Why I don't agree with "Instances" as a fix.

[BlairYS]

As far as role-playing community goes, majority prefer instance over Ward based. Also, my assumption was that Famfrit was never a role-playing server while Mateus, Bamung, Goblin, Omega and Zalera were in those rosters.

Ward system has not been very fair to many of those who want medium or large at specific place. If they were to refuse instance, the best option they should come with is make more wards based on the popular housing areas such as Shirogane and Mist

[Sashazor]

As someone in the unofficial RP server and a long-time roleplayer, instanced housing would hardly hurt the RP community.

I do agree that a hybrid system would be best. But most roleplayers would be extremely happy with individual housing, even if it's instanced. You will not believe how uncommon it is for roleplayers to talk to their neighbors ICly. Most of them just do their own thing, hell, the only time major interactions happen in the wards is when an FC is hosting an event.

[Besame]

I hate always hearing about "Instanced Housing" being a magical cure. By creating seperate instances for housing you seriously hurt the RP community and the players who enjoy meeting neighbors and showing off your house. Also not having your house visible to everyone all the time would mean little incentive to decorate causing the prices of housing to fluctuate.

I believe we need a hybrid system where people who want to experience the neighborhoods can, then you could also make seperate instanced housing for players otherwise (Think about how your house was in Fable 3 for example).

You could effectively choose to live in a subdivision with people or in the country alone.

It is easy to install board functions (ala Star Wars the Old Republic and Wild Star) for those wishing to show/visit others. I can tell you right now that I very rarely see anyone outside in my ward and when visiting others, it is much the same. All ghost towns.

[HoloKraft]

A lot of the "Ghost Town" effect is due to people not putting in effort or having incentive to get to know their neighbors. If this is the route they want to go then we need more of a reason to host events and be a community.

People talk about how a FC not having a house excludes them from content, I say ADD content like that for people who choose to live in neighborhoods. It would provide more enjoyment for those who would like interactions like that. Those who don't could enjoy their secluded island.

[BlairYS]

A lot of the "Ghost Town" effect is due to people not putting in effort or having incentive to get to know their neighbors. If this is the route they want to go then we need more of a reason to host events and be a community.

People talk about how a FC not having a house excludes them from content, I say ADD content like that for people who choose to live in neighborhoods. It would provide more enjoyment for those who would like interactions like that. Those who don't could enjoy their secluded island.

So, does your server have a big RP community to interact with neighbors?

[HoloKraft]

So, does your server have a big RP community to interact with neighbors?

I wouldn't say we have a big RP community over here, in fact our subdivision in Shirogane WOULD be a ghost town if it weren't for us reaching out.

You would be amazed at the number of people who reply to a simple letter in the mailbox inviting them to a party. I think everyone WANTS a sense of community but it's too much of an effort right now. It would take away from their time doing other things.

[Theodric]

I role-play frequently. It wouldn't hurt the RP community at all for housing to be instanced...given that people already use their apartments to host events. When I had a house I loathed my neighbours. I have no control over how they design their house so I was stuck with those awful looking chocobo rooftops looming nextdoor and blocking my view of the beach.

[Sashazor]

I role-play frequently. It wouldn't hurt the RP community at all for housing to be instanced...given that people already use their apartments to host events. When I had a house I loathed my neighbours. I have no control over how they design their house so I was stuck with those awful looking chocobo rooftops looming nextdoor and blocking my view of the beach.

I had a neighbor with a paissa house and I despised them in secret (well, their decor skills, anyway). Ultimately people are free to decorate their house however they like, but god, the paissa/chocobo/moogle abominations hurt my eyes.

If you decorate your houses like this, know that you break my heart every time I cast a glance towards your abomination's direction.

[Dustytome]

I think it all depends on what SE would present as instanced housing. Personally I want a yard (if instanced, larger than a large with way more furniture slots), the ability to alter the house size, the ability to choose where the house is on the plot, ability to choose location and some variations for that location and a nice skybox with the eventual ability to control the weather with forbidden technology. And since it's instanced, let's add in some optional farm space separate from the yard with eventual sprinkler upgrades or something because even farming games know how quickly tending to each plant becomes mundane. Maybe some animal raising thrown in there too. Oh and also a personal airship dock, because airships need more love.

Unfortunately I think best case scenario for instanced housing in this game is slightly tweaked apartments. No balcony though as that idea got scrapped already.

[HoloKraft]

I role-play frequently. When I had a house I loathed my neighbours.

Then you're not the type of person who would enjoy the social aspect of a neighborhood and that is totally your choice. However there are plenty of Non RP players who love the social aspect when given an opportunity. I'm not even an RP player but I find the community aspect of housing to be one of the coolest features.

A majority of the people on my friends list I met in our neighborhood, other than that I met like 1 guy fishing. Seeing the potential the ward system provides being wasted because people don't want to interact makes me sad.

The problem isn't entirely the housing, it's the people as well which can be hard to hear.