Just a thought...

[Rewyen]

I took a long break from this game after playing for five years. I guess the whole idea of new content and the level cap increases drew me back in, and I'm glad because I really missed Vana'Diel.... however....

Where the hell is everyone? The Dunes is a ghost town. Qufim has like two people soloing worms. I understand that Abyssea has pretty much taken control of the game, but as someone who actually enjoyed the climb and feeling the pride of accomplishment, am I the only person that misses the days when zoning out of Selbina was met with like eight people face down in the dirt? Random calls for /help being chased by a Gobby? Fighting with two other parties at the frozen lake for stealing your mobs? The days when Rolanberry Fields was saturated in mule bazaars?

I honestly think that the worst mistake ever made in this game was allowing players below 75 to enter into Abyssea. I mean, I'm glad it's easier to level, especially as a player who just returned and is starting from the ground up again. Felt kinda cool to solo to 30 in like four hours. But it's also a huge letdown to walk through Lower Jeuno and see like one shout, zero movement. I can remember the days when I actually had to turn some of the chat filters on because it was too much. It's like, everything I ever complained about a few years ago has been granted and it actually sucks.

So my suggestion.... Stop catering to end game, Devs. Just for a minute, at least. Do something that will bring back that spark of newness and make people want to dust off the level 10 equipment and get back out there and play for the sake of playing. New jobs, maybe? Something. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. It's very depressing to see a flock of Rank 1 level 95 players that just got Red Lotus Blade and think they are the new hotness.

[cidbahamut]

This thread needs a better title.

There really isn't anything they can do that will discourage people from racing to the level cap. There is zero benefit to be had from not catching up to everyone else. Once everyone hits the level cap you can actually interact with the entirety of the playerbase, rather than shouting into the wind for a dunes party that everyone else left behind years ago.

It's just the natural evolution of an MMO.

[Camiie]

I took a long break from this game after playing for five years. I guess the whole idea of new content and the level cap increases drew me back in, and I'm glad because I really missed Vana'Diel.... however....

Where the hell is everyone? The Dunes is a ghost town. Qufim has like two people soloing worms. I understand that Abyssea has pretty much taken control of the game, but as someone who actually enjoyed the climb and feeling the pride of accomplishment, am I the only person that misses the days when zoning out of Selbina was met with like eight people face down in the dirt? Random calls for /help being chased by a Gobby? Fighting with two other parties at the frozen lake for stealing your mobs? The days when Rolanberry Fields was saturated in mule bazaars?

Are you the only who misses those things? No, I can guarantee you aren't. I certainly don't though. I didn't so much feel a sense of accomplishment when I finally leveled out of the dunes as a sense of relief that it would be a while before I had to go back. That's the indication I got from most of my friends as well. I never knew anyone who was eager to return to the dunes, though I get the indication from these and other forums you are not alone in your longing.

I honestly think that the worst mistake ever made in this game was allowing players below 75 to enter into Abyssea. I mean, I'm glad it's easier to level, especially as a player who just returned and is starting from the ground up again. Felt kinda cool to solo to 30 in like four hours. But it's also a huge letdown to walk through Lower Jeuno and see like one shout, zero movement. I can remember the days when I actually had to turn some of the chat filters on because it was too much. It's like, everything I ever complained about a few years ago has been granted and it actually sucks.

You haven't been to Port Jeuno yet have you? All the bazaars and shouts you'll ever need. And, make sure you don't have /yell filtered. Then you'll see some activity.

So my suggestion.... Stop catering to end game, Devs. Just for a minute, at least. Do something that will bring back that spark of newness and make people want to dust off the level 10 equipment and get back out there and play for the sake of playing. New jobs, maybe? Something. I'm sure I'm not alone in this. It's very depressing to see a flock of Rank 1 level 95 players that just got Red Lotus Blade and think they are the new hotness.

I'm all for them catering to low level players. Even if it has improved (which is not saying much), the starter experience in FFXI is still miles behind any modern pay-to-play MMO I can think of. As for these level-capped players impressed with getting RLB... um... what? I've never seen anything like that. I have seen people skilling up in XP parties and using sub-standard WS because they have nothing else, but that's hardly a new experience. It was like that before Abyssea and it will be the same long after. There will always be underachievers no matter how hard or easy things are. Life should have taught you that.

[Sappho]

What I have seen (on Asura) is several people with main jobs in the 40s (or higher) and no subjob. I don't know if this is some sort of flavor-of-the-month fad or new players not understanding the importance of subjobs or just terrible, terrible epic failure.

I just came back from a two year break so my highest character level is still 75 and I haven't been to Abyssea yet. I'm just enjoying exploring parts of Vana'diel that I never saw much of in previous years. It is a nice change of pace to have the freedom to explore the world solo with practically no fear...unlike the days of old in 2003 when an "easy prey" mob could kill you...easily.

I did spend an hour in Gusgen Mines as part of a book burn alliance just to see what it was like. Noobtastic is all I can say.

[Rewyen]

Port Jeuno on Asura is a maze of people all afk. I have literally seen maybe ten shouts. Please don't misunderstand, I am fully aware of how the mechanics of this work. I used to be an end game player, before the level cap increases and Abyssea came around, so I know that is where the fun actually begins and I honestly look forward to being back up there again, but I was never really one of those types that made it my entire reason for playing. I honestly wanted to reach through the monitor a few times and punch people for stupidity or relentless dickheadedness during DM runs because at some point they forget that this is a game that is meant to be enjoyed. That's what I miss. The satisfaction of feeling useful and part of something and I just don't see that anymore. I know it will likely never be that way again, which is why I switched to FFXIV, to recapture that newness, but we all know how that worked out.

And yes, skills are problematic, but I kid you not, there are people that have lower skill levels than I do. That could be another alternative... if rekindling the fire of low level parties can't be done (because of jobs maxed out or whatever) than tweak it to make the game more solo friendly.

[Rewyen]

What I have seen (on Asura) is several people with main jobs in the 40s (or higher) and no subjob. I don't know if this is some sort of flavor-of-the-month fad or new players not understanding the importance of subjobs or just terrible, terrible epic failure.

I see this a lot. I actually threw on /anon because I hit 20 with no sub and was embarrassed, lol. I soloed the quest so I didn't feel like such a gimp.

[Kimikryo]

oh yes, I miss the times, when I could go solo somewhere with my flag up and wait for an invite. sometimes it took hours, sometimes seconds. But still, it felt less retarded than shouting for an Abyssea Party as level 30.

Still on jobs that have their skills maxed till early 70s I like to "leech" them up until I can hit crap in abyssea. There should be a limitation on entering Abyssea below level 75. Yes, your exp get gimped, which doesnt matter a lot withdom ops.
Maybe add that at least one nation at rank 10 to be able to use dom ops. it would at least ensure that ppl see something form the game before they rush to max level with near to 0 problems.

I too miss Rollanberry Markets: There you had all Bazaars at one spot, not clogging up the city, and easy to tap through. No you have to run through Lower and Port jeuno to find all the bazaars.

Before Abyssea, FFXI was a game were people also liked to help eachother. There was a dead player? You raised him. Someone was lost and asked you where to go? You helped him. Nowaday. Something kills you, the BLM95/WHM killshots your mob, checks you, and runs off, because raising someone he doesnt know would mean killing his precious abyssea time. Ppl ask for help 10 answers. 1 Actual correct answer, 9 from missinformation to outright insults.

FFXI is on the downwardspiral in terms of playerbase. Some ppl I know and cared about, quit FFXI. While in early times the douchbags were mostly those elitist that laughed at anybody not having as good gear as them. Now even ppl with gimped skills look down on you and treat you like shit because you dont have the "en vouge" gear. "Lololol y u no wear full perle, wtf even is byakkos haidate" *shakes fists of anger*

[Ryce]

I've been very tempted to gear up a sub job and shout to start an old school 6-man party. I'm afraid I might get crucified though...

[Rewyen]

I think its necessary for players to learn the old way so they know how to do their jobs. I would love to see a /shout for an old school party.

[Greatguardian]

The magical secret to not giving a shit what people think about your gear:

Going to BG and learning how the game works, then applying that to your character - optimizing yourself.

Bam.

It's like magic.

When you're secure in your knowledge of the game, no one has shit on you.

Just be wary of pseudo-science and "information" from unconfirmed sources. Eyeballing is never an acceptable way to determine anything. The game really does work 100% by the math. Ignore statements without evidence. Ignore evidence without scrutiny. Most important, ignore anyone who comes off as a flaming retard who is unable to type coherent English sentences.

Before you know it, you won't give a damn what people think of your gear, because you'll understand the game and know that what you're wearing is what's best for your means - and more importantly, you'll be able to improve those means and get things done quicker, simpler, and more easily than before.

Suddenly, you'll be the one with the answers, and you'll know what it feels like to hear the same basic questions asked over, and over, and over again in an incessant tide of ignorance and "can't be assed"isms. You'll see basic information on the various wikis that took you 2 seconds to find, and you'll come to ask yourself again and again why people don't just check it themselves. Finally, you'll understand why people just aren't so helpful any more. Information is out there. It's easy to find. If you can't be assed to look up the drops from an NM on wiki, I can't be assed to Raise you.

Edit: OP is a super obvious troll so I'm not even responding to it. Hurrrrrrrrr