NA/JP Integration or no?

[Awntawn]

There's been various discussion of this over LS's and such, but for me, it's always been with the same people. What's everyone's opinion on it, how do you think it will effect the current community in the game right now if they decide to integrate? Although, logically, it would be better to separate, due to extreme cultural differences, but game mechanically, most facts point towards integration. I, personally, don't think NA and JP would effect each other too much, mostly due to timezones plus the EN, JP, and JP EN tags. I figured Square's goal was to create a mutually enjoyable environment, so I always figured they would integrate. My points have been met with quite a lot of hostility whenever I bring it up in LS, however :( What's everyone's outlook and/or prediction on the subject matter?

[Tomoh]

As much as I want to party with my brother in LA, my position is NO to integration. I've already had many bad experiences with PSO. Also, my brother is a trash talking king and I would not want him on Rangrok. People would start posting on this forum about what an a-hole he is:biggrin:

The best option is for Square to start a new English server and give the current players on JP servers the option to move. How many of you would move if given the choice? I am here to stay in Rangrok.

[Maxim]

It's a mixed bag for me, I sort of wish NA and Japan will share servers, but at the same time I don't really want it to. If they're on the same server, I can play with my own character that I have now with my friends who haven't imported and are waiting for the NA release, but that's the only reason why I want it to be on the same servers. On the other hand, it's most likely better that they're on different servers for the various reasons that have already been stated serveral times about the whole JP + EN = Mess thing.

Yet, I still think that the servers are going to be shared ever since I saw the option where you could change your language settings. Every time I bring the topic of integrating servers into my LS, everyone tells me that it's going to be on separate servers though, and ridicule me and stuff. TT

From my viewpoint, Square put the language option for a reason: to separate English speakers from Japanese speakers. But isn't it sort of odd how the game hasn't been released here yet and you can still set your language to EN or JP EN? Why would Square need to implement that when the majority of the players right now is going to be JP anyway? I mean, it's true that there are going to be some importers due to the hype, but the importer population is still relatively small - not enough to merit the language changing option when not many people will be using it anyway. It would be like preparing twenty plates when you're only going to be having five people for dinner. However, Square put that option in there because they were planning on integrating servers from the very start, and realized that it would be in their best interest to put the language option so people ing-game will be able to recognize what language other's speak once the English speakers flood the servers. They didn't just haphazardly put EN/JP EN in there by chance. It's not like they put it in there without a reason, because if they did, why didn't they put "Chinese" as one of the languages since 1/6 of the world speaks the language? The answer is basically that Square isn't planning on releasing the game there and integrating servers with the Japanese or anything, only NA.

I still believe that the servers are going to be shared, despite the fact that nearly nobody believes me (Which is a real kick in the shin because it makes you look like a retarded nine year old. I probably am, too.) Moo I say, moo~

[Jonnyram]

I'm pretty sure the servers will be shared too. As you mentioned, the language option has always been there, but on top of that Square have repeatedly said in interviews that they will be sharing, as well as the current crop of GM recruits being required to speak English as well as Japanese.

There is no doubt that the server cost will be less if they let people share servers because every server will be using the exact same configuration, and the current servers will be capable of holding a lot more users when people move out of Jeuno (which will happen in the next few weeks for sure!)

Do I want them on the same server though? I really don't care. The game is made in such a way that you can really ignore anyone who tries to mess you about. There won't be any item problems like PSO, the only thing that could cause culture clash is pure rudeness, but I'm sure the Japanese players can get over that, just as much as the US players will have to get over Japanese people's shortcomings.

[ShadowHeart]

And you have to remember the first POL commercials, where all those kids called eachother around the world, planning to go online and fight in FFXI ... Thats gotta mean something!

[Xuande]

One thing that bothers me is why do people always use that EN/JP option as proof that servers will be integrated? This is not sufficient reasoning. If they really wanted to integrate people, there would be a lot more options for languages. It's just there because English may as well be a second language in Japan (I know its not). The point is, English may as well be a second language ANYWHERE. If you can't communicate with another person in your own language, it's assumed you can try to communicate with them in English, because of its global influence.

How hard would it be for them to add a language option at the time they actually integrate? They added the comment feature on hind sight which I'm sure was far more complex to implement than the language switch.

As far as the issue itself is concerned, I'd rather not share how I feel.

[Jei]

I am very happy right now playing with japanese players ^^

All i want is those NPCs to speak english ^^

[peacemaker]

JP/EN is a stange thing indeed. It would be stupid for Square to subject their current JP players to the ghetto that is to come when the NA version releases, but why they included any language options at all for this version simply doesn't make sense.

[Nadyxes]

yes it is peacemaker
i was wondering why the have JP/EN
but on the box of the game says for Japan only
strange :confused:

[ShadowHeart]

'Course the "old" servers wont get the US players, but Like Starv said, new servers (me talking now->) is more likely to be "all open" for any palyers, who wish to play on that pecific server ... Both JP and ENG !

[orts]

I am very happy right now playing with japanese players ^^

All i want is those NPCs to speak english ^^


lol i agree^^

[Jonnyram]

The reason it says "Japan Only" on the box is because it's for use on Japanese PS2s. Technically speaking neither hardware or software should be exported from Japan. That's all it's for - it's not designed to self-destruct outside of the country or anything ;)