I'm really tired & frustrated of this phrase "Game Balance".

[Billnes]

I'm really tired of - and getting getting really frustrated by - the use this phrase "Game Balance". That's it folks, no sugar coating. It really is just that simple.

[Alhanelem]

And the reason you felt the need to make this announcement is....?

[bungiefanNA]

It's a legitimate phrase though, and an important concept in a multiplayer game. Watch some Extra Credits on Youtube. If a game isn't balanced, it becomes broken, and thus doesn't stay fun for people to keep playing it.

[Alhanelem]

I really would like to elaborate more on this subject. However, I already have one 72-hour ban against me. I thought long and hard before I decided against posting what I had originally written. I feel confident that Devin Casadey would have both LM-17'ed me from the game and banned me from the forums if I had allowed my posting to stand as originally written.

If I decide to place my original writing to an unofficial forum such as "Order of the Blue Gatr", I'll let both you and Devin know about it.Well, that explains a lot. Not sure why you're name dropping one of the CMs (whom is pretty cool in person), but whatever.

[Billnes]

Well, that explains a lot. Not sure why you're name dropping one of the CMs (whom is pretty cool in person), but whatever.

At the time I wrote the posting that I didn't publish, I was kinda' feeling sorry for myself - that my trouble with learning disabilities was hindering my gameplay. After taking a few days away from the game to deal with Yom Kippur & other real life issues, I felt better, less burned out. Now that I can look back on the situation with a clear mind, I can honestly say, "Nevermind, just skip it". I'd rather just drop it, rather than get anybody mad at me and risk getting myself LM-17'ed.

I'm sure that almost anybody from SE could pull my email or phone number from their records, if they felt it was important to contact me outside of the forums. But, no. Really, just skip it - nevermind.

[Alhanelem]

Well, without going into any details, I've been in your position. Your best bet in such circumstances is really to just take a deep breath and resist that post button as you have. However, as long as you keep a cool head, you won't have to worry about getting people mad (which by itself is no reason to get in trouble).

[Billnes]

Bungie,

Yes - I remember one of my earlier postings. It got a reply that used Happy Wars as an example of a game that has a similar issue.... I managed to find the two posts that I thought were relevant to what your staying now. They are reposted below. If you believe that you have some insight, these old posts lack, I'd love to hear what you have to say.

I thank you very much for your time, effort, consideration & understanding in this issue.


Dear Friends,

I'm sorry. As much as I hate admitting this, I like the idea of at least some elements of FFXI being placed on the Pay-to-Win model... By my own admission, guilty as charged (and I've made this *painfully* clear to Square-Enix both via phone calls and on the forums): I am a tard video game player. As much as nobody wants to hear this: I've been learning disabled all my life and I find some elements of video game culture extremely frustrating. I find this especially true of FFXI.... Things like the FFXI Wiki and Order of the Blue Gatr are very nice and they've been helpful to me, to an extent. However, there are a few small things in FFXI where you really can't "work around" or say "I'll go back to it later". "For example", you ask? I don't remember the exact name, but there's a quest that requires a fish that's rare/Ex and must be fished up by the player and not someone in the player's party. If I knew that Square-Enix only wanted US $7.99, for that fish, I'd wouldn't hesitate to charge that to a credit card. Really there Bill?? By by own admission, the answer simply is "yes".

I really wish I had some way if getting it into people a real understanding of what it is to be me. Being me is not easy. In terms of my video game playing skills, here are a few examples: I purchased my very first used PS1 in 2001. I would have never purchased it without scouring both the Chinatowns in Manhattan & Queens for a third-party Golden Finger and the matching door-latch spring first... As much as I don't want to admit this: I would have never finished the game "Eternal Eyes" if I didn't have access to the XXX-XX-XXX-XXXX (Gameshark compatible?) codes that the Golden Finger uses. Sad but true......

Again, I purchased an old console late-in-the-game: My very first used Sega Saturn in 2008. There isn't a day that goes buy that I don't thank G-d that I was able to get both the console & the matching code cartridge together at New York Comicon. The first game for the Saturn that I ever enjoyed without using the cartridge was "Lupin III: Sage of the Pyramid". And again, by my own admission, guilty as charged: Sad but true.

I know many here are going to be unhappy with this posting. I figured it would be better to tell the truth rather than to be silent or blow sunshine up people's noses. I thank you all very much for your understanding in this matter.

Best regards,
William N.
Long Island, New York


Seeing how you quoted me, I'll come up to bat again.

While I get that some elements in the game suck, Like fighting 0/1000 for D. Ring and someone else can be 1/1. I'd rather know that I was able to do it on my own, versus it just being sold to me. I personally find it insulting that some of those games that are p2w or f2p, are HORRIBLY unbalanced. If I don't spend money, then I have a severe and critical disadvantage. Take Happy Wars for example. Most of the people that are high tiered are the ones that shell out cash, hand over fist. And I'm not okay with, but it's fine if you are and you have the disposable income. I don't, so that's not an option for me. This game is leagues better than most because you can build and do things all at your own pace. There is still end game content that passes with the flavors of the week, but that happens in every MMO. FFXI is an old game, and it's run it's course. We need to let it go and enjoy the time we have left.

On a side note, I used to use Game Genies and Game sharks too when I was younger, but I've done a challenge to where I'd revisit titles on the NES that I had previously beaten and I'd do it alone. Without the help of Infinite Health, Lives, Ammo, etc... and It's a great feeling know that I beat them without having to cheat myself.
Titles so far: Battletoads, Megaman 1-3, Startropics, Clash at Demonhead, Little Nemo, Little Samson, Shadowgate, Princess Tomato and the Salad Kingdom.
And I'll continue to replay and beat them on my own.

[Alhanelem]

We have some things in common, and I can't claim that I've never once used a code or something early in the world of video games. In spite of that, I can't really get behind the premise of the comment. I wouldn't want pay to win to be in there because I'd be tempted to use it. It seems nice before / when you do it, but in the end, some of the fun gets sucked out of it when you realize that other people didn't have to do that and If I worked at it, I'd be able to do it and get the sense of accomplishment that goes with it. Having said that, i respect the feelings evoked and I don't judge you for it.

But I do like to see that after having cheated, some people go back and try to do it again without the extra help. :D

[machini]

The problem is that, with the example of A does 10 damage, B does 11 but is 3 times as hard to do is that you will get, in an MMO, a never-ending flood of people complaining that something that requires more skill/gear/something they don't have is better than them.

[machini]

This stuff is literally falling into the category of "someone who has invested more time in a given thing is doing better at it than I am, I don't like that."