I think I'm finished; a new player's final thoughts

[Bukota]

"

I know the player base gets smaller, I don't think any MMORPG can keep player forever, I'm not denying the change. But there are something that's unique to FFXI that I loved, that I'll continue to defend for it. If someone else doesn't like FFXI being FFXI, besides "go to WoW", what else do you want me to say?

I'm curious what you'd say to someone who came FROM WoW to try "your" game.

Here is a game that came out within a year of FFXI.

Examine the graph closely:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...2LHxJL0cCw5ukw

The reason why the game continues to add players year after year is a topic too exhaustive for this discussion.

Suffice it to say, the graphics engine has been redone on two separate occassions.

In the mean time, FFXI got "Playstation Limitations."

Brilliant.

[Afania]

I'm curious what you'd say to someone who came FROM WoW to try "your" game.

Here is a game that came out within a year of FFXI.

Examine the graph closely:

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...2LHxJL0cCw5ukw

The reason why the game continues to add players year after year is a topic too exhaustive for this discussion.

Suffice it to say, the graphics engine has been redone on two separate occassions.

In the mean time, FFXI got "Playstation Limitations."

Brilliant.

The reason why EVE online can retain players, is because EVE online is sandbox MMORPG, and there aren't enough sandbox RPG competition on the market. Also by nature, sandbox gameplay are not just "beat the content then quit" kind of game. Showing a graph of a sandbox MMO doesn't really show anything, because FFXI is themepark and it's not even same genre.


Theme park has bigger market, but every title are competing against one million F2P titles coming out every year, hundred and hundred of asian titles pop every year too. Pretty much any new theme park MMO can't retain sub because they're competing against one million other titles AND by the nature of gameplay, players would play through their content and quit.

FFXI is just like any theme park MMO, but with different flavor. It's directly competing against games like WoW/FFXIV, there isn't much you can do if the sub numbers drop.

[Bukota]

The reason why EVE online can retain players, is because EVE online is sandbox MMORPG, and there aren't enough sandbox RPG competition on the market. Also by nature, sandbox gameplay are not just "beat the content then quit" kind of game. Showing a graph of a sandbox MMO doesn't really show anything, because FFXI is themepark and it's not even same genre.


Theme park has bigger market, but every title are competiting against one million F2P titles coming out every year, hundred and hundred of asian titles pop every year too. Pretty much any new theme park MMO can't retain sub because they're competiting against one million other titles AND by the nature of gameplay, players would play through their content and quit.

FFXI is just like any theme park MMO, but with different flavor. It's directly competing against games like WoW/FFXIV, there isn't much you can do if the sub numbers drop.

It's really much more simple than you're making it.

They have a professional, highly skilled, and steadfast development team that keeps the game updated.

They do so by heavily interacting with the community on important decisions. See Council of Stellar Management for how that is properly done.

[Bukota]

It's really much more simple than you're making it.

They have a professional, highly skilled, and steadfast development team that keeps the game updated.

They do so by heavily interacting with the community on important decisions. See Council of Stellar Management for how that is properly done.

They've also never let fear of change get in the way of making their game better.

It has taken courage in the past, and they've made mistakes. But the effort is what counts when you are selling the relationship of service provider, which is what MMOs are really about.

[Ziyyigo-Tipyigo]

Suffice it to say, the graphics engine has been redone on two separate occassions.

In the mean time, FFXI got "Playstation Limitations."

I imagine an engine overhaul would be their next long-term project when (read "if") they ever finish the new PC UI.

[Bukota]

I imagine an engine overhaul would be their next long-term project when (read "if") they ever finish the new PC UI.

They would need evidence that their current efforts and investment could really produce a meaningful uptick in subscribership.

It would be so much easier to just slowly fade into obscurity.

It is at least refreshing to see that Matsui appears determined to do anything but that.

It'd be nice to be a fly on the wall.