Classic Servers

[Lortheron]

So, seeing the huge increase in private classic servers (the two largest with lows of ~100 players online and peaks of ~1500+ players online each, and both with ~4000 registered players each): there is undoubtedly a market for this type of server, specially among current players.

I believe Square Enix should take de opportunity that the current servers need merging and while merging the 6~7 least populated servers into 2, creating one or two new classic server for players to start from scratch.

One server could be Chains of Promatia rules, the other could be Wings Of Goddess.

Maybe something not as spartan as a true classic, a little faster XP gain than originally, but definitely not as ridiculously fast as it is now (which, again, is just way, way, too fast, XP gains should be at least half the current speed on retail servers).

They could even have trustes, but limit one or two turstes per player maximum when soloing. And two or tree trustes per party. That way the game is still more accessible, without killing the whole journey that is the leveling game (bast part of the game) and partying with other players at each stage. They could even find a way to somehow increase the level cap on such classic servers and implement lvl99 content without breaking everything else bellow it and messing with the core leveling experience. That would be basically be a selection of only the best parts of the game, a pick and choose.

I do believe more than half the current player base in the retail servers would be more than willing to create a new character on any new official server Square Enix releases, regardless of the rules (classic or not), just for the opportunity of starting anew on a new server and replicating the experience of being a new player along with everyone else at the same time all over again.

So, that's my humble opinion and what I generally would more than love to see somehow in the game's 20th anniversary.

As it is now, I believe even FFXIV takes more time to max out to the level cap, which is sad. There are even many speedruns of FFXI now a days and it takes less time to finish the game main campaign and cap the level of a job with trustes than many solo Final Fantasies... a few hours only.

Again, to me the best part of the FFXI experience is the journey, leveling up in parties, and group play along the way. Having max level in two or three jobs as a long term objective to attain. When that is gone, game loses much of it's magic, specially when it's all so easy, there isn't even the pride of accomplishment. A more middle grounded experience would be perfect, I truly believe, and better for the whole game experience of old and new players alike (something not as spartan as the original, but definitely not as lonely solo and fast as current retail server status).

Now, you may disagree, fine, but one simply can't deny there is a large public for said type of experience (from famous youtubers and twitch streamers). Many players whom don't even participate in forums or reddit (most players, actually) would get behind such an idea. On private servers alone one could amount ~ two thousand players that would love to play in an official classic server.

So many new and returning new players lately, by the hundreds, many would love to relieve that original experience somehow (eased a little bit, yes, but not completely dumbed down and streamlined as it currently is on retail servers). Also, most players I know usually stop playing any MMO soon after reaching max level and finishing most of it's "story" content, that is the true for this type of game and probably true for most new players incoming.

Thank you for your time and attention (even you disagree) : )

[Yvone]

No

ten characters.

[Alhanelem]

Not going to happen, it has already been shot down by SE, feel free to read the several other threads on the topic.

It's also really unnecessary because you don't need a classic server to cap yourself at lv75. Start a new character, and don't complete the level 80 limit break. Enjoy your lv75 prison. Use level sync or find like minded people to do content at lv75 with.

[Alhanelem]

here's a quote from an interview in whch SE officially said "no" to a classic server with their reasons:

Oh, btw, to really and truly put this to bed once and for all, Gamer Escape asked about this in an email interview of sorts (was among the things supposed to happen at pax): https://gamerescape.com/2020/04/10/1...y-xi-dev-team/ (https://gamerescape.com/2020/04/10/11-questions-for-the-final-fantasy-xi-dev-team/)


Gamer Escape: With the launch of World of Warcraft Classic, there has been talk of having classic servers for other games. We’re curious about your thoughts on having a classic server for FINAL FANTASY XI where maybe the level cap is at 75?
Akihiko Matsui: Truth be told, we have no snapshot data of the level 75 era, which would make it very difficult to replicate things as they were back then on this type of server.
Yoji Fujito: As things stand today, we are unable to meet these requests, simply from a version management perspective. If the goal was simply to limit level growth to level 75, that is something that could be done in theory, but we would be unable to provide any changes on top of merely adjusting the level cap and do not have the ability to provide any support for it with our current bandwidth.
Furthermore, it goes against our company philosophy to just toss something out there and say “Here, have fun!” without giving it the due care that our fans would rightfully expect, so a level 75 server it isn’t in the cards at present.

Adding in a few of my own:

- There is little agreement on exactly what moment within level 75 cap history is the most "classic" moment. When Dynamis came out? CoP? TOAU? Right before the cap began to increase beyond 75? there are a lot of different opinions here, and no option will please everyone who is interested.

- Remember that for JP players, who started playing well before anyone on the NA side, the level cap was initially 50. Lv75 is merely memorable because the cap stayed there for much longer than any other level cap until 99. To be really classic, maybe it should be level 50.
-WoW is often cited as the reason a game should do this, and the reality is, it works okay for wow and a few other games becuase they have massive communities. FFXI's community is not big enough for splitting up the current playerbase into people who want to play the current game with its regular updates and a server that's frozen in time in the 75 era. It would degrade the experience for both groups.
- Nostalgia is a pair of rose tinted glasses. Recreating a lv75 server does not recreate the experiences we had when we did that stuff for the first time. The community is what made the game, not the level cap, in my opinion. FFXI was a heavy grind in that age, moreso than it is now, and the reason we enjoyed the game as much as we did is in large part of the community. Making a lv75 sever does not restore that community nor does it restore that doing-stuff-for-the-first-time experience.

[Lortheron]

Not going to happen, it has already been shot down by SE, feel free to read the several other threads on the topic.

It's also really unnecessary because you don't need a classic server to cap yourself at lv75. Start a new character, and don't complete the level 80 limit break. Enjoy your lv75 prison. Use level sync or find like minded people to do content at lv75 with.

The level cap is really not the point of such an experience. But grouping and leveling together with other people and all else I said in the original post. None of these core elements of joy happen anymore it seems, and that kills much of the game's essence. I even said they could eventually raise the level cap, but this time without simply killing everything bellow it. It's sad when all there is in an MMORPG is just the endgame and nothing else, and everything is turned into a rush to reach maxlevel to finally start to play the game... it's just sad.

I don't want to do just level 75 content with others, I want to do level 20, 30, 40, 50 content in groups, enjoy each level slowly. Not JUST max level content. That's the point. Having to group up in lower~mid levels, enjoying the journey (which is 90% of the game actually) and not just the destination.

[Lortheron]

here's a quote from an interview in whch SE officially said "no" to a classic server with their reasons:

The level cap itself is the least of it really. And if fans made private servers which are stable and run everything well, so can they, having backups or not (just an excuse).

[Alhanelem]

The level cap itself is the least of it really. And if fans made private servers which are stable and run everything well, so can they, having backups or not (just an excuse).IO'm well aware of this, and it's literally a reason NOT to do it.

Making the cap 75 again, as I just wrote before you made your posts above, does not restore the community to the way it was before.

You are better off using (and not using) in-game mechanics to regain that experience. Make a new ch aracter. Do not learn Trusts and do not complete the lv75 limit break. Don't do Rhapsodies. There you go, instant mega-grind restored. Find five other people who want to spend hours swapping stories while they grind and you don't need a special server.

WoW didn't have mechancis like this. You didn't need to clear quests to level up higher, you can't sync levels in the open world, etc. FFXI on the other hand, gives you the tools to play the way you want to play.

Also, those private servers are not perfect replicas, not everything works smoothly, ignoring the fact that they're technically illegal with FFXI still operating. And you're relying on some third party to know exactly how you want your experience to be, and you're also relying on their good will not to screw you over or randokmly delete your characters etc.

All that aside, it was years and years of work for the people involved to get the private servers to the state they're in now. It's not simply an "excuse." Because they don't have the old data, they would have to devote a team of people to recreate everything as it was before, which would take them years too, as they aren't superhumans.

Ultimately, you may disagree with their reasons, or call them "excuses," but they are judge jury and executioner. If they say they're not going to do it, they're not going to do it. They aren't going to say that just for fun.

Companies have to do cost-benefit analyses whenever ideas like this are floated. Obviously, they did one, and came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be worth it.

Just because WoW made some money off it doesn't mean it will work for every game.

[Lortheron]

IO'm well aware of this, and it's literally a reason NOT to do it.

Making the cap 75 again, as I just wrote before you made your posts above, does not restore the community to the way it was before.

You are better off using (and not using) in-game mechanics to regain that experience. Make a new ch aracter. Do not learn Trusts and do not complete the lv75 limit break. Don't do Rhapsodies. There you go, instant mega-grind restored. Find five other people who want to spend hours swapping stories while they grind and you don't need a special server.

WoW didn't have mechancis like this. You didn't need to clear quests to level up higher, you can't sync levels in the open world, etc. FFXI on the other hand, gives you the tools to play the way you want to play.

See, all people that are like minded are playing in private servers or given up, so it's almost impossible to find anyone willing to group up at any level other than 99 in the retail servers.

To my eyes, one could easily restore the original community albeit in a much smaller size (merging many of the current servers, and creating one or two new ones is one way to do it, deleting bot and in game currency sellers is an important part of it too).

[Lortheron]

Part of the point is that the resources needed are basically zero. Again, fans with their free time did it for nothing already, they can do it in one or two weeks. Worth the try, might bring many players to game if publicized the right way.

[Alhanelem]

Part of the point is that the resources needed are basically zero. Again, fans with their free time did it for nothing already, they can do it in one or two weeks. Worth the try, might bring many players to game if publicized the right way.
Except that the resources needed are not zero. Again, ti would have to be redeveloped from scratch, because they don't have old builds of the game. As they said, they could just remove the 80+ limit breaks on a special server but that's the only way they could do it easily.


The servers themselves cost money to run and maintain the same as any other server. The game still needs to be updated or people will grow bored and leave. That's why WoW didn't stop at vanilla classic, they're literally going through all the updates over again. Otherwise it would have become stagnant. So even if they DID do it, it couldn't stay that way forever- it would be unsustainable. It might seem simple to you, but the reality is, that it isn't. As I said before, those private servers were a huge undertaking. They didn't happen overnight, it took years. It would take SE a long time too. And a long time meands a lot of money in development costs- and for what? There is just no way with the size of FFXIV's community, even at its peak, that a specially developed "classic server" would be worth the cost.

And as they said, they have a policy against just tossing something out there and going "here, have fun." And doing so will not bring back the community aspect by which your own admission was the whole thing that made it fun.


We had fun back then because of the chats and the social interaction we had while engaging in an otherwise really boring grind. The community is what made the game, not the level cap.

If the resources were "zero" they might have done it already. But it's not.

MMOs change and evolve over time, it's part of what makes them MMOs. Anyone who can't accept that really shouldn't be playing them.

[Lortheron]

Except that the resources needed are not zero. Again, ti would have to be redeveloped from scratch. As they said, they could just remove the 80+ limit breaks on a special server but that's the only way they could do it easily.
The servers themselves cost money to run and maintain the same as any other server.

And as the y said, they have a policy against just tossing something out there and going "here, have fun." And doing so will not bring back the community aspect by which your own admission was the whole thing that made it fun.
We had fun back then because of the chats and the social interaction we had while engaging in an otherwise really boring grind. The community is what made the game, not the level cap.

Or they could limit truste use and encourage partying more. With hundreds of new players coming everyday, wouldn't it be nice if everyone grouped up in low and mid level together in a whole new server?
We live in an are where huge companies are actually hiring modders (and along with them comes all their assets). Even CDPR is doing it for CP2077.

[Alhanelem]

Or they could limit truste use and encourage partying more.You can already do this voluntairly, there is no need for a special server for that.

If your response is "i cant find people to do that with," well, that should tell you how many people really care about this. No current player wants to do it, they would rather keep looking forward.

The people who DO care about this have already taken it into their own hands. If you want it that badly, then you'll have to go that route. There is no chance whatsoever of it happening via official channels.

[Lortheron]

You can already do this voluntairly, there is no need for a special server for that.

If your response is "i cant find people to do that with," well, that should tell you how many people really care about this. No current player wants to do it, they would rather keep looking forward.

The people who DO care about this have already taken it into their own hands. If you want it that badly, then you'll have to go that route. There is no chance whatsoever of it happening via official channels.

Wouldn't it be nice to bring people whom do care back? Including those whom don't want to play on private servers?

[Rpro]

Wouldn't it be nice to bring people whom do care back? Including those whom don't want to play on private servers?It's never going to happen. It wouldn't be worth the time for SE to create a 75 era server just for the small amount of people that would play on it(of which I would be one). Eden does a good job with their server.

[Immortal]

These people with horrible opinions come crawling back constantly like roaches. This idea is horrid, get rid of your nostalgia goggles. The 75 era was special because most of us were young, forced to group up and spend hours and hours with people because we all had more free time. Now days, that would not fly, especially not with any new player looking for an MMO. They would avoid it like the plague (which they do the current version, so imagine how slow they would think a 75 cap XI would be.) There isn't enough of you guys to support the servers being open, most of those trash private servers are with a lot of people because they are FREE, add a sub cost and you would see people drop like flies. It makes me roll my eyes anytime this discussion comes up, they clamor for that sweet 75 cap era (even tho theres tons of different time periods) and claim the current game is too easy, yet I barely ever see people stick around past Qufim Island and almost every party has a power leveler. So contradictory when they disparage abyssea for ruining the game and making it EZ Mode, yet they have 2 power levelers in every party to bring people to 75 lol. The current game still has teaming up and working towards goals, it has everything the 75 cap had but with modern touches. I think its perfect, the only thing missing is a company behind it supporting it instead of XIV. It needs more content and love.

[Alhanelem]

It's never going to happen. It wouldn't be worth the time for SE to create a 75 era server just for the small amount of people that would play on it(of which I would be one). Eden does a good job with their server.
Because the most serious of the old school community have their own solution, frankly I think that's for the best. For anyone not that serious, the game's mechanics provide a way to relive old content, and for the rest of us, well I'm just happy the game is still getting updates.

[Pixela]

As it is now, I believe even FFXIV takes more time to max out to the level cap, which is sad. There are even many speedruns of FFXI now a days and it takes less time to finish the game main campaign and cap the level of a job with trustes than many solo Final Fantasies... a few hours only.

You don't really seem to understand how FFXI works.

A speed leveling video takes advantage of many things that are not available to new players.

[Zehira]

The level cap itself is the least of it really. And if fans made private servers which are stable and run everything well, so can they, having backups or not (just an excuse).

There's a problem. We don't know how to pull players out of private servers. We, however, can invite XIV players to try XI if old school players learn how to stop hating.

[Stompa]

You can start a new LS, and invite only members who want to play at level 75 cap.

Then all LS members start a new level 1 mule character. Avoid all Raptures missions / quests to avoid xp bonuses.

Don't use XP-boosting rings. Don't do RoE assignments, to avoid xp rewards. Don't complete "mounts" quest, use chocobos instead. Don't use home-point warps or survival-guide warps.

Level to 75 in all your favourite classic camps, and help each-other with limit-breaks and Artifact quests, and ROTZ / COP / TOAU / WOTG missions.

At level 75, stop doing limit-breaks, lol. Now you can start doing Merit Point parties and other level 75 content, almost like in the old days.

I made a lot of friends while levelling up in the old game. Resting MP, resting weakened, gave us time to chat and joke and make friends. We got to know who was a skilled WHM, THF, NIN, etc. People were recognised for their gaming skills, not just their gear.

I really loved the old levelling-up, xp parties, making new friends, seeing what amazing things people could do with their main jobs, even though they had NQ lol-gear.

However, that was in the pre Big Social Media / Netflix era. We didn't mind xp-ing on beetles for hours in Altepa desert, because getting level 75 was the biggest online thrill.

Basically, if you can't find a dozen friends to join a special level 75 cap LS in 2021 on your current server, and play a more old-school style FFXI, that doesn't offer much incentive for the creation of a whole new pure level 75 classic server.
:cool:

[Lortheron]

If they did just a classic set of dynamis zones, the game would effectively have everything it did in the old days still. (minus bugs and adjusted camps for lv.90~ mobs)

Those have been removed?

[Lortheron]

You can start a new LS, and invite only members who want to play at level 75 cap.

Then all LS members start a new level 1 mule character. Avoid all Raptures missions / quests to avoid xp bonuses.

Don't use XP-boosting rings. Don't do RoE assignments, to avoid xp rewards. Don't complete "mounts" quest, use chocobos instead. Don't use home-point warps or survival-guide warps.

Level to 75 in all your favourite classic camps, and help each-other with limit-breaks and Artifact quests, and ROTZ / COP / TOAU / WOTG missions.

At level 75, stop doing limit-breaks, lol. Now you can start doing Merit Point parties and other level 75 content, almost like in the old days.

I made a lot of friends while levelling up in the old game. Resting MP, resting weakened, gave us time to chat and joke and make friends. We got to know who was a skilled WHM, THF, NIN, etc. People were recognised for their gaming skills, not just their gear.

I really loved the old levelling-up, xp parties, making new friends, seeing what amazing things people could do with their main jobs, even though they had NQ lol-gear.

However, that was in the pre Big Social Media / Netflix era. We didn't mind xp-ing on beetles for hours in Altepa desert, because getting level 75 was the biggest online thrill.

Basically, if you can't find a dozen friends to join a special level 75 cap LS in 2021 on your current server, and play a more old-school style FFXI, that doesn't offer much incentive for the creation of a whole new pure level 75 classic server.
:cool:

There is a middleground to be found there. Something not so spartan and classic, while still not being so streamlined and rushed as it is today.

[Tharly]

Then it wouldn't be classic.....

[Lortheron]

Then it wouldn't be classic.....

Many MMORPGs did this already. Classic servers with some small changes here and there. Even WoW Classic is like that.

[Tharly]

Everyone seems to voice wanting a CoP era classic server and maybe include TAU with none of today's QoL enhancements and the ability to spend time doing content rather than spending 45 minutes waiting for the replacement tank to get to Kazham and the party disbanding while tank is on the way. I just cannot see how a server that is less player friendly would be worth the time for the Devs to work on at the expense of keeping the game alive and adding content for everyone to do.

[Lortheron]

Everyone seems to voice wanting a CoP era classic server and maybe include TAU with none of today's QoL enhancements and the ability to spend time doing content rather than spending 45 minutes waiting for the replacement tank to get to Kazham and the party disbanding while tank is on the way. I just cannot see how a server that is less player friendly would be worth the time for the Devs to work on at the expense of keeping the game alive and adding content for everyone to do.

Not NONE of QoL improvs just not ALL.

[Pixela]

They can't afford to do classic builds (not that there is much demand anyway). It's all hands on deck to update the main game, most of their time goes into the updates planned for the 20th.

[Catmato]

Those have been removed?

The areas are still there but Dynamis is changed significantly from back in the 75 days.

[Tharly]

Not NONE of QoL improvs just not ALL.

Then it's not classic. It will never be the same as it once was. Why should they spend resources to remove things from the game when they can add instead? You can already play a style that could be considered classic, but nobody does. People cannot even agree on what classic would mean.

[Stompa]

There is a middleground to be found there. Something not so spartan and classic, while still not being so streamlined and rushed as it is today.

WHM taking the time and effort, to quest their Teleport scrolls, and then being able to Teleport the party, made them a unique part of the team. Now almost entirely useless thanks to HP/SG warps, and mounts.

The connections made, when asking for a Teleport. You met a new person. You chatted. It felt nice.

This is a small example of Lost Culture. You can't pick-and-choose with Culture.

The new game lacks those bonds of friendship and reliance, bonds which were forged in adversity. I describe the new game as basically solo-player. I think that is tragic.
:cool:

[Alt0167]

This is a small example of Lost Culture. You can't pick-and-choose with Culture.


Literally this. Probably why private servers are held on such a high pedestal for some. They represent that connection that community, but I doubt the server pops make that a reality. It seems almost like they're virtue signalling when they say they're on a private server.

Personally I like where the game has gone and how the community has changed. Fawning over the past, trying to emulate it does not make sense to me. There is still community it just operates differently now.

But that's just my hot take

[Lortheron]

WHM taking the time and effort, to quest their Teleport scrolls, and then being able to Teleport the party, made them a unique part of the team. Now almost entirely useless thanks to HP/SG warps, and mounts.

The connections made, when asking for a Teleport. You met a new person. You chatted. It felt nice.

This is a small example of Lost Culture. You can't pick-and-choose with Culture.

The new game lacks those bonds of friendship and reliance, bonds which were forged in adversity. I describe the new game as basically solo-player. I think that is tragic.
:cool:

But you can, just takes some time to figure out how to estimulante people to do things like what you described, make it worth while while still having some few new places where can teleport, for example.

Just like airships, for example too: the middleground would be having airships available every 3m, instead of 11m. And make the trips faster and even cheaper (50gil), maybe add some more shops with random unique cheaper than usual items inside the airships and more quests and encounters involving them...

That is a comfortable middleground. The teleport anywhere free of charge is just the oposite extreme and doesn't improve on the original experience.

And that's just an example of a possible middleground that would make oldschool player happy. Improve and make the old experience better, a bit faster, yes, but don't CHANGE the core original experience to something else totally different. That's my point.

[Alhanelem]

If they did just a classic set of dynamis zones, the game would effectively have everything it did in the old days still. (minus bugs and adjusted camps for lv.90~ mobs)
As SE stated, they do not have a snapshot of the 75 era. It would have to be rebuilt mostly from scratch.

[Trublade]

I haven't played in quite some time. I made a new character and came back hoping for the same or at least a similar experience.. What I got was me joining a party where everyone gets 1000-2000 xp per kill and I get 200-600... I go from level 15 to 20 and they go from 15 to 35 in under an hour.. wth?!

I don't want to be on a server where that kind of xp gain exists.
It is insane and it kills the whole feel of level progression and the bonds you make with people while doing it.

It completely negates the use of lower level equipment and absolutely invalidates any low level crafting.
IMO everything in the game is fine EXCEPT for the insane amount of XP gain at low to mid levels.
It's just ridiculous...

I am seriously heartbroken at what this game feels like right now because of it.
Please make a semi-classic "official" server and allow people to join it so they can experience the same awesome feels I had when I got this game on PS2 back in the day or nerf the XP for low and mid levels.
Please..
Thank you.

[Pixela]

jI haven't played in quite some time. I made a new character and came back hoping for the same or at least a similar experience.. What I got was me joining a party where everyone gets 1000-2000 xp per kill and I get 200-600... I go from level 15 to 20 and they go from 15 to 35 in under an hour.. wth?!

what are you talking about? trolling or something?

[Alhanelem]

I haven't played in quite some time. I made a new character and came back hoping for the same or at least a similar experience.. What I got was me joining a party where everyone gets 1000-2000 xp per kill and I get 200-600... I go from level 15 to 20 and they go from 15 to 35 in under an hour.. wth?!

I don't want to be on a server where that kind of xp gain exists.
It is insane and it kills the whole feel of level progression and the bonds you make with people while doing it.

It completely negates the use of lower level equipment and absolutely invalidates any low level crafting.
IMO everything in the game is fine EXCEPT for the insane amount of XP gain at low to mid levels.
It's just ridiculous...

I am seriously heartbroken at what this game feels like right now because of it.
Please make a semi-classic "official" server and allow people to join it so they can experience the same awesome feels I had when I got this game on PS2 back in the day or nerf the XP for low and mid levels.
Please..
Thank you.
The point of low level crafting is to get to high level crafting. Even 10 years ago, that's about 90% the truth.

I mean, if you really want to play a game where you level crazy slow, play MapleStory. Even though it's been sped up since it started, it still takes forever and ever, much longer than FFXI ever did, in the higher levels.

People lead busier lives today than they did back in the day. Nobody really wants to level that slow anymore.

[Cesil]

While I don't know how successful classic servers would be, I think it would be in their best interest to actually update the game to not run on 56k, and actually have it load inventory instead of having to sit and wait 30+ seconds every time I zone and run on modern connection speeds.

They should also consider updating the graphics.

I dunno though, I have a lot of LS and we do a lot of stuff, but lack of amount of players, or maybe its the changes made in the game, but the social aspect feels like its long gone and that is what made this game so wonderful a lot of the times.

[Trublade]

I’m not trolling. My brother has all or most of the expansions complete and he’s making insane xp per kill with the XP band active.
This is hardly the same game it was at launch at this point. Just not what I was hoping for in that regard. Still fun to be had here, especially with the graphical mods and updates but I was looking forward to a more reserved speed.
And I disagree with the sentiment that low level gear should be useless along with low level crafting. Stating your personal opinion as a fact, doesn’t make it a fact.

[Alhanelem]

It’s ridiculous how SOME of you feel like your opinion is a fact and that you alone should dictate the direction of the game.
And no I’m not trolling. My brother has all or most of the expansions complete and he’s making insane xp per kill.
This is hardly the same game it was at launch at this point. Just not what I was hoping for in that regard. Still fun to be had here, especially with the graphical mods but I was looking forward to a more reserved speed. And I disagree with the sentiment that low level gear should be useless along with low level crafting. Again, stating your personal opinion as a fact, doesn’t make it a fact.
I never claimed my opinion itself was a fact. But my opinion does in part draw upon the actual fact that SE themselves has said they have no intention of doing it. I merely listed many reasons why that is probably the case. Feeling strongly about an opinion does not mean it is being treated as fact.


And of course it isn't the same game that we had at launch. ALL MMOs change over time. People really need to start realizing and accepting that. Nostalgia is a pair of rose tinted glasses. FFXIV is vastly different now than 9 years ago as well.

[Pixela]

I’m not trolling. My brother has all or most of the expansions complete and he’s making insane xp per kill with the XP band active.
This is hardly the same game it was at launch at this point. Just not what I was hoping for in that regard. Still fun to be had here, especially with the graphical mods and updates but I was looking forward to a more reserved speed.
And I disagree with the sentiment that low level gear should be useless along with low level crafting. Stating your personal opinion as a fact, doesn’t make it a fact.

You're trolling.

You joined the game new and joined an XP party where level 99 playes were powerleveling you for free huh?

[Trublade]

Lol.. Same old FF forum I see. Attack first..
My brother joined me and level synced to me in selbina sands at level 15. He went almost instantly to like 35 and I hit like 20 for the whole time we were there lol.. He was telling me “wow that was 1200 xp for the first Mob” etc..
But thanks for making assumptions..
You should really consider taking deep breaths and using sensibility before you post.
You’re not doing yourself any favors making blind insinuations and using aggressive tones.
Just some friendly advice.
Have a nice day.

[Trublade]

I never claimed my opinion itself was a fact. But my opinion does in part draw upon the actual fact that SE themselves has said they have no intention of doing it. I merely listed many reasons why that is probably the case. Feeling strongly about an opinion does not mean it is being treated as fact.


And of course it isn't the same game that we had at launch. ALL MMOs change over time. People really need to start realizing and accepting that. Nostalgia is a pair of rose tinted glasses. FFXIV is vastly different now than 9 years ago as well.

Lol again you tell people what they “need to do” as if your king of other peoples decisions.
Why don’t you go tell everyone what server to join while you’re at it?
Oh wait, you already do that constantly.
How about you allow people to have their own opinion and stop acting as if they need to fall in line with yours?

Side note: FFXIV was a complete failure 9 years ago and had to be rebuilt from scratch..
Of course it’s different.
FFXI was never crap. It wasn’t broken IMO and didn’t need to be fixed.
Every game evolves but this has been overly simplified IMO.

[Pixela]

Part of the point is that the resources needed are basically zero. Again, fans with their free time did it for nothing already, they can do it in one or two weeks. Worth the try, might bring many players to game if publicized the right way.

The cost for Square to do this would be really high, just because someone is prepared to do something for nothing over many years it does not mean a company can have that same luxury. Not only do they have to pay people to do this, they need people to understand what they are doing.

The developers are already busy, they don't have the time to mess around with something a small number of people want.

[Pixela]

Lol.. Same old FF forum I see. Attack first..
My brother joined me and level synced to me in selbina sands at level 15. He went almost instantly to like 35 and I hit like 20 for the whole time we were there lol.. He was telling me “wow that was 1200 xp for the first Mob” etc..
But thanks for making assumptions..
You should really consider taking deep breaths and using sensibility before you post.
You’re not doing yourself any favors making blind insinuations and using aggressive tones.
Just some friendly advice.
Have a nice day.

And by brother you mean your main account, good day to you sir trollington of trolltown.

[Alhanelem]

Lol again you tell people what they “need to do” as if your king of other peoples decisions.
Why don’t you go tell everyone what server to join while you’re at it?
Oh wait, you already do that constantly.
How about you allow people to have their own opinion and stop acting as if they need to fall in line with yours?
I didn't tell anyone they needed to do anything in this thread, nor did I tell anyone they couldn't have an opinion nor did I tell them it had to fall in line with mine.
I offer the facts, as told by SE, and allow others to come to their own conclusions. Of course, I'm going to stand by my opinion, but that is part of any discussion.

As far as the server thing, I can advise or suggest what people should do in the interest of a better game experience for all, but it's entirely up to them whether to follow that advice or not. It isn't the order, or command, that you are painting it as. Of course, right now, Asura is closed and unless you want to wait, you kind of have to pick something else. Have you ever considered the fact that I'm on a smaller server and while I don't want to be on the most crowded one, we could still stand to benefit from some new blood? I feel strongly about my opinions and I stand by them, but contrary to your complaining, they are still just opinions. Not orders, not commands, there is no obligation on anybody's part to follow my reccomendations or agree with my opinions. However, I have every right to share them and be passionate about them just as you do yours and I absolutely will not hold them back. Sorry.





Side note: FFXIV was a complete failure 9 years ago and had to be rebuilt from scratch..
Of course it’s different.
FFXI was never crap. It wasn’t broken IMO and didn’t need to be fixed.
Every game evolves but this has been overly simplified IMO. You are being intentionally obtuse. I wasn't talking about FFXIV's transition from 1.0 to ARR. I was talking about everything that happens over time. You can pretend XIV 1.0 never existed for the sake of argument- FFXIV is still drastically different now from when it came out, just as FFXI is, and that was the point. WoW is drastically different now from when it came out. Everquest is drastically diferent now form when it came out. Runescape is drastically different now from when it came out. I just legitimately don't understand this whole classic server argument. Why are these people playing MMOs if they want them to be frozen in time, which is entirely contrary to how they were designed?

[Alhanelem]

Lol.. Same old FF forum I see. Attack first..
My brother joined me and level synced to me in selbina sands at level 15. He went almost instantly to like 35 and I hit like 20 for the whole time we were there lol.. He was telling me “wow that was 1200 xp for the first Mob” etc..
But thanks for making assumptions..
You should really consider taking deep breaths and using sensibility before you post.
You’re not doing yourself any favors making blind insinuations and using aggressive tones.
Just some friendly advice.
Have a nice day.
I mean, if you don't want to progress fast, that's entirely your choice. You can almost certainly find some like minded players who have more time to waste grinding than your supposed brother does.
For most of us, w hile it was fun back then (mostly for the social aspect), many of us were teens or in our 20s when we started, and we're older now. We have jobs. we can't devote the same amount of time to a single game- but we'd still like to make visible progress in each play session.

[Lortheron]

Lol again you tell people what they “need to do” as if your king of other peoples decisions.
Why don’t you go tell everyone what server to join while you’re at it?
Oh wait, you already do that constantly.
How about you allow people to have their own opinion and stop acting as if they need to fall in line with yours?

Side note: FFXIV was a complete failure 9 years ago and had to be rebuilt from scratch..
Of course it’s different.
FFXI was never crap. It wasn’t broken IMO and didn’t need to be fixed.
Every game evolves but this has been overly simplified IMO.

Exactly this. Over simplification of something that was never broken to begin with, unnecessary changes that went a bit too far and changed the feel of the game without adding anything similar to replace it.

Thank you.

[Lortheron]

I mean, if you don't want to progress fast, that's entirely your choice. You can almost certainly find some like minded players who have more time to waste grinding than your supposed brother does.
For most of us, w hile it was fun back then (mostly for the social aspect), many of us were teens or in our 20s when we started, and we're older now. We have jobs. we can't devote the same amount of time to a single game- but we'd still like to make visible progress in each play session.

So all content before lvl 99 is just grind to you? You don't like to have a challenge and enjoy slowly every single part of what is really 90% of the actual game content?

Sorry if I understand incorrectly.

Taking SOME of the GRIND off is nice, but making the content too easy and steamrollable fast is not. This game is meant to be challenging no matter the level, and most beautiful stories are told while leveling, as a reward for making it trough challenging content, they should've never changed that.

Make leveling a bit faster: good. Making it ridiculous to the point of breaking all the game up to level 99 instantly : bad. Very bad (and a disrespect to all that beautiful content in the first place, really).

[Alhanelem]

So all content before lvl 99 is just grind to you?No, there were definitely things I legitimately enjoyed doing along the way. But most of those were one time things. I don't have any desire to do level 30 BCNMs again, for example, I already did them 2 dozen times 15 years ago. Same with the missions. I enjoyed them thoroughly. I enjoyed doing crafting along the way, but I also don't want to level the crafts over again. I did garrison once and that was kinda fun, but I have no desire to do it again, particularly for irrelevant rewards.



I hope you can understand that not wanting to do certain things today doesn't mean we didn't have any fun with them back in the day.

The only thing I really truly miss from back then is the early days of Ballista when there were like 2 dozen people on each team, that was crazy fun. But since there was no incentive to participate other than entertainment (and maybe taking some gil from your friends), it went from being a wild crazy thing to just being enjoyed by a small cult following. I can still occasionally do it today but usually just the bare minimum number of people.

When FFXI was new, the whole idea of being in an entire other world was thrilling and exciting. But over time, it gradually shifted towards enjoying the contents rather than simply being immersed in a world. Participating in a virtual world as if it was one was extremely time consuming. There is no way I could do that today, idling around town, chatting people up and that sort of thing. When I started I was in college and had lots of free time. Now, I have multiple hobbies, a job that keeps me busy, etc. So while I love logging in to vanadiel and smashing some BCNMs or doing whatever have you, I simply do not care to return to the old days of taking forever to get from one place to another, chatting up everyone i see along the way, grinding XP for hours, etc. because I simply do not have time to enjoy the game the same way I used to.

[Lortheron]

I haven't played in quite some time. I made a new character and came back hoping for the same or at least a similar experience.. What I got was me joining a party where everyone gets 1000-2000 xp per kill and I get 200-600... I go from level 15 to 20 and they go from 15 to 35 in under an hour.. wth?!

I don't want to be on a server where that kind of xp gain exists.
It is insane and it kills the whole feel of level progression and the bonds you make with people while doing it.

It completely negates the use of lower level equipment and absolutely invalidates any low level crafting.
IMO everything in the game is fine EXCEPT for the insane amount of XP gain at low to mid levels.
It's just ridiculous...

I am seriously heartbroken at what this game feels like right now because of it.
Please make a semi-classic "official" server and allow people to join it so they can experience the same awesome feels I had when I got this game on PS2 back in the day or nerf the XP for low and mid levels.
Please..
Thank you.

I agree, some faster leveling is good and welcome. Original classic was way, way, too slow. But what we have now is just ridiculous. They could remove the Raphsodies of Vana Diel key items at least as they just break the game and kill all experience bellow lvl99. If one is going that route it would be better to just offer new players an option (maybe paid) to create a lvl99 character and be done with it, honestly it would be better. As it is, with RoV ridiculous bonusses, it's just really sad and makes all content bellow lvl99 way too easy and steamrollable, which is very bad.

[Lortheron]

The point of low level crafting is to get to high level crafting. Even 10 years ago, that's about 90% the truth.

I mean, if you really want to play a game where you level crazy slow, play MapleStory. Even though it's been sped up since it started, it still takes forever and ever, much longer than FFXI ever did, in the higher levels.

People lead busier lives today than they did back in the day. Nobody really wants to level that slow anymore.

It's just too fast with RoV KIs, really. It should be at the very least a bit slower that FFXIV and it would already be ~4x faster than FFXI original pacing. But as it is now, it's like ~15x times faster and that's just way too fast for any game and breaks the experience.

I agree that faster xp gains are welcome, but something like FFXIV, yes, a bit slowers. Not faster than it, and it is much faster (than FFXIV) sadly as it currently stands, to the point of breaking the experience.

[Lortheron]

No, there were definitely things I legitimately enjoyed doing along the way. But most of those were one time things. I don't have any desire to do level 30 BCNMs again, for example, I already did them 2 dozen times 15 years ago. Same with the missions. I enjoyed them thoroughly. I enjoyed doing crafting along the way, but I also don't want to level the crafts over again. I did garrison once and that was kinda fun, but I have no desire to do it again, particularly for irrelevant rewards.



I hope you can understand that not wanting to do certain things today doesn't mean we didn't have any fun with them back in the day.

The only thing I really truly miss from back then is the early days of Ballista when there were like 2 dozen people on each team, that was crazy fun. But since there was no incentive to participate other than entertainment (and maybe taking some gil from your friends), it went from being a wild crazy thing to just being enjoyed by a small cult following. I can still occasionally do it today but usually just the bare minimum number of people.

When FFXI was new, the whole idea of being in an entire other world was thrilling and exciting. But over time, it gradually shifted towards enjoying the contents rather than simply being immersed in a world. Participating in a virtual world as if it was one was extremely time consuming. There is no way I could do that today, idling around town, chatting people up and that sort of thing. When I started I was in college and had lots of free time. Now, I have multiple hobbies, a job that keeps me busy, etc. So while I love logging in to vanadiel and smashing some BCNMs or doing whatever have you, I simply do not care to return to the old days of taking forever to get from one place to another, chatting up everyone i see along the way, grinding XP for hours, etc. because I simply do not have time to enjoy the game the same way I used to.

I understand but most new players want just that, and by making everything bellow 99 steamrollable as currently is and leveling as insanely fast and broken as currently is (if your RPG game giving XP faster than FFXIV, it's just way too fast and broken, aking to private servers of old): you're just removing this experience from them.

Most returning players want to experience the game as a whole again, want the challenge (or at least some challange) and want re live the world, as new players. It's only some veterans like you, and I can respect that, no problem with it, that only want to enjoy new 99 content, and it's all great, but don't steal the low ~ medium level experience from players starting now or returning players that want that.

There is a way to make all that whole experience of being immersed in a fantasy world believable to new and returning players without taking as much time. There is a middleground to be found here. Something not as crazy spartan as back in the day, but not as broken and fast as is today. That is what should be pursued, because that experience IS FFXI core.

[Lortheron]

While I don't know how successful classic servers would be, I think it would be in their best interest to actually update the game to not run on 56k, and actually have it load inventory instead of having to sit and wait 30+ seconds every time I zone and run on modern connection speeds.

They should also consider updating the graphics.

I dunno though, I have a lot of LS and we do a lot of stuff, but lack of amount of players, or maybe its the changes made in the game, but the social aspect feels like its long gone and that is what made this game so wonderful a lot of the times.

That would be a good start to catch up with game a bit. The game has been given basically zero real attention from Square Enix since 2016.

How many subscribers, active, the game currently has? At the very least ~7'000, and probably something around ten thousand players with active subscriptions given that Asura has around ~4K characters registered in it, and both Odin and Bahamuth more than 2K each, plus numbers from other servers. That's around 100K USD$ per month now (and I bet it was much more than that around 2015~2018, and a whole lot more before that). I trully do not believe even half the current game income goes towards improving it and they probably need just a small fraction of said income to keep servers running. So it's a business decision and not a lack of actual resources to keep the game as is ever since 2016. They prefer to invest the money elsewhere, and not back into the game, that's the truth.

[Alhanelem]

I understand but most new players want just that,New players don't know what they want nor do they know what to expect, other than the basic elements of any MMO in existence.

This isn't intended as offense to you in any way but you need to stop pretending that you speak for every new or returning player. We all have different wants, desires and expectations.

In particular a new player that isn't a returning player does not know what the game was like 19 years ago and, given MMOs today, doesn't expect it to take hours to gain a single level (unless they're a veteran of a game like MapleStory, perhaps...). And further, most people in an MMO today don't seem to care that much about the journey, they just want to be max level as fast as possible and do endgame content, because... reasons. I still don't fully understand the rush myself but that's just the way it is.

[Lortheron]

New players don't know what they want nor do they know what to expect, other than the basic elements of any MMO in existence.

This isn't intended as offense to you in any way but you need to stop pretending that you speak for every new or returning player. We all have different wants, desires and expectations.

In particular a new player that isn't a returning player does not know what the game was like 19 years ago and, given MMOs today, doesn't expect it to take hours to gain a single level (unless they're a veteran of a game like MapleStory, perhaps...). And further, most people in an MMO today don't seem to care that much about the journey, they just want to be max level as fast as possible and do endgame content, because... reasons. I still don't fully understand the rush myself but that's just the way it is.

I understand what you're saying but even FFXIV takes longer to reach max level than FFXI now a days, that's just sad... Something like 4~5h to reach level ~25 and after that maybe ~50h to reach lvl50. And around ~350 hours after that to reach lvl99 sounds good. It would still be much, much faster than back in the old days, just not the broken rush it is now a days, where one takes a few hours (less than a day) to max out any job : (

[Alhanelem]

In defense to FFXI, leveling up is now just the beginning- when you get there you still have to build up to i119 and then grind job points, which takes much, much longer than the leveling process, and yet is still basically leveling.


FFXIV still doesn't have any sort of meta-progression other than gathering tomestones to keep gear up to date.. When you reach max level, the only thing to grind is gear. so FFXI still has a far longer growth process.

[Lortheron]

In defense to FFXI, leveling up is now just the beginning- when you get there you still have to build up to i119 and then grind job points, which takes much, much longer than the leveling process, and yet is still basically leveling.


FFXIV still doesn't have any sort of meta-progression other than gathering tomestones to keep gear up to date.. When you reach max level, the only thing to grind is gear. so FFXI still has a far longer growth process.

You are actually right about that, FFXI has a much more fleshed out sideways progression system for it's jobs, way more enhanced than anything FFXIV does. That is true.
I just wish SE valued all the content before lvl99 better and gave it as much attention as post 99 content.

[Alhanelem]

You are actually right about that, FFXI has a much more fleshed out sideways progression system for it's jobs, way more enhanced than anything FFXIV does. That is true.
I just wish SE valued all the content before lvl99 better and gave it as much attention as post 99 content.
It's the same for any MMO. Players want to be max level so that's where the focus is. Anything that isn't specifically max level is stuff you can do anytime, rather th an some particular not max level level.

[Alt0167]

They do. You just weren't around when that content was revelant to the community. That's not our fault. There has to be a ls somewhere that will get you off these boards.

[Lortheron]

They do. You just weren't around when that content was revelant to the community. That's not our fault. There has to be a ls somewhere that will get you off these boards.

Glad to be of service and bring some life around this parts : )

[Lortheron]

It's the same for any MMO. Players want to be max level so that's where the focus is. Anything that isn't specifically max level is stuff you can do anytime, rather th an some particular not max level level.

Yes, keeping old areas with some life and "old content" always relevant is a huge challenge to any MMO. There are ways around it and many MMOs try to fix this problem some way or another with varying levels of success, indeed. That's a long discussion into the genre itself and an old one at that, quite an interesting topic nonetheless.

[Alhanelem]

They do. You just weren't around when that content was revelant to the community. That's not our fault. There has to be a ls somewhere that will get you off these boards.
Me having friends in game and me posting on these boards are not mutually exclusive. And sorry to disappoint you, as long as there is discussion to be h ad about FFXI, I will be there to be a part of it, as I like talking about the game about as much as I like playing it. And I have just as much a right to be here as you do.

[Alt0167]

I wasn't talking to you so calm your beans

[Alhanelem]

I wasn't talking to you so calm your beansWell, you'll forgive me for thinking so, when i see that your post was below mine with no quotation or reference to another person, given the hostility I sometimes get purely for having a high post count.

[Alt0167]

No worries I should have quoted I just thought it was clear. Internet things.

My point ultimately is I don't understand this call for 75 server as though players are being denied the experience of old. It's still there. Just makes more sense to find a ls or make one of your own? If there's a calling for it people will join.

[By-Tor]

I'd support this.

The combined population from the big private servers (ToAU and Wings) out there, plus all the other smaller ones, rivals Asura population. Perhaps even surpaces it since in some of these servers multiboxing isn't allowed. And from playing and leading linkshells on these servers, from engaging with these communities: I'm certain they would immediately pay a sub and jump ship to a retail classic server. Not to mention all the disenfranchised players who gave up on dealing with pserver clunkiness since these started to pop up around 2014, 2015. Reverse engineering is not a walk in the park, yet these developers were able to replicate a fair amount of the old game already.

There are also people waiting for MMOs like Pantheon Rise of the Fallen who would be all over it. Just go ask them on the VR discord: FFXI classic is viewed in high regard.
Other private server communities who would be interested in a revitalized XI classic experience: Star Wars Galaxies (SWGEMU, Legends), Everquest (P99), Dark Age of Camelot (Phoenix) and Asheron's Call to a lesser degree; there's a huge audience out there that has to rely on the great work done by volunteers to provide them with a classic MMO experience. One just needs to capitalize on this.


I'm really not interested in what some players who especialized in telling forum members to shut up and go play another game have to say about this post though. Insisting on discouraging people like me to give up on using the only means of communication with Square... Not gonna work.
Hopefully the right eyes will see this demand and take it upstairs.

And I'll end on the same note I did months ago: If you read this in the future and you share our sentiment, don't be afraid to post: ignore the snide comments and let your thoughts be known. Cheers!

[Immortal]

Oh please, they only play on those servers because its free. Nobody cares about 75 cap except an exceptionally small amount of people. Also you are very mistaken if you think nobody multi boxes or bots on p servers.

[Lortheron]

I'd support this.

The combined population from the big private servers (ToAU and Wings) out there, plus all the other smaller ones, rivals Asura population. Perhaps even surpaces it since in some of these servers multiboxing isn't allowed. And from playing and leading linkshells on these servers, from engaging with these communities: I'm certain they would immediately pay a sub and jump ship to a retail classic server. Not to mention all the disenfranchised players who gave up on dealing with pserver clunkiness since these started to pop up around 2014, 2015. Reverse engineering is not a walk in the park, yet these developers were able to replicate a fair amount of the old game already.

There are also people waiting for MMOs like Pantheon Rise of the Fallen who would be all over it. Just go ask them on the VR discord: FFXI classic is viewed in high regard.
Other private server communities who would be interested in a revitalized XI classic experience: Star Wars Galaxies (SWGEMU, Legends), Everquest (P99), Dark Age of Camelot (Phoenix) and Asheron's Call to a lesser degree; there's a huge audience out there that has to rely on the great work done by volunteers to provide them with a classic MMO experience. One just needs to capitalize on this.


I'm really not interested in what some players who especialized in telling forum members to shut up and go play another game have to say about this post though. Insisting on discouraging people like me to give up on using the only means of communication with Square... Not gonna work.
Hopefully the right eyes will see this demand and take it upstairs.

And I'll end on the same note I did months ago: If you read this in the future and you share our sentiment, don't be afraid to post: ignore the snide comments and let your thoughts be known. Cheers!

Exactly. 100% this.

[Lortheron]

Oh please, they only play on those servers because its free. Nobody cares about 75 cap except an exceptionally small amount of people. Also you are very mistaken if you think nobody multi boxes or bots on p servers.

I don't know... honest question: you really think so? All those players just play there because it's free? I mean, when I think about it: they do need massive donations to keep private servers fast, bugless and up and running to begin with...

I just really think it's a missed opportunity for SE, even one acquires 30%~50% of all those private server population, it would still be a great win for this game. Clearly there is a market.

[Alhanelem]

you really think so?Yes, I agree.

Private servers are mostly about dodging the sub fee. You also can't really put too much heart into your character on them because their retention of your data is far less guaranteed. Beyond that, the reverse engineering is still highly imperfect and some things may not work the way you expect. And yes, private servers need to be maintained, but usually it's much like any f2p game, a few people with lots of money are covering for freeloaders.
Combining all the known servers to rvial Asura doesn't really speak that strongly to the merits of the idea. For one, as we said already, a lot of people are doing it because it's a free alternative where they don't have to give SE any money, and not because of any particular game attributes such as level cap or whatever else. For two is really all the other stuff I've repeated several times at this point- lack of agreement on what "classic" actually is, dividing the community, Features already existing to enable this style of play without a special server (though said features could do with some improvement to be fair), etc. etc. etc.


WoW classic works for Blizzard because WoW is such an immense game that the number of people interested in it is enough to sustain a community. But even WoW classic isn't staying locked in the past, they've already reintroduced Burning Crusade, etc, which basically proves that you can't just make a server, go back in time, and freeze it there. You have to reintroduce content over time or add new content or it's just going to get stale before very long. FFXI never had anywhere near the level of market adoption as WoW. It would require a lot of investment for far less potential return than it had for Blizzard with WoW.

It can be fun to take a trip down memory lane, but the reality is, it isn't sustainable. You'll play it for a while, get bored from the lack of new content, and go back to the main game or play another game.

Look, You have to give them points for the new master level system- the XP gain is very much like the old days, needing to kill stronger mobs in a party to get a meaningful amount, trusts aren't terribly great for it, and XP loss is something of a threat again. And the people who have access to master levels are already the people who enjoy the lengthy grinds of the olden days the most.

[Immortal]

I don't know... honest question: you really think so? All those players just play there because it's free? I mean, when I think about it: they do need massive donations to keep private servers fast, bugless and up and running to begin with...

I just really think it's a missed opportunity for SE, even one acquires 30%~50% of all those private server population, it would still be a great win for this game. Clearly there is a market.

Bugless? Cmon man, those servers are filled with bugs. They are all reverse engineered garbage, things don';t work as they should and if you think they are they probably aren't and the DEV didn't notice.

[Lortheron]

Yes, I agree.

Private servers are mostly about dodging the sub fee. You also can't really put too much heart into your character on them because their retention of your data is far less guaranteed. Beyond that, the reverse engineering is still highly imperfect and some things may not work the way you expect. And yes, private servers need to be maintained, but usually it's much like any f2p game, a few people with lots of money are covering for freeloaders.
Combining all the known servers to rvial Asura doesn't really speak that strongly to the merits of the idea. For one, as we said already, a lot of people are doing it because it's a free alternative where they don't have to give SE any money, and not because of any particular game attributes such as level cap or whatever else. For two is really all the other stuff I've repeated several times at this point- lack of agreement on what "classic" actually is, dividing the community, Features already existing to enable this style of play without a special server (though said features could do with some improvement to be fair), etc. etc. etc.


WoW classic works for Blizzard because WoW is such an immense game that the number of people interested in it is enough to sustain a community. But even WoW classic isn't staying locked in the past, they've already reintroduced Burning Crusade, etc, which basically proves that you can't just make a server, go back in time, and freeze it there. You have to reintroduce content over time or add new content or it's just going to get stale before very long. FFXI never had anywhere near the level of market adoption as WoW. It would require a lot of investment for far less potential return than it had for Blizzard with WoW.

It can be fun to take a trip down memory lane, but the reality is, it isn't sustainable. You'll play it for a while, get bored from the lack of new content, and go back to the main game or play another game.

Look, You have to give them points for the new master level system- the XP gain is very much like the old days, needing to kill stronger mobs in a party to get a meaningful amount, trusts aren't terribly great for it, and XP loss is something of a threat again. And the people who have access to master levels are already the people who enjoy the lengthy grinds of the olden days the most.

Agree with the last part : )

As for the private servers, I don't know, I hear many people that played on WingsXI commenting how it's faster than SEs servers, since they use top notch enterprise level servers that are better than what SE unfortunately leaves to FFXI... I can agree that MOST private servers might be full of bugs, but there is currently the arise of "premium private servers" that will probably soon require some fees (albeit less than the retail game, of course) from the players if the want to keep it up... an interesting thing to see unfolding for sure... I for once, am curious as to how this new scene will play out in the short~medium timespan.

[Lortheron]

Bugless? Cmon man, those servers are filled with bugs. They are all reverse engineered garbage, things don';t work as they should and if you think they are they probably aren't and the DEV didn't notice.

I never actually played on private servers myself to be honest. But I am on WingsXI Discord (invited by a member of one of LSs) and know many players that play both in retail and on WingsXI... what they say to me whenever I ask about the subject is very interesting... it does seems that there are two private servers of FFXI which are arising as "premium private servers" or something of the matter (WingsXI being one of them). If this keeps up they will soon have to require a timely fee (maybe something like every 6 months for example, amounting for less than what the current retail server charges of course) from the players. I'm curious to see how this scenario will unfold...

[By-Tor]

Also you are very mistaken if you think nobody multi boxes or bots on p servers.

In your rage, you put words in my mouth. I never said there is no multiboxing in private servers: I said there are servers that don't allow multiboxing (there are others that do allow it), and on those that don't allow it (the biggest pserver out there is one example), you get punished if you have an alt following you, or even a mule logged at the same time running around outside of the main cities.


Private servers are mostly about dodging the sub fee.

Directly contradicts my own experience with these communities.


For one, as we said already, a lot of people are doing it because it's a free alternative where they don't have to give SE any money, and not because of any particular game attributes such as level cap or whatever else.

Completely untrue and baseless. No one goes through the trouble of installing a private server for a 20 years PS2 MMO simply because they want to play a free game. Very patronizing too, for in truth, people do play there because of the 75 cap itemization, mechanics, social gameplay focus etc.


You also can't really put too much heart into your character on them because their retention of your data is far less guaranteed. Beyond that, the reverse engineering is still highly imperfect and some things may not work the way you expect. And yes, private servers need to be maintained, but usually it's much like any f2p game, a few people with lots of money are covering for freeloaders.

Also untrue. I won't mention names, but the old main pserver is around since July 28th, 2013. The current biggest ToAU server has been around since 2017, and has an impressive level of accuracy. Great developers.


And yes, private servers need to be maintained, but usually it's much like any f2p game, a few people with lots of money are covering for freeloaders.

Also inaccurate. The only cost of a private server is hosting, which is not *that* expensive, and the developers time volunteering to code. In all of the big pservers, as far as I know, the cost is covered by only one or two devs. And another condescending comment towards pserver players.


It's funny how you guys think you have all the answers. These boards could be more cordial and civil if you didn't act like angry teenagers behind keyboards.

[Alhanelem]

Directly contradicts my own experience with these communities.The experience of one individual does not refute my statement. It's the primary reason these communities began in the first place, out of frustration with SE and not wanting to give them money anymore. Otherwise, there isn't much reason to be on one. If you love FFXI you should be paying the sub fee, no one can be on a private server, whether they miss the "good ol days" or not, and not be consciously deciding to not pay up. It doesn't matter how nice or friendly or cool the community is. It's great that you had a positive experience with these communities, but that isn't the point. And technically, even if users on these servers are paying their sub fee, they're still technically violating the user agreement and terms that they agreed to with SE.


Completely untrue and baseless. No one goes through the trouble of installing a private server for a 20 years PS2 MMO simply because they want to play a free game. Very patronizing too, for in truth, people do play there because of the 75 cap itemization, mechanics, social gameplay focus etc.There is plenty of basis for this. You have no idea how many people there are out there who are curious about FFXI but don't want to pay another sub fee. I see them every day that I play FFXIV. These conversations come up all the time. "it still has a sub fee? Nah, I don't want to do that..." Even old FFXI players I know that aren't playing another MMO, it's part of what kills their motivation to come back. Your implication that people wouldn't want to go through the "trouble" to play an old game to dodge a sub fee does not jive with the fact that people are far less likely to want to pay a sub fee for an old game. And it isn't as much trouble as you're implying either.



Also inaccurate. The only cost of a private server is hosting, which is not *that* expensive, and the developers time volunteering to codeTime is money, friend, and yes, hosting isnt exorbitant, but even an independently run website generally needs some donations to make its server costs, and these illegal private servers are no exception. And as I noted before, if you play on one of these, you're taking a risk that the person or people behind it will up and shut down their server without warning and everything you did on it is erased.




It's funny how you guys think you have all the answers. These boards could be more cordial and civil if you didn' t act like angry teenagers behind keyboards. It's also funny how you think it's okay to be judgemental and stereotypcial. This complaint is full of hypocrisy. These boards have been generally cordial and civil most of the time, and I'm a (reasonably) happy 37 year old (who's played FFXI since the beginning) who doesn't happen to think that making immature comments about other people and their opinions makes a good argument.

If you want to look good making a post like this on a forum, do it without attacking the people you're speaking to. Your comment was entirely unnecessary and contributed to this board being less cordial and civil.

[Leeto]

FF11 Classic world/server requests have to be made on the official forums in an attempt to gain more visibility, but certain folks immediately get territorial about it. We're not trying to start a revolution or argue about it, we just hope they will listen. There exists demand for an official Classic 75 era recreation, that is without question. For every Classic 75 era topic on the forums you'll see the same regurgitated and out of touch suggestions such as "just level sync yourself to 75" or "you think you want it, but you don't." And thank you, but we know all the ways to emulate 75 era.

We are asking for an OFFICIAL 75 world/server!

Many players already play 75 cap FF11 in some capacity, most just have the tact to not come parading around the official forums promoting illegal activites. I for one am still heartbroken that FF11's 75 period was dismantled months before the launch of XIV 1.0, we lost the 75 Era and then XIV 1.0 had to go and stain the very idea of ever getting it back through classic servers. What hurts even more is that I saw for myself a social media representative go on a tangent about FF11 on Twitch just because more people stream those "fake ass private servers" than they do the official game! What do you expect?

THERE IS NO OFFICIAL ALTERNATIVE! Please Square Enix, recreate the Classic 75 era!

We want to come home!

[Alhanelem]

FF11 Classic world/server requests have to be made on the official forums in an attempt to gain more visibility,No, they really don't.

Look, this idea has been pitched many times already and has been directly shot down by SE as not happening. Continuing to post this isn't going to make a better case for it. The reasons are both technical and logistical. They'd have to divide their time between developing and maintaining the current game and this other version. They already said they don't have an old version of the game they could use as a base for this kind of thing. It took years and years for people to reverse engineer the game, the existence of a private server does not mean the FFXI team has the resources or capability to do it. They aren't going to make a good case to SE corpoorate that this would be worth investing time and money into additional staff to make and maintain this. Beating a dead horse isn't going to bring it back to life.

Also, on a personal level, I'm sick of people talking about the 75 era like it was some holy grail of godliness. The level cap didn't kill the game. FFXIV didn't kill the game (especially when the original version bombed so hard- by the time ARR hit the scene the writing had been on the wall for some time already). If anything directly contributed to its decline, it was likely two things:
-Being held back by PS2 limitations, while other MMOs changed and evolved to greater degrees, FFXI was constrained by the system it was originally developed for
-Abyssea. Although I found Abyssea itself a ton of fun, its nature as a power playground, where you were stronger than you would ever be anywhere else in the game, meant that any future content simply could not live up to what it offered unless it also had similar power spike mechanics (i.e. voidwatch).

The game had to change and evolve though. Keeping 75 cap forever would have been worse (and an even bigger inventory nightmare, btw). Too many sidegrade items for too many abiltiies, having to do calculus level math puzzles to figure out which item was 0.01% better, it would have become even more overwhelming if a whole nother expansion was made with a whole arsenal of situational macroswap items. The game would simply remain stuck in the past, with a tinier (but admittedly fiercely loyal) fanbase than it would have had if it kept on making and trying new things.



We want to come home! You're already home. The current game is still here and still plenty of fun. You can not recreate the old days, even on a new server, because your experience was borne of the friendships and bonds you made, the things you did for the first time, the achievements, the accomplishments. But you have already done those things. It isn't the same doing it for a second time. I've made alts more than once, and I got bored of it quickly because everything I did I've already done before and it was more fun the first time.

Really though no special server or version of the game is even needed to be level 75 again. I've said it a million times, just don't complete the level 80 limit break quest and grabs ome friends and have them not do that as well. Instant level 75 server. If it is really such a strongly desired thing as you say it is, you really shouldn't have any trouble finding like-minded players in game to do this with. All the old items, content, etc are still there (generally) and you get to keep things like being able to get to where you want to go without spending half an hour walking (if you so desire), more storage spaces, etc.

Without new content, those "75 era" servers will just die a very slow death and go out not with a bang, but with a whimper. And you don't need to go any further than WoW classic for that. WoWC reintroduced Burning Crusade, which means they'll evnetually reintroduce other expansions, simply being several years behind the base game. And with the release of it, most players will move to that, because they are hungering for new old content at that point- Beating UBRS for the 1000th time just isn't as fun as the first.

Consider this: https://massivelyop.com/2021/03/05/wow-factor-will-most-wow-classic-players-genuinely-move-on-to-the-burning-crusade/

Even people who loved the early era of WoW were seemingly expecting new content (which was never promised or planned). Instead they got a reintroduction of newer old content, which they did apparently go for. But it appears that most people moved on to TBC instead of sticking with Classic. Why? because even if you loved that era and enjoyed coming back to it, the lack of updates would cause you to leave eventually. If you get a 75 server, the chances that it will get its own content updates are basically nil. The only way to get new content is to accept the version updates that came after.



For every Classic 75 era topic on the forums you'll see the same regurgitated and out of touch suggestions such as "just level sync yourself to 75" or "you think you want it, but you don't." And thank you, but we know all the ways to emulate 75 era. Then use them! There is very little difference between just keeping your character capped at lv75 and making a special server that does that. Frankly I find the suggestions for a classic server to be the ones that are "out of touch." Nostalgia is a pair off rose tinted glasses, and it seems so much better when you're talking about it than when you're actually doing it. And I know, because I have.

You all keep talking about all the tons of people that supposedly do the private servers, but if so many people really want to do this sort of thing, I should be able to shout for people wanting to do 75 content and get a ton of responses. Well, guess what, I tried for a fair while. I got 0 tells. Now I'm not saying these people don't exist, obviously some do and they may already be on the private servers or already doing their own thing with friends and prefer to just keep it to friends. But these weasel words like "many" and "lots" that convey large numbers without actually showing a concrete number make the demand seem higher than it really is.

[By-Tor]

If you want to look good making a post like this on a forum, do it without attacking the people you're speaking to. Your comment was entirely unnecessary and contributed to this board being less cordial and civil.

Says the guy who is constantly passive aggressive towards whoever manifests their opinion in favor of classic servers. "Go play Mapple Story", "don't do genkai and stay in your 75 prison", "freeloaders".
This forum is filled with posts in which you treat people with that kind of attitude, and as soon as someone points out a few of your inconsistencies they're supposedly "attacking" you.
Grow up.

[Alhanelem]

Says the guy who is constantly passive aggressive towards whoever manifests their opinion in favor of classic servers. "Go play Mapple Story", "don't do genkai and stay in your 75 prison", "freeloaders".
This forum is filled with posts in which you treat people with that kind of attitude, and as soon as someone points out a few of your inconsistencies they're supposedly "attacking" you.
Grow up.
But you continue to do the same thing now. Why not be the better man if you think I'm so terrible and so "passive aggressive (false)?"

You were not "pointing out inconsistencies." You made personal attacks. And you're continuing to do so now. You really should take your own advice. Reread your own comment:

"It's funny how you guys think you have all the answers. These boards could be more cordial and civil if you didn't act like angry teenagers behind keyboards. "

How is this not an attack? I don't see any way to read this and not come to the conclusion of being attacked. You're calling people you don't agree with "angry teenagers behind keyboards" and implying t hat they aren't coridal and civil (which we are, usually.) What did you really mean with this sentence if not to be abrasive/rile people up?

And if you want to know why I'm so against this, well, it's quite simple really. The dev team for FFXI has a limited budget and resources. Asking them to make a special server for special things (which they can't simply conjure up as they said before, they don't have old versions of the game archived, so the most they can do is simply make the level cap 75 and say "go have fun.") would mean that they'd have take resources away from the current game, which plenty of people still enjoy, in order to get a historical time warp that they can already get, either through features available in the game now, or by using a private server. It would harm the experience for the people playing now.

We are better off with, and far more likely to get, a remaster/remake- a new project that can get a new team and new budget for a new product release which can potentially get far more players than releasing a special server would. I wish I saw more people asking for that, as I could definitely get behind that. Classic gameplay with everyone starting fresh in an even more beautiful world with cleaned/tightened up UI and modern back-end tech that allows for better solutions to the problems faced by the original game.

[Leeto]

I've said it a million times, just don't complete the level 80 limit break quest and grabs ome friends and have them not do that as well. Instant level 75 server.

All you do is reply to every post to serve as a detractor and continue to make it obvious how little you care what Classic 75 era means to those who enjoy it. But hey post count +1, right? There is an entire community of 75 cap players who dabble in both retail and private classic. We want an official representation of the Classic 75 era. You're showing your true colors at this point, your quick and easy solutions and assumptions about walking for half an hour clearly show your bias. You dwell in the forums constantly posting on behalf of SQEX with no badge or certification whatsoever paraphrasing with "they said this" and "they said that" playing the role of executioner in the replies. Nobody appreciates you replying to every single post just to naysay and have the last word. Stop it.

Meanwhile those of us asking for Classic servers literally recognize each other from multiple other communities. We already know 75 cap is a good alternative and that it can be done. Yoshi-P already implied he could recreate it at minimum. We want to see that come to fruition. We want to see the FF11 category on Twitch full of streamers playing OFFICIAL FF11 Classic, not private servers. We want the option and an official recreation of Classic 75 era,

and until it exists?

I encourage everyone to continue to show demand and keep asking for it!

[By-Tor]

How is this not an attack? I don't see any way to read this and not come to the conclusion of being attacked. You're calling people you don't agree with "angry teenagers behind keyboards" and implying t hat they aren't coridal and civil (which we are, usually.) What did you really mean with this sentence if not to be abrasive/rile people up?

Pointing out that you're acting like an angry teenager everytime you treat people who make posts about classic server proposals like shit could, perhaps, be considered an attack, yes. I check this forum every few months and you're always telling people that they're deluded, seeing classic gameplay with rose tinted glasses (I, for one, never played retail back in the day, but prefer the snippets of what I saw from it through pservers over retail). If you're not doing that, you're telling them to do the impossible and be sattisfied with current retail while imposing some ridiculous restrictions, as if someone who plays say, P99 could ever be satisfied with current EQ1, for example.

When you're not directly targetting them, you're liking posts like the one in the last page, where some guy suggests that there's gotta be a linkshell who would take the OP out of these forums, just because he's for classic servers. And OP has been so respectful.

In my first ever post here, completely innocent and just trying to be heard by Square, telling how I dreamed of playing on an official, modern 75 cap server, I was greeted by your usual snark telling me that's never gonna happen, while also liking posts from people saying they "don't understand how someone can want to play classic", and that they should stop posting.

You really should be more respectful with people you disagree, instead of being mad at someone who's had enough of your bs.

[By-Tor]

Meanwhile those of us asking for Classic servers literally recognize each other from multiple other communities. We already know 75 cap is a good alternative and that it can be done. Yoshi-P already implied he could recreate it at minimum. We want to see that come to fruition. We want to see the FF11 category on Twitch full of streamers playing OFFICIAL FF11 Classic, not private servers. We want the option and an official recreation of Classic 75 era,

and until it exists?

I encourage everyone to continue to show demand and keep asking for it!

<3 My japanese is kinda terrible, but I've thinking of writing them a letter. Would probably get better results than hoping they see any messages in this sea of galka replies.

[Immortal]

I'm sorry but you came into this thread swinging at anyone against 75 cap server. You told me I was "raging" but I was simply expressing my opinion. Barely anyone wants 75 cap server, you also didn't mention the retention rate of players on those silly private servers. They almost always quit after Qufim island, the experience of a 75 cap is a joke when you have so many bugs and everyone is just out PLing themselves with mules or friends. They complained that Abyssea ruined the leveling experience and took away content, yet they have their alts and friends power level them to 75 LOL how ironic.

[Alhanelem]

Pointing out that you're acting like an angry teenager everytime you treat people who make posts about classic server proposals like shit couldExcept, I'm not doing that. I treat everyone as respectfully as possible. Any hostility is a defensive reaction to behavior like yours towards me in the last few posts, nothing more. Again, I'm a quite happy (thank you very much) 37 year old, not a angry teenager, and I'd very much appreciate it if you both treated me like one, and acted like one yourself. It was all fun and games until you flung (and now repeated) that childish insult.


You really should be more respectful with people you disagree, instead of being mad at someone who's had enough of your bs. I am completely respectful with people with whom I disagree. I'm sorry if you ever felt otherwise, but I was completely civil with you up til your personal attacks.

Being passionate about my opinion does not mean I'm being disrespectful to you for having yours. If you approached this with civility rather than insults, we wouldn't be having this discussion. I haven't given you or anyone else anything other than my honest feelings. Absolutely zero BS. My perspective is you're doing the exact same things that you're accusing me of. If at any time you'd like to hit the reset button and return to a cordial, frank and honest discussion, I'd be only too happy to cooperate.

[Leeto]

I'm sorry but you came into this thread swinging at anyone against 75 cap server.

They came to share their enthusiasm about the Classic FF11 just like I did, knowing preemptively the Galka poster was going to go for their throat immediately and try to have the last word.

Didn't you literally jump into the topic generalizing by saying "nobody cares" and "people only play private because it's free"? You're literally swinging at everyone as you make up statistics and excuses for why YOU don't want this.

Listen, what I'm about to put in quotes doesn't truly mean much and we all know humans are fickle, but I want to show yet another point of view on the matter:

"Regarding that - I'd like to note one thing on behalf of both [REDACTED] and probably [REDACTED] as well (because it did come up once when we spoke) - Neither of us started our servers just so people can play FFXI for free. The servers exist because there is no classic retail server so there is no alternative if you want the classic FFXI experience. We have already mentioned multiple times that should an official classic server ever appears we will shut down our servers."

Maybe there's zero guarantee they even uphold that, but it's a powerful statement that sets the tone. Stop trying to shut the door on us for asking Square to reclaim the classic community. You may not care to see them, but they're standing right outside...

Say it with me,

Final Fantasy XI's pre-Abyssea 75 era needs to be recreated and preserved as a world/server option.

[Immortal]

No, go to your private servers, dont ruin the real game thnx

[Alhanelem]

The servers exist because there is no classic retail server so there is no alternative if you want the classic FFXI experience.I quite simply disagree with this statement, there are plenty of ways to recreate the actual gameplay part of the experience. As for the social aspect, for which many of us was what actually made the game what it was, there is quite simply no way to go back to that without a time machine. People change and times change and we would approach this game differently if it came out today vs nearly 20 years ago. Even on a private server it isn't the same purely for that reason. I'm glad that somebody is motivated by something other than a free ride, but illegal servers are still illegal servers, SE created the experience they intended, and if their creative vision doesn't line up with what someone else wants, well, that's when you play another game. That's what I do, if a game changes and I don't like it anymore, I play a different one. I personally wouldn't circumvent SE's systems and illegally modify their software. But that's just me (and the game dev inside of me).

The other thing is not everyone agrees on what is the most "classic" point in the game. Some people want to go back to launch with base game and ROTZ. others want to go to CoP, others want to include everything up to the point of the level cap going up. Still others enjoyed the game past that point and just wish the game was being updated with the same veracity today that it was back when the game was newer (i.e. better/more substantial version updates). There's really no way to please everyone here. If you tried, you'd have a bunch of individual communities that are too small to be sustainable.

Ultimately, my position is the "classic FFXI experience," as that mystery person puts it, simply no longer exists. Not even on private servers, because even they can't bring back the old school community of yore, with the ppl finding parties by search comments, standing in town shouting all day, etc. In my opinion, it can't truly be recreated even if SE wanted to.

I feel like a remaster would accomplish a lot more than creating a special server that strips content out of the game that certain people don't like.

[Zehira]

I feel like a remaster would accomplish a lot more than creating a special server that strips content out of the game that certain people don't like.

This, I can't say I disagree. They may not know we have a great director, Yoshi-P, that cares a lot about his game and always tries to bring us an update on time. He could consider about this game as well rather than using his WoW-clone challenging Blizzard constantly such as time gating.

Once a remaster comes out, no matter what us old folks say anymore.

[Leeto]

Your position on the matter has been loud and clear since you constantly try to get the last word in on people to hammer down your beliefs as facts. I couldn't possibly be upset at players for being afraid that an optional classic world/server might somehow negatively affect modern retail XI, but it has been absurd to see someone acting as an authority or as if they have some sort of insider knowledge on Square Enix, their financial distribution, and their resources while the 20th anniversary draws nigh.

The same person four posts above claiming to be respectful after essentially confessing they were being passive aggressive and shooting down these very discussions for none other than their own selfish reasons. The solemn fact that sub jobs are no longer half of our levels in FF11 and a brand new 99/53+ era is blooming RIGHT NOW, yet your main concern is that a classic 75 world will rob you of getting a remake/remaster is pretty ironic though, Alhanelem.

So ultimately even YOU are not satisfied with current state of FF11? lol

The strange (and parasocial) passive aggressive scolding towards anyone who dares ask SQEX for a Classic 75 era, all because it would take money and resources away from the "remaster/remake" that you truly believe is more worthy... I'm sorry you feel that way, but I get it now.

Final Fantasy XI's pre-Abyssea 75 era needs to be recreated and preserved as a world/server option.

[Alhanelem]

Your position on the matter has been loud and clear since you constantly try to get the last word in on people to hammer down your beliefs as facts.I'm genuinely sorry you feel this way. I feel that I've been civil this entire time. I'm not "hammering" anything.

meanwhile, you seem to be, once again, doing the same thing you accusing me of:

Final Fantasy XI's pre-Abyssea 75 era needs to be recreated and preserved as a world/server option.Sure looks like repeating the same thing again and again to me.
I really wish we could reconcile these differences. We both may want different things for the game but that doesn't mean we can't be respectful to one another.



yet your main concern is that a classic 75 world will rob you of getting a remake/remaster is pretty ironic though, Alhanelem.That really isn't what I said, at all.

Look, you're clearly not going to budge on your position nor am I, so it really is in our best interests to either settle our differences, or not interact with each other.

Ultimately, SE is pretty much going to do whatever they're going to do. If a certain person reporting the same bot to the STF 80+ times doesn't get them actioned, I don't think extending this thread to 50+ pages is going to influence their decision either. Admittedly that bodes about as well for me as it does for you, but SE is SE.

[Leeto]

There isn't anything to settle. I've acknowledged your post history and called you out on your behavior, you can go back to revising your posts and trying to get the last word in or whatever you like.

It's simple, you can continue to farm your post count and demoralize players asking for Classic 75 era, and I will continue to stand up for the importance of FF11's preservation as a mainline Final Fantasy title.

[Zehira]

Ultimately, SE is pretty much going to do whatever they're going to do. If a certain person reporting the same bot to the STF 80+ times doesn't get them actioned, I don't think extending this thread to 50+ pages is going to influence their decision either. Admittedly that bodes about as well for me as it does for you, but SE is SE.

In case, you hadn't noticed. :)


In addition, we have strengthened our crackdown on "solicitation activities that demand compensation for in-game behavior," such as power leveling. The scale of solicitations is declining as we continue to respond, but as you play, you may receive suspicious solicitations from strangers. If you see a suspicious solicitation or promotion, please report it to STF without being involved in the character who is calling. There are many cases where STF crackdowns are based on reports from players.

https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/54843-%E4%B8%8D%E6%AD%A3%E8%A1%8C%E7%82%BA%E3%81%AB%E9%96%A2%E3%81%99%E3%82%8BSTF%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E3%81%AE%E3%81%94%E5%A0%B1%E5%91%8A%E3%82%B9%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%83%89?p=639873&viewfull=1#post639873

[Alhanelem]

There isn't anything to settle. I've acknowledged your post history and called you out on your behavior, you can go back to revising your posts and trying to get the last word in or whatever you like.

It's simple, you can continue to farm your post count and demoralize players asking for Classic 75 era, and I will continue to stand up for the importance of FF11's preservation as a mainline Final Fantasy title.

You know, I'm really sick and tired of these accusations. I have a genuine interest in every thread I post in. Go on and believe whatever the hell you want, I'm not here for post count and that's all there is to it. This isn't 1997. If all I cared about was post count, I would just make a bunch of threads and reply to myself- I don't need anyone's help for that, so obviously, my interest in the threads I reply to is genuine.
Your accusations on my behavior are false. Simple as that. You can believe what you want to believe, but that doesn't make it true. My feelings on this issue are as strong as yours, and by fighting against me as you are, you're only guilty of the very things you're accusing me of, making you a hypocrite. I have been civilized this entire thread. You have engaged in personal attacks.



I will continue to stand up for the importance of FF11's preservation as a mainline Final Fantasy title. I 100% agree that this is super important. But special servers for a specific point in FFXI's past is not in any way instrumental to that goal.

Square-Enix remade FFXIV from the ground up after it bombed, because they didn't want to damage or destroy the FF brand. They clearly have a vested interest in the preservation of the Final Fantasy brand and everything under it. You can be darned sure that SE has a plan in mind to ensure that FFXI will always be part of that.

So if that's your true motivation here- preservation of FF history, well even if SE actually doesn't have a plan for the future and shuts down the game without a replacement/remaster/whatever else, that won't end the private servers. So you really don't have anything to worry about.

[Alhanelem]

In case, you hadn't noticed. :)



https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/54843-%E4%B8%8D%E6%AD%A3%E8%A1%8C%E7%82%BA%E3%81%AB%E9%96%A2%E3%81%99%E3%82%8BSTF%E3%81%8B%E3%82%89%E3%81%AE%E3%81%94%E5%A0%B1%E5%91%8A%E3%82%B9%E3%83%AC%E3%83%83%E3%83%89?p=639873&viewfull=1#post639873


Well, if there has been a crackdown, they must be specifically ignoring our friend's reports. Technically not okay but admittedly doesn't surprise me either.
https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/58360-The-STF-does-nothing-and-I-m-going-to-post-every-report-I-file-as-proof.?p=640213&viewfull=1#post640213

[Zehira]

Well, if there has been a crackdown, they must be specifically ignoring our friend's reports. Technically not okay but admittedly doesn't surprise me either.
https://forum.square-enix.com/ffxi/threads/58360-The-STF-does-nothing-and-I-m-going-to-post-every-report-I-file-as-proof.?p=640213&viewfull=1#post640213

Since they officially judge what we say, I recommend reporting rather than forums. We don't play politics in the game however some people think we do.

[Lortheron]

I do wish we could have a way to synchronize player levels inside original mission's battlefields and have some sort of "helper points" (or anything on that line) that rewarded older, higher level players, very well for doing original content SYNCHRONIZED with a first time players doing it. That would be somewhat of a start in terms of a way to preserve the original experiences for newer players to come and reduce the need for a classic servers, ways to keep the original content relevant and the original experience accessible to newer players (at least in some form, or as close to it as possible) would be a great start. And it's something many MMOs have, including FFXIV.

That would also allow for the growth of a 'minimum item level required' community in FFXI, which would be amazing to see. This game truly deserves it : )

[Alhanelem]

I've always wholeheartedly supported adding things to the game that facilitate everyone being able to play the way they want to play. Heck, Ballista of all things lets you impose a level cap by choice and has since its inception. It seems to me like it shouldn't be that difficult to simply have an option at every battlefield to impose an appropriate level restriction, especially where those limits existed before.

[Spellstar]

here's a quote from an interview in whch SE officially said "no" to a classic server with their reasons:


Adding in a few of my own:

- There is little agreement on exactly what moment within level 75 cap history is the most "classic" moment. When Dynamis came out? CoP? TOAU? Right before the cap began to increase beyond 75? there are a lot of different opinions here, and no option will please everyone who is interested.


-WoW is often cited as the reason a game should do this, and the reality is, it works okay for wow and a few other games becuase they have massive communities. FFXI's community is not big enough for splitting up the current playerbase into people who want to play the current game with its regular updates and a server that's frozen in time in the 75 era. It would degrade the experience for both groups.
- Nostalgia is a pair of rose tinted glasses. Recreating a lv75 server does not recreate the experiences we had when we did that stuff for the first time. The community is what made the game, not the level cap, in my opinion. FFXI was a heavy grind in that age, moreso than it is now, and the reason we enjoyed the game as much as we did is in large part of the community. Making a lv75 sever does not restore that community nor does it restore that doing-stuff-for-the-first-time experience.

1. They could release in phases just as LotRO and WoW have done.
2. Not necessarily splitting the player base but bringing old players back. As proven with WoW classic and LotRO.
3. Nostalgia isn't necessarily rose-tinted. Again as proven by WoW classic which has maintained large population servers of people that do not and have not played retail WoW in many years.
4. I always wonder why people voice such strong opinions to something other players would like. It wouldn't affect you so just don't play it if it came out.

[Velner]

I am all for people playing whatever makes them happy, so I am not necessarily opposed to a "classic" server. My only fear is that this would divert the small development team XI currently has and split the resources between two projects. That would be terrible.

[Alhanelem]

I am all for people playing whatever makes them happy, so I am not necessarily opposed to a "classic" server. My only fear is that this would divert the small development team XI currently has and split the resources between two projects. That would be terrible.
Well, this is my primary concern. Given that they've discussed the idea before, clearly getting additional resources to do something like this so they could do it without compromising the current game is a hard sell to SE corporate. It really can only work if they can get SE to invest more than they currently do (And really if they could get substantial additional investment, I'd honestly like to see it go towards a remaster, but of course that's entirely my opinion.)



I always wonder why people voice such strong opinions to something other players would like. It wouldn't affect you so just don't play it if it came out. The problem is, it would affect me. Resources would have to be diverted from the game I play to provide the one you want to play. Thus my experience would be degraded for the benefit of yours- and additionally, it fractures an already small community without any promise of bringing in new members (I sincerely doubt that people playing on private servers now would suddenly come over here and start paying money to start over a third time).

I have a strong opinion about it precisely because it absolutely will affect other people besides the people that want this feature. It's as I said above this quote- The only way this can happen is for SE to give more resources than they're currently willing to give. A favorable cost-benefit analysis would be needed from the dev team to convince HQ to give them those resources. Call me cynical but I don't think a handful of people arguing on a forum is going to swing SE corporate.

The whole basis of my arguments is that, under current conditions, developing and implementing a special version of the game on a special server would in fact cause harm to people who play the current game as it is. This is not simply "stop liking what I don't like." And that's not how I feel at all- I just want to see solutions that work for everyone.