The constant need for Linkshells to break and remake is hurting everyone. It's hurting linkshell leaders, linkshell members, and the overall community on servers as a whole.

With the system as it is now, it limits options, and I'm not even talking about the lack of administrative tools. With the influx of new players, which I'm sure we are all in agreement we want to keep, many active linkshells just don't have the space to keep bringing them in. Especially when the chances of them sticking around isn't high enough on the cost-benefit ratio. More and more linkshells are less willing to just accept new players, which in turn creates an anti-new-player sentiment because it's assumed they will be flakes. Instead linkshells are fighting over a more limited resource, the super active players.

Super active players, I'm sure you all know the type, on everyday for a noticeable amount of time. When they aren't online, it's obvious.

Having a 128 member cap, which is still a way random number to me, causes linkshell leaders to make a choice. Either break and remake every month or so, or don't take in new players. Some people may say, "So what?" Well let me break it down for you into a couple of groups.

One, Diffuses Drama Saturation: Our active community isn't so large that you can really escape your bad reputation if you get one. Which is a blessing and a curse, in terms of linkshell drama in and of itself, it's a curse. Sure linkshells can be known for what they do, however, the drama that may be going around on the server will build up in concentration the longer people play. Therefore having new players join linkshells give new things to talk about. Having the option to meet new people easily is always a great way to lower frustration and feelings of being trapped within a particular community.

Two, Bad Apples: As much as we'd all love to love every single person that decides to join our linkshell new or old, there are just some inherently disgusting people out there who live to make those around them un-happy. Since the GMs refuse to get involved and help kick problem members who are breaking rules, even SE rules, within a linkshell. Give us the power to deal with it ourselves. If linkshell leaders actually had a means to punish and back up any threats they could make to keep their 'wilder' members in line, there is a clear lack of respect. It's simply too idealistic to expect that everyone who joins an LS is looking out for that groups best interest.

Three, Stretched too thin: This also leaves many, way too many, of the active players having to join multiple linkshells. Which in and of itself isn't an inherently bad thing, however, being locked into a particular linkshell, say if you are crafting, is an issue. Please give linkshell members the ability to not feel burdened. SE gave us the ability to have more than one linkshell, well then we should be able to fully optimize that.

Those are just a couple basic few. As someone who is waiting nail and tooth for information about player-run-companies, I do not think it's fair to the FFXIV community for us to continually wait for basic features such as being able to remotely kick people from the linkshell.

This game is an MMORPG, and linkshells are a huge reason why people stick around even if they have reached their goals in the game. Linkshells play a huge part in player retention. Basic organizational psychology would deduct that as long as players have a place where they are valued and appreciated they will keep coming back more times than not. More importantly, older players can teach newer players how to fall in love with the game and keep them from being frustrated.

So many linkshells are doing so much to help better their server communities, so throw us a bone. Please.

We understand that you want to put in some gaming features to attract new subscribers, however, I think that it isn't good for morale for our basic needs not to be met. If someone doesn't have a home, they could care less about trying to get that shiny new car (NMs), because it's just not feasible. Linkshells have a huge potential to put together events for their players, and provide for the community in a much more intimate note than any quests, instances, monsters, or battles.

The strength and gem of an MMO after core features (which we have regardless of whether some people like them or hate them) is the community. If a community sucks, people won't stick around. If a community is beautiful, vibrant, and can offer an alternative to members of that community than people are willing to put up with so much just to stay in it.

So SE, being as amazing as you guys are, I'm sure it would take you less time to add a couple linkshell features than it did to adjust the party icons.

Market Wards, drops, SP, in my opinion all fall far behind letting the community have the basic abilities to take care of itself. Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he will never go hungry again.

Lots of love,
Valor