My thoughts exactly.
And it definitely shows, in the overall quest quality.Quote:
WoW also has well over 5000 quests, per faction, that aren't repeatable on the same character.
If to achieve creating that many quests requires them to be dumbed down to the level of repetition, while only offering a freaking chat box for the 'story' for each and every one of them (thankfully phasing makes it at least somewhat tolerable) with gameplay that in other games would be delegated to a 'tutorial' status (except this 'tutorial' lasts for 50, sometimes even 80 levels), I can't say that's a goal SE should aim for.
I also find it hilarious how 'grinding' is considered to be some kind of mysterious, separate entity from activity X or Y. There's no fucking difference. You do the same tasks over and over again = grinding. Simple as that. They can try to spice up grinding by creating small goals to work for (essentially what leves and quests in other MMO's are) or by creating somewhat enjoyable gameplay mechanics or social space to hold your attention.
And the poorest form of 'spicing up' the game is the Chat Box. And the dialogue lines that complement them (HoHoHo adventurer, I needs me some Bat Wings!). A 3D game - a 3D experience. I don't want to read a goddamn book. If you can't achieve that, consider telling your story through other means that aren't as insulting and use other tricks to spice your game up instead.
Yeah they need to add more activities obviously and they seem well aware of this, but balancing them means party activities give more XP than solo activities. That needs to be emphasized repeatedly, and that is why WoW and its clone have a far worse leveling system for anyone who likes to group in an MMO. It's shorter, thank god, but I have never heard anyone praise it for any other reason than that. FFXI's leveling system on the other hand brought many benefits to the community, many many people playing FFXIV like to group.
Nothing would keep them from adding group quests into the mix. Instead of getting quests that 'You man bring up to 2 additional party members', we would get 'This quest requires at least a light party', and we wouldn't even be able to start it at the quest area unless we had 4, similar to the dungeons.
group quests are not a solution. First of all they require all people to be on the same quest/step which makes forming a pick up group nearly impossible, 2nd in most implementations they are incredibly lame and just as easy as solo quests. They are whack-a-mole "content" I'd take a skillful party grind any day. So would most people who like to group for XP.
There's nothing skillful about party grinding.
Options are nice. I like both having grind parties and solo levequest and other stuff to get sp from. So what if some stuff seems wow-ish or whatever. If it makes hardcore WoW players feel a bit at home then it will keep their interest and not to mention help FFXIV keep a higher player base.