server transfers - serious oversight

[Rahabib]

I understand they want to prevent overpopulation and server spying, but there needs to be a solution or small outfits are going to have issues recruiting to smaller servers. The main issue is that you will find outfit servers that all the outfits are on and then pug servers for the come latelys.

There are 2 ways to address this easily.

1) paid transfers. Make it decent but not crippling because people may need to do it multiple times while outfit shopping - say no more than $5. First one free would be good customer service.

2) timed transfer. You must wait 5-7 days before your request goes through.

Personally #1 would be fine. I'd even be OK with adding a 24 hour wait period in as well (no more if you are gonna charge me). As it is right now I won't spend my sc or buy any more unless the server locals are lifted.

[Tooterfish]

I understand what you're saying. A pug server problem is real, but right now the servers are populated, with vet servers pretty well spread out. I think the game needs time to settle before worrying about this kind of stuff; it could easily pan out to be quite opposite of what you're predicting, with each servers building on their own communities.

Currently, there isn't a US server available that I don't either know somebody, or an outfit playing there - so I'm pretty happy. I want it to stay this way, and offering such a cheap way to jump ship now would only make things worse. This idea would probably do more to encourage pug servers than by doing nothing at this stage.

As for the SC issue being tied to one character. I see the reason for it. If you were to recreate on another server at BR1, you could farm a previous server for SC and unlocks. Different servers, as you kind of mentioned, offer different experiences; some easier - some harder, the unlocks should reflect your success on that particular server, not a different one. I don't see a problem with sharing cosmetics though, and hopefully more people will agree later. I tend to represent the unpopular opinion on these subjects.

[Rahabib]

I understand what you're saying. A pug server problem is real, but right now the servers are populated, with vet servers pretty well spread out. I think the game needs time to settle before worrying about this kind of stuff; it could easily pan out to be quite opposite of what you're predicting, with each servers building on their own communities.

Currently, there isn't a US server available that I don't either know somebody, or an outfit playing there - so I'm pretty happy. I want it to stay this way, and offering such a cheap way to jump ship now would only make things worse. This idea would probably do more to encourage pug servers than by doing nothing at this stage.
Well I for one don't want to spend any sc until I know I am not server locked. I want to play where my most active friends are and they currently are spread out. So for now I am playing with my WC friends but already the are starting to leave so its a high likely hood I'll have to either play with RANDOMS or transfer. I'll be happy to pay $5 if necessary. The issue is it is a big issue now because you do have people holding on purchases until its sorted. Is SOE likes money it should be a priority.

[Crator]

One big problem with this too is stuff purchased with real money is locked to a character. No way to transfer the unlocks even. So if you delete your character those unlocks are gone. I'm sure they could restore your character though if that happened. But still. Why not offer the option to have all station cash bought items account wide but locked to a faction. This way you could use the purchased things on different servers.

But yes, paid character transfers would be nice as well so you could bring your experience and certs progression along with you to another server.

[Tooterfish]

Well, if they do allow transfers, I think $5 is too little an incentive not to abuse it. I would prefer $15 personally.

[Rahabib]

Over $5 you limit outfit shopping - limiting trial periods, people will insist on just being accepted.

[Ghoest9]

If SOE wants to make the most money they would use this plan.

Everytime you spend 10 Smed bucks - you get a free transfer.
But you can never transfer more than once every 2 weeks and you can only 'bank" one transfer.

The problem with the current sytem is people are afraid to spend Smed bucks because they think they might have to reroll if the server pops drop or their guild moves.

[Ghoest9]

Well, if they do allow transfers, I think $5 is too little an incentive not to abuse it. I would prefer $15 personally.


As long as its on a long timer(like 2 weeks0 you cant "abuse" it.

Its a game there is no good reason to keep people where they dont like it.

[Rahabib]

As long as its on a long timer(like 2 weeks0 you cant "abuse" it.

Its a game there is no good reason to keep people where they dont like it.
2 weeks makes it take forever to outfit shop again. $5 people aren't going to swap around a ron unless they are rich. 24 hour wait period would be plenty deterrent to do it 5x a day. But it still gives plenty of time to find an outfit without it taking a month. Believe it or not some people don't just join the first outfit thats available.

[Crator]

2 weeks makes it take forever to outfit shop again. $5 people aren't going to swap around a ron unless they are rich. 24 hour wait period would be plenty deterrent to do it 5x a day. But it still gives plenty of time to find an outfit without it taking a month. Believe it or not some people don't just join the first outfit thats available.

Couldn't you just roll a new character on another server, outfit shop, then once timer is up transfer? But ya, 2 weeks is steep. Perhaps 24 hours is just enough. It was around 24 hours in PS1 to empire hop, right?

[Ghoest9]

Couldn't you just roll a new character on another server, outfit shop, then once timer is up transfer? But ya, 2 weeks is steep. Perhaps 24 hours is just enough. It was around 24 hours in PS1 to empire hop, right?


Im completely cool with once a day or better once every 2 days. But once every 2 weeks is way way better than what many people want.

As long as people are not transferring multiple times a session it will be good really.

[Rahabib]

Finally got a response. They said they would pass the word on. Tweet @planetside2 and let them know server lock is unacceptable.

[Rahabib]

Also Tweet @j_smedley he needs more feedback on the matter.

[Hamma]

Has there been a game that as had transfers in at launch?

[Ghoest9]

GW2 did when it launched les than 3 months ago.
And they were free for the first 2 months as players and guild sorted themselves out.

[Rahabib]

http://www.vg247.com/2012/08/17/guild-wars-2-to-allow-free-server-transfers-during-launch-period/
Gw2 - free until they had guesting.

I wish SOE would do guests that would solve recruiting issues.
But full transfers are a must.

[Knocky]

It isn't an oversight, it is not needed at this time.

No one has a lvl 100 toon....and if you do, then you have a serious problem being human.

If you spent 10,000 SC already then you locked yourself to a server.

[Rahabib]

Its not levels its purchased unlocks people are worried about. And I haven't spent a dime because I don't want to be server locked. If there was piece of mind, I would spend money - so they are losing money. Its not just me either.