A history in server merging - Why SE is creating an overcomplicated mess.

[Arcell]

As I mentioned before in another thread, potentially best solution for largest number of players. If they just merged one server into another, neither would really have any choice in the matter. No one would be able to relocate if say both of the merged servers had low population for their timezone/language. It's not complicated at all really. Everyone choose a new server. Players can coordinate their choices instead of it being completely forced.

My only issue is future returning players not being able to select a server and being distributed randomly.

Edit: The only difference between this and Rift is that we're not being given suggestions, as far as I understand it at least.

[Colino]

Players can coordinate their choices instead of it being completely forced.

What's completely forced about suggesting you go to a server but giving you the option to choose another if you really want to? What they're doing now is COMPLETELY FORCING US to decide on something this massive when we clearly don't have the means to do it.

My only issue is future returning players not being able to select a server and being distributed randomly.

This is due to technical limitations since the current engine does not support keeping data in a "limbo", at least according to the JP rep posts.

[Onji_T]

What's completely forced about suggesting you go to a server but giving you the option to choose another if you really want to? What they're doing now is COMPLETELY FORCING US to decide on something this massive when we clearly don't have the means to do it.

I wonder who doesn't have the means to do it? Our group picks a server, 1-9, and we go with it. This really doesn't take a lot of decision making and very little coordination on our parts. It's up to you to make a big deal out of it, and somehow people always manage to do just that.

[Colino]

I wonder who doesn't have the means to do it? Our group picks a server, 1-9, and we go with it. This really doesn't take a lot of decision making and very little coordination on our parts. It's up to you to make a big deal out of it, and somehow people always manage to do just that.

So you have only one group of friends?

Good for you, but guess what, some of us have several linkshells or friends with which they aren't in the same linkshell... And guess what? Those linkshell's decision might not be exactly the same as your other linkshell's decision... So what happens then?

You have to pick one and are forced to break up from a group of people and potential friends simply because SE wants us to do their work for them.

All they need to do is recommend a pick for each server... I don't see how that's hard or how it could somehow compromise their integrity.

[Gramul]

I wonder who doesn't have the means to do it? Our group picks a server, 1-9, and we go with it. This really doesn't take a lot of decision making and very little coordination on our parts. It's up to you to make a big deal out of it, and somehow people always manage to do just that.

Some of us have more than one linkshell. And I have yet to know if they're all going to the same server, but it doesn't look favorable.

[Lurex]

I wonder who doesn't have the means to do it? Our group picks a server, 1-9, and we go with it. This really doesn't take a lot of decision making and very little coordination on our parts. It's up to you to make a big deal out of it, and somehow people always manage to do just that.

Your post makes perfect sense, but you forgot to factor in that you are NOT guaranteed that everyone in your group will be assigned that server, because if it fills with half of your group assigned to it, you are screwed.

[Mychael]

As I mentioned before in another thread, potentially best solution for largest number of players. If they just merged one server into another, neither would really have any choice in the matter. No one would be able to relocate if say both of the merged servers had low population for their timezone/language. It's not complicated at all really. Everyone choose a new server. Players can coordinate their choices instead of it being completely forced.

My only issue is future returning players not being able to select a server and being distributed randomly.

Edit: The only difference between this and Rift is that we're not being given suggestions, as far as I understand it at least.

People can be rebels to their heart's content, but you'd be surprised how many people followed the suggestions. Communities are what make this game. I'm certain that most people aren't playing because they like doing the same ifrit battle for hours every night after they're 7/7, or because they like buying belts to spiritbond. It's for the friends, the lolz, etc.

SE, on the other hand, seems to be doing everything possible to randomize who goes where. Inactive accounts (seemingly) cannot choose at all unless they pay; the server names are hidden as to prevent players with similar FF game preferences from flocking together, even! Linkshells will be deleted, and the alternative given to us is to follow the blogs on the Lodestone, which most people in my shells have only logged into once or twice.

:/

[lordvr]

The reason something like what Rift did wasn't chosen because they fear about EU players not being able to all get to the same server if other players chose to transfer there, or something like that. Basically EU is to blame for everything.