Garland (RP)

Chocobo (RP)

Cloud

Atomos

Sephiroth

 

Suddenly, the rule no longer works. The result? We end up with a divided RP community.

[Asyria]

Hmmmm I see.

That only makes it more pointless to vote until last minute. ^^

 

In the end the server name really doesn't matter at all, other than us all being on the same one.

I say make the vote a 1 day thing and have it on Sept 20 so you can compile on Sept 21st and it's ready for people to log on Sept 22nd.

[Shamadconde]

When we do the poll, (if we need to do the poll) is it possible to keep the results hidden until the deadline? That way there is no fighting between two factions of players (ARP anyone?) and it will be a poll of what people actually want instead of pushing the current leader.

[Zane]

I would just like to point out, from having finally seen Server selection in the beta, servers are not listed in a set, unchanging sequence. They are listed in order of population density. Golbez is currently the least populated, with Shadowlord being the most populated. I could go into why exactly I figured this out, but I need to go out and do something. If no one believes me, I will post my proof when I get home. It's fairly obvious though, if any one wants to go and create another character on Beta just to look at the Server selection, you'll understand.

 

So, do not count on picking a specific server in numerical order on the list. We will have to vote or go by the alphabet.

[Asyria]

Upon examination,that seems to be true!

Ultimecia is somewhere in the middle with 2 chocobos, while Sephiroth and Shadowloard are at the end, with 3 chocobos.

[Zane]

Yeah, also, within the different groups, (I.E. 1, 2, or 3 chocobos) the servers are not listed in either Alphabetical order, nor are they listed in the order they were created (Server number order). It makes sense since a lot of people don't care what server they go to and will just pick the first server on the list. That way more people will go to the lower populated servers rather than scrolling all the way to the bottom where the high population servers are.

[Eva]

Here's a proposal then:

 

First, conduct the vote based on the existing 'villain' servers. If it will put everyone's mind at ease, when the game goes live if they actually stick with those names, we'll go to the one chosen by the community. I personally don't think this will be the case, but it seems like a lot of people are QQing over villain names, and as Armi said earlier it might put a lot of minds at ease. If you want to take this a step further, conduct a separate vote based on the avatars or existing FF11 servers or whatever.

 

Second, totally forget about choosing a server based on the sequence they're listed. I think it's unreliable to say "choose the fourth one listed" if the list is expected to vary depending on server density. I think a much more valid way of selecting a server is alphabetically. It's concrete and the only margin of error here would be if, say, there were 20 servers to select from and a list of 15 was provided - and I think the odds of them doing that are slim. They've already indicated that they want people to be able to choose the same server as their friends.

 

I have a very strong suspicion that they're going to release the server names prior to 9/22. I honestly don't know what they did for FF11, but for the reason given above - choosing the same server as friends - it seems like it would be in their best interests to distribute this information. Otherwise they're going to find themselves with a lot of people re-rolling and complaining, yadda yadda.

 

I do think it's a good idea to play it safe and have a contingency plan. And I like what we've done so far. So I submit this proposal and hopefully it is relatively simple to follow:

 

...If one RP server is designated...

1. We choose that one.

 

...If multiple RP servers are designated...

2a. If we know in advance what they will be, we vote.

2b. If we do not know in advance, we choose the first alphabetically from T.

 

...If no RP servers are designated...

3. If we know in advance what they will be, we vote.

4a. If they're based on villains, we go with what we voted on.

4b. If they're based on avatars, we go with what we voted on.

5. If they're not based on villains or avatars (or our chosen villain/avatar isn't listed), we choose the first alphabetically from T.

 

 

I understand the need to account for if one or multiple RP servers are designated by S-E, but I seriously don't think that this will happen. I strongly suspect we'll be going with contingency #3. But it's not a bad idea and someone can set up polls for 4a and 4b if this seems like an acceptable proposal.

 

EDIT: I chose 'T' explicitly because it dodges the whole 'Sephiroth' issue, although that's sort of moot anyway because if they wind up going with villains, we'll have already voted.

[Asyria]

While I kinda feel offended with the whole QQing about villains" (seriously, who is QQing? we're just having fun here) I think Eva is right about the server name sequence being out of question.

 

Whataver the guidelines, I ask only one thing.

KISS.

Which stands for Keep It Simple Stupid.

We don't want people making mistakes and ending up having to reroll.

[Seraphine Felstar]

The beta took me hours to download. I have a feeling the actual game will be even worse. So... somehow I'm thinking the server names will be up and ready for everyone to view before most of us are even finished downloading everything. With that in mind, it's entirely possible to select the name quickly and and with the least amount of Sephiroth's as possible.

[Aveline]

Yeah time-wise... someone, somewhere on this planet, is going to have the game before us. I also think the servers are going to be listed before anyone is even done with the downloads.

[Kashemia]

Well, we will hopefully have CD-roms at the time to download from, at least that's what I'm hoping. If I have to download it all from scratch, I will probbly not be able to play at all during those extra 8 days we get from the CE <.<

 

But yeah, I agree that we need to keep it simple. There will be people complaining no matter what you do, so just chose your way and stick with it. It only gets really confusing if you start changing it because someone complains. It's better to stick with your gun