What happens when Primal & Crystal get full too?

[MeiraStarborne]

I’m on Aether, currently under lockdown like many others. It’s frustrating, as I have friends also on Aether who’d like to transfer to my server to join my FC and all that jazz, but we all understand the lockdown and need for it. So, for now we just world hop / cross-world party and deal. We’re just glad to all be on Aether.

My question is… What is the plan for when Primal and Crystal’s populations reach the same size as Aether’s? Will SE shut down all of NA and force new NA players to create on EU or JP servers? Or do they unlock Aether and we all suffer with long queues and potentially unstable servers?

I won’t lie, I’m hoping they do the latter just so my friends can transfer to my server, but I’m also not looking forward to the queues. (Which, by the way, have been shorter on Aether than my login queues for my Crystal alt - anecdotal and only my experience, but it does make me wonder…) ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[MistakeNot]

Until SE are able to add new servers, then, if population keeps growing they will eventually have to lock down more of the existing servers - that or risk unstable servers, which I don't think SE will risk.
The extreme result would be to disallow character creation on any server, but hopefully we will get new servers before then.

[MeiraStarborne]

And to elaborate, I understand and support the Aether lockdown. The global chip shortage is real and crippling many industries (as well as the pandemic and travel restrictions).

My somewhat pessimistic view is that we won’t see new servers in the NA datacenters before we reach capacity limits that would have all servers locked.

And my question is, in that not so unlikely hypothetical situation, what does SE do?

[Tsumdere]

And to elaborate, I understand and support the Aether lockdown. The global chip shortage is real and crippling many industries (as well as the pandemic and travel restrictions).

My somewhat pessimistic view is that we won’t see new servers in the NA datacenters before we reach capacity limits that would have all servers locked.

And my question is, in that not so unlikely hypothetical situation, what does SE do?

They will most likely start with forced daily logouts like they had in Stormblood. They kicked everyone off the game at like noon and then opened it back up so people could log back in. Annoying, sure. But it worked wonders kicking people out that were using ways to get around AFK timers.

If it gets bad enough, I can see them delaying OCE servers and using that hardware for NA. Presumably, they have one datacenter for OCE so that could add another to NA. If it's two, they can add one to NA and one to EU (which is also suffering if I remember). This honestly is probably their best bet. We don't have any idea of when the chip shortage will be over and EW is going to cripple the existing servers if the load isn't spread.

[VelKallor]

If it gets bad enough, I can see them delaying OCE servers and using that hardware for NA

I cant see them doing that at all. Why would they risk alienating a large portion of their playerbase to cater to Americans?

im actually seeing a lot of this, and i am curious as to why the US playerbase seems to have this idea that OCE shouldnt have their own servers. Or is this a case of its fine for others to have bad lag and a poor gameplay just not them?

So I ask : why is it do you think SE would hand them over to you?

[Thaciscokidd]

I cant see them doing that at all. Why would they risk alienating a large portion of their playerbase to cater to Americans?

im actually seeing a lot of this, and i am curious as to why the US playerbase seems to have this idea that OCE shouldnt have their own servers. Or is this a case of its fine for others to have bad lag and a poor gameplay just not them?

So I ask : why is it do you think SE would hand them over to you?

Big SE might see the $$$$$. The restriction to travel to Australia and New Zealand would be the perfect excuse to use to deflect any criticism.

[VelKallor]

Big SE might see the $$$$$. The restriction to travel to Australia and New Zealand would be the perfect excuse to use to deflect any criticism.

Ahem

Tourists are not able to enter Japan. You may be able to enter Japan if you have a valid Japanese residence card and re-entry permit.

And as for restrictions, those are about to be thrown out within four weeks or less. People do come and go from Aust now as it is, so you are wrong. The travel restrictions are due to be lifted completely very shortly..I am also told that the OCE servers have been in discussion long before Fanfest.

I am also told that the hardware may already be in place. So no, OCE servers that have been in planning stages for years wont be handed over to Americans.

[Kes13a]

in that eventuality, I am sure SE will likely end up having to prioritize paying subscribers for login.

its not the best solution, but they will want to have people who support them with a subscription, as happier than people who do not.

[Conundrum]

in that eventuality, I am sure SE will likely end up having to prioritize paying subscribers for login.

its not the best solution, but they will want to have people who support them with a subscription, as happier than people who do not.

This most likely...a temporary suspension of the the free trial.

[Canadane]

Then we will finally be free of RMT and we can focus on the real hidden blight.