FFXIV 2.0 sounds good but...

[SilvertearRen]

It does make sense from a development perspective -- However from a community perspective people will be complaining non-stop so they want to avoid that. This is why I'm not fully hopeful over 2.0 the more I think about the fact we'll retain our data, because that means they aren't fully overhauling the foundation for the better, they're only doing it on a surface level in order to allow us to keep our data intact.

Actually, all of the character data we have are just inventory data, customization data, quest data...all stored information in a database. You just need to convert that data to a compatible format for 2.0 and you're good. The entire backend is probably getting overhauled, but being programmed with an eye on ensuring backwards-compatibility with the old database.

I know this because I've experimented with private servers in the past, and they are often done using emulators that make use of mySQL databases to track all of the appropriate information.

[Elexia]

Actually, all of the character data we have are just inventory data, customization data, quest data...all stored information in a database. You just need to convert that data to a compatible format for 2.0 and you're good. The entire backend is probably getting overhauled, but being programmed with an eye on ensuring backwards-compatibility with the old database.

I'm pretty sure this is what she was referring to that they're not doing everything they could possible if they want to keep things working between the engines, since instead of fully overhauling it they're doing it while being mindful of old data, instead of focusing on completely new assets, the latter obviously being overall better.

Though as for private servers, this purely depends on what you're regarding because eathena for example was more of a emulator, the one for TERA as well is more of a emulator and not necessarily the same tree or software that is used on official servers, like there's no way to know SE would be using the exact same setup otherwise FFXI and XIV would already have private servers even ignoring Playonline which is all but phased out for the most part.

[SilvertearRen]

I'm pretty sure this is what she was referring to that they're not doing everything they could possible if they want to keep things working between the engines, since instead of fully overhauling it they're doing it while being mindful of old data, instead of focusing on completely new assets, the latter obviously being overall better.

Though as for private servers, this purely depends on what you're regarding because eathena for example was more of a emulator, the one for TERA as well is more of a emulator and not necessarily the same tree or software that is used on official servers, like there's no way to know SE would be using the exact same setup otherwise FFXI and XIV would already have private servers even ignoring Playonline which is all but phased out for the most part.

Emulators notwithstanding, one thing is for certain: A database is being used to store and parse character data. The database is basically the heart of the MMORPG. You cannot run an MMORPG without a database. Without databases, you would have clunkier and inefficient options for updating, storing and using character data. Some MMORPGs use their own proprietary database code and backends, while others use solutions such as mySQL.

The principle is still the same. Our character data is being stored in a database, all you need to do is build a program that properly converts the old data to the new format for 2.0.

Let's say you have 10 lines of data in the table for Character "X" on version 1.0 to track character name, race, etc. Version 2.0's database uses 20 lines of data for your character information. You'd need to convert the database table for Character X from version 1.0 to 2.0, and then finalize that data in the new database format. There is a possible problem, however:

See, during the conversion, the new lines of data in the database would be either left blank or with a null value, which can cause complications, so you'd need to process that character with choices made by the player to ensure that those values are properly filled. Hence the possibility that we'll get a character re-make option at 2.0's launch. However, I doubt this will affect the database's veracity and integrity. Database information is VERY easy to do all sorts of things to: convert, store, back up, update, rewrite, etc.

Frankly, the discussion about character data being in danger are just unfounded fears. If the new 2.0 database is radically different from the old database, they can just set up a program that will convert 1.0 to 2.0's format by shifting the data around to their appropriate places in the table.

Example: 1.0 database has your race data compiled on the 3rd, 4th and 5th lines of data; version 2.0 would have your race data be on the 5th, 6th and 7th lines of data - the program would just simply copy the information from the 1.0 database and paste them to their appropriate locations in the 2.0 database. Problem solved.

TL;DR - Managing Character information such as levels, inventories, names, and so on are the EASIEST part of an MMORPG for a developer to work with, so stop worrying!