Transfer Restrictions and Roleplayers

I'm very glad that this topic was addressed in the Live Letter.

I still feel that the ideal solution is a brand new server. RPers don't want to infringe on non-RPers. RPers also aren't looking to chase any non-RPers away.

Still, I hope Square Enix comes up with a good solution. It's comforting enough to know that they are aware of the issue.

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Originally Posted by ExKage

How much gil do you have? Do the new gil limits fit? If not, would you just prefer seeing a removal on gil limits all together? Is there anything else that would act as an incentive to move? There may not be guaranteed housing, would reimbursement be sufficient?

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Isn't the new cap litterally the most gil you can have in game?

Officially designating a server will not solve the problem. If they did that, you would have the exact same overcrowding issues on whatever server they designated.

Why?

Because a) RPers all want to be together, so even if you have multiple RP servers, no one will want to split and B) (this is the bigger one) non-RPers FLOCK to RP servers.

Yes, you read that right. For all the complaining that non-RPers do about having to deal with RPers on "their server", they LIKE it. At least as a whole. RP servers have always had reputations of being "nice" servers and "high quality" servers. And thus non-RPers will always crowd them.

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Originally Posted by jomoru

Isn't the new cap litterally the most gil you can have in game?

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Post date. At the time the gil limit change for overpopulated worlds wasn't mentioned.

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Originally Posted by jomoru

Isn't the new cap litterally the most gil you can have in game?

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If you could read, the post was made a week before the cap was announced to be 999,999,999 gil. It was still about 10 mil + (5mil per retainer) at the time of the post.

In the wake of the server congestion, I will bang on this drum once more.

A new server with an official RP designation, and free server transfers to this new server.

RPers in relation to normal players are easy to move because you can offer them a unique incentive; RPers want to be around other RPers. In terms of total population, very few RPers on Balmung are going to move off of Balmung, because Balmung is the central hub and because they have friends, free companies, and assets that they want to keep. While new RPers can find good groups on Mateus, the problem is of existing RPers, not new ones.

So wait...why not move the NON-RPers to one of the existing servers and just name Balmung the RP one since everyone is already there? Why re-create the wheel?

Just naming something an 'RP Server" isn't enough to get people to go, because if not enough folks do, you're stranded on a server with less of what you wanted. Seems easier and more effective to move the non-RPers who get the same stuff no matter WHERE they go, guaranteed.

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Originally Posted by Marluxia

Final Fantasy XIV has a thriving roleplaying community, and Balmung is its (unofficial) hub. A hub that just got neutered due to these transfer and creation restrictions coming out of nowhere with no warning.

With the new transfer restrictions in place, any new players who wanted to roleplay on the largest server now don't have any options, and part of the problem is that there's no officially designated RP server.

With these restrictions in place and the RP community now too large and too sedentary to coordinate the growth of another server, it'll be very difficult for roleplayers to find a community. And honestly, I don't think roleplayers want to flood an unsuspecting server's PvErs with another "unofficial" RP server.

Some background: The RP community consolidated on Besaid in 1.0, and remained there when Besaid and Fabul got merged to create Balmung. Besaid was more or less picked out arbitrarily by community vote as the unofficial RP server.

Balmung is saturated, both with RPers and non-RPers, hence the population problem.

The solution to this is very simple though: create and designate an official RP server, and offer free transfers to that server with no loss of assets.

It's important to designate an official RP server because one of the core causes of Balmung's overpopulation is the lack of segregation between RPers and non-RPers. RPers really only want to be on a server with other RPers, and I'm inclined to think that non-RPers don't want to be on a server with a bunch of RPers, generally speaking.

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TL;DR

1). One of the main reasons why Balmung is overpopulated is because it has two servers' worth of players in two broad demographics. Balmung has been host to both RPers and non-RPers ever since Besaid and Fabul were merged.

2). Providing incentive for the RP community to move is the easiest way to lower Balmung's population. Non-RPers generally don't have many reasons to transfer, whereas RPers will transfer to be with other RPers, especially if that transfer is free.

3). A new server that is designated with an "RP" tag is the ideal solution. A new server means that players and Free Companies who transfer can keep the exact plot that they own and all of their assets such as airships. It also means that an unsuspecting server's PVErs don't have to be flooded with RPers.

4). The restriction should last until sufficient people (in this case, mostly RPers) have transferred off. I know this is controversial, but after further thought, I don't think the New Server Solution would work without this. Keeping the restriction is key in removing Balmung's reputation as the "RP hub". Otherwise, RPers will keep transferring to Balmung and keep making characters on Balmung indefinitely and we end up with a pretty bad cycle.

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While this is a great explanation about the Balmung server and it's community, as well as, touching on the topic about roleplay and the general idea of roleplaying. You're still missing one vital point. And that is...

Roleplaying isn't part of the standard gameplay. It's a player based activity that has been created and established by certain gamers of the FFXIV community. What you're asking will never happen unless you can build an argument that makes roleplay a feature that is part of a main content in an MMO game and also the reason(s) for having one. While roleplay does come with any game, not just MMOs, it isn't something that is built-in to the game. When game developers create a game, they're expecting players to play the content that they have created and presented to the players for them to PLAY.

Also... Not to mention that in order to cater to such a demand as roleplaying based on the number of "roleplayers" that are out there, what you're asking will require a lot of server space and lots and lots of money for maintenance. And you would also be stipulating that the designated roleplay server in question be ALWAYS opened to allow character creation or server transfers. And as you can see... Balmung and Gilgamesh has both remain opened since the beginning of FFXIV: ARR. It has never been closed. So even with the idea of creating an official roleplay server, you are still left with the problems of sustaining such a server. And more than likely, the RMT bot spams will probably return as well.

I actually wouldn't be oppose to splitting the Balmung server up again, but I will also say this... That splitting up the servers will actually be a detriment to the current status of the server. Not to mention that more or less it may become even less friendly than it is today and probably even less sociable. You may not know this, but there are actually people out there trying to create a hospitable atmosphere and understanding environment for the players/people on the Balmung server. My free company being one of them along with two Lalafell themed linkshells. And more importantly, the linkshell and Discord that I have created for FC leaders of both RP and non-RP where one of the main purposes was to bridge any social gap between these two distinct communities.

The Balmung server is actually the most diverse and unique community of all the servers out there in that in includes everything from the gaming spectrum: Roleplay, Raid and PVX. Despite popular belief, I would argue that there are more people who are nice, polite, respectful, compassionate and understand on the Balmung server than anywhere else. It is also the place where the Lalafell community is also the strongest. So to break up such a community as great as Balmung will only be a detriment not a solution.

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Originally Posted by Qaaliaa

So wait...why not move the NON-RPers to one of the existing servers and just name Balmung the RP one since everyone is already there? Why re-create the wheel?

Just naming something an 'RP Server" isn't enough to get people to go, because if not enough folks do, you're stranded on a server with less of what you wanted. Seems easier and more effective to move the non-RPers who get the same stuff no matter WHERE they go, guaranteed.

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^ This is my whole mindset over people trying to create some massive rper exodus.
Such a lower risk for non-rpers to transfer and find their communities than for an rper to do so.

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Originally Posted by Qaaliaa

So wait...why not move the NON-RPers to one of the existing servers and just name Balmung the RP one since everyone is already there? Why re-create the wheel?

Just naming something an 'RP Server" isn't enough to get people to go, because if not enough folks do, you're stranded on a server with less of what you wanted. Seems easier and more effective to move the non-RPers who get the same stuff no matter WHERE they go, guaranteed.

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That is a really good point and one of the main points of people who want Balmung to be RP-designated. I think that that's why non-RPers are harder to make move, though; they get the same stuff no matter where they go, so the only thing they're really getting from transferring is a smaller economy and smaller queues, and for a lot of people that's not enough.

Both sides of the coin--RPers and non-RPers--are pretty obstinate for various valid reasons, but in the interest of forward-thinking of a solution, I still think it is marginally easier to incentivise RPers to move.

Realistically, designating Balmung as the RP server would probably just make both sides turn against each other in an effort to chase the "other side" out, moreso than what already happens. I have trouble seeing its viability as a long-term solution.

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Originally Posted by Qaaliaa

So wait...why not move the NON-RPers to one of the existing servers and just name Balmung the RP one since everyone is already there? Why re-create the wheel?

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Is SE going to transfer my house with me, otherwise no deal.

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Originally Posted by Lexia

Is SE going to transfer my house with me, otherwise no deal.

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Making a brand-new server and opening to transfers-only for a period of, say, 48 hours would also make the housing transfer better, as it would guarantee people keeping their plots if they wanted to do so.

People would be way more willing to move if their choice of housing plot was guaranteed. For example, people aren't transferring to Mateus because Mateus' Mist is already full, so anyone who owned or wanted a house in the Mist isn't going to transfer to Mateus any time soon.

RPers tend to forget that even after the merger, they chose to stay where they were and they were merged with non-RPers. Blaming and excepting non-RPers to bear the burden of sacrifices is pretty unjust when the developers let Balmung explode into the biggest population server beyond the means of supporting all the players created on it.

The E3 live letter said they didn't want to label Balmung a RP server because people picked that sever since the start of ARR and had no intention of role playing and so they didn't want to create a toxic environment where people would say if you not going to roleplay then get off our server. Said they would do a survey about making a RP server.

Sounds like if they ever did make a RP server it would have to be a new server.

The playerbase is not at fault for this, neither RPers or non-RPers. RPers have been asking for a designated server since at least 2011, and Square Enix was more than willing to milk transfer money off of people who wanted to play with their friends or like-minded communities. The players aren't improving the situation at all, certainly, but we're not the ones who let the problem get as bad as it is now.

Again, in the interest of moving forward a solution, it'd be ideal if neither community had to be forced one way or the other. Having a way for Free Companies to transfer and guaranteeing housing would be a great step forward.

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Originally Posted by Roda

^ This is my whole mindset over people trying to create some massive rper exodus.
Such a lower risk for non-rpers to transfer and find their communities than for an rper to do so.

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I repeat my previous post on page 37... :D

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Originally Posted by Marluxia

That is a really good point and one of the main points of people who want Balmung to be RP-designated. I think that that's why non-RPers are harder to make move, though; they get the same stuff no matter where they go, so the only thing they're really getting from transferring is a smaller economy and smaller queues, and for a lot of people that's not enough.

Both sides of the coin--RPers and non-RPers--are pretty obstinate for various valid reasons, but in the interest of forward-thinking of a solution, I still think it is marginally easier to incentivise RPers to move.

Realistically, designating Balmung as the RP server would probably just make both sides turn against each other in an effort to chase the "other side" out, moreso than what already happens. I have trouble seeing its viability as a long-term solution.

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I repeat my post on page 37 as a counter argument. Also, I would like to point out that those people who stay is a way of weeding out the types of mentality you have in your player base.

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Originally Posted by Driavna

No ons is going to be forced to move because is the perfect way to make a lot of people mad. But if SE could get away with it be sure that they just outright kill Balmung and scatter their community with a long transfer lockdown plus measures to prevent a Balmung 2.0.

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Sorry should've clarified, this was in reference to the idea of an unofficial exodus. Not exatly the type they were talking about

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Originally Posted by Mazora_Espeon

I repeat my post on page 37 as a counter argument. Also, I would like to point out that those people who stay is a way of weeding out the types of mentality you have in your player base.

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Ah, somehow I missed your post. I think the thread advanced really rapidly to page 38 so I was just responding to the latest stuff I could see on 39.

Anyway, I think if I had to, I could make an arguable case that roleplaying can be considered a "main" gameplay element, or at the very least a significant enough element that it's not a waste of resources. Many people on Balmung who play this game don't play for the "main" content of PvE, PvP, or anything else; they're here for roleplay.

I could make a reasonable assumption--though I lack the data, and it's worth noting that Square Enix is also (very reasonably) asking for data--that at least a third of Balmung's population consists of roleplayers. If we assume that the census is correct and Balmung is estimated to be around ~26k active connections at any one time, then Balmung's RPer population alone is more than other servers.

I hope if SE observes any measure of reasonable customer service, they will review the posts in this thread carefully and designate an official RP server. There is currently a 2,700 queue to log into Balmung on a Tuesday evening at 7:30 PM PST. Balmung is the only server impacted by queues of this magnitude. This is because Balmung houses a large legacy PVE population /and/ the game's RP population. Unlike Gilgamesh, where queue times have plummeted, roleplayers on Balmung are extremely unlikely to transfer because they value having a centralized community and depend on having access to individuals who roleplay. Without a centralized place, roleplay is not sustainable and results in subscriber loss.

The only viable long term solution to the Balmung congestion issue is the designation of an official RP server. It is critical that SE understands that RPers are valuable consumers with specific needs. RPers have requested an official RP server for years, and there is no valid reason to deny RPers an official RP server. Official RP servers are commonplace in western MMO's for a good reason: the RP community needs a centralized hub of like-minded individuals who value roleplay. The RP population is not so large that it would unduly burden a server. It is speculation and conjecture (offered by people who have no understanding of roleplay or the community) to argue the opposite.

Designating a new official RP server (ideally a new server or existing under-populated server) is the /only/ immediate solution to Balmung's population problem. If an official RP server is not designated 30+ minute login queues will likely persist for another 1-2 months to the detriment of all players. It is past time SE takes the simple, cost-effective step to meet the demands of thousands of subscribers: the designation of an official RP server.

I am not going to be surprised if housing comes out early and by 5 AM Eastern time, you'll see yourself queued up with 1000 people for Balmung where no one will be able to buy the house you want.

Oh wait. Housing was already bad since 2.1

I have a question what is role playing exactly? What do you do to role play in a game like FFXIV.

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Originally Posted by SleepyChipmunk

The problem is that us new rpers need somewhere to go right now. It doesn't do good to say everyone should consolidate on Bal when we can't transfer into Bal, and likely won't be able to for some time.

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There's always Mateus... ;)

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Originally Posted by Zumi

I have a question what is role playing exactly? What do you do to role play in a game like FFXIV.

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Essentially people use emotes / battle actions to show the 'actions' but mainly the story is told through /em and /say "Get spiked by a dirty aldgoat you swiving whoreson!"

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Originally Posted by Zumi

I have a question what is role playing exactly? What do you do to role play in a game like FFXIV.

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Roleplaying is essentially collaborative writing. Your character exists like any other NPC in the game would and you are writing about their interactions with other people. These stories are usually separate from the MSQ, which most roleplayers simply acknowledge as happening in the background, i.e., they aren't writing as the WoL, but just someone living their life in Eorzea.

Hello. It's me again. Getting sick of this topic yet?

Anyway, I wanted to bring attention to some things. Namely, the "World Selection" thingy at the character creation screen when you first make a character.

http://puu.sh/wwraL/cc4feac607.jpg

This screen is hugely inadequate and gives absolutely zero information.

Let's go back in time a bit to 2014, when Balmung was closed except for 2 AM character creation windows and transfers.

You're a new player, perhaps even a roleplayer, and you want to play on a relatively large and active server.

From this window alone, how do you know what server to pick to best suit what you want?

And the answer is you don't. You have absolutely no information as to a server's population or what kind of community it might have. World of Warcraft has "PVE", "PVP", "RP", "RP-PVP" labels on it, and very rough population indicators of "Low", "Medium", "High", and "Full".

And if you scroll down, you'll notice Balmung and Gilgamesh are closed to character creation, because they're full. You're bummed out because those servers definitely have the largest and therefore most active communities, but you can't get on there. No other indication exists as to whether a server has what a player wants, but Balmung and Gilgamesh have so many active people that they're full! So if I want to play on the largest community, I'd have to play on Balmung or Gilgamesh!

And then along the line, you hear that Balmung and Gilgamesh are open to transfers. So of course, since you want to play on an active community, you transfer.

Anyway, my point with all of this is that in addition to a new RP server, the World Selection screen needs better information so players have an idea of what they're getting when they're going to that world. Perhaps not total population because that's imprecise, but something like "Average Active Connections" or something.

Will that stop people from gravitating towards the largest servers and most active communities? Well, no. The only way to stop that is with something like the Balmung transfer restriction.

But people would be willing to play on other servers if there was some indication or guarantee that the server wasn't a ghost town. If Balmung is closed because it has 25k active connections at a given time, then a new player would be more inclined to play on a lesser populated server if they have a rough idea of what that population is. They might want to be on Balmung, but hey, Exodus has, say, 15k active connections! That's not as large, but it's still pretty large, so I will still have an active community! Or Cactaur has 12k active connections, that's still a LOT of people!

But still, the fact that players--especially new players--have to rely on stuff like unofficial censuses based on Lodestone sweeps is just a tiny bit ridiculous.

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Originally Posted by Marluxia

But still, the fact that players--especially new players--have to rely on stuff like unofficial censuses based on Lodestone sweeps is just a tiny bit ridiculous.

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I think part of it is that SE does not wants to have specialist servers, and SE is worried that if they make an RP server some of the community will expect it to have certain rules they do not want to enforce.

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Originally Posted by jameseoakes

I think part of it is that SE does not wants to have specialist servers, and SE is worried that if they make an RP server some of the community will expect it to have certain rules they do not want to enforce.

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When they addressed this in the Live Letter, this is one concern they pointed out; they don't want RPers chasing off non-RPers. I think someone also brought up wanting SE to enforce things like lore-friendly names, which I disagree with.

I don't think SE should have any responsibility enforcing RP servers or anything like that. The reason for the tag is better categorisation so new and existing players know where to go if they want to RP, and so they have security in knowing that there will be an active and (hopefully) large community to RP with.

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Originally Posted by Mazora_Espeon

Despite popular belief, I would argue that there are more people who are nice, polite, respectful, compassionate and understand on the Balmung server than anywhere else. It is also the place where the Lalafell community is also the strongest.

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Nothing I have seen has supported your argument here. Not with players from Balmung on the boards or encountered in game.

Also, why does the community of an in game race being the strongest on said server matter?

I wish they would just create a new, official RP server. I've been waiting to get onto Balmung for months now. My boyfriend, entire FC/friend group, and static are on that server and I can't do anything about it. They don't want to budge from that server because of the low prices on the MB and the community they've built there. It seriously fucking sucks. I hope we hear something about them lifting the lock on the server for 4.1.

An official server for role-play will not help. Balmung has been bloated with far too many players for quite some time and the measures put into place to prevent people transferring there have had a pleasant impact. A decent amount of role-players have also decided to call Mateus and Omega their homes and are still working very hard to build up both into valid alternatives to Balmung. I believe that there's other pockets of role-players on other servers, too.

Now, let's assume an official server is added for role-play. You can't just add one - because there's three main regions. So you'd end up with a Japanese, a North American and a European server designated for role-play. From what I hear role-play isn't a big thing over in Japan so we'd essentially just have the European and North American servers as an option. But it's designated for 'RP'. Those of us who dabble in the game as a whole are not going to be pleased - we're settled on our chosen servers. We enjoy having a significant amount of players on our servers who don't RP and focus instead on PvE and PvP elements.

There will still be a split to contend with. Speaking as a role-player myself? There's a decent chunk of role-players who don't care much for the game itself and simply treat FFXIV like a glorified chat room. If they're not dabbling in the PvE and PvP aspects of the game to even a minor extent then they're not necessarily benefiting the server as a whole across the board. Thus a significant number of players who do dabble in the PvE and PvP aspects of the game are required to balance that out. You won't see that happen on a server filled primarily with role-players and barely anybody else.