Long Term Options

[Dale]

As someone who's often been critical of the way SE has conducted business during the tenure of this game, I've recently been asked how I think SE can sunset the FFXI game service in a more positive way than the direction they appear to have chosen. So I've come up with this list of options for SE to consider (knowing full well that they likely won't) - and maybe it'll spark some discussion.

1. Open source the whole thing. The only way to ensure the game will survive forever.
2. Offline/single player mode. Preserve character data even if it means you can't enter some instanced content. (I'd gladly give up that instanced content for the ability to do some quick fishing at Cascade Edellaine during my coffee breaks).
3. Find a responsible steward for the service & game data - reach out to archive.org, see if they'd want to preserve this online space.
4. Turn the service over to a group of serious players. (Ok, that's a terrible idea.)

With the announcements of Grandmasters and the FFXI mobile native client it seems that SE has missed the mark on what it is that most of us actually want - preservation of our character data. We've had loads of fun and sorrows while working hard on building these characters over the years and the most important thing that SE can tell us is: "rest assured, they're safe, they're not going away."

Instead, what we're hearing from SE is that they'd like to keep the service going as long as it's profitable to do so, with no plans for after it's not. None of this exactly inspires confidence. So, fellow forum-goers (whether you're currently playing or not) what could SE do to help build your confidence in them and their ability to make good decisions about the long term future of this game?

Last I read Final Fantasy XI has been SE's most profitable game ever and was still making money. I don't understand their motivations for terminating new content in November.

I would prefer they consolidate the remaining players and set aside enough resources to provide new content. I believe for most of us simply preserving our character data will not be enough to keep us interested long term.

The only possible good I can see coming from all of this is that perhaps they will pay more attention to Final Fantasy 14 and make its systems more complex so that it might appeal to the players who opted to stay on 11. Adding interesting materia or a more intricate battle system which allows for unique and varying play-styles would be a nice start. Otherwise I can't help but feel this is a slap in the face to loyal fans who have dutifully supported this game for many years.

[machini]

Last I read Final Fantasy XI has been SE's most profitable game ever and was still making money. I don't understand their motivations for terminating new content in November.

I would prefer they consolidate the remaining players and set aside enough resources to provide new content. I believe for most of us simply preserving our character data will not be enough to keep us interested long term.

The only possible good I can see coming from all of this is that perhaps they will pay more attention to Final Fantasy 14 and make its systems more complex so that it might appeal to the players who opted to stay on 11. Adding interesting materia or a more intricate battle system which allows for unique and varying play-styles would be a nice start. Otherwise I can't help but feel this is a slap in the face to loyal fans who have dutifully supported this game for many years.

They're terminating FFXI because it is a horrible embarrassment to them that people still play this game when FFXIV is out. Especially considering how horrible FFXIV was on release, to require them to completely scrap the game and remake it. Having people still playing FFXI, by choice, over FFXIV, basically says "FFXIV isn't good."

[Avina]

They're terminating FFXI because it is a horrible embarrassment to them that people still play this game when FFXIV is out. Especially considering how horrible FFXIV was on release, to require them to completely scrap the game and remake it. Having people still playing FFXI, by choice, over FFXIV, basically says "FFXIV isn't good."

There is the incorrect assumption on SE's part that XI players will go to XIV. XIV is a completely different game.

Embarrassment or not, unless they fix XIV to be more appealing to XI players, this is just a move that will cost them money.

SE has tried to kill XI before, I somehow doubt they are going to do it again. XIV is reviewed VERY poorly by the Japanese, actually... just look at the game's Amazon.co.jp's reviews. Out of like, 450 reviews, 200 are 1s and another 70 or so are 2s.

They can try and kill this game if they want, but just like before, they've missed their mark with XIV (at least in relation to the Japanese).