Chat Log Time Stamps

[Soukyuu]

Nnnnope, not UTC Soukyuu. UNIX timestamp... Which is a measure that says "X seconds have passed since midnight of January 1st 1970".

I thought that was UTC but looks like it's not.

There is no reason they would use that though, windows doesn't use it anywhere cause it's not based on UNIX

if its going to strain server response times, why even bring it up?

It should not put any strain on the server, displaying timestamps in server time is useless, not to mention ridiculous design-wise.

[Eld_Deran]

This is a fantastic idea! I do not think it needs to be the time stamp saved on the server. Rather, just use the client time. It's only purpose is to show the log progression to the player. Who said what and when, relative to his/her own time frame (PC or PS3 time).

There is a chance that the user may change their regional setting or actual clock during play, but this is a very small chance I think. The great majority of users will not be doing this. Just add a note to the release that mention the clock display in the log window is always the user's system time.

This should have little impact on the client and server load. Allowing the log to save will be a bonus!

[GreyJorildyn]

Timestamp should definitely be an option.

In most other MMOs when you toggle the timestamp, it simply applies the change to the incoming text and does not change whatever is already loaded on screen. I believe that should reduce your load problem to some degree.

[Valmonte]

if its going to strain server response times, why even bring it up? id rather the server be strained elsewhere than with something as pointless and mundane as time stamps. Who gives a crap who said what @ what time.

It adds nothing to the game nor does it add to my level of enjoying the game.

[Skies]

if its going to strain server response times, why even bring it up? id rather the server be strained elsewhere than with something as pointless and mundane as time stamps. Who gives a crap who said what @ what time.

It adds nothing to the game nor does it add to my level of enjoying the game.

Someone asked, JP-side, about it. So since it was answered they translated it for us

[Ferth]

if its going to strain server response times, why even bring it up? id rather the server be strained elsewhere than with something as pointless and mundane as time stamps. Who gives a crap who said what @ what time.

It adds nothing to the game nor does it add to my level of enjoying the game.

If they do it right it shouldn't strain anything. We don't need server accurate timestamps, just locally accurate timestamps.

And second, for anyone who has ever gone afk and received tells, having a frame of reference for the amount of time that has passed since you received the tell and you saw the tell is a pretty handy thing.

[Punainen]

Yes, I want timestamps too. I've had so many instances of receiving a /tell while I was AFK, and coming back and having NO idea how long ago it was that I got it.

[Riv]

It would be nice to have.

[Jinko]

Why not just have the client add a timestamp to the log entry on the players PC
(C:\Users\****\Documents\My Games\FINAL FANTASY XIV\user\0141E71B\log)
Its really quite simple and doesn't have to have anything to do with the server side of things.

Have the system always log this data and then players can change the settings to either show or hide the timestamp.

[Maxwell]

I dont see any technical limitations tbh. The time stamp should be client side and using the local time/TZ settings. Servers should have no part in this as it is only a convenience feature and accuracy* is not required.

If implemented, a check box should be present to show or hide time stamps. It could also be a little button on the chat window to make the show/hide action even faster.

*accuracy of your system clock.