Duty Finder Suggestion - Idea For Promoting Community Interaction

[Mihana]

Original credit goes to Lyrinn for the initial idea. In her post she mentioned requesting a cross-server chat functionality. I'd like to build upon that idea further.

As many know, Duty Finder is pretty sterile when it comes to communication or any form of coexisting. Even with the Player Commendation system you just commend someone and simply leave. The fault behind it as Lyrinn brings up is you never really meet or see the people you partied with again, all because you were on different servers.

So I propose this:

Cross-Server Messaging Functionality

Run a good dungeon with total strangers? Want to keep in touch? After the Duty completes you are given the option to befriend your fellow players that lets you send messages to one another similar to the system in place back in FINAL FANTASY XI. It's restricted to players only in the same server cluster but if both players consent and add each other to their World Friend List they can message each other whenever they want. In keeping it to messages only and to the same server clusters it shouldn't place as much strain on the servers either.

Cross-Server Duty Finder Linking

By checking an option in the Duty Finder, players on the World Friend List are given higher priority so the Duty Finder will attempt to pair you with them before placing you into a random party. This will allow players to play together despite being on different worlds and without leaving it up to fate in hoping they meet again.

This is the primary problem Duty Finder has that even the Player Commendation system cannot fix.

Why socialize if you won't play together beyond this?
Why try making a bond if you won't cross paths?
Why bother being polite and courteous when you know the likelihood you'll meet again is near zero?

This only promotes the current behavior we see now, no communication because you know you're not going to play again. It's just pair up, clear the dungeon, leave and wait for the next pairing. By allowing players to add each other via some friend system you open the doors socializing. People have a reason to talk if there's a chance they could continue chatting beyond this one instance. And by allowing them to meet up again in the Duty Finder via option they now have a reason to work together.

I know it might lead to abuse of the Player Commendation system but let's face it, the system is already abused. Those who try to earn commendations honestly don't have much luck because players are in a hurry to drop and move to the next run. But if it does prove to be too much concern, disable giving commendations to those on your World Friend List like premade parties.

EDIT: Something else I thought about in case this is used as an excuse. While I haven't checked, in the event that players can utilize the Trade function while in Duty Finder simply disable this for players grouped up in the Duty Finder via the World Friend List. Problem solved!