Linkshells are an Epic Fail for chat

Only been playing a couple of months, but one of the most common complaints I hear is the lack of any "real" chat channels. The only one is the NOVICE channel, and that is pretty limited - you cannot stay forever.

I have tried a few linkshell channels, and not a single one has had any activity to speak of - one with over 120 members had a post perhaps once a day.

This is the only game I have played (out of about 10) that has not had at least a few general chat channels. And once you are out of the Novice channel, where would you go to ask for help or info? I see no place.

Linkshells, as far as i know are generally used for a group of friends or for hunters. As far as i know there isnt really an option of a general chat as you call it. Usually you'll kind people talking in Shout Chat in really popular areas though, Like Limsa or even Eureka. As far as getting help, you can ask in Shout chat is a high population area like Limsa or whatever the current endgame town is usually, or join an FC and ask there. If you join a good FC, that might resolve your issue of chat as well. Maybe someone else might have a better answer than me though.

The chat system isn't really all that different from other MMOs I've played. The lack of some sort of global trade channel is the only real difference. /shout is pretty much the same as general chat and is zone wide. Linkshells aren't really an alternative to ordinary chat channels so much as a way of creating small communities usually geared toward a certain activity.

most people look up what they need with google or ask on the forums.

the three main cities are always a good place to ask questions/ the current main hub

SE has this huge fear of harassment so they refuse to put certain things in game one being a world chat. it's one of the reasons people may choose to be a mentor so they could get into novice chat as one of the mentors and have a world chat.

If you become a mentor, you can get in to novice network again, if you want.

So im in 6 linkshells currently. One for hunts(regularly see activity as people share hunt locations). One for organizing treasure map parties(quiet except when someone wants to do maps). One for general content running(70% quiet, but gets active). One for insulting and trash talking(depends on whos on, but either super active or dead with no inbetween). One for general socializing(quiet during the day, very active at night). And one thats just a group of friends(usually quiet). All that is to say, as each linkshell is its own private entity you cant use one of them to generalize what another one will be like.

A lot of the social stuff (even guilds/fcs) has moved outside the game to 3rd party places like discord since it's so accessible. Even console players can get access to it. Yeah having to get something else is kinda meh but just a sign of the times really.

Honestly from what I've seen general chat in MMOs usually just ends up trolling or "use google lol" anyways. Most online games usually have some kind of discord or reddit community that is fairly active. On reddit there are usually question threads where you can just ask w/e questions.

There's also the New Player Help forum on here.

Limsa is the general hub across multiple worlds. Say something in /say and you might get a conversation going. Linkshells are run by the players. Just because you-personally- joined with randoms instead of joining one with close friends is not the fault of the system. This happens on Discord servers, and even runs as far back as early 00's chatrooms.

You are on the forums. I'm sure you saw the categories for threads, pick one to ask a question, problem solved.

IDK i have played Tera and ESO and find the chat system in FFXIV much better

The lack of global chat channels is a good thing from my point of view.

In the games that do have them, the global chat channels are often filled with such inane stupidities that one can feel ones brain wither just by reading them. Not to mention a helping of racist and sexist talk.
I really don't miss that kind of crap in FFXIV.

I hate global chat, alot. Also I wish my LS would be quiet sometimes...my slots are all filled an erryone is blabberin about summat almost all the time. I have two chat windows set an one is jus fer blabberin LS's.

(I wouldn be in em if I din want to, guilty of much pointless blabber meself)

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Originally Posted by Vaer

A lot of the social stuff (even guilds/fcs) has moved outside the game to 3rd party places like discord since it's so accessible. Even console players can get access to it. Yeah having to get something else is kinda meh but just a sign of the times really.

Honestly from what I've seen general chat in MMOs usually just ends up trolling or "use google lol" anyways. Most online games usually have some kind of discord or reddit community that is fairly active. On reddit there are usually question threads where you can just ask w/e questions.

There's also the New Player Help forum on here.

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This too, I'm also in several Discord channels, plus all the LS's. I do prefer Discord for the ability to share pics, video n links n such. Instead of "Google it" I post a link to a resource, much easier an helpful.

I'm not fond of global and zone-based chat channels but I can see why other people like them and I don't disagree with the idea of them being in the game.

However it's incorrect to say linkshells are a fail chat system for the reasons OP stated. They were never intended to replace global or zone-based chat. They're more like a light version of fcs. I actually quite like linkshells because it makes it easy to be part of multiple communities without having to leave your fc.

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Originally Posted by Windsun33

I have tried a few linkshell channels, and not a single one has had any activity to speak of - one with over 120 members had a post perhaps once a day.

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That's not a fail by SE. They can't force people to talk at the degree you personally would like. It's up to you to find a linkshell suited for your needs.