Ala Mhigo should get a proper city-state

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Originally Posted by Protantical

If I'm interpreting that argument right, then there's no purpose for the Ishgardian Restoration because there isn't going to be an expansion with Ishgard as the central figure again. I'm not asking for an Ala Mhigan expansion like Stormblood 2, but a restoration to have it become a real city-state hub to make up for it's mishandling throughout Stormblood.

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The primary leveling hub for Stormblood was Kugane. That's why it has everything else a primary city in this game has, including a housing zone.

Ishgard was a primary city of Heavensward. It was the early hub for leveling through that expansion, and was fleshed out for that purpose. Housing in Ishgard was an eventual response to player request for housing.

Ala Mhigo was never fleshed out because ... well, there was no need to use it as a leveling hub. I suspect that if there are enough player requests for housing, and SE budgets for it, there could be a housing district. Perhaps it will be built throughout 7.0, for instance, in a manner much like Ishgard.

But the rest of the city serves no purpose in-game without an Ala Mhigo 2.0 expansion to necessitate its presence.

A lot of 1.0 got canned with its failure. Calling for anything using supposed plans from 1.0 in wake of the fall of Dalamud is pointless.

Housing district for Ala Mhigo - sure. The return on investment for getting the thing designed are assured. Building a functioning new city -- Without a point (ie leveling hub for an expansion), it is wasting resources.

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Originally Posted by DPZ2

The primary leveling hub for Stormblood was Kugane. That's why it has everything else a primary city in this game has, including a housing zone.

Ishgard was a primary city of Heavensward. It was the early hub for leveling through that expansion, and was fleshed out for that purpose. Housing in Ishgard was an eventual response to player request for housing.

Ala Mhigo was never fleshed out because ... well, there was no need to use it as a leveling hub. I suspect that if there are enough player requests for housing, and SE budgets for it, there could be a housing district. Perhaps it will be built throughout 7.0, for instance, in a manner much like Ishgard.

But the rest of the city serves no purpose in-game without an Ala Mhigo 2.0 expansion to necessitate its presence.

A lot of 1.0 got canned with its failure. Calling for anything using supposed plans from 1.0 in wake of the fall of Dalamud is pointless.

Housing district for Ala Mhigo - sure. The return on investment for getting the thing designed are assured. Building a functioning new city -- Without a point (ie leveling hub for an expansion), it is wasting resources.

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I agree with you that if it's not a leveling hub it's not likely to happen, but it's probably the best candidate for one if we get an Ilsabard-focused expansion. Which I kind of want just to sweep away all those clouds on the map and maybe get some Garlemald restoration at the same time.

Kind of like with Garlemald and 6.0, the devs have kind of written themselves into a bit of a bottleneck on that front. Now we will have this continent that we know is rich in history sitting in ruins indefinitely. And since Doma and Ishgard already set forth precedent, we are very likely unable to see any progress in those zones until we go through the same hoop jumping process. Because lore.

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Originally Posted by Protantical

If I'm interpreting that argument right, then there's no purpose for the Ishgardian Restoration because there isn't going to be an expansion with Ishgard as the central figure again. I'm not asking for an Ala Mhigan expansion like Stormblood 2, but a restoration to have it become a real city-state hub to make up for it's mishandling throughout Stormblood. We liberated an entire nation for like, five way too long pointless alleyways, a Menagerie, and a war room. The excuse of, "All areas would look samey" also doesn't sit right with me because Ala Mhigo (the city proper) is already visually distinct from the rest of Gyr Abania. I would like to see MORE of it.

As for what stories Ala Mhigo can still tell, occupation doesn't end with liberty. That's been shown in the Endwalker Healer role quests. The nation still has to heal and that sort of stuff can really resonate with people if it's done correctly. It's just a shame it's put into a role quest and not a main part of it's story. That's just the general theme with Ala Mhigo's treatment by the devs: constantly sidelined for other shit. Give it a city, a la New/Old Gridania, Steps of Thal/Nald, Lower/Upper Lominsa, Pillars/Foundation, so that you have all five major cities they've always wanted since the start of 1.0.

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oh im not against it, i just was merely pointing out the reasons behind why... also i think that restorations into Housing makes sense. But i doubt they will do a restoration into a city state that is not used in an expansion. So for Ala Mhigo to become a city state it would need to be the city for an expansion or a Sub city like Rads At han.

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Originally Posted by DPZ2

The primary leveling hub for Stormblood was Kugane. That's why it has everything else a primary city in this game has, including a housing zone.

Ishgard was a primary city of Heavensward. It was the early hub for leveling through that expansion, and was fleshed out for that purpose. Housing in Ishgard was an eventual response to player request for housing.

Ala Mhigo was never fleshed out because ... well, there was no need to use it as a leveling hub. I suspect that if there are enough player requests for housing, and SE budgets for it, there could be a housing district. Perhaps it will be built throughout 7.0, for instance, in a manner much like Ishgard.

But the rest of the city serves no purpose in-game without an Ala Mhigo 2.0 expansion to necessitate its presence.

A lot of 1.0 got canned with its failure. Calling for anything using supposed plans from 1.0 in wake of the fall of Dalamud is pointless.

Housing district for Ala Mhigo - sure. The return on investment for getting the thing designed are assured. Building a functioning new city -- Without a point (ie leveling hub for an expansion), it is wasting resources.

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Not a levelling hub is fine. It still deserves a sub-city a la Radz-at-Han then or a housing district. It just feels so odd that for such a major area in the history of Eorzea, it's been mishandled so badly. An instanced area can really remedy that, so when you liberate in during the events of Stormblood it feels like an actual big accomplishment and you're rewarded with a shiny cool area to fuck around in.

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Originally Posted by anhaato

After we spent an entire expansion liberating them and helping them rebuild their lives and their city, we don’t get to be part of it? It’s ridiculous, their story ended on such a disappointing note. This is why I want a restoration for them, base it around the dungeon and expand outward.

Also lol at everyone saying no just because they think Gyr Abania is ugly, if you don’t get it that’s on you! I’m a huge fan of the Turkey-inspired overworld and pink stone architecture.

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Agreed on it ending disappointing.

But as for just not liking it because it was "ugly", it's not so much that as you have three zones that are not distinguishable or memorable when compared to other zones, even in the same expansion. There was so much more they could have done with it. Like I said, they could have made the Fringes much more swamp/river valley-esque with Peaks being the rocky/badlands and finally the Lochs being more livable/less barren.

Again, it's just not very distinguishable from Ul'dah.

Fringes (More Green/River):

https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/u...7/meander1.jpg
https://ik.imgkit.net/3vlqs5axxjf/TW...-440%2Cfo-auto

Lochs (Make the Salt deposits more dramatic, possibly ocean access):

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...qtWyQ&usqp=CAU
https://www.journeyera.com/wp-conten...saray-0741.jpg
https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-633...ache/photo.jpg

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Originally Posted by Protantical

If I'm interpreting that argument right, then there's no purpose for the Ishgardian Restoration because there isn't going to be an expansion with Ishgard as the central figure again.

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Ishgard was asked for by a large amount of players. This doesn't mean Ala Mhigo won't, but you need a lot more players supporting verbally. By all means, do ask for it! That said, I can't imagine Crystarium not getting housing next due to the unique visuals of the region...assuming there even is a next housing district.

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Originally Posted by kaynide

Agreed on it ending disappointing.

But as for just not liking it because it was "ugly", it's not so much that as you have three zones that are not distinguishable or memorable when compared to other zones, even in the same expansion. There was so much more they could have done with it. Like I said, they could have made the Fringes much more swamp/river valley-esque with Peaks being the rocky/badlands and finally the Lochs being more livable/less barren.

Again, it's just not very distinguishable from Ul'dah.

Fringes (More Green/River):

https://www.gonomad.com/wp-content/u...7/meander1.jpg
https://ik.imgkit.net/3vlqs5axxjf/TW...-440%2Cfo-auto

Lochs (Make the Salt deposits more dramatic, possibly ocean access):

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...qtWyQ&usqp=CAU
https://www.journeyera.com/wp-conten...saray-0741.jpg
https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-633...ache/photo.jpg

Ishgard was asked for by a large amount of players. This doesn't mean Ala Mhigo won't, but you need a lot more players supporting verbally. By all means, do ask for it! That said, I can't imagine Crystarium not getting housing next due to the unique visuals of the region...assuming there even is a next housing district.

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As much as I'm willing to constantly ask for Ala Mhigo housing/instanced city, it's a real bummer not many people seem as vocal about it as Ishgard. Be it the stigma surrounding Stormblood or what have you. It's why I'm making threads about it myself LMAO, just to drum up something to get some vocal community going.

I would love to see Ala Mhigo get the love it deserves! The aesthetic is very appealing to me and the lore surrounding the history of the city-state is really interesting. Similar to what they did with the Firmament, I think the best way to implement it as a full-fledged hub would be through some sort of restoration event that engages the broader player base. Since so much is unknown about the direction of the plot in 6.1 and beyond, I'm holding out hope that we'll see it become accessible at one point or another. Honestly, with Ishgard, Gridania, Limsa, and Ul'dah being accessible and accounting for four of the five Eorzean city-states, I see no justified reason to deny Ala Mhigo that same status as the liberated fifth city-state. I know this isn't a super popular idea among the community, or at least I don't think it is, but my hope is that more people will voice their support for this going forward. :)

I agree!
My apartment is Moroccan/Middle Eastern inspired and anything Ala Mhigan would help.
Also, Lyse's hair and outfit.

anything Ala Mhigan im on board because it legit feels 100% abandoned/forgotten content.

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Originally Posted by Spurgissimo

I would love to see Ala Mhigo get the love it deserves! The aesthetic is very appealing to me and the lore surrounding the history of the city-state is really interesting. Similar to what they did with the Firmament, I think the best way to implement it as a full-fledged hub would be through some sort of restoration event that engages the broader player base. Since so much is unknown about the direction of the plot in 6.1 and beyond, I'm holding out hope that we'll see it become accessible at one point or another. Honestly, with Ishgard, Gridania, Limsa, and Ul'dah being accessible and accounting for four of the five Eorzean city-states, I see no justified reason to deny Ala Mhigo that same status as the liberated fifth city-state. I know this isn't a super popular idea among the community, or at least I don't think it is, but my hope is that more people will voice their support for this going forward. :)

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FOR REAL. At the very least like you said, all five Eorzean city-states get a proper hub with housing. Nobody would complain about more housing. And I'd rather Ala Mhigo housing than say Sharlayan or First cause it could use some much needed love.

Highlander bias admittedly, but I would love if Ala Mhigo became a proper city-state zone. Funnily enough I was discussing this topic on another forum just last week so when I saw this thread I figured I should give it a plus-one.
Right now, with the addition of Old Sharlayan, it's the only 1.0 starting city that doesn't have a city zone with an aetheryte plaza, market board, inn room, levemete, hunt board, crafting/gathering faculty, and I would love Gyr Abanian housing as a zone or even just a furniture/wall theme.

In terms of a hub city needing an expansion to be a hub for, I think it would be a good base for Ilsabard exploration, such as the Garlemald-focused 6.0 the writers said we almost got. For example journeying Ala Mhigo > Werlyt > Corvos > Nhalmasq > Garlemald. Even as the current combined Endwalker is, the remnants of that idea have us entering Ilsabard from Ala Mhigo.

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Originally Posted by Protantical

For real. If not a whole reconstruction DoH/L event, open up a city-state instance a la Pillars/Foundation with a lot more on how Ala Mhigo currently operates, how it's government is going to deal with the inevitability that's running out of gold from Skalla's vault, how it's handling it's prejudice and place in Eorzea now, how influential the Fists of Rhalgr have become since the 80 job quest, etc.

That way, you flesh out Ala Mhigo way more than Stormblood could AND bring it to equal levels with the other city-states instead AND give it a recognizable aesthetic.

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The idea of an Firmament style instance is perfect. Let us do a Reconstruction for it like the Ishgardian one. Replace Diadem with a new gathering zone set in Gyr Abania, and show NPCs working on it, like with the Saltery and the miners of Ala Gannha, show people getting good employment as we help on our DOL. The items we craft as DOH go towards physically building the place up and making items for the people who will live and work there. Then we can get decos and dyes and minions (and maybe even some Ala Mhigan cultural armors!) as rewards.

The problem is, canonically Ala Mhigo itself (as in, the actual city area) actually didn't take that much damage during the liberation - most of the visible damage to the nation is outside the city and dates as far back to the Mad King's overthrow and the Empire's annexation, and pretty much was left as is to rot after the Empire firmly established themselves as rulers (the Empire being more interested in militarizing the area and drafting it's people as cannon fodder).

And apart from the city gate still bearing that hole the Chubbuki brothers and the Alliance cannons wrought on it, most of the battle damage was restricted to the airship dock north of the royal palace (where Shinryu was fought). Any damage in the city itself taken during the battle for it's liberation has probably since been quickly repaired.

Ala Mhigo's city centre isn't a blackened shell like Garlemald is, or badly damaged like Ishgard, it simply does not require the large scale repairs those two need. So alas as much as I would love to see SE open Ala Mhigo proper as a new city zone, I don't see it happening I'm afraid. :(

I would prefer Garlemald restoration before Ala Mhigo to be honest.

Ala Mhigo itself is still intact, whereas Garlemald is currently a smoking ruin desperately in need or rebuilding. For the glory of Garlemald!

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Originally Posted by DPZ2

The primary leveling hub for Stormblood was Kugane. That's why it has everything else a primary city in this game has, including a housing zone.

Ishgard was a primary city of Heavensward. It was the early hub for leveling through that expansion, and was fleshed out for that purpose. Housing in Ishgard was an eventual response to player request for housing.

Ala Mhigo was never fleshed out because ... well, there was no need to use it as a leveling hub. I suspect that if there are enough player requests for housing, and SE budgets for it, there could be a housing district. Perhaps it will be built throughout 7.0, for instance, in a manner much like Ishgard.

But the rest of the city serves no purpose in-game without an Ala Mhigo 2.0 expansion to necessitate its presence.

A lot of 1.0 got canned with its failure. Calling for anything using supposed plans from 1.0 in wake of the fall of Dalamud is pointless.

Housing district for Ala Mhigo - sure. The return on investment for getting the thing designed are assured. Building a functioning new city -- Without a point (ie leveling hub for an expansion), it is wasting resources.

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So give the city a point then. A deep dungeon, apartments, a housing district, restoration, etc. doesn’t matter what it takes. Just give it a point. It doesn’t have to be an expansion.

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Originally Posted by catbuncle

The idea of an Firmament style instance is perfect. Let us do a Reconstruction for it like the Ishgardian one. Replace Diadem with a new gathering zone set in Gyr Abania, and show NPCs working on it, like with the Saltery and the miners of Ala Gannha, show people getting good employment as we help on our DOL. The items we craft as DOH go towards physically building the place up and making items for the people who will live and work there. Then we can get decos and dyes and minions (and maybe even some Ala Mhigan cultural armors!) as rewards.

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This is a wonderful idea. The city itself can be a crafter/gathering hub for leveling beyond Shadowbringers.