Constructive Feedback - Eliminate AFK Timer Loopholes

[ZJyn]

One of the major contributors to some of the longer queue times seems to be the individuals who are finding ways to circumvent the AFK Timer to stay logged in. This became painfully clear when I was attempting to log in early in the morning and still finding a rather long queue time, with very little turnover movement through it.

I am hoping that Square Enix can step in and find ways to patch these out. Queue times would be shorter for everyone; even those who are needing to relog back into the game after the AFK timer boots them. The more inactive players that are shuffled off the servers, the more room there is for people who are wanting to play.

Another idea that could be implemented as well are incentives for logging off after a certain amount of time has passed. That way, players will have the ability to gain a bonus for exiting after a full day of play.

My two gil.

Thank you very much for your time.

[Mysticales]

Incentive for logging off would be cool.

However speaking from the other side of the coin. "You dont pay my sub"

That being said, people like me LIKE to get to work, login remote and still be connected with our LS and FC. Other people would LIKE to cook dinner and eat without coming back disconnected with a 1500 que timer. Keep in mind, people who are "afk" waiting for the chime to get into the duty are being afk timer kicked too.. not very fair either eh?

We didnt have this issue before 4.0. So if the servers cant handle it NOW with everyone "not afk kicked" then how on earth do we expect to ever get rid of this timer in the future. So yea. Id rather stay logged in. Thanks.

[Gyson]

There is no doubt in my mind that queue times would be drastically reduced (and in some cases/servers removed entirely) if the AFK = auto-logout solution were properly implemented. There are simply too many ways for people to get around it. What is needed is a way that eliminates *all* workarounds, not just some of them. Something akin to the server sending you a "Are you still there? Reply with randomly generated code: '3490825' to remain logged in." prompts.

[Paladinleeds]

"Are you still there? Reply with randomly generated code: '3490825' to remain logged in." prompts.

Screen readers, pull up what's on them (apparently some can even beat captchas), and then find the text and regurgitate it in. Then confirm. Sure, it'd stop most but it wouldn't stop all.

[KisaiTenshi]

Captcha's don't work, and haven't worked for quite a while.

The first and easiest way to prevent AFK-avoidance is to just report people you see doing it.

The second way is while on the field keep an activity timer active. If someone is not moving, or is moving around in circles/into the wall (eg a weight on the keyboard or controller) force a logout without prompting. Only prompt them when the most recent action is within the last 3 minutes.

[raela]

There is no doubt in my mind that queue times would be drastically reduced (and in some cases/servers removed entirely) if the AFK = auto-logout solution were properly implemented. There are simply too many ways for people to get around it. What is needed is a way that eliminates *all* workarounds, not just some of them. Something akin to the server sending you a "Are you still there? Reply with randomly generated code: '3490825' to remain logged in." prompts.

And if you happen to miss the message or have a hard time typing it in? Too slow on the PS4 virtual keyboard or whatever. That's just adding extra irritation to people legitimately playing.

[Noahlimits]

We didnt have this issue before 4.0. So if the servers cant handle it NOW with everyone "not afk kicked" then how on earth do we expect to ever get rid of this timer in the future. So yea. Id rather stay logged in. Thanks.

This actually was implemented for the first month of Heavensward too. Once servers calmed down they took it away, which is likely what will be the case now.

[ZJyn]

The Queue timers would be much shorter if it worked as it was intended to. The reason that it takes as long as it does to get online right now is due to the fact that people are holding those slots, even AFK, circumventing the timer itself.

Picture a line at an amusement park. In one instance, the people on the roller coaster are allowed to stay on the ride as long as they want. The line won't move, because the cars are always going to be full. In the second instance, though, everyone on that roller coaster is required to get off and get back in line. That queue is going to move a whole heck of a lot faster. Applying this analogy to the game, even if someone were to be removed because they were AFK, they would come back to find a queue that would likely be shorter than it is now. The very behavior that they exhibit, compounds the problem that they are trying to avoid.

The solution to that is to have Square step in. And I continue to hope that they do that.

[Shougun]

Scary thing to think about is if everyone loves the game that queue will not go anywhere until people leave the server lol. Basically for the queue to get better people must leave or they need to not have liked the game enough to keep playing. (Or SE makes the servers better at higher capacity).

The incentive to log off is an interesting one, 500% faster rest experience growth while offline or something - even if not within a sanctuary location lol. Free teleport could be another incentive. Fat server problems haha.

[Freyar]

Really, people who aren't playing just need to get booted.