Scarlet Shocker

Some very good points

I must admit I'd meant to address the inequalities of slots in my OP, but I was aware it was already turning into a novel. However the lack of slots compared to the US is a problem. I'm almost at max on Defiant and that's after I moved some retired toons to Union.

I do like the idea of a Temp Passport... but the danger is that it could become "the norm" that everyone logs in and moves to "Server X" for a while - which then becomes bloated at the expense of the others.

Herc's also made a good point about the connection. I understand that it's not the servers themselves but the networks to and from them that's the bugbear so very difficult to resolve. If the servers were physically transferred to the USA the Brits would be fine, but the French, German and other EU nationals would likely have problems. At least, that's my understanding - but if those issues could be addressed it may well entice former players to return.

I think one thing maybe we don't give enough attention to is "Server community" - it does seem that Defiant has a very cool community and several others do also but I can't comment on others - and yes we would need to be careful about not losing that IMO

Ok we've had it in blue and white (or whatever colour your forum theme is for these boards) from WW that there are no plans to merge the servers.

I figure it's about time to discuss the possible options available and maybe get a feel for player preferences - and maybe even turn up some unconsidered suggestions.

My own feeling is relatively simple: I would like to see more equality between the EU and NA servers, (ie only 2 English speaking servers available to me compared with plenty more on the other side of the pond.) I'd also like to see a LOT more traffic on my server.

Closing any server, whether dressed up as a merge, rationalization or for any other reason, is a bad thing politically. It would send entirely the wrong signals to the game players and the industry alike - not to mention hurt NCs share price I imagine. I also don't think it would actually address low population numbers - many of those playing casually on an affected server I'm sure would say "bugger it, I'm not playing this game any more" and cancelling their sub rather than moving. Many would stick with the game, I know - but the benefits of population wouldn't be widely noticed on remaining servers.

A "List Merge" - ie giving all players universal access to all servers - could also be problematic - but at least it would allow people to retain their home server. The down side is that the lower populated servers could end up entirely denuded of population as everyone flocks to a perceived more popular place. It could well be that one or two servers ended up lagging to hell and back while all the others languished, gathering dust.

There's also the possibility of a Guild Wars type system where you team across servers. I've not played GW in an age so I'm struggling to remember how it worked - but that could be a very popular solution: If I can play on Defiant and team with my buddies in Liberty, then it's all good - but I'm not going to pretend I know if it's achievable or not.

There's also a possible "server-less" environment. I guess that's doable if you just have a stack of slots and when you log in, you're in the same place as everyone else - and if that gets filled then a new instance opens up - like popular Hami raids and Mother Ship raids etc. Again, technically I'm not going to speculate if it's possible.

From my own perspective all I want is to team with my friends - many of whom play on servers I've got no access to, and to have a wider choice of people to play with. There's an American mechanics saying: "There's no substitute for cubes" - meaning that the size of an engine's cubic capacity is the most important thing when delivering performance. When it comes to this game, there's no substitute for bodies, that's what keeps everything alive. Good teams are what make the experience for me - and for most MMO players I imagine.

you didn't get merits because you didn't deserve them! ;-)

Nemesis is great. Let's not forget - it's the player meme that really kicked him off - the whole "Nemesis plot" thing came from the player base and the Devs took it and ran with it, promoting him up the ranks.

I like the Center too... the very fact there's a kind of evil mastermind (small m) who never gets to be seen and controls huge factions of fascists is exactly how it should be done - someone with a long reach but personally untouchable.

I would love the Vazhilok to be given some more "oomph" - they are such a great villain group and yet their story culminates way too early.

I'd also enjoy seeing more Banished Pantheon - for an ancient death cult and malign gods they seem a bit weak for their story line. (Or at least, in game it's not obviously apparent how much power they wield.)

I'd also like to see the guy on the loading screen with the pony tail and tatoos used in game. Never seen him - don't even know his name.

And Willy Wheeler needs to get revenge on the villains that busted him.

I think the OP made this up. There's never anyone in RV these days

Thanks for the reply Melissa, it's genuinely appreciated.

I definitely continue to have issues - but I'm old and cynical and I worked in marketing long enough to know that most of what Marketing says tends to be spin, q.v and doesn't always correlate to real facts.

I am actually ok with "no plans to merge the servers" - but I read your post carefully and what I didn't see is any long term commitment to the EU. "No plans to merge servers" doesn't equate to "We fully intend to grow European market share and continue to support the EU community."

I'm still very worried.

What would be really useful - and I don't know if this is possible - but an opportunity to connect directly with some of the Faceless Ones from behind the scenes via this forum who are responsible for marketing and infrastructure and the like, so that we can grill them face to face, so to speak. Would that be doable at all?

this is relevant because...?

iNcarnate looking for iMperious team