A really cool mechanic I think warrants looking into

[Spy]

So, my friend plays an mmo called "Age of Wushu" though, I believe it's still in it's beta phase. Anyway, this game has a mechanic that when you log off, your character continues to live on as if it were an npc in the game: (direct quote from an article on the game)

One of the more intriguing features in Age of Wushu revolves around the Offline Mode. Opposed to many traditional games, in Age of Wushu when you log out of the game, your online avatar begins to live on without you as an NPC. Once offline these players are able to accumulate silver and experience for the player when they log back in

Although, atm all I can think of that would be beneficial from this would be the bonus stuff you could get, as well as a much more lively environment.

However, I do see drawbacks with this....such as the lag >.> And I'm not sure if this would mean your character would end up somewhere else, or if they would just phase back into your inn room/housing when you log back in.

I just think it would be really cool! And would look much better than characters just standing still in town like bunch of statues. Though, I probably am just getting a little bit ahead of myself. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to program.

I dunno...what do you guys think?

[Zenaku]

Will they added that your NPC can go mine and stuff while your offline so there you go . Now something for your char to do while you offline i see lag being a issue and don't forget there a limit how many char can be online.

[Momita]

Mmmmm I don't like so much :/
My PG became an NPC? And What have to do? Walk Around casually and casually accumulate gil?

[Iamcardboard]

What if my GC goes off and sets fire to a load of little cute Ewes! I/he would never forgive him/self!!

NO! Bad idea! BAAAD Idea!!! ; ;

[Akubikumo]

Isn't this how the Cylons started?

[Abriael]

Square Enix already has something like this (actually implemented WAY better) with Dragon Quest X.

[Shioban]

It is interesting, but I can't see it fitting into XIV:ARR.

Someone already mentioned however that our 'Retainers' may in future have the option to gather for us whilst we are on/offline.

I feel this may be the closest thing we'll get to this particular mechanic.

[ClausL]

I absolutely despise games with any kind of automated, make progress while AFK type systems... it feels like an in-game bot, basically. No thanks. I would rather progress be limited to when I'm actually playing the game.

I would quit if this was implemented, no question.

[tymora]

I would love it if they became NPCs...in the privacy of my house.
It would be nice to have an option to have all my characters on the same server viewable at the same time, doing casual stuff there. Then to switch a character, simply talk to a character and switch over instead of going back to the character screen...Heck, take it one step further, allow trade between characters like that.

In my ideal house, Character A is cooking dinner while B is tending to the plants in the garden. C is playing with my chocobos while D is doing some repair work on the walls. My E just came back from adventuring and everyone says "Welcome Home!"

Oh, no progress accumulated during NPC-phase. I support this notion.
If characters can accumulate gil during logout, then RMTs can simply create all the characters they want and just let it sit.

[Spy]

I absolutely despise games with any kind of automated, make progress while AFK type systems... it feels like an in-game bot, basically. No thanks. I would rather progress be limited to when I'm actually playing the game.

I would quit if this was implemented, no question.

yes. because I LOVE games where people just afk with their characters standing in one spot like mindless drones. Adds so much LIFE to the game.