Storage issues.... still... (not again, I mean still, because SE hasn't done much)

[Aselin]

You guys have to realize that FFXI was programmed using the lowest common denominator in mind-- the PlayStation 2. Anything they add or implement has to be able to accommodate that system. They also are ensuring that the network code in FFXI still also accommodates those on 56K connections.

The game was built with the PlayStation 2 and 56K connections as the base.

So, what may be 5 seconds to someone on broadband may be two to three times longer than that on 56k connection. Whatever they implement will more than likely be a sidegrade option that sidesteps the limitation instead of addressing the limitation head-on.

If SE took the time and the effort to reprogram FFXI to have a DirectX 9-based engine (like EVE Online) and drop support for the PlayStation 2 and 56k connections, I guarantee we will not be having the issues we are having right now in FFXI. Everything from texture flickers on some systems using Windows 7 to slowdowns in crowded zones to unreliable network connections to the server.

Again, like I said before, for a company that is larger than CCP Games, Square-Enix really does not know or does not want to spend the money it has to reprogram this game. Hell, CCP Games has dropped support for older hardware and upgraded the entire engine's graphics API from DirectX 8 to DirectX 9 during the Trinity expansion. And, the effort CCP has put into EVE Online shows. The ships and characters look better. EVE Online came out after FFXI and is nearly as old as this game, yet FFXI shows little to no technical improvements since its initial release in Japan in 2002.

Did it piss off some people in EVE Online on older hardware? Yes, but who wouldn't be pissed that their Windows 98 SE and DirectX 8 graphics card couldn't run EVE Online anymore.

Grow a spine and move on. I hate to be blunt, but drop the older hardware support because it's holding everyone else on better hardware backwards-- from the 360 to the PS3 and to the PC. There is no reason to be using 10-year old hardware at this point and time. It's like someone driving an old, un-maintained Pinto down the 91 Freeway slowing traffic down because it can't muster a speed faster than 65 MPH.

[FrankReynolds]

You guys have to realize that FFXI was programmed using the lowest common denominator in mind-- the PlayStation 2. Anything they add or implement has to be able to accommodate that system. They also are ensuring that the network code in FFXI still also accommodates those on 56K connections.

The game was built with the PlayStation 2 and 56K connections as the base.


So, what may be 5 seconds to someone on broadband may be two to three times longer than that on 56k connection. Whatever they implement will more than likely be a sidegrade option that sidesteps the limitation instead of addressing the limitation head-on.

As I understand it, the connection to the server is capped in order to prevent people with broadband connections from having an advantage over dial up. Everyone should be experiencing roughly the same load speeds.

If SE took the time and the effort to reprogram FFXI to have a DirectX 9-based engine (like EVE Online) and drop support for the PlayStation 2 and 56k connections, I guarantee we will not be having the issues we are having right now in FFXI. Everything from texture flickers on some systems using Windows 7 to slowdowns in crowded zones to unreliable network connections to the server.

Again, like I said before, for a company that is larger than CCP Games, Square-Enix really does not know or does not want to spend the money it has to reprogram this game. Hell, CCP Games has dropped support for older hardware and upgraded the entire engine's graphics API from DirectX 8 to DirectX 9 during the Trinity expansion. And, the effort CCP has put into EVE Online shows. The ships and characters look better. EVE Online came out after FFXI and is nearly as old as this game, yet FFXI shows little to no technical improvements since its initial release in Japan in 2002.

Did it piss off some people in EVE Online on older hardware? Yes, but who wouldn't be pissed that their Windows 98 SE and DirectX 8 graphics card couldn't run EVE Online anymore.

Grow a spine and move on. I hate to be blunt, but drop the older hardware support because it's holding everyone else on better hardware backwards-- from the 360 to the PS3 and to the PC. There is no reason to be using 10-year old hardware at this point and time. It's like someone driving an old, un-maintained Pinto down the 91 Freeway slowing traffic down because it can't muster a speed faster than 65 MPH.

Gotta agree with you there.

[Babekeke]

Wait, people still have a 56k modem.... SERIOUSLY????? WTF!?!?!?

[FrankReynolds]

Wait, people still have a 56k modem.... SERIOUSLY????? WTF!?!?!?

IKR? Somehow I feel like stopping them from playing on 56k would actually be a service to them.

[Godofgods]

Additionally, they are also looking into a new item storage feature, which is separate from your Gobbiebag and Mog Safe and will hold a large amount of items in exchange for not being able to check it constantly while you are out adventuring. As this involves implementing a totally new system, it will take some time to get this ready, but we will first be looking into the Gobbiebag expansion that we can implement somewhat quicker.

Funny... Thats exactly what i used my 'Storage' system for. (While access was limited.) Kept all the things i wanted to save but wernt using regularly, and couldn't mule, in there.

[Godofgods]

IKR? Somehow I feel like stopping them from playing on 56k would actually be a service to them.

yea. screw everyone that doesnt have the best.

[Rasputin]

I expect that storage was initially limited both due to memory and to keep packrats from hording. With the bulk of the new content and the high end gear being rare/ex, the hording is not really an issue. Just make your Mog House hold 500 items and call it a day. If you can carry around 200+ items in magical sacs and satchels and on your person, 500 for your "room" should be doable. Also would alleviate zoning load time issues. You don't need ready access to all your crap. You just need the ability to get it when you need it.

[FrankReynolds]

yea. screw everyone that doesnt have the best.

It was more of a joke. You know, like someone might say they did a fat girl a favor by spilling wine on that incredibly small, tight shirt she had on and forcing her to wear something less revealing.

Seriously though. We're talking about basic internet here that is available to almost everyone who plays this game at a fairly low price. We're not talking about houses and yachts and things.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Fi...onWorldMap.svg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mo...onWorldMap.svg

[Ziyyigo-Tipyigo]

dont think most people would care about the loading times

You don't play on Xbox, do you?

[FrankReynolds]

You don't play on Xbox, do you?

I do from time to time. Load times were never an issue for me. Just lag in areas like beieged. That isn't caused by the server though. It's an xbox issue.