[To the Devs] Character Transfer Service

[Dekoda]

Thank you for your insight, Zyeriis. RMT did come across my mind when suggesting this, but I think some countermeasures could be put in place. For example, perhaps to ensure that both accounts are owned by the same individual, they must both be paid with the same credit card? Or even better (if it is possible), you can only transfer characters to accounts linked under the same Square Enix ID and you would pay for your services through your Square Enix account? Just some thoughts.

However, like you said, as long as I get to play on my 2 characters that are currently under the same account, it doesn't matter how its done. I think it could be a good business move too because of 1.) fees for using the transferring service, 2.) the character's monthly fee effectively went from $1.00 a month on the old account to $12.95 on the new account, 3.) selling additional Content ID's (expansions, etc) for the new account and 4.) satisfied costumers.

Ravenmore, at first I thought expansions and add-ons would be an issue... but we are still able to guest login on a machine that does not have any expansions or add-on content installed. The content (areas, etc) is simply off limits. Perhaps a similar approach can be taken on accounts that a character that is being transferred is put on to. All progress in expansion related missions and quests is kept, but you are not allowed to enter any areas until appropriate Content ID's are purchased.

[Ravenmore]

What would stop RMTing chars with complete mission gained access, theres just to many ways this could back fire that would not be worth the time SE would have to comment to come up with countermeasures to prevent it.

With leveling being as easy and fast as it is now and a new collection with all 3 abyssea add-ons coming in a couple of weeks this is a none issue. Only road block of a fresh accout would be maat fight but guessing most would level whm for a duel box char its a easy fight.

Sorry watching TV didn't see response sorry.

[Dekoda]

I don't see how there could be much of an increase in any RMT activity. The reasons you give to sell a character would be the same whether there was a transfer service or not.

Also, I was thinking if you simply allow a character to "separate" from an account, becoming the first character on a new account... there's no issue. By disallowing players to "merge" a collection of characters (from multiple accounts) on to one account, it would discourage RMT activity.

I don't think moving a character from one existing account to another would be the best way to do it, but I think some sort of service can be done without "back fires" nonetheless.

[Ravenmore]

I'm just trying to point out what SE will say if a rep comments on this. It'll either be possible RMT or cost/reward for SE. Where we could see the increase in fees for SE they might not want to gamble on enough fees to cover the cost and it could still fall to PoL being the major road block to it all. Don't get me wrong I like this idea but I don't know any other MMO that allows this. The server transers were part of other MMOs and SE followed the leader on it.

[Dekoda]

I'm glad that you're trying to expose both sides of the matter. However, I thought World of Warcraft had a paid character transfer service that allowed you to move a character on one account to another? I did a quick Google search and didn't find anything that said otherwise. If it isn't a problem for them, Square Enix could follow their lead, too.

Plus, if RMT was ever a concern, the server transfer service arguably encourages RMT activity too by allowing sales cross servers

I can understand Square Enix not wanting to gamble. Thus far, though, everyone seems to be in favor of a transfer service.

[Ravenmore]

I haven't messed with WoW for a long time if they did add it it was long after I tried it. Another thing was the wanted section on AH thread everyone like that even the water down version of it but SE pulled the cost/dev time card. Another thing was the Windowed mode everyone wanted it but SE found a way to mess that up. I really hate going to this but its looking more and more like the case FF14 sucking up to much of SE resources.

They are also going to start allowing us to send ra/ex items to char on the same account. Just one more thing they could point to and say no go cause of.

[Dekoda]

Yeah I thought about the Ra/Ex sending thing too. It's a nice feature because I have two high level characters I can exchange Ra/Ex gear to and from. I was afraid when I heard its announcement, though, because I thought it would put a character transfer service further off.

This is another reason why they could implement the "separation" method I spoke of if they decide to create a service at all. It would make it impossible to get a Ra/Ex item from one existing account to another, the items could only make it on to new accounts. Still, as Zyeriis said, these kinds of complications are avoidable altogether if we are just allowed to play on multiple characters simultaneously on the same account. I would be all for that.

[Ravenmore]

I would be all for playing simultaneously even limiting it to only two, mabye even giving the other char a ID ext to get around PoL. That would prevent any atemps at RMT.

[Chiibi]

i'd gladly pay £20 to move my second character to another account xD

[Dekka]

i remember writing an email to SE 7 or so years ago asking to have my brothers character seperated so we could play together. I really wished they let us do something like that just so we could play together. Was willing to buy the game and expansions again as neither of us at the time didnt want to start alllllll over again. Allowing players to do this wouldnt help RMT in any way except maybe cut down on some costs with characters but who cares right?