How do we contain ourselves to not have a knee-jerk reaction? Is it even possible or is it something so basic in human emotion, a primal and uncontrolled need for the first initial reaction to be over the top, angry, emotive and completely irrational. Heavens forbid that we might apply some common sense to a situation when it threatens us, why would we want to do anything so foolish.
Square Enix has announced that they are closing down the World Transfer service to Odin. This is due to chronic overcrowding finally reaching a point where it is affecting the service and performance of the server.
This isn't an unknown problem, SE have said before I think about a year ago, that Odin was overcrowded. They didn't seem to take steps to do much about this at the time, applications for transfer to the server remained open despite it already being a snug fit. Now we are at a point where we are at over capacity.
Not only are they shutting off the applications to Odin, but they are re-offering to transfer people from Odin over to other servers for free. Perhaps you are tired of the constant competition for everything on Odin, or have basically burned every bridge you had in the community and want to start afresh, what ever your motivations people do transfer servers. Some find it much more beneficial and possibly good to get out of the previous environment others just fold up their bags and quit.
This move does seem a shade peculiar to be honest, they have just offered it and now they are offering it again almost immediately after. Essentially it is an extension of the transfer service in a desperate gamble to thin down the ranks accompanied by a strong-arm hussle that if it doesn't work they will consider other options including but not exclusively, physically splitting the server into 2 or forcing people to transfer to different worlds.
I can understand the need to deal with the over crowding, but considering this isn't exactly a new problem, definately an issue acerbated by SE's own inability to deal with the situation in a timely manner, I do think that threatening Odin's player base seems a little over the top.
The response from the other servers player base on the forums smacks more of smirking gloating more than anything. As if to crow how low the mighty have fallen. They wouldn't be so jumped up to offer comment if it was happening to their server, considering the peculiar nature of how much Odin intermingles within it's linkshells rather than being xenophobic. I can't imagine being forced to move somewhere else or having my friends moved away or split up.
It would be devastating to my linkshells and the sense of community and family that we have worked so hard to build up. It is a rare feeling to be a part of and I know how unique it really can be, how hard it is to achieve without the usual backbiting and general nastiness that surrounds end game linkshells.
I already know of people, people who I would be devastated to lose, talking about quitting if SE did actually act out on its threats to do such a thing. It would definately feel like a punishment. I don't know if I would quit over it but I don't know that I would be happy with it, I wouldn't want to play as much for a good while. I have spent such a long time where I am, I don't think it is an entrenched view of inflexiblity or an opposition to change. You don't just throw away your friends on a whim.
The thing is, the situation would have to be completely unsalvageable before I could ever see SE taking such drastic steps. While they aren't afraid of the unpopular decision, this is a shade beyond that. It would be a huge undertaking and affect a lot of people. The reaction of some of the longer members of Odin are base and disappointing, the suggestion we should just kick off server transfers and other such people is pandering to the lowest common denominator in intelligence.
All I can say to those people is grow up. You don't immediately single out a group of people as a target to blame because things aren't going your way, nor should anyone looking in condemn us for not all transfering off Odin enmass just to fix the problem. It wasn't a problem of our creating, merely one of circumstance and lack of reaction.
*sigh*
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I like to think we helped. You know who I mean ^_^!
ReplyDeleteHeh, I've contended since the announcement they should just keep the server closed for however long it takes to get the population average down to what they want. People will find their way out via transfers or bannings one way or another.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it's particularly fair for anyone to get force transferred off the server, but if push came to shove, there are more fair ways to handle moving people off than others. Random selections or a full-on server split are the two most unfair ways.
My favorite lines out of all these threads that popped up are people blaming the Odin community itself for "choosing" not to move despite the warnings. On the stupidity scale, I'd say the guys transferring to the server despite the warnings are far more likely to find themselves victims of Darwinism than the guys who have been here since day one.
Bottom line is, SE knows they're to blame for this situation and I seriously doubt they'd do anything to sacrifice the monthly subscriptions or transfer fees associated with Odin. In a couple months, I may look like a fool for calling their bluff, but logically, I can't imagine that threat of theirs actually holding any water.