Just bought the game, unable to create a character on friend's realm.

[Marzipan]

So I just grabbed the game for PC, already had a bit of a run around on my PS4 and decided to give it another go with a mate.

I now find myself in a position where I'm unable to play the game I've paid for. I can't actually create a character on the same server that my friend already has characters on, Odin. Ergo, I can't play the game with my friend which is the only reason I've purchased this game...

While I understand the reasoning behind this and that it is due to a potentially high influx of players due to a new patch at the same time, I find this somewhat illogical. I don't really know what I'm expected to do.. just sit and wait, whittling away my subscription time? Force my friend to forsake his existing characters and start afresh?
Waste time playing a character I'll probably never touch again once I eventually get onto Odin? Or roll on another realm and pay a further £12 to transfer it to another server despite having just purchased the game.

[Squintina]

I'm more wondering why your friend didn't warn you. Character restrictions are updated often enough (like every couple of days), surely he or she knew the possibilities of not being able to play on the same server.

[NorthernLadMSP]

I'm not sure about Odin (b/c I think that's a EU server) but keep trying. I've found that very early in the mornings, or on the weekends, most servers open up. I had to wait 3-4 days to get on Leviathan, but I eventually did last weekend.

[Marzipan]

I'm more wondering why your friend didn't warn you. Character restrictions are updated often enough (like every couple of days), surely he or she knew the possibilities of not being able to play on the same server.

If you have characters already on a server you wouldn't really need to keep up to date with what servers are available since you know.... he already rolled there. I had no idea this system was even in use until I created my character and at no point was I forewarned or was this made clear or explained to me by SE. I think it's a pretty daft system, I know there were issues with queues way back at launch but I don't see why they wouldn't just implement that now...

[Myrhn]

If I know a friend is buying the game to play with me since you know... thats the reason he bought it. I would keep track if the server is full and everything related since is logical if a server is full, is posible that my friend would not be able to create a character there.

[Kawar]

So I just grabbed the game for PC, already had a bit of a run around on my PS4 and decided to give it another go with a mate.

I now find myself in a position where I'm unable to play the game I've paid for. I can't actually create a character on the same server that my friend already has characters on, Odin. Ergo, I can't play the game with my friend which is the only reason I've purchased this game...

While I understand the reasoning behind this and that it is due to a potentially high influx of players due to a new patch at the same time, I find this somewhat illogical. I don't really know what I'm expected to do.. just sit and wait, whittling away my subscription time? Force my friend to forsake his existing characters and start afresh?
Waste time playing a character I'll probably never touch again once I eventually get onto Odin? Or roll on another realm and pay a further £12 to transfer it to another server despite having just purchased the game.

I had this problem when i started but just keep reloading the list that is all i did and was able to get on a server that was grayed out no more then 10-15mins before.

[MStowastiqVahlshdeh]

Lodestone posts regular character creation reports so check as much as possible. As far as I know they just update the same one instead of making a new page for each report so its an F5 kinda thing or a bookmark.
http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/lodest...06d0909189e479

[Marzipan]

Yeah I've been spam refreshing that link ever since I found out about the realms being locked. Guess there is nothing for me to do other than keep refreshing it. Very frustrating

[Naria]

The lodestone is updated every few hours with character restrictions, however, the client itself has a more frequently updated list. Server locks are automated. If people log out the server may open for a few minutes even during prime play times before more people log in and the server caps. Spamming refresh at the create character screen may get you better results. Otherwise I'd try early in the morning or mid week (non patch week) as others have suggested. Good luck!

[Dark_Legacy]

Yeah I've been spam refreshing that link ever since I found out about the realms being locked. Guess there is nothing for me to do other than keep refreshing it. Very frustrating

that list is only updated at those specific intervals. from the lodestone.

Regarding Character Creation Restrictions
This information will be updated at the following intervals:
4:00 a.m./ 8:00 a.m./ 1:00 p.m./ 6:00 p.m./ 11:00 p.m. (PDT)

the client itself is the one that updates frequently, so it's best to actually log in and see if you can make a character. the best times for heavy servers are late at night or the early morning. best of luck to you.