Minimise the downtime please.

Really, REALLY!? They're hell in a handbasket right now and you want them to minimize the downtime? Please! I would rather have them keep the servers offline until everything is a-okay. My main concern is the people of Japan to get their lives in order, not play an MMO.

Hell, right now I feel useless, not being able to do much to help out the Japanese in their time of need. I can donate food, and money and I still feel like it's not enough.

go do what S.E is doing.. Filling out their social obligations meaning.. Their turning their servers off to help the people suffering right now.. sorry ur all tucked away in your little bed in the Fine outstanding Moral abiding country of the USA...

You guys way to sensitive and emotional, need to chills outs a bit. This is nature.

Anywho i think the OP needs to realise the obvious here, businesses dont plan for: Earthquake/Tsunami/Meltdown events.

instead of keeping raging threads like this up on the forum I'd like to see a thread to keep us updated on the situation in Japan to help us understand the situation better. I'm keeping a minute-by-minute news site up all the time when I'm at the computer to see what the news are, but I bet other countries (I'm in Italy) can get other if not better news.
It would sure help these stressed players to see that the Japan is working to get back in shape (and it is. Go check news.)

From my knowledge, not all of japan was even devasted; hence how you saw japanese players online after the quake and talking to some of us about it. It was the northeast coast bit. Not the whole island, if I'm mistaken. I'm sorry. And no, that doesn't change the fact that this was a needed thing to help solve the blackouts so that they can get back up and running and I very much hope that they can, and as quickly as possible. I would hope other countries would have more involvement besides putting it on their news also. Hell, if China got the slightest bit involved with their troops, I think it would be up a little faster. But dunno the odds of that happening <.< So I will just work around not having the game.

Makes no sense to me how Square can continue to run FFXIV for free because they can't charge without losing mass numbers of players, an action which basically eats money and continue to do this for 6+ months yet can't rent some servers in their US offices or in another part of Japan to make sure an important set of titles does not take long term damage from loss of subs.

MMO's are addictive in nature, thats how they keep us playing for years. We won't go cold turkey well after weeks or months (even the high horse people will rage after they have been without their fix for months) we will either lose intrest and get on with our lives (unlikely for most) or play other games out of boredom and be forced to stick with those for an extended period of time, trying other games is one thing, being forced to play them weeks/months to the point you get into them is another. Any other business realises this is a bad idea, a popular TV station being down for months which has serious competition for ratings forcing people to watch the competition, if WoW was down for months and almost its entire playerbase going to Rift for months would that not be bad for business?

If this ends up being a weeks downtime no big deal but it could be months, Square have not said they will take action if it ends up being a long term deal.

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Originally Posted by Komori

I would hope other countries would have more involvement besides putting it on their news also.

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For my nation, I can say it was decided that it was decided to send on Tuesday a "team of experts on the field that will valuate with Japanese authorities about times and modality for an eventual operation of assistance from our country" (translating this from the Italian news site I'm reading). My country sucks so I wish Japan the best of luck and hope other countries will help because I can't expect much from Italy -.-; We're [Too Weak] and our leader thinks he's God so that doesn't help either.

"I made a post yesterday and a lot of people got on their high horse, will be funny to make the post again in a month and see the difference. People like that are usually cool till it has a serious effect on them, then they change their whole outlook.

Suddenly the suggestion of a major company setting up rented servers or something in their american office to keep the game running will look a lot more appealing to everyone."

Rune I thought this post should go here. Rather then where you made it lol. Anyway I wanted to point out how this one post looks to me. When you say that in a month this will have a "Serious effect" on them you have taken your point and made it invalid. Why I say this is because if a Game has such a "Serious effect" on people then they need to really look around.

Saying that they should have had a back up plan is one thing. Saying what you said in this post says to me its not about worrying about SE profits, its about worrying if you can play the game or not.

Again its not in anger just pointing out how it looks to me. :)

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Originally Posted by Kjara

For my nation, I can say it was decided that it was decided to send on Tuesday a "team of experts on the field that will valuate with Japanese authorities about times and modality for an eventual operation of assistance from our country" (translating this from the Italian news site I'm reading). My country sucks so I wish Japan the best of luck and hope other countries will help because I can't expect much from Italy -.-; We're [Too Weak] and our leader thinks he's God so that doesn't help either.

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All we're good for is assistance to the population, we're no good at giving opinion on earthquakes or nuclear emergency that's for sure lol

Anyway, SE is a worldwide major company. I'm sure they have emergency plans for situations like this and now they're merely acting according to the government's advice to save energy for the good of the nation.

Also remember its not all SEs fault, i bet ISP companies have also been asked to reduce their threshold as well as power companies asking to store/redirect energy.

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Originally Posted by Valix

That is just a testament to how much your own country doesn't care about its people, They would rather keep there business running then help there troubled community.

I'm not from Japan (I am Australian if it makes a difference) but I think the people of Japan should feel proud of SE for putting aside business for the community, if other mega corps around the world could take a lesson from them the world would be better for it.

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Funny, that wasn't what I saw after Northridge, 9/11. the shooting in Arizona. So, you judge an entire country based on the actions of a few. A few who have also been called out by their own countrymen. What is the term for someone who paints everyone with the same brush based on the actions of a few? Seems that is what you are doing here.

It should be noted that thirteen prefectures in Japan are having mandatory scheduled blackouts to conserve energy. This is a government decision and as such SquareEnix has no say what-so-ever. I'm not sure within which prefecture their servers are hosted but it is entirely likely they are in the effected area. Just trying to open some people to the possibility of this downtime being out of their hands. The scheduled blackouts are assumed to last for roughly one week, however the listing has no end date at this time hence SE not giving any definite info. Hope this helps explain a little more to those with no access to Japanese news.

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Originally Posted by Wze

It should be noted that thirteen prefectures in Japan are having mandatory scheduled blackouts to conserve energy. This is a government decision and as such SquareEnix has no say what-so-ever. I'm not sure within which prefecture their servers are hosted but it is entirely likely they are in the effected area. Just trying to open some people to the possibility of this downtime being out of their hands. The scheduled blackouts are assumed to last for roughly one week, however the listing has no end date at this time hence SE not giving any definite info. Hope this helps explain a little more to those with no access to Japanese news.

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The only real solution to any more issues causing the servers to shut down (God willing they would have no loss of life) would to have back up servers in the US. However, that would cost more money and with the constantly flucuating number of players, I don't think they can afford that right now.

All we can do is wait. And it sucks. But I think most of us need a break from the game.

Ehh then again, I don't think that this game is the most important thing right now. And it makes you realize that it is not always gonna be there to play. Maybe we will appreciate it more?

It is a tragedy, My prayers go out to everyone in Japan. But i do agree everyone else should not suffer because of it, SE has hubs in California and the UK. I dont understand why those hubs could not keep the servers up, that would not affect the power in Japan at all.

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Originally Posted by Wze

It should be noted that thirteen prefectures in Japan are having mandatory scheduled blackouts to conserve energy. This is a government decision and as such SquareEnix has no say what-so-ever. I'm not sure within which prefecture their servers are hosted but it is entirely likely they are in the effected area. Just trying to open some people to the possibility of this downtime being out of their hands. The scheduled blackouts are assumed to last for roughly one week, however the listing has no end date at this time hence SE not giving any definite info. Hope this helps explain a little more to those with no access to Japanese news.

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I am not sure where you have got your info from but if you look at the TEPCO site and translate it they state that the rolling blackouts will be going on until at least the end of April. They also state that unless they are able to get the current reactor fuel rods covered & the heat exchanger repaired they will not be able to provide any stable power until the end of summer due to people will have to use their air conditioners & the system will be overloaded.

I know everyone is looking on the bright side about everything but don't keep staring at the boards waiting for SE to say "Servers back online tomorrow" cause that day is in the future. This could actually have a greater effect on SE then people are willing to admit, the fact is in two months from now when SE announces that they may be coming back online they will only have maybe 50% of their client base.

Hope for the best & expect the worse. That is the way of life, wishful thinking is nice but the facts tell a different story.

NightDagger
Server - Lakshmi

so we aren't being charged while servers are down?

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Originally Posted by Ezikiel

so we aren't being charged while servers are down?

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no we are not, as of right now they said they are not chrgin for April, and if the servers continue to be down, we wont be charged till they are back up.....if ever

There are some truly ignorant people in this world. If an earthquake DEVASTATED the United States, or Europe, or anywhere else as that is much more populated than Japan, I believe if the headquarters was in that location, the servers would be down. Runespider, your "concerns" for their financial success fail in one sense, my friend: If the game servers are not on, then there isn't any costs from employees working, no power bill for this amount of time, more power for the much more important things like HOSPITALS. Now, if there isn't a cost to go with the loss of revenue, it's what businessmen call breaking even. Now, shut up, dude. Seriously. I have been playing FFXI since 2005, but you know what? If they keep it off for a month, so be it. I respect that decision 110%. Heck, they even gave us no payments all the way through April. EVERYONE gets free FFXI until May. Quit whining and suck it up. It will be okay.

P.S. All those in Japan, I pray for the safe return of all your family and friends. And I am very sorry for all losses (Financial, personal, friends, family, etc.)

dont just pray donate to the japan red cross.

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Originally Posted by Thehobo

There are some truly ignorant people in this world. If an earthquake DEVASTATED the United States, or Europe, or anywhere else as that is much more populated than Japan, I believe if the headquarters was in that location, the servers would be down. Runespider, your "concerns" for their financial success fail in one sense, my friend: If the game servers are not on, then there isn't any costs from employees working, no power bill for this amount of time, more power for the much more important things like HOSPITALS. Now, if there isn't a cost to go with the loss of revenue, it's what businessmen call breaking even. Now, shut up, dude. Seriously. I have been playing FFXI since 2005, but you know what? If they keep it off for a month, so be it. I respect that decision 110%. Heck, they even gave us no payments all the way through April. EVERYONE gets free FFXI until May. Quit whining and suck it up. It will be okay.

P.S. All those in Japan, I pray for the safe return of all your family and friends. And I am very sorry for all losses (Financial, personal, friends, family, etc.)

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I don't agree with Rune. But, one of the largest costs to companies is salaries and benefits. Most full-time, salaried employees are usually paid when a company isn't open. Their benefits are also paid. Now, the company can do things such as suspend pay for extreme cases. But, most won't do it because of the damage to morale and employee loyalty. However, if this does stretch out into a long-term thing, S/E may be forced to suspend salaries or pay people at a reduced rate. Benefits are usually the last to go because those are contractual with the companies that provide the services.

It's not that we are ignorant, i already donated to the red cross. I was a katrina victum so i completly understand what they are going through. But you know something "The show must go on". This is life, it sucks but things happen. We help when/if we can but again "The show must go on"... Now your happy to get april for free huh? News flash, read on the facts FFXI will be down all of april and perhaps may. People have the right to be upset, i totally understand why some people need FFXI, i am one of those people.... I have no family, friends, nothing in my real life, ffxi is my family, its all i have. So yes i miss it dearly!

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Originally Posted by Rocman

It's not that we are ignorant, i already donated to the red cross. I was a katrina victum so i completly understand what they are going through. But you know something "The show must go on". This is life, it sucks but things happen. We help when/if we can but again "The show must go on"... Now your happy to get april for free huh? News flash, read on the facts FFXI will be down all of april and perhaps may. People have the right to be upset, i totally understand why some people need FFXI, i am one of those people.... I have no family, friends, nothing in my real life, ffxi is my family, its all i have. So yes i miss it dearly!

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I'm not being flippant, or mean, or condescending. Your statement really says you need a break from the game and to spend some time with non-virtual friends. Although we all know the game is designed to be addictive, there is a warning when you log in about placing this game above the real world. Have you checked to see if any FFXI gamers are near you. Maybe you all could get together and spend some real world time with each other.

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Originally Posted by Randwolf

I'm not being flippant, or mean, or condescending. Your statement really says you need a break from the game and to spend some time with non-virtual friends. Although we all know the game is designed to be addictive, there is a warning when you log in about placing this game above the real world. Have you checked to see if any FFXI gamers are near you. Maybe you all could get together and spend some real world time with each other.

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I lost my family and wife in disaters, Thank you for your concern but I dont need a break from ffxi. ffxi is the only thing that keeps me sane. I know it sounds nuts but its a good outlet, better then turning to drugs right? I am now disabled so i cant work either. So again thanks for your concern but there is some of us that need ffxi!

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Are you serious? Their reactor is going to melt and poison the whole of japan and the currents and winds will carry it over to the US or East Asia.

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You people need to lay off this.. it was already mentioned this was a tragedy and he wasn't saying anything about that but in the fact that yes I am still living my day to day life and what not I help when I can to others so don't start going postal just because you feel you have to implement your save the whale comments every time someone has an opinion or question about the game.. The world doesn't revolve around Japan and I'm sorry they are effected by Earth's nature and it sucks that people are hurt and killed but this isn't a thread about a person being morally selfish.. This is a thread about legit questions and concerned based off a lot of peoples everyday lives and we have the right to express our concern about the effect of this game based on our lives..

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I'm not being flippant, or mean, or condescending. Your statement really says you need a break from the game and to spend some time with non-virtual friends. Although we all know the game is designed to be addictive, there is a warning when you log in about placing this game above the real world. Have you checked to see if any FFXI gamers are near you. Maybe you all could get together and spend some real world time with each other.

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and I think you need to lay off the Dr. Phil routine too.. You are in no position to dictate others lives, habits or addictions.. Once again this was a thread based off concerns of a customer and not meant to be taken personally by anyone based off the disaster.. Either you are traumatized by this because of some personal effect it has on you or your just flaming anything that isn't related to saving the rain Forrest.. go start a thread and name it "the support of those in need" or something then you have every right to jump on everyone's "OPINION" that doesn't follow the thread

SE should have went green and put up a windmill farm, and solar panels to run its servers... /shame.

Maybe they can take this time to rethink going green now.

Nuclear power is always dangerous, we all need to go green to avoid these kinds of threats to our population and lands.

And most importantly being off the grid, safe from natural disasters like this and EMP waves from solar flares, or even enemies.

With all the terrible things going on in Japan right now one thing to consider is the economy. It is going to cost so much to get things up and running again. Right now it looks like the power shortages are going to be going on for some time. It takes time to get new power sources up and running and at least three, more likely four, and who knows how many more reactors are going to have to be replaced completely. I have not heard if any other power sources are affected by the earthquakes and tsunami.
There are plans for at least 6,000 megawatts of power to be sent to Japan by Russia via undersea cable.
One week sounds more than optomistic. It sounds very unlikely that FFXI or any other big business in Japan to be up very soon. Unfortunately in order to repair damage and rebuild it is going to take huge amounts of money. To get that money they have to get business up and going as soon as possible. In fact I would put it fifth in priority right now. Water, food, shelter, health concerns then businees up. It is absolutely vital to get the businesses up. How they can do it without electricity I dont know without moving as much as possible off Japan temporarily. Anything to get it going as soon as possible. Of course that doesnt reemploy people in Japan but it is without doubt that many of the Japanese will be involved in rebuilding.
They will be able to get reduced cost loans from other countries but it is better to get their own sources of money going as soon as possible.
Into all this comes SE. It is true we want the game back as soon as possible BUT it is IMPORTANT to them that they get it up and going soon too. A healthy business contributes to a faster recovery for Japan. As self serving as it sounds it is true that the sooner we can play the game the better for Japan it is. I would rather buy US products for our own economy but right now it wouldn't be a bad idea to help support Japan by buying their goods.
Its good to contribute to charitable organizations but for the pride of Japan it would be good to support them in our buying practices too. Our hearts are out to you, Japan. We are behind you in your rebuilding and know it will happen. Hard times are still ahead but it will get better.

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Originally Posted by GERM

You people need to lay off this.. it was already mentioned this was a tragedy and he wasn't saying anything about that but in the fact that yes I am still living my day to day life and what not I help when I can to others so don't start going postal just because you feel you have to implement your save the whale comments every time someone has an opinion or question about the game.. The world doesn't revolve around Japan and I'm sorry they are effected by Earth's nature and it sucks that people are hurt and killed but this isn't a thread about a person being morally selfish.. This is a thread about legit questions and concerned based off a lot of peoples everyday lives and we have the right to express our concern about the effect of this game based on our lives..



and I think you need to lay off the Dr. Phil routine too.. You are in no position to dictate others lives, habits or addictions.. Once again this was a thread based off concerns of a customer and not meant to be taken personally by anyone based off the disaster.. Either you are traumatized by this because of some personal effect it has on you or your just flaming anything that isn't related to saving the rain Forrest.. go start a thread and name it "the support of those in need" or something then you have every right to jump on everyone's "OPINION" that doesn't follow the thread

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Sorry, but if someone lays information out there that is concerning, I'm not going to just let it go by without a responding. And, yes, I have a degree in counseling psychology. It would be irresponsible of me to not point out what appears to be behavior that is unhealthy. And, uncaring on anyone's part to not direct that person to some more positive path. The internet has become flooded with people who think they are watching T.V. and don't give a thought to the fact a real person is making that post.

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Originally Posted by Bahamut

SE should have went green and put up a windmill farm, and solar panels to run its servers... /shame.

Maybe they can take this time to rethink going green now.

Nuclear power is always dangerous, we all need to go green to avoid these kinds of threats to our population and lands.

And most importantly being off the grid, safe from natural disasters like this and EMP waves from solar flares, or even enemies.

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Lovely but wouldnt the government need that electricity for their grid? Also the tsumami would have wiped out solar even faster than the nuclear plants, admittedly without the radiation danger.

I can't believe some of the stuff I have read about SE having to shut down because of a horrific catastrophic event. First I want to say this is only a GAME!!! I have played this game for several years, and from what I have read, it is a good thing that SE shutdown there is definitely some people who need a break from playing to get their head on straight. Some people don't think the troubles of Japan will effect this country, well look at the stock market, look at the economy every country's major troubles/events effects the well being of another. I want to play as much as all of you, but if it was on a scale of 1-100, one being the most important event in life, playing ffxi is about 2000 in the scheme of life. It is only a game.

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Originally Posted by Randwolf

I have a degree in counseling psychology.

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Unless your expertise is solicited, keep it to yourself. For someone with a degree in psychology, you seem to have forgotten several basic rules. Being non-directive is a good place to start - specially for someone you don't know.

This is all I"m going to say too this,

Get over yourself when people have lost their homes and loved ones, it won't kill you to take time off from the game, but it might kill people in Japan if you don't. If it does afflict you, then you are obviously in violation of the beginning user agreement to not forget your REAL Life. If you have friends and family or friends that are your family in game, then be prepared for such situations and talk to them through outside sources such as Skype, TS, WHATEVER. Hell even Mail them letters if you like, but I really don't see how being asked to take a week break is a life or death decision. Get over yourself, Care for the people that need us most and why not donate the money we didn't have to pay for this month too the cause rather then squandering it on a 2 liter and a pizza.

Wow, it has only been two freaking days. The week of is far from being over. Should SE of had back up servers somewhere outside of their home nation, maybe. Are the Ceo's of SE dumb enough not to realize the longer XI at least is down the more money they will loose? Probably not. Even if they did have back up servers at the moment some where else other than japan they would have one heck of a time making sure things are running smoothly due to phone services being spotty at best. Also some of the prefects mentioned in the mandatory rolling blackouts are HUGE. Ignoring the fact that the country they just happen to be based in having multi nuclear plants trying to play Russian roulett at this time one has to remember that a few towns got wiped out to sea by 4ft waves caused by the tsunami. Now I don't know how you go measuring waves for height but if it is just like you do for people I would pretty damn sure any phone electrical or Internet lines got fubared by something that is almost as tall as my 5'3 butt. Before we start trying to double default at the starting line about not having an update by now if servers will or will not be up by next Sunday by NA standards try and remember they have four more days to update us.

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Originally Posted by Dazusu

Unless your expertise is solicited, keep it to yourself. For someone with a degree in psychology, you seem to have forgotten several basic rules. Being non-directive is a good place to start - specially for someone you don't know.

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You're absolutely correct. In a counseling session, the healthiest path is when the client realizes they have a problem and take it upon themselves to work on it.

what you need to understand is that ffxi is down for 2 reasons. firstly they were asked to by the power company, and secondly because they have MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT.

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Originally Posted by Scuro

This is all I"m going to say too this,

Get over yourself when people have lost their homes and loved ones, it won't kill you to take time off from the game, but it might kill people in Japan if you don't. If it does afflict you, then you are obviously in violation of the beginning user agreement to not forget your REAL Life. If you have friends and family or friends that are your family in game, then be prepared for such situations and talk to them through outside sources such as Skype, TS, WHATEVER. Hell even Mail them letters if you like, but I really don't see how being asked to take a week break is a life or death decision. Get over yourself, Care for the people that need us most.

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I love how people think since we miss the game so much, the game helps us through everyday life, Thats this means we dont care? I am all about myself because i use FFXI as an outlet to escape everyday pain like this disaster?
Have you dontated anything to the japan red cross or do you just sit there and say you feel bad? I did my part, i gave money to help, and if i was healthy i would fly over there to help in anyway possible like i did for 9/11.
So dont sit there and try to judge people you dont know just because they miss something even if its as silly as a game. Because it might be just a game to you but its important to some people.

but rocman you're not talking about missing the game. what you have is a full blown addiction.

We certainly appreciate this discussion about wanting to get back into the game as soon as possible. As someone who also plays, I am looking forward to being able to get back into the game.

However, this thread has ceased to be about the downtime, and become more of a commentary on each other depending on the positions that are held. Because this discussion seems quite irreparably off topic now, we will be locking the thread so the discussion cannot continue.