There needs to be a server merge (argonnessen)

[colinski283]

I love this game and Im VIP but i doubt i will continue to play much longer because there is hardly anyone online playing. I play on argonnessen and I have toons in all level ranges. There is never more than 2-3 LFM groups on and those themselves are barely full.

The only remedy for this is to merge the servers so it feels like an MMO again instead of some ghost town private server.

I feel the LFM party system is fine. You set up a group and allow people to join even once you start the quest. That system is great. Now we only need people to play.

The game was made back in 2006 and it is showing its age but its still one i want to play alongside other people. Lets have a server merge so we feel like an MMO again and it will make me want to keep playing.

[droid327]

Orrrrr you could just transfer to/reroll on a higher-pop server..?

Some people prefer the lower-pop servers. Its much easier for you just to move to the big city, than to try and turn Smallville into Metropolis, to the dismay of all the Kents and Langs.

[colinski283]

Orrrrr you could just transfer to/reroll on a higher-pop server..?

Some people prefer the lower-pop servers. Its much easier for you just to move to the big city, than to try and turn Smallville into Metropolis, to the dismay of all the Kents and Langs.


I would be more than willing to transfer all my characters to a high pop server such as Khyber if it were free. To my understanding they want to charge for that. No way, Im already supporting the game as VIP and im not going to pay more money just to transfer because the game is dying. The transfer service still isn't in service last i checked anyways.

[TheMash]

Currently there's 26 lfm's up on Argonessen (not counting the bugged ones with no players in them).

Personally I rarely have any problems filling a group and I'm rarely on at peak hours since I'm european. That said I would also like a server merge since more people = more fun.

I still can't help but feel that you're making it a bigger deal than it is though.

[1Soulless1]

No really there doesn't. Argo is a great place and I love it. That is all.

[debo]

All you disgruntled players reading this no matter what server, who don't want to pay to transfer, come roll up new toons on Sarlona. We are always looking for fresh meat to play with. We raid constantly, we have nearly constant leveling trains, all sorts of players at all times of the day.

Yes, this is an official post from an official representative of the Sarlona wants You! society.

[moo_cow]

Agreed, not enough going on. Lots of groups are filled through channels and everything but that still isn't enough. Having to wait for lfm's to fill because of low server population is no fun.

[SerPounce]

I've never really understood why people would be against merging servers assuming there's no technical constraints or increased lag. I don't have a problem with the current activity level on Cannith, but I don't see how more could be anything other than a good thing.

I sure wouldn't mind raid groups filling faster, standing around waiting for a group to fill is such a downer. Waiting for a healer or other role-filler is one thing, but when you just can't get warm bodies to join it really sours me on the game.

[~Susie1262]

No thank you. More people=more lag. If you are not having fun on your server, move somewhere else. Leave the rest of us alone, thank you very much.

[xxHazexx]

The game's population is dwindling down regardless of the ever-so persistent neigh-sayers!. /Signed for Megaserver technology!

[SerPounce]

No thank you. More people=more lag. If you are not having fun on your server, move somewhere else. Leave the rest of us alone, thank you very much.

I'm sure at some level that given the same server resources that you get more lag with more people, but I just don't buy that most DDO lag is load related. Cannith was a ghost town in the months preceding MotU, and it was also the laggiest period we've had.

I would just assume that all requests for merging and increased server pops come with the caveat of "assuming it can be done without notable performance reductions." Nobody wants lag.

[colinski283]

Currently there's 26 lfm's up on Argonessen (not counting the bugged ones with no players in them).

Personally I rarely have any problems filling a group and I'm rarely on at peak hours since I'm european. That said I would also like a server merge since more people = more fun.

I still can't help but feel that you're making it a bigger deal than it is though.

There are 7 level groups from 1-20, i.e. 1-4, 4-7, 7-10, 10-13, 13-16, 16-19, 17-20. If you want to be more flexible then can just say 6 level groups.

26 groups / 7 level ranges is 3.7 parties per level group. If you do 26 groups / 6 level ranges it is still 4.3 groups per level range. An overall average of 4 groups playing at any time for your party level is still pretty terrible for an entire server.

Also, server lag isn't really because of population. It is caused by the round-trip network latency between a client game and the host server is referred to as the client's ping time. The population may have a minimal effect but not noticeable enough to cause DDO's current random lag spikes.

[rangerluna375]

Do you have the option clicked that states something like "show groups that Im not eligible for"?

If you don't have that clicked, you will only see groups in your current toon's level range. If a group is not looking for you class, those groups will not show up either.

And the only reason Im even mentioning this, is that I play on Argo and I PUG constantly, and the LFM panel is always full.

[colinski283]

Do you have the option clicked that states something like "show groups that Im not eligible for"?

If you don't have that clicked, you will only see groups in your current toon's level range. If a group is not looking for you class, those groups will not show up either.

And the only reason Im even mentioning this, is that I play on Argo and I PUG constantly, and the LFM panel is always full.

Wow when are you playing? Are you playing right now? I only get on from 11 pm - 2 am US Central time. The times I have logged in what seems would be prime time at 8 PM US time it was still no different, almost no parties. If you are playing now then I would never see it. But at this time in US everyone is at school and working. I dont see how it would be full now.

Do i need to open some ports or something lol?

[droid327]

I've never really understood why people would be against merging servers assuming there's no technical constraints or increased lag.

-Increased lag, thats always a concern and you cant just discount it arbitrarily...if lag was so easy to prevent, then why do we still have it at all?
-Smaller servers are a closer community. You get more self-regulation of d-bags and a-holes in General chat, etc. Corollary to that, the players that do enjoy small-server environments tend not to be those same d-bag "power gamer" types, so the community that does develop tends to be a bit more mature. Groups that do form tend to be less exclusionary of niche builds, casual gamers, first-lifers, etc.
-Economy less prone to inflation, particularly from exploiters exploiting.
-You can get/keep the name you want. Server merges usually mean the smaller server gets shafted for name conflicts.

-Not so much in an all-instance game like DDO, but generally for MMOs, smaller servers mean less competition for fixed shared resources (ie spawns, etc.). It does play into DDO for shared-world events like Mabar or Crystal Cove, somewhat, though the spawn rate is usually great enough that its not really a "fixed" resource.

There are valid reasons for wanting to preserve small-server communities.

[backandforth]

If you'd tell me to merge all servers and have a marketplace with 20 instances i would still say sure do it.

I have the belief though that things will be better soon. This period is a period where people try neverwinter or other games while waiting for a new update. When Devs start hyping new content, more people will return.

[Enoach]

If you'd tell me to merge all servers and have a marketplace with 20 instances i would still say sure do it.

I have the belief though that things will be better soon. This period is a period where people try neverwinter or other games while waiting for a new update. When Devs start hyping new content, more people will return.

I agree with this.

I've already started to see people return from neverwinter.

As a note, the LFM system usually only displays groups that are looking for members, groups that are Full or at least filled to the PL's specification will not appear on the list.

If you want to have some fun, look at the Level Ranges in your breakdown in the WHO area and look at their location which will vary from Public Area to Instanced areas such as Quests and Explorer areas.

[scoobmx]

I've experienced no problems. US pacific time zone

[Gkar]

I love this game and Im VIP but i doubt i will continue to play much longer because there is hardly anyone online playing. I play on argonnessen and I have toons in all level ranges. There is never more than 2-3 LFM groups on and those themselves are barely full.

Odd, at this moment, not even during prime time, I see 28 groups ranging from L1 to epic. I don't think I've ever seen under a dozen. groups at any time I've been on.

Plus, even when there is nothing on that interests me, most of the time if I put up an LFM it fills or near fills in the time it takes me to buff.



I've never really understood why people would be against merging servers assuming there's no technical constraints or increased lag. .

Those of us who were around for the first server merges recall the good and bad of a merge. Yes, there were a few more groups. On other hand both guilds and individual characters lost the names they had been using since 2006. That was enough to cause a number of people to quit the game.

Not worth it. At this point the server population is fine, except of course for the DE server.

[colinski283]

Odd, at this moment, not even during prime time, I see 28 groups ranging from L1 to epic. I don't think I've ever seen under a dozen. groups at any time I've been on.

Plus, even when there is nothing on that interests me, most of the time if I put up an LFM it fills or near fills in the time it takes me to buff.




Those of us who were around for the first server merges recall the good and bad of a merge. Yes, there were a few more groups. On other hand both guilds and individual characters lost the names they had been using since 2006. That was enough to cause a number of people to quit the game.

Not worth it. At this point the server population is fine, except of course for the DE server.

28 groups playing lvl 1 - epic, that's pretty terrible. Like 4 groups per level range.

[tigerlilli]

/signed
I think an Argo merge with one of the lower population servers would be a positive thing. And to the peeps saying just transfer to a more populated server, last I heard world transfers were disabled. I love my server and wouldn't want to leave anyway.

[Sonos]

28 groups playing lvl 1 - epic, that's pretty terrible. Like 4 groups per level range.

Keep in mind that on Argo, a lot of people are grouping in chat channels and with guildies. Get into a guild that runs a lot together. A lot of guild mergers have cut lfm's quite a bit too. Good luck!

I do however tend to support merging another server, maybe a small one or two.

[Drwaz99]

No really there doesn't. Argo is a great place and I love it. That is all.

Just remember, just because you love Argo, doesn't mean Argo loves you!

[Ironclans_evil_twin]

Thelanis last night had 9 LFM's.the most populated server or tied for most populated with khyber

Also one of you divided LFM's by 1-20 levels there's 25 levels, your 3-ish LFM's per level range is probably more like 2.5 ish when you factor in 20-25. If you factor in that there are no hard set level ranges the number drops even more.

Level ranges also have a problem... the game really doesn't have 1-4, 4-7, 7-10, 10-14... The ranges are much less stratified, you might have a 1-4 in the same panel as a 2-4, and a 4-5 for a 3rd level quest that you can't join at 3rd level because the leader doesn't want anyone below the quest level to join to make it easier for him to complete. You also get 1-25's (loot runs and favor only) and all sorts of variations. The truth is that 20 LFM's total is a very unhealthy number for this games LFM system, because it's so filled with other impediments, once you drop below the critical mass threshold you get people leaving because there's nothing to do besides solo. Most people are joiners not leaders, that means lots of people have VERY limited options for LFM's to join... that means lots of people are looking for another game to play or something else to do because they can't play DDO.

[rangerluna375]

Wow when are you playing? Are you playing right now? I only get on from 11 pm - 2 am US Central time. The times I have logged in what seems would be prime time at 8 PM US time it was still no different, almost no parties. If you are playing now then I would never see it. But at this time in US everyone is at school and working. I dont see how it would be full now.

Do i need to open some ports or something lol?Ive been pugging epic content off and on for most of the day. US CST.

"Full" (LFM) is a relative term. My experience has been that there are usually LFM's on Argo in practically every level range throughout the day. I can be on anywhere from 9 am through 11 pm.

Sometimes there are less, sometimes there are more. And the LFM panel doesn't take into account guild and channel runs.

Argo isn't something I would call anywhere close to being dead.

[colinski283]

Thelanis last night had 9 LFM's.the most populated server or tied for most populated with khyber

Also one of you divided LFM's by 1-20 levels there's 25 levels, your 3-ish LFM's per level range is probably more like 2.5 ish when you factor in 20-25. If you factor in that there are no hard set level ranges the number drops even more.

Level ranges also have a problem... the game really doesn't have 1-4, 4-7, 7-10, 10-14... The ranges are much less stratified, you might have a 1-4 in the same panel as a 2-4, and a 4-5 for a 3rd level quest that you can't join at 3rd level because the leader doesn't want anyone below the quest level to join to make it easier for him to complete. You also get 1-25's (loot runs and favor only) and all sorts of variations. The truth is that 20 LFM's total is a very unhealthy number for this games LFM system, because it's so filled with other impediments, once you drop below the critical mass threshold you get people leaving because there's nothing to do besides solo. Most people are joiners not leaders, that means lots of people have VERY limited options for LFM's to join... that means lots of people are looking for another game to play or something else to do because they can't play DDO.

Very well said sir, thank you

[Aussir]

I don't know about others, but after spending my time in Lammania testing the coming enhancement pass and seeing the devs outright stating that some of the most detrimental issues with the new enhancement pass will not be changed, it kind of put me off playing.

I have been playing maybe once or twice a week instead of every evening ever since I saw that enhancement pass and I've been spending most of my time in City of Steam (NWO can go eat some d***s for all I care). I recommend it if you like steampunk-ish, dark settings and it has the option of browser play or download from Steam.

Still, I'm not abandoning DDO completely and I'm waiting to see what comes on the second run of the enhancement pass even if just the "alpha" already showed me how screwed up the builds will be, especially on casters.

[jillie]

I play on Argo, and don't get online until after work, so 11 eastern time, 8 west coast. I don't find a problem finding groups until about 4 hours after that time, when the west coasters start to go to sleep. And often, I run into some Euro or Aussie players around then, and can keep going until I fall asleep on my keyboard.

It does help that I'll be flexible as to the characters that I'll play. I might not be able to find anything for my current TR project, and have to run one of my endgame toons, or vice-versa. But I almost always find something fun to run.

[goodspeed]

Currently there's 26 lfm's up on Argonessen (not counting the bugged ones with no players in them).

Personally I rarely have any problems filling a group and I'm rarely on at peak hours since I'm european. That said I would also like a server merge since more people = more fun.

I still can't help but feel that you're making it a bigger deal than it is though.

lol ima go make number 27! Then their will be 27 people looking for grp bwahaha

[slugstone]

28 groups playing lvl 1 - epic, that's pretty terrible. Like 4 groups per level range.

I never have a problem finding a group to play with. The question is do I want to do one of those quest. I can form my own group or go solo, that choice is up to me. :-)

PS yes we are on the same server

[HastyPudding]

Argo is extremely channel-based. It's filled with dozens of tight-knit groups that usually only take outsiders in dungeons or make LFM's when there's not enough people that want to do the same thing in the group. Argo never had a lot of LFM's because most business is done in channels and guilds. The only way to get anywhere in Argo is to make friends and join channels. When it comes to population, Argo is almost as populated as Khyber.

But I do agree to some server merging. There's several servers with tiny populations that could easily bolster the larger ones.

I also blame any recent activity on Lammania. It pulls people away from the live servers.

[Citzen_Gkar]

28 groups playing lvl 1 - epic, that's pretty terrible. Like 4 groups per level range.

How many do you need? Seriously if there were 20 per level I'd be more worried because that means groups weren't quickly filling and getting removed from the list.

[Paleus]

I've been playing on Argo since the F2P transition, so total froob some 4ish years or so. I've never gotten into the channel grouping and only rarely been in a guild that internally filled more than it was just a collection of puggers. May have something to do with my asocial personality (total shock to have one being an online gamer). There are demonstrably fewer LFMs now then when I started playing. However, I play nights on EST and I have never had a problem finding or starting a group almost exclusively through the LFM system. I also just tend to take whoever, sometimes post BYOH/IP, sometimes not just an LFM with no text.

So, I wouldn't characterize it as a need to merge servers to solve the problem of finding groups. Though I do see a downward trajectory, probably a combination of an aging game and established players closing ranks. You might be better off trying to establish a culture of open pugging, learning raids, etc. But that takes personal effort so other actions that involve having Turbine solve the problem instead could be reduced or personalized death xp penalty, instance quest teleport, reduced TR xp curve, or even completely doing away with the channel/guild system. Last ones in jest but its more about highlighting how changes to culture/incentives or your own personal approach to grouping may be more effective to realizing your goals than just merging two servers together and maintaining the status quo.

[Enoach]

On one hand "not a lot of LFM's" could mean a reduction in PuGs, but on an other hand it could also mean PuGs fill so fast their LFMs don't stay up long.

Guild Groups and Channel Groups also reduce the number of LFM's, as these groups are running with what can be referred to as "Known" members or at least a shared agenda.

I think using the LFM system as a "Measure of Life" on a server is only a small part of server life. Things we can't measure as users is Guild group activity, closed group activity.

[Gkar]

Guild Groups and Channel Groups also reduce the number of LFM's, as these groups are running with what can be referred to as "Known" members or at least a shared agenda.

I suspect that the changes to renown that made it not horribly punish larger guilds have led to a lot more larger guilds that are more likely to have enough guildies online to group with that things don't go to LFM as often.

[Nestroy]

I would suggest for Argo to merge with Wayfinder. So both server have something positive comming from the merge... *ducking away from the flames*

[Ironclans_evil_twin]

lol ima go make number 27! Then their will be 27 people looking for grp bwahaha

It's funny because it's true :D

[FrancisP.Fancypants]

Keep in mind that on Argo, a lot of people are grouping in chat channels and with guildies. Get into a guild that runs a lot together. A lot of guild mergers have cut lfm's quite a bit too. Good luck!

I do however tend to support merging another server, maybe a small one or two.

I don't think a merge is necessary, but this is exactly it. I've seen more activity lately in my guild and the guilds we generally run with because there are more members on consistently. Rather than posting LFMs we're just running together.

It's also May; end of the school year for kids (and more relevant to DDO, parents), vacations (or putting in more hours before vacation), outdoor stuff, and so forth. It's usually quieter from now until mid-July.

[FalseFlag]

Maybe they are just hiding from you because they don't want to run with you? Ever consider that? Didn't think so.

[Devachan]

/signed.

Thelanis is dead during Australian evenings. I'm talking tumbleweeds.

It is reasonably active during US prime time, but still by no means crowded. Server merge would help. I would be interested to know how many players are hosted on a WOW server at peak times. I bet it isn't the paltry 150-200 players I tend to see when Thelanis is 'busy'.

I agree that the number of LFMs is a variable indicator of how busy a server is. I have found however that it is reasonably correlated with the number of players online. Both have been dropping. Can't blame it on NWN because the falling numbers pre-date that.

Regarding this:


-Increased lag, thats always a concern and you cant just discount it arbitrarily...if lag was so easy to prevent, then why do we still have it at all?
-Smaller servers are a closer community. You get more self-regulation of d-bags and a-holes in General chat, etc. Corollary to that, the players that do enjoy small-server environments tend not to be those same d-bag "power gamer" types, so the community that does develop tends to be a bit more mature. Groups that do form tend to be less exclusionary of niche builds, casual gamers, first-lifers, etc.
-Economy less prone to inflation, particularly from exploiters exploiting.
-You can get/keep the name you want. Server merges usually mean the smaller server gets shafted for name conflicts.

-Not so much in an all-instance game like DDO, but generally for MMOs, smaller servers mean less competition for fixed shared resources (ie spawns, etc.). It does play into DDO for shared-world events like Mabar or Crystal Cove, somewhat, though the spawn rate is usually great enough that its not really a "fixed" resource.

There are valid reasons for wanting to preserve small-server communities.

Droid, that is a very cogent set of reasons not to merge. I would live with all of those downsides in a heartbeat if it meant more people around at both peak and off-peak times.

[HotMaarl]

Some people are SO bad to group with (annoying, drunk, offensive etc) that they start getting black-listed and ignored on the server. Not saying this applies to the OP. Just saying I have seen people make this bed for themselves and then come to the forums claiming that the server is supposedly "dead" for them.

imo, there is nothing wrong with Argo and a server transfer needs to be investigated instead.

[Raithe]

The truth is that 20 LFM's total is a very unhealthy number for this games LFM system, because it's so filled with other impediments, once you drop below the critical mass threshold you get people leaving because there's nothing to do besides solo.

So many valid and necessary observations put into a single sentence...
...let's count them:

1) Turbine did everything to protect players from each other except for THE ONLY THINGS THAT MATTERED - being able to play together without undue griefing.

2) The "other impediments" is what REALLY needs fixed. Of course that would mean getting a whole new playerbase while somehow ousting most of the current one...

3) (Most) people play MMOs to pass the time in an entertaining (interesting, fun, educational) manner. Solo-gaming is not an effective longterm strategy for such. If you are going to try to segregate your playerbase into compatible playstyles, you actually need to support each of those distinct playstyles on a semi-regular basis.

4) Hostile people are hostile with each other. The discriminators want everyone to believe its us the mighty against them the gimps. There is no us. Hostile people don't like playing with each other as much as basically everyone doesn't like playing with them.

There is no usefulness to a server merge. Increasing the number of hostiles playing with everyone increases the dropout rate to a degree that completely compensates for the retentation rate increasing due to increased LFMs and groups.a

[colinski283]

according to http://www.mmodata.net/ DDO had 110K active accounts in early 2010. It is now 2013 and Im sure those numbers have dwindled down even more. DDO needs server merging.

[Coyopa]

The game's population is dwindling down regardless of the ever-so persistent neigh-sayers!. /Signed for Megaserver technology!

A nay-sayer would be someone who controverts a statement, while...

A neigh-sayer would be a horse and...

a horse is a horse, of course of course
and no one can talk to a horse, of course ...

You're welcome!

[Uidolon]

On one hand "not a lot of LFM's" could mean a reduction in PuGs, but on an other hand it could also mean PuGs fill so fast their LFMs don't stay up long.

Guild Groups and Channel Groups also reduce the number of LFM's, as these groups are running with what can be referred to as "Known" members or at least a shared agenda.

I think using the LFM system as a "Measure of Life" on a server is only a small part of server life. Things we can't measure as users is Guild group activity, closed group activity.

id say if there isnt enough LFM then i would assume a new player wouldnt want to stay on this server and so its just a matter of time before the lack of normal LFM becomes a reality and there really is a lack of LFM.

this is my experince atlest dont play on argo so dont care either way

[1Soulless1]

Just remember, just because you love Argo, doesn't mean Argo loves you!

Argo's hate just makes me stronger....and go play in a woodchipper preppy, that is all ;)

[Hutoth]

http://ddoracle.com/images/serverLoadQuarterly.png

[tigerlilli]

Some people are SO bad to group with (annoying, drunk, offensive etc) that they start getting black-listed and ignored on the server.
Oh ok, maybe thats why the last couple pug raids I was in took an hour to fill & the one I was in last night never got more than 5 people after waiting at least 45 min. It must be me! Gee thx for the insight because I was thinking it might be less people playing or a dwindling population or something lol :p

[skaught78]

/signed. Thelanis is dead. Can't put a pug together if my life depended on it. I still play often, but the only time groups get made is peak times, and even then with difficulty.

[RandImpson]

/signed

Big time

Even the channels and guilds are dead on argonnessen when trying to put together a pug. Everyone always checks the channels and their guild, and they still take forever to fill.

People saying "there are 20 groups!" as a defense are just playing devils advocate, or haven't logged on Khyber and seen that there are a BALANCED 30 or 40 groups between all level ranged. 20 early level groups, then 2 or less groups for anything 17-25 for hours on end just isn't fun.

Server merge 100% is needed.

[Jaken]

/signed for Thelanis

[CoasterHops]

It seems a few more people are coming back to Khyber, and from running a few TRs lately there seems to be a fair bit of fresh fish being unloaded on the Harbor Docks.

Turbine need to reinstate the Raiding End Game, to pull old players back to the game.

[slarden]

Our guildies that are off playing neverwinter haven't returned yet, but one person promised he would be back starting this weekend after an 8 month break from the game. playing SWTOR and NW He was historically one of our most active guildies so that is a good sign.

I am skeptical about a server merge because there would initially be an increase in LFMS, but over time some of those people would become part of channels, guilds that only run as a guild and static groups for the same reasons people do that now.

I think the real challenge is to get more new players sticking with the game and buying content/subscribing to replace natural attrition that occurs over time. I think it would be also be good to reward people for posting LFMS without punishing those that want to run solo or exclusively with their friends.

With that said I am part of the problem because I stopped using the LFM system about 7 months ago. Once my friend is back playing the game I suspect we will use the LFM system more since we used to post and/or join LFMs for most quests.

As for Argo, I don't know anything about the server so I have no opinion about it merging due to low population.

[Sokól]

I think the problem is that players that post lfm´s are geared up and are waiting for the expansion. Some are working on some alts and with elite streaks, soloing and short-manning is just less time consuming...

Endgame on Argo is usually ok on weekends but mostly dead during the working days.

[little_me]

Okay... take following with a dose of salt since I've not played or looked at LFM status in last two years. (I'm waiting for them to fix a bug)

some of the problems concerning LFM numbers undoubtedly might be due to lesser player amount. This problem could be fixed with server merge.

a big chunk of it would be due to following though:

Dungeon scaling (more than one player, dungeons get scaled up in difficulty making it harder and/or take longer) This mainly applies to older players who are self sufficient and can both kill mobs and heal themselves.
Bravery bonus (yes, this IS a problem, no one wants slow people to slow down their streaks of +xxx% to exp or dying to give them -10%)
Epic destinies (they make almost anyone who has them self sufficient to big degree, at least according to what i've read of twist this and that and that here on forums)
scared of playing with others (reasons might be many. they die? they need to be told how to run something optimally? i have no clue..)

and of course guild/channel grouping that matches players up with their current friend groups avoiding LFM panel totally.

server merges would likely only fix the "not enough people" problem, which looking at the graph Hutoth posted a few posts ago affects Wayfinder only.


server merges wouldn't fix problems that come from design flaws that kind of penalize people for taking in more people.
like:
Dungeon scaling (can extra player bring in more damage than monsters get hp? if not, it's "counter productive")
Bravery bonus (dying and or mismanaging aggro or.. whatever means loss of exp. grouping with unknowns is a risk. add to this timed exp potions and it's a race against time)
Epic destinies (yes, supposedly they have lot of HP, they have even MORE HP if scaled up which implies that grouping with people who might die means less exp/minute and "wasted" run)


all that doesn't mean i don't like grouping, I love it and more often than not I've had most fun in "wasted" runs. like 3.5 hours Pit (yes, that lvl 8 quest) or.. Wizard king that took like 3 hours or... so on but... i can also see why some avoid public groups.

[Dhalgren]

Wow when are you playing? Are you playing right now? I only get on from 11 pm - 2 am US Central time. The times I have logged in what seems would be prime time at 8 PM US time it was still no different, almost no parties. If you are playing now then I would never see it. But at this time in US everyone is at school and working. I dont see how it would be full now.

Do i need to open some ports or something lol?

I dunno. I play in my static TR group in those times. When the others log off I usually have no trouble finding an LFM.

Maybe you need to start posting LFMs, get some friends, or hit us up for some runs?

I've seen it plenty busier, I won't deny that. But I've also seen it much more dead than it is right now.

[XxJFGxX]

/Signed for Orien.