The Decline of FFXI: Forums, Gameplay and Nostalgia

[Anewie]

Anewie,

Love your posts in this thread. Your view points are 98% my thoughts on those issue's. Why casual people balk, and get defensive anytime a veteran posts asking for some challenging content outside abyssea is always amusing imo. Like having content without atmas, abyssite, and the option to "just brew it" is blasphemy. Or the usual line of "if you want a challenge just don't get atma's or buffs." Why they can't grasp the concept of killing things w/o buffs is not rewarding because those same targets are killed by people using those crutches baffles me.

I certainly hope when 99 hits there will be a two tiered option for End Game the way Einherjar was to kings. Only this would be geared toward Casual/hardcore. Hopefully it can be implemented simultaneously, and not retroactively this time around. I am very happy that casual gamers have had the option to experience more of the game. I have helped many, and accepted a decent amount into my linkshell over the past 7 months.

That being said. The game itself just isn't as rewarding as it used to be. Sure gearing out my jobs, and my members is cool. Although none of it feels like it was an accomplishment. While casual players are basking in this now, because they were denied that for years they fail to realize they are headed to the same conclusion as vets who are bored. With the easy mode floodgate wide open it is only a matter of time (not as long as u think either) till they have geared their jobs, and find the abyssea/TotM are not as fun when you have everything you wanted already.

Considering SE is trying to re use as much as possible I still hope they will incorporate a new, and improved PvP. The time, and resources spent on say converting the coliseum in WG to a PvP arena would continue to pay dividends far into the future. People who have all the gear they want and sit aimlessly in town, or staring at their moogle spin would always have the option to do that. It doesn't need "elite" gear as rewards. Could be as simple as fancy town gear, and furnishings that are only obtainable from there. Being able to go participate in or just go watch/bet on 1vs1 or 3vs3 & 6vs6 matches would be great entertainment.

I am keeping an optimistic outlook that SE will incorporate both the Pvp, and a two tiered difficulty option for the 99 End game experience. However if at least one of these options doesn't materialize when we cross that bridge I don't see vets sticking around, and casual gamers will not be far behind. Once they've exhausted the things to do, and gear to obtain because everything is handed out like door prizes nowadays.

I know I personally have no desire to begin a new MMO ff14 included. Even if it hadn't been released in the horrific state it was, and was a solid product it would make no difference. I <3 FFXI, and have put many years/effort into it. With any luck SE will see that catering to one side or the other was never the correct methodology. There needs to be content for everyone to enjoy, and take pride in. /crosses fingers

I really believe the people who are getting defensive, are typically people and players who aren't just casual but not very good players in general. Not very good meaning, they are unable to play any job, let alone their main job, with any amount of focus or dedication. When events are mindless, (which is fun sometimes, which is whyy i continue to support abyssea) it really makes no difference how a person is really playing. I personally don't have a real issue with brews. I might make jokes and etc to prove my point about how mindless and effortless it is, but brews are part of abyssea.

Abyssea was meant, to be mindless and effortless. It was for UNDER-casuals. I'mma call them that now. Getting gear ina byssea wasn't supposed to be "omg i accomplished this." These rewards were meant for the under-casuals who had long been shafted from the HNM scene and various endgame activities. I actually support brewing/afking/sucking/idkwtfim doing in abyssea.

That, to me, is what made abyssea so refreshing and cool. I have a life too. I can't always devote time to doing thing's that require lots of time. When I had the time, I'd make time for my goals. Sometimes though, I'd just like to mess around and RELAX without focusing or being dedicated, WHILE still getting some neat toys.

My issue and the issue with 80-90% of BG (this is based on observation, not facts) is that after 9 abyssea zones, there is no new real endgame content still. The game atm is basically a walk to lvl30 and then in my honest opinion, its just mindless content from there. Sure, u can exp the normal way (oh wait, no u cant really, because no one really parties outside) or chose to do everything the more difficult way. That however, doesnt make you a better player, it just means you're retarded.

Do I want content Karbuncle can't do!!!? Or not have access too!?!? No.. Idc about other players who aren't interested in what I'm interested. OMG you're having fun and just LOVE only doing abyssea and shooting through things. K. Well just an fyi, I enjoy that content too.

Another thing to note to all the people who keeps saying "the game was inaccessable at 75!". Get a clue. The only thing inaccessable was HNMs and HNMs outside trophy stuff and enjoying camping, meant almost nothing. Einherjar,salvage,nyzul assaults and every other "endgame" activity was more than accessable.


The problem was not accessability. The problem was, people who weren't good players, who could focus (notice i said, could. It doesnt mean they had to play ffxi like a job) didn't get in groups and they didn't get gear. They didn't get the rewards because of they didn't try or care too. That's the only logical explination for not doing any of the many very accessable and casual events.

Abyssea isnt just a casual event, it allows you to gain rewards and gear even when you are terrible, obnoxious and dont know wtf. Before at 75, even in freakin dynamis, you had to focus somewhat and couldn't just do silly things if yo wanted to survive. Abyssea is a double edged sword in that, sure, its nice and all but it promotes sucking basically. It encourages it. Did we need any event like this? I'd say yes based on the fact that even the casual stuff at 75, u had to focus. Even the best groups couldnt just stroll through dyna xarc and afk whenever. Its very "hand-it-you" content. It just is.

There are 9 abyssea zones. If you are just so terrible, and you have such a hard life.. That you can't do anything in game that requires the same amount of focus and strategic effort that is equivalent to salvage, dynamis, einherjar, nyzul isk @ 75, then really... Enjoy the nine zones.


You can label it inaccessable, blame cheaters or your irl but those are scapegoats for the fact that you have no drive, no ambition, you probably aren't a very skilled player (i say that respectfully) and you're not a team player. You don't work well on your job or in groups, and you simply don't want content that requires you to do so.


Fact check, some of us want to try and feel accomplished. It has nothing to do with wanting to better than you. We don't care about you. You care about us.