[DEV????] Proposed Search and Seek Invite interface (PICS)

[Payadopa]

I personally hate to play solo and will usually log off after a short time if I can't find something to do with other players. I'm sure many others feel the same way. I have seen multiple new players having the same problems with finding parties and such, and it just doesn't have to be this way.

Amen to that, though, -sometimes- I like playing solo (to recover from some hardcore adventuring lol).
I also LOVE your suggestions!

Additionally, a new search feature should cover AS MANY LFPs of all kinds AS POSSIBLE!
I so hated in XI that I only could search for ONE thing at a time. Usually the wrong thing at the wrong time. :\

SE, do it!

[ChiefCurrahee]

found a bit of an interview from FFXIVcore with Yoshi P: (not the dev rep. post i remember reading a while back though)

A majority of players would like to see the player search system redone, because currently unless you're almost standing on top of someone you can't form a party, but in Final Fantasy XI for example you can type "/sea all player name" and if they have a party flag up and are within the same region you can invite them to a party, send a tell add to friendlist etc. Will we get a better searching system in this regard?

We recognize this as a very important problem that needs to be solved. It's just that currently we're trying to overcome some of the server issues, how to get the search feature to work. But we know that as we're creating more party-based content, the player is going to want an easy way to make a party--to limit the stress of making that party. So this is one of the things that's high up on our list, it just might take a little bit of time. There's going to need to be a lot of restructuring of what we have now to make it work.

[Forbin]

Thumbs Up! Looks great! Exactly what we need! SE listen to this man and buy him a f'in cookie! Kudos sir thanks for all the effort you put in.. Hopefully it wasn't for not!

[HoolieWho]

/signed

Well presented post. Thanks.

It is nice to see there was some acknowledgement from the developers that this is indeed a problem. The seek/search mechanics together with a lack of content are the two things keeping this game the sad, anemic thing it is going on a year now.

The ability to easily form parties should be part of the bedrock foundation of an MMO. I hope the current options are not considered adequate, because they aren't. I'm not struggling along with the current tools while waiting for better ones. I'm not using the current tools. I'm not forming/joining parties. I'm not meeting new people in the game. And I'm sure I'm not alone.

Please move this from "very important" to "most important." If there are vexing "server issues," well it's past time to get over them.

[shankem]

great idea OP.. multiple LFG for all your ranks was what was missing from XI. So we dont need copy/paste XI search we need better!!!!

PS and developers... current system is useless, the fact that no one uses it should tell you that!!!!
this should be one of the top fixes in thios game.

[Scape]

Great job Meowy! Mind boggling that a dev with a big team of "professionals" like SE couldn't get anywhere near how good a few ideas from just one gamer is.

[MeowyWowie]

Here's a quote from Bayohne today in the Server side adjustments thread. I believe he may be referring to this thread, at least partially.

As an aside, I do want to address the feeling on the forum that things need to be constantly bumped, or that we aren't going to address something unless someone translates it and posts it onto the Japanese forum. We read each of the threads and consider all of the comments that are being discussed. While responses cannot be made immediately in certain situations, and need time to be able to addressed, I don't want the mood of the community to be that we're ignoring it, or that only concerns on the Japanese forum are addressed.

We want you all to focus on the discussion and let us worry about making sure your thoughts, feelings and concerns are properly communicated.

I'm glad to hear this and truly hope that they are taking this thread into consideration when planning their new system.

Thank you Bayohne.

[Zanfire]

i almost feel like this games "PS2 limitations" will be "server and coding issues". This always seems to come up with anything that seems pretty necessary, like a fricken mail system or a search system. Most of the people on the team have been there from day one working with the code/servers so why is it taking them so damn long to make it work decently.

A basic function like this will severely hurt the game, no matter how much content you jam into the game, its sad to see how after a year there is still server and coding issues holding them back so much.

[Fullmetal]

The customers should not have to be told by the developers/reps that they have coding problems. Frankly, we don't care, we just want a better service/product. We did, after all, pay for this product. They should do the job they are paid to do and not complain about "under-the-hood" details to customers. Also, I think the OP presented a very nice interface and concepts for the party search feature - but its sad that it has to be taken to this extreme length to get the point across to the infinitely slow and stubborn developers at SE.

[Tempestmoon]

Great idea! Solid gold, If they implement your version they better pay you royalties for every party found! lol Just brilliant.