Still No Official Roleplay Server Announcement, Transfers Close In One Week

[Rowyne]

As the title states, server transfer applications close one week from today, and we still have no verdict on the promised roleplay server(s).

At least one officially labeled RP server was confirmed to be in the works for ARR back in Feburary 2012:

There aren't any plans to designate a roleplay server for the upcoming World Merge. However, Yoshida did tell us "I also like roleplaying, so with the launch of version 2.0 we'll prepare a roleplay server."

That's nearly a year and a half to make a decision about this, and we've been told that it's still in deliberation:

While we understand you guys are eager to hear about an official role-playing server (especially before you choose where you and your friends want to play), the team doesn't have any new progress on this idea just yet. We're continuing to look into it, and hope to have something to report later.

Why do we need an official roleplay server?

• Officially labeling a server is imperative to gathering as much of the roleplay community in one place as possible. Roleplayers need to find other roleplayers in order to participate in the activity that they enjoy. The community will and has come together to decide upon an unofficial roleplay server, yes. However, this will not help new players who may not think to research a 3rd party source of information. Without seeing the RP label at server selection, new players who might have chosen a RP server are scattered. Plus, those who do not wish to play on a RP server might inadvertently end up choosing one.
• Roleplayers make up a loyal part of the playerbase. When other players run out of content, roleplayers make their own fun and find things to do. They will stick with the game for years to come.
• There is an established roleplay community and clear demand for one or more roleplay servers. Such threads can be found on the official forums here, here, here, and here. There are at least 7 unique threads on the beta forums on this topic.
• Many non-roleplayers like to play on roleplay servers, as well, as they are known for their great communities.

Furthermore, as the roleplay community originally chose Besaid (later merged into Balmung) as the unofficial roleplay server, I think many would agree that it would be the most logical decision to designate Balmung as the official RP server. It would make the most sense since much of the roleplay community is already there, and it would cause the least amount of upheaval.

Also, there seems to be demand for a secondary roleplay server, on a non-legacy world. While many people would like to see as much of the roleplay community gathered into one place as possible, it is apparent that some players would like to be on a new server. Plus, if Balmung becomes full, this gives people the option of an alternative location. This also is a good example of why we need official labels. Besaid was somewhat easily chosen, but the secondary server is not having such an easy time. There seems to be a split between Behemoth and Gilgamesh. An official label would settle the issue and keep roleplayers from being scattered.

Time is running out for us to know what the devs decide on this issue. This is becoming a source of frustration for many. I know I'm personally having to tell my linkshell repeatedly that I'm 99% sure we'll be playing on Balmung. But until the decision about a RP server is made, I cannot confirm my answer. I pray that we'll know before server transfers close next week.

Please, community reps, tell us the devs are close to making a decision!

[Shioban]

If I Recall Correctly.

Balmung was the "unofficial" RP server. However don't quote me on it.

If you have access to the Beta Forums, there were plenty of topics on where people are/should go if you use the search function, or create a new topic there.

Sorry that I can't provide any solid information. ;--;

[Naylia]

It was Besaid, which became Balmung, so that's where I'd go if you want to find the bulk of the 1.0 RPers

[Rowyne]

Thank you for the friendly replies, but, as stated in my post, I'm aware of the fact that Besaid/Balmung was chosen by the RPC as the unofficial roleplay server. However, this thread is about SE's confirmed plans for an official roleplay server. It revisits why one is needed and the fact that the decision of which one(s) will be labeled RP really needs to be announced before server transfers close one week from today.

[SkyeWindbinder]

I don't really think an "official" roleplay server is all that important to have. I mean, roleplayers got along fine with an unofficial one in 1.0. I think if Balmung is dubbed the unofficial server for RPers,things should work out fine.

[Akujin]

I doubt you're going to get one. Not from SE anyways, dedicating a server as an RP server would be pretty much the same thing as dedicating servers specifically for PvP situations as well. Players who inadvertently go to one or the other and get swept up into it may not feel comfortable being around it and walk away from the game as a whole thinking that's what their stuck with (not everyone bothers with forums). Whereas allowing the community itself to decide how to best manage themselves in this way alleviates SE of the responsibility of making an 'official' decision on something that can basically be looked as dictating how someone should or should not play.

It may come down later on where SE gives Balmung an RP server sign on the world listing just for the sake of it, but I wouldn't hold my breath for it right now.

There's also the fact that while SE is known for it's final fantasy and dragon quest games; which are RPGs, they aren't actually known for being a role-playing company; such as wizard's coast or blizzard (Blizzard actually has some manuals out there for incorporating role play/table top WoW games. I have one lol)

[ArkhamNative]

There's no need to panic about the approaching legacy worlds transfer deadline. It only applies to version 1 characters and they mostly know where their new home is. Besides, it probably would cause panic for SE to make such a big announcement in the final days of the transfer application period.

Announcing official RP worlds might involve much more than just adding 2 letters. Most MMOs impose at least a minimal character naming policy. Tagging an existing world could wipe out quite a few existing characters' names and/or send many rushing to the exits (individual character world transfer requests).

I wonder if SE will mostly focus on tagging only new new worlds (added in phase 4) as officially supported RP. If it does tag Balmung, it might be with a relaxed policy towards existing characters' names.

One thing we probably shouldn't do is assume only one world will be enough. Three worlds in each region may not be enough, judging by other large MMOs' RP server ratio of nearly 10%. I assume SE already knows such numbers, and also has strategies for only adding new RP worlds as needed, to avoid low population worlds, etc.

[Rowyne]

There's no need to panic about the approaching legacy worlds transfer deadline. It only applies to version 1 characters and they mostly know where their new home is.

If it turns out that Balmung will be labeled RP, then, you're right, it won't effect as many 1.0 characters, as most roleplayers with existing characters either already play on Balmung or have put in a transfer to go there. However, if SE does something completely unexpected and creates a new legacy RP server, much like they did with Ragnarok for EU players, then, yes, it'll be an absolute trainwreck. There are plenty of 1.0 players who have stated they are willing to transfer servers and leave Balmung, if it means playing on an official RP server. If this is the case, they need to give players enough notice to coordinate plans with friends/linkshells and decide if they want to make the move.

However, as I've stated in my OP, I hope that doesn't happen as it will be a major upheaval of the community. I think it makes more sense for Balmung to get a RP tag.

Announcing official RP worlds might involve much more than just adding 2 letters. Most MMOs impose at least a minimal character naming policy. Tagging an existing world could wipe out quite a few existing characters' names and/or send many rushing to the exits (individual character world transfer requests).

Maybe, maybe not. Some MMOs have naming conventions on their RP servers, but others either do not or no longer have such restrictions. World of Warcraft used to (there was more than one person in my guild who was forced to change names on the Scarlet Crusade RP server back in the early vanilla WoW days). But in recent years, they've stopped enforcing that policy and people can pretty much name their characters anything they want as long as it isn't offensive or a celebrity name.

I wonder if SE will mostly focus on tagging only new new worlds (added in phase 4) as officially supported RP. If it does tag Balmung, it might be with a relaxed policy towards existing characters' names.

Again, I'm thinking there probably won't be server rules and naming conventions. Look at how they're handling the regional servers. They're not region-locked, they just put labels on them to tell you which data center they're in. They're recommended choices. Just like Ragnarok was a recommended choice for EU players. Just like, I'm betting, RP servers will be - recommended if you want to find other RPers. But, ultimately, you can play wherever you want. Yoshi-P has stated he personally wants to adhere to a policy of no limitations - multiple platforms on every server (which leaves Xbox out of the equation with their separate server policy), no difference between server types, with it ultimately being up to the player where they want to play.

IMO, a RP server only needs to serve the purpose of informing and bringing RPers together. Special rules governing names and trolling RPers aren't necessary, as there are already rules on every server about offensive names and harassment.

One thing we probably shouldn't do is assume only one world will be enough. Three worlds in each region may not be enough, judging by other large MMOs' RP server ratio of nearly 10%. I assume SE already knows such numbers, and also has strategies for only adding new RP worlds as needed, to avoid low population worlds, etc.

Agreed. I have a feeling Balmung is going to be a high-pop server, plus there seems to be demand enough for at least one non-legacy RP server.

[Rowyne]

We're less than a week away from open beta. Considering the plan is to carry data over into release, many people will be locked into a server choice coming this weekend. And there is still no officially designated roleplay server(s).

When will we finally get an answer to something that has been confirmed to be in the works for a year and a half now?

[Aldora]

We're less than a week away from open beta. Considering the plan is to carry data over into release, many people will be locked into a server choice coming this weekend. And there is still no officially designated roleplay server(s).

When will we finally get an answer to something that has been confirmed to be in the works for a year and a half now?

Like you've included in your Signature, Bayohne mentioned the following:

Greetings,

Apologies for the delay, I know you've all been waiting on a response to this topic.

There aren't any plans to designate a roleplay server for the upcoming World Merge. However, Yoshida did tell us "I also like roleplaying, so with the launch of version 2.0 we'll prepare a roleplay server."

I don't want to sound rude, but i don't think we will have an official role-playing server (or multiple servers for that matter) until release. By that time, our characters will be "locked" onto the server we've "selected" with the previous World Transfer Application Period.

No official Role-playing server had been announced at that time, so if a new Role-playing server will be announced at (or just prior to) the release, we'll have to wait till they start their World Transfer Service (which is stated to be available a few weeks after release).