Multitasking... Ever hear of it SE...?

[Arel203]

Ok, to start off, hi. This is one of my first posts on the forums in a long time. I played back during alpha and beta (Or some of us liked to call it alpha v2).

I decided to start playing again a bit. I currently play AION but only for the PVP. I don't do much of anything else in AION outside of PVP and some basic instance statics from time to time.

So, my first day back. I started off in Gridania... And my god... What a terrible choice that was.

Previously I only played on the Limsa Lominsa side of the map. Wasn't too bad, very open, spacious world. But reading the preview of Gridania, about it being a town trapped away in a forest, sounded very cool. And from the screenshots it looked amazing.

Well... Issue is... The black shroud... What moron... Designed this area... It reminds me of Dark Cloud 2... Where you're bassically just dungeoun crawling through linear paths of overused textures and designs. I'm big into spacious areas in MMOs. Partly because AION spoiled me with areas like the "Abyss" which is a 100% open, huge map consisted of huge islands and fortresses where you can run and fly, virtually anywhere, with no limitations.

So... First question, what's their plan with Gridania and The black shroud? I seen a bit of lore about something happening and changing with Gridania on the official front page, and apparently the area is deserted by the players on every server because of the terrible map layout. Are they remodeling it? Opening up the map? Etc etc...?

Anyways, aside from that... I couldn't help but notice multitasking was nearly impossible. Recently i've been leveling the fisher. I periodically tried to check my map, or go into the menu while fishing. Wouldn't let me. I was shocked to find out I had to completely disengage and close every open tab and window to be able to access ANY menu in the game, including the map...

Is there plans for changes on that? Cause it's ridiculously annoying considering you already have to wait for stupid long animations to move on from one thing to another in the game, you can't even disengage a weapon while moving... It's laughable to say the least.

Moving on even more, I couldn't help but notice that the menu interface was VERY laggy. At first I thought it was maybe my settings too high. Messed around with them, tested FPS. Nothing.

Next I thought... Ok... Could it be the whole interface is stored server-side instead of client side? I hooked up my proxy to the game and I did notice a slight bump in reaction time to the whole menu interface and loading sequences of them. So my guess is that EVERYTHING is stored server-side. Is this true? If so it was a TERRIBLE move and decision on SE's part. Completely makes the game feel like a slug-fest even with a proxy for NA players.

I probably will get flamed, but I am moderately enjoying the game a bit, playing with a couple friends since it's F2P anyways and the game costs pretty much nothing at retail, so figured why not. Gives me something to do on the off chance they do change some things.

And I did forget to mention, I played FFXI for 7 years, since PC release. I enjoyed it very much and 'was' looking forward to FFXIV for years (When it was coded rapture, if any of you remember) so i'm not here to just flame and QQ for no reason.

I would just really like some input on my questions.

And yes I know, it has probably all been asked, but I browsed through the forums for a good 30min trying to find the answer to everything and came up short. The layout and placement of certain threads is a bit complex and not very user friendly.. So it's hard to browse and find everything I wanted without knowing the forums very well. So, sorry in advanced because i'm sure these have been asked before.

[Scarface]

Read the first 3 lines, then gave up. I'm sure any GMs will do the same.

[VydarrTyr]

So... First question, what's their plan with Gridania and The black shroud? I seen a bit of lore about something happening and changing with Gridania on the official front page, and apparently the area is deserted by the players on every server because of the terrible map layout. Are they remodeling it? Opening up the map? Etc etc...?

The devs are aware of these issues. They've discussed re-working map layouts, both to get rid of the copy-paste issues and to open up the Black Shroud. I'm not sure what, if anything, they've decided to do. There have been rumors that they're going to re-work all that stuff. But I don't believe anything has been firmly set up yet.

Anyways, aside from that... I couldn't help but notice multitasking was nearly impossible. ...Is there plans for changes on that?

Not that I'm aware of.

Moving on even more, I couldn't help but notice that the menu interface was VERY laggy. At first I thought it was maybe my settings too high. Messed around with them, tested FPS. Nothing.

Next I thought... Ok... Could it be the whole interface is stored server-side instead of client side? I hooked up my proxy to the game and I did notice a slight bump in reaction time to the whole menu interface and loading sequences of them. So my guess is that EVERYTHING is stored server-side. Is this true? If so it was a TERRIBLE move and decision on SE's part. Completely makes the game feel like a slug-fest even with a proxy for NA players.

They've been working to improve UI lag. It's actually improved quite a bit. And they're apparently going to keep making improvements.

It's possible that you were just logged on during a laggy time. But the laggy interface is much, much better than at release.

On a more general note, most players have moved to Uldah. Gridania tends to be the emptiest city. So if you're looking for more players, and more full Market Wards, I'd suggest making your way to Uldah.

Welcome back!

[ClashBlades]

The problem with people leaving gridania isn't the map. The problem is that they made one of the starting cities in the middle. Any time you put something centrally located people will flock there.

[Arel203]

Thanks for the replies^^;

I did notice the game was running much smoother then release and I just restarted again, deleted my Gridania character. I couldn't stand that area. The map layout and closed off spaces made me feel like I was playing a single player dungeon crawler. Even Windurst wasn't THAT bad. Something desperately needs to be done about that map.

Made a character in Ul'Dah. What a difference! The place is lively, has tons of players and crafters. I'm shocked at the amount of pure neglect the other cities recieve. It feels like Jeuno from FFXI... Haha.

I'm enjoying the game though for now, I find myself bored with nothing to do though when there are no available Levequests. Really looking forward to the new auto-attack and stuff.

[Irana]

Read the first 3 lines, then gave up. I'm sure any GMs will do the same.

Thats what a mediocre player and a bad GM would do.

Taking note of the other MMOs is a virtual necessity to make your own MMO better.

[Shyd]

The problem with people leaving gridania isn't the map. The problem is that they made one of the starting cities in the middle. Any time you put something centrally located people will flock there.

Also....
The story missions even send you to ul'dah which you continue doing quests from the Sands. So players basically stay there.

[Scherwiz]

Even Windurst wasn't THAT bad.

That's because it was the best?

[Scarface]

Mediocre.....lol

[Irana]

Mediocre.....lol

What is?

Not enough words to post bleh