What would make you return to ffxi? (if you left and came back for the free access)

[Castanica]

The huge problem square has is they have big number mentality.

They don't seem to realize that the way almost every mmo is profitable these days is by feeding a niche, ffxi has an amazing niche but they are squandering it by tryting to copy the template that is failing to work on xiv.

As I said before if they just wake up and see how amazing this game is they could increase profits, sadly they will probably never do that.

They even have this idiotic mentality on FFXIV which is incredibly sad, both of these games could be much more profitable and they could take pride in them both. Instead they just see them both as embarassments due to lower player numbers than they would like and run them into the ground.

Please look at the mmo market square, you will never make another wow so stop trying to.

[kylani]

After venting my frustrations, I realized that maybe SE is doing the right thing trying to have the game translated to a mobile app. Focus on making the game solo/duo/trio able. Cut out large groups altogether so that folks won't be as inclined to fuss about not being wanted.

Trusts are wonderful and seem to be getting better and better. Improve those to the point where Trusts are enough support for you and a friend or two to do most content. The fights are still fun and will require strategy. Just not a full party of cookie cutter jobs and a canned strat. Much as I used to love grouping, I think smaller groups of friends with trust support may be more enjoyable long term, and increase willingness to try new strategies if you can round out a party with trust jobs you need. People pretty seem to shout for the jobs they want today. Eliminate the need to shout. Grab friends, and go.

[Krystal]

Frankly, I think they should make it so anyone with an active FF14 sub should be able to play FFXI free of charge. Lets face it, FFXI is awesome but its also seriously outdated and not nearly as popular as it once was. By giving this feature to active FF14 players, it allows players who love both MMOs but don't want to pay for both to be able to enjoy both.

Or at the very least give active ff14 subscribers a discounted rate. Whose gonna want to fork out 14 some odd bucks for an older MMO when they are already paying as much for the better looking one.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that FFXI isn't great but its still one thing no one can deny: OLD and not worth the 14 bucks a month anymore.

[Allestra]

Frankly, I think they should make it so anyone with an active FF14 sub should be able to play FFXI free of charge. Lets face it, FFXI is awesome but its also seriously outdated and not nearly as popular as it once was. By giving this feature to active FF14 players, it allows players who love both MMOs but don't want to pay for both to be able to enjoy both.

Or at the very least give active ff14 subscribers a discounted rate. Whose gonna want to fork out 14 some odd bucks for an older MMO when they are already paying as much for the better looking one.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that FFXI isn't great but its still one thing no one can deny: OLD and not worth the 14 bucks a month anymore.

Pretty much this in a nutshell.

I think the biggest factor to change is the subscription fee IF they want to encourage people to return on a more permanant basis. Would anything make ffxi really popular again?..imo no, its simply too late and the game was left unchanged for too long.

New players also come into the game knowing darn well its on its last legs...not a real big seller there is it.

Even though a fresh player would have oodles of things to do for quite a long time...they know its not gonna last and potentially they may even be on their own (the community is NOT what it used to be) Most times if you arent part of a long term established niche..you are SoL. Ppl will say hello sure, IF you initiate it every single time but thats as far as it goes. (thats the internet in general though and all gaming)
Many issues will deter people.

Sadly, what should of happened is a complete upgrade to the current game many many moons ago!!!!! , and equally as important, if SE would have stopped being so stagnant and stubborn for ANY QoL changes.

QoL changes should of started 6-7 years ago...at least!!!! The major decline would have not started in the first place. I saw a huge loss of players long before Abyssea and rightfully so.

Regarding a complete upgrade: Reading others ppl posts I understand that may not have been really too possible? im NO techie so I cant say but that could have been of one the biggest saviours for ffxi if it was possible.

We have ffxiv now , some adore it, others will hate it, so what? lol Ffxi was indeed their best bread winner, lets see 12 yrs from now if it still was before we trash any other game on the market.

I love aspects of ffxiv as much as some in ffxi. Im not so rigid and "stagnant" to be unable to enjoy a few games, each for their own strengths and weaknesses.
They all can be enjoyable but none are the best. not ffxi, not wow, ffxiv, rift or any others I dabble in. I dont think any are superior to any other , certain aspects may have an edge over another which is why I play a few at any one time.

Sub cost is certainly not a complete solution however, the game IS old, it looks old, it feels old, it plays old. (Thats just reality, and for some thats not reason enough to unsub <--- me included...but dont be blind, step back and look at the whole picture, thats is how it will be seen by new ppl) So se cant expect to appeal to vast numbers ever again. Its not going to happen in ffxi.

"come on back to this 10+ yr old game, yes yes its that old, no you may not get help, oh and more then likely there wont be any further content errr....sorry but nope it still costs the same, yes endgame community is as segregated as any other game yup, come on back ok?"

Basically the most effective way to get return players : Appeal to nostalgia for vet returns, appeal to less $ for new people. A mix of both is the only solution thats probable

[Olor]

If they don't nerf BST I will probably continue playing. It was actually seeing BST was good that brought me back. If they make BST suck again I don't think I will be around long. I have spent so much time on that job, loving that job when it sucked. It is just sad to see other players can't stand seeing people have fun on the job they love. We're so close to the end of the game and all people can think about is stomping on other people having fun.

[Alhanelem]

There has been a lot of cool stuff in recent updates. The problem at hand really has nothing to do with lack of caring and everything to do with lack of resources (and we're not purely talking about money here). When I look over the recent patches, I see plenty of sign they care about doing the best they can with what they have.

[kylani]

There has been a lot of cool stuff in recent updates. The problem at hand really has nothing to do with lack of caring and everything to do with lack of resources (and we're not purely talking about money here). When I look over the recent patches, I see plenty of sign they care about doing the best they can with what they have.

I agree with you. To me, it seems the developers are far more responsive than they used to be. I'm amazed at all the changes because I felt like they'd give up on FFXI after 14, but it seemed to me like they have tried to get players back and made changes to help new players get in and catch up. I really do think the player base itself is the biggest problem with the game.

If a new player came in with friends, I think they would have a great time, except possibly for being overwhelmed at all there is to do in this game.

[Obysuca]

but it seemed to me like they have tried to get players back and made changes to help new players get in and catch up.

>_> Stopping all content while still charging full price isn't how you get players back

[kylani]

>_> Stopping all content while still charging full price isn't how you get players back

I think they tried and realize it's pointless. So now, they are doing what they can to finish up. I think it's good that they wanted to end with one last good content update before switching to maintenance mode.

I also think the game is well worth the money for new players because of the wealth of existing content, and they will be keeping the servers up and making QOL changes. Nothing says they won't reduce the cost a bit eventually. Right now, they are still producing content.

[Meyi]

If they remade a couple of servers that were capped at specific expansions (like RoZ + CoP, or ROZ + COP + TOAU) then I'd happily pay a sub fee and recreate an entire character to play all over again. Because there was something magical about xp parties that I really enjoyed and wish I could recapture again.

Edit: Or anything nostalgic, really. I love FFXI and I miss Vana'diel so much... yet every time I repay for a month's subscription I only log on a couple of times and find myself bored or saddened by the loss of exploration. Maybe that comes with an aging game. But I miss old Vana'diel very much. SE did a wonderful job creating a unique world that squashed all opponents in my heart. And now nothing can fill its void.