Letter from the Producer, XV (07/27/2011)

So..Anyone else disappointed that it was atleast implied that we weren't getting any news on 1.19 because of all the unnecessary whining? I mean we can all agree some things needed adjustment, but, I am also pretty sure that it would have still been done without all the melodramatic BS. I am disappointed for the first time. Not by the developers, but by the community. Is this really the new generation of MMO gamers? People who whine because they can't one shot and win everything in under an hour? Sad, sad, sad.

..Sorry. /rant off.

I am very pleased with 1.18 update. I have to admit, some things which I was reticent with have proven to be quite beneficial for team work. And putting treasures that can't be acquired through simply killing the last boss is a clever idea, hehe (the hidden key metaphor)! :D

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Originally Posted by Cyan

So..Anyone else disappointed that it was atleast implied that we weren't getting any news on 1.19 because of all the unnecessary whining? I mean we can all agree some things needed adjustment, but, I am also pretty sure that it would have still been done without all the melodramatic BS. I am disappointed for the first time. Not by the developers, but by the community. Is this really the new generation of MMO gamers? People who whine because they can't one shot and win everything in under an hour? Sad, sad, sad.

..Sorry. /rant off.

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yes, thats exactly what the new generation is about
you shoulda seen the champions community at pre launch, they LOVED the game, you basicaly had god mode, everything was overpowered, the devs really dropped the ball on it, and they knew it
so they fixed it
and everyone whined god mode was gone, and thats what caused the game to get horrible reviews(all the reviews do mention the "day 1 patch" which basicaly took god mode away")

people want things to be easy, no penalties, all the good stuff
unlimited content, 1 shottong monsters and 100% gear drops

youd be surrpised

As far as I'm concerned, this letter is extra content. Usually we get letters roughly every two weeks/and a half, now we got one only after a week.

If he manages to post XVI within the next week and a half we've lost nothing. If he doesn't, then this was quite useless.

He shouldn't be so sensitive. People will criticize him either way so he should take note and better himself; nothing more. In other words, "have the balls".

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Originally Posted by Kensei

I thought the exact same thing when I finished reading it. I think this was just a smoke screen for two possible reasons:

1. The negative feedback to some of the things they did in 1.18 has made them make changes to things that would be introduced in 1.19 as they realized players will not like them, and now he dare not say them as they will just bring even more complaints.

2. He just wanted to buy time because he didn't felt like going into detail about 1.19 this week.

Edit: The one thing I can take from the letter is that he admitted they made mistakes and went too overboard with some changes so all those fanatics barking at anyone who didn't agree 1.18 was the best thing ever and the exact vision of the producers can finally shut up. Players that had some issues with the patch were right.

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If your issues were r20-30 guildleve rewards, and whatever "further balancing" entails then maybe you got some validation. What of this is news though? Because they said prior to 1.18's release that 1.19 would largely balance abilities and XP methods (which will also be balanced in 1.2).

I didn't see anything in there about how:

• ARC/ARC/ARC/ARC/CON/CON/GLA/GLA is the only possible, or intended setup to kill the ogre.
• Or about how XP is totally broken now and impossible to level.
• That Enmity system is BROKEN!!!!!!
• Or about how a certain class was completely useless and would need to receive an emergency balance fix just so someone, anyone would actually play it!

I saw him saying he didn't want to make direct responses to all the complaints but that balancing would be examined in the coming patches. I think it is pretty safe to say that leve-linking/solo guildleves probably won't be returning as the primary form of leveling, that the enmity system and MP changes (while they may be adjusted) are here to stay, that Darkhold will stay the same, and that they haven't rethought adding auto-attack to the game.

I'd hold off before proclaiming that everyone who complained about the patch was "right".

One complaint about 1.18... why the hell you put food in treasure chests... how old is the food... is it really edible??

Why is it missing subligar in every chest like I asked...

on a related note, the 1 biggest problem i have with this patch

People zerging the 50 dungeon, im sick of it
no one wants to go in and kill anything just run to the boss lol


if theres anything they should change, its the despawning of mobs when you reach the checkpoints

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

As far as I'm concerned, this letter is extra content. Usually we get letters roughly every two weeks/and a half, now we got one only after a week.

If he manages to post XVI within the next week and a half we've lost nothing. If he doesn't, then this was quite useless.

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Good point. I guess that is the best way to look at it. I was just looking forward to more on 1.19. :( :(

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Originally Posted by Murugan

If your issues were r20-30 guildleve rewards, and whatever "further balancing" entails then maybe you got some validation. What of this is news though? Because they said prior to 1.18's release that 1.19 would largely balance abilities and XP methods (which will also be balanced in 1.2).

I didn't see anything in there about how:

• ARC/ARC/ARC/ARC/CON/CON/GLA/GLA is the only possible, or intended setup to kill the ogre.
• Or about how XP is totally broken now and impossible to level.
• That Enmity system is BROKEN!!!!!!
• Or about how a certain class was completely useless and would need to receive an emergency balance fix just so someone, anyone would actually play it!

I saw him saying he didn't want to make direct responses to all the complaints but that balancing would be examined in the coming patches. I think it is pretty safe to say that leve-linking/solo guildleves probably won't be returning as the primary form of leveling, that the enmity system and MP changes (while they may be adjusted) are here to stay, that Darkhold will stay the same, and that they haven't rethought adding auto-attack to the game.

I'd hold off before proclaiming that everyone who complained about the patch was "right".

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We all 'saw' different things in that letter. Some saw 'Our enmity calculations, and absolutely everything else, were perfect, and will never change!', others say 'Changes weren't perfect, and I will decline to state all of those imperfections at this time, as there are too many to list in one letter'.

IMO opinion not even the dungeons were perfect. I'd rather have a dungeon where you couldn't sleep and run passed everything to the damn boss... In a real 'Raid' the trash hits harder than crap outside of it, with more HP.

I want 1.19 :(
But after that letter i don't see it coming before late September...

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Originally Posted by Reika

We all 'saw' different things in that letter. Some saw 'Our enmity calculations, and absolutely everything else, were perfect, and will never change!', others say 'Changes weren't perfect, and I will decline to state all of those imperfections at this time, as there are too many to list in one letter'.

IMO opinion not even the dungeons were perfect. I'd rather have a dungeon where you couldn't sleep and run passed everything to the damn boss... In a real 'Raid' the trash hits harder than crap outside of it.

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Who said anything was perfect, but there is a difference between balancing being needed, and a "failed patch". No where in this letter does it hint that the changes/additions in 1.18 are going anywhere.

Of course he acknowledged criticisms they stopped simply ignoring people about 8-9 months ago. Many people came back to the game though, or finally bought it, because of 1.18. I'm sure that point has been made too. There is a lot that many (most?) people like about 1.18, I doubt that we are going to lose any of that moving forward.

You know...just the fact that they have acknowledged they went overboard on some stuff says a lot more than you might originally think. Imagine if the FFXI team told red mages that they feel they've gone overboard with focusing only on their magic and not melee abilities? I know some red mages would fall to the ground, sobbing tears of joy to a statement like that.

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Originally Posted by Murugan

Who said anything was perfect, but there is a difference between balancing being needed, and a "failed patch". No where in this letter does it hint that the changes/additions in 1.18 are going anywhere.

Of course he acknowledged criticisms they stopped simply ignoring people about 8-9 months ago. Many people came back to the game though, or finally bought it, because of 1.18. I'm sure that point has been made too. There is a lot that many (most?) people like about 1.18, I doubt that we are going to lose any of that moving forward.

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How bout all the 'OMG I love 1.18 patch, its perfect!' threads.... they said it was perfect... not being able to find A SINGLE bug or issue with anything. I'm not saying it was a failed patch, but there were still issues some people who do think it was all perfection refuse to see. And he didnt hint that there would be no changes to anything either. It can be interpreted in many ways, depending on your desires and perception of the patch and the letter.

I feel from reading that there will be some adjustments, obviously something will be adjusted. But since he didn't say what, it is only assumptions as to what. Maybe they are currently re-testing things due to all the criticism, and to check and see if things really are or aren't as buggy and flawed as people have claimed them to be? Would be good if they were.

Nah he said nothing particularly when he introduces things with "I decided to write a letter addressing some 1.18 topics. Direct replies to forum posts would be quicker, sure, but with an official letter I can see to it word gets to all regions at the same time," and then goes on to basically say yep we got problems, talk to you later! At least giv us your point of view as to your justififying these changes to counter the criticism. Like you gotta feel for him alright, with everyone pulling him this way and that but this only highlights the fact that they gotta just find a workable set of game mechanics and stick with it. Emphasising STICK WITH IT. A game thats constantly in flux, and talking about changing major things every patch is actually as much part of the problem as the things that are actually physically wrong with the game. We just want the dust to settle and get on with it. I've stuck with the game since the beginning as a mid serious player and have never thought it deserved the kind of criticism it got at lauch and since; and yes i've had fun with it! But after this patch....wow never been this frustrated with it before. I played ffxi and play ffxiv this for the very reason it stands apart from the rest, but clearly with enix on 14 wanting to get a bigger slice of the market and attract those who were terrified of ffxi and the kind of devotion it required, they simply made a game thats trying to be everything to everyone and ends up pleasing no one in the end! They need to have the insight to seperate the genuinely useful comentary from those that are screaming the loudest and depmanding everything under the sun, and use it to seal the game finally. Its still not even a year into its life, which is very short in an mmo's life. They need to stop worrying about those who've been exploiting the numerous issues with the leveling system to fly ahead in the game, and focus on building a game that stands on its own and will attract plenty of new players into the future. This patch has felt like we've all been punished simply because enix is trying wrestle back control and slow everything down.

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Originally Posted by mysterytaru

tl;dr, wall'o'text.

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what I saw... was a wall of HEART

'Interpretation'

Yoshi probably didn't address any one particular issue because they want MORE feedback as to what things need further tweaks (like MP cost for example), so basically everyone who cares about any particular issue needs to go "Like", "Bump", "Rate Up" they're favorite topics or start new ones.

The "Like" Button is all powerful. You don't even need to argue really. Just "Like" the posts you agree with and ignore the ones you don't.

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Originally Posted by Davorok

Yoshi probably didn't address any one particular issue because they want MORE feedback as to what things need further tweaks (like MP cost for example), so basically everyone who cares about any particular issue needs to go "Like", "Bump", "Rate Up" they're favorite topics or start new ones.

The "Like" Button is all powerful. You don't even need to argue really. Just "Like" the posts you agree with and ignore the ones you don't.

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So if they make a new change that makes provoke cost 100mp, and I suggest that it is going way overboard, and no one presses the like button, we're all screwed?!

Seriously though, I hope they aren't making changes based on the number of 'likes' a suggestion gets, rather than the actual discussion and compromises made to the suggestion, Or just submitting a suggestion whether replied or liked or neither.

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Originally Posted by Reika

So if they make a new change that makes provoke cost 100mp, and I suggest that it is going way overboard, and no one presses the like button, we're all screwed?!

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No one person speaks for everyone but if a suggestion gets lots of "Likes", then Yes, many people are speaking in unison.

If no one agrees with a particular suggestion (like most of mine) then why would it get implemented?

In any case, I am breaking my own rule about arguing so I'll let it go but with this suggestion. If someone has what they think is a great idea but it gets no responses (topics do get lost especially on busy Forum days) make your suggestion again in another and/or similar thread (esp. if it has gotten a lot of responses). If you still get no likes it wasn't as great as you thought it was...sorry.

p.s. (Everyone) Please stop complaining about "Multiple Threads" and saying things like "...this has been discussed already. /thread".
That is extremely rude. Not everyone reads every single post on a daily basis (except folks with no life like me) and posts often get buried and forgotten, esp. after a major patch/news.

This was said in JP thread but the Dev/Rep responses only should have "Dislike!" button, I understand Like shows how many people like the idea but what if there was 80 dislike vs 20 like. Make it so you can only press one of them or cancel one and choose other if your decision changed later due to dev response giving more information what they posted earlier.

For regular members post I'm against the dislike button... you know it's going to be abused so much...lol

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Originally Posted by Murugan

If your issues were r20-30 guildleve rewards, and whatever "further balancing" entails then maybe you got some validation. What of this is news though? Because they said prior to 1.18's release that 1.19 would largely balance abilities and XP methods (which will also be balanced in 1.2).

I didn't see anything in there about how:

• ARC/ARC/ARC/ARC/CON/CON/GLA/GLA is the only possible, or intended setup to kill the ogre.
• Or about how XP is totally broken now and impossible to level.
• That Enmity system is BROKEN!!!!!!
• Or about how a certain class was completely useless and would need to receive an emergency balance fix just so someone, anyone would actually play it!

I saw him saying he didn't want to make direct responses to all the complaints but that balancing would be examined in the coming patches. I think it is pretty safe to say that leve-linking/solo guildleves probably won't be returning as the primary form of leveling, that the enmity system and MP changes (while they may be adjusted) are here to stay, that Darkhold will stay the same, and that they haven't rethought adding auto-attack to the game.

I'd hold off before proclaiming that everyone who complained about the patch was "right".

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WEVE KILLED IT WITH 6 CONS, NO GLADS AND SO ON SO YOUR ASSUMPTION IS DEAD WRONG

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Originally Posted by Reinheart

This was said in JP thread but the Dev/Rep responses only should have "Dislike!" button, I understand Like shows how many people like the idea but what if there was 80 dislike vs 20 like. Make it so you can only press one of them or cancel one and choose other if your decision changed later due to dev response giving more information what they posted earlier.

For regular members post I'm against the dislike button... you know it's going to be abused so much...lol

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yea, but without the dislike, you can actually say that everyone that didn't press like, dislike. so, a thread with 13000 viewers and only a few likes actually got way more dislikes than likes. ya know, like the auto attack thread... and many others. Tho yea, people would dislike just to dislike, i'm sure.

The letter was very short, and didn't give much information. I am curious as to how making this letter would have equal amount of time to make the 1.19 letter as he chose to write this instead. Not enough time to put this into a 1.19 letter? The 1.19 letter must be short and vague as well.Not to sound like a troll, just doesn't make much sense.. O_o

I think he really should have gone the individual post reply path, since he said it would have been easier himself.

I find this letter to be slightly underwhelming as well.

One of the few things I actually care about he addressed.

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The topics we’ve gotten the most feedback on are class balance, UI visibility (which will be addressed in 1.18a)

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That stupid UI highlight is epic fail unless you use a mouse and was the only thing irritating me. So as far as I am concerned I was happy to hear that there was in fact going to be a 1.18a to address that. Subsequent smaller patches is good to know so we can actually expect changes on a basis of weeks not months. Good Job Yoshida! Now please tell us about 1.19.

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Originally Posted by Synfrag

One of the few things I actually care about he addressed.



That stupid UI highlight is epic fail unless you use a mouse and was the only thing irritating me. So as far as I am concerned I was happy to hear that there was in fact going to be a 1.18a to address that. Subsequent smaller patches is good to know so we can actually expect changes on a basis of weeks not months. Good Job Yoshida! Now please tell us about 1.19.

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If only we all were that easily appeased lol.

Seems to me everyone's looking into this way too much. Sure, it's an extremely minor letter, but even Yoshi-P pointed that out. It was just easier on him and quicker for us if he put out his comments as a letter.

He admitted that some of the changes were a little rough around the edges, and some of them may have gone a bit too far in the "other" direction. What's wrong with that? It's simply Yoshi-P's acknowledgement that there are further adjustments to be made (in response to everyone's complaints about the little details in 1.18), rather than just ignoring issues that may arise and saying, "Working as intended, moving on to 1.19."

While I'm eagerly anticipating further info on the job system, etc., Yoshi-P certainly has my thanks for keeping in touch with the players.

To Yoshi-P

I want the combat need strategy too

but not because my character got nerfed

it's not the right way to add strategy need

what I can say is that I've never felt so enticed to continue playing the game and to chronicle my adventures as I go.:o The game has changed a lot, and for the better in my opinion.

I'm currently playing and maining my conjurer and have had no trouble leveling or getting by with MP management, then again I think I've allocated my stats properly for someone who's trying to play just a straight up caster class and nothing else.

This patch has been nothing short of an amazing burger/bacon flip and I for one hope they keep things in this direction. :D

The naggers and complainers voice their opinions waaaayy too loudly on this forum, and while sometimes it's required so that changes can be made to the smaller more annoying bugs or features, lets not forget to give praise to the things that have been paved and worked hard on by those slaving away ..in crunch time mode I'm sure... at the dev offices of FF14.:p

Good Job's all around!!:cool:

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Originally Posted by DemonFury

WEVE KILLED IT WITH 6 CONS, NO GLADS AND SO ON SO YOUR ASSUMPTION IS DEAD WRONG

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Yeah, our LS has worked out a strategy that requires no Archers and works consistently. People just like to jump to conclusions when things are too hard for them.

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Originally Posted by giftforce

I feel like he said nothing but acknowledge the existence of perceived-issues (and only a handful) without even explaining which side of the fence he stands.

This is an awful letter. Awful. He might as well have said nothing, which incidentally is all he did say. Nothing worth a darn.

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Calm down and do not get your panties in a bunch, at least he wasted his precious time, (which he could have used on something productive) to respond to your ungrateful attitude, as was said by him we are only human. At least they do not need updates after maintenance like xi usually did; for the messed up stuff they usually did/do, after they screw up an update.

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Originally Posted by SuzakuCMX

Summer event early August yay

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Only thing that I was excited about in this letter.

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Originally Posted by LuxLex

Thank you very much for this letter.

I would be very grateful if you acknowledged how overboard your development team went in increasing the MP cost of cures. Although some increase was to be expected, you have made it so I either

a) Can't solo my mages at all
b) have to change all of my stats so I am useless at everything but mage

I always played with fairly balanced stats because I like to play CON, THM, ALC, CUL, and FSH. This means I don't have a large MP pool. Having to take all my points out of Dex so I can manage to play mages really sucks, cause I also like fishing.

I realize that changes to point assignments are coming, but I am very saddened that your development team went ahead with changes which make it impossible for me to enjoy all of my classes, before fixing stat point assignment. Now I can only play 1 or 2 jobs effectively.

If you're dead set on not revisiting the MP changes, please consider increasing the MP restored by ethers and/or removing the medicated effect delay. 50 MP is nothing when cures cost so much. You could make this change into a good thing for alchemists (which like all crafting classes could use some more love) by making ethers less useless.

Similarly, please add refresh food like the "yagudo drink" and food that enlarges our MP pools significantly - this would, again, make it more reasonable to solo play on MP using classes without sacrificing the stats I use for every other class, while making culinarian (which is perhaps the biggest loljob in XIV) more beneficial to other players.

I appreciate the time you took to communicate with us and I hope you are serious about listening to player feedback.

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I agree entirely with you on Items like Ethers being more potent now that MP consumption has increased. I used an Ether the other day and went "Awww."

I don't see the issue with people and MP...

Looking over my skills I realised there was a handful I'd never used due to the
endless supply of MP I once had. Now; I look at Stygian Spikes, Damnation, Spirit Bind.
I'm not 50,I have about 900 mp (40 MND). Combine that with Exaltation once every 10 minutes,
and Siphon MP every minute; MP is really not an issue in a solo situation.

In a boss whereyou are the only healer, you have to manage your healing, buffs and debuffs.
Which is GOOD; no more spamming, no more mindlessly not paying attention to your actions.
Game is easy mode; people complain.
Game is hard and balanced; people complain.
Just.Deal.With.It.

This patch /IS NOT A BAD THING/

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Originally Posted by giftforce

I feel like he said nothing but acknowledge the existence of perceived-issues (and only a handful) without even explaining which side of the fence he stands.

This is an awful letter. Awful. He might as well have said nothing, which incidentally is all he did say. Nothing worth a darn.

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Agreed. And as expected he sided with his changes and the 30% of the player base. Just because some retards with a Zerg of 15 ppl in a party say that the game is easy and don't require strategy, doesn't mean that the rest 70% agree. It takes more strategy to handle a solo /duo, fight with a nm than 15 ppl button mashing and spamming. Keep ignoring one huge side of your player base yoshi and then when it's too late, grab your hat and leave.

The letters was about that people should comment more ON THE GAME and here you are, writing 12 sites of comments on the latter itself. Seriously...

The only thing you people will accomplish is that he stops writing latters at all, unless it has everything everyone wants to hear in it.
I most certainly would stop caring/writing, if people would complain because i show them that I care about their thoughts.

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Originally Posted by Drazzan

I don't see the issue with people and MP...

Looking over my skills I realised there was a handful I'd never used due to the
endless supply of MP I once had. Now; I look at Stygian Spikes, Damnation, Spirit Bind.
I'm not 50,I have about 900 mp (40 MND). Combine that with Exaltation once every 10 minutes,
and Siphon MP every minute; MP is really not an issue in a solo situation.

In a boss whereyou are the only healer, you have to manage your healing, buffs and debuffs.
Which is GOOD; no more spamming, no more mindlessly not paying attention to your actions.
Game is easy mode; people complain.
Game is hard and balanced; people complain.
Just.Deal.With.It.

This patch /IS NOT A BAD THING/

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Yeah now you use all those when solo or partied up also? if you pull hate you get mp back from damage, isn't it nice :D?

No Yoshi-P, you didn't go overboard. Keep the good stuff coming.

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Originally Posted by Noir

Agreed. And as expected he sided with his changes and the 30% of the player base. Just because some retards with a Zerg of 15 ppl in a party say that the game is easy and don't require strategy, doesn't mean that the rest 70% agree. It takes more strategy to handle a solo /duo, fight with a nm than 15 ppl button mashing and spamming. Keep ignoring one huge side of your player base yoshi and then when it's too late, grab your hat and leave.

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Q_Q? Since when was it a written known rule that A letter From The Producer had to have content in it suited to your needs on what needed to be fixed, though he did hint (if you read between the lines) that he should not have wasted a letter responded to you ungrateful babies.

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Originally Posted by Reika

If only we all were that easily appeased lol.

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I said "Irritating" not the only thing I don't like about the entire game. Maybe I should have said frustrating instead.

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Originally Posted by Synfrag

I said "Irritating" not the only thing I don't like about the entire game. Maybe I should have said frustrating instead.

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And that is how a lot of people are writing things here, like they have only one issue while no others exist.