It's because it's not client side. It's much better than what it used to be but it will always have latency issues till they optimize the servers or move elements client side.
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Will also post in support of the OP.
Thanks.
This is something they should jump on early if they expect the game to succeed (which I hope it does) and the servers start filling up with even more players. Even though they really did work out a lot of the latency issues compared to how it was in the beginning, it's just going to become an issue again later on. Might as well take care of it now.
So it seems like there's 2 requests in this thread:
1) Make the game client side instead of server side.
Dealing with this one, I believe SE made the game this way because they were under the impression it would minimize game hacks which were initiated client side in FFXI. It won't help, and only decreases the playability and enjoyment of the game. +1 in favor of this.
2) Create UI hotkeys.
-1 in favor of this. I enjoy being able to type sentences with the letters I and L etc. Hotkey combos I would support because those are easy to map into macro keyboards. A UI overhaul is overdue as well, but personally I enjoy playing with a gamepad and is one of the only reasons I got hooked on FFXI. If I wanted to point and click things to death, I would play Missile Command.
I don't understand the server-side UI being because it has to work with a console excuse. Isn't DCUO for both PC and console? If I'm not mistaken, they don't have the same issues with UI lag.
I'm still impressed everything requires server-side communication. Try this, type out a long sentence and then hold down backspace. Stop in the middle of the sentence and watch as the cursor keeps going. •_•
No lag from what I've seen. My husband plays that game (PC version). He let me try it out, and it seemed just about as responsive as WoW (meaning very). My only problem with it was the 'sticky mouse' camera controls (for lack of a better term).
Yeah.... and I /facepalm every time someone says, "Maybe you need a better rig if you have UI lag. I have no lag problems!" Seriously? Please, play an MMO not made by SE and you'll realize that you've just gotten used to walking through mud.
It's not server side because of the console version. It's layout is designed for it, I believe. It being server side is to basically prevent duping and hacking. It's a great way to know who is manipulating game mechanics through a third party, but that will absolutely bite them in the behind with high populated servers and has before the significant drop in server activity even after the fix in some instances/zones.
Edit: There are ways to alleviate this. Auto attack certainly being one of them and probably a mixture of client side UI and server side in areas that can be exploited. There is no reason to have the entire UI to be server side. It's kind of ridiculous, really.
Supported.
Top fixes for UI.
- Client side UI.
- A PC UI needs to be developed independently from the PS3.
- Less menus.
- Focus on images and tool tips and NOT dropdowns or lists.
- Right click functionality (more elaborated on in the link below)
- Hide player names only option (Not Monsters)
- Hide character name only option
- Multiple action bars on screen at one time with keybind support.
- Improve targeting so I don't have to use a toggle or tab. I want to target things with my mouse and not feel frustration.
For a list of my compiled UI fixes you can visit this: http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/threads/13378-Overhaul-User-Interface-%28Tons-of-suggestions-included%29
Lastly, place your servers in different locations around the world so that the stuff you cannot make client-side responds faster instead of sending everything to Japan and back.