What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be implimented?

[Toksyuryel]

Just now I've been brainstorming a whole bunch of different ideas for how the game could be improved, and this is one of them (I will post each of these ideas in separate topics so they may be discussed individually; it is up to the administrators whether or not they should be lumped together as one question when the time comes, if in fact any of them get asked.):

Money is paid up front for a "world shift credit" that may be used to change one character's server to a different one.
Price of the credit to be determined by SE, however once purchased it is non-refundable. There should be a series of confirmations screens to ensure that someone really does mean to buy one.
An account may posses any number of these credits and the service may be used an unlimited number of times, pursuant to the restrictions outlined below:
Upon shifting a character to a new world, there is a 28-day period during which that character may be shifted back to their server of origin if they find they made a mistake choosing that server.
If the character is shifted back during the first 7 days, the credit will also be returned to the account.
In either case, no character on that account can ever be shifted to that server again. This is permanent. It will remain possible to create new characters on that server, however.
If the free shift back is used starting from day 8, the credit WILL NOT be returned.
If a credit is used to shift back to the original server, or to any other server, this restriction does not apply.
This could probably be a PlayOnline Plus service.

Thoughts?

[Feba]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

I'm sure SE already has plans on how to implement the cost/transfer process the user goes through, their problems are probably with the actual transfer serverside.

[Toksyuryel]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

I'm sure they have been thinking about it for quite some time now, my purpose with this was to suggest to them what *I* think is a good system, and get feedback on it from both them and also the users of this forum. Ultimately the best system will probably be some combination of this, whatever they have now, whatever anyone might suggest here, and something else (possibly pie, everybody loves pie :)

Bottom line is: I don't want to see them screw up, again.

[Wise Donkey]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

Meh, I don't like the idea of being able to hop freely back after a few days. I like that you make it a one time deal, but I can too easily see it getting abused. I think it should be a free service limited to once every ?? months per account. Simple, yet keeps people from just jumping like fleas in a kennel.

[Sevv]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

bottom line: The ability to shift servers no matter how S-E does it, is a current improvement

[Murphie]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

The system should be as restrictive as possible, IMO. Like the systems currently in place in other games. Even other MMOs understand that allowing players to freely go from server to server on a whim isn't a good idea, but allowing players who really want to make a switch to play with friends or whatever is a good idea.

If people are allowed to just freely transfer (which I highly doubt - this is SE, and they are going to want to make a buck on this), then I doubt I'd continue playing very long.

[DakAttack]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

These 'What do you think of my ideas?' threads are getting old.

One thread for the entire batch would have sufficed, and would have made it easier to ignore.

[Eohmer]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

These 'What do you think of my ideas?' threads are getting old.

One thread for the entire batch would have sufficed, and would have made it easier to ignore.

(True Strike)

[Illuen]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

In either case, no character on that account can ever be shifted to that server again. This is permanent. It will remain possible to create new characters on that server, however.

This is the worst problem with your suggestion, IMHO. Lets say that little Timmy has a crush on little Tammy, and wants to move to Tammy's server.

Now, Timmy is going to want to have all of his gear at his disposal. The problem is, with four level 75 jobs, Timmy has to keep a good chunk of his gear on his mules, Tommy and LaShawnda because he simply does not have enough room on his main account.

There is no way, with your plan, for someone to keep their equipment on their mules. Only thing I could see is for Tommy to sell off his gear that /isn't/ Rare/Ex, and prepare for being screwed by the differences in the economies of the servers.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

The system should be as restrictive as possible, IMO. Like the systems currently in place in other games.

I don't like on demand migration, but if it must be implemented, I'd agree it should be very restrictive.

If people are allowed to just freely transfer (which I highly doubt - this is SE, and they are going to want to make a buck on this), then I doubt I'd continue playing very long.

Even without real or virtual currency involved, there is substantial social networks to keep most people on their current servers. Plus, it's the same exact game running on one world as any other, after all.

I'm sure SE already has plans on how to implement the cost/transfer process the user goes through, their problems are probably with the actual transfer serverside.

That's rather unlikely, since S-E has conducted world migrations previously. It's more likely just dusting off the old "move character" code, with a new front end on how to access/pay for it.

[Feba]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

Dak, he posted them all within about 30 minutes of each other.

[Wise Donkey]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

This is the worst problem with your suggestion, IMHO. Lets say that little Timmy has a crush on little Tammy, and wants to move to Tammy's server.

Now, Timmy is going to want to have all of his gear at his disposal. The problem is, with four level 75 jobs, Timmy has to keep a good chunk of his gear on his mules, Tommy and LaShawnda because he simply does not have enough room on his main account.

There is no way, with your plan, for someone to keep their equipment on their mules. Only thing I could see is for Tommy to sell off his gear that /isn't/ Rare/Ex, and prepare for being screwed by the differences in the economies of the servers.

I don't think the above situation should be accommodated in any way. If you want to change servers you have to be prepared for it - it's like packing for a trip, only take what you absolutely need.

[Feba]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

Going to another server isn't like going on a trip though, it's like moving to another country.

Yes, it should be a pain, but you shouldn't be required to leave your entire family and many of your belongings.

[ItazuraNhomango]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

These 'What do you think of my ideas?' threads are getting old.

One thread for the entire batch would have sufficed, and would have made it easier to ignore.

The rule is to post each question in a separate thread in the "Ask SquareEnix Questions" forum.

You don't have to be mean, either; it's obvious the OP is trying to improve FFXI, and has no malicious intent.

(That said, it may have been better to post in "General FFXI Discussion" first to work out the kinks in the ideas.)

[LyonheartLakshmi]

Re: What do you think of my idea for how the World Shifting system could be impliment

I don't think the above situation should be accommodated in any way. If you want to change servers you have to be prepared for it - it's like packing for a trip, only take what you absolutely need.

And between the main chars pack, Mog Safe, Storage, Mog Locker, and gear set storage (such as complete AF sets), any one character should be able to transfer everything they'll ever need. That's a lot of room for "bare necessities". You don't have to worry about taking stuff like Spike Necklace with you -- they should be readily obtainable on the new server.