Letter from the Producer VII

Please go back and reread the timeline and patch notes from FFXI.

Cheer the hell up.

It'll get better.

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Originally Posted by Peregrine

Don't be surprised if the holiday event IS 70% of the new patch content, because holiday events have been 70% of our new content to date. They're scrapping for easy points, and the players are letting them.

No more holiday events until 1 significant area of content is released, IMO. No more 1-shot pointless quests.

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Or because they're redesigning the game which will take awhile to do.

"No more basic stuff, I don't care that the game's foundation is broken, GIVE ME CONTENT!"

I bet you'll be the first to complain about balance issues too with said content.

WHAT? new dungeon but still don't fix anything in combat system???

you want me to use Flare and another awful AM's, waiting 25 seconds, cost 100MP and do 50 damage? with the animation I can't see if I blink my eyes? what do you expect players to do in the new dungeon? use their weapon hit monsters and spam 1 1 1 1 1 1 ?

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Originally Posted by Dubont

You don't have to be a Christian to ENJOY Easter, do you? The same goes for Christmas. Hell, I'm an atheist, but every year, I help my family celebrate Christmas and Easter. Why? Many reasons. The main reason is that I don't like to be such a spoiled brat that I want to make others unhappy just because I don't believe what they do. The second reason is that Easter and Christmas were not originally Christian holidays....so why shouldn't I celebrate them? I can just celebrate them in a different way than everyone else. Now...if you don't want to celebrate Easter, you can just...not log in.

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Whoa, calm down chief.

First off: Yes, Christmas and Easter are both Christian only holidays designed by Christians. But what they did is place Christmas near the Winter Solstice and Easter near the Spring Equinox to help them convert pagans who had their own holidays at those times. Just wanted to correct you on that fact.

And you're right, you don't have to be Christian to enjoy fluffy bunnies and get Easter candy. I completely acknowledge that fact, and I also "go along with it" in my family as well.

But the point is that many Japanese people have no idea what Easter actually is. The same point can be made about Golden Week (many westerners don't know what it is), but this is a Japanese game. So if they had to choose between them (like they have), I believe the better choice would have been the Japanese one. Especially since it isn't based on a religion. I think it would be nicer to introduce more cultural events to the game than religious events.

But I suppose it doesn't matter at all since there's nothing religious about fluffy bunnies and painted eggs (and it's not like the holidays haven't all been commercialized anyway).

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Originally Posted by Evangela

WHAT? new dungeon but still don't fix anything in combat system???

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*sigh*

You too?

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False. You cannot reasonably assume we won't be getting content. The only thing we know is that we are getting seasonal content, but we aren't getting the raids yet. We have no information as to what other content may or may not be in the patch.

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We could quite possibly be getting combat changes. In fact, it's actually quite likely. 70% of the original patch cannot be the seasonal content. Just because it wasn't mentioned in the Producer's letter doesn't mean it's not coming.

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

I really need to ask.

Does anyone here really care about seasonal events with the current state the game is in?

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No friggin' one!! why they spent their time on these stuff? while a lot of issues waiting them to fix

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Originally Posted by Evangela

WHAT? new dungeon but still don't fix anything in combat system???

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I sort of assumed that "preparations for the mid- and high-rank PvE content planned for later release" was implying that they were going to fix up the combat a bit... Hopefully they'll add auto-attack.

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Originally Posted by Evangela

No friggin' one!! why they spent their time on these stuff? while a lot of issues waiting them to fix

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You do not equal everyone as if you took a minute to read this thread there were at least 2 people who do care for it, and that's just the people who actually choose to post on the forums, because reading blogs I see more people who liked even the "bell events".

I for one am looking forward to the easter event. If it's properly done it will be lots of fun and will probably also be groundwork for events to come. :)

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Originally Posted by Evangela

No friggin' one!! why they spent their time on these stuff? while a lot of issues waiting them to fix

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err...how do you know seasonal events that the dev spent their time mainly on?

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Originally Posted by Evangela

No friggin' one!! why they spent their time on these stuff? while a lot of issues waiting them to fix

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*sigh*

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Umm... seeing as the holiday events take very little effort to develop? Nope, not a waste at all. It's not taking anything away from the development of other content.

You ever heard the expression, "Too many Chefs spoil the soup?"

They can't and don't have EVERYONE working on the same content. So those that can't work on one piece of content are free to work on another.

Besides, the seasonal content was already planned at release, so again your point is moot.

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/10char

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Originally Posted by Elexia

You do not equal everyone as if you took a minute to read this thread there were at least 2 people who do care for it, and that's just the people who actually choose to post on the forums, because reading blogs I see more people who liked even the "bell events".

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So you're saying the devs should work on something that pretty much does nothing to improve the game when it's pretty much sinking?

Yeah, smart logic there.

why you need the players poll? even if we vote for "We spend our time in the game for battle!!!!!" then your first priority task must be fix the damn battle system, fix the damn action bar, the damn targeting, the damn skill animations, the damn skill balance, the damn attributes effective

I just love assumptions

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Originally Posted by Aion

I just love assumptions

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They're great aren't they?

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

So you're saying the devs should work on something that pretty much does nothing to improve the game when it's pretty much sinking?

Yeah, smart logic there.

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I agree, considering if you took a minute or two to read his leaders they're working on the foundation (which does everything to improve the game's playability).

Though from your other posts, your response was to expected.

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Originally Posted by Kaedan

They're great aren't they?

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yeah,primary excuse for ranting/complaining, and source of many conflict in this world

think bit OOT /lol

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Originally Posted by Elexia

I agree, considering if you took a minute or two to read his leaders they're working on the foundation (which does everything to improve the game's playability).

Though from your other posts, your response was to expected.

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And putting more man power into those things instead of an event where the "fun factor" will wear off in an hour at the most is a good idea because?

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

And putting more man power into those things instead of an event where the "fun factor" will wear off in an hour at the most is a good idea because?

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lol You phrased it backward.

Before trying to say "those two people that worked on this holiday event could have been working on fixing X"... you should probably do your homework on how game developing works.

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

And putting more man power into those things instead of an event where the "fun factor" will wear off in an hour at the most is a good idea because?

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Funny, considering there was only 1-3 people on XI's events, and XIV's events are significantly less involved currently (this new event's involvement is tbd.)

Maybe I'm biased because I know it doesn't take more than a few people to move assets around to create an event.

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Originally Posted by Kaedan

lol You phrased it backward.

Before trying to say "those two people that worked on this holiday event could have been working on fixing X"... you should probably do your homework on how game developing works.

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I know what priorities are and I'd rather save the game than make something that you can consider a "distraction" at best.

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Originally Posted by Maverick_Hawkeye

No.

And also he said that patches 1.17 and 1.17a are in PREPARATION for High/mid level dungeons... so it really looks like no content still? (besides seasonal event...)

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Well, considering you need battle/class changes before you implement an end game instanced event, I'd expect not. I actually won't expect the dungeons to be put in till all of these changes are made and balanced. So... according to a previous letter, the battle and class changes span over two months of patches. Then it'll be implemented.

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

I know what priorities are and I'd rather save the game than make something that you can consider a "distraction" at best.

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I wasn't talking about priorities at all.

The amount of time and "manpower" it took for them to design the seasonal events is insignificant. They didn't waste any time on the seasonal events because it didn't cost any significant time in the first place.

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

I know what priorities are and I'd rather save the game than make something that you can consider a "distraction" at best.

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at least just answer this. how do you know that the 1.17 patch ONLY contain seasonal event(or distraction just like you said)?

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Originally Posted by Aion

at least just answer this. how do you know that the 1.17 patch ONLY contain seasonal event(or distraction just like you said)?

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Maybe, maybe not but since we didn't get a lot of info outside of the split and the event that does has me concerned.

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

Maybe, maybe not but since we didn't get a lot of info outside of the split and the event that does has me concerned.

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The letters have never had specifics. So why would you expect them now?

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Letter from the Producer, VII (04/01/2011)

Well, the game servers are now back online, and the development is almost returned to full strength, but the effects of the recent Tohoku earthquake and tsunami are far-reaching and profound. Much as those in the areas directly affected by the tragedy, we here in Tokyo must also remain vigilant. We’re continuing with our energy conservation efforts here at the office, and the while hoping that FFXIV might serve to bring smiles to some faces out there.

That being said, I’d like report on recent dev team activity. We were just about to begin testing on the now released patch 1.16a when the earthquake struck, and for that reason delayed its release. In addition, patch 1.17 was initially pushed back to mid-April, but after reexamination we’ve decided instead to divide the content and release it across two patches—1.17 and 1.17a.

Patch 1.17 contains an upcoming seasonal event slated for April. If we keep all of the other initially planned content, however, we wouldn’t be able to have the patch ready in time to coincide with Eas—errr, said seasonal event in the real world. So we’ve reduced the volume of patch 1.17 down to about 70% of its original size, and pushed the remaining 30% over to 1.17a. This way, all of the content can be released with minimal delay in between, and it will also allow us to get this holiday event released in time (don’t worry, there are no bells in this one).

Even so, this still won’t make up for all of the time lost from our original schedule. As a result, unfortunately, we’re going to have to forgo the event planned for a national Japanese holiday in early May. Since the April seasonal event kicks off later than intended, it will continue even after April 24th in the real world—whatever that day may be. I realize this is all less than ideal, but hope you understand and bear with us.

One last thing. A portion of the changes in patches 1.17 and 1.17a are preparations for the mid- and high-rank PvE content planned for later release. As soon as we hammer out the basics of the new dungeon and raid environments, we’ll be throwing out some screenshots and introducing them to you.

Best keep it short to give the translators more time on the quests, so that’s all for this letter. Talk to you again soon!

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here I bolded it for you

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Originally Posted by Kaedan

The letters have never had specifics. So why would you expect them now?

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True but at least in most of them he did give us some kind of insight on what to look forward to

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

True but at least in most of them he did give us some kind of insight on what to look forward to

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preparation of next update content, which probably means:
-battle system
-party mechanic
-company

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Originally Posted by Aion

preparation of next update content, which probably means:
-battle system
-party mechanic
-company

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and probably means:
- nothing

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Originally Posted by Evangela

and probably means:
- nothing

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Preparatory framework means a lot more than "nothing"...but until people physically see it they won't ever understand, or they do and still bitch anyway.

Yoshida, we do not care about seasonal events that aren't permanent. That is a waste of development time.

LOL @ no bells =P

hmm.. I hope they fix the battle system before they implement dungeons... im happy with new PvE content and all but if battle is the same, thn it would be jus like grind pt/leve with a reward from a huge monster at the end.

I wonder if there will ever be a 'Letter from the producer' which doesnt incite everyone dismissing or confirming elements of a patch no one knows the content of?

Oh forum goers how you make me laugh.

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

Yoshida, we do not care about seasonal events that aren't permanent. That is a waste of development time.

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There aren't permanent events in MMORPGs.

The ones that are are called raid systems/end-game events or "Dungeons".

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Originally Posted by Elexia

There aren't permanent events in MMORPGs.

The ones that are are called raid systems/end-game events or "Dungeons".

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FFXI's Kupotablets come to mind. Do you call that an "endgame event"?

I wouldn't have any problem with something like that, since it's permanent and the bonuses are rather nice.

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

FFXI's Kupotablets come to mind. Do you call that an "endgame event"?

I wouldn't have any problem with something like that, since it's permanent and the bonuses are rather nice.

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That's not an event, that's a system designed to get players to use older areas more; Note the lack of it's presence in ToAU or Shadowreign areas.


Halloween, Festival of Dolls, summerfest etc are all seasonal events, which aren't permanent as they only appear at their appropriate time.

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That's not an event, that's a system designed to get players to use older areas more; Note the lack of it's presence in ToAU or Shadowreign areas.

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Wow.

"Salvage is not an event. It is a system designed to get players to use the newer areas more."

Do you know just how silly you sound right now? You can categorize every single activity in the game under that made-up banner.

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

Wow.

"Salvage is not an event. It is a system designed to get players to use the newer areas more."

Do you know just how silly you sound right now? You can categorize every single activity in the game under that made-up banner.

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Lol, I think you confused yourself there buddy, especially given how SE specifically stated they designed the "Kupowers" to aid players in the middle lands.

Before you try to tell someone else they "sound silly" use a better example that is even halfway near the same. Salvage = end game event, "Kupowers" is a system to try and draw players back to the middle lands as well as, given the proper selection, help low level players out since Kupowers are still fairly limited in nature even where it's in effect (dungeons still lack mob chests for example.)

Much like them lowering RR scrolls and Warp Scrolls to 10 and 7 respectively because very few people actually care for those zones for exp beyond getting to 30 to Dominion Ops/Abyssea Chest leech meaning no one will have a surplus of CP laying down for much longer, just like people have very little I.S left in AU which is why, yet again, SE is adjusting it to fit the current game trend.