About the World Merge and Character Transfers (02/09/2012)

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Originally Posted by Sidious

In regards to your sig: Every "normal" server merge that I've ever been a part of has sucked for the people coming in. The people on the larger original server always feel that they own the place and are hostile toward the new people. It's not fun. I'm sure it's not fun for your community to be "ruined", but that's the other side of the coin: All new communities where nobody owns the server.

I like this idea, I'm sorry if you can't understand why.

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How do people "own" a server? I mean what do they to give the feeling that they own it?

So, What server are you thinking of right now? ^.-

Every time I check the new posts on the forums I'm shocked once more by the sheer level of QQ

Personally, I think that this was the best way to handle a merge. That doesn't mean that I like the merge, but I know that it needs to be done.

I'm slightly saddened at the thought of not seeing certain groups of people in game anymore, but also excited to meet new players and be part of a more active server. My closer in-game friends/LS are going to negotiate a common sever so that we can stay together. Any people I know who are 'waiting for 2.0' will have the option to transfer servers at a later date even if they end up separated initially.

I don't know why there are 5 billion threads QQing about this. Take a moment and step back from your computer screen, things are going to be just fine.

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Originally Posted by TheFatHousecat

Every time I check the new posts on the forums I'm shocked once more by the sheer level of QQ

Personally, I think that this was the best way to handle a merge. That doesn't mean that I like the merge, but I know that it needs to be done.

I'm slightly saddened at the thought of not seeing certain groups of people in game anymore, but also excited to meet new players and be part of a more active server. My closer in-game friends/LS are going to negotiate a common sever so that we can stay together. Any people I know who are 'waiting for 2.0' will have the option to transfer servers at a later date even if they end up separated initially.

I don't know why there are 5 billion threads QQing about this. Take a moment and step back from your computer screen, things are going to be just fine.

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IMO it's a vocal minority. My evidence is purely anecdotal, but it seems like most folks on my server are ok with the idea. I'm actually thrilled with it.

I'm worried about prices. We just started to stabilize prices, after server merge I feel people are going to try to jack up the prices again. Also farming, farming karakul fleece is a pain in my ass on Selbina, a server with more people than Selbina = good luck farming, probably all claim bots getting it now :[

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Originally Posted by TheFatHousecat

Every time I check the new posts on the forums I'm shocked once more by the sheer level of QQ

Personally, I think that this was the best way to handle a merge. That doesn't mean that I like the merge, but I know that it needs to be done.

I'm slightly saddened at the thought of not seeing certain groups of people in game anymore, but also excited to meet new players and be part of a more active server. My closer in-game friends/LS are going to negotiate a common sever so that we can stay together. Any people I know who are 'waiting for 2.0' will have the option to transfer servers at a later date even if they end up separated initially.

I don't know why there are 5 billion threads QQing about this. Take a moment and step back from your computer screen, things are going to be just fine.

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So why do you think option 4 is better than option 2? Why can't you have both old AND new friends.
People are "QQing" about this because it's a big deal for people with large communities and multiple linkshells.

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Originally Posted by zaviermhigo

I'm worried about prices. We just started to stabilize prices, after server merge I feel people are going to try to jack up the prices again. Also farming, farming karakul fleece is a pain in my ass on Selbina, a server with more people than Selbina = good luck farming, probably all claim bots getting it now :[

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This is the only reason why I didn't want to merge :/ I usually prefer medium to low pop. servers because economy and such are a little calmer. But for the time being this is how it has to be done; when 2.0 comes out and hopefully the game is better, servers are added, and transfers are allowed, I'll probably opt for a lower pop. server.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

People are "QQing" about this because it's a big deal for people with large communities and multiple linkshells.

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In the event that SE goes with this method, you will get new LS's and new friends. The world will keep on turning. You might not like it, but I'm thrilled that we get all new communities.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

So why do you think option 4 is better than option 2? Why can't you have both old AND new friends.
People are "QQing" about this because it's a big deal for people with large communities and multiple linkshells.

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which most people just seem not to grasp... /facepalm.. the other options are BETTERRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DERP A DERP!!!

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Originally Posted by Kyri

Yes i liked him, that was nicely put ;/ I dont know if hes a mule or not, but he brings up a good point <3

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Thanks for the support, and no, I'm not a mule :3 Me and my boyfriend subscribed to FFXIV after we read about 1.21, and I'm not a fast leveler (trying to level 6 DoH classes at the same time as PGL slows me down lol).

Anyway, back to the topic at hand, even though I'm relatively new to my server, I'm still already pretty attached to it and I'm concerned about the merge plan Yoshi-P picked. Already I have several new friends and a lot of connections in my LS and many people I know in-game are concerned. I'm not trying to make it into a huge deal like some would claim, but I don't think plan ④ is ideal, and it must be even worse for those who have made over a year's worth of connections in their server.

For now I support option ②.

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Originally Posted by Sidious

In the event that SE goes with this method, you will get new LS's and new friends. The world will keep on turning. You might not like it, but I'm thrilled that we get all new communities.

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How about, I get to keep my old friends and get to meet new friends from a new server?

And WHY go with it when other options are available? Option 2 provides us with the directions our communities need, and the freedom members like you want.

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Originally Posted by Sylkis

(In response to bolded part)
Don't we have the same problem with the current option?

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It's not that any of the options are horrible. That's what Yoshi P said. Every option has good points and bad points. He said that the offices were in heated discussions.

OF COURSE he made the decision "at the last minute". That's like saying "Well I found my lost item in the last place I looked." Once he decided, discussions were over and the announcement was posted on the L-stone.

I think he realized that they could argue until the cows came home, but deadlines are deadlines.

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Originally Posted by KumaAkuma

How do people "own" a server? I mean what do they to give the feeling that they own it?

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Have you never been a part of a blanket merge before..? Particularly from the side that is coming in? The tension is almost palpable.

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How about, I get to keep my old friends and get to meet new friends from a new server?

And WHY go with it when other options are available? Option 2 provides us with the directions our communities need, and the freedom members like you want.

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You DO get to meet your new friends, and I don't have to feel like a third wheel joining a server owned by whoever it is we're getting merged with.

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Originally Posted by Sidious

Have you never been a part of a blanket merge before..? Particularly from the side that is coming in? The tension is almost palpable.

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Yes and yes.
I've not had this problem.

Though to be far, it was a free MMO. Don't know if those are different.

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Originally Posted by HiirNoivl

deadlines are deadlines.

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Isn't that how we ended up with XIV in it's original form?

Because all the other threads are getting locked, I'll just post here for the record:

I'm for the server move as is.

The only change I'd make is to suggest coming up with all new names for the servers ahead of time so we have something to choose from.

Ok, everyone, back to your QQing, sorry for interrupting.

Blanket......merge...........?????

..............A SNUGGIE?!?!?!

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Originally Posted by Gramul

Yes and yes.
I've not had this problem.

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Well I have, and I'm glad I won't have to deal with it again this time.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

Isn't that how we ended up with XIV in it's original form?

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I don't recall being in the boardroom at that time so I couldn't hazard a guess.

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Originally Posted by Treach

Blanket......merge...........?????

..............A SNUGGIE?!?!?!

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It's a backwards robe! blanket with sleeves!

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Originally Posted by HiirNoivl

I don't recall being in the boardroom at that time so I couldn't hazard a guess.

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It's the impression I got from the interviews.

I personally favor a server fold lowest pop to highest pop. I don't get why they even considered 4 as an option as it has some of the worst con's where as 1 would be the most logical from a $ pov and favors what seems to be a larger potion of the player base....

I think Option 2 was the best choice.

Hopefully there is still a chance he will change his mind.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

So why do you think option 4 is better than option 2? Why can't you have both old AND new friends.
People are "QQing" about this because it's a big deal for people with large communities and multiple linkshells.

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As far as I can see the only difference between 2 and 4 is that rather than everyone picking whatever they want you're given a 'suggested server', so to speak, and if you don't want it you can choose any of the other worlds.

I think the vast majority of people in World B would just go ahead and let the automatic transfer happen, barely anyone would opt for a different world, and World A would go over its set capacity. This would result in even more stress for the people who can't go to World A with their LSs and such. Although it sounds great, it wouldn't be perfect and you'd most likely lose friends or LSs to the population cap., which would be more traumatic to both parties.

I wish the merger didn't have to happen in the first place, and it does suck for people with multiple linkshells, but it shouldn't take much effort to try and negotiate a common world between yourselves and go for it. In either option 2 or 4, communities are going to have to cut ties when players decide to follow one LS over another or etc., and it would be great if that didn't have to happen, but it does. You might have to leave one of your LSs or say goodbye to a few in-game friends, but you'll have the opportunity to make new friends on the new server.

I'm french and I didn't see anyone complaining about this before. It seems like they took that decision without asking to the people they think they are doing it for.

I saw them bringing up the fact that they are thinking about French/German players a couple of weeks ago but I didn't think it would end up in mess. In that mess.

As someone said, French and German players already created there own core group on their respective servers. And they also created bonds with other players of the said servers. Now let's break all of this and play an international with max people from your country yay!

It's great that we have been heard and he makes a good address of the issue. It looks like there is a chance they will change the current plans.

Personally I like ② the best out of all of them... This way we can stay together and still give those people who want to go somewhere totally different the choice! ... for all the reasoning in the post this one just screams out at me as the obvious best choice.

①A + B⇒A World to merge with B World
②A + B - X ⇒A World to merge with B World, except people that would like to move are able to choose a different World
③A + B - C ⇒A World to merge with B World, except people that would like to move are able to choose to go to C World
④Prepare 10 Worlds, set a limit, and give everyone the power to move their characters to a World of their choice.

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Originally Posted by Quesse

Because all the other threads are getting locked, I'll just post here for the record:

I'm for the server move as is.

The only change I'd make is to suggest coming up with all new names for the servers ahead of time so we have something to choose from.

Ok, everyone, back to your QQing, sorry for interrupting.

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Seconding this, Yoshi-p said hes open to feedback this is mine.

I have no problem with people wanting to stay with their friends. The issue arrises is when these people don't want to move at all, keep their entire ecosystem, and have the rest of us try to fit in somewhere in that well-established equation. Every blanket merge I've been a part of hasn't yielded a cohesive community. It's yielded two communities trying to coexist, sometimes quite unsuccessfully. It sucks.

It's so easy to say "you're all QQing too much."

It's more challenging, and more intelligent and appropriate, to explain why you would still think that they should stick to option ④ when option ② fixes all of the legitimate issues players are pointing out, costs SE less, and still provides you with the "exciting chance to meet all new people" if you want.

Everyone read please.

Yoshida didn't care for ppl that maybe wish to come for 1.22 as example... My case: i have a lot of friends that left FF14 for SW.. What about if they get tired of SW and want come back to FF in a couple of months? They probably dont even know that server merge is going to happen... So if they miss the opportunity to move in the limited time, They have to wait the 2.0 ...? They want give as second chance to the game, but they can't play with their old friends cuz they'll be sended on random servers...?
Are all crazy in SE ?
They simply trow away possibly returning customer until 2.0 ? Is this all the care that they can give to customers? People that don't assidly follow the game/forum atm, but that want to came back a bit after 1.21 , are simply not even considered..! End of the story...
Bah i hope that they pick option 1 or 2 ...

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Originally Posted by Vaen

It's so easy to say "you're all QQing too much."

It's more challenging, and more intelligent and appropriate, to explain why you would still think that they should stick to option ④ when option ② fixes all of the legitimate issues players are pointing out, costs SE less, and still provides you with the "exciting chance to meet all new people" if you want.

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It doesn't fix what I was saying earlier.

"I have no problem with people wanting to stay with their friends. The issue arrises is when these people don't want to move at all, keep their entire ecosystem, and have the rest of us try to fit in somewhere in that well-established equation. Every blanket merge I've been a part of hasn't yielded a cohesive community. It's yielded two communities trying to coexist, sometimes quite unsuccessfully. It sucks."

Option 2 doesn't alleviate that. It's still just a blanket merge, and I don't want that. No matter where I go, there will have been a blanket merge and the community won't be cohesive.

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They simply trow away possibly returning customer until 2.0 ? Is this all the care that they can give to customers? People that don't assidly follow the game/forum atm, but that want to came back a bit after 1.21 , are simply not even considered..! End of the story...
Bah i hope that they pick option 1 or 2 ...

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By the time 2.0 is out, they'll have the option to transfer to whatever world they please. Call it a "you weren't subbed, so you didn't get to choose" tax. Unsubbed people should never take precedence over subbed people in a world transfer.

I've been reading threads on this topic. Honestly... true friends are friends that will exist beyond the confines of a computer-generated fantasy world. You will have means of communication with these friends even if you don't happen to wind up on the same server after the merge. You will not lose all ties to them, and they will not be forever stricken from your life. Yes, it would be preferable if they were able to transfer along with you to a new server where you could continue your adventuring careers in each others' company, but things aren't always perfect.

For everyone arguing about the "friends" they have that don't pay to play and are waiting until 2.0, and they have no means of contacting them whatsoever to inform them of this server merge.. then honestly, ask yourself how close this friend really is? Your friendship honestly doesn't mean enough to them for them to cough up $10 a month to remain in the game, nor enough to entrust you with a phone number or even an e-mail address, but you are earnestly waiting for them to come back from a year's hiatus and remember who exactly you were and why you're waving and cheering at them with such fervor? And this assuming that their name doesn't change as a result of said server merge for you to even be able to recognize them?

During my time in the Army, I made many friends in many different countries. I didn't have the choice to tell the government that I did not want to move to a new duty station because it would wreck friendships I had made. I simply had to deal with it. Military kids, children who are forced into these situations simply because a parent is, have to adjust and adapt. Many of them handle these scenarios with more courage and maturity than some of the people on these forums do. I am still in contact with some of the friends that I made while I was in the Army, and others I have lost touch with. My world did not come to a screeching halt the moment one of them vanished on me. It's life. Move on.

Step 1) Try to coordinate with your close friends and linkshell mates in game to decide on a server to move to.
Step 2) Exchange contact information with people to ensure that you have the means to stay in touch with friends in the event that you cannot move to the same server, or in the event that the server "fills" before they can choose to move there.
Step 3) Remain in contact with your friends via any form of communication necessary until Version 2.0, at which time another server merge may be sought and try to get into the same server again.
Step 4) If all else fails, remain in contact until an open "World Transfer Service" akin to Final Fantasy XI is implemented which will allow individual people to attempt to consolidate onto one selected server.

It's not hard. If these people are really your friends and really mean that much to you to make such a huge fuss over the whole issue, then they are worth getting contact information from and remaining in contact with throughout this process regardless of where the end result places you.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

It's the impression I got from the interviews.

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I'm sure the other bad decisions they made would have only gotten worse with time. I say we're fortunate they pushed it out early so we didn't have a bigger mess on our hands (whiteknightish comment, I know, but hey, hindsight is 20/20)

Right now we get a more transparent view of things behind the scenes. There are plenty of people in SE who would agree with you Gramul, as well as the other 2 options. Yoshi P picked this one after much discussion, including with those who would take your side. He thought the pros of option 4 outweighed the cons and that the pros of option 4 outweighed the pros of option 2.

I'm basing myself off this quote:

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The biggest deciding factor for this decision was me believing in the strong bond within the community.

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Even tho it is possible for community to be split into a million pieces by choosing separate servers, Yoshi did not believe this would happen. That removed a huge obstacle that would hinder option 4.

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Originally Posted by Bayohne

Hello everyone.

I appreciate your patience as we worked to get Yoshida's post translated. Please take a look.

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Two really does seem optimal. Everyone on both servers stays together, and only moves to another server if they want to.

Players would be happy with a fusion of communities, and people who wanted to strike out on a new fresh server could do so.

On a side note, I like Yoshi's new personal avatar.

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Originally Posted by Teknoman

Two really does seem optimal. Everyone on both servers stays together, and only moves to another server if they want to.

Players would be happy with a fusion of communities, and people who wanted to strike out on a new fresh server could do so.

On a side note, I like Yoshi's new personal avatar.

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It's only optimal for the people who aren't getting merged with someone else.

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Originally Posted by TheFatHousecat

As far as I can see the only difference between 2 and 4 is that rather than everyone picking whatever they want you're given a 'suggested server', so to speak, and if you don't want it you can choose any of the other worlds.

I think the vast majority of people in World B would just go ahead and let the automatic transfer happen, barely anyone would opt for a different world, and World A would go over its set capacity. This would result in even more stress for the people who can't go to World A with their LSs and such. Although it sounds great, it wouldn't be perfect and you'd most likely lose friends or LSs to the population cap., which would be more traumatic to both parties.

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Thats why they would need to calculate before hand roughly how many active members would transfer to each server.

ie - merge a heavily populated server with low populated one. (leave enough space for people to transfer) or (only allow people to transfer a week later)

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Originally Posted by Sidious

It doesn't fix what I was saying earlier.

"I have no problem with people wanting to stay with their friends. The issue arrises is when these people don't want to move at all, keep their entire ecosystem, and have the rest of us try to fit in somewhere in that well-established equation. Every blanket merge I've been a part of hasn't yielded a cohesive community. It's yielded two communities trying to coexist, sometimes quite unsuccessfully. It sucks."

Option 2 doesn't alleviate that. It's still just a blanket merge, and I don't want that. No matter where I go, there will have been a blanket merge and the community won't be cohesive.

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Hmm... I see your point, but are the current communities really that cliquish as to not be able to bond with the new, incoming communities from merging worlds?

As a relatively new player, I've been able to integrate into at least a small part of the already existing community pretty easily, so I don't think it'd be that hard for two existing communities to merge successfully. I could be wrong and you could be right though.

I guess the "community total restart" aspect of option ④ would help in the case that you're right, but I'd still be unhappy about losing my old community and not having any control over my server name.

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Originally Posted by Jinko

Thats why they would need to calculate before hand roughly how many active members would transfer to each server.

ie - merge a heavily populated server with low populated one. (leave enough space for people to transfer) or (only allow people to transfer a week later)

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But either way, you're going to end up with the people in the high pop. servers not having to worry about anything because their communities aren't moving around, and the people from the low pop. servers getting f*cked because they have to split up depending on the population cap.

I would much rather figure out a server to go to within my closest in-game friends and say my goodbyes to others who opt for different worlds, than have to split at random according to the world population capacity while being merged with a high pop. server.

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Originally Posted by Vaen

Hmm... I see your point, but are the current communities really that cliquish as to not be able to bond with the new, incoming communities from merging worlds?

As a relatively new player, I've been able to integrate into at least a small part of the already existing community pretty easily, so I don't think it'd be that hard for two existing communities to merge successfully. I could be wrong and you could be right though.

I guess the "community total restart" aspect of option ④ would help in the case that you're right, but I'd still be unhappy about losing my old community and not having any control over my server name.

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No solution will please everyone, but it seems like option 4 yields the possibility for people to bring their friends to a new place to meet new people and start an entirely new, cohesive community.

When you just smack to servers together, they just don't "fuse" like some people think. There's tension between people because each community may be radically different. It's fine for the people who were on the original server (in no small part because there are way more of them), but for the people coming in it's really not a positive experience. You're on Server A, but in a sub-community that belongs to server B. You'll never really be on the same page as the people you merged into. That's something that doesn't go away.

But if we all start over together, we can forge something entirely new. It sucks to leave what you have behind, but who's to say what you create next won't be even better?

I think SE should let us know which 8 worlds are less populated. Keep the 10 worlds most populated as it is. Names and all. Second, provide a server transfer for those people with the least populated servers. That being said, we would know which server would be on th chopping block, and let people be able to transfer to which server they want. Sure, one or other server will fill up. When that happen, I'm sorry, move to another one. You can't please all. All inactive accounts should be unlocked, as like being in limbo, not attached to any world. When those people come back, ie: pay a subscription, they should be able to select a world. German, French, etc, I don't see a problem at all. I play with many of them and we get along well. 90% have english as second language. They can fit anywhere. Plus having a time difference means there always will be people on when you log in. Not only at a certain time if you discriminate by world time. If you are on the closing server, and you move to a server that have someone with the same name, you gotta change your name. Can't please all, again. That's what I think would be easier and better. The way they decided, option 4, will be a mess. That's my 2 cents.

We need 10 new servers with 10 new names. Let us see the names and pick based on that. People want to pick based on the names. Personal preference is a huge part of the reason to even name servers in the first place.

i would have liked option 2 better myself.

better yet... why didnt you ask this in the player's poll