Server Merge Discussion Thread

[Icykill_]

With a server merge comes other inherent problems.

For instance, there are no guarantees of increased pops for any group activities. 30 minute or more queues may still continue.

And what about the quality of the players migrating over? You could very well be teamed up with more "bads" or AFKers. It's in the realm of possibility.

 

Will those people in the pro merge crowd be back on these forums screaming about how bad those "refugees" are?

Food for thought

 

Double post ?

 

🙄

[fushnchips]

Another thing I have thought of in regards to U.S. servers. If west coast servers merge, PVE and PVP where does the lonely little RP server BC go?

 

Same for the east coast. I ask Bioware if they do this make each play style have their own server. 1 PVE 1 PVP 1 RP

 

done n dunn

 

lol have you seen the state of the pvp servers I guess not there is nolonger any need for a pvp server in any location and the BC and get pushed intoi the ebon hawk.

[IntegrationArch]

Yes and Yes

[Jdast]

I don't have much of a dog in this hunt since I'm on Ebon Hawk, which suits me perfectly. If they did move to a mega-server, my only issue would be character slots. Edited August 18, 2017 by Jdast

[notanjelika]

I don't even know where to begin with this but I'll give it a shot...

 

a) Your class has nothing to do with server merges. It's not like Consulars will go to one server and Knights to another and b) Heroics are instanced. No one can stealth into an instance and c) even if they could the rewards are for quest completion and can not be ninja looted.

 

You might want to rethink that signature.

 

Almost ALL Republic side Balmorra heroics are NON-INSTANCED. And about the signature, do not patronize me. About server merge: the mega-server will be a FULL PVP server, it means hell for low levels, imagine yourself trying to do the class quest on Nar Shaddaa, but getting killed by a lvl 70 every 2 minutes, or chased around,harassed,insulted.. this is the recipe for disaster, more people will leave.

Edited August 18, 2017 by notanjelika

[Jay-Kor]

We need an Oceanic Server though I'm not sure if numbers would justify it, all I know is that it sucks trying to play this game all the way from Australia.

[MeNaCe-NZ]

We need an Oceanic Server though I'm not sure if numbers would justify it, all I know is that it sucks trying to play this game all the way from Australia.

 

Lol - no the numbers don't justify it and never will again.

[Ylliarus]

Almost ALL Republic side Balmorra heroics are NON-INSTANCED. And about the signature, do not patronize me. About server merge: the mega-server will be a FULL PVP server, it means hell for low levels, imagine yourself trying to do the class quest on Nar Shaddaa, but getting killed by a lvl 70 every 2 minutes, or chased around,harassed,insulted.. this is the recipe for disaster, more people will leave.

 

Stop, stop, stop, stop, I know I said I wouldn't respond to this thread anymore but I simply have to now. Who said the megaserver would be PvP? That is an assumption based on what evidence if I may ask? Bioware would never make PvP a mandatory part of a server merge or megaserver so I really want to know how you got the idea that it would be like you said. PvP has always been optional in this game and the PvP servers are very much dead and no one is being attacked there. The only open world PvP feature that would remain would be the Duel option but that has always been something you could accept or refuse if a player challenged you.

 

So I am very sorry to say but your assumption that we'd all be put on a PvP megaserver if that was the way Bioware would go is wrong and I personally think you chose it as your argument because it seemingly appears strong but isn't in fact because it's not logical and would be hell for the Devs to sell it to the naysayers of server merges. And don't take it as a personal attack but I feel as if you made the full-PvP thing up on the spot without thinking about it.

 

Bioware really wouldn't do that and hence it won't ever be a problem on a megaserver. I understand you may be against it but don't go making up stuff just to throw it as a con to server merges or megaservers.

Edited August 18, 2017 by Ylliarus

[notanjelika]

Stop, stop, stop, stop, I know I said I wouldn't respond to this thread anymore but I simply have to now. Who said the megaserver would be PvP? That is an assumption based on what evidence if I may ask? Bioware would never make PvP a mandatory part of a server merge or megaserver so I really want to know how you got the idea that it would be like you said. PvP has always been optional in this game and the PvP servers are very much dead and no one is being attacked there. The only open world PvP feature that would remain would be the Duel option but that has always been something you could accept or refuse if a player challenged you.

 

So I am very sorry to say but your assumption that we'd all be put on a PvP megaserver if that was the way Bioware would go is wrong and I personally think you chose it as your argument because it seemingly appears strong but isn't in fact because it's not logical and would be hell for the Devs to sell it to the naysayers of server merges. And don't take it as a personal attack but I feel as if you made the full-PvP thing up on the spot without thinking about it.

 

Bioware really wouldn't do that and hence it won't ever be a problem on a megaserver. I understand you may be against it but don't go making up stuff just to throw it as a con to server merges or megaservers.

 

Since this game is ruled by PvP-ers, i think is safe to assume that the megaserver will be full PvP. But that's not the biggest problem: imagine your guild losing EVERYTHING due to server merge, no more flagship, no more stronghold, no more decorations, no more guild bank.. how would you solve this problem?

Or the rename of characters? Or the endless complaints about "Possessed Hunter" heroic on Dromund Kaas?

[Ylliarus]

Since this game is ruled by PvP-ers, i think is safe to assume that the megaserver will be full PvP. But that's not the biggest problem: imagine your guild losing EVERYTHING due to server merge, no more flagship, no more stronghold, no more decorations, no more guild bank.. how would you solve this problem?

Or the rename of characters? Or the endless complaints about "Possessed Hunter" heroic on Dromund Kaas?

 

Let's take off our tinfoil hats, this game is not ruled by PvP-ers. Really do you have evidence to support that claim? It's absurd to assume first of all that and secondly that the megaserver would enforce open world PvP as you claim... because if PvP-ers ruled this game as you claim then please explain to me why it's all the PvP servers that are dead and the PvP instances are deserted. Yes we have PvP instances and that is the only place you can be attacked in open world, in PvE instances that's impossible so your argument is already invalid. Because on a megaserver the seperate PvE and PvP instances would remain intact. Besides, judging from how deserted and unused the PvP instances are no one is attacking other players like that in the open world.

 

As to the guild assets being lost and so on, that is exactly why we don't have server merges right now. Bioware is working on a solution to those technical issues and until that is solved no one wants server merges. Everyone agrees that those things need to be solved first before any merges occur. So if Bioware eventually does announce server merges I can assure you they will make the merges happen in such a way that you'll lose nothing nor will any guild or legacy Keith himself promised us that the Devs are working on that.

Edited August 18, 2017 by Ylliarus

[casirabit]

Since this game is ruled by PvP-ers, i think is safe to assume that the megaserver will be full PvP. But that's not the biggest problem: imagine your guild losing EVERYTHING due to server merge, no more flagship, no more stronghold, no more decorations, no more guild bank.. how would you solve this problem?

Or the rename of characters? Or the endless complaints about "Possessed Hunter" heroic on Dromund Kaas?

 

While I don't like the idea of mega servers pvp is now not a problem as there are pvp and pve instances and if you don't want to play pvp you just have to switch to the pve instance so you are not going to be attacked if you are in a pve instance. Before you jump and state that I am a pvp player that is far from the case. Most people can tell you I am not a fan of pvp but as I stated before pvp is no longer a problem in open world unless you are a pvp instance which is something you choose.

 

As far as the guilds Keith has already stated that there would be no mergers until they could transfer guilds intact with all their assets and personal assets. Regarding the non-instanced heroics, I play on Ebon Hawk and most of the time when I am doing those I look around for those people, especially on DK and throw out group invites and get the heroic done and leave group.

Edited August 18, 2017 by casirabit

[kodrac]

the mega-server will be a FULL PVP server, it means hell for low levels, imagine yourself trying to do the class quest on Nar Shaddaa, but getting killed by a lvl 70 every 2 minutes, or chased around,harassed,insulted.. this is the recipe for disaster, more people will leave.

 

You obviously have no clue.

[SammuelColdheart]

I believe that a servers merge is imminent with the recent information on some of the servers not just in America, but as well and in Europe. I believe merging the servers to two mega servers for each region would be a great step forward. We will have faster FP summons regarding the role, more OPS searches and on top of that great PvP activity.

 

Merging the Europe servers to West and East or North and South, will be a great step forward. Even thought I believe West and East is more fitting.

 

Same goes for America servers, I hear constant conversations that the servers in America are pretty much dead, so merging them in East and West, would be a great step forward.

[supertimtaf]

Well, one thing I don't understand is the name problem... Well, I understand what is the problem, but I don't understand why there hasn't been a solution to it already.

 

Is it really hard to transform a character Data (For now, the name of a character is what defines it in the database if I'm following things correctly) into a serial number ? The only other thing that could be done would be to make character names more of a cosmetic attribute in the database instead of a major factor.

 

This way, since every character is an unique number in the database and not anymore a specific name, this would allow a merge without removing any character name, since it would allow multiple character to share the same name because they are not defined by it anymore...

 

Could this works ? And is it really this difficult ?

 

Still, this don't prevent any of the other issue like Stronghold, Legacy Storage, guild assets... But it's better than nothing, no ?

[kodrac]

Could this works ? And is it really this difficult ?

 

 

It might work for an internal database, but not so much in game. Things like mail, whispers, guild rosters, etc wouldn't be definable.

[notanjelika]

Server merge does not guarantee any increase in FP que or PvP .

About the names, how exactly are two or more characters going to share the same name?

I don't really understand the unique number thing, by the way guys, especially you, kondrac, if you are so all-knowing why don't you solve the guild flagship after server merge problem? The invisible weapons in NS heroics ? The invisible walls on Manaan? The missing Alliance specialists bug in Odessen base?

[ekwalizer]

Since this game is ruled by PvP-ers, i think is safe to assume that the megaserver will be full PvP. But that's not the biggest problem: imagine your guild losing EVERYTHING due to server merge, no more flagship, no more stronghold, no more decorations, no more guild bank.. how would you solve this problem?

Or the rename of characters? Or the endless complaints about "Possessed Hunter" heroic on Dromund Kaas?

 

There is no such thing as involuntary PVP in this game. OWPVP is now handled via a player opt-in function located on your mini-map - just like queuing for WZs, GF, GSF, etc. So, you are 100% incorrect in that assumption.

 

You obviously weren't around back in 2012 for the forced mergers. Guild leaders submitted a ticket stating the guilds old server and the DMs verified the number of guild bank tabs and then freely granted an appropriate amount of bank tabs to the relocated guild.

 

The devs have already said that names and guild assets are issues they would need to resolve before a new forced merger. This isn't going to happen tomorrow.

[kodrac]

by the way guys, especially you, kondrac, if you are so all-knowing why don't you solve the guild flagship after server merge problem? The invisible weapons in NS heroics ? The invisible walls on Manaan? The missing Alliance specialists bug in Odessen base?

 

at least spell it right. None of what you speak has anything to do with server mergers. It's as if you're talking about something completely different. You seem logical and articulate in other threads, what is it about this one that makes you lose coherence?

Edited August 18, 2017 by kodrac

[DWho]

Just merge the server with Harbinger, problem solved. If you read the server merge thread you will see many people are eager for this.

 

If you read the server merger thread its 240 pages of arguing back and forth with absolutely no consensus at all.

 

So you brought it to a different thread instead. Nice job.

 

a selection of posts from http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=930224&page=2

 

So I am going to break my rule about posting in this thread one last time to point out what the merge server crowd tries to do. The above quotes are from a thread about queue times on EH and are listed in the order they were posted. A pro-merger person posts a "merge" server" post in that thread to which I respond there is no consensus about server mergers. to which kodrac responds. Apparently if someone makes a pro-merger post and you disagree, you are not allowed to post anything further or respond to the response. This is what the merge server people have been doing in this thread for a long time now. The try their hardest to drive away people with a dissenting opinion and then claim that the thread represents a majority view. It is exactly the same as what was done in the previous incarnation of this thread.

 

Since I have the soapbox for a couple more lines of text. Another quote from my friend kodrac

 

We're on page 240 of this thread. Con #5 wasn't even on the list until page 239 because it suited your needs. It's beyond obvious at this point that the cons list will just continue to grow because, as I've noted earlier, every little thing is a point of contention. There really is no need to continue the circle jerk.

 

and here is the #5 he is talking about

5) ninjas. People who run only end game content don't have to worry about these but people trying to level do and that is most of the people playing the game.

 

 

Here's the link to it being brought up on page 16 of the thread: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=923727&page=16

 

and the specific quote mentioning ninjas

 

These are very important points. Excessive competition for mission objectives is a very frustrating situation. If you want an example, look at how difficult it is to complete the bonus mission for the Coruscant heroic Face Merchants. You get to the area and there are already half a dozen people standing around waiting to jump the spawn when it materializes. Now take this situation and apply it to many of the mission objectives on Tython, Coruscant, Korriban, and Dromund Kaas (the kill X NPCs or find X components missions). I played this game when there were 150 people on the starter planets and it was very frustrating to be lined up 5 or 6 deep on mission objectives, or worse, you wait your turn and then someone jumps in and ninjas the objective. High population brings out the worst in people (ninjas, chat bullies, harassment, chat sewers), Harbinger is a good example of all the things that can go wrong with a high population. Just sit in chat for a while on fleet there and you can see how disgusting it gets.

 

Time to get off the soapbox and let kodrac respond, as he of course will.

[supertimtaf]

It might work for an internal database, but not so much in game. Things like mail, whispers, guild rosters, etc wouldn't be definable.

 

Well, this could be avoided by using the same system they use with Discord app, where you're defined by both your username AND your serial number.

 

For example, I'm defined as Eliadil#XXXX on Discord ("X" represent the serial number I've got on this account) and this prevent me from being identified to another account that has the same name as me. When changing my name, I only change the name, not the ID that is associated to it.

 

The same could be done with this game, for /w or mailing, you could use a part of the serial number after the character name.

 

Like, when I add you in friendlist or if I decide to /w you, the game will add you as Kodrac#XXXX in my friendlist while only displaying the name Kodrac, allowing you to be different than the Kodrac#XXYY

 

This could be easily done and wouldn't be too bothering for the players if the ID part stay simple.

[kodrac]

So I am going to break my rule about posting in this thread one last time to point out what the merge server crowd tries to do.

 

Wow. Called it! You can't let go because every little thing is a point of argument for you. You argue just to hear yourself argue. Maybe you haven't noticed, but I'm not on either side of this debate. I started on the "don't merge me, bro" side, but as I saw my server's population decline rather quickly I took matters into my own hand and transferred all 10 of my toons. So now I'm on the "transfers are not as bad as you're making it out to be" side. Whichever that is. If that's the pro-merge side because you see it as "transfers are bad mmkay" that's on you. I suppose you could also view it as anti-merge too if you want because "transfers are cheap, what are you waiting for" spin. Your bias is obvious, however.

 

Just because I point out the flaws in your arguments doesn't mean I'm on an opposite side. I'm pointing out the flaws in your augments. That's it. Don't like it? Quit digging the hole.

Edited August 18, 2017 by kodrac

[kodrac]

 

This could be easily done and wouldn't be too bothering for the players if the ID part stay simple.

 

That sounds very similar to how STO handled their megaserver with charactername@accountname so anyone could have any name and you'd never get a "that name is already taken" error message. Tthat doesn't mean you have to have a megaserver for it though as surely someone will say, but could be applied to all servers. I have no idea how easy restructuring and adding to an already existing database would be though. Sounds man-power intensive.

[supertimtaf]

Sounds man-power intensive.

 

Well, not really but still imo, any server merge can require heavy manpower. Especially if the servers are made for big population. ^^

 

But I'm sure that with some patience, they could code something like a... program (maybe ?) that would do the changes in the database automatically. I mean, the only thing that is needed is adding something like #AccountName at the end of each character name and make it so that IG the only thing that displays above your head is the part before the #. And also make an overhaul of the /w and the mailing adress system... This could be doable if the team takes time to do it.

Edited August 18, 2017 by supertimtaf

[Savej]

a selection of posts from http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=930224&page=2

 

So I am going to break my rule about posting in this thread one last time to point out what the merge server crowd tries to do. The above quotes are from a thread about queue times on EH and are listed in the order they were posted. A pro-merger person posts a "merge" server" post in that thread to which I respond there is no consensus about server mergers. to which kodrac responds. Apparently if someone makes a pro-merger post and you disagree, you are not allowed to post anything further or respond to the response. This is what the merge server people have been doing in this thread for a long time now. The try their hardest to drive away people with a dissenting opinion and then claim that the thread represents a majority view. It is exactly the same as what was done in the previous incarnation of this thread.

 

Since I have the soapbox for a couple more lines of text. Another quote from my friend kodrac

 

 

 

and here is the #5 he is talking about

 

 

 

Here's the link to it being brought up on page 16 of the thread: http://www.swtor.com/community/showthread.php?t=923727&page=16

 

and the specific quote mentioning ninjas

 

 

 

Time to get off the soapbox and let kodrac respond, as he of course will.

 

There's no real crowd. While there's over 270 posters in this thread (I think most are for merges but can't easily confirm that) but more than half the posts in it are by 12 posters. The top 3 posters are passionately trying to impose their "against" perspective ad infinitum.

Edited August 18, 2017 by Savej

[EHKodiak]

I rarely post, but yes we could really quite urgently do with a server merge. The server merges back in 2012/2013 must have caused a lot of people to quit and thus it scares them to do the same financially, but we can't even run simple content on Jedi Covenant unless it's busy times which leads to no bugger playing. I have one of the highest prestige strongholds on JC and even I'd be happy to redecorate the lot, or be renamed just to get a decent population like Harbinger has.