too many linkshells, not enough players

just stand around town and you might notice that while there are 20 players standing around you, each has their own linkshell. I have been in several LS and notice that there are maybe 3-10 people on at a given time. I just don't see the point in having so many linkshells when the community is this small. It would be good if SE could make the barrier higher to start a new LS so that people would be more likely to join ones that already exists. For example, if there was a 1 Million gil fee associated with starting a new LS, this would dissuade all but the most determined or rich from making new LS when they could be joining one of the hundreds that already exist.

No. I don't like the idea of dissuading people from starting their own shell at all. There's nothing to prevent people from owning multiple pearls, so recruitment to a shell really isn't too much of a problem. Also, since the current linkshell management system implementation sucks, people have to remake shells often, so I could see a high fee for each shell remake would cause some shells to restrict new members joining to avoid having to pay the fee.

yea, but what is the point of having multiple LS, each with 3 people online? i dont see how this could be beneficial to the already dwindling community. Its just making an already small community more fragmented. There is more to enjoy and gain with higher population linkshells. Linkshells with 3-5 people online at any given should be discouraged - I cant see how anyone would disagree with that.

That's bizarre. I've never been in a shell with less than 30 people on it.

I know what feels like playing in a small shell, with 1-4 players online with you at most. Because all of them are good friends we always have fun, no matter the numbers. Some players actually enjoy playing more in smaller communities rather than in a community where half of the people in server belong to. I don't see any point in limiting the amount of linkshells.

As the leader and only member of my LS I don't see the problem.

Like Shokun said, some of us like smaller communities =)

Yeah I have to say I prefer smaller communities as well instead of the bloated monster linkshells. It's more intimate and you actually get to know people better. Though I think it can be a problem to retain active members as a small shell unless you formed with your friends. But that's not really what's being discussed here.