MMO Server Downtime/Maintenance for AOC

ArkonnSwordMaster

One of the things that really turns me off of a game is when you finally get time to play a game and the servers are down for maintenance! On the official Ashes of Creation Wiki page it states that "Scheduled server downtime will occur on a weekly basis." I have been playing Guild Wars 2 for 8 years and I can't recall a single time that the servers were "down for maintenance." I have kids, a demanding job and still find tons of time to play games but if this weekly schedule of server down time is at one of the only times I can play, that will negatively impact experience. I am not super technical but in my example of Guild Wars 2, they have a server system that allows the game to be worked on and servers maintained while players still play the game. If there is a patch, they just log you out of the game, the launcher downloads the new patch and you are back in the game in a couple minutes! I have always been very impressed and appreciative of this feature.

For Ashes of Creation, what will this weekly server maintenance schedule look like? And can AOC work to develop a system where the servers don't have to be shut down, but instead they fix/update/iterate on the game while players are logged in and playing. Then once the updates are ready, patches are forced out.

**My apologies if this was discussed or answered. If this is a question of server versus megaserver, what are the benefits to have the servers go down and players not able to play? If I am paying a monthly fee, I expect to be able to play the game when I am able.

Songcaller

I would rather have weekly maintenance than whole months of no play because the server's died.

ArkonnSwordMaster

Sorry to keep using Guild Wars 2 but the servers have never "died" to my knowledge.

Songcaller

May 9th, May 11th and may 12th all had server issues/service non-supply in GW2. I can't be bothered to delve further back, but, I can assure you Guild Wars 2 has had server issues. You can't expect an MMO based on Servers to not need Server Maintenance.

Gumdrops

You can't compare server issues with maintenance for patches, that's unexpected vs. planned server downs. A really good infrastructure would allow to take down specific regions/playfields to patch. For example loading patchfiles in background, which will be unencrypted when the patch is rolling out, could save servers from overloading and would be state of the art.

Songcaller

I would rather have Server Maintenance and updates for patches at the same time. I would not like ping fluctuations in game because I'm playing and patching at the same time. Though it might be start of the art, I am restricted by a River. In all the other MMOs I've played the Server Maintenance and subsequent patches have been together.

CaptnChuck

Maintenance is a necessary evil. As long it doesn't occur during the weekends, I have absolutely no problems with it.

0xFF

if it will happen each week at exact same time, would it really be such a problem for 1-2h of downtime? you will known in the back of your head its just time for other tasks to do.

Valento92

Hope it doesn't take place on prime time, ie. when we get home from work.

Niraada

With each server having a stated 'prime time', it would be especially great if things like maintenance could be done during the servers' early morning/late night, basically when most of each server's population would be in bed.

Balrog21

Would you rather have in game issues or 1-2 hours down time to give young uninterrupted game play?
I vote 1-2 hours down time.

Wiplasher

I really wouldn't worry about server downtime. They do it at the least active hours for a region. So unless you are playing on those hours you have no worries.