Transfer to congested servers.

[Ryto]

Is there an ETA on when this will be available?

I know the servers are on lock down because of how populated they are and they'd like to spread it out more which I get, and that's the reason behind the reward program for doing so. That said, this doesn't appeal to everyone because it locks me out of playing with the people I want to play with. I can't expect them to jump servers just for me when they have their own friends and contacts on the server too.

Anyway! It's been a while since this was all done, do we have any update son the matter?

And just for the record, I'm looking to transfer to Balmung.

[TensaiSogetsu]

2019 or in 6.0

[Hyperia]

I regret to inform you that transfers to Balmung are probably blocked until the game goes into decline and people slowly stop playing it. Yes, that long, its still way over populated, its so large, it could be its own data center.

[savageink]

probably never

[savageink]

...you now can add them to your friends list and party up for dungeons and stuff if you are on Aether, though.

[Bourne_Endeavor]

I regret to inform you that transfers to Balmung are probably blocked until the game goes into decline and people slowly stop playing it. Yes, that long, its still way over populated, its so large, it could be its own data center.

This is hyperbolic nonsense. According to the most recent unofficial census Balmung has just shy of 22,000 active characters. Levi and Cactuar come second and third respectively at almost 17,000 each. The gap has closed tremendously. In fact, Gilgamesh isn't even top three in terms of active characters now. Both will unlock soon enough, though probably not before 2018.

[NolLacnala]

This is hyperbolic nonsense.

In the amount of time since Balmung was locked, only ~2k players have transfered off (Based off a 24k player peak I read prior), most likely those less attached to the server and willing to boogie. So what's left is the people who have dug their heels in. It's not totally baseless to say the server will be fubar until 6.0 unless the devs give people an incentive they can't refuse

But they can't even incentivize the subscription model so that won't ever be a thing either.

[Stillwaters]

This is hyperbolic nonsense. According to the most recent unofficial census Balmung has just shy of 22,000 active characters. Levi and Cactuar come second and third respectively at almost 17,000 each. The gap has closed tremendously. In fact, Gilgamesh isn't even top three in terms of active characters now. Both will unlock soon enough, though probably not before 2018.

Cactuar is fourth, behind Omega as well as Leviathan.

Difference is actual active population, not characters created. The census counts any character that has any change (achievements, mounts, level) count toward active players, but not ones that consistently play. Only Omega has closed due to active player numbers reaching the same as the other congested servers. One can assume that Cactuar has not reached the same amount of active players as Gilgamesh, despite having a higher population count.

[Zarabeth]

It's very unlikely Balmung will allow new accounts for quite a long time. Maybe try Mateus? I believe that's the new balmung and a bit less crowded.

[Alien_Gamer]

Given how long the lock and transfer bonuses have been in place, everyone that was inclined to move, has. Those that are still there feel its worth and won't likely move without a much bigger transfer bonus or SE forces them to move.

Short answer, not anytime soon.