A Brief PSA on the issue of clogged worlds.

[Kage]

Is anyone able to check now? This is the time I'd usually get in to create my army of alts.

I recently moved my desk to the bedroom so I couldn't check an hour ago (which is when I used to do so as well) but last week I wasn't able to make any alts.

[Ilwe'ran]

Okay.. So as it's becoming some sort of war between "It's people who stay log", "it's lobby server" and "it's capacity reach" I would like to suggest you to head to Square Enix support for your complains.

If you want to know when window is open, I suggest you to read this topic : http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/showthread.php?tid=8957 which gives informations and is bumped everytime Balmung is open.

If you want to create a character and transfert to Balmung, please do so.

 

You can accept or not what Blue said, you can prefer what Black Hat sad.. But in any case, it's pointless to fight for something like that and it's not because 10 people more will go offline that it will change anything : People in queue will simply be able to log in.

We're not responsible of Balmung's character creation opening and SE staff is certainly not reading this board. If you want things to change or to be sure of the reason why things are this way : Make a topic on the official board or contact Square Enix. We're only RPer on a friendly board, we're not from SE staff and cannot be 100% sure of the answer nor even doing anything to make things any better.

[No Longer Exists]

I genuinely disagree, Ilwe'ran, with the notion that we cannot do anything about it. We're not responsible, yes, you're absolutely correct.

 

However, my PSA wasn't meant as a manifesto of expectations, but more of a heads up and a shout out to this very large community on the issue that we now see is affecting our own.

 

You're correct in that it moves the queue along, which was the original point. Keep the queue moving. In the end, it doesn't matter what Blue or I believe or have to say on the subject one way or another. What matters is that we try, as a community, to do our part. Ultimately, it's all personal choice though and I certainly won't shed tears on the side of the information super-highway while everyone else whips by me. I only attempt to educate.

 

P.S. - the information super-highway comment was attempted simile with those old "save the earth" commercials where the native american picks up trash and sheds a tear. >.>  

 

Cheers!

[Ilwe'ran]

I genuinely disagree, Ilwe'ran, with the notion that we cannot do anything about it. We're not responsible, yes, you're absolutely correct.

 

Yes, absolutly : What you can do is, as I said, talking on the official board or contacting Square Enix support for your problem. Here it's pointless as it will have no effect at all and might just end to some disagreement which won't change anything aside of your view about some other members of the community.

Really.

 

However, my PSA wasn't meant as a manifesto of expectations, but more of a heads up and a shout out to this very large community on the issue that we now see is affecting our own.

 

You're correct in that it moves the queue along, which was the original point. Keep the queue moving. In the end, it doesn't matter what Blue or I believe or have to say on the subject one way or another. What matters is that we try, as a community, to do our part. Ultimately, it's all personal choice though and I certainly won't shed tears on the side of the information super-highway while everyone else whips by me. I only attempt to educate.

 

P.S. - the information super-highway comment was attempted simile with those old "save the earth" commercials where the native american picks up trash and sheds a tear. >.>  

 

Cheers!

 

It doesn't sound like an education anymore when you're pointing finger at people who stay log or not. Educating is letting people accepting or not some information you can give and accepting that others can give some informations as well. Not making some sort of "I'm right, he's wrong" war. But that's only my point of view .

People are free to stay log or not, free to transfert or not, free to do what they want. It's becoming problematic to me to see people having a request and expect people to do what they want because of the "as a community" reason.

As a person, I disagree fiercly with that idea that people should change / do what some other wants because they are on this board. People here are as free as any others to do what they want and when they want.

I'll repeat myself again here, as I'm doing since earlier : If you really want to change something, don't do it here because "as a community" or in a Linkshell or in party or with your friend on skype or with your FC. Do it where someone from SE staff can answer to you by giving you the official informations and maybe helping to change things properly.

 

PS : I didn't read the big information patch because of the code, the color and I have no idea of the source .

[Blue]

I agree that at this point the argument does not matter in the end as the problem of the servers capacity is there and is not on our end to fix it, I suppose that is mainly what got me to post in the first place. I guess I was a little struck on a nerve by some comments regarding the auto-boot feature and AFK players.

 

It has happened only once so far, but I still remember pretty clearly that time, while afk on our FC house bed, I came back to find I had received a tell from some anonymous stranger (I guess they entered in the open room while I was away? my AFK icon is deactivated to never show up) around the lines of "lol log off fucker, my gf wants to play."

 

I get that perhaps while AFK my character is still transferring a certain amount of data, but I strongly repel this hatred people have for afk players. People have reasons to AFK rather than logging off, and they wary from person to person (my own? I like to come back and see what linkshell conversations I've missed while I wasn't there. My friends always talk of interesting stuff, and sometimes even RP there. It's like coming back home to watch your recorded favorite show). Are there lots of afk players? Maybe, but it'll never be the majority of the playerbase. Are they to be blamed/hassled for the server congestion? No, I don't think so.

 

There are many other factors to point at for the server congestion before turning on AFK players and the necessity to boot them. The servers needing an upgrade for once, and after that, the bots come to mind. I'd prefer to keep an afk player over one who is active but cheating in doing so.

 

And I guess that's all I really have to say on the topic. Sure it sucks that new players can't get in, and me starting the Balmung Is Open thread was what little I felt we could do to help it; but I'd like to not read as often that I and those who need to AFK as I do are causing a problem.

[No Longer Exists]

I appreciate and understand your perspective, Ilwe'ran.

 

Also, the source is what you posted to this thread the other day.

[Ilwe'ran]

I appreciate and understand your perspective, Ilwe'ran.

 

Also, the source is what you posted to this thread the other day.

 

The link of what I gave is dated from september 2013.

I believe that the SE staff is conscious of the problem and - if they could do something for now - would have keep the AFK kick if that would change anything.

I could as well spend more time googling for the official answers from SE regarding the lobby server, the AFK and such things for some more recent links.

 

What I think so far is :

- AFK people cause some problem to others in queue. There is nothing which can prove they are the reason why people cannot create a character, but they are, indeed, one of the reason why people stay in queue.

- Lobby server is a mess (yeah, remember when you DC in dungeon and cannot relog for 20mn 'cause Lobby server error and / or you're still log in game).

- Balmung is not reaching capacity or people wouldn't be able to transfert here.

 

What solutions we have is :

- Being patient. In any case you have to be patient. No matter what you will do, patience is the key.

- Transfering.

- Waiting for an opening on Balmung.

- Talking to SE support.

 

That said, I offer a hug to everybody. I completely understand why you are all angry for a reason or another and "as a community" I think the best way to handle things is trying to bump each others when Balmung is open and giving free hugs to the new people coming here ♥ .

[Berrod Armstrong]

I think, regarding people who want to get in on the server...patience is key. 

 

Balmung may not be filled to capacity, but it endures quite a larger load than most others. Because of this, the restrictions and inconveniences will likely be higher. We, as players, have chosen to populate this server en masse -- for the purpose of roleplaying with friends. It is an unofficial server yes -- so no special concessions have been made on those grounds.

 

Some of us may not want to choose another server instead of waiting. This is fine! A lot of our friends are here, after all! A lot of opportunities to make friends and roleplay, too! However, because so many other people want in on this one server, we're left to deal with the inconveniences that come with it.

 

The choice is ours whether we wish to deal with the hustle or not -- but we MUST be aware that this is what we're getting into. Sometimes it may be demoralizing, yes, but if it's what you REALLY WANT, keep at it! If you'd be content with rolling elsewhere and trying to find a community or friends there, that's good too.

 

Also, for anyone who may be subbed and waiting to get into Balmung to play the game. Don't waste your money like that! Roll on another server -while- waiting for your Balmung window! Yes, you may have to redo content if you roll fresh, but that is infinitely better than letting a monthly sub go down the drain. Transferring is an option as well, though not popular because it's viewed as a waste of money. It's more of a waste of money to NOT play at all, than to play on another server before transferring. However! That is an individual choice.

 

This is the state of our heavily crowded server. This is what it takes to get in. It's unfortunate, but we're the ones who have taken it and made it so, to an extent -- and should accept the reality of what our congregating has done. Mind you, this isn't blame. This is just how it is. 

 

Note that all 'you' and 'we' are meant as general.

[Naunet]

make the character on another server and then transfer to Balmung for a fee.

 

That's it, I'm out. Nope.

 

 

Honestly? This is the wisest decision. SE won't choose to get non-paleolithic lobby servers unless people refuse to give them extra money for making it almost impossible to make a character.

[Telluride]

At this point I am seriously considering that it is possible that Balmung is just reaching capacity.

 

Seeing how SE views the housing situation (they've said they're quite content with what has been given with 2.4) I don't think they are going to do anything such as increase capacities until it is widespread.

 

FFXIV: Three housing zones, 8 wards each, 60 houses per ward... right? Cost: Millions and Millions of Gil.

 

LOTRO: in the mid 2000's (yes, nine years ago): Four housing zones. 30+ Instances per zone. 30 houses per instance. Probably MORE, now. Cost: 1 Gold for the basic house. ONE.

 

Wildstar and TOR: Every. Subscribed. User. Gets. A. House. For. Free. (Two for TOR, if you count your personal ship in TOR as a house.)

 

Ok, I could discuss Rift and WoW, too, but of the games I have ever played that OFFERED Houses (I left TOR just as they introduced theirs), it was never quite the cause for stress that FFXIV makes it.

[Naunet]

 

Ok, I could discuss Rift and WoW, too, but of the games I have ever played that OFFERED Houses (I left TOR just as they introduced theirs), it was never quite the cause for stress that FFXIV makes it.

 

Add WS to the list of "everyone gets their own for practically free". But... SE's stupidity on housing is an entirely different, if perhaps tangentially related discussion.

 

Moral of the story: Their servers are crap and they're either ignorant of it or they're under some weird impression that because they're Final Fantasy, they can make people suffer unnecessary restrictions.

 

Of course the number of people who encourage others to actually pay SE money for the privilege of SE greatly inconveniencing them (read: pay to transfer server to get on the one you want) is rather staggering, so...

[Kellach Woods]

At this point I'd say it's a waste of money to even sub to this game if you want to RP on Balmung and do not yet have a character on the server.

 

I want new people in.

 

I don't want them to suffer having to get in.

 

SE ain't doing jack shit to solve it. Only open windows are pre-post Maintenance until that too gets locked (I'm expecting either 3.0 or even last portion of 2.5 for that).

[Ruinfeild]

I would like to let everyone know for those who are looking to get on Balmung even with the character restriction, I transferred my main from Gilga over to Balmung with ease. So apparently it only counts when you are trying to make alts(course I don't know how many are either trying to transfer or make new characters)

[Blue]

I would like to let everyone know for those who are looking to get on Balmung even with the character restriction, I transferred my main from Gilga over to Balmung with ease. So apparently it only counts when you are trying to make alts(course I don't know how many are either trying to transfer or make new characters)

 

Yes, it's what we were talking about. People feel it's unfair to have to pay the extra fee to transfer.

 

Honestly, I wish SE would keep their promise made back in the 1.0 days and release an official RP server, offering free transfers to it. I'd rush there in a blink, even if that meant losing our current FC house. So tired of my RP-griefing neighbors...

[Ilwe'ran]

make the character on another server and then transfer to Balmung for a fee.

 

That's it, I'm out. Nope.

 

 

Honestly? This is the wisest decision. SE won't choose to get non-paleolithic lobby servers unless people refuse to give them extra money for making it almost impossible to make a character.

 

There will always be people transfering and always be people creating characters, so one person refusing to transfert or to sub won't change a thing and as they don't know that X people didn't transfert / sub for this reason. And because they didn't contacted the support or else, they will care even less and have less reason to know about it.

I still don't understand how this topic, which began more or less as an attempt to find an answer, became more a SE grrr grrr topîc.

I'll sound like an old woman repeating the same sentences constantly but.. Here we go : SE doesn't read the board. The majority of the community doesn't read the board. The majority of the RPC doesn't read that topic.

One person not transfering and / or ten people angry at SE on a topic read by so few people will have no impact at all. The only thing that will happen is that the most this topic will go on, the most people will arouse each other's anger and even stray away from the initial topic.

[Ilwe'ran]

Oh. btw.

 

[align=center]BALMUNG IS OPEN[/align]

[Kellach Woods]

I still don't understand how this topic, which began more or less as an attempt to find an answer, became more a SE grrr grrr topîc.

I'll sound like an old woman repeating the same sentences constantly but.. Here we go : SE doesn't read the board. The majority of the community doesn't read the board. The majority of the RPC doesn't read that topic.

 

SE doesn't even read their own boards. Support for this game is one of the worst I've experienced throughout all MMOs combined.

 

There are angry people. I'm personally one of them because I think the restriction is outright silly and the workarounds are dubious at best. I am also not a fan of rewarding SE with a character transfer sale for having 1990's toasters running their login server.

 

What you're essentially saying is that nobody should ever be angry and vent that anger about this situation.

[Kage]

Well that's a blatant lie so.. /shrug

[Kellach Woods]

What part?

 

Also I've had a theory that 2.4 might have knocked a few screws loose in the login server, which would explain why maint is the most reliable window.

 

Source : I've seen dumber things happen in Network Performance QA.

[Ilwe'ran]

I still don't understand how this topic, which began more or less as an attempt to find an answer, became more a SE grrr grrr topîc.

I'll sound like an old woman repeating the same sentences constantly but.. Here we go : SE doesn't read the board. The majority of the community doesn't read the board. The majority of the RPC doesn't read that topic.

 

SE doesn't even read their own boards. Support for this game is one of the worst I've experienced throughout all MMOs combined.

 

There are angry people. I'm personally one of them because I think the restriction is outright silly and the workarounds are dubious at best. I am also not a fan of rewarding SE with a character transfer sale for having 1990's toasters running their login server.

 

What you're essentially saying is that nobody should ever be angry and vent that anger about this situation.

 

 

You modified your message way after he answered.

 

SE read the board or they would never answer to any topic.

 

And what I'm saying is venting your anger is completely useless on that board. If you're angry, make it useful, contact the support, talk where SE can read you and provide an answer to you.

I'm saying this since at least 3 messages and I even add this : Beside getting more angry and frustrated because people don't all have the same point of view and having your point of view on them changing in a negative or positive way depending if they agree with you or not. Does that topic make you less angry or frustrated ? Does it change anything ?

I don't think so. Hence why I'm encouraging you since long to talk with people who can, at least hear you and change something. I said long ago that I understand people anger, but not to who you direct it. So.. Read my messages entirely please. Not only a small bit which was not even writen.

 

And to say that I'm not just a useless parrot who does nothing for helping.. I tried to contact the support myself for asking but got no luck with the online chat.. I'm also announcing when Balmung is open.. I searched for some other SE related message but didn't found any more recent.. I'm not angry.. I'm trying to help and to encourage people to talk to the right person.. That's all.

[Naunet]

Telling people not to share their feelings with others on a forum is rather silly.

[Ilwe'ran]

Telling people not to share their feelings with others on a forum is rather silly.

 

Okay, I'm silly .

Good luck with all this.

*Close the topic and won't even come back here again*

[No Longer Exists]

Ladies and Gentlespoons, as the OP, I would appreciate it if the conversation dulled back down to a civil roar.

 

Naunet is correct, it's inappropriate to tell people on the community forum to curb their feelings because it does no good. Talking it out always helps.

 

So please, watch the tone. I've noticed a few "I'm tired of reading this" style replies, folks turning away from being kind in an effort to be direct and I honestly think all that's been said is all there is to be said on the subject. If the outraged want to let out their frustrations, I'm cool with it. No one is being forced to read this thread, after all.

 

Cheers.

[Kage]

What part?

Seeing as you wrote it, you know what part. The part as it was before you edited way after I posted?

 

Employees (in some way or form) of SE reads its own forums that it has. You may not like what they respond to but they do. Hence, your statement was, is, and continues to be a lie.

 

 

 

And if this is to become another vent-at-SE thread, make it so. As it is, people do not agree with either the idea that staying logged in is the issue or that this is the thread, forums, place to vent about it.

[Cavistus]

Despite what people may think, it is quite possible that AFKers are a part of the problem.

 

Just warping into Limsa, I'm greeted with this.

 

http://puu.sh/eH4uh/1b5950658f.jpg

 

There are so many people AFK that I am actually unable to fit all of them in this single screenshot. In total, there are 16 people AFK sitting outside of the Aetheryte.

 

Taking not but a few steps into Hawker's Alley, I'm greeted with this.

 

http://puu.sh/eH5st/f784b0feb8.jpg

 

Coming to a grand total of 27 people AFK all within walking distance of each other. That's not including people in other parts of the town, or people who choose to hide their AFK status.

 

And that's only one city, in one part of one town, during one hour of one day.

 

That being said, I don't know their reason, nor for how long or how often they go AFK. However, those people likely would have disconnected if there was some form of AFK disconnection, and that's, at the absolute bare least, upwards of 27 places where the server congestion would have decreased. Even over the course of an hour, that adds up remarkably fast.

 

As for the arguements going on in this thread...

 

I don't think OP made this thread to denounce people who go AFK, nor did they make this thread with the hope that SE would read it or do anything to remedy the issue.

 

I believe the OP wanted to discuss their opinion of the issue, looking for opinions as to whether or not people should log off if they're going AFK for an extended period of time in order to free up a bit of the congestion, even if it's only a handful of people.

 

It's more of a way to discuss and work together in order to remedy an issue in whatever way possible, even if that way may not make a big difference.

 

People say "you shouldn't vent about that here because it won't do anything". Sure, because that isn't the goal of "venting". In all honesty, even walking up to SE headquarters and filing a complaint in person won't do anything. SE is a Japanese company, and unless you speak Japanese, the likelihood of someone with true authority at SE hearing your opinion, let alone acting on it, is abysmally miniscule.

 

But that wasn't the point of the thread to begin with.

 

Also, I didn't quit the game, I simply gave up trying to join an RP community.