Quote Originally Posted by danz View Post
iv taken notice that server populations are a bit low. averaging only around 500 people per server. and this was around 8pm est on a weekend shortly after an update.

i have to say compared to the old days when it was common to see 10k its sickening...
i still love the game and the new content is great. but finding groups to do anything anymore is becoming a all day task...

is it possible to do a server merger or even better a advertising champagne to get people back or even new people playing

a way to go about that is lower monthly fee (or eliminate it entirely and add micro transactions for in game "toys")

another is give away free copies that include ALL expansions at no charge, first month free, and still do the normal monthly transactions. this will give people a good reason to at least try it. they have nothing to lose!
I don't think SE will merge anytime soon, and I don't support your other suggestions.
Lowering the monthly fee and/or making it free to play is just one step closer towards the end of FFXI.
No company would continue a game if they stop making money with it, and micro transactions would just be a surrender to RMTs and would probably not even give a notable return of profit. (Many players just pay so they can play the game they've been playing for years, not so they can be elites.)