Low End Content *Until* Endgame Content

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Originally Posted by Alkalinehoe

I said 1-74, which is what this thread's topic was about. And sure, 1-59 can do besieged. Great place to skill up at.

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yeah...u CAN do beseiged below 60...you'll just be totally useless and not be able to hit stuff. Lol. Good for magic skillups tho.

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Originally Posted by Olor

I have two linkshells and a good number of friends... the problem is my main linkshell - most of the members are Abyssea noobs themselves (even those at 90) so they don't really have the atma to carry an alliance and don't really feel confident making alliances yet - they have said they would take me in a couple of times but it never happens... so I would rather just keep on grinding er up than wait on that, you know?

My other LS does regular Abyssea events - they even have a weekly leechfest (from what I have heard) but I don't spend as much time with them, AND they have already helped me out a ton (for how much I hang out in there) so I would feel like a REAL leech if got in on that without having the capability of also contributing (so that other people can leech).

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Not for me to say, but it sounds like maybe u should spend more time with the second LS. Just a suggestion

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Originally Posted by Auredant

Not for me to say, but it sounds like maybe u should spend more time with the second LS. Just a suggestion

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Yeah... maybe... but I think that friendship is really important. I only got the second LS at all because I am in the pacific time zone and most of my first LS goes to bed at like 9-10 pm (my time).

I really like the second LS too but I feel bad when I spend time in there when my other LS is active. I've been hanging out with the peeps from the first LS since last August and they have helped me a lot (one member even walked me through building my own computer through IRC) so I am not about to bail.

I am not too worried about it - I know I will be in Abyssea before long, and seriously, I won't mind if my first experience with it doesn't happen till after I beat Maat for the first time.

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I feel the playerbase is the same, which is why most have migrated to abyssea 30+.

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Try to think of it from the perspective of a new player or someone whos just come back to the game. They come expecting a good experience from leveling, not to key whore in Abyss for 45 levels.

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Originally Posted by blowfin

Try to think of it from the perspective of a new player or someone whos just come back to the game. They come expecting a good experience from leveling, not to key whore in Abyss for 45 levels.

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I think back on my times in end game (well, what's left of it now), and the fact that I enjoyed it A LOT more than what was required to get to that point, and would not wish it upon a new player.

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Originally Posted by Linh

I think back on my times in end game (well, what's left of it now), and the fact that I enjoyed it A LOT more than what was required to get to that point, and would not wish it upon a new player.

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Well yeah, but key whoring (i assume that's what you're proposing as an alternative) is more boring than the old way of leveling to a lot of people. If you wouldn't wish the old way of getting EXP upon them why would you want them to go through something they see as even less of a fulfilling grind?

It does not make sense.

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Originally Posted by blowfin

...If you wouldn't wish the old way of getting EXP upon them why would you want them to go through something they see as even less of a fulfilling grind?

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I never said that. Right now this topic is about content outside of Abyssea for levels 1-74.

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Originally Posted by blowfin

It's not so much that incentives are needed, it's more the facts that the EXP is terrible and people are bored of it.

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Uh... did you miss the patch where they DOUBLED all non-abyssea exp? On top of the increases already provided by rings and FoV? If that's your idea of "terrible exp" I'd hate to see what you would have done in 2003...

The only reason anyone might have trouble leveling 1-75 is that they can't find other party members and they have a job that is bad at soloing. And even then they can probably do ok with a NPC, or 2 PC + 2 NPC.

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I never said that.

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Well, I have absolutely no idea what point you were trying to make then.

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Originally Posted by Karinya_of_Carbuncle

Uh... did you miss the patch where they DOUBLED all non-abyssea exp? On top of the increases already provided by rings and FoV? If that's your idea of "terrible exp" I'd hate to see what you would have done in 2003...

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I`m not talking about 2003, what is this, Hill Valley circa 1985 or something?

It`s terrible compared to Abyss, that was my point, and I thought it was pretty obvious. Give people something more appealing than keying to 75, and they`ll probably take it. Simple.

Want a reason for people to experience in CP areas again? How about releasing new CP items for rank 10 that costs several hundred thousand CP. These items are fricking uber and unique, so uber and unique that I can't even conceive them at this time. That would force people back into CP areas. Make these items for ToAU too but different items. Problem motherfreaking solved. Next problem, go.

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Originally Posted by blowfin

Well, I have absolutely no idea what point you were trying to make then.

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I enjoyed endgame.

I didn't enjoy the grind to GET TO endgame.

I wouldn't wish the grind on other people.

Point.

Meh, I personally like the traditional way of levelling. If I ever got bored with it...and I have, mind you...I would do something else. That's the beauty of FFXI...there are several different activities to do. Now, are all of em soloable? Hell no. lol. Me, personally, I wouldn't mind a revamped system of exping or more activities mid-level. I have a few jobs that are in that level range so I would be able to reap the benefits. I dunno if it's ever going to happen though...

I really need to understand the point. Back when leveling was slower I did garrsions, assult under cap, cop under cap, and that level 20 thing you go to maze of shakhrami /gusgen mines ( no idea where sandy is, hate sandy).

I did like the feel of growing in level as you achive something ( old CoP)

now leveling is too fast to put effort into it. I just do not see the point, why put effort and time to program something that people will not use a lot because they are 90 in a day?

you are going to have to make abyssea 75+, redo the way you exp to have a reason for some type of "midgame" (like nerfing AB crap and such).

This is where i think WoW does better then FFXI at, you can exp by soloing/quests, or you can flag your self for "low-mid game" dungon runs.

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Originally Posted by Rambus

I really need to understand the point. Back when leveling was slower I did garrsions, assult under cap, cop under cap, and that level 20 thing you go to maze of shakhrami /gusgen mines ( no idea where sandy is, hate sandy).

I did like the feel of growing in level as you achive something ( old CoP)

now leveling is too fast to put effort into it. I just do not see the point, why put effort and time to program something that people will not use a lot because they are 90 in a day?

you are going to have to make abyssea 75+, redo the way you exp to have a reason for some type of "midgame" (like nerfing AB crap and such)

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I would have to agree...my 75s that I took pride in feel like hollow achievements now. I would like Abyssea to be 75+ but I doubt SE is going to do that...it would be like taking a step backwards for them...not to mention a huge player backlash.

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Originally Posted by Rambus

...I just do not see the point, why put effort and time to program something that people will not use a lot because they are 90 in a day?

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Because it's fun? Because people will then have a choice on whether to leech Abyssea exp (highly doubtful if you are a BRAND NEW PLAYER), or level up by going out on adventures.

It would be fun if they could add some low level abyssea camps for people 30~60ish.. and the mobs would never become strong enough to be easy prey to anybody 75+

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Originally Posted by Linh

Because it's fun? Because people will then have a choice on whether to leech Abyssea exp (highly doubtful if you are a BRAND NEW PLAYER), or level up by going out on adventures.

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I do not like what abyssea has done in aspect of incurage of old time players mingle of new time players. I liked what the level sync did ( leave out ab burn crap)

What I am trying to say is this, it may be fun for you or for a few people but I just do not see meny people using it, most people will rush to 90 then gear them self with emp gear. the only reason I do not really support this is because I do not think meny people will do it.

I do not think SE has a lot of resources to program such things that will appeal to so few. Low level abyssea seems streange, you can have some high level to help cream the low level stuff (i/e leeching) so I do not see that fixing the leeching problem.

Like I said ealier I would of seen the point when exping was slower ( pre ahu) where I did “midgame” stuff myself, garrison, that level 20 that level 20 thing you go to maze of shakhrami /gusgen mines ( no idea where sandy is, hate sandy), Old CoP and level cap assaults.


Look how many people do assaults, dyna, limbus,sky, and sea now. What I see now I just do not see people doing “midgame” you level too fast.

I would love to do something different then abyssea, I would love to help people in some level cap thingy doing lower "midgame" (like assult I did 50 caps lol) but people do not do it. This si abyssea only era.

Also my inventory space says no to me to do cap stuff anymore -.- the level sync changes need to be improved to allow me to level sync.

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Originally Posted by Rambus

...I would love to do something different then abyssea, I would love to help people in some level cap thingy doing lower "midgame" (like assult I did 50 caps lol) but people do not do it. This si abyssea only era....

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But why do people level up so fast? To do endgame/abyssea right? People want to be at the max level so they can do all of the *fun content*, to hang out with RL friends, with friends they made through leveling, with their LS mates.

What's stopping SE from making low-mid level content just as fun as max level content? Cuz endgame/Abyssea must be a lotta fun if people want to level up so fast.

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Originally Posted by Rambus

I really need to understand the point. Back when leveling was slower I did garrsions, assult under cap, cop under cap, and that level 20 thing you go to maze of shakhrami /gusgen mines ( no idea where sandy is, hate sandy).

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Ecowarrior which was a fun event.


I wouldn't mind seeing some new low level event type features.

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Originally Posted by Linh

But why do people level up so fast? To do endgame/abyssea right? People want to be at the max level so they can do all of the *fun content*, to hang out with RL friends, with friends they made through leveling, with their LS mates.

What's stopping SE from making low-mid level content just as fun as max level content? Cuz endgame/Abyssea must be a lotta fun if people want to level up so fast.

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what endgame? I do not know how you define endgame but FFXI does not have it atm.

people level fast because they can, people do abyssea for emp gear, then they get e-peen numbers.
then most take "brakes" because there is nothing to do.

if most people where out for fun they would do sea, sky, assault, limbus, dyna, so on just for the sake of doing it every once in a while for something different. But people apperenly do stuff for gear only so more "lower level content" is a waste of time. If it was not you would see new people doing the 75 things or even the 20 things, 30 things, 50 things, so on but they don't.

but atm that is not the case it is abyssea or do not play and i think that is why people been dropping lately. the shouts for missions, cop , so on is less and less, and shouts for stuff like dyna is less and less.

most people play for gear as far as i can tell, since it is abyssea only.

I do not find any "fun" in trying to ws or cast when the mob is not doing so when said mob spams said action ( 1000 needle proc is "fun”) over and over again. it was change, it was neat for like a week but then gets very tedious. Having event that is 5/20 job is “fun”

since game was 80 (so since first abyssea) here is the list of jobs i was asked to be:
PLD:1
WAR: more times i can count
WHM: few times ( more then 1 or 2 but not as much)
MNK:0
BLM: few
THF:0
RDM:0
DRK:0
BST:0
BRD:1 ( was not even for abyssea, was for AV)
RNG:0
SAM:0
NIN:0
DRG:2 (for blue)
SMN: 1 (edit , i take this back, I was SMN for ZNM a few times but I think just one was after level 75, so i changed this from 0 to 1)
BLU: more then i can count
COR:0
SCH: few, (when we had blu,war, whm, blm and they wanted extra damage or a combo of extra damage/support, and the fact SCH is considered my main) also useally SCH for non-abyssea events, had more non-abyssea at 80 abyssea.

BLU has to be my favorite abyssea job, it can do so many different things, but I would like to play my other jobs time to time but I don't because they are considered useless. ( and FFS give jobs cure V, whm only for cure)

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Originally Posted by Lexin

Ecowarrior which was a fun event.


I wouldn't mind seeing some new low level event type features.

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I agree, the thing is I would do it, maybe linh and you will do it but most people would not.

Low-leveling exping was never fun. Most people only joined slow, boring exp parties because there was no other alternative.

In the fall of last year, I leveled my DNC from 37-70 the traditional way. Despite all the bad parties (do people even remember how many bad parties we dealt with back in the day?) and FoV, I managed to level to 70 in roughly 6 weeks. It took 3 days to level from 70-85. I'd rather of spent those 6 weeks gearing up my DNC and getting comfortable playing it at the level that matters: 85 (now 90).

I started in 2006, and my mid-level content options in my LS were BCNMs and CoP. Players complained endlessly, on forums and in Lower Jeuno, about the strict party setups and strategies needed to win these battles. They complained so much so that CoP was nerfed into oblivion and the level caps removed. I played through CoP with my LS as we leveled our first and second jobs to 75, and the run through Riverne on my fresh-from-Crawler's-Nest 40RNG to fight the mammets was an astonishing experience for a newer player like me.

But most new players back then couldn't even dream of completing the game's mid-level content. Hell, many 'experienced' players couldn't cope with the CoP BCs. The content wasn't impossibly hard; lazy players just made it look that way. SE probably removed the CoP level caps out of frustration so that more players could experience the nifty (and devious!) Lumoria zones.

SE also spent 2009 adjusting the game and developing content for the low-mid levels. SE emphasized it so much that it completed stagnated the game at the high levels. I love Fields of Valor as much as the next guy, but I don't think that was worth the lost year of development possibilities.

Let's look reality in the eye: FFXI is an old, legacy MMO. There are not hordes of newer players on low and mid-level jobs. There will never be another substantial flow of new players entering the game, and SE would be foolish to develop new content that caters to a statistically insignificant percentage of the player base. It's been done already. The content is there if anyone wants to do it. The only thing stopping people from doing things like Garrison or low-level exping is a lack of initiative and creativity.

Compared to the old days, there are now a ridiculous number of options for leveling jobs (and boosted exp!). And yet people still complain.

If SE has any sense, never again will they develop content specifically for the low-mid levels. The game's old. That ship has sailed. SE's strategy will rightly be the development of high-level content as means to keep the game fresh and to retain players (as well as to lure back former players). FFXI can certainly remain viable for years to come.

The “problem” I think when they made double EXP to all levels is that, people level too fast from 1-30, (You have to bring multiple sets of gear if you wanna keep up with the exp) and you dont level fast enough from 50+. (Abyssea is faster)

I think that the “EXP boost” should be increased via quests as you level. They could add “EXP boost”-quests/missions. That way people will have a better reason to finish quests and missions^^ It can help the over-all-content as you get to lvl 75. It can be a added bonus when you finish all nation missions, all quests from a nation etc.

I know SE is very afraid to change old content. They usually create new stuff instead. So either these “EXP-boosts” can be made avalable through new missions/quests or they can revamp the old areas to add “EXP-boost” rewards as you finish quests/missions; example all the Nation missions in bastok gives 10% of your level in exp bonus each mob. With each completed story line, you are added another 20% EXP bonus. All three nations done would give 60% in EXP bonus. All nations, ZM, CoP, ToAU, WotG, and 3 addons would make 200% of your level in bonus EXP. So if you are lvl 10, you get the normal exp + 20 exp plus. If you are lvl 50 you get normal exp + 100 exp, and so on.

Implementing the "Double EXP" in this way I think would be more beneficial. Then it would be adjusted to your level, rank, fame etc and would increse as you level and finished these achivements.

Another thing is when you get a fame rank up, you could get Experience Points. For fame 1 you get 1000 exp. Fame 2 you get 2000 exp, and so on. That way, people could also have an "extra" motivation to finish quests.

Also, "all-quests-finished" in one area, like Jeuno, Bastok, Windurst, could give 50k EXP reward. There could be a level cap, like lvl 50+ before you can receave the EXP :) (I dont think its unreasonable with that amount of EXP, but if you do, feel free to comment^_-)

Limit-cap quest could give 50 extra EXP to people over a certan lvl. when you break the lvl 50 cap, you get 50 more exp for lvl 50+ jobs. And when you break lvl 55 cap, you get another 50 (resulting in 100EXP bonus). And so on and so on.

Getting chains from 1-5 could give more EXP and should be adjusted to your lvl:D

Obtaining certan Titles that are difficult to get, could also give a "EXP boost" or EXP (or something else if you have a better suggestion).

Overall, I think this would make people wanting to do more stuff outside of Abyssea and at the same time make it more enjoyable ^_-

Once again, the only thing stopping people from enjoying the already-existing mid-level content is good ole laziness. Instead of actually getting people together in game to do some of this stuff, most people find it easier to bitch and bitch and bitch and bitch on any forum they can find. Usually it involves proposing some from of bribery to force other players into doing content they normally don't want to do (like Garrison).

Anyone could corner me with a 'but..but...Abyssea?' rebuttal, and I don't care. I, along with a number of people I know, enjoy doing stuff in Abyssea for a variety of reasons.

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Originally Posted by Alkalinehoe

Garrison, Campaign, Assault, Besieged, BCNM/ENMs, Missions, etc are all activities you can do before you hit 75. I've only done a few Garrisons, but they are pretty fun and I do wish more people were into them. It is unlikely unless SE adds some OMG awesome item from them.

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Garrison is in serious need of an overhaul if it's ever going to be popular again. Like you, I enjoy the concept and would like to do more of it. But the problems are the time restrictions (can only do it once per Conquest and doing it in a large group takes time due to the 30 minute cooldown), and the fact that you have to be affiliated with the nation that has control of the zone. These complications make it hard to get people interested. New items for rewards would be good, but rewards need to be something that encourages redoing the event. Part of the problem with giving gear as a reward is that once people get it, they don't care about doing the event anymore, and once the majority of people interested get the stuff they want, they're not always going to be the type to help those who need it done.

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Originally Posted by Eeek

Once again, the only thing stopping people from enjoying the already-existing mid-level content is good ole laziness. Instead of actually getting people together in game to do some of this stuff, most people find it easier to bitch and bitch and bitch and bitch on any forum they can find. Usually it involves proposing some from of bribery to force other players into doing content they normally don't want to do (like Garrison).

Anyone could corner me with a 'but..but...Abyssea?' rebuttal, and I don't care. I, along with a number of people I know, enjoy doing stuff in Abyssea for a variety of reasons.

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I love Abyssea, but I love the old world as well. Its not "lazyness" that stops people from going to the old content. Its just more beneficial to be in Abyssea.

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Originally Posted by Kaych

I love Abyssea, but I love the old world as well. Its not "lazyness" that stops people from going to the old content. Its just more beneficial to be in Abyssea.

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Yeah, it absolutely is laziness. People would rather stand in Port Jeuno watching /shouts, complaining the whole time, than go out and actually do something. Actually lead.

But they don't.

To be honest, I've been having fun with the occasional trip to revisit older content. Assaults and Nyzul Isle are still fast and fun. I enjoy Dynamis so much more with a small party these days as opposed to an alliance (or more) half-filled with inattentive, poor players. I've even farmed popsets and Sky NMs for a few people who missed a piece of gear or two along the way or leveled new jobs.

A Humble Request for the FFXI Development Team: Is it possible to update Kirin so that he'll actually drop Wyrmal Abjuration: Legs once in awhile? It would mean a lot to myself and some of my friends. Thanks for your time and your consideration.

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Originally Posted by Kaych

I love Abyssea, but I love the old world as well. Its not "lazyness" that stops people from going to the old content. Its just more beneficial to be in Abyssea.

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That is one of their points.... that is why people do not do lower level content, that is why there is no point to make mid level content....

(maybe not seeing their post now but that is how i took it)

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Originally Posted by Olor

I have no problem with Abyssea - I just can't do it... and I know there "is" content - but I want content that advances my levels - BCNMs, garrison, etc. just takes me away from leveling - therefore increasing the length of time I am stuck mostly alone in the world outside of Abyssea.

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By not going to abyssea to gain exp, you are intentionally increasing the length of time you are stuck alone. You could have 90 in 2 days of exping in abyssea, or 65 with 2 days of exping outside. You've also been able to go there since 30.

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Originally Posted by wish12oz

By not going to abyssea to gain exp, you are intentionally increasing the length of time you are stuck alone. You could have 90 in 2 days of exping in abyssea, or 65 with 2 days of exping outside. You've also been able to go there since 30.

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Go there and what? News flash - I can't kill anything in Abyssea - so if I want exp people have to invite me to an alliance and I have nothing to offer that. No cruor = no keys.

If I saw a shout in Jueno that said "looking for leeches to stand around!" I would be all over it. I've told my LS mates that I want to go but they don't take me - they say I should wait till I beat maat - (partially because they don't have enough atma to carry me/everyone else over 30 in the LS that would like to leech) so that is all there is to it.

I can tell you now that if I logged in tonight and someone sent me a tell saying "hey come leech in Abyssea right now" I would be all over it. So don't tell me I am "intentionally" skipping it when I am NOT.

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I can tell you now that if I logged in tonight and someone sent me a tell saying "hey come leech in Abyssea right now" I would be all over it. So don't tell me I am "intentionally" skipping it when I am NOT.

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But that's how it works for him so it has to be the same for EVERYONE else :rollseyes:

Seriously though, that's a little harsh of your LS not to let you come and leech with them when they EXP. Ask them again. It's not like it's any skin off their nose if you weren't going to be contributing a whole lot in the first place. By investing some time leveling you up now, they`re ensuring you`ll be useful in a shorter time span.

I know, I know. I don't get why they won't take me in - it isn't like they are running full alliances. I don't get it but at the same time they have helped me out a lot so I don't really like to complain too much. It would help if SE made it so there was something an abyssea noob could do besides rely on the kindness of others... but whatever

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It would help if SE made it so there was something an abyssea noob could do besides rely on the kindness of others... but whatever

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Theres a bunch of solo quests you can do without any help at all, and its a good way to get all your confluxes so youre ready when the time comes.

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Originally Posted by blowfin

Theres a bunch of solo quests you can do without any help at all, and its a good way to get all your confluxes so youre ready when the time comes.

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Oh didn't know that. Thanks for actually offering useful info (you do it often!) I'll dig through the wiki a bit more now that I know that.

Actually, with the raise in XP and skill outside Abyssea I must say I'm enjoying leveling outside Abyssea. I've gone 1-50 in about 40 hours of playtime solo (discounting time spent waiting on new frames, roadwork for quests, etc) with all skills on myself and auto capped (excepting guard of course). It's actually fun again, and I completly managed to stay out of the dunes and Qufim, bonus!

This is rather an easy fix to be honest. SE can do the following adjustment to make it more attractive to lvl 30-70

- Increase the xp reward from FoV, double it. Also decrease the mob needed to 5 and limited to 1-2 type of mobs similar to Abyssea.
- Lower the xp loss from having NPC Fellow from 30% to 10% so that it is more feasible for trio to chain T-VT without having to make a full group.
- Make xp chest dropped from mob, with xp from 500 (at lower lvls) to 1000 (at higher lvls) and grant us similar temp items as Abyssea when you are under the signet and spend conquest points at outpost NPC.
- Create a similar "atmas" for outside Abby, maybe granted by completing missions, with Windurst missions give you 3-5 magic atmas, Sandy defense atmas, Bastok attack atmas, different ones from CoP, ToAU and WoTG. Call it something else or keep it atmas to make it less confusing.
- Add more FoV in dungeons, ToAU areas, and WoTG areas.
- Give us more variety of gears obtainable by spending conquest points etc...

By doing those changes you will see more lvl synch group moving from one FoV to another areas and getting from 30-75 will be much less painful. On the downside, all of those people who do trial weapons will start seeing much competitions from normal xp party...

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Originally Posted by Glamdring

Actually, with the raise in XP and skill outside Abyssea I must say I'm enjoying leveling outside Abyssea. I've gone 1-50 in about 40 hours of playtime solo (discounting time spent waiting on new frames, roadwork for quests, etc) with all skills on myself and auto capped (excepting guard of course). It's actually fun again, and I completly managed to stay out of the dunes and Qufim, bonus!

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1-50 was fine... but 50-60 has taken me SO LONG and now I have been 61 for around a week (partially b/c of taking time out to do level break/AF quests and not having as much time to play)

I know the feeling. I have alot of "Japanese Midnight" content at level 50 going (3 pieces of AF, black mage head for Auto, asinine system but nobody asked me). Taking advantage of the time to farm Hilltroll Puppetmasters for attachments, NMs for gear and get the Lvl 50 JSE from Brygid. However, after that I'll probably have to solo 50-60 in West Altep. Seriously, now that you can get skill off DC- you can keep doing FoV for alot longer. When it slows down I think I'll go work on my Guard skill off some EP (it's level 52, was 0 when I started PUP).

Good news for you, 61 you can just live in campaign if you can't get an Abyssea party. Break from it to do every Beseiged that comes up so your skills get a chance to stay close to cap. You can also do FoV in Ro'Maeve off the low level Evil Weapons, but it is very overcampped, at least on my server (XP and all Emp weaps involving Arcana/Evil Weaps). If you don't have to worry about silence, FoV in West Alteppa on ants is viable for quite awhile yet, too.

Oh I like the desert....

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Originally Posted by Eeek

Low-leveling exping was never fun. Most people only joined slow, boring exp parties because there was no other alternative.

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Therein lies the problem. Then they need to make it fun.

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Originally Posted by Eeek

...Let's look reality in the eye: FFXI is an old, legacy MMO. There are not hordes of newer players on low and mid-level jobs. There will never be another substantial flow of new players entering the game, and SE would be foolish to develop new content that caters to a statistically insignificant percentage of the player base. It's been done already. The content is there if anyone wants to do it. The only thing stopping people from doing things like Garrison or low-level exping is a lack of initiative and creativity....


...If SE has any sense, never again will they develop content specifically for the low-mid levels. The game's old. That ship has sailed. SE's strategy will rightly be the development of high-level content as means to keep the game fresh and to retain players (as well as to lure back former players). FFXI can certainly remain viable for years to come....

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But there seems to be quite a sum of people who have expressed their disdain for Abyssea leeching already. SE needs to redesign the older content to be more accessible to all players. Look at Garrison, you need to farm a stupid rare/ex item, THEN gather a group of like-minded people as well.

FFXI has so few new players that they want to keep the ones they already have still playing. So its smart of them to focus on high level end game content.