Quick Launch?

[Rainehx]

Can I has it ?

noone logs out for short breaks because it take forever to log in! does it have to be so convoluted? anything more than pick account>password>pick char>in is just wasting time.

Save the environment SE make it easier so we can shut down our pc's while away :D

[Alhanelem]

Actually, no one logs out for short breaks becuase why bother? it's a short break. Just leave the game running. This game uses like almost none of any modern PC's computing power. There's no need to close it down for a "short break."

Playonline originally had (and to some small degree still has) other features besides just launching FFXI, and it's already been stated multiple times by the devs they can't simply remove playonline because core code of the game is intertwined with playonline systems (The game itself is actually a .DLL that is called by pol.exe, rather than an executable itself, and needs to make calls back to POL because playOnline manages your account information and character IDs and your Friend List). So unfortunately, no, you can't have it.

[bungiefanNA]

Some of the features are even useful. I still use my POL email account, and have since 2002. That was the only way to get screenshots off the console versions, you had to email them to yourself. Also, the friend list function in POL Viewer is the only way to add offline people to your friend list, and people on other servers.

[Rainehx]

Actually, no one logs out for short breaks becuase why bother? it's a short break. Just leave the game running. This game uses like almost none of any modern PC's computing power. There's no need to close it down for a "short break."

Playonline originally had (and to some small degree still has) other features besides just launching FFXI, and it's already been stated multiple times by the devs they can't simply remove playonline because core code of the game is intertwined with playonline systems (The game itself is actually a .DLL that is called by pol.exe, rather than an executable itself, and needs to make calls back to POL because playOnline manages your account information and character IDs and your Friend List). So unfortunately, no, you can't have it.

All that effort replying to my post, if only you'd spent the time to read it lol.
I said nothing about getting rid of POL I said simply of making it quicker to log in.
Way to try to pick at something positive just for the sake of it.
(all about the post count amiright)

And if your really so naive to think that people arnt lazy, good on you.

Regardless of what resources are being used your PSU still draws power.
Countless people afk for 1 -2 hours and simply don't log out because its just easier, obviously I wasn't hinging my argument on that alone but its just another positive.

Quality, not quantity guy.


Some of the features are even useful. I still use my POL email account, and have since 2002. That was the only way to get screenshots off the console versions, you had to email them to yourself. Also, the friend list function in POL Viewer is the only way to add offline people to your friend list, and people on other servers.

Still has lots of features! not suggesting getting rid of it, just quick launch icon bypassing all the stuff most don't use.

[InpendingDeath]

It'd be nice, but don't expect a response other that "The Dev team would have to redesign blah blah blah we are looking to spend that time on new and other "important" stuff." But yeah, It's always had the longest login process of any game I've ever seen.

[Alhanelem]

I said nothing about getting rid of POL I said simply of making it quicker to log in.Wanting to log in faster implies getting rid of playonline, because that's basically the only way they could make you able to log on faster, other than perhaps just auto-skipping the main menu and going straight to the FFXI top page.



Regardless of what resources are being used your PSU still draws power. Even if you're an eco-nut, Your PC isn't consuming significantly less electricity while the game isn't running vs. when it is.
I don't understand the lazy comment, because I assume most people ARE lazy and therefore don't log out. Heck, I don't log out either when I need a short break.

I don't understand the quality comment either. I put lots of care and attention into my posts.

[dasva]

I also don't really see the point.

I mean you can only streamline it so much. You are still going to need to choose your account then log into your account then the whole don't forget your friends and family message hit play (because I really doubt they would get rid of that) to go to the game lobby for character options (create/delete/play) at a minimum. All you really save off of it now is the click to go to the log in button then hitting log in. In light of the rest of the time spent logging in and out I don't see how shaving off that extra 5 seconds or so and 2 clicks will make the difference between your decision to stay logged in or log out.

[Glamdring]

not to mention much of the convolutions to get in are a response to security vulnerabilities. raiding accounts used to be a regular occurrence, so common in fact that SE has left the warnings about password security in the top messages even though it's been over 6 years and we presumably have all gotten the point by now. there actually still is a market out there for buying/selling gil actually. I even got an unwanted brosale tell not that long ago.

[bazookatooth]

Ever notice how no matter what change is requested, the same few people always chime in and say it is bad? Just sayin.

[Alhanelem]

Ever notice how no matter what change is requested, the same few people always chime in and say it is bad? Just sayin.Ever notice how its simply people posting a lot and thus you always notice them whenever you want to notice something? I've chimed in to say things are good plenty of times, so please stop Just Sayin' your implication that my/other's only pruporse here is to call things bad. I'd really appriciate it.

Also, I'm not sure where anyone said reducing the time it takes to log in is 'bad.' Restating that they CANT do it, plus a statement of not understanding someone's reasoning != "THIS IS BAD!"

You notice critical comments more because, especially for the users that don't post much, if they see something they like, they'll just click the "Like!" button, rather than making a post to say they like it. I've "Liked" thousands of posts over the years. But since it doesn't show you anywhere who did it, you wouldn't know that.

[Zarchery]

Ever notice how no matter what change is requested, the same few people always chime in and say it is bad? Just sayin.

Name one person who said it was bad.

The criticisms were reiterations of things the game designer's statements that a quickened login time would be impossible from a technical standpoint. But hey, don't take their word for it. They're just the programmers behind the creation and maintenance of this game. Casual fans with no exposure to the game's source code or the SE development environment definitely know much more about what is and isn't technically possible.

[bazookatooth]

Ever notice how its simply people posting a lot and thus you always notice them whenever you want to notice something? I've chimed in to say things are good plenty of times, so please stop Just Sayin' your implication that my/other's only pruporse here is to call things bad. I'd really appriciate it.

Also, I'm not sure where anyone said reducing the time it takes to log in is 'bad.' Restating that they CANT do it, plus a statement of not understanding someone's reasoning != "THIS IS BAD!"

You notice critical comments more because, especially for the users that don't post much, if they see something they like, they'll just click the "Like!" button, rather than making a post to say they like it. I've "Liked" thousands of posts over the years. But since it doesn't show you anywhere who did it, you wouldn't know that.

I actually didn't say any names. And for what it's worth, I don't think that you are always negative. In your case, I just think that you try too hard. I actually agree with a lot of what you say and "like" a lot of your posts. Even when I've disagreed with you, I've at least respected you for attempting to back up your cause with sound logic.

You have to admit though, There are a few people on this forum that pop into almost every thread and automatically say that any change whatsoever is "bad for the game", "impossible" or "A waste of time". Sorry if you felt I was singling you out. That was not my intention.


Name one person who said it was bad.

The criticisms were reiterations of things the game designer's statements that a quickened login time would be impossible from a technical standpoint. But hey, don't take their word for it. They're just the programmers behind the creation and maintenance of this game. Casual fans with no exposure to the game's source code or the SE development environment definitely know much more about what is and isn't technically possible.

At no point did I confirm or refute any opinions in this thread. I simply made an observation.

[dasva]

Maybe there are a lot of threads with changes that would be bad, impossible or a waste of time? It's a free to join forum so there will be a lot of bad along with the good. And generally the people who don't care will rarely to never comment on it and the people that do will often chime in again with the bad and good some might even do more of one than the other. And similarly some people watching might pay attention more to one than the other

[Jerbob]

This is a great idea. My connection isn't all that reliable and having to trudge through POL when I'm disconnected doing something really important is unnecessarily panic-inducing. There really is no reason why we can't open POL, choose an account, put in the password, and zoom straight over to the character select screen. It would make my XI experience a good deal less stressful when my connection is going through an idiot phase.

[machini]

This is a great idea. My connection isn't all that reliable and having to trudge through POL when I'm disconnected doing something really important is unnecessarily panic-inducing. There really is no reason why we can't open POL, choose an account, put in the password, and zoom straight over to the character select screen. It would make my XI experience a good deal less stressful when my connection is going through an idiot phase.

I'm gonna go ahead and say there actually is a reason they can't do that, and the reason is PS2 limitations.

[Zarchery]

This is a great idea. My connection isn't all that reliable and having to trudge through POL when I'm disconnected doing something really important is unnecessarily panic-inducing. There really is no reason why we can't open POL, choose an account, put in the password, and zoom straight over to the character select screen. It would make my XI experience a good deal less stressful when my connection is going through an idiot phase.

There is a reason (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/46687?p=546656#post546656). Didn't we mention this?





(0:49:36～)
Q: With service ending for the PlayStation 2 / Xbox 360 versions, what will happen to PlayOnline?

A: The question is a bit unclear, but PlayOnline will continue to operate while the PC version remains. This is because PlayOnline is intertwined with the key systems of FFXI, so FFXI would not be able to run by itself. However, the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 versions of PlayOnline will end with the end of service.

[Jerbob]

There is a reason (http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/46687?p=546656#post546656). Didn't we mention this?


There really is no reason why we can't open POL, choose an account...
I don't think anyone is suggesting that POL be abandoned. Yes, people mentioned it not being possible to remove POL, but I'm not sure why, because no-one actually asked for POL to be removed - only for the process to be streamlined. Which it can be, without removing POL.

[dasva]

But here's the thing the only steps you are skipping is the one that you hit to go to the game and then the step for choosing what specifically about the game (and maybe the one about paying attention to your real life but they probably wont take that out just for PR reasons). I mean you save what 5 seconds?

You also have to remember that when you dc the game is still logging you out at normal speed or sometimes even slower making it so you can't log into that character. So getting to the character select screen slightly faster does not necessarily equate to faster character log in. For concerns with getting back on quick after DC I'd think a bigger priority would be fixing how fast the game logs you out on dc or at least standardize it to be the normal 30 seconds it would take you because I've literally had my character "logged in" 10 minutes after disconnecting before to the point where I could log in with a different character and do a search for them that would show up

[bungiefanNA]

Yeah, disconnecting forces a 1 minute interval where you cannot log back into the same character. If you don't log out properly, which takes 30 seconds, you are forced to wait 60 seconds for the server to log the character out. This was to prevent people from disconnecting manually during fights, to allow them to force a logout in 30 seconds, when a monster would kill them after 40-50 seconds, and would interrupt their logout attempt. It used to be a 30 second wait in the first year or two of the game before they extended it to 60 seconds on disconnect.

It actually takes less time to launch PlayOnline Viewer and navigate the menus than it does for the server to disconnect you. I've disconnected because my ISP had trouble, relaunched FFXI, made it to the character select, and been told my character is still logged in and that I have to wait until it finishes logging out.

Being disconnected by your account being logged in on another system forces a disconnect and 1 minute wait as well, to give you a chance to react before someone can dump your items, which was the intent back when account hijackings were more common.

[Alhanelem]

I don't think anyone is suggesting that POL be abandoned. Yes, people mentioned it not being possible to remove POL, but I'm not sure why, because no-one actually asked for POL to be removed - only for the process to be streamlined. Which it can be, without removing POL.
It was insinuated they wanted POL to go away, because there's not a lot they can do to streamline the process otherwise. About the only thing they can really do is make the FFXI shortcut skip to the FFXI top page automatically instead of having to click it on the POL main menu. That would save like ~5-10 seconds and a mouse click. We'd love to see other slowdowns like the remember your family and ESRB rating go away (especially since the latter was added after the fact) but you know those things are never going away.

So they could improve it a little, but short of removing POL (which we've established isn't possible), we're not going to see any dramatic improvements in the time it takes to log in.

[bazookatooth]

Ideally, they would make a shortcut icon that when clicked just went to the password portion and then skipped straight to character selection. Probably not gonna happen though.

[Alhanelem]

Ideally, they would make a shortcut icon that when clicked just went to the password portion and then skipped straight to character selection. Probably not gonna happen though.
They can't skip you to character selection because that's inside the game. the closest they can get you upon logging in would be to take you immediately to the FFXI screen (bypassing having to click the Shortcut button and not loading the POL main menu at all, as I described). Like I said above, there's no way they're getting rid of the dont forget your real life or ESRB messages (which everyone is sick of seeing and would love to skip since they stay on screen for like ~7 seconds each). The ideal system would be a simple launcher with an HTML page like FFXIV but as long as FFXI exists, so will POL. *sigh* :p

For some time after FFXI was the only thing we had, there were still other POL titles in Japan, but my current understanding is everything that used it there is now gone as well except XI, which is why skipping the POL main menu could be a realistic change (as other than accessing your email/friends list/chat, which can be accessed from anywhere in POL, the main menu has basically no purpose anymore)

Although POL has your IDs, it doesn't know anything about your characters themselves.

[bazookatooth]

They can't skip you to character selection because that's inside the game. the closest they can get you upon logging in would be to take you immediately to the FFXI screen (bypassing having to click the Shortcut button and not loading the POL main menu at all, as I described). Like I said above, there's no way they're getting rid of the dont forget your real life or ESRB messages (which everyone is sick of seeing and would love to skip since they stay on screen for like ~7 seconds each). The ideal system would be a simple launcher with an HTML page like FFXIV but as long as FFXI exists, so will POL. *sigh* :p

For some time after FFXI was the only thing we had, there were still other POL titles in Japan, but my current understanding is everything that used it there is now gone as well except XI, which is why skipping the POL main menu could be a realistic change (as other than accessing your email/friends list/chat, which can be accessed from anywhere in POL, the main menu has basically no purpose anymore)

Although POL has your IDs, it doesn't know anything about your characters themselves.

It would probably be possible to create custom shortcuts that automatically open the POL account log in that you want to use and automatically button through all the nonsense to get to the character selection screen once credentials have been entered. I think there are actually already third party apps that do (at least some of) this. They wouldn't have to remove the current log in process. Just add the option to create "Quick log in" short cuts. Again though, probably not a snowballs chance that SE will do it. because of reasons already listed.

[AtrixWolfe]

Person 1: Let's make it take less time to log in
Everyone else: OMG NO DON'T DO THAT

Wow guys really.... you must like spending 2 minutes to log in. Which is a real pain, if you multibox or your net drops.

There's zero downsides to logging in quickly people are so... I don't even know.

[detlef]

Might be more like:

Person 1: Let's make it take less time to log in
Everyone else: Pretty sure they've said that they can't make it much (any?) faster than it already is. It's not THAT bad right now is it?

[bungiefanNA]

The deal is that with the current system, they can't make it much faster, other than having it skip to the FFXI screen with the Play button, and removing the warning about accounts being hacked. That's 2 clicks. PlayOnline Viewer could not be removed without major backend work, and with the time limit on updates remaining, we'd rather not have them spend resources like that when they could make the game itself better.