Cerberus.Leoxtribal said:
you'll guys soon learn that you play the same game and a server really doesnt fkin matter.
I both agree and disagree with this.
I agree that, in general, you play FFXI for the experience, not the server. In other words, if you woke up one day and S-E had secretly moved everyone to a new server, without announcement or warning, you might be (justifiably) upset, but you would (probably) still go on playing FFXI the same as you were beforehand.
However, it's pretty obvious that all servers are not identical.
Just the other day Raen was in here complaining about the number of Japanese botters in Abyssea claiming Gukumatz on his server right now. Through that discussion, we learned that not all servers are experiencing this issue, and it's possible that his server has a higher percentage of JP players than other servers. Furthermore, as someone who spent many years on Ramuh server, I can attest that that server was basically "dead", and I'm not surprised at all that it's among the servers closing shop this month. When I moved to Bismarck, my FFXI experience improved a ton, because there were more active players, less snobby players, and more NA/EU players than what I was accustomed to on Ramuh (and Phoenix, for that matter).
So, does a server's population make-up and culture make-or-break one's FFXI experience? No, probably not. However, server identity DOES play SOME role in each players' enjoyment of the game.
If I were on Odin, I would be a little miffed, for the reasons stated in the OP. Out of the 8 servers that will be receiving a huge influx of players, Odin has the largest already-existing population, so it will soon be the most-crowded server. Although, unless I'm mistaken, Odin has been one of the most-crowded servers throughout its existence, save the last year or so ... so it shouldn't really be a "new" feeling for Odin's vets. For what it's worth, at least here on AH.com, it seems there's a lot of good minds on Ifrit, so you'll be getting a good crop, Odin.
Deal with it?