Newest interview (abyssea was a mistake?)

[Luvbunny]

Like I said, can't be explained to someone who didnt like it in the first place. Them being there is one thing, they're infinitely easier... theres no reward to playing anymore... really I would say that the game lost its soul but I dont think that would get what I mean across any better.

I get what you mean, you want things to "meant something" and that getting it meant you have completed considerable challenge and overcome it. It is definitely a different feeling than just "getting it easily" with minimal effort. Yes the game has evolved since its 2003 NA launch, for you, it may be for the worse, for me, it is for the better. Perhaps you want to tackle Demon Soul and Dark Soul? I know that game will suit your playstyle

[Natasha]

So, people like grinding to get gear, because it means something, but they don't want to grind for gear in voidwatch?

I have no problem with voidwatch excepting that i think the system is pretty dumb (not speaking of drops, im talking about the spawn, atmacite, etc.)

[Luvbunny]

So, people like grinding to get gear, because it means something, but they don't want to grind for gear in voidwatch?

OMG, hah hah hah hah hah so very very very very TRUE!! They are now given a "hard challenge" where they have to do it over and over and over and over and over gazillion times till they get the gear (and toss bazillion of junks or same items) and yet the "hardcore" complaint and bitch because they can't get it in one try... Heck tons of other sellable stuffs from voidwatch stil fetch quite pretty gills at auction houses. Magian Trials are still a "challenge" - a super grindfest. Einherjar are still somewhat a challenge as well. Tons of grindfest challenge for old schoolers but yet they still complaint that it is not the way it was, funny...

[Natasha]

OMG, hah hah hah hah hah so very very very very TRUE!! They are now given a "hard challenge" where they have to do it over and over and over and over and over gazillion times till they get the gear (and toss bazillion of junks or same items) and yet the "hardcore" complaint and bitch because they can't get it in one try... Heck tons of other sellable stuffs from voidwatch stil fetch quite pretty gills at auction houses. Magian Trials are still a "challenge" - a super grindfest. Einherjar are still somewhat a challenge as well. Tons of grindfest challenge for old schoolers but yet they still complaint that it is not the way it was, funny...

Voidwatch is not that hard. So I assume the people who complain about it are not the same people or they have some specific complaint about how the system works.

[Natasha]

out of curiosity what is your favorite zone in the game?

[Olor]

FFXI's population was in decline before Abyssea was released, not saying Abyssea didn't eventually compound the problem.

I only came back because of Abyssea and I know a lot of people in the same boat. The idea of spending a year to get to level 50 didn't appeal to me (still doesn't) - and hearing the devs say Abyssea is/was a mistake makes me think the game is going to go in the opposite direction to what I want in a game, which is sad.

[Luvbunny]

I have no problem with voidwatch excepting that i think the system is pretty dumb (not speaking of drops, im talking about the spawn, atmacite, etc.)

Voidwatch is not dumb, stagger means you cannot zerg, some mobs you have to space out the stagger or they will own you. Stagger means a lot of different jobs are needed, and Paladin is a must have and many other non abyssea jobs. Spawn is great, you no longer have to WAIT for hours and try to claim. Atmacite is just the right amount of boost, not AWESOME like abyssea but a little help is better than none. Temp items is great, if you know how to use them, you up the chance of winning. The droprate is suck, but hey, you asked for old school style, where the drop rate is, notoriously SUCKS and you have to kill it many many many times. But at least no one is going to outlot you now, even if you get 11 Fajin boots - which I have yet gotten, instead I been getting all these damn logs...

[Olor]

Voidwatch is not that hard.

It's not hard at all. People don't hate VW because it is hard, they hate it because they would rather play the game than spend 3 hours gathering people for a 5 minute fight.

And of course the ludicrous drop system doesn't help either.

[Natasha]

Voidwatch is not dumb, stagger means you cannot zerg, some mobs you have to space out the stagger or they will own you. Stagger means a lot of different jobs are needed, and Paladin is a must have and many other non abyssea jobs. Spawn is great, you no longer have to WAIT for hours and try to claim. Atmacite is just the right amount of boost, not AWESOME like abyssea but a little help is better than none. Temp items is great, if you know how to use them, you up the chance of winning. The droprate is suck, but hey, you asked for old school style, where the drop rate is, notoriously SUCKS and you have to kill it many many many times. But at least no one is going to outlot you now, even if you get 11 Fajin boots - which I have yet gotten, instead I been getting all these damn logs...

It's a stupid system, it might as well be all done through bcnms if you just run somewhere to pop something.

And no, im not complaining about having to go somewhere... Im saying that the system is redundant in that theres no other reason to go to any of these places. The stagger system sucks too but im not going to bother explaining that one to you.

[Luvbunny]

out of curiosity what is your favorite zone in the game?

Zi'Tah and Boyahda because it is green (and not red...with red sky) and hardly no one is there. Discovering new ground tomes that most japanese players exploit, hellooooo zeruhm mines!! Walk of Echoes cuz I can just go do it and afk for 8 mnts. Most of the ToAU zones cuz of Nyzul and Assaults. Some areas in WoTG cuz I have to do the missions - and have to wait for other people to do the missions.... The second abyssea expansion is not too bad since many areas are green, not attowha though.