Suggestion: Server-Wide Chat Channel

[Gwynplaine]

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.

[GlobalVariable]

I'd prefer all cities shout channel being merged. Like you shout in Jeuno and I can see it in Bastok and Whitegate etc. I really don't need to see {zone boss} {do you need it?} in the middle of say, Korroloka Tunnel. Which is what would happen. All those shouts would move to world chat.

[Won-Ton]

How about a kind of radio you could acquire, and tune to different cities? Transmitters could be placed in central locations and if a shout was heard by the transmitter, you could hear it as well. Then different cities could be used for different kinds of shouts; Jeuno for Abyssea & w/e, AU for Assault & missions, Bastok for bazaar & item shouts, Windurst for live Ballista games, Norg for conspiracy-theory-themed interview shows, etc.

[Chronofantasy]

I was thinking of this same sort of idea at one point. A separate chatlog for server wide chat/shout across all zones. I think the LS is originally meant to have people pass on what is going on in shouts for people looking for stuff, but sometimes this type of thing isn't reliable to get across. I definitely think a new chat feature should be implemented if possible to get across event gatherings to everyone but there should certainly be restrictions. Of course you should be able to filter/turn off the chat function if need be if you're in the middle of something and do no want it to be a bother, but another good restriction to avoid spamming on this chat feature is to maybe to put a time restriction on it so that you cannot make another chat on it for maybe 3 mnutes or 5 minutes max. People can send a /tell to that person if they want to hear more details and the spamming can be left to shouts (even though spamming in shouts shouldn't be done anyways).