Letter From the Producer IX.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

Yeah, horrible feeling. Why did they feel we needed QUEST HUBS and low level dungeons? How about MISSIONS, RSE, and AF quests that make us team up to get gear in the ALREADY CREATED dungeons that exist in the game? Non-instanced dungeons and non-instanced content. Much more enjoyable, different, unique, fun, and final fantasy like. It worked in FF11, no one ever complained there was "no content", because there was tons of stuff to do while leveling up. AF quests, RSE quests, genkei's, missions, farming, crafting,low level NMs, etc.

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Why do you assume quest hubs mean that the quests are done in instances? lol.

The quests may send you to the already existing dungeons to get your RSE for all we know.

They aren't going to instance everything.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

Judging by the interview, I'd surmise they're working on them in parallel. So, yeah, the battle system should be in mind when they're developing the dungeons.

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OMG... the question was, why would you implement the content first if it's supposed to be used with the new battle plans that aren't implemented

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

Quests hubs and low level dungeons? The more and more they do, the more I lose hope for this game. Seems they ARE going to the direction of WOW clone, I'll just have to wait and see. Low level dungeons and quest hubs is not something this game needed at all, it only needed these things if they wanted it to be a WOW clone -_-

I look forward to the battle changes, but now I'm more scared than ever for this games future, sigh.

Instead of stupid copy/paste "dungeons" from WOW they could've added a new chain of missions(or deleted old ones and added these) that are group based and make us explore muytuy, cassie, mistbeard cove, copperbell mines, etc etc. If you've actually been to the higher level dungeons you'd see how they're actually really cool and look awesome deeper in. They also could've made them bigger, and made the missions have us fight to something that would pop a NM/multiple nms, and have a story behind it. Would've been more FF like and just as good, have the missions also give rewards or something, maybe even crafting mats idk.

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What. Are. You. Talking. About. I seriously don't get this community sometimes. This whole post doesn't make any sense to me, I'm sorry nothing against you but it just doesn't. The dungeons in this game, while being pretty in their own right, are indeed very copy/pasted, as you say WOW's are (I wouldn't know, haven't played it). Mines and cellars can only be satisfying for so long, we need more hardcore dungeons than that.

Anyway, these changes look AWESOME. More signs of civilization and life is DEFINITELY what the world of Eorzea needs, I am SO glad they are putting these things in the game. I am sorry if this squishes the enjoyment some obviously get from aetheryte camps that all look exactly the same where you do the same leves over and over and over, but I personally LOVE these screenshots and can't wait until June. The recent exciting events concerning the coming of the 7th Umbral Era plus this wonderful news has gotten me more excited about this game than I ever have been before. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

Edit: I do agree that we'll have to wait and see just what kinds of quests these hubs are going to offer and how they interact with the world before we make any kind of judgement, but I feel like it's gonna be better than what we have in place right now either way.

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

Why do you assume quest hubs mean that the quests are done in instances? lol.

The quests may send you to the already existing dungeons to get your RSE for all we know.

They aren't going to instance everything.

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I don't assume the quest hub quests are in instanced, I assume they are solo based WOWclone quests. I assume the DUNGEONS are in instances.

@SupaCancerion. I don't want them making instanced dungeons where we pull trash - > fight boss - > loot, repeat x4000 to farm gear like we did in WOW. That's boring and lame. I want them to make party based missions into "dungeons" that are "outdoor" like in FF11.

Why do people keep saying low level dungeons?

Level 30 is around mid level.

not sure if it was mentioned, but have you guys noticed a new icon by the bottom right side corner on those screen shots? currently it has the red square which means "no data or havn't deicided on a icon yet".

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

Thanks...

Yeah, horrible feeling. Why did they feel we needed QUEST HUBS and low level dungeons? How about MISSIONS, RSE, and AF quests that make us team up to get gear in the ALREADY CREATED dungeons that exist in the game? Non-instanced dungeons and non-instanced content. Much more enjoyable, different, unique, fun, and final fantasy like. It worked in FF11, no one ever complained there was "no content", because there was tons of stuff to do while leveling up. AF quests, RSE quests, genkei's, missions, farming, crafting,low level NMs, etc.

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and why do we need AF and RSE? don't u think people will stop complaining about content in ffxiv once we get content to do?

whos to say those upcoming dungeons doesn't drop class specific gear? we dont know that.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

I don't assume the quest hub quests are in instanced, I assume they are solo based WOWclone quests. I assume the DUNGEONS are in instances.

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What the hell in that letter makes you assume so?

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Originally Posted by DeadRiser

OMG

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Chill

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Originally Posted by DeadRiser

The question was, why would you implement the content first if it's supposed to be used with the new battle plans that aren't implemented

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Because they're releasing them at the same time.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

I don't assume the quest hub quests are in instanced, I assume they are solo based WOWclone quests. I assume the DUNGEONS are in instances.

@SupaCancerion. I don't want them making instanced dungeons where we pull trash - > fight boss - > loot, repeat x4000 to farm gear like we did in WOW. That's boring and lame. I want them to make party based missions into "dungeons" that are "outdoor" like in FF11.

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Majority asked for that so what's the problem?

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

What the hell in that letter makes you assume so?

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Because that would make the most sense, I assume that, but I hope that they AREN'T like that at all. I'm just waiting to see how the dungeons and quest hubs are now.

@GabbaGabba I don't want to grind the same dungeon over and over again for AF and RSE gear, and those were just examples, we could easily get different types of gear. I would rather have story based missions/quests for gear, not stupid boring WOW clone dungeon grinds. If I want a WOW clone, I'll go play rift, a much better game.

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Originally Posted by Gramul

Chill

Because they're releasing them at the same time.

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It took you 2 replies to answer the question half wrong lol why would I "chill".
Re-read the letter, they are talking about releasing some content in 1.17b

I dont get quest hubs either. It's already very easy to rank/lvl as it is, unless your crafting or gathering. Those take alittle more time to rank up. Dont know tho so just have to see once the patch is released.

I really hope these are REAL quests with a better story to them and cutscenes with memorable characters.

(yes I said "real" now you can start bitching about the existing content that in my personal view doesn't fit this description)

Other than that I'm glad they're putting something in the fields that's not copy-pasted all over the game. I still hope they'll introduce something visually unique to the fields too, just like that mob camp seems to be nicely designed. Stuff like that will make traveling the distances and exploration a lot more compelling.

Jesus, mid-June...?

I think this sums things up a bit for some posts in this thread.

http://silviavlase.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/buzz.jpg

The dev team is divided into several groups, working on different parts of the game. Getting quest hubs and dungeons is in no way blocking the way for other content, or slowing it down. But the most anticipated and needed content, like battle system remake and main story quests, take more time, and hence it arrives at a later date.

I am excited about the new upcoming updates - it is good to see something fresh! I have long wanted to see variation between the camps, as they are pretty much clones at the moment. These new little areas look like nothing similar to what is already in the game, and most importantly, they are completely different in each zone.

EDIT:
And one more thing. Something I've wanted for a long time is quest dealers outside the cities. I approve!

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

Because that would make the most sense, I assume that, but I hope that they AREN'T like that at all. I'm just waiting to see how the dungeons and quest hubs are now.

@GabbaGabba I don't want to grind the same dungeon over and over again for AF and RSE gear, and those were just examples, we could easily get different types of gear. I would rather have story based missions/quests for gear, not stupid boring WOW clone dungeon grinds. If I want a WOW clone, I'll go play rift, a much better game.

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so farming the same mobs for hours just to hopefully get a key to drop which was a very low drop rate, then to pray that the treasure chests aren't camp by a thf who runs around unlocking all the chests which can have a very long spawn rate.
if you dont remember, thats how you get AF/RSE gear in ffix.

not many quests in ffxi rewarded gear either. most if not all of the gear came from drops/crafts/bcnms. BCNMs which can be translated to an instanced dungeons.

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Originally Posted by DeadRiser

It took you 2 replies to answer the question half wrong lol why would I "chill".
Re-read the letter, they are talking about releasing some content in 1.17b

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My method of response has nothing to do with our argument.

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1.18 is going to be relatively bigger than previous patches. This means that balancing is going to take more time than usual, and so we’re anticipating a somewhat longer period between patches. Even if we break off some of the content and release it ahead of time in a 1.17b patch (which me might!), 1.18 will still go live sometime in mid-June at the earliest. Sorry for that.

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He says they might use 1.17b for some of the content. That could mean anything from battle system changes to more sidequests. It doesn't mention anything about the dungeons specifically. I'm sure they wouldn't release dungeons specifically designed for the new battle system before they actually implement the system.

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Originally Posted by Victor

Jesus, mid-June...?

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Yep, things take time. It's May 2 now.

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Originally Posted by GabbaGabba

so farming the same mobs for hours just to hopefully get a key to drop which was a very low drop rate, then to pray that the treasure chests aren't camp by a thf who runs around unlocking all the chests which can have a very long spawn rate.
if you dont remember, thats how you get AF/RSE gear in ffix.

not many quests in ffxi rewarded gear either. most if not all of the gear came from drops/crafts/bcnms. BCNMs which can be translated to an instanced dungeons.

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AF quests had a good story behind them. COP had a good story, TOAU had a good story, zilarts story sucked but meh, WOTG had a good story. Rank10 missions had a decent story. All of this content was challenging, unlike WOWclone dungeons that aren't experts/heroics(and those are easy after you get gear FROM those dungeons ._.) BCNM's were unique boss fights. RSE wasn't anything special but it was another low level gear option and something for you to do besides leveling. Basically, at least it was different. I don't know about most people, but after playing WOW for 5+ years I don't feel like playing the same MMO until I die.

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Originally Posted by GabbaGabba

so farming the same mobs for hours just to hopefully get a key to drop which was a very low drop rate, then to pray that the treasure chests aren't camp by a thf who runs around unlocking all the chests which can have a very long spawn rate.
if you dont remember, thats how you get AF/RSE gear in ffix.

not many quests in ffxi rewarded gear either. most if not all of the gear came from drops/crafts/bcnms. BCNMs which can be translated to an instanced dungeons.

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You're wrong kind sir we all know WoW came up with everything first including dungeons.

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Originally Posted by Elexia

Yep, things take time. It's May 2 now.

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Then time is something FFXIV is getting way too much of.

Having some instance dungeons like WoW is a good idea, even XI had them Einherjar, Limbus, Dynamis (honestly typical mmo instances). But this game does not need to be a nearly 100% instanced mmo like alot of mmos are doing for endgame. I would love to see something like ZNMS which where in the open world but spawned NMS, even a form of sky or sea I would welcome assuming they could prevent the botting of spawn items.

All in all it needs a good mix, of instanced and non-instanced content.

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Originally Posted by Victor

Then time is something FFXIV is getting way too much of.

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Welcome to the world of having to redesign your game.

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Originally Posted by Victor

Then time is something FFXIV is getting way too much of.

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As if. Quality over quantity, I say. I'd rather wait a long time for the real stuff than get more unfinished product, and in the meantime I'm enjoying the fillers.

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Originally Posted by Xatsh

Having some instance dungeons like WoW is a good idea, even XI had them Einherjar, Limbus, Dynamis (honestly typical mmo instances). But this game does not need to be a nearly 100% instanced mmo like alot of mmos are doing for endgame. I would love to see something like ZNMS which where in the open world but spawned NMS, even a form of sky or sea I would welcome assuming they could prevent the botting of spawn items.

All in all it needs a good mix, of instanced and non-instanced content.

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I agree some instanced is fine, but they keep saying they're INSTANCED western style dungeons >_< It's scary....

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Originally Posted by Victor

Jesus, mid-June...?

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Yeah that's a really long time to go. Before we "see the start of our reworking of the battle system". Stop twiddling your thumbs people! *cracks out a whip and cancels the golden week from the devs*

Rank 30-50 is low rank?

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

QUEST HUBS and low level dungeons?

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No change is going to please everyone. If quests were more spread out rather then being more centralised then people are going to complain about needing to waste so much time run around when they want to be "playing the game".

What part of the dungeons are low level? They're getting added at levels 30 and 50. 50 is the cap so they can't get any higher than that at the moment. 30 certainly isn't considered low level, more a mid-level.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

It worked in FF11, no one ever complained there was "no content", because there was tons of stuff to do while leveling up. AF quests, RSE quests, genkei's, missions, farming, crafting,low level NMs, etc.

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So low level NMs = Good. Low level dungeons = Bad?

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Originally Posted by Leowilde

As if. Quality over quantity, I say. I'd rather wait a long time for the real stuff than get more unfinished product, and in the meantime I'm enjoying the fillers.

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It would be nice to know what kind of battle stuff they are implementing... he said in the letter 'battle stuff they have planned'... that's it >.> urghhhhhhhhhhhhhh

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

AF quests had a good story behind them. COP had a good story, TOAU had a good story, zilarts story sucked but meh, WOTG had a good story. Rank10 missions had a decent story. All of this content was challenging, unlike WOWclone dungeons that aren't experts/heroics(and those are easy after you get gear FROM those dungeons ._.) BCNM's were unique boss fights. RSE wasn't anything special but it was another low level gear option and something for you to do besides leveling. Basically, at least it was different. I don't know about most people, but after playing WOW for 5+ years I don't feel like playing the same MMO until I die.

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pretty much everything you listed came out as an expansion. AF wasn't in the game until after lv50. just because they aren't not releasing storyline missions doesn't mean they wont release it in the future. Again everything is waiting on the battle system changes.

I was thinking we were going to be getting the big update at the end of the easter event. As it was said the archons would be coming at the end of it. It seems that what they've actually done is just made Eorzea have a real time storyline that we witness. So we'll probably see the companies form and stuff during the next month like it's said in this letter and maybe other lore based events throughout the month of may.

I am slightly disappointed that we're not getting any real updates this month but the fact that Eorzea has a lore that progresses in real time is amazing. That's exactly the kind of thing I want out of an MMO. Makes the place feel so much more real.

I'll wait until the dungeons are released to give any real formal judgment on them.
Though I never really got to the dungeons in XI, so my view won't have any real points of comparison.

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Originally Posted by Akumu

You're wrong kind sir we all know WoW came up with everything first including dungeons.

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Rift thought about doing instanced dungeons before WoW even came out so technically it was Rift's idea, WoW just came out with it first

Level30 dungeons are low level, yes. 1-20 takes less than a day, 20-30 might take a few days. Low level. Low level NM's are ok because they aren't COPYING ANOTHER GAME. Seriously, does everyone just want to play and do the same things over and over and over and over and never change? I'd like them to reinvent the wheel personally, I'm not up for another SOLO QUEST 1-LEVEL CAP - > grind dungeons! - > grind heroic dungeons! - > grind raids! - > AFK until next content patch! game. Might just be me though, who knows.

30 is sorta low level when you think about in.

If you look at the SP curve and time requirements 1-24 can litteraly be done in a day or two in leve partys and alittle grinding. 30 can be gotten to in about 2-3 more days. (1-30 is only like 20-25% of the way to 50 in terms of overall sp).

Then again it is in the middle of 1-50. So it is all how you look at it. but I think 30 is a good place for a dungeon. That level is easily achievable by players in a rather limited amount of time.

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Originally Posted by Shiyo

Level30 dungeons are low level, yes..

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30-50. 30 -to- 50

Quality, huh? Did you just happen to forget their trackrecord for the last 7 months of development? I don't even feel like arguing, this game is eating my soul.

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Originally Posted by Xatsh

30 is sorta low level when you think about in.

If you look at the SP curve and time requirements 1-24 can litteraly be done in a day or two in leve partys and alittle grinding. 30 can be gotten to in about 2-3 more days. (1-30 is only like 20-25% of the way to 50 in terms of overall sp).

Then again it is in the middle of 1-50. So it is all how you look at it. but I think 30 is a good place for a dungeon. That level is easily achievable by players in a rather limited amount of time.

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But why do we need to copy another game with content? Why couldn't they added content to the game that wasn't leeching off another? Why are all MMOs turning into the same thing? Can't we get something different, something unique, AND fun, for once? Please?