The Decline of FFXI: Forums, Gameplay and Nostalgia

[Akujima]

As a Side note, I Don't "attack" The hardcore. If you check out the "Will there be any new HNMs?" thread, I actually quite understand the ENTIRE mindset of a hardcore. Their Achievements mean nothing because everyone else can achieve it. I understand the game has lost its meaning to those types of people. However, They're no saints either. They condemn and blame casuals for every single problem in the game, and don't tend to realize that Purely "Hardcore" games suck almost as bad as "Purely casual" Games. I've always believed there needs to be a balance of Hardcore and Casual goals.

Actually, what I got from this is that you think each and every single hardcore player was a jerk, which is completely untrue. Just because someone enjoys the rarity of certain things, which would make them feel like they accomplished a daunting task, does not in anyway, mean they are a nasty person who looks down upon others. I've met many "decked out" (so to speak), players who were friendly and nice, but also had really rare equipment back in the day.

Saying that completely hardcore games suck just as much as complete casual games is another subjective term. But what I think people are confused about, is why the game suddenly took a 180 in the other direction. It feels nothing like it used to, and for some people feelings matter, even if it does involve feelings towards a game.

But I'll reiterate myself again, in that what they should have done, was keep the same style of play and added an Abyssea~like scenario for the casual gamers. A scenario that offered equal yet different rewards WITHOUT completely wiping out the previous style of play. But now the balance is tipped in favor of "the casuals", and "the hardcore" are being mostly, if not entirely left out.

There is a point to this thread, and that is to hear both sides of the story. It IS possible to make a game that caters to both the "hardcore" and "casual". In my opinion, the past days of FFXI had everything a great MMO should have, but it was just missing one piece of the puzzle. What was shocking to see, is that SE decided to do a complete overhaul and cater to the casuals, forgetting about the rest of us who already enjoyed the game the way it was.

All in all, that move from them wasn't necessary, and that's the reason I made this thread, so people can discuss their personal views about where the game is going. If that's not important, then I don't know what is.

[Karbuncle]

Actually, what I got from this is that you think each and every single hardcore player was a jerk, which is completely untrue. Just because someone enjoys the rarity of certain things, which would make them feel like they accomplished a daunting task, does not in anyway, mean they are a nasty person who looks down upon others. I've met many "decked out" (so to speak), players who were friendly and nice, but also had really rare equipment back in the day.

Saying that completely hardcore games suck just as much as complete casual games is another subjective term. But what I think people are confused about, is why the game suddenly took a 180 in the other direction. It feels nothing like it used to, and for some people feelings matter, even if it does involve feelings towards a game.

But I'll reiterate myself again, in that what they should have done, was keep the same style of play and added an Abyssea~like scenario for the casual gamers. A scenario that offered equal yet different rewards WITHOUT completely wiping out the previous style of play. But now the balance is tipped in favor of the casuals, and "the hardcore" are being mostly, if not entirely left out.

There is a point to this thread, and that is to hear both sides of the story. It IS possible to make a game that caters to both the "hardcore" and "casual". In my opinion, the past days of FFXI had everything a great MMO should have, but it was just missing one piece of the puzzle. What was shocking to see, is that SE decided to do a complete overhaul and cater to the casuals, forgetting about the rest of us who already enjoyed the game the way it was.

All in all, that move from them wasn't necessary, and that's the reason I made this thread, so people can discuss their personal views about where the game is going. If that's not important, then I don't know what is.

Then you're wrong.

Cause I considered myself "Hardcore" too way back when. Before i got a job/life/etc, I played like, almost every waking moment. Levels multiple jobs and was almost always doing some event (Limbus, Sky, Sea, Etc).

Now a days thats changed. Frankly, If you thought i was saying that, you clearly missed Raenryong's post, Cause hes actually saying that. I don't think all Hard-core people are bad players, Sure, Most of you don't help your case when your first response to a negative comment is a report or rage-fest explosion of text passively aggressivly blaming Causuals for everything, epitome of hypocrisy if i do say so myself.

(not that you're doing that right now, but in this thread, look through it, may have missed some of it.)

So yah, Thats not what I'm saying at all. If it came off that way, I'll word it better next time.