Staying logged in to avoid queues? Don't.

[Grott]

I'm not trying to lecture anyone here, but you'll excuse me if my character's personality has rubbed off on my own a bit.

 

I've noticed a lot of people will go to an inn and stay logged in while they go off to see a movie, go shopping, or even work or go to sleep. Queues are annoying, and being told you can't even get into the queue is even more annoying. I understand that, but staying logged in is part of the problem. FFXIV doesn't have an auto-kick function to help with server congestion, and taking advantage of that is making it, not more difficult, but virtually impossible to make new characters on Balmung. Initially I was upset because I created one of my alts in phase 4 and now I'm unable to make my main, Uther Skystrider, on the server. But the more I thought about it, the more I began to empathize with newcomers who can't make any character at all on the server. Imagine how you would feel if you hadn't been following the game too closely and never pre-ordered it. It's launch and you can't even make a character until next week because everyone refuses to log out and give you a chance.

 

Of course this isn't the only reason for the server problems, but every little bit helps. Be part of the solution, not the problem. We talk a big game here about welcoming new players, yet we won't even give them the space to play with us. It may take some time for us to get back online, but at least someone else gets to play the game.

 

So please, log off when you're done playing. It's the courteous thing to do.

[lady2beetle]

I'll admit it is *very* tempting because I work until 5, so if I don't go home and log in at lunch I will never get in to play. But I have managed to avoid the temptation.

[Magellan]

I love your message, but also think people will just be people. I figured out this exploit quite awhile ago. I have never used it, as I would feel absolutely horrible if I did, but I can't say I really blame people who do employ it. SE really just needs to create an auto-kick.

[Grott]

Really when it comes down to it, SE absolutely needs to create an auto-kick function. But there isn't one. So we need to kind of police ourselves a bit. It's definitely tempting to stay logged in. I've considered it myself once or twice, but in all good conscience I can't do it. Even with the fact that I, too, don't get home from work until peak hours. It's all about being a good neighbor to your fellow gamer.

[LiadansWhisper]

I love your message, but also think people will just be people. I figured out this exploit quite awhile ago. I have never used it, as I would feel absolutely horrible if I did, but I can't say I really blame people who do employ it. SE really just needs to create an auto-kick.

 

It's been suggested to them several times.  The weird thing is...there was one in Beta 3, if I'm not mistaken.  Most of the people I know are going to do this until the autokick is put in.

[Dehqon]

Honestly, I kind of did this before while tabbing out to work on pictures, but at least I tabbed into the game every so often to chat and double check that names were spelled correctly. Thinking back, I was probably better off just logging off since it doesn't reward less rested EXP and there weren't many people actually talking back. Either way, a one hour timer to be auto-kicked could have helped with congestion and given people a glimmer of hope that they could log in.

[Ivven Rollenspeil]

Telling a few dozen people here not to do it is NOT going to stop the thousands who don't bother visiting the forums who do it. You're just going to have to wait for a fix or for SE to make the server caps/databases able to handle the load. There's not much more you can do.

[Amadeus]

The only thing SE needs to do is develop server stability to the point that their customers can actually play the game.  An auto-log function would be nice, but let's not put the blame on people who are just trying to get around a bad situation.

[Magellan]

They are expanding server capacity starting next Monday, which, in their words, they hope makes a 'significant' impact. Courtesy towards fellow gamers would be sweet, but I don't begrudge people just trying to enjoy the game.

[AkhutaiAngura]

The only thing SE needs to do is develop server stability to the point that their customers can actually play the game.  An auto-log function would be nice, but let's not put the blame on people who are just trying to get around a bad situation.

 

That's pretty much the way I feel about it.

 

The only reason people 'abuse' the lack of an AFK timer, is because abuse the lack of an AFK timer. I mean.. I'm in class now, and logged in back at home. I'll be  idle for about 8 hours before I get back to it... But my logging out doesn't fix the issue that's still there - All it does is makes it near impossible for me to play when I get home, and allows someone (Likely not even an RPer) in to play, and probably abuse the system.

 

It's kind of a catch 22, there. People abuse the system, because people abuse the system. If there were an AFK timer, there'd be no need to abuse the system, and would be no need for the timer, except for keeping the need down. Hope that makes sense.

[Grott]

Telling a few dozen people here not to do it is NOT going to stop the thousands who don't bother visiting the forums who do it. You're just going to have to wait for a fix or for SE to make the server caps/databases able to handle the load. There's not much more you can do.

 

So I shouldn't even try? What kind of attitude is that?

[Ivven Rollenspeil]

Telling a few dozen people here not to do it is NOT going to stop the thousands who don't bother visiting the forums who do it. You're just going to have to wait for a fix or for SE to make the server caps/databases able to handle the load. There's not much more you can do.

 

So I shouldn't even try? What kind of attitude is that?

 The realistic one of an MMO vet, I'm afraid.

[Lienayo]

The most I've AFK'd is if I were to go fetch dinner or something, resulting in a half hour. I would never let my avatar sit there for hours just so I don't have to click 'log in' a few times. Not only would it be harsh on my laptop, but as stated, it's a little inconsiderate and I totally agree with that. It only takes me about 10-15 minutes of trying to hop back in after logging out for a while. It's really not a big deal at all--especially since I couldn't even enjoy the last Balmung beta phase because of congestion, so I sympathize with the players who are having a harder time than me.

[Grott]

 The realistic one of an MMO vet, I'm afraid.

 

I've been playing MMOs for well over a decade. I realize that putting up a thread isn't going to magically fix everything, but at least people should know that it is effecting other players who can't even make characters right now. You should always be aware of your actions, even if "everyone else is doing it."

 

Should I also not recycle because most people don't?

 

You don't have to agree with me, but don't look down on me for trying to fight a shitty situation. That's all I'm saying.

[Ivven Rollenspeil]

 The realistic one of an MMO vet, I'm afraid.

 

I've been playing MMOs for well over a decade. I realize that putting up a thread isn't going to magically fix everything, but at least people should know that it is effecting other players who can't even make characters right now. You should always be aware of your actions, even if "everyone else is doing it."

 

Should I also not recycle because most people don't?

 

You don't have to agree with me, but don't look down on me for trying to fight a shitty situation. That's all I'm saying.

 

 

Woah now, I think you're taking it way too personally there. I never said anything rude or personal about you at all. I'm simply saying that most people here probably already realize the fact and are trying not to afk for long periods of time. It's the people who DON'T realize, care or visit these forums you should be trying to reach via the main forums. Better yet, petition SE to make an AFK kick timer. If you want to see something done, you've got to reach a bigger (and less aware) audience than here. Though, frankly, I doubt most of the player base is going to care. That's just the nature of MMOs. No need to strawman the argument or take it personally.

[raindrops]

What's with this whole 'you shouldn't ask people to be considerate because other people are not going to be considerate' attitude here? You shouldn't try to make a bad situation just a little better because you're not going to fix it entirely? What kind of attitude is that?

 

It's not 'realistic', it's lazy. Asking people to be considerate is totally reasonable, even if they aren't going to listen.

 

And yes, you should be logging out when you can't play. Everyone should be. If nobody else is that doesn't mean you suddenly shouldn't - it just means that everyone else is being selfish and you can either be equally selfish or do something small to counter that.

[Orlog]

It depends on how long we're talking here, I think. If you're called away from the computer for an hour to go get food or something and fully intend to get back to the game as soon as you sit down, I have no issues with that. But, if you're leaving your character sit over night? For days? Unacceptable and shitty to do. There are other people who want to play the game, let them have their chance.

 

And I know it's easy to say "Well, it's all Square's fault!", but rest assured, they're probably just as frustrated, or MORE SO (seeing that a lot of their jobs are at stake for this to work) a you are. No MMO company is ever going to be "Meh" about trying to get their game to work. Plus, we know what the issue is right now, and there's a potential work around for the time being. Why would you pass that up in the face of avoiding a bit of sever frustration?

 

Also, this idea that you shouldn't even bother because it won't make enough of an impact? Fuck that noise. Trying to get people be more aware is always going to be better than an apathetic "Well, what can ya do?"

[Magellan]

 

That's pretty much the way I feel about it.

 

The only reason people 'abuse' the lack of an AFK timer, is because abuse the lack of an AFK timer. I mean.. I'm in class now, and logged in back at home. I'll be  idle for about 8 hours before I get back to it... But my logging out doesn't fix the issue that's still there - All it does is makes it near impossible for me to play when I get home, and allows someone (Likely not even an RPer) in to play, and probably abuse the system.

 

It's kind of a catch 22, there. People abuse the system, because people abuse the system. If there were an AFK timer, there'd be no need to abuse the system, and would be no need for the timer, except for keeping the need down. Hope that makes sense.

 

I kind of take issue with the fact that you seem to think rpers have more of a right to be on Bal/Gilg than non-rpers. They are not officially designated rp servers, merely the homes the rp community decided upon themselves.

 

Uther, I am very happy you are a considerate gamer. I wish more of us were <3. In a perfect world we woyldn't even have thisproblem to deal with in the first place. Hopefully the server cap raise next week will provide the relief we all seek.

[lady2beetle]

It only takes me about 10-15 minutes of trying to hop back in after logging out for a while.

 

That's actually not true. I mean about the 10-15 minutes. I spent an hour last night trying to log in before finally giving up and going to bed. If I had been logged in when I got home, I would have been able to actually play some. Instead, I didn't get any play time at all.

[raindrops]

It depends on how long we're talking here, I think. If you're called away from the computer for an hour to go get food or something and fully intend to get back to the game as soon as you sit down, I have no issues with that. But, if you're leaving your character sit over night? For days? Unacceptable and shitty to do. There are other people who want to play the game, let them have their chance.

 

This. It's one thing to afk while you eat or run a quick errand or if you're called away for a little while etc. It's another entirely to log on at 7am knowing that you won't be actually playing the game until 5pm or stay logged in overnight.

 

Yes it sucks that you won't be back until peak hours. But that's true for a lot of people (they wouldn't be peak hours if everyone wasn't in the same boat, after all). And you're making the peak hours of people in different timezones even more unbearable.

[Grott]

 

Woah now, I think you're taking it way too personally there. I never said anything rude or personal about you at all. I'm simply saying that most people here probably already realize the fact and are trying not to afk for long periods of time. It's the people who DON'T realize, care or visit these forums you should be trying to reach via the main forums. Better yet, petition SE to make an AFK kick timer. If you want to see something done, you've got to reach a bigger (and less aware) audience than here. Though, frankly, I doubt most of the player base is going to care. That's just the nature of MMOs. No need to strawman the argument or take it personally.

 

I wasn't taking it personally. I apologize if it seemed that way. I just speak my opinions plainly and don't enjoy softening my arguments with people who I feel are mature enough to handle the criticism. So, in a backwards way, it's a compliment. Either way, you bring up a decent point about making a thread on the official forum. That being said, you should have suggested that earlier instead of responding with cynicism for like 4 posts. Now we're just butting heads when we could have had an educational conversation.

[Ivven Rollenspeil]

 

Woah now, I think you're taking it way too personally there. I never said anything rude or personal about you at all. I'm simply saying that most people here probably already realize the fact and are trying not to afk for long periods of time. It's the people who DON'T realize, care or visit these forums you should be trying to reach via the main forums. Better yet, petition SE to make an AFK kick timer. If you want to see something done, you've got to reach a bigger (and less aware) audience than here. Though, frankly, I doubt most of the player base is going to care. That's just the nature of MMOs. No need to strawman the argument or take it personally.

 

I wasn't taking it personally. I apologize if it seemed that way. I just speak my opinions plainly and don't enjoy softening my arguments with people who I feel are mature enough to handle the criticism. So, in a backwards way, it's a compliment. Either way, you bring up a decent point about making a thread on the official forum. That being said, you should have suggested that earlier instead of responding with cynicism for like 4 posts. Now we're just butting heads when we could have had an educational conversation.

 

But I only posted twice in the thread before this response? :?

 

Anyway, my point and opinion still stands. It's just not going to do much good here, and probably won't on the official forums either - but if you want to give it a shot there, you've got more chance than here of reaching a few people who maybe don't realize what prolonged afk is doing to the server load. Or petition SE. I would say it just seems more logical from the get-go, but I realize that people's first instincts is to rant to friends about a problem and might not realize until later they're preaching to the choir.

[AkhutaiAngura]

 

That's pretty much the way I feel about it.

 

The only reason people 'abuse' the lack of an AFK timer, is because abuse the lack of an AFK timer. I mean.. I'm in class now, and logged in back at home. I'll be  idle for about 8 hours before I get back to it... But my logging out doesn't fix the issue that's still there - All it does is makes it near impossible for me to play when I get home, and allows someone (Likely not even an RPer) in to play, and probably abuse the system.

 

It's kind of a catch 22, there. People abuse the system, because people abuse the system. If there were an AFK timer, there'd be no need to abuse the system, and would be no need for the timer, except for keeping the need down. Hope that makes sense.

 

I kind of take issue with the fact that you seem to think rpers have more of a right to be on Bal/Gilg than non-rpers. They are not officially designated rp servers, merely the homes the rp community decided upon themselves.

 

Uther, I am very happy you are a considerate gamer. I wish more of us were <3. In a perfect world we woyldn't even have thisproblem to deal with in the first place. Hopefully the server cap raise next week will provide the relief we all seek.

 

No, no, no. I never meant to imply that RPers have more of a right to be there than non-RPers. Not what I was intending to imply, atleast.

 

It was more meant to imply the position of "Why give up a spot to someone else, who will do exactly what I could have done?" as well as a response to Uther's original statement about being kind to ones brother RPers and such. Just stating that, chances are, my (Or whoevers) spot wouldn't be given to an RPer anyways.

[Dravus]

It's unfortunate, but most people probably don't care so long as they - and possibly their friends and associates - can get online and stay online. My partner has been unable to get online for days since by the time work finishes the server is full. It's pretty frustrating, but there's very little to be done about it until the server capacity is adjusted and improved. I do think things will improve significantly though - then we'll all be looking back and laughing as we enjoy the game together!

[lady2beetle]

It's unfortunate, but most people probably don't care so long as they - and possibly their friends and associates - can get online and stay online. My partner has been unable to get online for days since by the time work finishes the server is full. It's pretty frustrating, but there's very little to be done about it until the server capacity is adjusted and improved. I do think things will improve significantly though - then we'll all be looking back and laughing as we enjoy the game together!

 

I hope so! For me, I'm actually glad I have Friday off. Maybe I'll get to play for the first time since Sunday.