Remove auto-logout feature

[Altheras]

This game does need the auto-boot feature, especially since when they resume game sales we're going to see another rush and then another rush for PS4 release. The problem may seem completely fixed for now, but people who are complaining are failing to take into account that we probably have two more huge waves of players that will be flowing into the game in the coming months.

The only legitimate complaint I see about it is for those in duty finder queues. Perhaps they could add a stipulation to the code so it doesn't kick people who are in duty finder queues? For now, I'd just suggest playing the game while in a duty finder queue. Go farm some mobs you need for crafting, get in a random FATE or two. Maybe just set a little alarm to go off every 28 mins so you can tab back in, poke a button, and then tab back out?

If they do decide to make it a temporary measure, then perhaps they could add the option to turn it off after the final rush from the PS4 sales has run its course.

[Ralemont]

The only legitimate complaint I see about it is for those in duty finder queues.

I don't find it legitimate. If you aren't around to press a button once every 30 minutes, then you shouldn't be queued.

[Araeya]

snip

My God, you have to actually tab back into the game every 25 minutes??? THE TRAGEDY OF IT ALL! Seriously. These are some of the most ridiculous reasons I've ever heard for not wanting a feature that is standard for nearly every MMO out there these days. Get an egg timer to remind you to tab in again if you're really can't remember to do it on your own. They only cost a few dollars. Or, if you have a smart phone... hey, those have timers!

Remember, too, that DD copies will be up for purchase again soon, so there will probably be an influx of new players to some degree or another.

I still can't believe people are actually complaining about having something that keeps players from clogging up the servers for no reason.

[Jilse]

30 minutes is stupidly short. I often tab out when I'm using the duty finder and watch something or cruise the net till I hear the sound effect. Having to stop every 25 minutes just to make sure I don't get logged is going to be annoying, assuming I remember.

Additionally I like to catch up on what has been said recently when I get back to the game.

Perhaps they should implement a warning chime for those who are just afk but not far due to long dungeon duty finding.

[Noctrin]

Lol. I'm hoping the people in favor of removing afk timers are joking. My 5 year old niece comes up with better excuses on why she shouldn't go to bed. We should have 1 hr queue so your character can sit there and enjoy the view while you're at work. Just.. relog..?

[Altheras]

Perhaps they should implement a warning chime for those who are just afk but not far due to long dungeon duty finding.

This is a good idea. It could help placate some of the upset people without removing this much needed feature. Also they could make being in a duty finder queue count as activity maybe. This seems to be the biggest gripe people have about the AFK timer, so a little feature like this could go a long way towards giving most of them a little help. Also for the LS/FC/Tell system, perhaps they could implement some feature that creates a log of these things for people when they are logged out, like how your retainer keeps a log of transactions.

[3Jane]

Really? In this day and age? I guess my expectations for SE are too high.

30 minutes is far too short, should have been a minimum of one hour. The initial post launch rush is easing, after a little longer it might not be necessary anyway.

[Dazusu]

I like to stay logged in - but they could have been smarter about this adjustment. I feel like SE have missed a trick by implementing this without more thought, for example:

Alternative #1: If the general world population is low, increase the time before automatic logout. For example, 90-120 minutes. If there are less than 2K people logged in, there's no reason to start kicking people off the servers.
Alternative #2: Don't auto-logout anyone initially, until server queues happen (or login cap is nearing). At this point, disconnect the players who have been idle the longest, over a minimum of 30 minutes.

The current logout after 30 minutes seems excessive, and archaic. DukeGr made a point about server stress, and network stress - this day in age, the pipes hosting these games are made for this type of data throughput (if not, more), and I'm pretty sure hardware burning out isn't our problem. It never hurt FFXI to stay logged in 24/7. It definitely won't hurt this game.

[Pururin]

+1 OP

First off, everyone didn't ask for it. And auto log-out is the dumbest thing i have ever heard of in a mmo. Just because some less then stellar people tend to be more vocal then others doesn't make it a majority issue. I shouldn't even have to be posting right now, like i didn't post to people asking for it saying "What are you 12? or on a xbox?". But a few less they stellar people had to spam a moronically bad idea.

[jimm0thy]

First off, everyone didn't ask for it. And auto log-out is the dumbest thing i have ever heard of in a mmo.

And yet almost every MMO has it .... odd