Dev response to Server Merge please.

[InpendingDeath]

Yes I know. Heaven forbid you a play a job you enjoy because it might take a couple more minutes to beat a battlefield or clear a raid. You are singing to the choir on that one. So I won't disagree with you. And this type of business-approach to video games is something that was less prevalent in the past. So you make a good point.

But as you say, server merges wouldn't fix this. And there are still nice people out there. But I'll concede you will probably have to look harder to find them.

I do slightly disagree with you about them needing to add more casual content for rejects though. Because it's been my experience the content can be completed by unusual jobs that don't fit the typical mold. I'm a casual player myself - and enjoy the challenge of figuring out how to succeed using different strategies. The ideal set up isn't needed to win on this game. Though you would never know that if you were to listen to some of these elite players who believe they have a monopoly on how to play the game.

I'm not sure what you mean when you say this game punishes people for being casuals. I can certainly understand how other players do. But if you could elaborate on why you feel the game does I would comment.

I agree I have done most all Merit BCs with unique-non cookie cutter build setups but the fact is people are too stubborn to try. Maybe the real problem is lacking people who are willing to help others with nothing to gain for themselves. Maybe they should add a function like WKR to AA's and once clear them all can chose an item of your choice or something. I understand what he means by saying they punish people for being casuals because casual players are left to do content no one is doing nor willing to do because they have better harder things to do that you can't do yet. So if your left behind your not catching up without people not needing something from said event to help you, which is rare. Maybe a server merge would bring more people not so elite to the table, those willing to help others without getting anything from it.

[Dale]

I agree I have done most all Merit BCs with unique-non cookie cutter build setups but the fact is people are too stubborn to try. Maybe the real problem is lacking people who are willing to help others with nothing to gain for themselves. Maybe they should add a function like WKR to AA's and once clear them all can chose an item of your choice or something. I understand what he means by saying they punish people for being casuals because casual players are left to do content no one is doing nor willing to do because they have better harder things to do that you can't do yet. So if your left behind your not catching up without people not needing something from said event to help you, which is rare. Maybe a server merge would bring more people not so elite to the table, those willing to help others without getting anything from it.

Maybe but I doubt it. Chances are the amount of open-minded players would be drowned out by the influx of new elite-minded players; especially in regards to activities on shout. Rarely if ever do I see people shouting for all-comers. They usually always want very specific and ideal job combinations - the cookie-cutter set ups as you refer to them. And I doubt this would change after a server merge even though having these specific set ups isn't necessary at all.

Part of the problem is after someone views themselves as becoming an elite and taste the so-called endgame they have this habit of viewing the entire game in that very limited context. So even when doing something as simple as a chapter 1 REM battlefield for example they act as if they are getting ready to do some very difficult endgame alliance raid. I see it happen all the time. A battlefield you can solo yet I see players making a huge fuss about what job and gear everyone has. It's silly and very punishing to casuals who are trying to gear up I agree. I wish I could change their minds but I can't. They are set in their ways and for some it makes them feel special to exclude others.

I don't really think there is a good solution to this. I wish there was. But there isn't. That's why my best advice is to try and build a circle of friends you can depend on to help you with content and not nitpick of every minor detail. But I do now recognize that may be more difficult to do in today's climate. Most of my friends are from older times when the difficulty on this game was merciless and people were all but forced to befriend each other if they wanted to succeed. That is less the case now - so I'm sure that has lead to people being a lot more anti-social.

[InpendingDeath]

Maybe but I doubt it. Chances are the amount of open-minded players would be drowned out by the influx of new elite-minded players; especially in regards to activities on shout. Rarely if ever do I see people shouting for all-comers. They usually always want very specific and ideal job combinations - the cookie-cutter set ups as you refer to them. And I doubt this would change after a server merge even though having these specific set ups isn't necessary at all.

Part of the problem is after someone views themselves as becoming an elite and taste the so-called endgame they have this habit of viewing the entire game in that very limited context. So even when doing something as simple as a chapter 1 REM battlefield for example they act as if they are getting ready to do some very difficult endgame alliance raid. I see it happen all the time. A battlefield you can solo yet I see players making a huge fuss about what job and gear everyone has. It's silly and very punishing to casuals who are trying to gear up I agree. I wish I could change their minds but I can't. They are set in their ways and for some it makes them feel special to exclude others.

I don't really think there is a good solution to this. I wish there was. But there isn't. That's why my best advice is to try and build a circle of friends you can depend on to help you with content and not nitpick of every minor detail. But I do now recognize that may be more difficult to do in today's climate. Most of my friends are from older times when the difficulty on this game was merciless and people were all but forced to befriend each other if they wanted to succeed. That is less the case now - so I'm sure that has lead to people being a lot more anti-social.

Yeah I agree, Tho I can understand if there trying chapters on Difficult or VD why they want their PLDs with ochain aegis and such. I agree with a lot of people being anti-social but I think it's more the case I have the items I want I don't need to do that shout content, but if I didn't I would join. I haven't noticed but do you get CP at the end of Merit BCs or only SKCBCs? Even if they added that if it wasn't there it's such a small amount I don't think it'd drive someone into joining a shout.

[Dale]

Yeah I agree, Tho I can understand if there trying chapters on Difficult or VD why they want their PLDs with ochain aegis and such. I agree with a lot of people being anti-social but I think it's more the case I have the items I want I don't need to do that shout content, but if I didn't I would join. I haven't noticed but do you get CP at the end of Merit BCs or only SKCBCs? Even if they added that if it wasn't there it's such a small amount I don't think it'd drive someone into joining a shout.

I did a difficult battlefield other day with a pair of dragoons and no mages and I don't have an aegis or ochain. Least not yet (working on the latter ^^). So even on higher difficulties these ideal set ups aren't really necessary. The reject jobs as they were referred to earlier are more than capable.

Most shout groups I see tend to be expecting normal difficulty. I think the higher difficulty levels are meant more as an extra challenge for seasoned players who are skilled at playing with one another to push their limits. I don't really think SE intended them for pick up groups. But that's just a guess because I'm not channeling the thought-processes of SE's staff.

As far as capacity points - I can't remember if I got any or not. I know everyone gets a chapter and some gil out of it. Maybe they should add a NPC that lets players exchange 3 chapters they don't need for one they do - like they do with the job capes. That might would help.