SE reps: Will we need to use the torrent-like system to download patches in ARR?

[Colino]

I think most modern clients use a mix of both, but don't quote me on it.

I hope they go that route and either use both or allow you to choose. I wouldn't mind p2p if it actually worked, unlike 1.0 downloader.

[Wynn]

it seems a few more MMO are using like SWTOR, Aion, DCUO, iRO.

Yes, a few do. Key word is few. More do not. Every single game you just mentioned is a f2p game. That's not a coincidence. FFXIV is not f2p and we shouldn't be expected to deal with inferior p2p updates as if it were. We pay a premium for a reason. The companies using p2p updating are doing so to cut costs, not because it is better for the consumer.

ISP can be a hassle but its your (sorry) problem, you need to contact your ISP to order them to open those ports. They cant block them unless you give them a reason to. They cant just assume you are pirating lol.

Of course you theoreticly could use a 3rd party programm an restrict your upload speed, but what kind of asshole does that.

Thats why i am saying, if we get a better patcher there is no need for 3rd party programms.
I know it sucks if your ISP makes trouble and a smooth direct download would be awesome, but cost effective it just doesnt cut it.

ISPs can and will block p2p traffic all they want. It is perfectly legal. It is their service and you have to agree to the terms to use it. I work for one so I know very intimiately the laws and practices regarding bandwidth throttling and the blocking of p2p ports.

I actually don't have the problem myself, like you seem to be assuming, I just refuse to be the type of person who says "it's your problem" and look the other way. But actually, you're wrong anyway because p2p is a group effort and their problem becomes our problem. Less people to share on the network means less ability to download your patch as well. Not to mention that it is never a good thing to deliberately create a situation that could prohibit people from playing your game needlessly that want to.

As far as the third party client goes, you'd be surprised. Actually since you are so well versed in p2p you probably do it yourself since it is so easy to do if you know how. Tons of people do it either because they have to due to SE's downloader not working for them or because they want to avoid having to use their bandwidth to upload to others which also increases the time it will take them to getting back in game to play. If it is possible to bend the rules and eek out some personal benefit, people will do it, period.

[Zezlar]

Just reactivated my XI account. Installed the game and updated...for 3 days (computer was closed during nights so somewhere around 25 hours total).

That being said, SE really should give us a better XIV patcher this time.

I was speaking about patches the size of around 100-300mb. Not an entire games worth of updates.

[BobbinT]

Well... I do realize the issue with having p2p blocked by several places or even ISPs. And yeah, can't do p2p if I'm @ office. ;D

Luckily in my case, we have alternatives like using 3G/CDMA based ISP which is cheaper @ my place. (and it's mobile to boot XD )

[Vespar]

One solution that would be nice is if we could have an option in the client to download directly from the main server only or turn on p2p downloading.

[GinTama]

Yes, a few do. Key word is few. More do not. Every single game you just mentioned is a f2p game. That's not a coincidence. FFXIV is not f2p and we shouldn't be expected to deal with inferior p2p updates as if it were. We pay a premium for a reason. The companies using p2p updating are doing so to cut costs, not because it is better for the consumer.

thats true we pay, but so do WoW players. of course they do it to cut cost but it ressources you need to enable direct download smoothly just dont stand in relation to the benefits. my opinion, but if SE makes it possible i would welcome it.

ISPs can and will block p2p traffic all they want. It is perfectly legal. It is their service and you have to agree to the terms to use it. I work for one so I know very intimiately the laws and practices regarding bandwidth throttling and the blocking of p2p ports.

Well its not legal here, to be more precise its not custom to include such rules to the TOS and i never would agree to that.
But i get it its not everywhere like that and people cant just immediately do something about it.

I actually don't have the problem myself, like you seem to be assuming, I just refuse to be the type of person who says "it's your problem" and look the other way. But actually, you're wrong anyway because p2p is a group effort and their problem becomes our problem. Less people to share on the network means less ability to download your patch as well. Not to mention that it is never a good thing to deliberately create a situation that could prohibit people from playing your game needlessly that want to.

Sorry for assuming so. You are right P2P is a group effort since you have to seed at least the same amount you leeched.
It may be abit harsh from me to say "your problem" since its always not that easy.

As far as the third party client goes, you'd be surprised. Actually since you are so well versed in p2p you probably do it yourself since it is so easy to do if you know how. Tons of people do it either because they have to due to SE's downloader not working for them or because they want to avoid having to use their bandwidth to upload to others which also increases the time it will take them to getting back in game to play. If it is possible to bend the rules and eek out some personal benefit, people will do it, period.

Of course i used the 3rd party prog since the official patcher just sucks, as a lot other ppl did.
I never throttled my upload speed to the point where others would suffer from it, its a dick move.
You can lower it a bit under max so you stil lcan use your connection, so you still can play while seeding.
But yes there will always be some douchbag trying to bend the rules.

i just dont believe SE can pull of a smooth DD on patch days, if they can i would be all for it.
But lets see it from their view, they lost a lot of money on this. So even if they wanted to they may could not do it.
I think the community should be able to help them selfs in those situations, if the next patcher becomes p2p i promise i will upload the patch file to some hosts.

[Morticous]

downloading FFXIV and its patches sucks the life out of you.

[Soukyuu]

Luckily in my case, we have alternatives like using 3G/CDMA based ISP which is cheaper @ my place. (and it's mobile to boot XD )

I'm guessing your country's ISPs dont offer ridiculous caps on 3G then. Try downloading updates over 3G here... they will throttle you down to GPRS once you're over 500MB for the rest of the month. I'm not going to even start talking about prices for this bs...

[ispano]

I do understand that some people have issues with their ISP that causes problems, or even prevents Torrents from working at all. However it is the most efficient way to get patches out to thousands of people at a time. The instant a patch is released it's going to be congested whether they us DD or Torrents. However, on the torrent side, once people start getting parts it actually starts to pick up speed, done properly of course. Also, WoW uses both, like one person mentioned, possibly others. If the primary servers have speed to spare, you get it.

[Soukyuu]

Neither DDL only nor p2p only is a good idea. One breaks down easily, the other is not available for everyone. It has to be a mix of both, and both components have to be done right. If someone starts patching a game and it doesn't work, chances are, they will just give up on the game altogether. First impressions matter and the patching process is part of it