Server merge: Hidden server names.

[Jinko]

I would like to offer some insight into why we decided not to display the World names.

The operations and development teams held many internal discussions regarding how the Worlds were going to be merged. We discussed displaying the World names and allowing players to choose their destination and we also considered having some Worlds dissolved and merged into other existing worlds.

We did consider deciding on the World names beforehand, but the problem is that players often choose which World to go to based on its name (to be more specific, currently both Selbina and Gysahl are highly populated due to the popularity of the World names).

Therefore, when merging 18 servers into 10, you can imagine that there will be a rush to choose the Worlds that have popular names. These would fill up quickly and we would have to stop letting people in, and then it would end up being something of a lottery. Taking into consideration the time difference and what day etc, it was really hard to decide, but as we are making playing together as a community a priority, we have decided to hold back the World names and let people choose this way.

We are aware that some players may be frustrated at this, and we apologize for that but please try to understand our reasoning. We haven’t decided which World will get what name yet. For, things like drawing lots and other methods, we want to think about this separately.

It still doesn't make sense that originally Yoshi-p said they would look at the numbers and then merge servers based off the data collected and now you are basically leaving it in the hands of the players.

As Gramul suggested on the other page it would make more sense to merge high with low population and medium with medium population to get some kind of balanced population and still keep the communities together.

It makes total sense why you don't want to announce server names but still makes no sense why you are willing to destroy communities, linkshells and friendships.

[BrusselSprout]

I want to be on server xxSephirothxCloudxx!!! Screw balanced world populations!!!

Seriously, is the community going to make this an issue?? If so, I recommend Producer/Director Yoshida keep the new server names as they are announced right now. That's right. You don't get historical names, you get "World 1", "World 2", etc.

Seriously.

I feel severely told...

[Davorok]

I thought part of the fun of MMO's is building a community?

Here's everyone's chance to start building an even stronger community on fresh worlds with higher populations.

p.s. Quick story...back in early days of FFXI, I made my daughter delete her lvl 13 character so we could remake her on another account and play together. She cried and cried all night. We played for 6 years. She got over it.

[Colino]

We are aware that some players may be frustrated at this, and we apologize for that but please try to understand our reasoning. We haven’t decided which World will get what name yet. For, things like drawing lots and other methods, we want to think about this separately.

Some players? Juding by the insane flood of topics both here and on the JP forums it's A LOT of players that are frustrated by this ass-backwards way of dealing with the problem.

How much outcry will it take for the team to acknowledge that this is a bad idea and it needs to be done differently?

[Phen]

I thought part of the fun of MMO's is building a community?

Here's everyone's chance to start building an even stronger community on fresh worlds with higher populations.

p.s. Quick story...back in early days of FFXI, I made my daughter delete her lvl 13 character so we could remake her on another account and play together. She cried and cried all night. We played for 6 years. She got over it.

Im not really sure that disproves that you shouldn't try to avoid those situations if you can help it?

[Colino]

"Yeah let's give them the impression they actually have a choice, that'll be fun!"

We're not even CHOOSING the server we want to play in, it's basically all a damn gamble. What if you and your friends decide on a server but one of you can't make it on time and it fills the quota? Tough luck bub.

What if two of your LSs decide on different servers and you are literally forced to cut the amount of in-game friends you have in half? Tough luck.

These are all questions they have not answered or just completely ignored which makes it all the more frustrating.

I seriously cannot believe how demented this whole system is... I mean to get this far means SOMEONE there thought it was a good idea!!!

That scares me even more.

[Jinko]

I thought part of the fun of MMO's is building a community?

Here's everyone's chance to start building an even stronger community on fresh worlds with higher populations.

People have already invested time into making a community and friends.

[FilthyDisco]

I would prefer it if we could see the world names before the merge, if for example I end up on one with a name based on FFXIII I will be really unhappy because that was by far the FF I least enjoyed, as people have said I see the server name as an extension of my character name. From what has been said by Rainhart (sp?) I believe the Japanese side also agree.

There will be the possibility of numbered servers filling up when we choose for people that are too lazy to go down the list, and if I cant play with my ls because of it I will be very annoyed.

At the very least take this feedback into consideration. Asking alot of people to choose thier server based on a number is like asking them to choose thier character name based on a random number.

Really? Who cares what your server name is...

[Gramul]

"Yeah let's give them the impression they actually have a choice, that'll be fun!"

We're not even CHOOSING the server we want to play in, it's basically all a damn gamble. What if you and your friends decide on a server but one of you can't make it on time and it fills the quota? Tough luck bub.

Exactly my sentiment.

[AlexNiculaie]

p.s. Quick story...back in early days of FFXI, I made my daughter delete her lvl 13 character so we could remake her on another account and play together. She cried and cried all night. We played for 6 years. She got over it.

Yes, because a character that had only been around for a day or two is the same as having players who have been together for a year or more. @.@ Seriously, most of those in my linkshell have been playing together for years, having started on XI. Next time, try an example that is at least similar in situation.