Random server = crappy thing to discover when you and a friend specifically plan to play with each other.

Worldpass ingame item = don’t remember this being free. Didn’t have the patience to earn gil to pay for it.

MMORPG = FFXI was my first. And it was also enough to teach me I have no interest in this genre.

Thanks for your sarcasm.

random server = good way to distribute players evenly in the early years of the game

worldpass ingame item = easy way to get your friend on your server
a simple search on google would have found forums full of worldpass codes of your choice.

honestly still one of the best mmo’s around, and I’ve played them all from EVE to World of Warcraft

but I doubt you guys could get a few hours in, hardcore to the max.