Letter from the Producer LIVE Part X: Will the netcode issue be honestly addressed?

[Alcyon_Densetsu]

I've never heard of a game that successfully ignored a problem and made it go away. If anything refusing to address the problem is likely to make it far worse because everyone will come up with their own crazy theory as to why the problem isn't addressed. If SE just said 'this problem cannot be fixed' (which is very likely the case), at least people will know to move on and probably leave without too much ill-will. Yes you can say that seems like a suicidal statement to say, but do you really think there are people who don't like that this lag that is saying, "Well SE never talked about lag so clearly it's just my imagination'? No people who are bothered by this problem is likely going to be more angry that the problem is simply never addressed as opposed to just being told there's nothing that can be done about it. The lag is a very big issue. There's no way to just pretend it's not there.

I agree.

Let's consider Yoshi's recent posts on a variety of topics.

• The Operation and Splitting of Patches for FFXIV: ARR
• Upcoming Changes to Allagan Tomestone Acquisition
• Planned Changes to Warrior in Patch 2.1
• Crafting and High-Level Items

The man is eloquent as ever, to the point, quite honest and transparent in how he approaches players… I do like that, very much so.

Reading such posts, as previous ones, there's just no denying that he knows MMORPG's and has quite the experience in spotting design flaws and features limitations. His observations on past/existing MMO designs are quite spot-on and undeniably true; and if I don't necessarily agree (or rather, have fun) with all the solutions he comes up with, that's more due to a matter of taste (subjectivity and opinion) than a matter of being 'wrong' or 'right'.

That being said, I therefore just can't wrap my around the fact that he wouldn't see the problem with the network code. If he did take the time to at least try his own game while travelling to the US or EU, he just wouldn't fail to noticed something. He actually hints about it in these recent posts, twice.

In "The Operation and Splitting of Patches for FFXIV: ARR":

Now, I’m aware of the requests to release minor tweaks first—improving existing functions and adjusting jobs, for instance. However, most of the functions being discussed are closely tied to the server code, and requires more work than it seems."

About development branches in the same post, he also says:

There are even more test lines than above, but it would get overly complicated, so I won’t touch on them.

One of these test lines could very well be dedicated to a new attempt at netcode, couldn't it?

Also in "Upcoming Changes to Allagan Tomestone Acquisition":

I realize patch 2.1 was originally scheduled to be released in November, but due to problems with server congestion, and the need for server and system improvements, we were forced to delay the release one month. However, I assure you that the wait will be worth it, as the upcoming patch will not only include plenty of new content, but also improvements to the user interface and additional system updates.

These two posts of his are unrelated to the netcode issue per se, but the bits I've highlighted (in teal bold) could not, by any means, have been written by him without thinking of the ongoing netcode uproar. These are quite 'taboo' words these days in SE's communication towards FF XIV players, they make one's mind 'tilt'.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it, maybe not—I wish I knew. If that was a corporate double-talk to hint at the fact that they're aware of some shortcomings of their 'server code' and the need for 'system improvements', beyond the basic bread'n'butter of running any MMO, then this may be it. This may be all we get worded about this issue.

Perhaps he was paving the way for a more substantial update on the netcode issue, so as to be able to deny not having talked about it somehow, yet also deny promising anything about it at the same time. That's a long shot I'm making here, I know, it's anything but far-fetched; but that's common PR subtlety: vague words, mere hints can cover up huge realities. It's all in-between the lines, sometimes.

Anyway, I'm fairly convinced that these two facts are true:

• He knows. He's not the kind of man self-complacent enough to ignore neither the amount of negative feedback, nor the issue itself.
• If he can possibly do something about it, he will. The question are "can he?" and "when?", if ever.

Now, the "Letter from the Producer LIVE" events are quite visible and aimed at hyping up the game, so given his recent posts that directly address several player concerns, I wouldn't hope for any strictly negative insight ("sorry we made a mistake" etc.), it's just not appropriate for this kind of communication, marketing-wise.

Addressing this issue in such a publicised event should imply taking the high road ("sorry, blabla; but we have a great plan to improve it and it will happen soon, please look forward to it etc."). And indeed, it would be the ideal place/moment to make sure all players know that the netcode is addressed and will get better.

We should stay tuned. If a confirmation that they've heard us is coming, it will be tomorrow. If they don't have anything in store—yet, or ever—to make the situation any better, then we won't hear a thing about it, and that (silence) will be our (negative) answer. They know we won't stay tuned eternally, and the clock is ticking; so even if their solution may only come with 2.2 or later, they know it must be addressed sooner rather than later with us players.