Quote Originally Posted by Billnes View Post
Dear Friends,

I'm sorry. As much as I hate admitting this, I like the idea of at least some elements of FFXI being placed on the Pay-to-Win model... By my own admission, guilty as charged (and I've made this *painfully* clear to Square-Enix both via phone calls and on the forums): I am a tard video game player. As much as nobody wants to hear this: I've been learning disabled all my life and I find some elements of video game culture extremely frustrating. I find this especially true of FFXI.... Things like the FFXI Wiki and Order of the Blue Gatr are very nice and they've been helpful to me, to an extent. However, there are a few small things in FFXI where you really can't "work around" or say "I'll go back to it later". "For example", you ask? I don't remember the exact name, but there's a quest that requires a fish that's rare/Ex and must be fished up by the player and not someone in the player's party. If I knew that Square-Enix only wanted US $7.99, for that fish, I'd wouldn't hesitate to charge that to a credit card. Really there Bill?? By by own admission, the answer simply is "yes".

I really wish I had some way if getting it into people a real understanding of what it is to be me. Being me is not easy. In terms of my video game playing skills, here are a few examples: I purchased my very first used PS1 in 2001. I would have never purchased it without scouring both the Chinatowns in Manhattan & Queens for a third-party Golden Finger and the matching door-latch spring first... As much as I don't want to admit this: I would have never finished the game "Eternal Eyes" if I didn't have access to the XXX-XX-XXX-XXXX (Gameshark compatible?) codes that the Golden Finger uses. Sad but true......

Again, I purchased an old console late-in-the-game: My very first used Sega Saturn in 2008. There isn't a day that goes buy that I don't thank G-d that I was able to get both the console & the matching code cartridge together at New York Comicon. The first game for the Saturn that I ever enjoyed without using the cartridge was "Lupin III: Sage of the Pyramid". And again, by my own admission, guilty as charged: Sad but true.

I know many here are going to be unhappy with this posting. I figured it would be better to tell the truth rather than to be silent or blow sunshine up people's noses. I thank you all very much for your understanding in this matter.

Best regards,
William N.
Long Island, New York

Seeing how you quoted me, I'll come up to bat again.

While I get that some elements in the game suck, Like fighting 0/1000 for D. Ring and someone else can be 1/1. I'd rather know that I was able to do it on my own, versus it just being sold to me. I personally find it insulting that some of those games that are p2w or f2p, are HORRIBLY unbalanced. If I don't spend money, then I have a severe and critical disadvantage. Take Happy Wars for example. Most of the people that are high tiered are the ones that shell out cash, hand over fist. And I'm not okay with, but it's fine if you are and you have the disposable income. I don't, so that's not an option for me. This game is leagues better than most because you can build and do things all at your own pace. There is still end game content that passes with the flavors of the week, but that happens in every MMO. FFXI is an old game, and it's run it's course. We need to let it go and enjoy the time we have left.

On a side note, I used to use Game Genies and Game sharks too when I was younger, but I've done a challenge to where I'd revisit titles on the NES that I had previously beaten and I'd do it alone. Without the help of Infinite Health, Lives, Ammo, etc... and It's a great feeling know that I beat them without having to cheat myself.
Titles so far: Battletoads, Megaman 1-3, Startropics, Clash at Demonhead, Little Nemo, Little Samson, Shadowgate, Princess Tomato and the Salad Kingdom.
And I'll continue to replay and beat them on my own.