Quote Originally Posted by Rewyen View Post
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.