Square can you please contact UK ISP BT/EE

[Velo_Vandore]

Think about it Kraggy...

If people all over the world are having problems when they don't with any other MMO, then do you not think that SE have configured the games port usage poorly? It's quite clear that a whole bunch of worldwide ISPs see ARR traffic as P2P when they don't see other MMOs in the same way, on the same connection, at the same time of the evening.

So don't be an ass and tell people to get it through their thick head when yours is clearly thicker than most pal.

That's my logic as well, though I don't think Square-Enix themselves have tried to place all the blame on the internet provider. This is just the players opinion.

While our ISP's could resolve the issue by adding some kind of permission for the game to prevent it being throttled, Square-Enix could also resolve the issue by changing the way the game sends data to not appear as P2P.

Unfortunately neither company HAS to fix the issue as there's no rule saying a game can't use P2P type data transfer, and the ISP's terms state they throttle P2P downloads (Orange - EE at least). That said it's in the best interest for both parties to see this resolved as it's obviously not a desired experience for their customer.

With this in mind we really have a few options:

1. Wait for square-enix to provide an update on the situation (response is slow but promising).
2. Request a solution with ISP directly (not going well so far!)
3. Stop playing / paying.
4. Switch ISP (if this is an option for you)

Personally I will be waiting another week or two for word from Square-Enix. I've been happy with Orange so far and like my Brightbox router. If not looking great I'll switch ISP as I don't want to quit the game. Lucky for Square-Enix. Unlucky for Orange (EE). So in that situation you could say Square-Enix are doing more for less than my ISP as Orange risk losing this one customer but do nothing. I know it's vice versa for others who can't switch ISP, and in that case Square risk losing a customer.

EDIT: I don't think the above is clear? What I'm saying is that I think this issue is caused by Square-Enix, but not necessarily their obligation to resolve. It depends how the game works and whether they are capable of / willing to change that. Otherwise it's a plea to ISP's to allow the game through throttling. So while Orange will get the raw deal if not resolved and lose me as a customer, it's Square-Enix who will lose favor with me personally as in my view this is the only game to ever have a problem during peak time (I've been with my ISP for 2 years and played various MMO's).

That said I believe Square-Enix WILL resolve this for customers, and am optimistic about other issues being resolved including server congestion and 90000 etc. I was really angry about various issue come early access, but in the past weeks I've seen Yoshi-P openly acknowledge their poor judgements and make strong plans to resolve issues. I know players have had a lot of patience until now, but it's clear the FFXIV:ARR team is passionate about the game and doing it's best to correct problems for their customers.

[koriandrr]

I'm on Virgin - no problems here.

[Suaimhneas]

So tonight Spotflux decided to stop working, so long as it's running I get constant "unable to complete version check" from the launcher and can't get any webpages to load either. So looks like I'm back to being unable to play at peak times until BT pull their finger out. Unless anyone knows of a good alternative?

[felter]

Just want to post this as not everyone would have seen it. Yesterday (06/09/2013) a BT mod made a post about this problem on the BT forums which I will quote:

Hi Guys,



We wanted to update you on the progress of this investigation, as one of you has pointed out that we have been working with Ormuco to try and find out why the traffic is being throttled.



Following some extensive investigation, we’ve identified two IP address ranges, the traffic from these ranges are appearing as encrypted Peer-2-Peer, when it should have been classified as gaming.



Our understanding is that some game vendors occasionally use Peer-2-Peer technology to communicate across networks without realising the impact this might have on customer experience. This would have affected some customers on products like Broadband Option 2, and prior to 13-August customers also on Broadband Option 1 and BT Infinity Option 1.



The good news is that based on what we’ve found in our investigation, we’re making some changes early on Monday morning to re-classify the traffic as gaming. Whilst we expect this to resolve the issue, without live testing we cannot guarantee that this will be the case. We will therefore need gamers to play the game, and to let us know on this thread if this has resolved the issue on Monday, we can then continue investigations should we find that the issue is not resolved.



Thanks



PaddyB
BTCare Community Mod

The good news is it looks like they have found out the cause, though the bad news is they are not going to fix it till Monday. But at least they have realised there is something up and they are getting around to fixing it, lets just hope they have found the correct problem and that the other ISP's do the same. Also lets hope that SE and other game making companies start to realise that these kind of things can happen if they are not careful, and stop using P2P technology.

[SeleneVenizelos]

I don't know about everyone else, but I'm not having this problem anymore! My ISP is BT as well and the random lag problems have now stopped entirely in the evenings.

[SeleneVenizelos]

Oh well, it was nice whilst it lasted. Back with a vengeance this evening! Hopefully that fix tomorrow does fix it.

[KMarsara]

wow looks like ISPs actually care overseas...... over in the US, its pretty much "screw u we dont care, since we are the only provider to you. Or you can go back to dial - up <insert evil laugh>"

[Sparky]

The reason why many ISPs do this is because whilst we pay for our data on a flat rate monthly fee, they (the ISPs) pay for theirs on a metered bytes/min rate from the big global providers. This means that to them, there is a very grave risk of not covering their overheads unless they managed traffic through their network. It's a choice of either traffic shape those who aren't on premium tariffs, or everyone suffers.

Basically the way in which the entire infrastructure is run needs to change, but most ISPs are merely playing the game according to the rules set to them.

[KMarsara]

i am praying google fiber picks up, or something. giving 1 isp an entire area is exclusivity is just messed up.

[Kraggy]

Think about it Kraggy...

If people all over the world are having problems when they don't with any other MMO, then do you not think that SE have configured the games port usage poorly? It's quite clear that a whole bunch of worldwide ISPs see ARR traffic as P2P when they don't see other MMOs in the same way, on the same connection, at the same time of the evening.

So don't be an ass and tell people to get it through their thick head when yours is clearly thicker than most pal.

I was very specifically referring to his "make a 5 minute call" jibe when I said he was 'thick', I guess you didn't read what I wrote but what you wanted to read.

And blaming SE for 'poor port usage' is asinine, it's the ISPs who are to blame for this by implementing their customer-hostile throttling, don't blame SE!