Too easy!

[Nickdogg]

While I appreciate everything you are doing to the game to make it more enjoyable and fun you are making it way too easy. Everything now a days is higher drop rates, higher drop rates, higher drop rates. Hey lets increase seal/card drop rates in abyssea so every one can have them in 1-2 days. What happened to taking time and patience to aquire the best of the best? Every single post I saw on the Q/A were complaints that drop rates were too low and you (SE) are feeding right into people's lazyness. While I understand that certain mobs were not dropping properly and needed to be fixed lets not go overboard and think that is an end all solution to maintaining a player base. Bring back the original FFXI and give us some challenges and by challenges, yes I mean difficult to kill monsters (which we have some of) and the challenge of testing people's patience like the original FFXI MMO was.

[rog]

What do drop rates have to do with difficulty? Do you want real difficulty, or fake difficulty?

[Nickdogg]

What do drop rates have to do with difficulty? Do you want real difficulty, or fake difficulty?

Reread what I said; I believe I answer that.

Edit: On a side note what is "real" difficulty or "fake" difficulty. If fake difficulty is patience and persistence to achieve one's goals(low drop rates) then is that not real?

[SP1CE]

wtf? not every1 has lots of free time or want to dedicate much to getting seals, stones and cards. easy is good since there are many other stuff to do in life other than ff.

[Mirabelle]

There are still plenty of difficult to kill monsters in the game. Especially if you don't insist on having the best setup and proper numbers. Is there an NM that requires a whole alliance to kill? Not really, but was that really what made things difficult?
Certainly even though Aby NM's aren't as likely to wipe the party, I find I'm definitely thinking more through the fight than I would in a Kirin zerg. Paying attention to proc messages. Watching for magic and physical resistance on the NM's. Stunning certain TP moves and -gas. THe system is far more fun than the old zerg or gtfo strategies of old.

[rog]

Reread what I said; I believe I answer that.
You were inconsistent. You started out complaining about the increasing drop rates, then jumped over to harder fights.

I agree we need some more challenging fights, like rani/shinryu (except maybe outside abyssea, where brews are not available, or else maybe something in abyssea that would still be difficult even with everyone spamming brews). However i don't see a problem with higher drop rates.

[Nickdogg]

You were inconsistent. You started out complaining about the increasing drop rates, then jumped over to harder fights.

I agree we need some more challenging fights, like rani/shinryu (except maybe outside abyssea, where brews are not available, or else maybe something in abyssea that would still be difficult even with everyone spamming brews). However i don't see a problem with higher drop rates.

I didn't "jump" over to harder fights I merely gave another example of the ease at which the game is. I also do believe I state that we already have difficult mobs. No inconsistencies there.

You don't see a problem with higher drop rates but I do. We both have our opinion.

In regards to Sp1ce, you're right not everyone has time due to RL myself included. I however do not believe the goal of an mmorpg is to "have it now". Take the time, play 2hrs a day, get your gear over a slightly longer period but enjoy the challenges (yes I said challenges) and reap the rewards of something that has taken effort(time) to do.

[Rango]

Time does not equate to difficulty, it's just more time. If you really want difficulty, increase the monster health and damage output so it's actually harder to fight for your drop.

I actually like increase drop rates and the more the devs can increase, the better. Time sinks != fun

[Nickdogg]

Time does not equate to difficulty, it's just more time. If you really want difficulty, increase the monster health and damage output so it's actually harder to fight for your drop.

I actually like increase drop rates and the more the devs can increase, the better. Time sinks != fun

Time may not directly equate to difficulty but as a whole package it is all relative.

I commend you and the one ore two others that gave opinions about the thread topic instead of flaming my opinions. It makes for a more productive thread if there can be a general "vote" about the feeling of which the original post was about.

[Xairos]

Higher drop rates won't mean getting a seal each Dom op or quest. And to add to what sp1ce said, the ultimte goal is to have
reward be equal to effort.
I would not have them change the drop rate IF we could filter what drops for the player (I.e. I will only see smn seals).

[Gadanae]

Bring back the original FFXI and give us some challenges and by challenges, yes I mean difficult to kill monsters (which we have some of) and the challenge of testing people's patience like the original FFXI MMO was.

I think SE has tested my "patience" enough for 8 years. YAY for no more time sinks! Who's with me!

[Rango]

I think SE has tested my "patience" enough for 8 years. YAY for no more time sinks! Who's with me!

/agreed
+1

[SP1CE]

I think SE has tested my "patience" enough for 8 years. YAY for no more time sinks! Who's with me!

/

but there are still time sinks, gaymayun i.e. mnk body seals from that mob omg, rly hard to get. specially if u competing with another group or groups and only u have abyssite.

[Revalus]

I didn't "jump" over to harder fights I merely gave another example of the ease at which the game is. I also do believe I state that we already have difficult mobs. No inconsistencies there.

You don't see a problem with higher drop rates but I do. We both have our opinion.

In regards to Sp1ce, you're right not everyone has time due to RL myself included. I however do not believe the goal of an mmorpg is to "have it now". Take the time, play 2hrs a day, get your gear over a slightly longer period but enjoy the challenges (yes I said challenges) and reap the rewards of something that has taken effort(time) to do.

I don't disagree with the need for challenge. That's one of the reasons I've come back to FFXI recently. However, I find your use of "effort" and "time" interchangeably has created a false equivalency. My first job to 30 was MNK, simply because to get my advanced jobs, it would be the one for which I only had to put in time. The effort, well, not so much. I popped some food and started wailing on stuff.

I appreciate the EXP increase, for instance, because I never found the traditional 6-person camping parties to be challenging; I found them to be incredibly time consuming and fairly uninteresting. Recently, I've found my game play enhanced by trio-ing with friends of mine, burning FoV pages, and getting better EXP than we once did in IT++ camps. The point is, though, that they're taking steps to make the low-end game play faster AND more enjoyable simultaneously. Perhaps they're realizing that time and effort are not equivalent. As far as endgame stuff is concerned, well, I'll probably be able to have that discussion in a month or so.

Drop rates in FFXI are a subject on which I don't have much of an opinion. But I'll not stray from my "time does not equal effort" philosophy.

[Draylo]

This is a very touchy subject. A lot of the casuals who play this game have 0 care for challenge. They want everything handed to them and its very apparent. I fully agree with adding more fights with increased difficulty on par with non brewed Rani/Shinryuu. I think they would be a lot of fun. Most of the people here want to solo everything and get the best gear in 20 minutes and feel they deserve that for some reason. They think everything *should* be handed to them without challenge and its saddening but true. You won't get much out of them however, or for them to agree.

[Gadanae]

This is a very touchy subject. A lot of the casuals who play this game have 0 care for challenge. They want everything handed to them and its very apparent. I fully agree with adding more fights with increased difficulty on par with non brewed Rani/Shinryuu. I think they would be a lot of fun. Most of the people here want to solo everything and get the best gear in 20 minutes and feel they deserve that for some reason. They think everything *should* be handed to them without challenge and its saddening but true. You won't get much out of them however, or for them to agree.

What's so bad about soloing? I personally hate having to rely on anyone else to determine what i'm doing in-game everytime I log in. Then there's the added fact of having to get everyone together, beg for help..... oh God please i'm getting nauseous thinking about it.

And since when did anyone ever obtain a +2 in 20 mins? I realize that your probly making a reference to the lessened time it takes to get things now but.... 20 mins? If I can get a +2 in 20 mins please tell me how!

The fact is, the MAJORITY of players want exactly what SE is giving out now. AN EASIER AND MORE TIME EFFECTIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE. /hurray for that.

Oh and a side-note. I take offense to having everything "handed" to me.... as you put it. I enjoy working for what I get in-game. I just don't think I should have to work like i'm on a prison work detail.... getting paid 5 cents an hour. My time is worth much more then that. I pay my fee to play just like everyone else does in this game and I don't want to be "handed" gear.... I just want it to be easier to obtain.

[Dazusu]

Draylo, I'm getting an incredibly strong feeling of Deja vu.

The sad truth is that a some of the players who enjoyed the "time-consuming" and "difficult fights" of the past quit when the first Abyssea hit, and many more followed as more Abyssea zones were added. This much is apparent from the lack of end-game Linkshells that now exist, and those that do exist have shrunk simply because there's nothing you can't do with 2-3 people; and it's far more efficient to take on todays content with less people.

At this point, I don't feel it's even worth Square catering for players that enjoy the hardcore (read: time consuming and minimalistic drop rate) content; for the majority of those players have quit - and more quit each day.

As I stated in other threads of this nature - it shouldn't be about "this or that", it should have been about maintaining casual content AND hardcore content.



The fact is, the MAJORITY of players want exactly what SE is giving out now. AN EASIER AND MORE TIME EFFECTIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE. /hurray for that.

[Removed by Moderator according to the FINAL FANTASY XI FORUM Guidelines (http://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=20&la=1).]

[Rango]

This is a very touchy subject. A lot of the casuals who play this game have 0 care for challenge. They want everything handed to them and its very apparent. I fully agree with adding more fights with increased difficulty on par with non brewed Rani/Shinryuu. I think they would be a lot of fun. Most of the people here want to solo everything and get the best gear in 20 minutes and feel they deserve that for some reason. They think everything *should* be handed to them without challenge and its saddening but true. You won't get much out of them however, or for them to agree.

You are generalizing here and possibly misconstruing casual players. I, as a casual player (and possibly others), don't want everything handed to me, but I do not want to have my play time blocked by artificial barriers. If I have only 30 minutes to play, I want to be able to play for 30 minutes not wait for the boat for 20 minutes and chocobo for another for 10 to get to my xp spot. I don't want to have to hours farming for key items so I can get past a certain point (LB, Passes). If I have to farm key items, let them drop at a reasonable rate so that I can accomplish that within my play session so I can log off and continue to play next time.

[sigpimud]

What's so bad about soloing? I personally hate having to rely on anyone else to determine what i'm doing in-game everytime I log in. Then there's the added fact of having to get everyone together, beg for help..... oh God please i'm getting nauseous thinking about it.

If you don't want to work with others and you don't want a challenge why play an MMORPG? If you only want to solo stuff and talk to a bunch of friends you should look into chat rooms and console gaming.

I agree that increased drop rates are better then the old days of waiting 3 months to get a drop- but the element of having to work together as a group is what MMORPG's are based on. It would be nice to have some more alliance type fights in the game. Not everything needs to involve 2 hours and 18 people, but some things should exist like that for those people interested in doing it.

[Gadanae]

Draylo, I'm getting an incredibly strong feeling of Deja vu.

The sad truth is that a some of the players who enjoyed the "time-consuming" and "difficult fights" of the past quit when the first Abyssea hit, and many more followed as more Abyssea zones were added. This much is apparent from the lack of end-game Linkshells that now exist, and those that do exist have shrunk simply because there's nothing you can't do with 2-3 people; and it's far more efficient to take on todays content with less people.

At this point, I don't feel it's even worth Square catering for players that enjoy the hardcore (read: time consuming and minimalistic drop rate) content; for the majority of those players have quit - and more quit each day.

As I stated in other threads of this nature - it shouldn't be about "this or that", it should have been about maintaining casual content AND hardcore content.

[Removed by Moderator according to the FINAL FANTASY XI FORUM Guidelines (http://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=20&la=1).]

Then may I ask, why haven't you quit? There must be something about the new areas that you like then I assume? Maybe it is the fact that things are low-manable now? Less time it takes to get the finer gear? Please enlighten me, [Removed by Moderator according to the FINAL FANTASY XI FORUM Guidelines (http://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=20&la=1).] Seems that some people are pretty cranky that they can't be elitists and walk around with gear that without a large linkshell cannot be obtained. Personally I say HURRAY to the end of elitist end-game shells! They should have never existed in the first place!

If anything, SE will at least lessen the drama a bit by making this game a more level playing field for ALL players involved regardless of their linkshell affiliation. [Removed by Moderator according to the FINAL FANTASY XI FORUM Guidelines (http://support.na.square-enix.com/rule.php?id=20&la=1).] I love to lol.

[Draylo]

Agreed... Why are you even playing an MMO with such a short amount of available time? There are a lot of single player console games that would fit your needs pretty easily. MMO's are about working with other real people, not soloing. They make single player games for that.

[ffxkenshin]

I'm not sure what you mean by "difficulty". Abyssea is definitely a fun place as it is where you can have the good Atmas and enjoy the fun of hitting for 3-5k ws. But the NMs doesn't die that easily (certain ones, I'm not sure maybe you have just been killing easier NM in the pre-hero areas? even there, there are strong NMs too) Think back pre-Abyssea time, there are not THAT many NM that is considered "difficult" and I would not agree if you put a lot of time into fighting it, it's difficult, that's just time sinking. (PM and Absolute Virtue comes to mind) SE simply doesn't want to repeat these 2 epic failures.

Regarding drop rates, it is balance as it is IMO. Good gears still requires you spend some good amount of time to get. AF3+1 requires 8-10 seals, dropping from NM that even proc-ing yellow may not yield you any (every NM drops 4 different jobs' seals) I appreciate the change of trigger item popping NM, b/c the old "camping" for 1 NM way is way too crazy of a time sink (NM respawn 8hr,12hr,24hr and only 1 group gets it out of a population of thousands? is not what I think Challenging means) Good gears still requires some good amount of time to obtain, look at the best augmented weapon ones, you need a lot of time / effort in order to get them, but simply not like before, where everything is a TIME SINK, dynamis weapon, mystic weapon, where it could take you months in order to get, now that's crazy!

Also you gotta think level-cap, the original abyssea area is level cap 80, we are now lvl 90 cap of course it will be easier now than before, but still there are some NM where it is still very difficult/chalenging to low-man (which is the point SE trying to make now, b/c they understand the FFXI population is/will drop, you won't be able to always get a full 18 people alliance to do something and only 1 or 2 people get good loot)

Consider this, without procing blue (which requires you to have quite a few characters with the right skill/ws) drop rate on some of the best gear is near 0%. I have fought Ovni over 20x trying to the bullwhip belt (7% haste) and not get a drop (a THF90 with TH5 to start out), I appreciate SE made a new form of "TH" where it is actually more useful for all jobs, THF's TH is WAAAAY overrated PERIOD.

So like scaevola said, if you feel things are too easy, take off your atma, don't proc blue/yellow and enjoy the poor drop rate and challenging fight yourself, and don't bother the rest of us who actual enjoy/appreciate what SE FINALLY did to resolve the 3hr DO-NOTHING but wait for 2min windows every 30minutes to try to claim 1 NM that's 24hr repop and destorying the real fun of the game

[Rango]

... you shouldn't be playing an MMO, expecting to get things done.

Why? Because MMO's have to take hours? because nothing is supposed to be accomplished in short time periods?

So MMO's are only for people with hours of free time and no RL commitments?

[Dazusu]

Stuff

An MMO shouldn't be a "level playing field"; and I don't mean this in the respect that large Linkshells should be able to monopolise HNMs and such. What I was getting at is that there are some people who like to play in big groups of 12 or 18 people and take on time consuming battles - these people should be catered for too.

It's great that there is casual content like Abyssea - but this shouldn't be the only content that's relevant at Lv.90.

As for the rest of your post, idiocy.

[Dazusu]

So MMO's are only for people with hours of free time and no RL commitments?

Not at all, but it takes around 30 minuts to login and change job / gear... or is that just me? ._.

[The_GiB]

FFXI is as easy as it ever was

the fact that you don't have to now camp a NM against 5 others Linkshells for several hours a day that "if you're lucky" can pop twice a week for the best gear.

yes, the game was so much 'harder' when it all depended on whose bot could claim a mob faster.

because grinding has been lowered from Days to Weeks from Months to years doesn't make it easy, it makes it less mind numbing

the thing that I get from people claiming that the game is 'too easy' are the nerds that considered themselves to be in a super elite rare club that good gear and are now upset that instead of a few people having good gear a lot do. Q.Q

[Nickdogg]

What is an MMO if not one giant time sink?
Why play the game if not to sink time?
Is the point of an MMO to beat the game or have competition with others?
How can one be competitive if everyone has the same thing?

[SP1CE]

Seems that some people are pretty cranky that they can't be elitists and walk around with gear that without a large linkshell cannot be obtained. Personally I say HURRAY to the end of elitist end-game shells! They should have never existed in the first place!

If anything, SE will at least lessen the drama a bit by making this game a more level playing field for ALL players involved regardless of their linkshell affiliation. But since I should go play FarmVille, you can keep the drama going on this forum all you like. I love to lol.

tbh i do feel a bit like this, my cat was always better geared than most of my "friends" in game bc i had good contacts or simply more iniciative than most of them or had a strong shell behind me etc, now every1 and their moms have a real shot to get the best gear; if your jobs are not pimp now youre shameless.

[Insaniac]

Effort has been balanced with rewards. The current system is perfect. Actually getting drops off of the things you kill makes perfect sense. Elitists just have a problem with the gap between the hardcores and the casuals being lessened. The game is 100x more fun than it used to be and I don't even know how I played the game when it was all about the grind. 0/50 on Citadel Chelonian or any random salvage mob for that matter.. are you really asking for that kind of thing?

[sigpimud]

Consider this, without procing blue (which requires you to have quite a few characters with the right skill/ws) drop rate on some of the best gear is near 0%. I have fought Ovni over 20x trying to the bullwhip belt (7% haste) and not get a drop (a THF90 with TH5 to start out), I appreciate SE made a new form of "TH" where it is actually more useful for all jobs, THF's TH is WAAAAY overrated PERIOD.

Bring a monk + kill at night = win?

Not everything in this game needs to be brought up, but having 5-10 mobs in the game that take 18 organized and coordinated people kill that offer great drops is not a terrible thing. Having enemies that take some effort to pop is not going to ruin the gaming experience for the entire population, but it will enhance the gaming experience for some people.

Calling things like PW & AV epic failures is insane. For a long time those 2 mobs were killed very rarely and only by groups able to organize themselves and coordinate well enough to kill them. I'm sorry if everyone wanted all the PW & AV items, but not everything should be designed to get with 2 people in an MMORPG.

[sigpimud]

No my good sir, what is idiocy is the futile resistance to the winds of change. SE finally woke up and said "hmm... think we might have made the game a little too difficult, look at all the people quitting! ZOMG we're losing money, /panic".

Resistance is futile Dazusu. Resistance is futile. By the way, get a job, or maybe a girlfriend/boyfriend, or something! You play FFXI way too much based on your opinions. I can smell a FFXI addict a mile away.

I believe Dazusu is simply saying that having SOME challenges would be nice. Why make alliances 18 people if there is nothing that takes 18 people? Why have 20 jobs when you only really use 4 of them?

I doubt anyone wants to go back to 25k an hour "Awesome exp" or 200 person Day 8 Nidhoggs, but I dont think there is an issue with having to work as a large group to pop and kill an HNM.

[Revalus]

In seriousness, I'm having a hard time because I'm seeing quantification without data. "A lot of the casuals who play this game have 0 care for challenge. They want everything handed to them and its very apparent." Well, it's not apparent to me. I play with a group that is comprised almost entirely of casual players (in terms of available time), and we simply play the game in a fashion that suits us, and dare I say, in a play style that is more representative of "hardcore play" (ability-wise) than the parties we used to have several years ago (back when none of us could imagine ever hitting the level cap because we didn't have hours to dedicate to camps). Perhaps there's an entire "casuals" scene that I'm missing out on, but perhaps I also just chose more fun people with whom to spend my time.

On the flip side, there's, "The fact is, the MAJORITY of players want exactly what SE is giving out now. AN EASIER AND MORE TIME EFFECTIVE GAMING EXPERIENCE." Obviously, that's not entirely true, as evidenced by the opposition to that sentiment as well as the number of folks unsubscribing. I still disagree with the time and effort equivalence, but I do very, very much agree with the sentiment expressed by Dazusu, "As I stated in other threads of this nature - it shouldn't be about 'this or that', it should have been about maintaining casual content AND hardcore content." I'm not at the cap yet, and I likely will not be for another month or so, but when I do get there (by trioing Ts and VTs, rather than camping ITs), I really hope there's some challenging stuff to keep me engaged. And if there isn't, it's likely that instead of looking at the proposition of cranking up my other mid-level jobs, I will stop for a while.

My overarching point is this: We've been given a number of ways to level to the cap faster, and I think that's great. However, if what's waiting for me there is nothing particularly engaging or challenging, 'tis for naught in the long run. But at least I've been enjoying that journey this time around.

[Rango]

Again, I believe people are incorrectly equating time with difficulty. You can increase difficulty/challenge without increasing time.

[ffxkenshin]

Bring a monk + kill at night = win?

Not everything in this game needs to be brought up, but having 5-10 mobs in the game that take 18 organized and coordinated people kill that offer great drops is not a terrible thing. Having enemies that take some effort to pop is not going to ruin the gaming experience for the entire population, but it will enhance the gaming experience for some people.

Calling things like PW & AV epic failures is insane. For a long time those 2 mobs were killed very rarely and only by groups able to organize themselves and coordinate well enough to kill them. I'm sorry if everyone wanted all the PW & AV items, but not everything should be designed to get with 2 people in an MMORPG.

bring a mnk and kill at night = win? first of, not everyone has mnk job level, second, that still would not mean you definitely has blue proc (missing club all ws), now you asking whm+mnk = win at night, then yes, which is why a lot more level these 2 jobs now-a-day. I got my bullwhip belt in my 21st kill being a thf, if Ovni was on HOURS or repop like old NM was, look at the time sink for 1 piece of gear. But you are right, there are need to satisfy the "few" who want low drop rate and long hour camping like yourselves, so like I said, SE satisfy you already, go kill w/o Atma and no procing, there you go...

PW and AV WAS indeed epic failure, where PW had a huge issue where a linkshell was fighing it for way too long and ppl actually feeling SICK from it. And AV needed SE to come out with a video to "show" us the "way". I don't think KC/DRK is the solution at all, which MANY endgame "hardcore" linkshell uses. AND DON'Tget me going on KC's drop rate!!!

[sigpimud]

Again, I believe people are incorrectly equating time with difficulty. You can increase difficulty/challenge without increasing time.

I agree somewhat, I do think that having something to invest time towards. I didn't really like the ZENI system since I did find the zeni points building to be an unnecessary timesink, but the element of building to increasingly harder monsters over time until popping PW was an enjoyable "concept". And It did have elements for every type of gamer: Tier 1 was soloable, tier 2 took 3-6 people, tier 3 took 8-12 people, PW took 18+. Yes there were multiple issues with the ZENI system, but the basic theory of a groupf of people working together on increasingly difficult events was enjoyable to a lot of the player-base.

I not saying, and I dont think anyone is saying, to make the mobs for every +2 item have 6 hour repops and take 18 people to kill- what we are asking for is something to work towards as a group.

[Krystal]

Why do you play an MMORPG? You and others like you have completely lost (if you ever had) the concept of an MMO and team play. You are one of the typical "emo, pubecent, instant gratification requiring people that the world today has brought on. MMOs aren't "give it now" "I want it in one day" "I only want to solo". Go play an FPS for instant gratification.

i 100% agree with this. team play is a core aspect behind MMOs. the bases behind them was to earn your levels. not to have them handed to you on a silver platter. players who want instant gratification for leveling should go to WoW. you can get from level 1 to 80 in 3 days flat...-_-; but IF your like me and prefer to earn your levels and work with others and share in enjoyment of the hard work you have done to get to where you are. then stick to FFXI and avoid abyssea areas till you are level 70 or higher.

[sigpimud]

PW and AV WAS indeed epic failure, where PW had a huge issue where a linkshell was fighing it for way too long and ppl actually feeling SICK from it. And AV needed SE to come out with a video to "show" us the "way". I don't think KC/DRK is the solution at all, which MANY endgame "hardcore" linkshell uses. AND DON'Tget me going on KC's drop rate!!!

You do know they fixed PW and it was eventually farmed by a few good LS's

[Gadanae]

Why do you play an MMORPG? You and others like you have completely lost (if you ever had) the concept of an MMO and team play. You are one of the typical "emo, pubecent, instant gratification requiring people that the world today has brought on. MMOs aren't "give it now" "I want it in one day" "I only want to solo". Go play an FPS for instant gratification.

Now this, REALLY makes me LOL. I have been playing FFXI solid for 8 years now. I play no other online game. But oh look! According to you I am emo because I'm applauding that things are easier? I require instant gratification? Dude if I required instant gratification I wouldn't have been playing this game for 8 years.... lol.

Also, I never said I only wanted to solo. But the capability of grabbing a party of six friends versus an alliance on alot of content? I will take that over struggling to get an alliance at something in a relative easy manner any day. I have been a member of a linkshell, and a leader of two. And frankly being able to low-man alot of the content in FFXI now is a godsend and should have been done earlier. And soloing ain't bad either. Just because I enjoy soloing doesn't mean I should not play an MMO.

There will always be content that will require an alliance, and that is great! So don't worry Nick, you can still be elitist somewhat! All is not lost! You remind me of those homeless, jobless, lonely people I see in Port Jeuno that leave their characters online 24/7 to sport a .dat file they "worked" so hard to get.

Your tombstone will read "I played FFXI, and I kicked some ass but no one in real life cared".

/end.

[ffxkenshin]

You do know they fixed PW and it was eventually farmed by a few good LS's

which is exactly why i said "WAS" in my reply.

[ffxkenshin]

Grow a bansai tree or something if you want a time sink. This is a game. MMO or not it should be about fun and not frustration. If you call 9 months of camping Sozu against 15 RMTs fun then you are a masochist and should just play while you smash your toes with a hammer to get the full enjoyment.

AGREE! no reason why we need to suffer that, Abyssea= solution

[Gadanae]

PW and AV WAS indeed epic failure, where PW had a huge issue where a linkshell was fighing it for way too long and ppl actually feeling SICK from it. And AV needed SE to come out with a video to "show" us the "way".

Yes, pretty sad when the game that you create makes the headlines of CNN and Yahoo because it's too difficult. And we have people complaining that things are too easy now...... wth is wrong with people. Thank you SE for waking up and realizing that we have other things to do in life besides play your game.

[Xairos]

Reward should equal effort. And effort should be able to be tracked.

Like as far as seals go, do like 10 ops and get to pick the seal you want.

[HFX7686]

What's so bad about soloing? I personally hate having to rely on anyone else to determine what i'm doing in-game everytime I log in. Then there's the added fact of having to get everyone together, beg for help..... oh God please i'm getting nauseous thinking about it.

For me, part of the challenge of FF11 is getting a group together, making a plan, and working together to execute that plan. Soloing is okay, as a time filler if I've nothing else to do, but I would not want it to make up more than 10% of my game play.

I think that FF11s group dynamics really teach people how to work together as a team and look out for each other, and this is actually a good life lesson. Of course, there are people who are incapable of learning it (or refuse to) and are stuck in a "Me me me me" mindset.


I wish SE had an elitist alarm on these forums! "We're sorry, but you can no longer post on these forums because you are hopelessly addicted to FFXI and have become elitist, have a nice day."

Strange, I only play a few days a week and would consider myself an elitist. It's not about playing all the time. It's about playing very well and knowing what to do in any situation. Elitists don't even require people to have the absolute best gear, just that people don't wear stupid gear. Casual players tend to be the ones who lump that "uber gear only" myth on elitists.

[Randwolf]

I'm not certain what the drop rate SHOULD be. However, drop rate applied only to the difficulty of getting an item not the difficulty of the game. In fact, drop rate required no skill. Only luck. HOWEVER, that changed somewhat with Abyssea. Now, skill does affect drop rate.

Bottom line is that I don't know if the drop rate should be raised, lowered, or left alone. But, from the experience of going 1/43 on P. Harpe, I felt no sense of accomplishment when I finally got a very difficult to get item. In fact, I felt somewhat bitter, tired, and unkind towards the game and S/E in general. By the time I did get the dagger, I had given away 7 Kotes as bribes for assistance, although I needed one for my Monk, and untold BST hats had dropped to the ground. I spent at least an hour everyday begging people to come camp it with me. Many days, I had to get up in the middle of the night, alter my work schedule, or just plain miss sleeping. This is not my idea of a hard-core gamer. It's the profile of an idiot. I will never be that stupid again. (p.s. - Had a friend who tied my record with 1/43 on Trotters, so it's not an isolated experience)

So, to the OP, just realize that when you suggest making stuff harder, and especially when you throw in drop rates, there will be a lot of people who immediately take exception with your suggestions.

[Juri_Licious]

You understand that this game is still VERY difficult compared to every other MMO out there right?

[sigpimud]

There will always be content that will require an alliance, and that is great! So don't worry Nick, you can still be elitist somewhat! All is not lost!

There is nothing in the game at this time worth killing that needs a full alliance. I am not sure there is anything in the game that needs a full alliance at all (I heard PW was killed with 14).

Why get so angry that people want something more difficult? Why are you upset that some people are hoping SE might add NMs that take more then 6 people? We aren't asking for something that can be monopolized, I don't want to waste 3 hours camping things. I want something that takes an alliance of organized people to kill. Why be upset that people want a challenge? Don't give me the "dont proc shit and get no atmas", because players shouldn't need to gimp themselves to have a challenge.

[Insaniac]

His main gripe is about the fact that it doesn't take months to get a piece of gear you are after and that is just stupid. Too me that's just frustration not difficulty. The way this games battle system works there's very little wiggle room between easy and impossible. If something can't 1 shot your entire alliance there's not much chance of you wiping to it if you aren't terrible at the game.

[Gadanae]

There is nothing in the game at this time worth killing that needs a full alliance. I am not sure there is anything in the game that needs a full alliance at all (I heard PW was killed with 14).

Why get so angry that people want something more difficult? Why are you upset that some people are hoping SE might add NMs that take more then 6 people? We aren't asking for something that can be monopolized, I don't want to waste 3 hours camping things. I want something that takes an alliance of organized people to kill. Why be upset that people want a challenge? Don't give me the "dont proc shit and get no atmas", because players shouldn't need to gimp themselves to have a challenge.

I think my jest is being misunderstood for anger. I'm not angry, i'm delighted that SE has implemented an easier game experience. To those that love doing things in alliances, more power to you. Everyone pays for this game for different reasons. Some do it to do things with 18 people, some with 6, 2, or alone. None of it is wrong, nor right, and we can go on all day bellyaching about the content being too easy, or too hard for that matter.

I personally think the content of FFXI, until Abyssea, was too hard. You good sir, think it's been made way too easy it seems. Neither one of us are wrong, nor right.

It's all a matter of opinion, and opinions are like a$$h0les. Everyone's got one and if a$$h0les could fly, the entire game of FFXI would be one big airport.

I do however take offense to being called lazy, emo, Mr. Instant Gratification, pubescent, and told that FarmVille is more my speed just becase my opinion (which everyone has one, see above) is that easier is better.

I think that's enough said.

[ffxkenshin]

There is nothing in the game at this time worth killing that needs a full alliance. I am not sure there is anything in the game that needs a full alliance at all (I heard PW was killed with 14).

Why get so angry that people want something more difficult? Why are you upset that some people are hoping SE might add NMs that take more then 6 people? We aren't asking for something that can be monopolized, I don't want to waste 3 hours camping things. I want something that takes an alliance of organized people to kill. Why be upset that people want a challenge? Don't give me the "dont proc shit and get no atmas", because players shouldn't need to gimp themselves to have a challenge.

now that we have a clear understanding of what you want, sure there is!
you want to take the time to organize an alliance and plan strat to kill, I suggest Rani with no brew!
challenging enough? I bet will be very challenging to get a group together this way too, not to mention very hard to kill Rani w/o brew (BUT NOT undo-able) I have seen LSs that kill Rani w/o brew and i think there were a full alliance there too.

There are other boss type nm in heros area that are challenging too, I'm sure you will find them "fun" to get a group together to kill with you and compete for the lot, goodluck on winning.

[Ilax]

wtf? not every1 has lots of free time or want to dedicate much to getting seals, stones and cards. easy is good since there are many other stuff to do in life other than ff.

That why SE added pearl gear. Why are you guy always claiming the TOP of everything with no effort. Pearl gear will offer as much DMG almost, just not top, you wan to be on top, then do as other and work for it.

[scaevola]

You understand that this game is still VERY difficult compared to every other MMO out there right?

To be fair, I'd say FFXI's endgame is currently easier than WoW's; there's no reason why any exclusive FFXI players would know this, but WoW has seriously cranked up the difficulty in PvE this expansion. I would go so far as to say it's as radical a shift as Abyssea was in the other direction, easily.

If you don't believe me, go to WoW's forums. There's been an endless stream of (justifiable, IMO) tears since Christmas. :P

[rog]

If you don't want to work with others and you don't want a challenge why play an MMORPG? If you only want to solo stuff and talk to a bunch of friends you should look into chat rooms and console gaming.
This is such a horrible argument. MMOs are vastly different types of games than console games, regardless of whether you ever play with anyone else. May i ask what console game continually expands for upwards of 5+ years? What console games can you possibly play for years and still have something left to do? Or even a month of serious playing for that matter? And of course game play is vastly different. No matter how you choose to play an mmo, it's impossible to get a similar experience in an offline console game. You may as well tell someone who plays really enjoys RPG games, to play an fps game, just because they enjoy those RPG games for a different reason than you do. It makes no sense. RPG games are nothing like fps games.

[Ilax]

I just don't understand the game as many of us probably don't understand it anymore, is SE trying make 1 TOP gear set for everyone, and in the next yr everyone will have it, no matter if they play 1h/week or 70h/week? So just by time we all pay 20$/monthly fee, everything is ok?

I don't buy that idea, and hope SE have better then that to offer.

[GERM]

They are making things more so people aren't spending all their time fighting over an NM with several different parties, they want you to get your gear get it upgraded and proceed to playing the game doing things outside of abyssea (IMO). You have limited amount of time to spend in abyssea so why would they want players to spend all the time they have fighting over a mob and people not getting seals/jewels and then turn around lose all their time and have to wait x amount of time to enter again in the chance that maybe, MAYBE they can find another party to who wants to do that NM and MAYBE not have to fight over a camp with a bunch of people who think that they are better because they devoted more time or had better opportunities for better gear or atmas.. If your complaining that abyssea questing and stuff is "too easy" and drop rates are "too high" then its probably cause your one of those people who got what you needed after a little effort and just wishes misfortune to others because your blessed with a helpful friend list and LS who are willing to achieve the same thing you are.. I on the other hand have shouted for most of the seals I needed and have spend more time camping and failing NM's because we are not as fortunate to have the same atmas and resources as others..

[Krystal]

Stay on topic..........stay on topic.......THREAD DERAILED!

lol well it's nice to see at least i can get a laugh out of one or two threads on this forum..:P now back to the serious threads and away from the derailed to heck ones...:P

[GERM]

I just don't understand the game as many of us probably don't understand it anymore, is SE trying make 1 TOP gear set for everyone, and in the next yr everyone will have it, no matter if they play 1h/week or 70h/week? So just by time we all pay 20$/monthly fee, everything is ok?

I don't buy that idea, and hope SE have better then that to offer.

I see this too and I hate the idea that this is what they are doing.. I don't want to walk around jueno and see 10 sams with the exact same look as me, they need to make some gear that compliments certain aspects of the job or role and then create another set that compliments another aspect of that job... If you have everyone with af3+2 your losing indiviuality in the game and i dont want to be a person who has the best gear that compliments the job or role but the best gear that compliments the way I play and I know some gear is going to be like that since its made for multiple jobs and I hope the augment they are going to have in it will allow me to achieve a play style I like and not a stereotypical play style that "You have to have" or your a "noob" (not calling anyone a noob just referencing the term as been used to me in game)

[Cream_Soda]

My favorite people are the ones who complain about the high drop rates but they were the ones back in the day going MAN I HATE THIS 0/20 on empress hairpin wtf!

[Nickdogg]

How about the ones that quit the game 10 times because they hate is so much. Low drop rates, no exp parties, no this, no that. But wait! They came back each and every time! I think that in and of itself is proof enough that the game was quite successful with how it was. I vote keep the game as it is/was without making it any easier(insert simpler, less time consuming, less elitist, less time sink, less everything these nabs want).

[Andevom]

How about the ones that quit the game 10 times because they hate is so much. Low drop rates, no exp parties, no this, no that. But wait! They came back each and every time! I think that in and of itself is proof enough that the game was quite successful with how it was.

Well, not exactly. A lot of people left and never came back. I've seen MORE people come back after EXP was adjusted, because they thought maybe now they wouldn't have to wait two hours to get into a party, or at the very least soloing wouldn't be awful. The reason they kept quitting over and over again was because they realized things weren't changing and/or player politics were holding them down from getting anywhere (which is why I support things like Dynamis being revamped to prevent Dynamis Shells from becoming greedy dictators).

[Ilax]

How about the ones that quit the game 10 times because they hate is so much. Low drop rates, no exp parties, no this, no that. But wait! They came back each and every time! I think that in and of itself is proof enough that the game was quite successful with how it was. I vote keep the game as it is/was without making it any easier(insert simpler, less time consuming, less elitist, less time sink, less everything these nabs want).

oh i agree with that, i mean abyssea for sure been one of best update SE done, still not perfect of course but by far beating every other system like HNM where only BOT had a chance to claim, personally when i say harder content, i don't mean loosing your time seeking for PT, or waiting for NM to pop but more about dedication to something and how hard something is to beat.

Many need make difference here between dedication, accessible and difficulty. I doubt everyone wan it 'too easy'. Look at what they trying to do with dynamis, and why? They already did E.wep.... Why they have to remove everything that is hardcore? Not like dynamis never been accessible, was just hard to lead a dyna ls, now they just going to make it 'open zone' like WoE/Abyssea/Campaign. And like is not enough, you see more people now complaining about salvage that SE should do same. >< Whats next?

I really can understand that not everyone can afford to play as much as other, that do not mean everyone should have the same gear.

[Nickdogg]

I really can understand that not everyone can afford to play as much as other, that do not mean everyone should have the same gear.

Bump that comment! ^^

[ffxkenshin]

I see this too and I hate the idea that this is what they are doing.. I don't want to walk around jueno and see 10 sams with the exact same look as me, they need to make some gear that compliments certain aspects of the job or role and then create another set that compliments another aspect of that job... If you have everyone with af3+2 your losing indiviuality in the game and i dont want to be a person who has the best gear that compliments the job or role but the best gear that compliments the way I play and I know some gear is going to be like that since its made for multiple jobs and I hope the augment they are going to have in it will allow me to achieve a play style I like and not a stereotypical play style that "You have to have" or your a "noob" (not calling anyone a noob just referencing the term as been used to me in game)

I'm not sure where this is coming from, every job has it's "situational" set of gear, everyone look like you in jueno.. why? think hard, it's b/c that what you feel is the "most" appealing piece of gear look-wise, stat-wise, pride-wise, achievement-wise, or whatever the reason. There are bound to be people feeling the same way as you do which is why they wear that piece too. I'm sure you don't ONLY have 1 SAM body period, even the "best" twilight mail is only "situational" there's always a DDing piece, 1-hit WSing piece, multi-hit Wsing piece, evasion piece, etc etc, so you don't want o look the same as everyone else, just wear another set of gear then, for all you want, you can wear nothing and that's very individualized too. I don't think this is a problem of people getting the gear they want "easier" than it used to be.

[Tazz]

I enjoyed this game for many years but I would much rather see players who know what their job is and how to play it than being in an alliance with 2 other rdms and I on blm/rdm and being the only one who enfeebles the monster. This is not my role and my enfeebles are not as powerful as para II of other spells. I want to see players play their job and do it correctly. Abyssea is a blast but I have NO use for EXP or merits on my jobs because abyssea made leveling WAY too fast. (note the use or my words - not easy but fast) I worked hard at my jobs and it kills me to see a new level 90 loser player everyday who has to ask me whats dispel do or "I ruined your skillchain"? How did I do that >.< SE may very well find players not paying for their accounts because everyone will have everything and everyjob much sooner than they antcipated. I mean why play a game where you dont need exp/merits on your character and you can acquire the best armor too fast... There is a balance and its somewhere in the middle. Let's pray to Altana that the dev team doesnt spoil our beloved FFXI: Online

[Starcade]

What, seven posts in the last two pages removed due to "inflammatory content"?

Struck a nerve, have we?

The problem is simple: Leave the difficulty where it was, and you are left to expel from the game those who cannot (even if they wanted to) spend most every hour of free time at their computers...

[Rambus]

Not at all, but it takes around 30 minuts to login and change job / gear... or is that just me? ._.

I hate job changing, i really do, never enough space

[Alastaire]

People want to remain elitist and at the top of the game for as long as they can. They feel like they have some sort of status for having special gear and a high level. When SE comes in and makes things more attainable (fair), these people, who have had years of free time, are now saddled with the idea that a bunch of people, who were not able to attain a high level or decent endgame equipment before, can now attain these items and levels and therefore, enjoy the game.

Nostalgia is personal, so keep it to yourself. The game has changed. Get over it. It is an old game. These changes are helping to preserve the game, not kill it.

It really saddens me to see the things people are posting. I remember a day when the FFXI community was all about helping others and being part of a bigger thing. Now it seems all people want to do is complain.

And if it still bothers you so much, look at it from this perspective. If you attained level 75 some years ago (or got your relic weapon/gear, or something that you feel is a big accomplishment), SE can never take that away from you (and they aren't trying to). I want to point out that it makes you look like an elitist jerk every time you feel the need to point out: "Oh, well I got my first 75 back in 2004." We don't really care. But what does matter is that YOU care. If it is important to you, don't let anyone tell you that it shouldn't be, but also remember that others will not share the same feelings.

So if it STILL bothers you that the game is changing, perhaps you should find something else to occupy your time, because many of us are enjoying it and taking it for what it is.

[Dubberrucky]

lol after reading this thread if anyone knows any mmo that's not either in easy mode or headed to it like this one please let me know so I can check it out. I stuck with FFXI for so many years over other mmos because I like challenge in my games throughout the entire game but that is just my preference.

As far as obtaining gear goes yes it is leading to inbalance but there is hope they will fix this in coming updates especially to trials. Old gear that took so much effort should be better than something that takes less effort. The trials added to keep the uber weapons of old should be updated to actually keep them comparable at the moment they are lacking.

[Babygyrl]

I can see how some people say the game is becoming "too easy" But in reality.. its just becoming a bit more manageable for the "older" players ie. adults with jobs who need to work and don't have 8+ hrs a day to play this game. I agree there SHOULD be content for BOTH Casual players or players who want a real challenge. the game is becoming more balanced in that aspect. players who don't have a lot of time to play and would rather not quit just because they don't have as much time to play as they used to after 5+ years need options other then constantly needing parties and such. Creating a party alone can be a ridiculous time sink.. Esp with constant afkers..

Also yes this is an MMO and lets be real everything in this game is STILL faster with a group and/or alliance.. soloing will never be on par with partying even in Abyssea.. you get tons more exp with a big group then you do in a small party or duo.

The game is simply becoming more enjoyable for everyone.. not just people with a lot of time. The difficulty is still about the same.. but lets be honest the number of players is dropping for this game.. so ffxi needs to introduce content for a fewer number of people. that's also a reality people don't realize. there aren't 5k people on at every given day or time to do big things like you used to. If SE wants to keep this game alive they are currently going in the right direction to keep current players interested.

In actuality there are people who like it hard and people who like it "easy" Se has to do its best to fulfill EVERYONES needs and that's is a HARD thing to do and NO matter what someone will be un-happy that's just how it is.

[Suzie]

Higher drop rates won't mean getting a seal each Dom op or quest. And to add to what sp1ce said, the ultimte goal is to have reward be equal to effort.
I would not have them change the drop rate IF we could filter what drops for the player (I.e. I will only see smn seals).

I agree with this although I do agree with the OP. It is frustrating to gather the trigg items, pop the NM meet the challenge, even fight with some difficulty, maybe alliance or party wipe, raise recover, keep NM kited while ppl recover, eventually kill it and you getnothing! How many ppl remember camping charby for your joy toy. The hours spent watching for the TOD so you could come back and try to get claim. When you finally get claim and kill it, you were guaranteed a joyeuse sword would be yours! Remember how thrilled you were to get that sword in your hands to to kill a couple of mobs on your way out of the zone!
Now a balance has to be found, they all cannot be like charby but it is nice if something has to be camped that there be a reward.

[Ragmar]

The biggest cause for loss in playerbase at the moment is the insane rate of progression in which all aspects of the game can currently be completed. You can seriously accomplish anything that any pre abyssea FFXIer ever had in 1/100 of the time investment. Casuals are the minority and should be treated as such. You come and go we tolerate you and even enjoy you if you're not a tool. But in the end you go so why should the game be shaped around you? I'm not trying to be offensive just realistic. The game wasn't designed to be played an hour a week. No MMO is, not even FPS's. Try it, see how much fun you have if you play <insert random FPS here> an hour a week. You will spend your hour far more frustrated and accusing everyone and their mom of cheating, even the guy who went 5/17 but killed you 3 times, than any time you ever were on FFXI.
BTW I'm not some epeen HNM bot camper prick from the olden days upset I cant sell my HNM drops to people who dont bot. I'm just a guy who doesnt want to see FFXI become <insert random f***book app>.

[xbobx]

If they don't go the easy route, make things easier to get, you won't be playing ffxi anymore because people will keep quitting. Not sure if you noticed, they are doing another server merge, that isn't because more people are joining.

Jp like to torture people for items. Patience, doing the same damn thing over and over and over, has nothing to do with difficulity, all it does is piss players off, and they quit.

That business model is just plain stupid. Toss subscription money away. they have finally clued into this after 8 years and are finally going in the right direction, more or less.

[Wade]

Not sure if you noticed, they are doing another server merge, that isn't because more people are joining.

This isn't necessarily true at this point in time. Over the last few weeks I have been seeing a lot of older players returning and there are still new players coming in. I think the fascination with XIV is dwindling and people are coming back. I know they are doing mergers, but I think they may have be a little quick to hit the button.

[katoplepa]

casuals are not the minority...
90% of people are veterans that come from 8 years of game "old style" and now SE can't force you again to spend all that time online for 1 item, maybe going to Ls leader... now people want to have fun, play a game, not doin' a work... in the life you need the mechanism work->reward and if you are someone who don't work (student, unemployed, etc) is natural for you to put this mechanism into the game, but in 8 years the players had changed, no-one needs no more the game of before, now people don't want no more to spend their life online, watching a monitor for hours and hours spamming a macro like an idiot just to claim 1 nm... this was the past, now we bored of that type of situation... thanks SE, now is a game, finally!

[Hayward]

It's almost laughable how people can call the current incarnation of FFXI "too easy" because gear is more accessible to people who want it. I like the idea that I can upgrade AFv3 to +1, to which I have done for 3 sets so far, without having to wait for enough ethereal "LS points" to accrue so I can lot seals. I especially like that the gap between +1 and +2 is not so large that I am obligated to get my gear to +2 ASAP just so they can be useful.

After nearly 6 years of playing FFXI, I can truly say that S-E is finally getting it right with the Abyssea series.

[Mara]

While I appreciate everything you are doing to the game to make it more enjoyable and fun you are making it way too easy. Everything now a days is higher drop rates, higher drop rates, higher drop rates. Hey lets increase seal/card drop rates in abyssea so every one can have them in 1-2 days. What happened to taking time and patience to aquire the best of the best? Every single post I saw on the Q/A were complaints that drop rates were too low and you (SE) are feeding right into people's lazyness. While I understand that certain mobs were not dropping properly and needed to be fixed lets not go overboard and think that is an end all solution to maintaining a player base. Bring back the original FFXI and give us some challenges and by challenges, yes I mean difficult to kill monsters (which we have some of) and the challenge of testing people's patience like the original FFXI MMO was.

Yes, because waiting 3 days for a single mob to pop, outclaiming 80 other people for it, and waiting in line behind 23 others for an abjuration with less than a 1% droprate that you then had to pat 2M gil for the cursed item just to upgrade worked oh so well...? Stop whining, I enjoy being able to lowman things for real rewards without devoting time I no longer have to camping overcamped HNMs that there's a good chance I will not even get the claim on anyway. I think anyone that wants to go back to that has to be crazy. Things are great the way they are, there are still things that offer challenges to small and large groups alike, and the game is more rewarding and less frustrating, which to me = more fun.

[Hiswhitewings]

While I see why you would call that difficulty I do have to disagree. Now, don't take this the wrong way because I assure you I'm not making assumptions on your real life or anything so keep in mind I'm using myself as an example. I can only log in for, oh, maybe 10 hours max a week. With the old FFXI I got ZERO, nada cero. Well, a Genboobs Shield but lol.

Now with Abyssea I can finally level a job I've always wanted to level (ninja) and not feel gimp without Byakko Haidate because there are alternatives to that. I still had to be patient and wait for drops. The only difference is that now I can actually see my goal instead of hoping I'm walking in the right direction.

[katoplepa]

Yes, because waiting 3 days for a single mob to pop, outclaiming 80 other people for it, and waiting in line behind 23 others for an abjuration with less than a 1% droprate that you then had to pat 2M gil for the cursed item just to upgrade worked oh so well...? Stop whining, I enjoy being able to lowman things for real rewards without devoting time I no longer have to camping overcamped HNMs that there's a good chance I will not even get the claim on anyway. I think anyone that wants to go back to that has to be crazy. Things are great the way they are, there are still things that offer challenges to small and large groups alike, and the game is more rewarding and less frustrating, which to me = more fun.

/clap

but the problem here , is NOT the hardest or the easyest game , the problem is obtain an item that only you (you HC player) can wear , so you can stay in Jeuno-pose for your epeenis enlargement... but thanks SE that times are gone, finally...

[Unaisis]

Am happy that FF11 turned out to be Casual player Friendly

NO Casual Playing does not mean Grinding levels, spending months doing endgame to get 1-2 pieces of gear.

Casual playing means logging in for a couple hours a day, few days a week and ACTUALLY getting stuff done~

[Catsby]

Am happy that FF11 turned out to be Casual player Friendly

NO Casual Playing does not mean Grinding levels, spending months doing endgame to get 1-2 pieces of gear.

Casual playing means logging in for a couple hours a day, few days a week and ACTUALLY getting stuff done~


Agreed. Now if only we could get overhauls to a lot more of the little things that slow down the game it will be amazing.

I vote for the removal of all cutscenes where your character simply walks through a door!

[Ferris]

Low Drop Rate =/= Difficulty

[Ilax]

While I see why you would call that difficulty I do have to disagree. Now, don't take this the wrong way because I assure you I'm not making assumptions on your real life or anything so keep in mind I'm using myself as an example. I can only log in for, oh, maybe 10 hours max a week. With the old FFXI I got ZERO, nada cero. Well, a Genboobs Shield but lol.

Now with Abyssea I can finally level a job I've always wanted to level (ninja) and not feel gimp without Byakko Haidate because there are alternatives to that. I still had to be patient and wait for drops. The only difference is that now I can actually see my goal instead of hoping I'm walking in the right direction.

See even if i am not happy that the game come 'too easy' i am happy this update finally give a chance to anyone that do not have luxury to play more then some player, but in other hand i don't wan to be force to play just 10h/week just because that make those player happy. You said it, you finally found something accessible for you that is good as Byakko Haidate.

I am not really asking SE to put more gear with crazy stats on it, look at mandau is just +1dmg compare E.Wep, don't you think is a good alternative already? They don't have to turn the entire content of FFXI in easy mode like they are planning on Dynamis V2, there a limit imo and they are crossing the line atm. Is for sure too soon to say anything about LV99 but i hope there still some good challenge incoming for us, not crappy massive player on 1 NM, nor 24h wait for a POP that 80 player try to claim, nor something you can do in the first week that SE release just because SE only think about casual player. I wan a good reason to play the game and feel i am not loosing my time into it.

No matter if is 1% or 50% of they member, i doubt is a good solution to keep the door close to anyone.

[Coldbrand]

The biggest cause for loss in playerbase at the moment is the insane rate of progression in which all aspects of the game can currently be completed. You can seriously accomplish anything that any pre abyssea FFXIer ever had in 1/100 of the time investment. Casuals are the minority and should be treated as such. You come and go we tolerate you and even enjoy you if you're not a tool. But in the end you go so why should the game be shaped around you? I'm not trying to be offensive just realistic. The game wasn't designed to be played an hour a week. No MMO is, not even FPS's. Try it, see how much fun you have if you play <insert random FPS here> an hour a week. You will spend your hour far more frustrated and accusing everyone and their mom of cheating, even the guy who went 5/17 but killed you 3 times, than any time you ever were on FFXI.
BTW I'm not some epeen HNM bot camper prick from the olden days upset I cant sell my HNM drops to people who dont bot. I'm just a guy who doesnt want to see FFXI become <insert random f***book app>.

I'm pretty sure people are coming back, not leaving. Sorry you hate yourself and enjoy bot camping Fafnir for 8 hours straight though.

[xbobx]

That was the worst, camping hnms all that time only to lose because you play fair and can't outclaim a botting program.

[Oldelf]

I have to agree. The game has very little challenge in it. By that I mean the WHOLE game. Not just HNM's. We used to have Quests, Missions, and much more content that had a reasonable amount of challenge to it. Now SE has gone and removed TOO much of the difficulty . All in a attemp to capture the WoW children.
We all bitched and moaned at the COP Air-ship fight and how tough it was, but when we finally beat it, the feeling of accomplishment was outstanding. OMG We WE Won!! That was aweome and I'll never have to do that fight again. LOL
You'd never get that in most of these other MMO's.
That's what most people in this thread are trying to say, IMO.

[Meyi]

I prefer drop rates being higher.

The challenge should be in the fight itself.

The challenge should not be how many people you can get, what job combinations you are, or how many kills it takes to finally obtain whatever it is you're after.

There is no difficulty in going 1/1000. Just annoyance.

[Babygyrl]

The biggest cause for loss in playerbase at the moment is the insane rate of progression in which all aspects of the game can currently be completed. You can seriously accomplish anything that any pre abyssea FFXIer ever had in 1/100 of the time investment. Casuals are the minority and should be treated as such. You come and go we tolerate you and even enjoy you if you're not a tool. But in the end you go so why should the game be shaped around you? I'm not trying to be offensive just realistic. The game wasn't designed to be played an hour a week. No MMO is, not even FPS's. Try it, see how much fun you have if you play <insert random FPS here> an hour a week. You will spend your hour far more frustrated and accusing everyone and their mom of cheating, even the guy who went 5/17 but killed you 3 times, than any time you ever were on FFXI.
BTW I'm not some epeen HNM bot camper prick from the olden days upset I cant sell my HNM drops to people who dont bot. I'm just a guy who doesnt want to see FFXI become <insert random f***book app>.

The player base dropped significantly before abyssea was even introduced. Shortly before the announcement of the level cap going past 75 people began to stop playing.. then they announce 14s release date also caused a lot of people to quit.. Abyssea and its ability to get things easier has nothing to do with the decrease in the player base.. the majority of people quit becuase they just do not have the time to put into it.. or wanted something new like 14 or wow.. majority of people i know who have quit went to wow because of it being geared toward casual gamers..

[Babygyrl]

I prefer drop rates being higher.

The challenge should be in the fight itself.

The challenge should not be how many people you can get, what job combinations you are, or how many kills it takes to finally obtain whatever it is you're after.

There is no difficulty in going 1/1000. Just annoyance.

Well Said! 100% agree

[Darkren]

That was the worst, camping hnms all that time only to lose because you play fair and can't outclaim a botting program.

This is one of the reasons why SE designed abyssea with easy obtainable good gear. So blame those HNM LS who monopolised NMs by botting for less challenge in the game now.

[Ragmar]

I'm pretty sure people are coming back, not leaving. Sorry you hate yourself and enjoy bot camping Fafnir for 8 hours straight though.

Learn to read. BTW I'm not some epeen HNM bot camper prick from the olden days upset I cant sell my HNM drops to people who dont bot. What part of this is hard for you to wrap your simple mind around?