Why the netcode issue exists, and why it cannot be fixed.

[Altena]

You say "poor network connection" in your OP however I feel that statement is a little inaccurate.
I live in Australia, which is technically a "supported" country, however due to my location, I ping to NA servers at 350ms (without VPN) or 240ms (with VPN). If I were to ping any other server in Montreal I will get 240ms..
In addition to this I have 0% packet loss and my local speed is 100Mbps down/2.5Mbps up.
From a technical standpoint, my service is not poor, but simply my geographical location.

My connection is not poor, however without a VPN the game is impossible to play at an endgame level..

I think it is worth noting that a big downside with the server side option is that someone who lives in NA, Canada or EU will have a pretty large advantage over someone who lives far away, like me.

Client side however, this advantage is greatly reduced.

This will become an issue once PvP is released next patch.

[Astarica]

I think it is worth noting that a big downside with the server side option is that someone who lives in NA, Canada or EU will have a pretty large advantage over someone who lives far away, like me.

Client side however, this advantage is greatly reduced.

It's more like the other way around. In the server model everyone is limited by the 0.3s pooling frequency, as regardless of how close you're to the server, you can't get key information any faster than every 0.3s (like when AEs fire off). Everyone is roughly equally screwed under FF14's model. If your client could make its own decision, the guys living closer to the server would have an advantage. It does create an equal playing field, but in the wrong way (by crippling everyone equally).

[Altena]

It's more like the other way around. In the server model everyone is limited by the 0.3s pooling frequency, as regardless of how close you're to the server, you can't get key information any faster than every 0.3s (like when AEs fire off). Everyone is roughly equally screwed under FF14's model. If your client could make its own decision, the guys living closer to the server would have an advantage. It does create an equal playing field, but in the wrong way (by crippling everyone equally).

I see; that's pretty interesting to note.

So to make everyone equal, they basically reduce the performance of the "optimal" network/geo location to a more standardized level... Hah, seems pretty poor design choice in my opinion :/

Really confused why they decided server side was a better choice..