I agree, this is like the first time I've really disagreed with anything SE has done, usually I'm agreeing and people are getting on me for it. LOL
Actually I have a slight feeling that they have a technical issue here. I think that they're going to do a "brute force" transfer, that is, get their programming team to manually move characters from one database to another, rather than having an automated system. Likely XIV's server wasn't built to support server transfers, so they're having to jury-rig it. It's likely that if there were, from the start, a type of server transfer service they could have used that to leave the inactives now on a 'limbo' and force them to transfer later. As it is, they can't really leave inactives on the limbo, they gotta go SOMEWHERE, so sadly they need to go out randomly.
Whether you agree or disagree it's honestly better for the game overall, because sadly there are those who choose an MMO based on sub count and therefore the illusion of players everywhere (even though in MMOs with millions of people, outside of Bazaars/Marketplace you honestly never see that many people outside of instance lobbies due to lack of open world content.)
If each server has 2-3k+ people, it'll attract more people into joining and staying since there have been people who said "If the servers had more people I'd be more inclined to stay."
come on se. if you wanted to only keep the top 10 servers this could have been easily handled. very simple method.
1. give the names of the top 10 servers.
2. if you are not in one of those top 10 servers the members of the other 8 servers are forced to choose to go to one of them.
3. if you are in one of the top 10 servers, but want to change on merge allow an optional change for those.
4. ???
5. profit
Well it's part of growing up. I mean I keep in touch with my friends, but my neighbor from 3rd grade, not really. Life is change. And don't get me wrong, I know people are invested in their ls's. I have my own ls I lead, which will probably have to disband and reform with whoever decides to come with me to whatever server I pick. And it will be sad to have to say goodbye to people. That being said, I've been playing since CE release like so many of you and I've had to say goodbye to so many friends who have left already. So I am willing to go through some temporary chaos if in the long haul it makes us stronger. (And I really do feel it will make us stronger).
The 50 Man LS being that transfers being isolated? That is up to them. They have the power to be friendly and warm towards others on their server/ or complete tards...up to them what their reputation will be. Afterall, there are 3 elite shells on my server currently...only one of them has members who even talk to other people on the server (at least talks nicely to other people). So it can be argued we're isolated now. In my case, I have friends on other servers who are jumping at the chance to finally be together on the same server...but I also have friends who can't wait to leave some of the 'self-inflicted' drama they created on our current server to start 'fresh'.
In the end, it can go both ways, but I really see it working out in the end...after some painful goodbyes.
Awesome post. /floored. Someone that actually comes up with something beyond "because SE said it will be so." or "Stop whining about everything they do."
In fact, I don't think I'm going to try to argue anything. Kudos. :) Just have to agree to disagree. I still think that leaving communities intact (at least until new players start coming) was a good idea... Adding the non-functional servers to the functional servers, or combining non-functional servers into functional servers will always look better to me, but I have nothing but respect for your opinion. ^^
What did you think was going to happen?! Really all those QQing about this are fu*cking RIDICULOUS! Talk to your friends, find out what # server you want. Then, if your SMART, you'l pick MORE THAN ONE and go from there. It's NOT That BLOODY HARD JFC!
SE gave you all what you wanted and your're CRYING about something so.... UGGGHHHHHHH!