Idea: Allowing Spectators in Dungeons

[Pseudopsia]

I recall frequently in my dungeon adventures through many MMORPGs times where guild/linkshell members would be left out of a dungeon because all spots were taken. Sometimes they would hang around vent listening, but more often they would just logout feeling that there was nothing for them to do or not enough people to form their own party. Later when someone in party needs to leave it can be hard to find substitutes.

I believe allowing spectators to dungeons would alleviate some of these problems and give FFXIV more uniqueness. I'm certain performance wise this should be no problem based on Niconico's live streaming event where nearly a thousand people filled Gridania and 100 players were visible. Spectator mode shouldn't be limited to only dungeons, it could be included in any type of instance such as PVP matches.

Obviously I'm not asking for this to be implemented for release. I'm looking to see what the community thinks of this idea. If the idea has positive feedback and SE thinks it can be implemented then it could be added in the future.

Example how it can be implemented

Spectator Controls

• From instance npc able to request to be a spectator for an active instance. Active instances can be listed by party leader's name. Small icon notification will appear on party leader's screen that a spectator has requested to join. Party leader can accept/decline/ignore request.
• Spectator can choose between free camera mode or teleport to designated areas where spectators can view from such as a ledge/platform in boss area.
• In free camera mode spectator is invisible and can move camera in any direction. Spectator can choose any character view point, lock-on a character or have server auto select character/view point that has most action. (Suggested by Seirra_Lanzce)
• Spectator can choose to leave instance at anytime.

Party Leader Controls

• Accept/Decline a spectator request to join instance.
• Able to kick Spectator.
• Able to substitute spectator with a party member when all members are out of combat. (May not be included if SE thinks this to be cheating, alternative is to not allow spectator to get loot if spectator is used as a replacement)
• Additional setting in to toggle auto accept/decline spectators. Also option to set password. Off by default (Suggested by Seirra_Lanzce)
• Setting to limit the maximum number of spectators. (Suggested by OdynKorsai)
• All battle information, player stats and party chat is not sent to spectators by default. Party leader can configure settings to make this information sent to spectators. (Suggested by Black_Wing)
• Setting to allow spectator chat to be visible by the party members. Off by default to not distract the party members. (Suggested by Kirito)

Party Member Controls

• Setting to be able to show their action bars to spectators. Off by default. This is to prevent player configuration and play style from being revealed.
• Setting to be able to show their battle logs to spectators. On by default. For players who don't want their damage, cure, or mitigation to be revealed to log parsers (Ideas spawned from OdynKorsai post)

Spectator Restrictions

• Cannot be more than X yrds from any party member so you can't explore instance on your own or use spectator to cheat. If spectator is beyond X then they are teleported to nearest party member. SE needs to determine what X is and may have to restrict free camera movement if they determine cheating can be a problem. (If free floating camera is to hard to implement because of possible cheating then alternative is to only allow lock on to party members, engaged monsters, or view from their POV)
• Cannot interfere with instance party or monsters.
• Invisible in free camera mode.
• Visible at designated spectator areas and can mingle with other spectators. Spectators will have the lowest render priority for party members. Party members have option to turn off render of spectators in configuration to lessen performance impact.
• Limit spectators to an amount an instance can handle smoothly.
• Spectators cannot walk through walls or barriers. If the actual team hasn't released a barrier, spectators have to wait till they do to cross it. If all the party members have died and all went to the entrance then all spectators should be prompt to see if they also want to go to the entrance or stay where they are. (Suggested by Kirito)
  
• Once all party members leave dungeon the remaining spectators will be locked in place, notified they will be removed from instance after X seconds and can leave on their own during this time. (Modified, Idea suggested by Kirito)
• Any map details are from previous explorations are hidden as if spectator entered dungeon for the first time. Map is revealed as party progresses.

Advantages

• Something for players to do if all dungeon/raid spots are taken.
• Able to record battles at any view point.
• Train new members with linkshell tactics without having to participate and make mistakes during battles.
• Gives a place for linkshell members to watch and cheer on their favorite team while chugging a cold one.

Disadvantages

• Impact instance performance. For SE to estimate.
• Development time. For SE to estimate.

Real Game Examples

• Dota 2 Spectator Mode

Feel free to dissect this and give me feedback on what I should change.

[Siegtaru]

I think that's a pretty neat idea, except that it may cause some unneeded stress on the servers in the instanced zones without having enough practicality to make it worth it. It sounds fun, and could maybe be a great tool to teach fellow Linkshell/Free Company members how to run an encounter for the first time without having them actually enter, but otherwise I don't see much of a purpose for it. Maybe if we had ranked PVP matches people would want to spectate those, but that sounds like what the Coliseum is for.

[Renen]

By free camera, u mean person gets to move around like normal, but be an invisible ghost or something? I also like the fixed point thing, where u get a nice view down on the arena

[Pseudopsia]

By free camera, u mean person gets to move around like normal, but be an invisible ghost or something? I also like the fixed point thing, where u get a nice view down on the arena

Free camera is you're invisible ghost and you can move your camera in any direction, including elevation.

[syntaxlies]

No thanks, don't wanna give away all my secrets

[Pseudopsia]

No thanks, don't wanna give away all my secrets

My idea is only if party leader accepts so you don't need to worry about junk under your subligar showing up on youtube.

[BobbinT]

think we already (could) have it: youtube.
(check ffxi's playonline website for example)

[KaiserDrill]

Sounds like a good idea, would just need to be implemented in the right way. Someone somewhere a while ago said a cool idea would be to Have a movie theater in town so you could watch people fight nms when they claim it. That would be badass when youre sitting in town thinki g of something to do.

[Seirra_Lanzce]

Like Dota 2's spectator feature, quite awesome but then again with in mind that instead of setting a UI to accept/decline, why not put a setting in PT's Raid function to toggle auto accept/decline ;P

[Pseudopsia]

why not put a setting in PT's Raid function to toggle auto accept/decline ;P

I initially thought up the most restrictive method so someone couldn't complain about strangers being spectators, however someone still complained about that . I like your suggestion as additional feature, I'll add it to OP.