Request: Boot inactive players so active players can log in

[Blackcobalt]

Guys, this problem is NOT going to go away. SquareEnix needs to do four things to solve the server congestion issues. Two of which they have made extremely obvious they have no intention of doing, and the other two they seem rather disinclined towards as well.

First, remove the Error 1017 stating that the world is full. If the world is full, place the player in a queue and TELL HIM HOW DEEP IT IS. At this point players can either tab away from the game while they wait or choice to exit and go do something else.

Second, implement an "away from keyboard" auto-disconnect such as is present in EVERY OTHER MMO. If the server does not receive a hardware control input from the client (via keyboard or mouse) for a set period of time (15 minutes seems to be average across most games, but exact length doesn't matter as long as it exists) then the server disconnects from the client with a message along the lines of "You have been logged out due to inactivity"

Third, create new worlds for the NA/EU data center(s). As it stands all but 2 worlds were completely full last night, and with the actual launch tonight those two will fill up within hours, if not minutes. With the number of people receiving Error 1017 and the fact that 23 of the 25 worlds are full, I would probably consider adding at LEAST 10 new worlds.

Finally, implement a way for players to move existing characters over to less populated worlds. Ideally this should also allow for group movement for people who are playing with friends and for professional gaming guilds who got broken up by the insane login and character creation limitations. This also needs to be FREE. It only needs to be in place and free for a week or so for the populations to balance out.

If SquareEnix did those things their congestion issues SHOULD balance out to the normal level for a MMO launch, but I can't promise that it will, or even that SE will actually do what is needed.

I like these idea's and support them. I'm getting tired of trying to log in with the server always giving me the 1017 error. I these idea's a +1

[Kayden]

Final Fantasy XI was my first MMO I played. I loved the game, but I hated that I had to wait 2-3 hours spamming to try and get a group to enjoy the game. So I left.
Now here I am -trying- to play Final Fantasy XIV, and I am having to waste 2-3 hours just to try and get into a queue system where I would then have to wait again just to get in the game to play it.

This has been an ongoing suggestion and it goes on ignored. Sadly, it seems I may have to quit playing and go on to another game because of the inability to create functional servers.

[BuddRoyce]

Alright.. so being a production manager at a game company, I'd normally side with companies when things happen because if there's someone that can understand the $#!t that goes on in the background in a game, it's me. While I'm sure something is being looked into for all this, the lack of any mention with regards to this issue from anyone inside SE is starting to make this game look bad. From a PR standpoint, SE is lucky that this many people are willing to give FFXIV another chance. This is where good community managers can really help maintain the fragile relationships between the game and the players.

This whole thing with not booting the afk people is starting to get a little silly. I honestly thought about just afking all day when I *finally* managed to get in this morning for the first time since the early start began, but decided I'd just log off and give my spot to someone else since I'd be at work all day. I mean hey, I'm also in the games industry as well. Coming home to see a constant error 1017 telling me to try again later for two days straight is a bit retarded when I'm hearing from people who have managed to get in tell me that they see a LOT of AFK people that haven't moved in HOURS.

I even bought another copy of this game for a friend today but the likelihood of either one of us getting on is unlikely at this point. I don't know what's going to be done for all this but I'm honestly feeling a bit ripped off already.

[Ambsinthe]

I also really don't understand the rationale behind not disconnecting players that are AFK for too long. It just makes sense to give someone the boot who's not actively playing and just taking up space on the server, so those that are going to actively play can do so. It's really frustrating, especially when you're working, and then you get home and the time you have to play the game happens to be during peak hours, and you can't even get into a queue to be able to get in and play...

I'm sure that a lot of people, knowing they won't be disconnected for being AFK for long periods of time, are taking full advantage of it. As long as Square-Enix continues to allow it, why wouldn't they? I really hope that SE will do something to change this, because the time's I did manage to get into the game and play, I really enjoyed, and the gameplay itself seemed to run pretty smoothly. I'd like to see this game succeed, but when so many people are locked out and can't even play it...

[Andorian]

My wife is currently logged in. There are vast OCEANS of people standing around Ul'dah AFK. It really destroys immersion more than a Miqote or two running around naked.

[Andorian]

I've come to a truly hard decision, and I think it will be the only way that SE realizes there is a problem. It is time to stage a protest. Here is how this will go: If you can get logged in, do not log out. Don't play the game. Find an aetherite and just stand there. Preferably go to a city and do it there.

If you can't log in, do not pay. Do not get a subscription. Just don't pay for the game.

[Highlandherpderp]

Im a new player and im sorry even though this is early access game comes out tomorrow and its only gonna get worse SE needs to get head out of @#%@# and fix it, either add more space let people xfer to new servers for free to boot afk players after 10 min so many people on my server stay afk and im not gonna lie but i my self have stayed afk because other people do it and its the only way i could actually player yesterday

[squidbunny]

No AFK timeout is completely ridiculous. This isn't FFXI, where people need to stand their mules out selling garbage in their bazaars to make a living. Idle characters need to be disconnected. This is MMORPG 101 shiz.

I cannot believe you are squandering this magnificent second chance, SE. The critics are going to eviscerate this game [again] if this persists through tomorrow, and it'll be a shame because there is a decent game walled away behind these ridiculous screw-ups.

[Havenchild]

/signed

Definitely needs an afk boot system. Friend of mine has been spitting rage after just logging in cause he says theres AFK flocks near the Aetheryte in Gridania. Obviously people are now, knowing the trouble to actually get in, going to just idle on server when they have to step away. This helps no one.
If SE is really pushing for this release tomorrow, although I saw the Early access got pushed to the 29th? or something, this game is just not ready.

Take it down, take a week, and fix the issues. MAKE SURE the issues are fixed, and that's it. No solid response to approach the issue, or ETA will be the downfall of this MMO. People can only take so much nowadays before they're lost for good.

Got a second chance, and blowing it like SimCity.

[Ossrum]

Bumping

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA