Party Search and recruit UI

I haven't looked very hard but at first glance, I don't see another post about this topic. I think it's pretty safe to say though, that people just aren't using the tools provided for searching for a party or recruiting members for a party.

It may seem like a good tool to the developers but the truth of the matter is, it's cumbersome to use, gives users very little information about existing parties or people seeking for parties. People like information and the more information you provide us with, the more likely we are to use such tools and functions.

I really hate to say it but if it isn't broke, why bother fixing it? Reference the system in FFXI. I don't know why SE seems to avoid using some of the proven technology from FFXI. There are core systems such as the party/user search tools, the mail system (which in itself would allow SE to make more money by encouraging people to purchase additional characters for mules), the chat window interface and others that are trademarks of SE. These systems could be incorporated into XIV and people would be extremely happy to use something that they are familiar with, that is very intuitive and has proven it's usefulness already, time and time again.

Please, give us a party search function similar to that of FFXI and I bet you a lot of money that people would use it. You can incorporate core functions that you have already tested in a battle proven game to work very well without compromising the uniqueness of FFXIV.

I like the current recruit/party search, but it could be a bit more streamlined (for example, setting it up to recruit Class: any or Location: any) and it's not really explained all too well. They added a seek invite option but it needs to be a separate option with its own menu. A simple "toss your flag up" like 11 can streamline everything by a lot, but the ability to set a seek party message and seek on a class you aren't currently on is a very nice feature.

Ideally we would have a situation where a party leader puts their recruitment info out there for other people to search, like how it is currently, but also be able to easily search for anyone seeking a group. On the other hand, someone would be able to search for groups that are currently going on and if they can't find something to suit their needs, can toss their flag up.

I completely agree with you Estellios. The current system isn't all that bad... once you watch a tutorial video and figure out how the hell it works. Sadly, you have to watch a video to figure it out in the first place. There's a place for comments and such. You can, in fact, "put your flag up" but since no one understands how it works or how to properly search, it fails.

It doesn't need an overhaul as much as it needs some streamlining, some small revisions, and there needs to be a VISIBLE "flag" up like in XI. I want people to KNOW I'm searching for group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soOp-7DCmBs

That video explains it well.

"Seek Invite" DEFINITELY needs it's own section or "button." I also enjoy the fact that we can set our party to searching (and others can search and see what we need, how many of them, and what we're going to be doing). THIS is an amazing feature. If only people knew how to use it.