Minimise the downtime please.

[Randwolf]

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.

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.

[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.

[Kitheren]

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.

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?

[Rocman]

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.

[NightDagger]

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.

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

[Ezikiel]

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

[Kailea_Nagisa]

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

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

[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.)

[Chiibi]

dont just pray donate to the japan red cross.

[Randwolf]

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.)

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.