I have not once actually connected to another player in this game and I do not know why. I have PS+, I have the game in online mode, I even have the "worldwide" option set to be able to connect to literally anyone.

Beckoning Bell never has others players show up (or any "signs" if they are like the NPC summons).

Resonating Bell never summons me anywhere. I don't know if it works like summon signs in DS/ER where another player will see something to summon me where I was standing when I used it, or if it's like the effigies in Elden Ring where you just get summoned if the game finds a match; but I have tried using it around lamps, at boss doors, etc.

I can't even seem to invade anyone! Maybe I have the wrong bell? I have the sinister resonating bell and I get the feeling from the on screen prompt when using it that it's more like the dueling shit from DS where I am not forcing my way in, but being invited. All I know is that I haven't been able to invade with this either.

What gives? I see notes and ghosts all over the place so I know there is still an online presence in the game. Is it because I am on PS5 and not a PS4? Why can I not connect to anyone? 😩

Had just made a joke about this and it got me wondering: is this a dick move? Is it even legal? Nobody truly believes their wish will come true, right? That's just free money sitting in the water. Or would most people these days consider them to be donations? I can only assume that someone has to clean them out every now and then so as not to become totally filled with coins. Who would keep it? The city? The private institution that owns the fountain (if in some corporate lobby area or something)? Is it donated to charity?

Secondary question: Is this even a tradition outside the US? How common around the world is throwing coins into wells or fountains and making a wish?

Also of note, we’ve been closely investigating server performance for some time, recognizing that it hasn’t been meeting expectations. After thorough analysis, we believe we’ve identified a key issue, and this fix should significantly improve the experience for a large number of players.

The server issues--the de-sync and hitreg specifically--have just about been the worst thing about the game for me. I hope they actually get it dialed in because the game is so fun, but really frustrating when it's treating you like you're playing a different game than everyone else on the server; showing you ghosts and not letting your shots count even when they visibly land on target.