You will NEVER be able to return back to a Congested World once you transfer out...

[Sylve]

Let's face it everyone... While it has been said that the [lockdown] placed on the Congested Worlds "may" get lifted once those servers have stabilize, we all know that it will NEVER happen. So to all those who are transferring off the Congested World servers, I wish you all good luck. May you all forever walk in the light of Crystal...

It'll never get lifted because there will never be enough people transferring off.

I fully agree with this. SE needs to open a new official RP server.

They've already stated why they don't want to designate an "Official RP server".
What the players need to do is designate one of the new worlds as a secondary RP world and direct people there instead of just saying "Balmung is the only RP server".
Funnily, The solution is in players hands, if they take the time to implement it.

[Fendred]

Instead of transferring, I bought a job jump potion. Now I just watch the main story mobs fall over as I heroically breath in their general direction.

[DaikiKiyoshi]

Even IF they ever re open the now congested worlds for transfer again in the future, why would anyone ever go back? Sure a few might but there are several things that would probably stop the majority of players from transferring back over.

1. I think it's safe to say transfers back would not be free.
2. Players are locked from transferring again for at least 3 months, probably longer depending on how long the worlds themselves stay locked.
3. Pretty much goes along with 2, with players having been on their new worlds for so long they will likely have made new friends, joined new FCs and LSs and have personal investment and not want to move. (Pretty much the main reason a lot of people still don't want to move off congested worlds.)

[Mazora_Espeon]

Balmung is much trickier. Balmung's main appeal is its designation as the RP server. So the first step is to create a new server and designate it as the official RP server. In this situation, you have to take into account main appeal of Balming, basically what puts it up so high on the server market. Also, include the same incentives as the current new server bonuses as well.

This is my counterargument to this suggestion that someone had posted in a different thread...

Transfer Restrictions and Roleplayers

[Mazora_Espeon]

Instead of transferring, I bought a job jump potion. Now I just watch the main story mobs fall over as I heroically breath in their general direction.

You mean flatulate...?

[DreadRabbit]

I'm surprised people are reacting so harshly to this. A lot of people are transferring to new servers purely due to queue shock, and no other reasons. For some this is perfectly fine. But for a large number other people they might regret not planning ahead first. Which is surprising given that, as Mazora said, you can't go back even if the 90 day lock out wasn't in place. Give it a few months once populations die down a bit and initial expansion hype smooths out. There will be a number of "regret" threads precisely because of this.

Make alts first, and take the time to survey your new potential home. Those transfer incentives aren't going away any time soon. It's absolutely A-OK if you want to leave Balmung or Gilgamesh, but do so AFTER some research (unless you're absolutely tired of where you are and don't care. Then party on!).

[Paladinleeds]

Alright, let's use Balmung as the example, and dissect each point:

1. I think it's safe to say transfers back would not be free.

They never were free before, but it didn't stop people transferring en-masse to Balmung. If people want to play with friends, they're willing to pay!

2. Players are locked from transferring again for at least 3 months, probably longer depending on how long the worlds themselves stay locked.

Moot point. Transfer remorse will be a thing. They will wait to go back with their friends. I'm kinda hoping transfers to Odin will open up again (so does my former FC leader who remains on Odin with her FC). That being said, I understand SE want to get people off congested realms so I expect them to stay congested for 10+ years even if the population balances out so people don't flood back to them.

3. Pretty much goes along with 2, with players having been on their new worlds for so long they will likely have made new friends, joined new FCs and LSs and have personal investment and not want to move. (Pretty much the main reason a lot of people still don't want to move off congested worlds.)

I'm actually not building contacts in the new world. Miss my friends enough that I'm trying to limit the investment I make so I can go back (that and the way I shock transferred and my reasons for transferring, I'm unwilling to make the investment incase I shock transfer again. My transfer upset a lot of people). I imagine a lot of people who took advantage of the free transfers will be working this way too. Then go back to their main server later on, rewards in hand.

[NorthernLadMSP]

Personally, I hope they do stay permanently locked. I'm sick of all the whining threads from people on Balmung. Seems like there's a new one every few days.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

I cannot agree with being given priority on housing. I'm all for new people coming to my server and setting up shop but I'd get rather salty if suddenly I couldn't move my house to Shirogane because someone just transferring in had priority. I'd agree to a system where transfers get heavy discounts on housing prices and other forms of compensation. Honestly, if anything, that should encourage folks to transfer before all the housing goes. I know Couerl still has some available spaces and there will likely be a few more choice ones once the new district goes live.

I believe she meant a brand new server, like how EU got Omega and Louisoix. If they did that and restricted it to Balmung only transfers for a span of say, two weeks-- with the incentive being you will be able to repurchase the exact same house you already own. You'll get a lot of roleplayers to move. Right now, there just isn't much reason beyond queues for Balmung players to relocate.

[MistakeNot]

What the players need to do is designate one of the new worlds as a secondary RP world and direct people there instead of just saying "Balmung is the only RP server".
Funnily, The solution is in players hands, if they take the time to implement it.

Funnily, the players in question have already done just that - a process which started the very same day as the lockdown was announced.
The additional unofficial RP servers are Mateus (NA) and Omega (EU). The RP communities there are still much smaller than on Balmung, but growing nicely.