Temporary Suspension of the Services Due to an Earthquake

APRIL FOOLS WE STILL CHARGING YOU LOL

Read almost all posts. I can't describe l how I feel reading stupid things, provocations or nonsense jokes. I am italian and few years ago my country was hit by an earthquake that destroyed all the cities in the entire region. Play FF was my last thought. Wouldn't care if SE suspended the game for us...but if we had power necessity I hope they would. What hurts me is the thought you would joke about my friends dead and dying: does make you laugh my cousin was in the middle of disaster? This is offensive to life, is a lack of respect for those whom died and those suffering, whoever they are, even if you don't believe what you wrote in your post.

That being said:

すべての日本人の友人のために私は、ゲームを介して出会い、その家族や友人、私の心は、私の祈りと私の考えはあなたに専念しています。私たちは、すぐに回復する望んでいる明日は良いです。私はスクエアがあなたの国を助けるために私たちのお金を提示願っています。
誰がこのフォーラムにナンセンス書く人を許してください。彼らはこのようなひどいことには笑って、または戦いを引き起こすの書き込み時にはとにかくばかげている。
申し訳ありませんが日本かもしれない間違っているのが、私はイタリアだと私は、翻訳者によって助けられた。

For all the Japanese friends I met through the game, their families and friends: my heart, my prayers and my thoughts are dedicated to you. I wish your country will recover soon and that tomorrow goes better. I hope Square presents our money to help your country.
Forgive those whom write nonsense on this forum: in this tragic moment when they write such things to laugh or provoke fights is stupid anyway.
Apologize for my Japanese, maybe wrong, but I'm Italian and I had to use a translator.

The miserable people in this thread make me wish the servers had been in one of those towns that was destroyed by the disaster. Then what would you be doing? Crying more, no doubt.

Everything we have in life is fleeting, and can be taken away at any time. Be glad you're alive and able to post your whining, and not one of the thousands of people who have been without food and water for the past 3 days.

Best of luck and quick healing to those in Japan. (To Mitia, the original WARCAT, I hope you and your family are well. "Chance time")

Look, like most people here. I'm not happy that the servers and games were shut down. But I would much rather some family, who's freezing, cold and probably trying to help nurse wounded friends and family have the little power they can by me not playing the game for a week or so. Would I have loved for them to have had a back-up plan so we could have continued playing to keep our mind off of this terrible disaster? Yes. But will I go pout and cry because I can't play an online game so that people can be helped and Japan won't face FURTHER problems? Not likely, as someone said before, if this is helping at least one japanese family then I'm fine with it.

I do not intend what I say next to in anyway compare with the horrific devestation of Japan, our loss was a pittance compared to what the people of that ravaged land are going through. My heart and soul go out to the people of Japan.

Last summer, our house caught fire, burning to the ground in hours and taking almost everything we owned with it. All we had left were the clothes on our backs, and what few possessions we had on us at the time, which include my laptop and my oldest boys Xbox. All five of us play FFXI (Qrushkil, Yippie, Shadowstep, Alkeon, and Javon for those of you in Ramuh who may have seen us around) and we all took turns on the laptop and Xbox playing our games. SE provided us a measure of relief through a very hard time. Now they and the rest of Japan need our help as they pick up the pieces of thier devestated land. Be patient; SE is as loyal to its fanbase as we are to it's games. Give them as much support as you can, however you can; whether through donations or encouraging words, let them know the world is there for them. Give them the courage to go on, to keep hope alive in thier hearts.

I'd like to send out a big "Hiya!" to my peeps in Ramuh; hope you all are doing okay. I would also like to say "Hello" to my soon to be peeps in the Ramuh swallowing server Bahumet. Hope you guys got room for a few nuts, cause we got more than our fair share :)

Hope to see you all on the game real soon.

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Originally Posted by Kindra

I read just about anything lol. Stephen King, R.A.Salvatore, & True crime are my favorites with a few outside books here and there.

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Just finished reading Stephen King's Under the Dome. If you have not read it yet, it is definitely worth the time.

It's only been a day since the servers were taken offline and I'm already suffering the withdrawal symptoms. But I would rather see the people of Japan get the help they need from the power saved by me not playing than get my last 4 seals for my drg. Am I inconvenienced? Yes I am. But my inconvenience is small beans compared to the disaster our friends across the ocean have suffered and are still suffering. I think SE's decision was the right one (never thought I would say that) and I applaud them for thinking beyond the pocket book. Good work SE, our thoughts and prayers are with you.

To those of you complaining about the servers being offline, that's pretty selfish and uncaring. They are not even going to charge you for april and yet you still complain? How about taking that money your going to save and put it into a emergency relief fund to help with recovery efforts. Thats my plan and it should be yours too. Doing something useful with money, not something hurtful with your words.

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Originally Posted by Qrushkil

Just finished reading Stephen King's Under the Dome. If you have not read it yet, it is definitely worth the time.

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That was a good one. The beginning was mind-blowingly graphic. Very nice ending, and it really made you think! I like Dean Koontz too, even though he tends to do the "happily ever after" in almost every book he writes. The Frankenstein books were pretty decent.

I totally agree with the option to pay service fee and it being taken to help ppl in Japan. I have 3 accounts and would love to have them take my payment and apply it to a fund for the ppl in need

A week is fine, no big deal. This is an emergency of such a scale that standard disaster planning would have simply been too expensive for too little ROI. However, it has now happened. SE is an international business and needs to be prepared to move servers to a location that can support them if it looks like things aren't going to be operational at the end of the week.

I just saw on CNN that the rolling blackouts will continue to at least April 8th.

I wish to offer my condolences to the familes and friends of thos who's lives were lost in such recent events. As a resident in Louisiana at the time of Katrina and enduring it's wrath I could not better understand such a situation. It is times of such we must ignore the young and foolish who make heartless comments. As a community I see us as a caring bunch who should not be judged by our Japanese friends by the actions of few. I think allowing us to pay our April fee's in support of the victims is ingenious. I myself will always find a way to send aid as it is important we all do not wait on others to respond for us. As seen with Katrina, it was the common man, not the government who brought swift aid. I am proud to be a member of yet another responsive and good hearted community as seen in this thread by our fellow FFXI players....

I'm relieved to find that my Japanese friends (and friends who were visiting here recently) are safe. Had me very worried. It's horrible to think something like this can happen and I hope everyone can pull through.

That being said, I see some people complaining about the game being shut down. For the addicts: shut up. Seriously. But I also noticed people complaining because they don't get to play much in the first place and it's an even bigger waste of money. You shut up too. I work two jobs, and spend time with my son when I can (and when my ex isn't being an idiot). I log in maybe once every few days for maybe an hour at a time. I only get decent game time in MAYBE once a week. Sometimes not even that.

But do you see me complaining? No. I have no problem with them shutting down the game. Because they DO need to save power and put it towards more important things. So what? It's just a game, and they said they won't charge us for April. No harm, no foul. Fine by me. Heck, i'd be fine to pay it anyway and have proceeds go to a relief fund or something.

Yes this game is my escape from reality when it sucks. Yes i love games, Final Fantasy, and MMOs. But there are more important things than games. Like a job. Spending time with your sweetie (if you even have one). Spending time with your kids (if you have them). If you're so sad as to not have any of these, then go play a console game. It's a week. Get over it. Big whoop.

I'm going to compensate what little game time I have by spending more time with my wonderful girl, and my son (as long as my ex isn't a total b*tch about it).


That being said, my gf and I wish everyone the best and our hearts go to those in the middle of this disaster.

Sincerely,

Andrev/Treymo (me)
&
Riimo (my lovely lady who just recently came to the game)

Server: Cerberus

Feel free to say hello anytime. Always up for lvling or questing.

I didn't know till yesterday about what had happened in Japan, and I've just been watching videos on Tumblr and wasn't expecting it to be as bad as it is. My condolences to everyone who has lost family and friends due the events of late and that Japan are able to recover from the disaster.

Being as I'm a new player to FFXI and still on my free trail for the game, I would still like to be given the option to pay the service fee to help the people that are in need.

Dude, Fayez, just saw you couple days ago man. Sorry I wasn't able to help with your subs before service was cancelled. When we get back in i'll still help if you haven't gotten them already.

I was thinking it was you when I just read your post. I haven't had time to try and get them yet. Was gona try yesterday, but after what's happened I couldn't. Be a big help though, and I can learn more about the game from you to.

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Originally Posted by Gadanae

SE, BAN THIS IDIOT OFF YOUR FORUMS, AND TAKE HIS INFO AND PERMANENTLY BAN HIS ACCOUNT, THANK YOU. Anyone FFXI player heartless enough to write this needs to be made to disappear from FFXI land. Please make it happen.

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Will you relax, your post was more hostile than his. A lot of people are going to be dissapointed by SE turning out the lights for a week. MMOs become part of people's daily routines, and a move like this is predictably going to annoy and upset a lot of people - including a lot of the japaneese.

Of course if this is going to help save lives or keep people from losing power it was the right thing to do. If it was just a public relations move then less so - but either way ranting someone an "IDIOT" and having him "PERMANENDLY BANNED" just because he spoke his mind on a forum of all places is what is truly idiotic. Forums are suppose to be bastions of individual opinion and critiques, not say nothing controversial or i'll ban you zones.

Yeah man been playing off and on since November of 2004. I'll help ya out.

Me and my siblings have donated the money that would've gone to April's monthly fees to Red Cross for Japan.

I highly encourage everyone who is reading this thread and everyone who plays XI to do so. This is the money that we can all afford to give, and it's going to a good cause. BBC news has a link on their site to where people can go for information and to donate. That link is below.

http://asiancorrespondent.com/50294/...d-how-to-help/

Honestly I'm tired of reading posts about "I send my condolences to the ppl of japan etc etc."

It's annoying. If you want to show true sympathy for those lost and in danger then start a fund raiser or post something valid to the cause. Not "I feel bad for the ppl in Japan."

Reason 1: Most ppl in Japan are unable to read the forum d/t electricity.
Reason 2: Many of the affected people don't even play ffxi and would be unable to read the forums that are FFXI specific.
Reason 3: Lastly, if any of the ppl that are affected by this disaster CAN get online to check stuff. They wont be hitting the ENGLISH forums.

Have your sympathies. Just don't post them to make you feel better inside.

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Originally Posted by Crimoir

THIS IS A GAME!! There is positively NOTHING you can say to prove that shunting down the servers was wrong, cause it wasn't. case closed.

About being prepared for this kind of disaster... ARE YOU STUPID!?!?

point 1: Not cost effective to put redundant game servers in multiple countries for an international game. maintenance is easier if the servers are in the same place.

point 2: NO ONE goes over board to make sure a GAME (sorry if you have no REAL life) will still be running in case of disaster.

one more thing to point out is that the power plant aren't only no giving out power. there liable to EXPLODE and give off radiation fall out

read this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12733393

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How is it stupid to prepare for the worst? I live where it is cold I went and bought a coat for when it snows. If I lived near a nuclear reactor I am buying an anti-radiation suit. So please tell me when you live somewhere that natural disasters can happen how is it stupid to have contingency plans?

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Originally Posted by Sleven

Honestly I'm tired of reading posts about "I send my condolences to the ppl of japan etc etc."

It's annoying. If you want to show true sympathy for those lost and in danger then start a fund raiser or post something valid to the cause. Not "I feel bad for the ppl in Japan."

Reason 1: Most ppl in Japan are unable to read the forum d/t electricity.
Reason 2: Many of the affected people don't even play ffxi and would be unable to read the forums that are FFXI specific.
Reason 3: Lastly, if any of the ppl that are affected by this disaster CAN get online to check stuff. They wont be hitting the ENGLISH forums.

Have your sympathies. Just don't post them to make you feel better inside.

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But when they do check the English Forums, SE mainly, they're going to see how many heart-felt players they have that really care about their well-being and the recovery of their country. Sure they won't read them all, especially the ones that are hate/upset posts and the replies to those. But it's better to let them know you care than not letting them know you care at all. I'd rather see you show your reaction than replying you don't want to read ours.

On a thread like this. I want to read about what our community of friends(FFXI subscribers) have actually done to help others. Not their emotional response to something. I personally lack the means to assist them so knowing there are ppl out there doing what they can for the better of other is truely uplifting. But when I have to sift through miles of dribble about how sad they are this is happening but yet do nothing to help it just gets annoying.

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Originally Posted by Babyj

How is it stupid to prepare for the worst? I live where it is cold I went and bought a coat for when it snows. If I lived near a nuclear reactor I am buying an anti-radiation suit. So please tell me when you live somewhere that natural disasters can happen how is it stupid to have contingency plans?

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It's risk management. Sometimes it's too costly to prepare for the absolute worst, because the absolute worst might happen once every few hundred, or even thousand years. Take for example The Thames River barrier in London, it will protect against high tides, but not against the floods that happen in that have a 1/3,000 chance happening (that figure was pulled randomly out of my head, I did it as a case study for a geography module like 2 years ago). It's not built to prepare for the absolute worst because it would cost more to built and far more to maintain. Sometimes it's not economically feasible. Japan is pretty much built to withstand strong earthquakes, but not something of this magnitude.

From your analogy, it would be like you buying a coat in your local shop and then trying to cross the Arctic during the coldest period with it. You don't buy a coat in the chance that a super-arctic bizzard is going to cover your area and kill off a large chunk of the population inhabiting the area. The odds of it happening are in the 1:1000's ratio. It would cost too much for you to buy equipment for that, for something that will probably never happen in your area, maybe never.

They have contingency plans for these kind of things, and we can see them being put in place, they did not have infrastructure to withstand this kind of thing. There was a video of a flood barrier with the flood water just going over it carrying boats like they weren't even there.

Well can't always get what you want. Sorry to say. People are free to express their concerns, as did you.

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Originally Posted by Dracaunt

It's risk management. Sometimes it's too costly to prepare for the absolute worst, because the absolute worst might happen once every few hundred, or even thousand years. Take for example The Thames River barrier in London, it will protect against high tides, but not against the floods that happen in that have a 1/3,000 chance happening (that figure was pulled randomly out of my head, I did it as a case study for a geography module like 2 years ago). It's not built to prepare for the absolute worst because it would cost more to built and far more to maintain. Sometimes it's not economically feasible. Japan is pretty much built to withstand strong earthquakes, but not something of this magnitude.

From your analogy, it would be like you buying a coat in your local shop and then trying to cross the Arctic during the coldest period with it. You don't buy a coat in the chance that a super-arctic bizzard is going to cover your area and kill off a large chunk of the population inhabiting the area. The odds of it happening are in the 1:1000's ratio. It would cost too much for you to buy equipment for that, for something that will probably never happen in your area, maybe never.

They have contingency plans for these kind of things, and we can see them being put in place, they did not have infrastructure to withstand this kind of thing. There was a video of a flood barrier with the flood water just going over it carrying boats like they weren't even there.

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Okay, I get that, about cost and time efficiency for something to work out. But, not having prepared for the worst cause it is unfathomable does not make sense. If it can happen it will, I mean Japan has some of the smartest people on earth and have none of them ever read/heard/experienced Murphy's Law? And I know that sounds rude and insensitive, but sometimes it takes hard truth. Also to the people that think I do not care about the people of Japan, please understand I do care but I know there is nothing I can do about the issue, so I do not see a point of getting upset about what is happening.

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Originally Posted by Babyj

How is it stupid to prepare for the worst? I live where it is cold I went and bought a coat for when it snows. If I lived near a nuclear reactor I am buying an anti-radiation suit. So please tell me when you live somewhere that natural disasters can happen how is it stupid to have contingency plans?

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It's not stupid and my IT friend confirmed it for me. All smart companies have an IT contingency plan. My friend is part of such a plan for the company he works for.

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Originally Posted by JagerForrester

But when they do check the English Forums, SE mainly, they're going to see how many heart-felt players they have that really care about their well-being and the recovery of their country. Sure they won't read them all, especially the ones that are hate/upset posts and the replies to those. But it's better to let them know you care than not letting them know you care at all. I'd rather see you show your reaction than replying you don't want to read ours.

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Right! If you don't want to read something... then DON'T READ IT.

I am completely shocked to hear of all the natural disasters going around lately, I have heard of some heart wrenching strories that came from Japan. It breaks my heart. I hope that everyone is safe and I wish I could do something to help, it truely sucks. I wish many families and friends out there to be safe and to hang in there.

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Originally Posted by Umbrion

This will upset a lot of people and i am one of them, hope your feed back center is ready to work double over time.. and i hope when a quake hits North America you shut down the game again just to see the response from are friends over the ocean

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what a freaking moroon dude i lost 4 ppl in japan already and im burning to go to japan and find the only one left there u think this game is their life? come on dude wake up and see the reality of this tragedy stupid kid
if they shut down the server is to save electricity and if a wuake hist america the game will run w/o i bet it
so go soak ur head on a toilet or something

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Originally Posted by Umbrion

This will upset a lot of people and i am one of them, hope your feed back center is ready to work double over time.. and i hope when a quake hits North America you shut down the game again just to see the response from are friends over the ocean

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Just saw that post. That is the most idiotic thing I've ever seen. North America is huge. A quake or disaster in one part will only minimally affect other parts.

They're trying to save power. Do a Google search of "Operation Yashima".

You can stop bringing that post up. Umbrion has only post twiced after that, laughing at us. He was trolling, stop feeding.

It's good to see that they pulled the servers. It goes to show you where Japan's priorities are placed, in their family members, friends, co-workers and colleagues.

Hoping all gets well over there.

I <3 Japan

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Originally Posted by Naturebeckles

It's not stupid and my IT friend confirmed it for me. All smart companies have an IT contingency plan. My friend is part of such a plan for the company he works for.

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SE would have a contingency plan. But this is not a service that needs to be available 24hrs a day, therefore there is no rush to get things online.

Some of the posts on here are shamefull.

SE stay safe and I hope you know where all your family and friends are and that they are all safe. Take as much time as you need I think my husband and I's $26 bill we get each month for XI can go to the red cross to help the disaster relief. Stay safe Japan. You're in our prayers.

Just for a little perspective. I was in the Katrina disaster that stuck South East Louisiana. It's now just past 5 years later and New Orleans still is not 100%. When I lost everything, it seemed to me like FFXI was the only thing stable in my life. That said, it was a great way to relieve stress. However, I back their decission to shut down the servers 1000% Even were servers down for a month, I would understand. It's like their disclaimer says, "Don't forget about your family and friends in the real world." Right now they need our support.
I originally had no plan to create an account on the forum, but I had to get that off my chest. I know the road will be long and difficult. I fully believe in the Japanese people and know they will rebuild stronger. I want to send my full condolences for those they've lost.
To Square-Enix, I would love for there to be a button similar to purchasing add ons on the pol browser where I could donate to relief efforts.

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Originally Posted by Babyj

I will put this game over human life everytime.........if the human means absolutely nothing too me......I have friends over in Japan atm but what truly can I do........nothing.....so instead I would love to be playing FFXI, they are a business they should have of thought of contingency plan to not have the servers be dropped.

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No offense, but I really get the feeling your just trying to stir the pot with this post.

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Originally Posted by Ethican

Just for a little perspective. I was in the Katrina disaster that stuck South East Louisiana. It's now just past 5 years later and New Orleans still is not 100%. When I lost everything, it seemed to me like FFXI was the only thing stable in my life. That said, it was a great way to relieve stress. However, I back their decission to shut down the servers 1000% Even were servers down for a month, I would understand. It's like their disclaimer says, "Don't forget about your family and friends in the real world." Right now they need our support.
I originally had no plan to create an account on the forum, but I had to get that off my chest. I know the road will be long and difficult. I fully believe in the Japanese people and know they will rebuild stronger. I want to send my full condolences for those they've lost.
To Square-Enix, I would love for there to be a button similar to purchasing add ons on the pol browser where I could donate to relief efforts.

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Thank you for your perspective. It is well appreciated.

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Originally Posted by Babyj

Okay, I get that, about cost and time efficiency for something to work out. But, not having prepared for the worst cause it is unfathomable does not make sense. If it can happen it will, I mean Japan has some of the smartest people on earth and have none of them ever read/heard/experienced Murphy's Law? And I know that sounds rude and insensitive, but sometimes it takes hard truth. Also to the people that think I do not care about the people of Japan, please understand I do care but I know there is nothing I can do about the issue, so I do not see a point of getting upset about what is happening.

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that is like saying you should have a plan for if/when the supper volcano under Yellowstone park goes off and distroyes everything up to ~8 states in circumference. Or that people should have a plan for mount Raineer goes off that if it is anything like Mt. St. Hellens where people all the way in Minnisota had to deal with tons of ash. Let me ask you this do you have a plan for those? Or a plan for a meteor strike? After all we get them burning up in our atmosphere almost every day.

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Originally Posted by Sleven

Honestly I'm tired of reading posts about "I send my condolences to the ppl of japan etc etc."

It's annoying. If you want to show true sympathy for those lost and in danger then start a fund raiser or post something valid to the cause. Not "I feel bad for the ppl in Japan."

Reason 1: Most ppl in Japan are unable to read the forum d/t electricity.
Reason 2: Many of the affected people don't even play ffxi and would be unable to read the forums that are FFXI specific.
Reason 3: Lastly, if any of the ppl that are affected by this disaster CAN get online to check stuff. They wont be hitting the ENGLISH forums.

Have your sympathies. Just don't post them to make you feel better inside.

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And you are here, and posted that waste of text because?? Sorry at a loss here...