Is there any way we can just not do the merge thing?

[Harukusan]

Seriously. In my opinion, rather than merging servers and changing things to "relieve congestion in certain areas," why not just leave it alone for a change? I thought it was a bad idea first time they merged servers, and now they want to do it again? Opening free world transfer caused me to lose contact with some of my closest friends to stay with others in the place I like to call my home on Caitsith.

By merging servers, the only thing I see happening is more intensified and severe overcrowding. This is absolutely unnecessary when a vast majority of the game can be experienced and achieved with as little as 2-3 people. (I say majority because I don't see AV being duo'd any time soon, not that anyone would have a reason to...)

I've been playing since 2004, and with every major update came some form of disappointment with little good news. I want the old game back! :( (Minus the 3-4 hour HNM camps pitted against 100 other people).

What's everyone else's opinion on the merge?

Edit: keep in mind, you don't need a merge to hop servers if you're looking to meet new people. You can do that on your own.

[rog]

I think the same thing i thought before the merge, and then still thought after it happened: it just made things worse.

[Andevom]

I don't know, a lot of people felt uneasy about the last server merge. But...I didn't really notice any drastic changes. Things felt the same as they did before the merge to me.

Then again, I'm in Asura and don't have to contend with any such merge this time around.

[Volkai]

Is there any way we can just not do the merge thing?
Nope, 'fraid not.

[Galieon]

Agreed with Harukusan on this one. Unless SE just does not have the resources to support the current multitude of FFXI servers (seriously... you guys are still making mad bank on this game, its an amazing cash cow MMO), there shouldn't be any reason to merge servers. If it's an issue with using 11 servers for 14, just means 14 really is going to be crap (since you'll be using far outdated servers and engines...)

[Wenceslao]

I Agree with Harukusan, SE still gets lots of money from ppls, they should be able to keep servers up. T.T

[Raesvelg]

I doubt it's a monetary issue, in this instance. It seems far more likely that SE is simply looking at the peak populations of those particular servers, and deciding that they don't warrant a server to themselves, and that the majority of players will be happier with more people around, once they get past the inevitable "I fear change!" reaction.

[Wenceslao]

I personally do not want more people camping the already crowded NM we are wanting to fight for different reasons, i also do not want to be changed of server, and most important of all, (to me) i don't want to change my name in case there are other players named after my characters, if that is the case i won't have a choice but, to leave, as my character took me hours of planning, and the name also reflect something important to my mono, i don't conceive my character with other name, also i know many who are not willing to start all the ls rearrengement and other issues, btw it also could provide us something new, anyway im almos sure that many players do not want the merge

[Raesvelg]

"Many" is not "most". Even if most players weren't enthusiastic about the merger (and that's usually the case), SE has already done a set of mergers, and evidently was pleased with the results.

[Wenceslao]

i know, im just giving the feeling me, and many has, i know that with the time we will get used to it, it is not the first time it happens, i im surely in le long run, they would merge all servers into a world server XD

[Zarchery]

Well I'm gonna miss my longtime home on Gilgamesh, but I welcome the opportunity to meet new people on Carbuncle. I also hope it brings an Al Zahbi that doesn't lose on level 3 Besieged -.-

[Alhanelem]

This is about server populations, nothing else. The servers being eliminated are the lowest populated ones.

[Burmecia]

If SE does what's needed to relieve congestion in abyssea areas, I won't mind the merge as much... But I'm deeply saddened that I will be losing my name on the merge. :/ The people on Siren seem much like us though, so I'm not so concerned about drama or anything at least.

I doubt SE is going to stop the merge, but I would very much welcome them to keep things as they are. I'm happy with my server and the way it is right now.

[Aena]

I miss Seraph, but honestly the increase in player activity was exciting after the merge (searching and seeing 3000+ people online? excitement!)... but then people from the original server blame the merging server for most of the new problems that come up. I was surprised we still had some anti-Seraph shouts in Port Jeuno a few weeks back. :/ I hope you don't have to deal with too much of that craziness.

[thefinalrune]

As my RDM friend pointed out today after three hours of seeking for a party at any level, I can't wait for their to be more people on my server. Anything outside of Abyssea seems to be suffering horribly from the limited number of low level players. I for one welcome higher population number despite and potential down falls that might come with it.

[Kitkat]

Eh, I'm mainly on the endgame scope rather than begining/mid-game scope. I look at the fact with the "low population" of my server (which is one that is going to be merged) that it is already difficult to get certain NM (popped or spawned) because of the popularity mainly involving their utility with Emp Weapons. Already getting certain of these pops requires a "Dragon Aery" mentality that you need to be the fastest to talk/trade to the ??? because only one can be up at a time. Hmm.....popped NM is fine, but not when it is being monopolized and vigorously fought over just to advance 1 or 2 people, an only after 25~35 pops.

So if we have that issue already with an average of 1000, and a peak of 1900, I'm sure it is going to be much harder after the merger when the peak is 2700~3200+ and an average of 1600~2000. The question then doesn't come to "why are they doing it?" so much as "how are they going to deal with the 'congestion' that is going to occur due to the merger?"

[Harukusan]

Alright, so my issue is this: We already have too many people on during peak hours. By peak hours I mean specifically JP hours. I myself generally play late nights and find myself in a gridlock with the JP population, which is the majority of FFXI players. If I want to avoid that congestion, I simply play earlier in the day. And I love having that option. Fortunately on Caitsith most JP players aside from my LS are probably like 12 years old, and have ADD or I would be struggling. I'm not looking to change things from the way they are unless it involves further segregating players to the point where I can just be alone for a change. When FFXI first started, the social atmosphere was great, depending on the people you surrounded yourself with. Now, it's all cutthroat. I don't care if you have a LS dedicated to Abyssea or whatever other pointless outdated garbage in which you participate, the simple fact is most people are just in the way. You don't need a full alliance to do anything. And based on what SE has stated, they want to force more people together to "enjoy" everything the game has to offer. Well, right now, it seems the ONLY thing the game has to offer is Abyssea. I'm not paying my monthly fees to provide charity to the "less fortunate," simply because if they really wanted to, they could accomplish anything if they could simply focus on their goals and stop failing. This isn't 2005. People don't need to throw a dozen bodies at something just to kill it and feel proud of themselves. If you are someone who fits in that category however, then you should just quit, and stop giving SE stupid feedback to fit your own needs. Everything the game currently has to offer THAT IS RELEVANT can be done with 2-3 people! No more! So why, again, do we need to add more people to the equation?

[Miiyo]

Only problem with merging servers is overcamping. Atm AF3 overcamping would be the biggest irritation. I believe they are supposed to add more mobs to solve that issue. When the update comes out there will be a lot running to see what's changed/new and a lot trying to see what new mobs drop af3. If they would've actually done the merge when originally planned... yeah... good call to postpone that.

[Olor]

I honestly don't get what the big deal is. Even if SE can afford to run half-empty servers - it doesn't make business sense to do so (it never makes business sense to spend more money than you need to in order to provide a service). It also doesn't make sense because if a new player starts on that world and finds it empty (outside of Aby) they won't want to stay.

[Birdkiller]

I liked the last merge. I played on various servers throughout my career of quitting and coming back, and the server I am on now needed more people. Also most of the friends I have now came from the server merge. From a social aspect, I think its just nice to see the game looking busy and lively with a good crowd of people logged in, I always worried about how long the game was going to last when I'd see as few as 400-600 people logged in during the night time.

Of course it has its bad sides as well, I pretty much stopped doing Campaign because the battles were lasting only minutes from when the enemy arrived. However, I think larger server populations help promote the over-all growth of the game, I can't imagine how well new players feel if they end up joining a server with a sparse population where it's slightly difficult to find actual people to play with, especially since this game requires you to do just about everything with a group to get the most out of it.~

[Flunklesnarkin]

Yep there are pro's and con's to the server merge.. although i think it will be positive overall

I would like to keep farming seals / coins / jewels uncontested ... but more people on the server will make it easier to find people to finish wings of the goddess or other mission related stuff....

Besides.. people can only farm seals so long.. eventually they get all the gear they want.

[Karbuncle]

Rather we like the server merge or not, I have a feeling its More Cost-Effective to merge. So It'll be happening lol. This one probably won't be the last either.

[Flunklesnarkin]

Yep.. It's just the natural progression of an MMO..

they will keep merging servers as the game ages and the population dwindles until its no longer cost effective...

eventually it will reach the point where it's no longer viable for SE to run the game.. at that point sometimes old mmo companies give out the source code so hardcore fans can run their own servers or sell it to rmt companies who can put rmt models into the game to sell currency or items.

I still think the game has years ahead of it.. but it would be silly to think ffxi will last forever.

[chubrocka]

I miss Ramora!

[Runespider]

The merge was horrible as this one will be, sadly this is about them saving money so it will happen even though it's not needed now. Save money by having a lot less servers with nearly the same player numbers (they will lose some after the merge)

[Mrbeansman]

Really everything that could have been fucked up by the merge on quetz was fucked up.

[Zumi]

I for one welcome the Merge, it will give servers with sub 1000 people on them, more people to do stuff with.

[Swords]

Rather we like the server merge or not, I have a feeling its More Cost-Effective to merge. So It'll be happening lol. This one probably won't be the last either.

Yup, it's really just common business practice, to try and save money where you can. Upgrades in technology lets servers handle higher bandwidth and congestion with greater ease, and considering what it takes to maintain, cool, and power servers you can't blame them for cutting corners when possible.

But hey look at it this way, with everything going on in Japan right now, if using less power by cutting down servers and their costs decreases the likelyhood of them shutting FFXI down again I'm all for it.

[Seriha]

I can't say I was happy when Fairy was forced to merge. Others have already commented on congestion issues, and these were present even before Abyssea. Some might simply have called it competition, though.

Instead, I would've preferred SE offer free world transfers for people on diminished servers toward approved servers of their choosing. Those who felt like there would've been greener pastures could've hopped while those that actually like not fighting for a pop could've enjoyed a bit more solitude.

[Hikura]

im actually kinda happy about the merge. my old server is merging with the one i moved to about 8 months ago so i get to play with all of my friends from over there again =D

[Illianna]

But but but.... I've been on Diabolos since I started back on the PS2 release day, it's like... my home. I feel like they're tearing down the small town I grew up in to build a highway and making me move into a crowded city >.>

[Kindra]

But but but.... I've been on Diabolos since I started back on the PS2 release day, it's like... my home. I feel like they're tearing down the small town I grew up in to build a highway and making me move into a crowded city >.>

I feel this way as well. I know its just a change of server but it feels like so much more then that.

[Laciante]

When Pandy/Asura merged, all I noticed was that there were actually people to do things with; I was able to get to Sea w/in a week, when the month b4 I had been shouting for a group (and failing) anytime I was free

[Alhanelem]

All the same people you know will still be with you. Better to just think of it as a huge infusion of (sort of)) fresh blood.

[Kindra]

I am a sentimental person. Alexander is home. It's not a feeling of change that's the problem. I have moved alot in my lifetime. That's not anything new. But for me this "home away from home" is the longest I have been around the People I have met along the way. I don't know how to really explain it lol.

[Meyi]

I didn't want the server merge last time either. :/ We had no say in it. Still a proud Seraphian at heart, but eh, what good is server pride?

It sucked when a few of my friends had to change their names. I was lucky and managed to retain all of my characters except for one; Kinky the taru had to become Kinkypoo.

Two things people don't like about server merges: possible name change and congestion on monsters.

[JensenM]

I don't know, a lot of people felt uneasy about the last server merge. But...I didn't really notice any drastic changes. Things felt the same as they did before the merge to me.

Then again, I'm in Asura and don't have to contend with any such merge this time around.
Same here. Asura has a decent amount of people on it.

As for the merger, I guess to keep the game open and to prevent overcrowding on their main servers, they figure they'll overcrowd us lol Not really a big deal for me, but if I was in an affect server, I'd probably not have a problem with it since maybe things I try to buy at AH will be there instead of me having to wait 2+ hours for a drop.

[Mirabelle]

I have no problem with the concept of server merges. THe name thing is the only part that bugs the hell out of me. IMO, if two characters share the same name the system should "flip a coin" as to which one keeps it rather than force the immigrating pop to change. And if an account hasn't been active in 3 years, they definitely shouldn't keep their name over an active player.

[Harukusan]

Well, folks, today is judgement day. Today Caitsith will be torn asunder by Ragnarok and all those memories will be gone with it! I just hope the server Ragnarok isn't very populated, because Caitsith still peaked around 2.5-3k people during prime time. I'm very upset about this merge.

[JensenM]

Well, folks, today is judgement day. Today Caitsith will be torn asunder by Ragnarok and all those memories will be gone with it! I just hope the server Ragnarok isn't very populated, because Caitsith still peaked around 2.5-3k people during prime time. I'm very upset about this merge.
Won't all of the same players still be on the game, just moved to Ragnarok? So technically it'll be the same thing, you'll just be under a new server with new players.
It doesn't sound like a very big deal to me, but I guess it's just the principle, huh :(

[Volkai]

Well, folks, today is judgement day. Today Caitsith will be torn asunder by Ragnarok and all those memories will be gone with it! I just hope the server Ragnarok isn't very populated, because Caitsith still peaked around 2.5-3k people during prime time. I'm very upset about this merge.
And this is why you store your memories in your head instead of on a server.

[Miera]

OH no, if we had to merge with a server, you're going down too. Muhahahaha

[Glamdring]

Sorry, there's a shortage of system lag in the Port Jeuno area on all servers. We need to address this shortage and have determined that a merger is the best way to increase lag to acceptable levels. Deal with it!

Thank you,
The Management

[Harukusan]

well now that it's been done, I have to say that nothing has changed, yet a lot is different. Aside from the font change, there are obviously more idiots spamming bs in port jeuno as I anticipated. I haven't given it a proper chance yet, so let's see what happens in the next few weeks.

[Hikura]

I have no problem with the concept of server merges. THe name thing is the only part that bugs the hell out of me. IMO, if two characters share the same name the system should "flip a coin" as to which one keeps it rather than force the immigrating pop to change. And if an account hasn't been active in 3 years, they definitely shouldn't keep their name over an active player.

Agreed. A friend of mine from ifrit just joined us on odin and he had to change his name because someone who hasnt played thier account since 2006 already had it so its pretty lame.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

But but but.... I've been on Diabolos since I started back on the PS2 release day, it's like... my home. I feel like they're tearing down the small town I grew up in to build a highway and making me move into a crowded city >.>Please tell your fellow Diabolosians to stop using that WoWspeak I keep seeing please. No one is LF1M... -_-

[Glamdring]

well now that it's been done, I have to say that nothing has changed, yet a lot is different. Aside from the font change, there are obviously more idiots spamming bs in port jeuno as I anticipated. I haven't given it a proper chance yet, so let's see what happens in the next few weeks.

Alot of that is us enforced Emigrees trying to meet to rebuild our shells. SOME of that will disipate soon.

[Harukusan]

This lag is overwhelming. I can't chat, I can't fight, I can't even walk sometimes, unless I corner myself in a small space away from the sheer density of this increased population. My moogle is glad to see me home more often.

[Zyeriis]

While I experience absolutely no lag cause I have a good connection and play on a computer from this decade, there are some rather large issues plaguing Phoenix. Game stops working, Titan vs. Phoenix shouts in PJ, "Paying for FCs is right" vs. "Paying for exp is idiotic" shout fights in PJ (usually between Former Titan people and the people shouting "FC Party 200k/hr leech spot do you need it? 5/18", also some weird gumming in playonline on occassion.

Wonder when the bickering is gonna stop mostly.

[Harukusan]

95 people in Abyssea-La Theine is stupid. Especially when most of them are camping Briareus and his lackees. Who wants to buy a Taru account? I make good deal! lol j/k

[Volkai]

"Exiled from Caitsith, held captive on Ragnarok."

You know, Haukusan, you're really not held captive on Ragnarok. There's nothing keeping you from buying a World Transfer to a different server that's still up.

[Harukusan]

But I can't abandon my friends! And I don't like spending money on ridiculous crap like that. Besides, I'm sure every other server is exactly the same. Overcrowded, yet still never anything interesting going on. All I've been saying is that server merges are a contradictory solution to congestion. There are regularly 400-500 people in Port Jeuno, I don't think there is a solution to that which can be easily implemented into the game in a short time.

[rislim]

"Exiled from Caitsith, held captive on Ragnarok."

Putting it that way, I honestly don't give a crap if you stayed on our server. I haven't thought ill of any Cait Sith players *yet* but some of you guys are acting like children.

[Harukusan]

Putting it that way, I honestly don't give a crap if you stayed on our server. I haven't thought ill of any Cait Sith players *yet* but some of you guys are acting like children.

I'm sorry you feel that way.

I have no problem with Ragnarok players yet either, in fact, I'm still trying to avoid all the stupid people from Caitsith. Every server has their good/bad people (mostly bad), but putting 2 servers worth in the same room was entirely unnecessary. My only problem is that it's just way too overcrowded now. It was bad before, it's worst now.