The AFK logout timer is being implemented.

[Eliseus]

Totally different scenario and reason why they didn't have an afk timer. Whether any of us thinks this game needs it or not is pretty immaterial at this point, since they are adding it soon (next week hopefully). I for one think it's a great thing, but I guess we all have to get used to it.

You are right it is a totally different scenario, FFXIV 2.0 came out almost 12 years later and should be able to handle as many afk people that it wants.

[Holyhunter]

You are right it is a totally different scenario, FFXIV 2.0 came out almost 12 years later and should be able to handle as many afk people that it wants.

FFXI had a bazaar system where you had to stay logged in to be able to sell stuff. FFXIV doesn't have that.

[Crica]

FFXI had a bazaar system where you had to stay logged in to be able to sell stuff. FFXIV doesn't have that.

not the point

the point is that an AFK thingy is not necessary as FFXI is proof that afking doesn't mean ppl cant log in - all FFXIV needs to do is do what FFXI does to ensure ppl can log in whenever and stay logged in if they want to and then no AFK thingy is needed

[Meut]

Its a combination of new technology and getting caught with their pants down.
Yes it is 12 years later, but that only made them want/need to pack on the features and create a game far more demanding of its servers than XI could have allowed in the pre-broadband era. Word got out about how much they improved it (again, lots of features) and they got bum rushed by a tidal wave of players.

Dumping the AFK players is bailing with a bucket in an sudden sea of overload.
I'd wager more of it is coming from those of us moving around, killing stuff, and using things like the duty finder.

What they really need is more hardware to deal with all the folks who are hammering away at their new toy.