DevTalk: Detailed Analysis of Depopulation in Limsa/Grid and How to Fix It

[Chezen]

Well, initially I was for linking the wards... but if the population was distributed better, I don't think that part would be a problem. Linking them, however, would create more room issues. Each city should have it's own flavor and stable economy, at least I believe that's the idea.

Other than that I agree. No city should be better than the other if you want the population distributed. The companies will help too I think.

[Rentahamster]

Well, initially I was for linking the wards... but if the population was distributed better, I don't think that part would be a problem.

It would still be a problem at the current server population rates. By my estimation, the population of each server would have to be at least 3 or more times larger than what it is currently (basically, at least 3 "uldah's worth" of players in each city).

However, that's not gonna happen for a while until the game gets better, so you may as well just cut your losses and merge the wards to make life better for your existing player base. It will be a dramatic improvement now, which will only help to give positive feedback to support future player growth.

Linking them, however, would create more room issues.

This part is true, which is why they would also either need to:

1. scrap the NPCs and make market wards a completely text-driven interface (item search menu without the NPCs, basically)

2. improve the game engine and optimize the servers enough so that overcrowding isn't an issue anymore (unlikely in the short term)

Each city should have it's own flavor and stable economy, at least I believe that's the idea.

I agree that this would be nice, but at the current population numbers, it is an unfeasible fantasy.

This works in other MMOs like EVE Online, but that is only because there are 100,000 people on a single server.

[Quoc]

Give newcomers and veterans a reason to play or return to the game and re-population will fix itself. Ways to do that is to get rid of fatigue and timers completely. And if that's not in the plan book, get rid of the subscription fee so that we're not paying to "wait" to play.

[Davorok]

I approve this OP.

I am glad they are moving the GuildMark Leves to the corresponding cities. I have wanted this since the first time I logged in. I just hope they improve and expand the lists of what can be "bought" with GuildMarks.

*Off-Topic: Can someone explain to me why and when as an Archer I would want to "...trade my DEX for PIE..."?
: " or "...trade my STR for MND...?
etc.

[Joeking]

*Off-Topic: Can someone explain to me why and when as an Archer I would want to "...trade my DEX for PIE..."?
: " or "...trade my STR for MND...?
etc.

It forces you into the other classes, to get the correct stats conversions.

[Lumidus]

Yea I think having the wards be 1 instance for all cities will help spread out people the most. Only issue is wards being full lol. ATM When I go to another city and need something off my retainer or buy soemthing, its better to grab guild support and head back to Ul'dah.

[Davorok]

It forces you into the other classes, to get the correct stats conversions.

Ok, just as I thought...Useless to me as an Archer since I don't want to be a Conjurer and also useless after Physical Lvl is gone because we (presumably) will allocate stats for each individual Class from now on (after patch(es)).

p.s. Sorry for sidetrack but kinda applies to jobs/classes in the near future (in my addled mind anyway).

[Jacob]

Thanks for the post Rentahamster,

i just wish porting to main cities would be free. since movin around to 3 cities to gather guildmarks sounds like a bad idea wasting 3 anima on each port

[SuzakuCMX]

Ok, just as I thought...Useless to me as an Archer since I don't want to be a Conjurer and also useless after Physical Lvl is gone because we (presumably) will allocate stats for each individual Class from now on (after patch(es)).

p.s. Sorry for sidetrack but kinda applies to jobs/classes in the near future (in my addled mind anyway).

If you're an Archer, you probably put most of your stats into Dex and such.

So if you wanted to play another class and it didn't use Dex, you can use that trait to trade 10 Dex for 10 of a different stat.

Or you can use it to give yourself even more of a stat than you would normally be able to get.

Also, if you put 10 into Dex when it's only at 16, then equip the trait, you are saving more stat points than just putting those 10 points into Piety when it's at 70 or 100.

[Munba]

Agree with the points in the OP.

But i'd add that every city needs some 'real' contents (to play) in each, different from the other ones. Some ideas:

- unique quests with cutscenes, about the ancient lore of that city;

- specific minigames like: dices (uldah), fishing tournaments (limsa), lottery (gridania), etc.;

- an istanced multi-lv dungeon in every city (like the basements in FF11 sandoria). A segment of it could be also used for a battle tutorial. Other segments, for different levels;

- random events (some on specific and recurring dates) for every city like: fairs, musical meetings (in gridania music hall), fireworks, appearing of special merchants or npcs (that gives hidden quests and rewards);

- presence of specific routes, from the city, to reach unique places. Some islands near Limsa, renting little boats from limsa port, for example;

- and when housing will be add, unique house design for every city (with a balcony view of the area).