Quote Originally Posted by Ladon View Post
From the network side, the main reason they went with a zoning system is that they can hard cap the amount of players that are in any given zone and this allows them to determine a solid capacity number they can work with.
That's funny. I thought this was why they went to a zoning system:

"The current maps in FINAL FANTASY XIV are not only massive, but allow for seamless passage across wide expanses of the realm. In order to maintain this seamlessness, however, we were forced to heavily reuse assets, resulting in static, repetitive areas.
To provide our users with areas that feel fresh and dynamic throughout the extended lifespan of the game, we are both revamping and redesigning area maps. We hope that this, in turn, will equate to increased opportunities for adventure."

"・Abolishing seamless areas to allow for more dynamic map design"

Quoted from the first FFXIV:ARR Roadmap
Link below:

http://gdl.square-enix.com/ffxiv/dow...Outline_EN.pdf