To: Mr Akihiko Matsui

[scaevola]

If endgame is your game, yeah I understand that. But endgame is not the only reason I would play an MMO.

Endgame isn't my game either, actually. As I've explained, variety is my game, and you only get that here at the level cap.

[Eyeballed]

And this was a better system than what we have now because _________.


(also, I've made several posts pointing out a few ways actual "know-how" was much less important to getting XP than strict adherence to a flawed catechism)

Because it included aspects of the game I enjoyed. Because it separated us into a class of player that was pro-active and was generally rewarded for their effort whereas those who couldn't or refused to just quit. Call it hardcore or whatever you want, but I'm really trying to stay away from unjustly classifying those who couldn't meet the standards set by the generally unforgiving nature of the game.

[Doombringer]

Earlier FFXI was pretty strict on just about everything required to do just about anything in the game. I wouldn't call him lazy, but you definitely didn't accomplish as much as you would like to if you didn't have enough patience, know-how and willingness to take it up the initiative to make something happen.

my whole point is that he clearly DOES have the willingness and so on. he not only succeeded at endgame, he excelled. he was killing arch dynamis lord when arch dynamis lord was the most difficult fight in the game, before embrava even.

he quit again because our ls fell apart, and voidwatch made him feel hopeless.

he's proof enough to me that people ARE willing to put in a REASONABLE amount of time and effort towards an attainable objective. people don't need it handed to them, but they're also not willing to bash their head against the wall over and over again for it.

and that's basically all the old xp system was, repeatedly bashing your head against the wall. if you could do it once, you COULD do it a million times... so why did we HAVE to do it a million times?

[scaevola]

Because it included aspects of the game I enjoyed.

Empty if you can't articulate reasons why you enjoyed it.

Because it separated us into a class of player that was pro-active and was generally rewarded for their effort whereas those who couldn't or refused to just quit.

That happens as much as ever; it just happens at 99 now.

I've soloed 7 Cirein-Croin Lanterns (need 50 for a particular stage of Masamune) since I started posting in this thread.

Call it hardcore or whatever you want, but I'm really trying to stay away from unjustly classifying those who couldn't meet the standards set by the generally unforgiving nature of the game.

Saying they aren't allowed to have fun isn't any better.

[Trisscar]

That Penta Thrust SAM wasn't pulling hate off of you because he was holding back. If he wasn't then he was doing something very, very wrong. If he was holding back it's because you weren't holding up your end of the bargain. He was probably riding Seigan instead of Hasso, slowing down attack rounds and lowering DPS and WS frequency. The accuracy that comes with Hasso may have made a difference too depending on level and camp. If the SAM isn't going as hard as he can that is slowing down the already painful process of leveling.

The math has been done, if you take the time you can look it up. Throwing shuriken on NIN is a loss in DPS, which means less hate, which means it's making it harder for you to tank.

EDIT Oh the fail is strong now. That's a 192 delay not 1.92. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but that's 3+ seconds delay (plus animation? not 100% sure on that). In that time you are definitely getting in at least one attack round if not 2. According to that link they can be bought from an NPC for 7-10k gil, or made as a medium-high level crafting recipe (above the old soft cap of 60), and involve a HQ result from making Steel Ingots. If these were ever even made they went for a pretty penny. On top of the already (moderately) expensive cost of ninja tools (especially if you were using those as often as you claim) that's a lot of gil down the drain to make you do LESS damage overall.

Every time I quote to post today, for some reason I automatically get the above post... Anyone know what's that about?

I applaud you for at least having whatever it takes to provide an answer, as the others don't seem to have. Would it be OK with you in future games if there were no EXP or levels to grind at all? Why or why not?

We have provided answers, solutions and alternatives. You simply ignored us because you're childish.

[Eyeballed]

my whole point is that he clearly DOES have the willingness and so on. he not only succeeded at endgame, he excelled. he was killing arch dynamis lord when arch dynamis lord was the most difficult fight in the game, before embrava even.

he quit again because our ls fell apart, and voidwatch made him feel hopeless.

he's proof enough to me that people ARE willing to put in a REASONABLE amount of time and effort towards an attainable objective. people don't need it handed to them, but they're also not willing to bash their head against the wall over and over again for it.

and that's basically all the old xp system was, repeatedly bashing your head against the wall. if you could do it once, you COULD do it a million times... so why did we HAVE to do it a million times?

I guess your agreement we should start the game at cap says all I need to know.

[Eyeballed]

Empty if you can't articulate reasons why you enjoyed it.

I enjoyed it because I liked playing 19/20 of the jobs and watching them progress gradually, anticipating that next level and/or great spell or ability I'd been looking out for. And the whole point is the anticipation. It's about the journey for me and less about the reward. I liked it because the system was so unforgiving that you could immediately tell who wasn't doing their part and as well who was going above and beyond what's normally seen to make things good. There were bad groups with bad players that made the grind awful, and there were good players that welcomed the responsibility of their role and begged for more. Having the contrast between the two types made the grind all the more thrilling when things went beautifully because your focus began to transition from EXP/hour to "God this is so great, I don't want to leave! Killing these things over and over isn't so bad because 110% of my group is giving it 110%." You begin to appreciate the bond this feeling creates between NA/EU/JP players alike that the auto-translator can't define. You don't care if your tank is throwing shuriken or attacking with pom-poms, because something's obviously being done right. It's only a video game, but I'll be damned if it doesn't add a sense of self-worth to your personal repertoire of esteem-boosters. Something as trivial to you as a means to an end actually is my end. This feeling was my endgame.

[Trisscar]

I guess your agreement we should start the game at cap says all I need to know.

Why do you insist on making the same false dichotomy over and over again?

[scaevola]

I enjoyed it because I liked playing 19/20 of the jobs and watching them progress gradually, anticipating that next level and/or great spell or ability I'd been looking out for. And the whole point is the anticipation. It's about the journey for me and less about the reward. I liked it because the system was so unforgiving that you could immediately tell who wasn't doing their part and as well who was going above and beyond what's normally seen to make things good. There were bad groups with bad players that made the grind awful, and there were good players that welcomed the responsibility of their role and begged for more. Having the contrast between the two types made the grind all the more thrilling when things went beautifully because your focus began to transition from EXP/hour to "God this is so great, I don't want to leave! Killing these things over and over isn't so bad because 110% of my group is giving it 110%." You begin to appreciate the bond this feeling creates between NA/EU/JP players alike that the auto-translator can't define. You don't care if your tank is throwing shuriken or attacking with pom-poms, because something's obviously being done right. It's only a video game, but I'll be damned if it doesn't add a sense of self-worth to your personal repertoire of esteem-boosters. Something as trivial to you as a means to an end actually is my end. This feeling was my endgame.

What makes you believe you can literally only have these experiences during a rigid level grind?

What, do you think nobody ever makes small pick-up groups for anything? Have you been to Port Jeuno since you resubbed, like, ever? You could make a pretty strong case that the game is more focused around efficient six-man parties than it ever was; it's just reversed the location of those and huge alliances.

If I were so interested in steamrolling through content do you think I'd still be playing? My dramatically unimpressive FFXIAH profile is on display, man.

[Eyeballed]

What makes you believe you can literally only have these experiences during a rigid level grind?

What, do you think nobody ever makes small pick-up groups for anything? Have you been to Port Jeuno since you resubbed, like, ever?

If it isn't rigid, I don't want it. If it isn't strict and unforgiving, you can keep it.

And, PUG's for what, exactly?