Companies - You're Locked in for Life!

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Originally Posted by Jynx

Don't join a company until you see gear you want to join one for? I don't know...maybe Gear shouldn't be the ultimate motivator behind your choices. Hell chances are you can slot a better equip than what the companies off you anyways.

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This is true. All the "best in slot" gear will end up coming from crafting. So which company you join is moot, it's basically which story you wanna follow. Like pirates? Go LL. Like tree huggers? Go Grid. Like politics? Go UD.

Haha. Love the feedback. Its just that Limsa's overcoats are soo cool looking lol. Think that is a pretty dumb reason to join them though....decisions decisions.

I like that you had to commit to a grand company. I hate those people who just jump around from company to company based on who has more people and such. In XI on Valefor everyone switched to San D'Oria in the past right before the server merge, just so they could have the throne room. If they ever released content where it mattered to take zones or something you'd have these people who just hop on to be on the best side and not the actually care about their company.

Not really a flaw anyway. Least not yet. When they bring out good gear u can buy im sure they will let players either buy them with there seals or everyone will be able switch nations at there will.

They should just make the gear trade-able. That would boost the player economy because people from a certain guild would have to trade for or buy gear from another guild.

I am guessing that when the Coliseum (in Uldah) is open, we will have PvP matches between Companies. Perhaps some of the rewards for winning your match will be seals or gear from the opposing Company?

Just an idea, anyway.

As for the OP...No, I do not think you should be able to switch Company Allegiance unless you are stripped, flogged, humiliated and branded a traitor. Then you receive fewer Seals from your new Company because your allegiance is suspect.

Sorry, but I am "hardcore" when it comes to oaths, vows and promises...even in a video game. ;>)

Also, imho it is a sad commentary on modern life that so many people expect everything despite whatever personal choices they make and if their choices lead to undesirable consequences or impede them from gaining something, they want an "easy out" and a "do-over".

Sorry for a little preaching but I am kinda getting tired of the "..I want everything despite what choices I make" attitudes around here (and in RL)...

"I want to wear all gear"
"I want to join each company"
"I want all Class Abilities"
"I want to be a Lancer/Paladin"
"I want to solo to cap in 1 week"
"I want, I want, I want...I, Me Mine".

I guess I should just play the game and ignore these forums but I (like all of you) want it to be a better game and have my own ideas (good or bad) as to how to improve things, so I don't mean to be rude or insult anyone's opinions. I just ask for a little more humilty and understanding that FFXIV (and Life) is not all about me (or you).

The op mentioned fees. What fees are do you mean? this game is free to play.

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Originally Posted by Davorok

I am guessing that when the Coliseum (in Uldah) is open, we will have PvP matches between Companies. Perhaps some of the rewards for winning your match will be seals or gear from the opposing Company?

Just an idea, anyway.

As for the OP...No, I do not think you should be able to switch Company Allegiance unless you are stripped, flogged, humiliated and branded a traitor. Then you receive fewer Seals from your new Company because your allegiance is suspect.

Sorry, but I am "hardcore" when it comes to oaths, vows and promises...even in a video game. ;>)

Also, imho it is a sad commentary on modern life that so many people expect everything despite whatever personal choices they make and if their choices lead to undesirable consequences or impede them from gaining something, they want an "easy out" and a "do-over".

Sorry for a little preaching but I am kinda getting tired of the "..I want everything despite what choices I make" attitudes around here (and in RL)...

"I want to wear all gear"
"I want to join each company"
"I want all Class Abilities"
"I want to be a Lancer/Paladin"
"I want to solo to cap in 1 week"
"I want, I want, I want...I, Me Mine".

I guess I should just play the game and ignore these forums but I (like all of you) want it to be a better game and have my own ideas (good or bad) as to how to improve things, so I don't mean to be rude or insult anyone's opinions. I just ask for a little more humilty and understanding that FFXIV (and Life) is not all about me (or you).

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Well said Davorok. And for those out there who stand for nothing, you'll end up falling for everything. Take a stand and stop worrying about what's behind curtain number 3.

Seriously..? Games are Lacking consequences for your actions/decisions enough as it is to keep the kiddy I want Everything handed to me on a silver plate generation happy...

This isn't even a big deal, Its just like any other mmo where you pick a faction, except you dont do it at the start of the game. I would prefer to see more of this sort of thing, not less.

@ OP : Would you prefer the option to change your race/gender/look all the time swell?
Save having to make any Decisions that have a lasting effect?

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Originally Posted by Delirium

Okay, I just don't get it. Why must we get locked in to a Company. That is the worst thing to do in the history of video games is to make end all, once in a life time, can't go back decisions. Please change this and for the love of all things holy don't slap a Fee onto it. Sometimes this game is so taxing with all it's Fees and we don't need most of them.

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A little late, but I couldn't post while at work. Anyway, the game is pretty much in catch up mode, so important implementations such as a delivery system, linkshell re-vamp, and other key requirements to run your average MMORPG are at the top of the developers list at the moment.

I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere down the line they did allow you to join other grand companies to experience their lore/quests/items (much like FFXI) but for the moment they are focusing on one thing at a time, and important things at that.

Funny enough, they make you experience each GC in a sense before you can actually make your final decision. The difference between XI's nations and XIV's city states is the storylines in XIV are strictly from the main scenario -- each city state doesn't have it's own "problem" perse like Bastok/Windy/Sandy/Jeuno did, they have a shared problem (7th Umbral Era/Garleans.)

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Originally Posted by Jennestia

Funny enough, they make you experience each GC in a sense before you can actually make your final decision. The difference between XI's nations and XIV's city states is the storylines in XIV are strictly from the main scenario -- each city state doesn't have it's own "problem" perse like Bastok/Windy/Sandy/Jeuno did, they have a shared problem (7th Umbral Era/Garleans.)

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The Nations all had a common enemy in Wings of The Goddess, The Shadowlord. Yet players were still given the option to change between Windurst, Bastok and Sand'oria, even though they were running a similar, if not same exact campaign to that of the Grand Companies to fight a certain enemy. In fact, switching nations if they "do" go through with it, will probably end up being just like it was in XI. The members of the state would use a spell and wipe your characters memory of any and all information you once had from your previous nation. It's very possible they'll do the same in this game as well. I remember reading something about the egg event where it appeared as if some hidden group used a similar spell to wipe the girls mind clean of any and all knowledge she had of her festival and of the Archons.

The last thing I want is a Men in Black "Neuralyzer" (memory eraser) to make its way into Eorzea.

It's more than likely that SE will make a quest for your to be able to change your faction. But only after they have fully fleshed out what they want Grand Companies to do.

Then they can assess what needs to be removed from the player when they change companies.

In XI picking your home city could never be changed and affected what CS, prices and other features of the game. GC's have the same impacting features and implementing the ability to change needs to be thought out, not just tacked on.

In XI you had to pay a large amount of gil, I think 10,000. Would probably be more in this game since gill flows like water around here! :P And I believe there was a quest you even had to do.

In XIV the same will probably be happen, but for right now yes we are stuck with your choice. I know I thought about mine long and hard. And is proud to be a serpent.

What they could do is make a grace period to change their mind. but you can't say they did not warn you about the life changing decision! Man, it was like are you sure, are you really sure, please check here that you acknowledge that you are committing to the decision of a lifetime. and sign at the bottom!

Now you guys are saying. OMG I did not realize I would "NEVAR!" be able to change again! Sheesh. Really? are you that naive? Unchangeable decisions have been in MMO's since they were created! Deal with your decision or make an Alt.

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Originally Posted by Gospel

The Nations all had a common enemy in Wings of The Goddess, The Shadowlord. Yet players were still given the option to change between Windurst, Bastok and Sand'oria, even though they were running a similar, if not same exact campaign to that of the Grand Companies to fight a certain enemy. In fact, switching nations if they "do" go through with it, will probably end up being just like it was in XI. The members of the state would use a spell and wipe your characters memory of any and all information you once had from your previous nation. It's very possible they'll do the same in this game as well. I remember reading something about the egg event where it appeared as if some hidden group used a similar spell to wipe the girls mind clean of any and all knowledge she had of her festival and of the Archons.

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Yep but remember -

Wings of the Goddess was a time warp to try to alter certain events of the Crystal War (prior to the age of adventures, aka when we start the game) which is what brought the nations together in the first place -- Prior to that the nations were fine being their own entity and occasional conflicts with one another. So once the war settled, it wasn't that big of a deal to switch between nations, but before based on background story, it was heavily frowned upon to announce your allegiance to a nation you're not born of, i.e if you're a sandorian and announce allegiance to Bastok (somehow lol) you were a marked (wo)man.

In FFXIV, there's actually a threat looming which specific nations want you to fight for them specifically, if at some point things change storywise it would make sense to change, much like XI, but initially we're pledging to fight for x Company and nation, which is why it has a militaristic nature. Generally being locked isn't a bad thing at all, especially within means of the storyline, since it wasn't done "for no reason" like some seem to feel.

I don't get it. Why are ppl complaining about this when there are other 'popular' games that doesn't let you change faction once you've created your char ( asmodian or elyos / alliance or horde etc ), and you can't even set foot 'safely' in your opposing faction's influenced area and participate in your opposing faction's quest contents..... and it's tagged as a 'flaw' in this game ?

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Originally Posted by Gospel

The Nations all had a common enemy in Wings of The Goddess, The Shadowlord. Yet players were still given the option to change between Windurst, Bastok and Sand'oria, even though they were running a similar, if not same exact campaign to that of the Grand Companies to fight a certain enemy. In fact, switching nations if they "do" go through with it, will probably end up being just like it was in XI. The members of the state would use a spell and wipe your characters memory of any and all information you once had from your previous nation. It's very possible they'll do the same in this game as well. I remember reading something about the egg event where it appeared as if some hidden group used a similar spell to wipe the girls mind clean of any and all knowledge she had of her festival and of the Archons.

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We're playing FFXIV, not FFXI.

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Originally Posted by Dreamer

We're playing FFXIV, not FFXI.

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Your quote should be directed at Jennestia then.

my only problem with the having to choose a company now is that if we had enough information on the companies itself you could make an informed decision on which company you chose. we asked and got responses such as "the companies that have gear for certain classes now may not be the same in the future" or "the city that houses the guild may not be the location of the relating company" makes actually making an educated decision difficult. if they want you to make a one time choice the only thing i ask for is enough information to make an intelligent decision and not just guess.

in other words if people that main as pug, gla, and thm knew that ud was the place that was going to have gear specifically for them and they joined another then that is on them. my main is thm even though i have multiple 50's and i would have liked enough information to make an educated decision on which company was best for my main. i plan on moving from thm to blm once it's introduced. that is kind of need to know information when expected to make a one time decision.

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Originally Posted by Gospel

Your quote should be directed at Jennestia then.

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Mere mention of FFXI by anyone regarding anything gets his/her attention regardless of what's said.

its a story thing you pick a army and be loyal to it, it not about YOU getting your way just because your greedy and want every single piece of equipment.

I know the word FFXI is a taboo here, but as the developers have mentioned multiple times, they want to work in that games direction, as lets face it, it was freakin awesome.

I doubt there is a single person playing XIV that hasn't invested considerable time into Vana'diel's incredible storylines, gameplay, events, NM's, HNM's, Assault, Beseiged, Salvage, Dynamis and all the other wonderful bits that made up one fantabulous game.

In the same respect, you would ally to a nation in that game, and be locked to that nations storyline until you completed it. Understand that CHANGING NATIONS WAS NOT POSSIBLE UNTIL A VERY LONG TIME AFTER THE GAME WAS RELEASED and iirc it was mentioned often that they didn't want people to use the nations as a flavor of the month system, instead wanting people to work for and protect their chosen home town.

With that said, I would imagine once we see the end of the grand company story ark (which as im sure everyone has noticed, is a simple copy of the Rank Missions from XI), we will then get the option to start again with a new nation. I for one LOVED the fact that you couldn't get everything from each nation just by flitting about like a caffeine injected chipmunk, and instead, if you wanted everything, you had to damn well work for it. Nation starter rings were great, loved the Signet system, the little signet staves you could get were a nice touch allowing you to give Signet to your allies, and champion your home towns cause by displaying their banner on your back, and the various pieces of equipment that gave you boosts if you were in a zone that was currently controlled by your city.

All of these things encouraged people to work for their home town, it gave a true sense of community, and also offered a nice little avenue into unintentional RP. Countless times on Ventrilo we would have mock arguments about how Windurst would one day divide and conquer, if those Dhalmel necked weirdo's would just relinquish their hold on the Dunes. All this stuff added a very rich depth to the game, and I for one LOVED going out to try to claim a zone that our home town hadn't held onto in years.

To this day, original Seraphians still speak of the week Windurst claimed Ronfaure for great justice, with the help of the biggest JP, NA and EU LS's on the realm. These are memories that come out of adversity, and we shouldn't get too much freedom in these games, as this leads to what happens in WoW, a community that is devoid of the community spirit, and an every man for himself attitude.

I for one like that you cannot flit between factions, and think it can only lead to a more immersive environment for all, but there will always be the achievement horny, call of duty raging, angry little children who want everything yesterday, and in copious amounts, because they played Rift for 10 minutes and now every game should at least be as boring.

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Originally Posted by Vahzl

I doubt there is a single person playing XIV that hasn't invested considerable time into Vana'diel's incredible storylines, gameplay, events, NM's, HNM's, Assault, Beseiged, Salvage, Dynamis and all the other wonderful bits that made up one fantabulous game.

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My friends who play XIV would have to disagree.

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Originally Posted by Spellbinder

My friends who play XIV would have to disagree.

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If that's all you could find fault with in my post, then I think I remain happy with the points raised.

In FFXI, at the start you weren't able to change your nation, If I remember right, and there was a reason for that (or not), but it was that way, and ppl complained (or not).

With time, we got the option to change nation, and some ppl were happy, and some others not.

Is the same here. Why you want to be abvle to change Companies?? To get aaaaaall the items? BEcause the Lore, it will be more or less the same.
Just get the Company that suits you more, and enjoy that one, and MAYBE, with time, you may be able to experience the other 2, but If not, do not regret the one you joined.

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Originally Posted by Jennestia

How is it a flaw? Seriously? The way the game's atmosphere is going it makes perfect sense -- it's also almost militaristic in nature. (City-States is a dead give away.)

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Because storyline and lore should dictate player choice? Within reason, gameplay should be a reflection of lore and story, but I don't think restricting player choice should be a part of that. Seems like an antiquated idea to me.

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Originally Posted by Delirium

Okay, I just don't get it. Why must we get locked in to a Company. That is the worst thing to do in the history of video games is to make end all, once in a life time, can't go back decisions. Please change this and for the love of all things holy don't slap a Fee onto it. Sometimes this game is so taxing with all it's Fees and we don't need most of them.

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I read up all I could on the 3 GCs, so by the time it was desicion making time, I already have made up my mind of choosing Twin Adders. If people dont take a step back and think about their actions, then thats their own fault. I know its only a GAME, but its nice with situations where you have to make a decision and stick with it. If you ended up making a bad choice, then you have the experience of not doing things too hasty next time.

Several of my friends still think about what GC they want to pick, considering the pros and cons by choosing 1 over the other.

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Originally Posted by Blarp

Because storyline and lore should dictate player choice? Within reason, gameplay should be a reflection of lore and story, but I don't think restricting player choice should be a part of that. Seems like an antiquated idea to me.

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Storyline and Lore should very much dictate player choice and freedom, or you end up like WoW, the lore is there, but no one gives a toss about it because that big black dragon we just killed, Deatharms or Wingballs or something just dropped my ilevel 981 axe, something of the random item name. Yeah I don't know the names, or even how I got this numbered item, but it's freakin epic! Look at the numbers that pop out my head in PvP now!

Random Player: Wow, nice gear, where did you get all that stuff?
Veteran WoW Player: I hit a button while standing in this city, entered into a place full of big things, and killed them super fast. Now I have items. Don't know what they are called, but who cares cause im like hovering and stuff!

the Whole "i bought it so I deserve it" is irrelevant because you bought the game before the companies were even mentioned to the public, so you are getting extra content after the purchase,


Quit with the bitching get back in the kitchen

Happy thanksgiving any of you Canadians out there!

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Originally Posted by Vahzl

Storyline and Lore should very much dictate player choice and freedom, or you end up like WoW, the lore is there, but no one gives a toss about it because that big black dragon we just killed, Deatharms or Wingballs or something just dropped my ilevel 981 axe, something of the random item name. Yeah I don't know the names, or even how I got this numbered item, but it's freakin epic! Look at the numbers that pop out my head in PvP now!

Random Player: Wow, nice gear, where did you get all that stuff?
Veteran WoW Player: I hit a button while standing in this city, entered into a place full of big things, and killed them super fast. Now I have items. Don't know what they are called, but who cares cause im like hovering and stuff!

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I suppose it's personal preference, but I will take freedom of choice and gameplay over lore and storyline any day. If I want a good story I'll read a book. When I sit down to play a game, reading huge walls of text and watching a non-interactive cutscene isn't something that interests me.

[QUOTE=darkstarpoet1;377509]the question is what is there to think about at this point? say the companies when they start releasing class specific gear for each city. if grid started with the original release on thm gear i may want to drop my alliance with uldah and switch to grid because thm/blm is my main.

I have no idea what class of Con / Thm gets Blm job. But considering BLM in all previous FF and even Lost Odyssey. The magic listed in Black has always been elementals. Light and Dark magic has been listed in Prismatic or something else to my knowledge. And Con have Ancient Magic. Taking this into consideration, i wouldnt be surprised if Thm turns out to be a Whm/Rdm. And Con becomes Blm/Whm. Unless Square Enix turns a 180 on us and disregards years of what has been a mainstay in their Final Fantasy series.

Just my thoughts on this issue and the reason I chose Twin Adder for having Con gear/guild.

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Originally Posted by Blarp

I suppose it's personal preference, but I will take freedom of choice and gameplay over lore and storyline any day.

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I'm guessing this is why storyline in games have been pretty bad lately. Yes it's a game, yes you play but why do you think Metal Gear Solid and (popular RPGs here) were indeed so popular? It wasn't gameplay alone. Though to merit, MMORPGs outside of FFXI and FFXIV barely even gave you a storyline.

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Originally Posted by Blarp

I suppose it's personal preference, but I will take freedom of choice and game play over lore and storyline any day. If I want a good story I'll read a book. When I sit down to play a game, reading huge walls of text and watching a non-interactive cutscene isn't something that interests me.

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wow, I think you should un-install the game and move on then, because this is Final fantasy. story is one of the, if not the only reason FF fans buy the games. SE is the best story tellers around. That's what makes their games so popular. Mature people that want an adventure, intrigue and heavy heavy plot.

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Originally Posted by Xatsh

Delirium I would like to know what game you ever played that offered you what you want. Even with the current setup with 1.19 FFXIV gives you more freedom then any other mmo to date by a long a shot. (simply being able to not level alts is a drastic improvement over other mmos in this respect)

I have yet to play a mmo that has unlimited freedom and flexibility to do everything. Honestly I have never played a game videogame or otherwise that has those qualities.

WoW you have a split with factions.
Rift Copied wow with the same split.
ToR will have 2 sides that cannot interact.
FFXI had restricted quest based on race and city
XIV has restricted storyline based on city/company

It is sorta a mmo thing. This whole I bought it so I deserve it thing is complete non-sense. You where given a choice live with it or reroll basically (that is what every other mmo in creation makes you do). Buying the game does not give you any rights, it give you access to play the game... the devs and the game owe you as the player nothing but access to the game. ATM there is nothing in the game stopping you from playing 3 character and experiencing everything, so there for SE gave you the ability to experiencing the whole game that you paid for.

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Well said! And I'm glad you replied to Delirium, because I'm so tired of his/her whining about wanting to do everything with no effort and for no fee, that I surely would've been much less kind than you were. I'm still reeling from her/his thread asking that payment be removed from the airship travel system.

Only one further point, however, to add to your well stated post: Most games of progression (not only in the video category) are fundamentally about obstacle and limitation management. Hence most RPG, MMOs, Strategy Games, and so on, will continue the tradition of tying your legs for the race, or making you keep an egg on a spoon you hold in your mouth as you stride forward.

Without hurdles, you won't have the degree of satisfaction that vanquishing an obstacle gives you. By keeping these hurdles in, games reflect the human predicament that makes us fundamentally partialized, flawed and limited beings. That reverberates profoundly, creating the possibility that the game will become transcendental. Go and Chess, just to name two, did. And they became metaphors of the human condition, and ways to celebrate it. I look forward to the day enlightened video game design will give us something equivalent and new, in an electronic format.

R

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Originally Posted by Blarp

I suppose it's personal preference, but I will take freedom of choice and gameplay over lore and storyline any day. If I want a good story I'll read a book. When I sit down to play a game, reading huge walls of text and watching a non-interactive cutscene isn't something that interests me.

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I believe you may have misclicked on amazon when purchasing FFXIV. I believe you intended to purchase this:

http://www.amazon.com/Call-Duty-Mode...8088833&sr=8-3

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Originally Posted by Tempestmoon

wow, I think you should un-install the game and move on then, because this is Final fantasy. story is one of the, if not the only reason FF fans buy the games. SE is the best story tellers around. That's what makes their games so popular. Mature people that want an adventure, intrigue and heavy heavy plot.

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Why? I didn't care about the FFXI storyline either and I played it for five years loving every moment. The storylines are all the same. Ordinary guy ends up in extraordinary position with untapped potential. Usually followed by the typical flavor of FF characters; angsty teen turns brave, whacky girl, stern father figure, tragic hero, token minority, anti-hero who finds his humanity, and more-than-meets-the-eye villain. They embark on a journey to save the world from some peril, someones love interest dies, and it's resolved with a happy ending. Oh, and there's crystals. Maybe that type of story interests someone, but I've read and watched it unfold too many times to care.

Maturity has nothing to do with taste. I find most video game storylines to be distasteful. I play them to interact with other people. The story of interacting with real people is always more interesting to me than the pre-written story that the devlelopers want me to follow.

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Originally Posted by Blarp

Why? I didn't care about the FFXI storyline either and I played it for five years loving every moment. The storylines are all the same. Ordinary guy ends up in extraordinary position with untapped potential. Usually followed by the typical flavor of FF characters; angsty teen turns brave, whacky girl, stern father figure, tragic hero, token minority, anti-hero who finds his humanity, and more-than-meets-the-eye villain. They embark on a journey to save the world from some peril, someones love interest dies, and it's resolved with a happy ending. Oh, and there's crystals. Maybe that type of story interests someone, but I've read and watched it unfold too many times to care.

Maturity has nothing to do with taste. I find most video game storylines to be distasteful. I play them to interact with other people. The story of interacting with real people is always more interesting to me than the pre-written story that the devlelopers want me to follow.

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The FFXI story was incredible, and would love to see you do it better.

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Originally Posted by Vahzl

The FFXI story was incredible, and would love to see you do it better.

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It's personal preference. I never claimed to be a writer or that I could write a better story. I can certainly be disinterested by a story though. I really enjoy Roger Zelazny. You may think his work is absolute garbage. That's fine. Everybody has different opinions. I didn't really care about the FFXI story one way or the other. I cared about the people I met and the stuff we did together.

I'm not trying to insult you lol. We disagree. It's cool.

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Originally Posted by Vahzl

The FFXI story was incredible, and would love to see you do it better.

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I'm pretty sure he's basically saying storylines is the last thing he plays an MMORPG for.

I think we have plenty of evidence that developers are far from oblivious of this concern, having reassured us repeatedly that we should just join the company that appeals to us on the basis of story line and aesthetics, and not out of fears of being locked out of gear or other type of availability. Like with all decisions in life, there will be some pluses and some minuses stemming from this one. I am sure, however, it's now evident the developers are trying to balance those, so that advantages and disadvantages are equitable across the board.