I know that each server is loosely tied to a specific region and/or time zone, but other than that does it make any diference what server you choose?  Like does one server have more/less rifts opening up than another?  (this is not a legit concern of mine its just an example)

The more I research about it, the more I realize it most certainly will matter.  Communities are forming around each server, so wise selection will make a huge difference in the type of players you interact with, and the style of play that will be carried out.  Furthermore, scheduled events each day will take place at times based on their East or West location.  Choosing wisely will be important based on your own schedule for not missing said events.

That said, if you follow the server forums on aionsource, you'll find, for example, that Azphel (east) is going to be slated, by the players, as the "Hardcore PVP" server.  It's going to be the haven for folks who intend to take the first weeks on release off from work/school/etc., pull 2-3 day stints in-game, and literally play 120-140hrs a week to reach max level first.  That place will be srs bzns.  On the flip-side, there's Zikel and Lumiel (debate between the two) that players are shooting for to be the RP servers.  Of course, those are east servers, because I'm not interested in West.  I'm sure similar choices and debates are taking place on what servers will be for them, as well.

Point being, for anyone who doesn't want to be shocked/disappointed with their server on release, I'd suggest some serious looking into it.  It will matter.  Same for race, based on what type of players you want to associate with.

Originally posted by Nomik

I know that each server is loosely tied to a specific region and/or time zone, but other than that does it make any diference what server you choose?  Like does one server have more/less rifts opening up than another?  (this is not a legit concern of mine its just an example)

I'm choosing Siel, the North American server, because it seems to be the most populated so far.

From what I understand, the east vs west servers are set up for two reasons. One so that west coast folks will know what servers most other west coast folks will be playing on during their primetime and Second I believe is something around sieges that are only open during certain hours and that those hours are different based on what region server your playing on, Again to put it around primetime for the folks in their own timezone.

Originally posted by DoomsDay01

From what I understand, the east vs west servers are set up for two reasons. One so that west coast folks will know what servers most other west coast folks will be playing on during their primetime and Second I believe is something around sieges that are only open during certain hours and that those hours are different based on what region server your playing on, Again to put it around primetime for the folks in their own timezone.

On one end it kinda sucks because all of my friends live on the east coast and I live on the west coast, so they probably won't be playing on Siel like me. Ah, I wish they could optimize the seige times differently.

Originally posted by Syno23

I'm choosing Siel, the North American server, because it seems to be the most populated so far.

Just to address the population thing...

From what I've read, the game's set up to only handle so many online players at a time.  At release, there will be no such thing as a low population server.  Siel may very well be the most well-known/popular server thus far, but you'll be asking for queues and enforced faction balances.

I'd suggest to anyone who's going to put any thought to it to figure out what type of community they want around them, and not base their decision on which server seems the most or least populated before launch.  Frankly, I'm avoiding hardcore and RP like the plague... I've found my middle ground.  For others, it sure would suck to level up a character, invest their time, then later find out that they're the only RP'er on the hardcore server, vice versa, or not wanting part of either.  Just food for thought because Aion isn't a game of endless alts and throwaway chars that you rushed to max level in 2 days.

Yes, personally I would avoid hardcore and RP myself... I can't stand RP....  I like PvP but not that hardcore.  

Originally posted by teco221

Yes, personally I would avoid hardcore and RP myself... I can't stand RP....  I like PvP but not that hardcore.  

Yeah sounds like you want a West Coast Chillax and just play the game server.

visit the AIon Source website and check the NA server forums.  Theres a poll somewhere on there and it will give you a good idea of who is playing where.  You can also get a good idea from there what legions will be playing where and what factions will be heavy on each server.  So where someone may mention that a specific server will be highly populated, it may be only that way on the elyos side.  You'll notice that people are sticking to certain servers based on their faction

aside from that, all the servers are the same except where they have designated themselves.  Physically theyre all on the east coast and they have the same server rules. However they have officially designated certain servers for different regions (east and west coast respectively)

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by Syno23

I'm choosing Siel, the North American server, because it seems to be the most populated so far.

 

Just to address the population thing...

 

From what I've read, the game's set up to only handle so many online players at a time.  At release, there will be no such thing as a low population server.  Siel may very well be the most well-known/popular server thus far, but you'll be asking for queues and enforced faction balances.

 

I'd suggest to anyone who's going to put any thought to it to figure out what type of community they want around them, and not base their decision on which server seems the most or least populated before launch.  Frankly, I'm avoiding hardcore and RP like the plague... I've found my middle ground.  For others, it sure would suck to level up a character, invest their time, then later find out that they're the only RP'er on the hardcore server, vice versa, or not wanting part of either.  Just food for thought because Aion isn't a game of endless alts and throwaway chars that you rushed to max level in 2 days.

Yeah, I know all about server queue's, I learned about that in the Chinese retail. It'll be alright, at night there won't be any queues since no one will be on. lol.

Well im definately not a hordcore PvPer.  I enjoy PvP PvE equally and i dont want to be in a PvP focused server.  Also, what does RP (i assume thats role playing?) actually involve?  Cuz i looked into it some and it seemed kind of creepy (i may have just seen the extreme though)

Originally posted by Nomik

I know that each server is loosely tied to a specific region and/or time zone, but other than that does it make any diference what server you choose?  Like does one server have more/less rifts opening up than another?  (this is not a legit concern of mine its just an example)

Community and population concerns aside...

Aside from the timezones every server is going to be exactly the same so no, it doesn't make a difference as far as number of rifts or any other game mechanic. 

What may make a difference is the timing of events for servers in a specific timezone.  Fortresses are supposedly only going to be attackable during "primetime" on a given server.  If that's the case you may want to select based on which will be a more convenient timezone for you.

Originally posted by TwystedWiz

Originally posted by Nomik

I know that each server is loosely tied to a specific region and/or time zone, but other than that does it make any diference what server you choose?  Like does one server have more/less rifts opening up than another?  (this is not a legit concern of mine its just an example)

 

Community and population concerns aside...

 

Aside from the timezones every server is going to be exactly the same so no, it doesn't make a difference as far as number of rifts or any other game mechanic. 

 

What may make a difference is the timing of events for servers in a specific timezone.  Fortresses are supposedly only going to be attackable during "primetime" on a given server.  If that's the case you may want to select based on which will be a more convenient timezone for you.

Well, east is a bit more convenient to me, but I live in the west, but I have friends that live in the east as well. But, I'm picking siel, not because I live in the west, but because it's gonna be the most populated server.

I still don't know yet, but no all servers are the same. Depending on the times of the raids and such will depend. I'll likely play on a West server anywy cause I don't get home til 11PM EST so that would be perfect timing for me for primetime. I think likely Siel..seems most the "PvP" guilds are ending up there alot.

Originally posted by Syno23

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by Syno23

I'm choosing Siel, the North American server, because it seems to be the most populated so far.

 

Just to address the population thing...

 

From what I've read, the game's set up to only handle so many online players at a time.  At release, there will be no such thing as a low population server.  Siel may very well be the most well-known/popular server thus far, but you'll be asking for queues and enforced faction balances.

 

I'd suggest to anyone who's going to put any thought to it to figure out what type of community they want around them, and not base their decision on which server seems the most or least populated before launch.  Frankly, I'm avoiding hardcore and RP like the plague... I've found my middle ground.  For others, it sure would suck to level up a character, invest their time, then later find out that they're the only RP'er on the hardcore server, vice versa, or not wanting part of either.  Just food for thought because Aion isn't a game of endless alts and throwaway chars that you rushed to max level in 2 days.

 

Yeah, I know all about server queue's, I learned about that in the Chinese retail. It'll be alright, at night there won't be any queues since no one will be on. lol.

A shame. Here we have a clear example of an anti social clearly masochistic and nearly psychotic mentality. Looking for a free ride on some Zerg  guilds skirts because its is the mentality of an under achiever not a go getter.  Then actually admitting that he looks for a time when there is no opposition to go online and play. Wish we could warn the woman around you of your mental state. Put that view point into a purely rl standard and we actually have someone not looking for a pvp or gaming experience but someone desperate to exact a behavior they simply have not found a way to get away with in real life. As for Siel the leader guilds there are interview acceptance only and frankly you wont make the cut.

Originally posted by Daarken

Originally posted by Syno23

Yeah, I know all about server queue's, I learned about that in the Chinese retail. It'll be alright, at night there won't be any queues since no one will be on. lol.

A shame. Here we have a clear example of an anti social clearly masochistic and nearly psychotic mentality. Looking for a free ride on some Zerg  guilds skirts because its is the mentality of an under achiever not a go getter.  Then actually admitting that he looks for a time when there is no opposition to go online and play. Wish we could warn the woman around you of your mental state. Put that view point into a purely rl standard and we actually have someone not looking for a pvp or gaming experience but someone desperate to exact a behavior they simply have not found a way to get away with in real life. As for Siel the leader guilds there are interview acceptance only and frankly you wont make the cut.

No need to be an ass here fella.  Not everyone in the world shares a 9 to 5 schedule.  Plenty of folks simply can't play until later than others.  It's true what they say about assumptions though...being for assholes and all that.

 server choice dont really matter for most only those that have guild (not a lot)

need specific server for the rest of us ,ant server is good ,and by the look of it that balancing system might make it into 

the permanent game 

lot of player probably wish it so that server stay balanced 

anyway peace out guys 

i go dodo

Originally posted by Shiymmas

Originally posted by Daarken

Originally posted by Syno23

Yeah, I know all about server queue's, I learned about that in the Chinese retail. It'll be alright, at night there won't be any queues since no one will be on. lol.

A shame. Here we have a clear example of an anti social clearly masochistic and nearly psychotic mentality. Looking for a free ride on some Zerg  guilds skirts because its is the mentality of an under achiever not a go getter.  Then actually admitting that he looks for a time when there is no opposition to go online and play. Wish we could warn the woman around you of your mental state. Put that view point into a purely rl standard and we actually have someone not looking for a pvp or gaming experience but someone desperate to exact a behavior they simply have not found a way to get away with in real life. As for Siel the leader guilds there are interview acceptance only and frankly you wont make the cut.

 

No need to be an ass here fella.  Not everyone in the world shares a 9 to 5 schedule.  Plenty of folks simply can't play until later than others.  It's true what they say about assumptions though...being for assholes and all that.

Oh it's all right...I'm completely anonymous, no one knows who or what my true identity and furthermore, no one knows the name of the second character that I made, I only revealed the first one. But, I really can't join a guild until 2010 because I'm taking a two month break from Aion in November.