Hamlet Defense

[Elexia]

Ping does have an impact on performance- it's not *just* the server system, though it does exacerbate the issue.

Exactly, if it's a well optimized system ping won't have an effect on performance versus a horribly optimized system. It's generally only shooters where you want to make sure ping is at a good level, MMOs have breathing room by design to deal with more varying ranges of pings.

[Hulan]

Ping does have an impact on performance- it's not *just* the server system, though it does exacerbate the issue.

Except that any latency you are experiencing from location will be exactly the same whether you are in a high-activity area or a low-activity area, and thus has no baring on the discussion at hand.

[Alhanelem]

It's true that MMOs are generally designed with the probability of higher latency in mind- but that doesn't mean that the one quarter to one half of a second round trip delay between me in the server is irrelevant.

Yes, *bandwidth* is mostly a trivial issue now (in most parts of the world). But performance isn't just about bandwidth.

[Isaveron]

It's kinda hard to do massive open world content when the game engine can only handle 40 characters on screen.

[Issac]

Last I checked, the average ping from US East Coast to Japan was around 300-500ms depending on any particular router's performance inbetween, it varies. Average of likely 350ms.

The only times where this really sucks is competing against Japanese players for GC turnins. As you would expect, if their ping is 50 and yours is 350, they can turn in shit a LOT faster than you, on a scale of 2-3 turn-ins per your 1.

Me to server -> Hey I wanna give you dis
Server to me -> Hm okay I hear ya (350ms)
Server <-> Handling variables, what player is giving what server is giving (???ms)
Server to me -> Okay here ya go
Me to server -> Hokay got it, danks (350ms)

[KumaAkuma]

No, it wasn't. Where did you get that idea?

There's no "massive player" content til after 2.0

Not that i'm sure why people want that so badly. I never like those systems, because it feels like whatever you do personally doesn't matter much.

http://wdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/dow...Content_EN.pdf

[Hulan]

And I agree with you on that point. But since we are discussing whether or not "massive-participation events" such as Besieged are made worse by their physical distance, I have to say no, they are not. You're ping will make the game feel slower if you are further away, certainly. But if you are suddenly experiencing a massive slowdown in large population areas, that has nothing to do with your physical distance.

[Starlord]

It's true that MMOs are generally designed with the probability of higher latency in mind- but that doesn't mean that the one quarter to one half of a second round trip delay between me in the server is irrelevant.

Yes, *bandwidth* is mostly a trivial issue now (in most parts of the world). But performance isn't just about bandwidth.

In the end, this is what it boils down too:

-If 2.0 is Highly Optimized , Server is top notch, we will see balance between Non-Instanced and Instanced Content all the way

-If 2.0 is kinda like the same thing we have now but just a better version of it.. then don't expect anything to change much.

This is a wait and see thing.. @ E3 will see a better detail on what were going to get come 2.0 Launch =).

[Alhanelem]

Since they're supposedly rebuilding the server system from the ground up, i doubt it will be "just the same thing but improved a little."

[Orophin]

I hope DoH don't get shafted in terms of rewards for the supply phase. The items to be made all require Grade 5 materials, which aren't that cheap to come by if you don't have a gatherer leveled. But I hope in addition to the anima bonus gained that the rewards will be in the form of company seals to help maintain the cost of Sanction buffs.