As usual SE hits on what they're good at (model design, graphical prowess, story delivery, music) and fails miserably on the rest (content, player suggestions, justifications for terrible loot systems).

The Voidwatch excuse just doesn't add up. Sure, everyone get's a chance at the loot but why not make it point-based if you're so worried about treasure hoarding/manipulation? This herp-derp argument about someone demanding the ninety pieces of loot that drops which is composed mostly of logs, ores, random seals and other worthless garbage is baloney.

It isn't even like the newest synthesis use this surplus of garbage.

For your 30min time investment you get mostly garbage from VW, battles range from being potentially rewarding (Pil, Qilin, Akvan) to completely worthless (Mimic King, Laidly Laurence, Mordron) all while this stuff is toted as the premier content. Is there any reason why some of the drops can barely surpass Abyssean loot? Seriously?

Even beyond Voidwatch, other rewards just don't add up and spell failed content. Dynamis? The new boss mobs are completely not worth the time, seem hurriedly put together and penalize you for bringing a party. Walk of Echoes? More sidegrade loot, difficult battles with no incentive to team up and scattered coins designed to keep you frustrated in circles.

What should have been content that people logon to play with others has turned into a ghost-town because the long-term incentive just. isn't. there.

Sure, Abyssea had flaws and I'm more than happy to point those out (sup brews, razed ruins, apocalypse) but this could have been toned down and continued with further expansions or we could have had a Voidwatch that was more strategic instead of things coming out of a portal for no freakin' reason.

How about a swarm-type battle where monsters come pouring out of the portal culminating with a boss? How about objectives other than kill the monster like holding it X mins or triggering conditions that cause a conclusion? A scavenger hunt of monsters scattered across a zone like the Dynamis of old? Prevent monsters from crossing a line in a 'hold the fort' style? Kill trash monsters to pop larger monster which then pops larger monster under a time limit?

The only thing you're "watching" by doing this content is loot hitting the "void" because the spinner didn't land on your character again and again and again. It's been nearly 3 months since the last VU and interest in VW has died off already. Why? Blame MW3 or Skyrim but it's really cause the base thinks the content sucks.