I am completely unable to make characters on the NA RP servers (Balmung and Gilgamesh, per http://ffxiv-roleplayers.com/ ), and have nothing but one random test character from the betas on a server where I have no friends. My job keeps me busy enough that I'm not making a career out of trying to get a character spot on a server where friends are.

SE made exactly this same mistake in the original FFXIV launch. I remember the same frustration. They have learned ZERO from past mistakes when it comes to server provisioning and operation. I realize their company has had layoffs, is under new management, and is no doubt is short of funds. But really, too cheap to even TEMPORARILY LEASE enough backup hardware for contingencies? That's a newbie mistake from 1999 (when EQ and AO launched without sufficient hardware or backups, and no uiser-friendly software solutions for overflows).

Frankly, I'm giving up and going on to other games for now. There are plenty of other great MMORPGs out there in beta, and plenty others that have moved into F2P and worth a second try WAY before this game, which just takes your money and delivers nothing but frustration. Maybe I'll come back when SE gets their server operations together, maybe I won't. I've just "had it" with their ineptitude.