Proposal for improved implementation of future Version Updates.

[Duuude007]

After a year of observation of the way SE has been implementing updates and content, I would like to share some insight on how it could be improved, and even streamlined. I hope this is is something SE could implement for FFXIV. This is a hybrid of methods that I have pieced together in my mind, from numerous mmo games in the past, and if implemented properly, could assist in improved PR with the customer base.

And so, on to my proposal.

When our patches occur, this is the general scenario we have been accustomed to:

Near the beginning of the month
Letter from the Producer-- Patch planned by the end of the month

The next few weeks
Additional content data is fed out piece by piece, to inform and create anticipation.

Patch Day
Maintenance brings server down
Patch notes released.
Download is available for patch
Maintenance ends.
Once download is complete, game activates patch and the new content can be experienced.

Resulting effect: Heavy server load, sometimes resulting in clients downloading for excessive amounts of time.

Here is the modified scenario that I propose:

Near the beginning of the month
Letter from the Producer-- Patch planned by the end of the month

The next few weeks
Additional content data is fed out piece by piece, to inform and create anticipation.

Within 1 week of patch activation
Patch notes released (SE may choose to withhold select information for release on patch day)
Patch released for download (inactive, stored on clients for server-side activation, at the proper time. server maintenance is not necessary for download to take place, and sufficient time is provided to lessen download congestion)

Patch Day
Maintenance brings server down
Hotfixes available for download (significantly smaller size)
Patch activated and is available to experience as soon as maintenance ends
Maintenance ends.

Resulting effect: Server load at patch is significantly reduced.

As an alternate / supplementary option, SE can offer a section of the Lodestone site to consistently have archival downloads that can be accessed manually via browser:

1. A file containing the most recent version update, including hotfixes.
2. A file which contains a full game update from v1.0 to the current version.

These downloads can be copied directly to the player's patch folder; A comparable example would be third party "Torrent" file-sharing tools, but if SE provides players with the content directly, it can be more easily trusted.

Now I open the floor for feedback. Thank you for remaining open-minded to my proposals.