To: Mr Akihiko Matsui

[Khiinroye]

Yes, they are, in fact. If you want proof, just go ahead and do a /sea all XX-XX inv and send tells to everyone in that list and count the number of "lol" and "No thanks." you get in reply for a classic party.

This looks exactly like how the old way worked for jobs that weren't in the "in crowd." Or if the two level spread around your level consisted of thf thf thf thf drk drk drg drg bst bst bst. Remember, level syncing is not classic partying. The people who you asked would then join another party with the popular jobs, and you'd have to solo for 12-50 per kill without signet defense and evasion bonuses, FoV/GoV xp boosts, xp rings, or mog tablet bonuses.

[Elexia]

If by "WoW clone" you mean "successful game with a fuckload of subscribers", then sure. I don't see the point of any part of your post other than to cry about things you have limited knowledge about at best.

Uh no, WoW clones are mediocre pieces of shit and everyone has proven this. "Truckloads of subscribers" doesn't mean "good game", because some of the most fun MMOs out there have low subscriber counts.

FFXI is one of the most successful MMOs out there, but most kids these days only think Sub Number = Success, which means Mcdonalds is the most successful and best Burger Place to exist using that logic.

[Trisscar]

Uh no, WoW clones are mediocre pieces of shit and everyone has proven this. "Truckloads of subscribers" doesn't mean "good game", because some of the most fun MMOs out there have low subscriber counts.

FFXI is one of the most successful MMOs out there, but most kids these days only think Sub Number = Success, which means Mcdonalds is the most successful and best Burger Place to exist using that logic.

"Learn from WoW" does not equal "become WoW clone".

[Twille]

The 'old school' FFXI is dead and gone. The "new" FFXI is the future of the game, it's not going back. Please come to terms with this fact.

[Elexia]

"Learn from WoW" does not equal "become WoW clone".

However, "learn from WoW" usually mean "Turn into a WoW clone that everyone will realize and promptly leave your shit because it didn't do WoW as good as WoW did."

There is a difference between "Learning from" and "copying"..how many MMOs that "learned from WoW" didn't flatout copy it? WoW in itself is a copy of older MMOs, however it's the most popular MMO due to advertising so of course MMO devs will go out their way to try to copy it's success.

We've seen it with almost all new MMOs that came out the past half decade.

[cidbahamut]

However, "learn from WoW" usually mean "Turn into a WoW clone that everyone will realize and promptly leave your shit because it didn't do WoW as good as WoW did."

No, that's not what it means.

You're being contrary for the sake of being contrary.

[Eyeballed]

The 'old school' FFXI is dead and gone. The "new" FFXI is the future of the game, it's not going back. Please come to terms with this fact.

I think it would be easier to accept if we had some alternative that is much more XI circa 2005 than WoW. It's like getting a basketball for your birthday because your parents know you like basketball because you play it so often, but one day you come home and the basketball's gone and been replaced with a cricket bat. You're left standing there, hands out, mouth agape, with this stunned look on your face. Cricket: The new Basketball.

[Modoru]

Interesting how everything else that was commented on... was ignored. cc;

[Elexia]

No, that's not what it means.

You're being contrary for the sake of being contrary.

Nah, most people who play more than one MMO has seen it happen.

[Teraniku]

Ok I totally understand both sides of this argument, I loved old School FFXI (When I could get a Party on other than WHM , PLD, NIN or any major league DD job (at the time that didn't include DRG), but I do love FoV, GoV and Abyssea leveling.

See the major problem with this game is us, the Players. If we had a real community in the game, we'd help out when someone shouts for the last Wings of the Goddess mission they've been on since forever, but no one can be bothered to take 15 min of their time to help someone finish it, even though it can be duo'd by a 99 BST and a SMN fairly easily. I'm glad that there are still players who recognize people doing the same Magian trial they are on and will invite you to their party to make it go quicker for everyone.