Item Levels

[Zhronne]

And also the limited amount of content. I think the majority of people are already bored of spamming Reives (they stopped doing them) or Assignments. Wildkeepers Reive never got much love, Skirmish was broken. Basically all people do are Plasm farming and Delve Megabosses, and the frequency of Plasm Farming runs are greatly reduced compared to the past, at least on my server.
Maybe it has something to do with how slow you farm Plasm on normal menapo runs compared to how much you can get on boss runs.

This is all a consequence, a result of their choice to go the "item level" way. Clearly they had already planned it when they released the expansion.
They should have gone for option one. This way we would have had awesome alternatives to RME weapons, new gear, new content but AT THE SAME TIME we would still have had the option of doing old content, which would still have been relevant, to some extent.

There was no need at all to increase the level cap, be it through level or through the crappy solution of the item level.

And it's sad to acknowledge this because it's pretty clear that despite all the feedback we could possibly give in the most constructive and polite way, it's way too late. Too much of the expansion has been planned around the core concept of "Item Level" and they can't turn back now, it's way too late for that.
And it's sad, so sad, pure sadness.

No matter how much they will work to "fix" things now or to look for a better compromise, they won't be able to change that initial choice which was absolutely wrong and completely incoherent with what FFXI has been for the past 11 years.
After doing similar mistakes with Abyssea and after them greatly criticizing it for one reason or another, you'd be leaning to think they learned their lesson.
This change is happening close to the launch of FFXIV ARR, just like the other one (level cap increase, Abyssea etc) happened around the launch of FFXIV 1.0.
Now is this a coincidence and I'm a bad, paranoid person for thinking about it, or maybe there's more than meets the eye?

I feel so sad atm, really, the knowledge that they couldn't possibly fix this even if they wanted to is really hard on me.

[Sarick]

Why not increase the level cap?
To be extremely frank, increasing the level cap was never an option.

So then what were our options?

Below are the two plans:

Expand equipment variation laterally
This would be preserving the original style of the game up until now.
Keeping relics, mythics, and empyreans at the top, add gear that can be used depending on the situation without creating higher tiers of equipment. No changes to the level 99 cap.

Boost equipment variation vertically
This is the current plan.
Add equipment that surpasses relics, mythics, and empyrean. Player level cap of 99 remains unchanged, but growth takes place via equipment.

This is where the game went down hill. Over train wrecked the game. It was even stated in the bolded text that the game was changed to suit the new system. There is no longer a sense of positive progression just more Gear gear gear gear to fill the mog house. Stuff that each update will get outdated. Players who used to level up for power made did so for skill.

Like I said you guys COULD'VE extended on the merit system and this would've allow us to develop without GEAR progression. It wouldn't have created this MESS we have now. I put a line through what ruined the game to make a point. The developers chose the wrong direction IMHO and it made the game much less enjoyable. It restricted everyone to getting new gear and split the player base to the point where you need to kiss serious arse to participate if you're not up to snuff.

The MERIT system with the right quest and categories would suffice. A simple +1 percent +2% +3% +4% stat boost and other categories would've made it possible for across the board growth. THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE. There could be meny other catgories and growth. You could even have your difficulty growth without gear using a system like this. Quest and NMs would allow the players to upgrade categories.

These fights could randomly drop upgrade items for RME and other upgrades. However when players who've never defeated the boss are in party at that stage the bonuses are BOOSTED.

To put it frankly, the developers didn't explore all options be it by mistake r the lack of creativity. Needless to say it has damaged the reputation and left a stale taste in some players. This has caused them to leave or think about leaving. It's like food when people say this. I want something that'll stick to my bones. They're saying they want something filling. The item upgrade system lacks insight you get a piece upgrade it then throw it out each stage. In general this creates a dilemma that all work is for naught.

Most people aren't motivated to see their work thrown away. Look at the game "Quest for Glory" you could transfer your character stats and all to each new expansion. The only difference was that when you got to the next one you was weaker when the baseline stats where raised. This same system could've been utilized in the merit quest system. You would've had players addicted to this type of upgrading.

To end this NM's and quest that would be used to unlock the scaling system instead of ITEM levels. All in all I think SE made a poor choice with the item progression. No matter how apologist swing it there where other alternatives that would've kept the addictive game play we're used to without completely breaking the game and spitting the player base.

We've also calculated the necessary parameters you will need to combat these monsters and decided the stats for Adoulin equipment, which is why we've established item levels to make them references for equipment strength.
The meaning behind content levels and items levels
Basically, we would like you to use content levels and items levels as a reference when challenging content.

Though it's a reference, we understand there are aspects that can be covered by certain strategies and ways of playing as well as equipment that is used/collected for their special stats and properties, so this is NOT something that is saying "you definitely cannot do this content without this item level."

You relay this to the developers let them THINK about using the merit system as a scaling alternative instead of item based scaling. You'll not only save the players frustration but save them valuable mog house space. It's also recreate an addictive game that doesn't force the expansion (other then the quest and boss fights) while obsoleting older content.

This can be fixed now if item progression stops HERE without much backlash. People can still upgrade their RME's and DELVE gear but their growth would be tied to their character. Not forcing them to wear gear they don't want or throwing stuff away. All the item level system did was decrease the value of gear we owned by making the game force fodder gear.

[Kojo]

His comment about having two choices and him choosing #2 (R/M/Es taking a backseat, NOT preserving the original style of the game) is likely to cause more outrage. Secondly, the current UI can display up to lv 255, if memory serves, people used to do it all the time on private servers.

We want to play FFXI, the game we've enjoyed for years, not something new with 2002 graphics.

[Sarick]

His comment about having two choices and him choosing #2 (R/M/Es taking a backseat, NOT preserving the original style of the game) is likely to cause more outrage. Secondly, the current UI can display up to lv 255, if memory serves, people used to do it all the time on private servers.

We want to play FFXI, the game we've enjoyed for years, not something new with 2002 graphics.

Everything you said could've been handled fully with the merit based scaling quest. It could be done without increasing the level caps or creating new gear/items to stuff our already overfilled mog safe. Not only that but each job could be independently upgraded allowing people MASSIVE amounts of growth that sticks with them.

Even neat side grades that unlock traits on other jobs. Say you have RDM leveled you can unlock magic accuracy bonus. Almost as much as getting all characters to level 99 with limit breakers. Instead of limits breaker quest a new merit breaker quest for each job would unlock.

This would empower the characters by not creating a situation where you MUST constantly upgrade gear to grow. Something most people hate. There is already to much crap in out mog safe.

It's simple PUT SCALING IN THE MERIT OPTIONS.

[Kojo]

Everything you said could've been handled fully with the merit based scaling quest. It could be done without increasing the level caps or creating new gear/items to stuff our already overfilled mog safe. Not only that but each job could be independently upgraded allowing people MASSIVE amounts of growth that sticks with them.

Even neat side grades that unlock traits on other jobs. Say you have RDM leveled you can unlock magic accuracy bonus. Almost as much as getting all characters to level 99 with limit breakers. Instead of limits breaker quest a new merit breaker quest for each job would unlock.

Agreed, my suggestion would be for SE to close SoA content, only allow passage into Adoulin but nowhere beyond, and revert all new weapons to the damage rating of the Relic of that type temporarily (eg, Bereaver, Senbaak/+1 = 143 dmg), then scrap the current plans and finish launching FFXIV, come August, start work on the SoA reboot, more in line with the original style of the game.

[Sarick]

Agreed, my suggestion would be for SE to close SoA content, only allow passage into Adoulin but nowhere beyond, and revert all new weapons to the damage rating of the Relic of that type temporarily (eg, Bereaver, Senbaak/+1 = 143 dmg), then scrap the current plans and finish launching FFXIV, come August, start work on the SoA reboot, more in line with the original style of the game.

It's not going to happen they've already put that gear in the wild. It already broke what could've been when they created item scaling. Unless they give players free unlocks to match the scaling they already have people are going to be extremely upset either way.

Right now the only thing we can hope for is a complete 180 in the decision making process. If there is anyone who supports scaling in merits speak up otherwise the developers will continue done this distructive item based scaling that further degrades the will to play.

It is destructive.

1. Creates a class system that separates the player base.

2. Creates more content to fill the already limited storage.

3. Forces players to utilize only the current expansion for main growth.

4. All gear content becomes fodder each passing update as its obsoleted in favor of replacements.

5. It's not motivating. Growth is one directional you need to get a specific set or sets of gear to scale up.

I used to be able to mix and match sets from all content. I could generally do well with anything that had good stats. Now we're tied into specific gear sets as a requirement. There is no longer a sense of individuality or personal taste. If you want to get stronger older content isn't even an option. It should just be stored to collect DUST or thrown out.

I'm not motivated to upgrade because in a few months I'll need to start over upgrading yet another exotic item just so it can get outdated (OBLITERATED) again. At least with a merit based scaling I know that the work I invest in my character will remain there no matter what gear I wear. If this was the direction the developers took people won't be all restricted to new content.

There doesn't need to be this jump in gear levels. People should be allowed much more diverse setups. If the system was reset back to the basics players would have expanded gear opportunities and the growth would be allocated elsewhere.

The biggest issue is the opinions of players who flat out cancel instead of speaking up.

SE look at your subscription numbers, if the numbers are dropping FAST it's because of the design choices are failing. Please listen and make the game better you can't fix this broken system jus abandon it and give the players another approach they'll enjoy. If you don't pull this broken concept out your just digging your grave deeper. Addictive game play will always win over a frustrating world full of boring endless throw away content. If the merit system was the place scaling was sent to then players across the board would benefit in a positive way.

Making reeves easier isn't going to fix the glaring issues I mention above because we're still being CRAMMED into concepts we don't enjoy. The customer pays the developers to make this game fun and addictive. If it's not working and the subscription base is suffering because of it REMOVE and replace it with something people want. Scrap the garbage item growth even your hardest of hardcore are starting to speak up. Get the hint.

[Kojo]

It's not going to happen they've already put that gear in the wild. It already broke what could've been when they created item scaling. Unless they give layers free unlocks to match the scaling they already have people are going to be extremely upset either way.

Right now the only thing we can hope for is a complete 180 in the decision making process. If there is anyone who supports scaling in marits speak up otherwise the developers will continue done this distructive item based scaling that further degrades the will to play.

It is destructive.

1. Creates a class system that separates the player base.

2. Creates more content to fill the already limited storage.

3. Forces players to utilize only the current expansion for main growth.

4. All gear content becomes fodder each passing update as its obsoleted in favor of replacements.

5. It's not motivating. Growth is one directional you need to get a specific set or sets of gear to scale up.

I used to be able to mix and match sets from all content. I could generally do well with anything that had good stats. Now we're tied into specific gear sets as a requirement. There is no longer a sense of individuality or personal taste. If you want to get stronger oder content isn't even an option and should just be stored to collect DUST.

I'm not motivated to upgrade because in a few months I'll need to start over to upgrade another exotic item just so it can get outdated (OBLITERATED) again. At least with a merit based scaling I know that the work I invest in my character will remain there no matter what gear I wear. If this was the direction the developers took people won't be all restricted to new content.


The biggest issue is the player opinions of players who cancel instead of speaking up.

SE look at your subscription numbers, if the numbers are dropping FAST it's because of the design choices are failing. Please listen and make the game better. Addictive game play will always win over a frustrating world full of boring endless throw away content. If the merit system was the place scaling was sent to then players across the board would benefit in a positive way.

I know it's very unlikely, but I don't think it's impossible and at this point, I don't think it could hurt much.

Also, the fact that you can fall 6-10 levels or more by taking off a weapon you got in a day and putting on one that took months, or years for some, doesn't sit well with me.

[Kincard]

Also echoing the "give us a timeframe for REM updates" and the "item levels are a bad idea" sentiment. I thought the dev team understood the complaint when people got worked up over REM changes, but it's like Matsui doesn't care about any of the posts at all. It's more or less the same as when Tanaka was in charge, it's just that this time we'll get advance warning before we get bad patches.

Obviously its up to the dev team to decide what they want to do with their game, all I want to say is that that idea they have does not interest me in the slightest.

[Masamune11]

What Matsui doesn't understand is that it makes more sense to find a leach party (especially now when most of the top players have the top gear and can afford leachers) then to spend countless hours trying to get gear that isn't as good as Delve. Leaching NM kills and doing plasm farming is WAY WAY WAY WAY too easy. You already basically ruined what you were shooting for. These July and August updates (besides the storyline) are meaningless. Nobody is going to do anything but Delve when it's easy to leach and the other content is inferior.

Your big mistake was making the best gear content require 18 people. You're into your 11th year of this game. 18 people party requirements should NEVER be an option.

How do you guys not see this?

[Belmonts]

More than ever I would so much wish there is a dislike button to simply express ourselves about what do we think about this Vertical Boost Equipment. Is ridiculous.

It mostly states: "R/E/M users thanks for grinding for years, but your unique weapons, with unique models, unique names, unique ws', are now outdated with a weapon that its model looks like an every day Joe can have, just with an insane base damage. ta-ta"

So sad.