Mike Ferguson speaks on Server Lists

Quote by MMOWarrior

Halish said it all much more eloquently than I have the talent for...

....that my friend was an understatement! Hal's post left me breathless and excited and proud all at the same time. This can be also be said for everyone who is posting here...the integrity is simply "amazing!"

I'm happy to be here and excited over what is about to happen for us. I have learned a great deal about "Server Selection" and what is involved in the process....all of this...I never knew or realized...the intricacies, the politics...the concern...the gamble and even...some fears. This is a great deal to analyze.

I have an overwhelming feeling we and in good company and great hands...and we are going to have the time of our lives.

:cheer:

I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Thank you Halish. Thank you.

I see and I understand your thoughts, from all of you, but I still believe it is a mistake believing that this is a solution to people's intolerance. It might seem as it is at first but if you look at it more closely it is no different than going to any server and I will explain why.

(Please bear with me I am not playing the devil's advocate just to piss you all off or because I want troll around. I am just sharing my beliefs and thoughts; I guess I am a bit different here).

Replying to some points since my last post:

for MMOWarrior

I find the discussion springing up about segregation interesting. I hardly think the GLBT is segregated here or in the world.. far from it.. I offer my viewpoint simply for the sake of good conversation.. just to be clear (because print can't always be) I wasn't offended by your sex comment, I think my response came off harsher than I meant it to be..

I go throughout my day at work, with family, playing in a community orchestra, etc.. all with straight folks.. yet I also like to go home to my safe haven where I'm totally accepted just as I am.. the GLBT community is like going home.. Who doesn't like to go home? Gay, Straight or otherwise.. It's not a matter of this OR that, it's a matter of this AND that.. these things are not mutually exclusive.. for the record my best gaming buddy is a straight guy I met back in DAoC.. we've now been friends and gaming buddies for some 10 years..

Anyway I just thought the conversation was interesting..

Yes tone in plain text can be misleading but no worries I think mine came out wrong as well. :)
You know, it's interesting because you and I are agreeing completely and here we are arguing!
In my previous post I said I was all for being on a guild of folks who share the same beliefs

Being on a gay-straight friendly guild is fun and cozy because we can joke around without freaking people out but beyond that

I agree 100% that when I go home, I want to be with the people I am comfortable with and not having to worry about the usual crap. But beyond the walls of my home/guild, that's the world/server we are talking about, that's a different subject.

It's like only looking for work in places where you know everyone is homosexual, taking only gay metros, going to gay post offices, gay banks, it's just impossible and too much!

You know what I actually see happening if we attempt a move like this and we succeed? Forums filled with:

"The fag server"
"Why can't they just fucking play with everyone and have to make fuzz about everything"

And even if we happen to get a few GLBT guilds together and go to the same place, this as you all know does not guarantee exclusivity and we will still have to deal with intolerant people at some point just as in the real word.

Having a few more guilds will not make a difference if one day someone calls you any names. If you need support after an incident like this, you have us, your guild, your family. I don't see how more GLBT guilds can make a huge difference on this matter, just a bit.

What I am trying to say here is that a move like this can have more negative consequences that good ones:

We move with other GLBT guilds:

- [BAD] We STILL have intolerant people (a very few less).
- [BAD] We risk a community outrage for segregating into one server giving a bad name to the gay community.
- [BAD] Segregation has a negative effect on society concerning acceptance of homosexuals.
- [GOOD] You can get support from others like you when in need.
- [GOOD] You minimize the chances of encountering assholes (by a VERY small percentage).

We do not move:

- [BAD] We have intolerant people.
- [GOOD] You can get support from others like you when in need.

The good from moving do not outweigh the bad.

I feel like I am trying to screw with your plans and your dreams and believe me it's nothing at all like that. Hey I will go wherever you go, I don't care! I guess I am just a bit of an altruist regarding this subject.

I really think that this wish to limit ourselves so much against "the others" in order to protect ourselves (which I totally get and understand, trust me, been bashed all my childhood in school - good old cliché) will prevent us from meeting other extraordinary folks out there and make a difference in the community.

Ok that's for my dear MMOWarrior with love :)

Moviong on to Mr. Halish

Again, I agree with everything you say.

You see guys, the thing here is that I am with you and your thoughts, but I think we can get what we want by just going anywhere want, that's the only difference.

A few comments for you:

You should be able to be open about who you are and what you like without fear that people who were becoming friends suddenly shy away from you.

You don't want these guys as friends then, you want quality people.

Gay accepting guilds are great but I find there's always a moment where somebody says something to you which crosses the border of "harmful teasing" into homophobia. You look around to your guild mates for support and you find it lacking with people claiming you're taking it too personally and if you have the problem perhaps you should go.

Obviously not all guilds are like this but in my experience being open in a none-GBLT guild lends it self to this inevitable truth and you have no choice but to "turn the other cheek" and we need to be more "thick skinned". All similar things we shouldn't tell children when they're being bullied in school but for some reason we still do because the only other option is to act against the offender and like I said you find your allies not-so-number-some.

Completely agree.
It still depends on the person though and their ability to deal with these problems and the people he or she encounters but that is a different issue. I could talk about this for ages though. :)
But that's why we have this awesome GLBT guild! So problem solved. ^^

Being in a gay guild on a server can bring about similar challenges, especially in a completely social environment where everybody is encouraged to play with each other and help each other. Having more GBLT guilds with us gives us a little more grounds to be open about ourselves knowing that we have support that will back us up. It means that we can take part in large scale content knowing that we're surrounded by friends rather than people who are muttering things like "I don't care what you do but why do you have to talk about it? By the way me and my girlfriend got engaged last night".

There's a terrible double standard in gaming where GBLT members should operate a "don't ask, don't tell" attitude while straight people can be as open as they like. I wish to avoid any of our members, even for a second, feeling upset by the comment of idiot. Anyway we can limit this is a good thing, in my eyes.

Back to what I said to MMOWarrior. A few more might help yes, but is it really going to make that big of a difference and it is worth it when you compare pros and cons?

I don't see why you should encounter anyone who makes a comment like that to you if you talk with your guild. If you talk in the area chat then possible, but with us you are safe.

And concerning your last point, well nothing to say, I am with you; that is why I joined: to be a part of a multicultural group of people who enjoy, embrace, accept and respect who they are.

Anyway there goes the long post, thanks for your comments all. :)

Just a small disclaimer:

I totally understand where you are going with this and I get it.
I will also go wherever you go and will help make it happen if need to be.
I know what it is to be tired of hearing hate comments and want your little refuge.
I AM NOT TROLLING I SWEAR!!! I am trying to be constructive and just express my opinion.

/edit

Replying to Thrumdi

You are 1000% correct there - I think I exceed a bit when it comes to being out there and you are right, not everyone is an activist :) - that is probably, well no, that is exactly the reason I am being a bit more difficult here. But yes you hit right on the spot. Thanks!

By the way!

Concerning server queues: did you know (you probable did but just in case) ArenaNet implemented overflow servers for where there are server queues?

If there is a queue, instead of being placed on a wait line at the welcome screen, your are logged into an overflow server where you can play normally with other players that are in queue.
Once a spot opens in your server you will be transferred and your progress while your were in the overflow server saved.

Pretty cool I think, in fact I think it's awesome!

So no need to worry about high server queues at launch when looking for a home. ^^

I do think that things like WvW do not work on overflow servers though. :(

I have to say i agree with tennek on this one, well put my friend :D

Quote by Siafu

Overall, these threads of statements made by these intelligent people are great and as a general rule I very much agree with the mood and spirit of their conversation.

(This was actually a comment I made about some other people discussing their own server-situation and concerns. I've brought it back to apply this/my statement to this thread.)

After (ALL) that I have read on the subject of selecting "just the right" server for us....it becomes very evident that it's "STILL" going to be a very long time with many changes before we see if the decision was made well ... or not so well.

My humble advice: When in doubt roll the dice / flip a coin whatever to make it easy or easier than it has been anyway to choose a server...."

After all I've read here in these posts alone...I almost felt stupid that I said this could be as easy as flipping a quarter! But ladies and gentlemen..... I see nothing better to rescue us from the harsh reality of... "THIS" vs "THAT."

How was Eternal Cove Chosen? I didn't get to beta in time to be with you or on that server....so I'm curious as to what process SV went through before this server was chosen? If you end up saying a lot of gay people just liked the name and went there.....I am going to come back here and say.....see this is much easier than you thought!

Halish / tennek's points (as well all of the others) are clear and are valid in every way possible. So if they are both right equally (and they are) then how is one to find one outcome...with two opposite answers or feelings to a solution.

My answer: because gay people can do this extremely well.....

Look at the names provided to us nearest launch date very carefully...and the "one" name that speaks to your heart that says...this will be our home.

PUSH THE BUTTON....and lets go show them what we can accomplish rather than safe-guarding and protecting what is in reality....a far bigger issue than we alone or with others hope to manage to our outcome/satisfaction.

/salute

Tennek

Just so you know.. I don't think it'll be all rainbows and butterflies because of a few more GLBT guilds.. I just think they will give us a larger network to play with when we get to the hard stuff.. as well as a few more friendly faces... I have a hard time seeing the negative of being on a more friendly GLBT server.. in LotRO it worked out rather well..

and don't worry I'm fully aware no matter where we go there will be haters.. trust me you won't be disappointed even on a GLBT server, there will be all the usual intolerance. I think you over estimate our numbers.. even all the GLBT guilds combined will be a drop in the bucket.. Your examples seem to assume we will have our own server cut off from the rest of the world.. no.. that is not how it'll be.. it simply will be just a tad friendlier.. that's all..

Some good news! ANet has announced what they will do about server transfers in the beginning stages of the game :).

With the game just around the corner, I'm sure there are a few questions and concerns out there. For one, I know several people learned too late that simply trying to create a character on a server locks you into that server, and deleting your character won't fix that. This was very frustrating for my friends, guildmates, and allies during the first two beta weekends, but ArenaNet understands the situation.

First of all, players will be able to move servers at will for a while after release so that they can play with their friends. Since the game is launching with the ability to switch servers, it should come as no surprise that, in the event that ANet needs to open new servers, players will immediately be able to transfer servers (for free if you're coming from select crowded realms). People also have the option to "guest" on servers, allowing them to play with friends from other servers (unless you want to enter WvWvW with them, in which case, you will need to switch servers). That still doesn't fix the "Oops! I created on the wrong server and have to pay for a transfer" situation, so Mike said that ArenaNet will have a warning up after release so that new players will understand what might lock them into a server. However, people playing the beta test will notice that the warning has already been implemented!

Final Server list is out:

https://www.guildwars2.com/en/news/introducing-the-worlds-of-guild-wars-2/

Eternal Grove did not make it back it would seem..

So which server are we planing on going for? GB2M!

I just saw the twitter post and raced to my computer to share the new.. once again Kerstov ;P.
Either way, how shall we decide?

I promise I won't post anything else tonight :p

Quote by Kerstov

I promise I won't post anything else tonight :p

That's more like it! B)

Ok well I posted about the possibility of a 3 hour earlier headstart.. so now I'll quit. :)

Without Eternal Grove the official GBLT server defaults to Crystal Desert, I have an email in my inbox (which has forced me to get out of my bed at 2am) from Rough Trade asking me to confirm that it's acceptable. I haven't replied yet.

I've quite enjoyed the discussions on GBLT servers and guilds and I still believe being with the other "gay" guilds is the best thing for us. We have to decide now and I'd love to hear some enthusiastic pro-Crystal Desert confirmations so I can reply to Rafael confident that I'm doing what's best for you guys.

However if you feel differently then voice it now (it doesn't have to be a long post, we've discussed the pros and cons so let's just keep it simple) and if it seems we still have a lot of us against rolling on a "high" server then I'll reply letting him know we're going rogue and open up the discussion for server choice.

Halish

Crystal Desert is fine by me!


-but don't let me decide o.O

Can you make a sticky Poll? Crystal Desert or Go Rogue

Crystal Desert..

http://www.gw2guilds.org/ has been gaining popularity, worth considering.

Crystal Desert is just fine with me. :) I can very safely cast another vote for Posidius for CD as well. He's my partner and would want me to add his voice to the vote...as he is at work and can't get to a computer. We agree on all matters of importance...that's why we are 16 years into a great relationship...I will of course inform him of his absentee vote :cheer:

Two Votes: CD

Keep in mind that while these numbers are on gw2guilds.org, not all guilds have listed their guild numbers, most are estimates and not all guilds have registered on that site.

But, from what currently shows:

name of server - number of guilds - number of people (ranked by number of people)

Far Shiverpeaks - 70 - 2607
Jade Quarry - 76 - 2493
Sorrow's Furnace - 50 - 2165
Crystal Desert - 51 - 1979
Gandara - 58 - 1928
Tarnished Coast - 79 - 1278

I wanted to get some kind of handle on how populated CD would be in comparison to other servers. Assuming that the numbers are errored in roughly the same way, CD won't be the most populated server. Of course we don't want to play on in a ghost town, but also don't want the server to be so crowded as bring the poor thing down.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that CD is fine with me as well.