Quote Originally Posted by NoMX View Post
The current party grouping system would work great if anyone actually cared to use it. The issue is, people would rather only group with their linkshell mates and friends. I'm not sure improving the system will help much when almost everyone already has a group they regularly do things with.

I actually really like the way it's set up... Instead of each individual having to look for a group, the party leader basically enters the information about his party, and waits for people to view it and join it who are in the proper class and level ranges. The only real concern with it is the fact that nobody uses it... Either because they don't understand it (even though it's pretty simple), or because they are, like i previously mentioned, not interested in doing things with people they don't know.

/shrug... I think if the system was explained better people would use it. It's one of the easiest to use LFG things i've ever seen. You can actually, as a party leader, just set it up, and go afk for a bit while people join. There's no need for constantly /sea all'ing the job and level range you really need. The biggest issue is the fact that people choose not to use it, not that it doesnt work... Or that its hard. It's really simple. It saddens me that not many people use it, and the ones that do seem to almost always be Japanese.
I don't think this is why people don't use it. I, as someone who forms parties regularly, am opposed to it. Why? Because I don't know who's joining my group with this process. Part of the biggest problem with the party search function is that unlike other MMOs, you don't get to screen who's joining your group. You don't know if they're good, bad, a troll, a whiner, whatever... Whereas when I shout and form my own parties, I actually have to communicate with whom I'm inviting prior to, at least giving me an idea of what kind of player they are. Example:

/sh LFM R. 44+ Raptor Party.

/tell #1 - I'm a 47 Lancer who would like to join.

/tell #2 - HI! I WOYLD LIK TO JOINS YOUR LEVE RGOUP

I instantly know I want one of those players and not the other. Party search feature? I get both whether I like it or not. This is a large problem for me, and I'm sure for many others who take charge and form groups.