Gamer Retention: what does FF14 really need?

[Tsukino]

[Edit] On the topic of the game not yet having a real zone/world search system: I should probably add that the reason for this is most likely that squeeenix does not want anyone to be able to establish any kind of usage statistics over FFXIV. Hovever, I still hope they come up with a way to improve player searching. [/Edit]

Apparently it's mostly due to the way the server handles players in the game in general. Basically the database is really poorly handled and the game can't handle telling where people in general are. That's why the party system is so separate from the game, and it's also why the LS list updates so slowly and contains no information, why you can't even know what classes people have in your own party unless you're standing right next to them, etc.

This was explained somewhat in the recent interview in the FFXIV-only magazine. They commented that they are working on rebuilding the way the servers handle players in the game, and once that is complete then they will be able to implement search features.

[Gasher]

Apparently it's mostly due to the way the server handles players in the game in general. Basically the database is really poorly handled and the game can't handle telling where people in general are. That's why the party system is so separate from the game, and it's also why the LS list updates so slowly and contains no information, why you can't even know what classes people have in your own party unless you're standing right next to them, etc.

This was explained somewhat in the recent interview in the FFXIV-only magazine. They commented that they are working on rebuilding the way the servers handle players in the game, and once that is complete then they will be able to implement search features.

Tsukino, thanks! I had no idea about this. Now I have to admit... even though I thought I could not get any more surprised by the poorly designed and developed software behind XIV this probably is another dent in that perception.

Would you happen to have any relevant links to sources for this information?