A history in server merging - Why SE is creating an overcomplicated mess.

[Colino]

Merging servers is an extremely unfortunate but also common process throughout the life of many MMOs. It's just something that eventually has to happen.

Taking a look back at several other games in the genre, I would like to point out how each of these handled the issue of underpopulated servers, hopefully this proves just how nonsensical and overly complicated the currently proposed system is.

Game: Everquest
System used: Each underpopulated world was merged into a more populated server. The result was a server named with both of the previous server's names.
Example: Server Stromm was merged into server Luclin, becoming thus Stromm-Luclin.
Source

Game: FINAL FANTASY XI
System used: "Characters from the "Source Worlds" will be migrated automatically to the "Destination Worlds."
Example: Ramuh ->?Bahamut
Source

Game: TERA (JP Version)
System used: Groups of servers (3 at a time) were merged into a single server
Source

Game: Rift
System used: Players are given a suggested server to join but are free to join a different one if they wish
Source

See the pattern here? These are all standardized and acceptable ways to deal with underpopulated servers.

So why, why are you going out of your way to make this as much of a problem as possible? Why are we forced to divide communities and split because you're don't want to name the new servers and or give us a manageable system like every other MMO has done in the past... including your own?

[Quesse]

I don't see any complication. Its simple. You have X weeks to pick a new server.

Merge happens.

Name collisions are dealt with.

The end.

[Colino]

I don't see any complication. Its simple. You have X weeks to pick a new server.

Merge happens.

Name collisions are dealt with.

The end.

Merge happens.

Communities are destroyed because there are no standards or indication as to who should go where.

Unsubscribed players who wish to return cannot reach their friends because servers are full.

Players are forced to choose between multiple linkshells if they have them because of conflicts of interests.

The end.

Oh and thanks for only reading the topic title.

[Niqote]

PS2 limitations.


Seriously though... it would have been so much easier and guaranteed a control of server population.

[MeowyWowie]

Why SE is creating an overcomplicated mess.

Because it's SE. I thought we all knew this was how they roll XD

Out of those you listed though, I think RIFT handled it the best.

[Colino]

Out of those you listed though, I think RIFT handled it the best.

It's also the easiest one to do. All SE would need to do is let us know in advance which server is which... Not keep them secret because they think it's cool and we should come up with solutions to their problems.

[Gramul]

They want to give us more options and control.
A chance to make a new life or meet with friends who chose a different server.
As for linkshells, lodestone has created a follow function so you can find out where you all are meeting.

But yeah, I would have preferred the regular system. Less of a mess with the communities.

[NefarioCall]

It's messy, but we gotta start plannin.
Where are the Star Onions going?
Where is Lindblum going?
Everyone managed to communicate and move to Ul'dah,
we can do it again for this.

[Colino]

They want to give us more options and control.
A chance to make a new life or meet with friends who chose a different server.
As for linkshells, lodestone has created a follow function so you can find out where you all are meeting.

But yeah, I would have preferred the regular system. Less of a mess with the communities.

See how RIFT did it. You can follow their suggestion and join that server (most will) or decide that you want a new life of adventure with new friends and pick a different server instead.

How is that not better in every single way?

[Arcell]

As I mentioned before in another thread, potentially best solution for largest number of players. If they just merged one server into another, neither would really have any choice in the matter. No one would be able to relocate if say both of the merged servers had low population for their timezone/language. It's not complicated at all really. Everyone choose a new server. Players can coordinate their choices instead of it being completely forced.

My only issue is future returning players not being able to select a server and being distributed randomly.

Edit: The only difference between this and Rift is that we're not being given suggestions, as far as I understand it at least.