Redesign the party search function!

[Majidah]

Problem

There are literally zero people recruiting for anything regardless of the time or day.
All groups are made through shouts and the linkshell's chat.

Issue

The design of the recruitment function alienates most players from using it.
While making open recruitment after setting the parameters to join is a good idea, what isn't a good idea is to downright remove giving players the ability to set themselves as looking for group. A lot of people rather just flag up and do their business while waiting.

Solution

Redesign the recruitment and party search function. Use something similar in simplicity to FFXI's looking for group flag and the /sea command.
The drop down menus have to go. They require too much attention and thought for something that should be simple in nature and they are annoying to browse with a gamepad. Forcing us to set so many options also does nothing but turn players away from using the system.

The current design already has a drop down menu for purpose, location, leve listing, level range and a comment.
This is all very redundant. A single checkbox with purpose and leaving the comment box as optional (and not accesible through clicking an extra button) would make things so much more simple.

The translator doesn't work in the comment box either. This is a big mistake as it hinders communication with foreign players. And the english and japanese leve names are different, so they should all be included in the translator.

If a player begins recruitment and there are players who meet the group's conditions flagged as looking for group, they should be automatically get a prompt with an invitation to the party and the group's details (this being the purpose, level range and comment box).

And please don't put any drop down menus in the new system. A checkbox if you must. But no dropdown menus. They are incredibly annoying with either mouse and gamepad.

[Smashington]

Currently, "SP Party" is not an available purpose.

This is why I want to party, but it is not an available option.

[Lusavari]

I have to say that just in general, I hate not having the /sea command. Sometimes you just need to see if someone is online, or you wanna specifically find and ask certain people that meet a set group of standards, because when left up to a potential candidate for a party spot or quest spot, they may not know the opportunity is available as they're not going to know to search for it. The leader needs to be able to hunt and ask people. Plus that degree of interaction makes people more likely to join than if they have to check if any groups are already doing what they want.

[Majidah]

Currently I can't even do guildleves anymore because I can't seem to find anyone my level range interested in playing so I end up soloing :/ I'm sure I'm not the only rank 36 in besaid... *really* need a better search function to continue playing.

[Sorel]

Every attempt I have ever made to use the party search function has given me no positive results. It's probably because I'm not using it right. But SE never taught me how to use it.

[Lusavari]

Every attempt I have ever made to use the party search function has given me no positive results. It's probably because I'm not using it right. But SE never taught me how to use it.

Sadly, you're not using it right. I only figured it out last week, and I've been playing since Alpha. The search feature will ONLY give you the names and results for people who have posted a recruitment. And then it allows you to automatically join their party if it does come up.

Unfortunately, the released description by the old Dev Team wasn't adequate, so the majority of people have problems with it =/

[MostlySunny]

I believe this system was implemented because of the endless complaints by players that the party system in FFXI was flawed. I can't tell you how many posts I have seen in the past with titles like 6 hours with flag up and no group. The current system puts the onus on the player looking for a party to work instead of the party leader. I do however, miss the /sea command but that too was easily abused by griefers and stalkers. If you really want to party, set up a recruit.

This system is also nice that i can be out mining or farming on my pug. and still look for a party on my conj/thm/lnc/mrd/ etc. Try doing that with the old system.

While the old style of lfg was comfortable, I actually prefer this new style. Perhaps some hybrid of the 2 is the answer.

[AlexiaKidd]

I actually don't mind the new system the huge glaring flaw in it though is nobody uses it.

I like being able to setup a recruit for the exact ranks and classes I want and then carry on doing whatever I want to do while I wait for people to join it. As a party leader it does help but like many have said no one knows how to use it properly.

I think another reason for it being so under used is it that with how the game is at the minute there is very little reason to get a group going to go grind due to not getting much benefit being in a party of 5+ people over duo/trio.

[Raansu]

This game just needs the seek feature from FFXI, and it needs the search function as well.

[Dingleberry]

This game just needs the seek feature from FFXI, and it needs the search function as well.

^ agreed completely.