While I would prefer there are no queues, we all know they are tough to avoid at launch. I would much rather be playing the game while waiting to join my friends. Queues will eventually die down on most servers after the game settles in anyway. Those people who cannot tolerate queues (or this new GW2 system) should make sure they try to join low/med pop servers.
A sure sign that you are in an old, dying paradigm/mindset, is when you are scared of new ideas and new technology. Don't feel bad. The world is moving on without you, and you are welcome to yell "Get Off My Lawn!" all you want while it happens. You cannot, however, stop an idea whose time has come.
I wonder if you can temporarily extend your stay in the Overflow when you place in the queue pops up? Like an overflow "snooze alarm", "just give me five more minutes, I'm storming the castle"!
I would ask for a 15 more minute button that just moved you down the queue a couple of people.
Now here's something to ponder. The guy who made your life miserable last night in WvW is stuck on the same overflow server as you, and just rezzed you from a tough Dynamic Event death
Actually this is brilliant. Between overflow and free server transfers the mess that is the first couple of weeks of a new MMO might be much easier to bear. I'm sure it won't be perfect but at least they are trying something new.
I'm guessing that there are limitations on WvW for those in Overflow as I can't really wrap my head around how it would be fair to let those in Overflow affect Regular Server standings.
Other thoughts to ponder:
1. I believe it's been stated that there are 5 character slots available. I'm guessing based on this news that those 5 characters are account and not server based and must have unique names across all servers. One of the ways GW2 will make money is selling more character slots (which is entirely fair as slots take up resources).
2. Are guilds associated with servers or are they unique across all servers? Can characters in Overflow land gain influence for their guild?
3. Will there always be an overflow server or will folks be enticed to less populated servers in some fashion?
This is great. Especially for me because I have absolutely no tolerance for server ques. If it happens I either permanently switch to another server and leave my former toon forever in limbo, or I stop playing the game entirely. There are things I dont like I will tolerate in mmos, but server ques dont make the list.
So Im glad they are doing something like this. A great idea and very practical.
I see some of you concentrate on the really important stuff.
Let me explain what an overflow server is and what it does. It is a technology we also use as our version of a queuing system. When a map or a world you want to log into is at capacity limit, the game will ask you if you want to play on an overflow server - so you can actually play while you are in a queue. Once space opens on your world, the game will ask you if you want to join your friends on your world. And you keep all the progress you made while you were playing on the overflow server.
These guys really seem to look at problems that plague most games and come up with pretty cool solutions.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
Technology though can only go so far to get X amount of people in an area.
hmm so mmos used to do fine without instancing but now we have multiple fold better technology its a problem?
anyway other games seem to manage it, darkfall for example has no instances for its whole server and only lagged when fights were 100 plus people, PLUS the games combat is fps so more stress.
im just sayin tech wise alot of what mmo devs say is possible is done by some random indy companies.
I see some of you concentrate on the really important stuff.
Let me explain what an overflow server is and what it does. It is a technology we also use as our version of a queuing system. When a map or a world you want to log into is at capacity limit, the game will ask you if you want to play on an overflow server - so you can actually play while you are in a queue. Once space opens on your world, the game will ask you if you want to join your friends on your world. And you keep all the progress you made while you were playing on the overflow server.
These guys really seem to look at problems that plague most games and come up with pretty cool solutions.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
You must not know anything about GW2 or... MMOs at all?
Technology though can only go so far to get X amount of people in an area.
anyway other games seem to manage it, darkfall for example has no instances for its whole server and only lagged when fights were 100 plus people, PLUS the games combat is fps so more stress.
I see some of you concentrate on the really important stuff.
Let me explain what an overflow server is and what it does. It is a technology we also use as our version of a queuing system. When a map or a world you want to log into is at capacity limit, the game will ask you if you want to play on an overflow server - so you can actually play while you are in a queue. Once space opens on your world, the game will ask you if you want to join your friends on your world. And you keep all the progress you made while you were playing on the overflow server.
These guys really seem to look at problems that plague most games and come up with pretty cool solutions.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
It's not "Overflow Instance" or "Overflow Shard". It's Overflow Server. Hence the name of the thread. Bye Bye Login Queue.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it."-Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
It's a cool solution, I like it. Everyone complaining about it, please remember that the situation is such that you either get to play on an overflow server, or not play AT ALL. It's not perfect, but it's a lot better than waiting in a queue.
Also, IIRC, GW2 will have free server transfers. So if your server is really full, you and your buds can always just move.
Everyone complaining about? What possible reason would they have for being against this assuming it works as intended? The 'ole instance bitch I take it?
Seems most are either indifferent to it or for it from what I have seen.
but i want to rage about instances. they're such a last century game mechanic. awful. stupid.
I see some of you concentrate on the really important stuff.
Let me explain what an overflow server is and what it does. It is a technology we also use as our version of a queuing system. When a map or a world you want to log into is at capacity limit, the game will ask you if you want to play on an overflow server - so you can actually play while you are in a queue. Once space opens on your world, the game will ask you if you want to join your friends on your world. And you keep all the progress you made while you were playing on the overflow server.
These guys really seem to look at problems that plague most games and come up with pretty cool solutions.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
absolutely. i think it's rubbish.
keep us all in queues, i say. especially in the first few weeks with the hour-two hour long queues. man, i love those! that's what i buy games FOR! i don't pay to play. i pay to queue! i love that screenie with the the pop-up saying "the server is full - go watch a movie and try again later".
it's like going clubbing. i love going clubbing and waiting for the bouncer to let me in! that's the whole idea of going clubbing! anyone ever seen inside one, by the way? what are they like?
ANET look at what's wrong with current games and come up with solutions. I like that.
Considering queues are only really a problem during the first month of release, and the only thing you're doing is creating a character and blasting through the initial starting areas, this approach suits me fine.
I see some of you concentrate on the really important stuff.
Let me explain what an overflow server is and what it does. It is a technology we also use as our version of a queuing system. When a map or a world you want to log into is at capacity limit, the game will ask you if you want to play on an overflow server - so you can actually play while you are in a queue. Once space opens on your world, the game will ask you if you want to join your friends on your world. And you keep all the progress you made while you were playing on the overflow server.
These guys really seem to look at problems that plague most games and come up with pretty cool solutions.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
It's not "Overflow Instance" or "Overflow Shard". It's Overflow Server. Hence the name of the thread. Bye Bye Login Queue.
Read the statement, unless shards/servers are being called "maps" you guys are misreading what he said.... When you log into a map or world it puts you in a duplicate instance of the one your friends are in, when a slot opens up it then puts you in the main instance.
I don't see where he was talking about a log in server... Maybe the Dev is not being clear (shrug)
I see some of you concentrate on the really important stuff.
Let me explain what an overflow server is and what it does. It is a technology we also use as our version of a queuing system. When a map or a world you want to log into is at capacity limit, the game will ask you if you want to play on an overflow server - so you can actually play while you are in a queue. Once space opens on your world, the game will ask you if you want to join your friends on your world. And you keep all the progress you made while you were playing on the overflow server.
These guys really seem to look at problems that plague most games and come up with pretty cool solutions.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
It's not "Overflow Instance" or "Overflow Shard". It's Overflow Server. Hence the name of the thread. Bye Bye Login Queue.
Read the statement, unless shards/servers are being called "maps" you guys are misreading what he said.... When you log into a map or world it puts you in a duplicate instance of the one your friends are in, when a slot opens up it then puts you in the main instance.
I don't see where he was talking about a log in server... Maybe the Dev is not being clear (shrug)
Wow, can you not read. It clearly says, if you try to log into the world and its full, you can still play instead of waiting. If you prefer to wait, then by all means, go ahead and wait. They won't FORCE your hands on the keyboard to play.
Some maps are held on servers, like pvp maps. If you try to log into those maps, you will have to play in the overload server if its full.
There is absolutely nothing negative about thus system. This system only adds benefits. Its been mentioned before, if you went to que up like SWTOR, you can. Arena et are just giving you the option to play while you wait.
Its like waiting in line to go shopping. Instead of waiting, you can look through the products in a magazine while you wait in line. Its not as good as actually shopping, but its better than staring at the wall. Just like playing in an overload SERVER is not as good as playing in your server, but sure beats waiting in que doing NOTHING. Now you can refuse the magazine and wait, but in the end, one option to wait is not as good as one option to wait and one option to play.
Alright Creslin, I owe you an apology. Take it for what it's worth because rarely will you see me admit I was wrong.
Apparently there are some that think this is a bad idea. I have no idea why this is such a problem to them, but I get why you made the other comment I quoted.
In my defense, I was going under the belief that people would prefer something like this to extremely long queues or a game having too many servers diluting populations. Silly me I guess.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
I see some of you concentrate on the really important stuff.
Let me explain what an overflow server is and what it does. It is a technology we also use as our version of a queuing system. When a map or a world you want to log into is at capacity limit, the game will ask you if you want to play on an overflow server - so you can actually play while you are in a queue. Once space opens on your world, the game will ask you if you want to join your friends on your world. And you keep all the progress you made while you were playing on the overflow server.
These guys really seem to look at problems that plague most games and come up with pretty cool solutions.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
It's not "Overflow Instance" or "Overflow Shard". It's Overflow Server. Hence the name of the thread. Bye Bye Login Queue.
Read the statement, unless shards/servers are being called "maps" you guys are misreading what he said.... When you log into a map or world it puts you in a duplicate instance of the one your friends are in, when a slot opens up it then puts you in the main instance.
I don't see where he was talking about a log in server... Maybe the Dev is not being clear (shrug)
Martin is pretty clear, but some people apparently don't want to believe or understand what he wrote.
When your server is full, most games would put you in a queue where all you do is stare at the screen waiting to get in the game. GW2 asks you if you would like to go to an "overflow server". Not an instanced copy of a zone, an actual game server designated for overflow of players from full servers.
They don't specify this, but given the way the game is designed and the fact that they have already promised quick, free, painless server transfers, (with possibly a few lose restrictions and World vs. World limits to prevent abuse), it's a very, very good bet that an "overflow server" is actually a standard game server with a lower population. When you chose to go to an overflow server, you end up in the same location you would have on your own server. When your queue is ready, you can head back to your home server, with all progress and loot you earned intact.
If this is just the same as other games do, why do other games have queues that leave you stuck staring at the server select screen?
You know I was sitting here thinking back at a certaint release, it's sort of funny IMO, all that when you just needed this kind of set it's really funny if you think about it.
Example like best launches being spread out to limit queues when only to be top'd by highly possible none at all too funny.
I might get banned for this. - Rizel Star.
I'm not afraid to tell trolls what they [need] to hear, even if that means for me to have an forced absence afterwards.
P2P LOGIC = If it's P2P it means longevity, overall better game, and THE BEST SUPPORT EVER!!!!!(Which has been rinsed and repeated about a thousand times)
Common Sense Logic = P2P logic is no better than F2P Logic.
This is a good idea. But frankly its pathetic that some other company wasn't doing this 5 years.
This is not a new idea. This sort of stuff has been done on business servers for decades. The fact of the matter many of the people designing your MMOs are fairly technically ignorant.
Conversely Jeff Strain was one of the three founders of ANet and he wrote the original net code for WoW and BNet. He is (or was) a real developer with actuall experience dealing with stuff at the hardware level (which is actually somewhat rare ).
Basically other MMOs ways of persistenting your character data and where it resides are extrememly primitive and locked down and are done by brute force. That is why other MMOs basically hard code you into a server. This sort of stuff has been a No-No in software development since before EQ came out. People forgive games like EQ because they had so many hard problems to solve.
But here we are 12 years later and you get only two companies where the design aspects are done in a way where the game play is also capable of properly accounting for how they should cluster stuff. Two because EvE is clustered in a very novel way for a good reason.
how have other companies not been doing this for years!!! Honestly this is such a great idea and can't beleive other games have not done this.. especially for high profile games like swtor.. I honestly don't see how ANYONE could possibly say anything bad about this if it works as intented... I mean really what in the world bad could come out of this if it works?
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
This question is why I'm confident that the "Over Flow" server designation is a dynamically determined one. If overflow is redirected to less populated servers, there would only be a problem if every single server was full, which woth a proper launch roll out strategy should never happen.
Comments
While I would prefer there are no queues, we all know they are tough to avoid at launch. I would much rather be playing the game while waiting to join my friends. Queues will eventually die down on most servers after the game settles in anyway. Those people who cannot tolerate queues (or this new GW2 system) should make sure they try to join low/med pop servers.
A sure sign that you are in an old, dying paradigm/mindset, is when you are scared of new ideas and new technology. Don't feel bad. The world is moving on without you, and you are welcome to yell "Get Off My Lawn!" all you want while it happens. You cannot, however, stop an idea whose time has come.
I would ask for a 15 more minute button that just moved you down the queue a couple of people.
Now here's something to ponder. The guy who made your life miserable last night in WvW is stuck on the same overflow server as you, and just rezzed you from a tough Dynamic Event death
Actually this is brilliant. Between overflow and free server transfers the mess that is the first couple of weeks of a new MMO might be much easier to bear. I'm sure it won't be perfect but at least they are trying something new.
I'm guessing that there are limitations on WvW for those in Overflow as I can't really wrap my head around how it would be fair to let those in Overflow affect Regular Server standings.
Other thoughts to ponder:
1. I believe it's been stated that there are 5 character slots available. I'm guessing based on this news that those 5 characters are account and not server based and must have unique names across all servers. One of the ways GW2 will make money is selling more character slots (which is entirely fair as slots take up resources).
2. Are guilds associated with servers or are they unique across all servers? Can characters in Overflow land gain influence for their guild?
3. Will there always be an overflow server or will folks be enticed to less populated servers in some fashion?
Interesting. Can't wait to see it in action for myself.
"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
I need to take this advice more.
This is great. Especially for me because I have absolutely no tolerance for server ques. If it happens I either permanently switch to another server and leave my former toon forever in limbo, or I stop playing the game entirely. There are things I dont like I will tolerate in mmos, but server ques dont make the list.
So Im glad they are doing something like this. A great idea and very practical.
How is this not like normal instancing in other MMO's? other then it auto putting you into the main instance when a slot opens up its the same instance system as SWTOR, AOC, etc.....
There just trying to cover up the fact there using instancing by giving it a different name "Overflow Server" lol
GW2, shitting on other games by the minute.
hmm so mmos used to do fine without instancing but now we have multiple fold better technology its a problem?
anyway other games seem to manage it, darkfall for example has no instances for its whole server and only lagged when fights were 100 plus people, PLUS the games combat is fps so more stress.
im just sayin tech wise alot of what mmo devs say is possible is done by some random indy companies.
My blog:
You must not know anything about GW2 or... MMOs at all?
Darkfall only ever HAD 100 people.
It's not "Overflow Instance" or "Overflow Shard". It's Overflow Server. Hence the name of the thread. Bye Bye Login Queue.
"Gamers will no longer buy the argument that every MMO requires a subscription fee to offset server and bandwidth costs. It's not true you know it, and they know it." -Jeff Strain, co-founder of ArenaNet, 2007
but i want to rage about instances. they're such a last century game mechanic. awful. stupid.
excuse me, i'm off to play some swtor.
absolutely. i think it's rubbish.
keep us all in queues, i say. especially in the first few weeks with the hour-two hour long queues. man, i love those! that's what i buy games FOR! i don't pay to play. i pay to queue! i love that screenie with the the pop-up saying "the server is full - go watch a movie and try again later".
it's like going clubbing. i love going clubbing and waiting for the bouncer to let me in! that's the whole idea of going clubbing! anyone ever seen inside one, by the way? what are they like?
Now this is thinking outside the box!
ANET look at what's wrong with current games and come up with solutions. I like that.
Considering queues are only really a problem during the first month of release, and the only thing you're doing is creating a character and blasting through the initial starting areas, this approach suits me fine.
Read the statement, unless shards/servers are being called "maps" you guys are misreading what he said.... When you log into a map or world it puts you in a duplicate instance of the one your friends are in, when a slot opens up it then puts you in the main instance.
I don't see where he was talking about a log in server... Maybe the Dev is not being clear (shrug)
complaining comment about something new, which no one has come up with yet, sucks more. believe me.
This idea shines bright and cool! ...for those who cant wait the queue.
Yeah btw its queue not que ;P
Wow, can you not read. It clearly says, if you try to log into the world and its full, you can still play instead of waiting. If you prefer to wait, then by all means, go ahead and wait. They won't FORCE your hands on the keyboard to play.
Some maps are held on servers, like pvp maps. If you try to log into those maps, you will have to play in the overload server if its full.
There is absolutely nothing negative about thus system. This system only adds benefits. Its been mentioned before, if you went to que up like SWTOR, you can. Arena et are just giving you the option to play while you wait.
Its like waiting in line to go shopping. Instead of waiting, you can look through the products in a magazine while you wait in line. Its not as good as actually shopping, but its better than staring at the wall. Just like playing in an overload SERVER is not as good as playing in your server, but sure beats waiting in que doing NOTHING. Now you can refuse the magazine and wait, but in the end, one option to wait is not as good as one option to wait and one option to play.
Alright Creslin, I owe you an apology. Take it for what it's worth because rarely will you see me admit I was wrong.
Apparently there are some that think this is a bad idea. I have no idea why this is such a problem to them, but I get why you made the other comment I quoted.
In my defense, I was going under the belief that people would prefer something like this to extremely long queues or a game having too many servers diluting populations. Silly me I guess.
1. For god's sake mmo gamers, enough with the analogies. They're unnecessary and your comparisons are terrible, dissimilar, and illogical.
2. To posters feeling the need to state how f2p really isn't f2p: Players understand the concept. You aren't privy to some secret the rest are missing. You're embarrassing yourself.
3. Yes, Cpt. Obvious, we're not industry experts. Now run along and let the big people use the forums for their purpose.
Martin is pretty clear, but some people apparently don't want to believe or understand what he wrote.
When your server is full, most games would put you in a queue where all you do is stare at the screen waiting to get in the game. GW2 asks you if you would like to go to an "overflow server". Not an instanced copy of a zone, an actual game server designated for overflow of players from full servers.
They don't specify this, but given the way the game is designed and the fact that they have already promised quick, free, painless server transfers, (with possibly a few lose restrictions and World vs. World limits to prevent abuse), it's a very, very good bet that an "overflow server" is actually a standard game server with a lower population. When you chose to go to an overflow server, you end up in the same location you would have on your own server. When your queue is ready, you can head back to your home server, with all progress and loot you earned intact.
If this is just the same as other games do, why do other games have queues that leave you stuck staring at the server select screen?
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
Frank 'Spankybus' Mignone
www.spankybus.com
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-Writer
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I'm sure they would have another one.
There will be another overflow server... and another one for that one.
OVERFLOWSERVERCEPTION!
"Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference."
I need to take this advice more.
You know I was sitting here thinking back at a certaint release, it's sort of funny IMO, all that when you just needed this kind of set it's really funny if you think about it.
Example like best launches being spread out to limit queues when only to be top'd by highly possible none at all too funny.
I might get banned for this. - Rizel Star.
I'm not afraid to tell trolls what they [need] to hear, even if that means for me to have an forced absence afterwards.
P2P LOGIC = If it's P2P it means longevity, overall better game, and THE BEST SUPPORT EVER!!!!!(Which has been rinsed and repeated about a thousand times)
Common Sense Logic = P2P logic is no better than F2P Logic.
This is a good idea. But frankly its pathetic that some other company wasn't doing this 5 years.
This is not a new idea. This sort of stuff has been done on business servers for decades. The fact of the matter many of the people designing your MMOs are fairly technically ignorant.
Conversely Jeff Strain was one of the three founders of ANet and he wrote the original net code for WoW and BNet. He is (or was) a real developer with actuall experience dealing with stuff at the hardware level (which is actually somewhat rare ).
Basically other MMOs ways of persistenting your character data and where it resides are extrememly primitive and locked down and are done by brute force. That is why other MMOs basically hard code you into a server. This sort of stuff has been a No-No in software development since before EQ came out. People forgive games like EQ because they had so many hard problems to solve.
But here we are 12 years later and you get only two companies where the design aspects are done in a way where the game play is also capable of properly accounting for how they should cluster stuff. Two because EvE is clustered in a very novel way for a good reason.
how have other companies not been doing this for years!!! Honestly this is such a great idea and can't beleive other games have not done this.. especially for high profile games like swtor.. I honestly don't see how ANYONE could possibly say anything bad about this if it works as intented... I mean really what in the world bad could come out of this if it works?
I angered the clerk in a clothing shop today. She asked me what size I was and I said actual, because I am not to scale. I like vending machines 'cause snacks are better when they fall. If I buy a candy bar at a store, oftentimes, I will drop it... so that it achieves its maximum flavor potential. --Mitch Hedberg
This question is why I'm confident that the "Over Flow" server designation is a dynamically determined one. If overflow is redirected to less populated servers, there would only be a problem if every single server was full, which woth a proper launch roll out strategy should never happen.
Want to know more about GW2 and why there is so much buzz? Start here: Guild Wars 2 Mass Info for the Uninitiated
