Can we have a server merger after fee take place ?

[Jennestia]

Still don't see why people think merging now would be a good idea, especially given knowledge we'll be transitioned over to new servers and client by Nov of next year.

If people are quitting now/when subs start, merging servers is just a temporary fix that would do absolutely nothing in the long run, all it does is paint even more of a picture to the media that XIV is suffering, since we all know, at least those of us who actually follow the MMO scene, that once an MMO announces a server merge, there's no going back how it's taken by the public and media, especially in XIV's situation already -- How it's taken? "They're merging servers so the MMO is pretty much done for, don't waste your time people, why not try x MMO that isn't merging servers?"

[Fensfield]

Still don't see why people think merging now would be a good idea, especially given knowledge we'll be transitioned over to new servers and client by Nov of next year.

If people are quitting now/when subs start, merging servers is just a temporary fix that would do absolutely nothing in the long run, all it does is paint even more of a picture to the media that XIV is suffering, since we all know, at least those of us who actually follow the MMO scene, that once an MMO announces a server merge, there's no going back how it's taken by the public and media, especially in XIV's situation already -- How it's taken? "They're merging servers so the MMO is pretty much done for, don't waste your time people, why not try x MMO that isn't merging servers?"

Exactly. Server mergers are something MMOs do to maintain a viable playerbase when they go into decline. Were Final Fantasy XIV operating as a normal MMO, then yes, at this point a server merge would probably be very wise. But right at the moment, even setting aside the negative media effect, merging the server databases and possibly beefing up the individual servers appropriately would be a waste of manpower could be better deployed elsewhere, and even then doesn't take into account the issues that still surround the servers themselves that might have to be resolved first at a further waste.

The player count, right now, barely matters; we're effectively in beta testing and screwing around with the servers in the face of the upcoming v2.0 isn't so much a waste as it is counter-productive, as it would just be one more thing had to be undone - if only in undoing the 'Oh they went through a server merge' media effect, assuming there would't be issues around unpicking the tangled databases when the new server architecture comes in.

Far better they just institute a world transfer service so people can go to another server if they're so bothered by their present one, but in that case, given the way progression currently works and everything, they might just as well just make a new character on a different server.

I don't like to make so iffy an argument, but to me, demanding a server merge is.. a little bit selfish. At least in the 'I don't want to go through the inconvenience of making a new character somewhere else and choosing between the friends and achievements I have on my server, and the fact that I want a different/larger playerbase. Therefore the developers should waste resources performing a server merger they'll either have to undo and play down in the media, or will simply be a waste in the face of the v2.0 server reconfigurations and media push anyway.' sense.

So.. yes, so far as my own vote goes? Please, don't merge the servers. If it's so terrible a bother being on a quiet server, right now is a time that you can make a character on a new server without too tremendously great a deal of inconvenience. And if that really is so terrible, why not push for them to enable a world transfer service, instead?

[Miliant]

I don't know if it happens in all time zones but Besaid is a true ghost town during the time of day I can play.

I'm not sure a server merge would be the best option but I'm tired of playing by myself. As a matter of fact, I was just telling my friend that unless they announce that they're merging or are letting people transfer to other servers, I'm not going to subscribe.

[Bahn]

Exactly. Server mergers are something MMOs do to maintain a viable playerbase when they go into decline. Were Final Fantasy XIV operating as a normal MMO, then yes, at this point a server merge would probably be very wise. But right at the moment, even setting aside the negative media effect, merging the server databases and possibly beefing up the individual servers appropriately would be a waste of manpower could be better deployed elsewhere, and even then doesn't take into account the issues that still surround the servers themselves that might have to be resolved first at a further waste.

I don't think a server merge would require as much resources as you think it does. Also, the issue with your train of thought saying it wastes manpower to do the merge is that right now resources and manpower are being wasted to maintain servers that have very small populations. Square decided to go the subscription route to get some money; it makes absolutely no sense why they wouldn't do a server merge now to consolidate their resources and save money, which ultimately results in MORE money for Square to do what they need to do to get 2.0 out the door.

The player count, right now, barely matters; we're effectively in beta testing and screwing around with the servers in the face of the upcoming v2.0 isn't so much a waste as it is counter-productive, as it would just be one more thing had to be undone - if only in undoing the 'Oh they went through a server merge' media effect, assuming there would't be issues around unpicking the tangled databases when the new server architecture comes in.

Square already has bad media - there is nowhere to go but up with this game. Them switching back to the sub model and charging a fee that isn't worth the price of the game (in the view of the media, not defenders of Square in this thread) didn't help their image at all. At this point it only helps Square if they consolidate their IT resources and reduce operating overhead and costs.

I don't like to make so iffy an argument, but to me, demanding a server merge is.. a little bit selfish. At least in the 'I don't want to go through the inconvenience of making a new character somewhere else and choosing between the friends and achievements I have on my server, and the fact that I want a different/larger playerbase. Therefore the developers should waste resources performing a server merger they'll either have to undo and play down in the media, or will simply be a waste in the face of the v2.0 server reconfigurations and media push anyway.' sense.

So.. yes, so far as my own vote goes? Please, don't merge the servers. If it's so terrible a bother being on a quiet server, right now is a time that you can make a character on a new server without too tremendously great a deal of inconvenience. And if that really is so terrible, why not push for them to enable a world transfer service, instead?

I think you're making the server merge out to be a bigger deal in terms of resources than you make it out to be. There will be some manpower involved, yes, but the overall effect it has on the community is best for Square because it will get more people interacting with each other and give them a reason to stay. Your statement to tell people to recreate a character on another server is extremely unreasonable considering how much time it takes to make a character on another server catch up to the same status as the current character. They will be forced to repeat content again just so that they can have a character that is the same as the character that was on the server they left.

Leaving things as is will only cause MORE people to leave because on those smaller servers, nobody is playing, and that will cut into what little money they are already making by switching to a sub model. So yes, a server merge is necessary, and it will be incredibly shortsighted of Square to leave things as is if they used your train of thought.

And yeah, if we can't get them to merge the servers, I'd like an option for a world transfer service so I'll do the damn move myself, so we can protect the players and the "media view" of this game.

[darkstarpoet1]

Leaving things as is will only cause MORE people to leave because on those smaller servers, nobody is playing, and that will cut into what little money they are already making by switching to a sub model. So yes, a server merge is necessary, and it will be incredibly shortsighted of Square to leave things as is if they used your train of thought.

here's even another way to add to the top of a good reason to merge servers. my linkshell is likely to disband after the merge because they are all discussing taking a 6 month break after we defeat moogle. they are discussing it because the server we play on is completely dead. they are hoping in 6 months the population will build back up some with the new content being introduced.

the good reason to merge is because those 30 people that are active daily would not be considering leaving the game if we had a population to play with. it's not just one shell that will be leaving as we have spoken to most shells in our server because it is small and most are leaving. even if half of the people that were talking about leaving stayed if the server had a merge that is half that is saved and more money coming into their subs.

they also want to know what kinds of support they have from the community. if only half leave the dead severs because of nobody playing the game that tells se incorrectly they do not like the game enough to play. that is not the case. alot of us like the game and would be glad to pay, but it's no fun to play a multi player game on a dead server without other people.

[Rentahamster]

a lot of us like the game and would be glad to pay, but it's no fun to play a multi player game on a dead server without other people.

Indeed.

Most of the people who are playing now quite like the game despite its flaws.

The introduction of payments will inevitably give some of those people a reason to quit.

The subsequent drop in population without any server merge or world transfer options will then just give the remaining players yet another reason to quit.

The causation path seems pretty clear here.

[AmyRae]

Still don't see why people think merging now would be a good idea, especially given knowledge we'll be transitioned over to new servers and client by Nov of next year.

If people are quitting now/when subs start, merging servers is just a temporary fix that would do absolutely nothing in the long run, all it does is paint even more of a picture to the media that XIV is suffering, since we all know, at least those of us who actually follow the MMO scene, that once an MMO announces a server merge, there's no going back how it's taken by the public and media, especially in XIV's situation already -- How it's taken? "They're merging servers so the MMO is pretty much done for, don't waste your time people, why not try x MMO that isn't merging servers?"

The damage in the media is already done. That ship has sailed.

Nevertheless, I think it's much worse to hear reports from players over the course of 2012 that the FFXIV servers are so dead than to learn about a one-time server merge shortly after they went from free to paid subscriptions (which you'd almost expect is going to happen, anyway).

[Jennestia]

The damage in the media is already done. That ship has sailed.

The ship as you say, may have sailed but unless I've missed a memo the media isn't stagnant they can easily influence people long after the fact, this is why things like hype exists, because it something that will happen long after an initial outlet gives info.

You really can't say for a second that there will be no negative reactions toward SE and FFXIV if sites like Gamespot or other major gaming websites announces that SE is merging XIV servers right as they start charging, I believe the saying is "kicking a dog while it's down" -- It is entirely possible to make matters worse, which it seems people who are in support of this don't realize it has a double sided effect.

[darkstarpoet1]

yeah, the reports will be so much different if they put out someone to test the servers and realize that there is nobody on those servers that are open. you have media blow back either way. either way you go you have issues with the media. either you show them you are shutting down a few servers and they talk about it or you have people playing on empty servers and they talk about it. neither way is a good option.

at least with merging servers they can use the pr move and state they are merging because version 2.0 will have regional servers, language specific servers, new player only servers, and other options. there is an easy way to explain why the servers are merged, but no explanation would state why they weren't merged and people were having to pay to play on empty servers.

[AmyRae]

The ship as you say, may have sailed but unless I've missed a memo the media isn't stagnant they can easily influence people long after the fact, this is why things like hype exists, because it something that will happen long after an initial outlet gives info.

You really can't say for a second that there will be no negative reactions toward SE and FFXIV if sites like Gamespot or other major gaming websites announces that SE is merging XIV servers right as they start charging, I believe the saying is "kicking a dog while it's down" -- It is entirely possible to make matters worse, which it seems people who are in support of this don't realize it has a double sided effect.

If you don't like negative hype, you should have been more vocal against SE bringing up subscription fees at a time when the game isn't 100% (but instead you seemed to enjoy bullying people into leaving because they didn't want to pay full price), because really, that's going to be what the media is going to use to kill this game. Anything that happens after that really doesn't matter anymore. The damage is already done. It already looks bad. Is it really going to surprise anyone that servers may merge? Is anyone even going to keep beating the horse they've freshly killed?

So, all that's left is pleasing the die-hard players who are staying, because they're really all that's left. The only cavalry-over-the-hill FFXIV has in waiting is 2.0. So you may as well make 1.0 as comfortable as possible, bring the remaining players together, and not worry anymore about an already spoiled reputation in the media.