Suggestion: Server-Wide Chat Channel

[Gwynplaine]

Seems I may have posted this in the wrong forum before. Or if not, then at least here it can be more widely viewed and discussed.

I think FFXI would benefit from a server-wide chat channel (or two, or three, etc.) If it's within the capabilities of programming and server load etc I think it could be a great help. Most MMO's utilize some form of server-wide chat for forming groups and trading. Two things that could stand to be made easier in this one simple way. As it is right now shouting is hamfisted; it only works in one zone. Which is inefficient considering Jeuno is 4 zones, and many players still use Whitegate.

Of course there would be bound to be misuses, but that's why any new chat element always comes with a chat filter to turn it off.

On top of making goals easier to orchestrate, it just makes the game feel more alive. Usually when you log on to an MMO you get a sense there is traffic, and plenty of stuff going on via the chat. Typically if you log onto FFXI you'll feel like you're the only person in the zone (especially for any noobie who might try wandering through). This isn't a primary reason to justify doing it but it helps.

How about this:
3 different settings in chat filters as well as text commands.
Filter Off - The server chat filter is set to off and you will see all chat in any zone.
Contextual Filter - This setting automatically turns the filter off when entering towns and automatically turns it on outside towns.
Permanent On Filter - Server chat is filtered out completely until you turn it off again.

Type commands could be something like:
/servchat off
/servchat on
/servchat town

And it goes without saying that a minimum wait time between messages and standard things like the same limits that apply to shouts and tells now should be used.

Why Seacoms Aren't as Good:
There's good reasons no one uses seacoms. Usually I only see them for things like magian, and indicating lotting. Or leaving moronic messages like "Kitty meow meow time now!". Hardly any NA ever use them and heres why.

-They're passive. Once you set one it remains and it could be old, you send someone a tell and they say like "oh yeah I was looking but now Im in an ls event" etc.
-You can only set one purpose with limited description. But there can be any number of things you might be interested in doing.
-They reset after you logout or D/C. It's Annoying to have to restate your seacom every time you reenter thee game.
-Most people particularly NA don't ever use them anyways.

[Tsukino_Kaji]

We're not WoW, we don't need channels.

[Wade]

I wouldn't care as long as they give us the option to filter it out.

[Seha]

Just make shouts cities-messages and we're fine. Abuse wouldn't be different from now, and it would just allow to free the famouse PJ congestion.

[Ilax]

I love to be in upper jeuno sometime, just to get ride of the /shout, no thanks for more spam in my screen. I think everyone already know where the shout are and if they really wan to see them, is easy to just zone there. Something SE i guess could do is an option to track shout from specific zone. (let say you spy Port jeuno shout while you in abyssea) A general channel like you say will just end to help RMT, or those player that love to shout any garbage like: Kirin do you need it, everything FFA except n.body, Osode, Shura body, w.leg /tell 10/18. [as much anyone can find this interesting to win a wind crystal from kirin, i really pass on the shout]

[Runespider]

People like pick up groups, the huge crowding in port shows this. All they need to do is make it like a 2nd linkshell that you can put on or off.

[Ilax]

That what ppl already do, they call that social linkshell.

[Runespider]

One that you can pickup from an NPC that everyone on your server can use, not just your little clique. Idea being for everyone to have a serverwide type shout system they can create groups in. Put a limit on how often you can type in it to stop spam etc, 1-2 min spam delay. Woudl work great.

[Ilax]

What i mean is you can do such of linkshell if you wan and just spread it around, if ppl bored they can equip it and see whats going on, if 64 is too small in your project maybe you can ask SE to increase this part.

[rog]

I think everyone already know where the shout are and if they really wan to see them, is easy to just zone there.

Right, because sitting around with your thumb up your ass in port jeuno is so productive, when you could be out doing something while watching shouts.

If you're not interested in seeing it, you filter them. It's really not that hard.