Why not just add instanced housing?

[StouterTaru]

Instanced housing isn't the be-all end-all solution that many think it is. Current instances are not saved (e.g. nothing in the Inn Room is saved). In an instanced housing model SE still need to make sure all that data gets saved (object placement, character location etc.). This means that regardless of wards or instances SE is still going to have to purchase/setup hardware and storage.

If the instance is only available to the owner, that stuff can be stored client side. Several things are already stored there (inventory sort, hotbars, macros) and all that would have to stay server side is a list of what furniture has been placed (but not where it was placed).

[Risvertasashi]

If the instance is only available to the owner, that stuff can be stored client side. Several things are already stored there (inventory sort, hotbars, macros) and all that would have to stay server side is a list of what furniture has been placed (but not where it was placed).

Honestly even stored server side it's not that much data, or shouldn't have to be. A single image-laden email would be far bigger than a list of items & positions and even a longer text email could easily be bigger. But, SE seems to have some very questionable architecture... :/

[Shirobi]

But, SE seems to have some very questionable architecture... :/

AMEN

I cannot begin to the fathom the sort of inefficient in coding or the sheer antquity of their hardware that something as tiny as player housing, especially instanced player housing, has such a huge premium in server space and resources attached to it.

Something is terribly, terribly wrong with SE's architecture in this game, be it the coding, the actual hardware, or both.