Letter From the Producer LIVE Part XVIII Q&A Summary (01/08/2015)
We're pleased to present the full Q&A digest from the Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XVIII! If you missed the live stream, or if you just want to watch it again (and again), check it out below! Please note that there will not be subtitles added the LIVE letter.
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Letter from the Producer LIVE Part XVIII Q&A
Quote:
0:06:55
Q: I’d like to know what is discussed when balancing jobs. Please give us insight into what led you to adjust dragoon.
A: While this doesn’t apply only to dragoon, we make adjustments looking at both DPS against unmoving targets such as practice dummies and DPS dealt in actual content.
There are two main reasons that we made the decision to make adjustments to dragoon.
The first is dragoon’s magic defense. Recently in content, where other jobs were able to recover after making two missteps, there are a lot of cases where dragoons would die on their second misstep, which is due to the fact that dragoon’s trait of having lower magic defense is being expressed too extreme.
The second reason is because we have been receiving a lot of feedback that it’s hard for dragoons to challenge content. In the past we made adjustments to black mage as well since there was feedback that they were being overlooked for specific content. In order to make it so players whose main job is dragoon are able to participate in content, we decided to make adjustments.
Now then, onto the specifics for the adjustments. First, we will be making adjustments to directional-based actions. The melee DPS before we implemented ninja both had special characteristics. All of monk’s attacks are directional-based and they have to maintain greased lightning. Likewise, only certain dragoon actions are directional-based, and our thought was balancing around missed directional-based attacks. However, with player skills on the rise and more complex content being introduced, the times where dragoons are unable to execute their directional-based attacks have increased and there is a gap arising in DPS. We’ll be announcing the specific abilities that will be adjusted in the patch notes, but the concept around the adjustments is making it possible to gain buffs even if you attack from the wrong direction.
We’ll also be reducing the cool down timers for certain actions.
Furthermore, we’ll be boosting the magic defense of dragoon so that it is the same value as that of other jobs. Additionally, adjustments will be made to the DoT damage values.
The negative aspect when using Blood for Blood will also be reduced through a job trait for dragoon only.
To summarize, damage over time will increase through the reduction of cool down times and an increase to overall DPS output. The job can also be played more comfortably through adjustments to directional-based actions and changes to Blood for Blood.
Quote:
0:12:30
Q: Ninjas are able to silence, stun, and deal a high amount of DPS and I feel like they are too strong. Do you have any plans to balance them with other jobs?
A: In my previous answer I mentioned that we check DPS against unmoving targets and balance jobs while considering the ideal action rotation. However, everyone has put in great effort studying ninja and has come up with a rotation that is slightly more effective than what we had imagined allowing for a slightly higher percentage of DPS.
Additionally, we scaled back the amount of TP consumed by ninjas since they have the complex element of using mudras, but as a result there is not enough risk for TP management and we will be slightly increasing the TP cost of some actions.
To summarize the overall job balance adjustments we have planned, we’ll be enhancing dragoon while slightly reducing the DPS of ninja without jeopardizing the current action rotation so that the DPS jobs are balanced.
Quote:
0:14:15
Q: Please tell us when and how dragoon will be adjusted.
A: The adjustments will take place in Patch 2.45, which is scheduled for Tuesday, December 9. Additionally in Patch 2.45, we will be adding Stoneskin II to conjurer, which will allow you to cast stoneskin on your entire party when you are not in combat.
I’ll give a brief overview of the content coming in Patch 2.45.
First, we will be implementing the Eternal Bond system.
Second, we’ll be adding the next portion of the Zodiac weapon quests. I believe we already released a picture of one of them on the Developers’ Blog, but at long last the time has come where your weapons’ design will change into the ones that were wielded by the Zodiac Braves. I can’t tell you the item level just yet though.
We’ll also be adding a feature for helping with content that has weekly lockouts –specifically, the Final Coil of Bahamut. Even if you’ve already cleared content for the week, you’ll be able to participate. However, players who have already cleared the content will not be able to lot on treasure. Furthermore, depending on the number of people in your party who have already cleared the content, the amount of treasure chests that appear will be reduced. Without this type of system in place, it would be possible to just have groups of players who cleared the content with one person who just wants to get an item, so we appreciate your understanding on this.
Additionally, we’ll be making adjustments that ease crafting and adding a variety of other things. It’s a big patch, so I hope you are all looking forward to it. Patch 2.45 is schedule to be implemented on Tuesday, December 9th.
Quote:
0:19:00
Q: I often encounter lag when I’m using my mudras as ninja. Do you plan on adjusting this?
A: Since it’s an internet-based game, there are aspects like how packets are sent and received that we are not involved with and we can’t push past the current level. Of course, we are continuing to discuss this with the programmers to see if there is another way around it, but it’s something that is difficult to address right away.
Quote:
0:20:00
Q: The poetics equipment for summoner and bard has spell speed and skill speed which really doesn’t fit the concept of these jobs, nor is it advantageous. Do you have plans to adjust these stats?
A: When it comes to the game design of FFXIV, we’ve made it so there are various routes for obtaining equipment, and ultimately we’d like players to strive for raid equipment.
With that said though, devotion to raid equipment alone would take away the value of poetics equipment and crafted equipment, so we’ve allocated various stats so that players can choose the equipment they want to use with the needed stats.
However, we’ve been receiving a lot of feedback on this, so we will be looking into revamping stats on the equipment we add moving forward.
Quote:
0:21:15
Q: Can you tell us what you have planned for individual job limit breaks?
A: For the expansion we are preparing original limit breaks for each job, but since it would be difficult to implement them all at the same time, we will first start off by implementing them for three jobs.
We’re currently creating dragoon’s limit break and we plan on releasing this in the DirectX 11 benchmark that is in-development.
Additionally, bards are currently armed with a healing limit break, but this will change once we implement their own original limit break.
Quote:
0:22:28
Q: I enjoyed all of the job quest stories. With the level cap increase in the expansion, will you also be adding new job quests?
A: Yes, in the expansion the level cap will increase and you’ll be able to level your jobs higher, and we’ll have job quests for this.
Content-wise there will be some quests that continue the storyline you saw up to level 50, while others will have totally new stories. We’re in the midst of developing them all, so please look forward to seeing them.
Quote:
0:23:05
Q: Currently in FFXIV there is a lot of content for the hardcore and casual players, but not much in terms of something in-between. Do you have any plans on adding to the amount of middle-level content for players that can do Crystal Tower but are unable to do the Coil of Bahamut?
A: While it won’t be implemented right away, we are planning to add Free Company crafting in the expansion.
Quote:
0:24:55
Q: Waiting on FATEs for Zodiac weapon quests and beast tribe quests take a long time. Do you have any plans to make adjustments?
A: We’ve already made adjustments to FATEs for beast tribe quests and made them so they occur much more frequently, so we do not have any plans to make further adjustments.
We’ve also made adjustments to FATEs for the Zodiac Braves, but we are aware there are instances where the wait time between certain FATEs is long.
This is mainly due to these FATEs being connected to other FATEs and we are planning to split these up and have them occur separately in Patch 2.5.
The system that connects these FATEs is complex in nature, so it will take us a bit of time to adjustment, but please hang in there while we work on this.
Quote:
0:25:50
Q: In a previous magazine interview you commented that you want to have dungeons that can be soloed. Will this ever make its way into the game?
A: While we do not have any plans to add a new dungeon meant for soloing, we’re currently looking into making it so the current dungeons geared towards light parties can be undertaken solo.
Additionally, while this is still in the planning phase, we’ve been tossing around an idea to make it so you can form your own military unit under your Grand Company, recruit subordinate NPCs, and then take them to dungeons to train them.
Quote:
0:27:35
Q: The bosses in Patch 2.4 are really fun and it makes me want to fight them. How does the development team go about designing boss battles?
A: To start off, Maehiro, Gondai, and myself decided on which bosses we want to release in a patch, and then decide whether how it fits into the world of FFXIV and decide the lore.
Once this is done, we decide who will lead this content on the battle team-side, and the lead will start planning out the mechanics and flow of the phases. After the battle team and scenario team looks over the plan, it finally comes to me and I let them know whether it’s too easy or too hard. It’s then released after it undergoes adjustments.
We’ve been receiving a lot of feedback that Shiva EX is really fun because even if you are on the edge of wiping you can recover, so we’d like to keep this in mind for the future so we can continue to provide this type of enjoyment.
Quote:
0:30:25
Q: Will you be adding new rules to Frontline?
A: New rules will be added to Frontline in Patch 2.5. The map will remain the same, but fights will take place with different rules.
Additionally, we’ll also be adding Frontline to the Duty Roulette at the same time and adding bonuses.
We’re planning to add new maps around the time of the expansion, and after that update we are planning to begin adjustments for the Wolves’ Den.
Furthermore, we’re looking into improving the matching speed by replacing 16v16v16 rule with 8v8v8 since the recent matching times have become slower.
Quote:
0:31:40
Q: Currently, all of the high-level crafting recipes require materials obtained via desynthesis and items obtained by trading tomestones, and the Disciples of the Land classes do not have much involvement. Are there any plans to address the balance so that the DoL classes can be involved more?
A: When it comes to the gathering system, in order to make sure no unfairness arises, we’ve established time restrictions and made it so basically everyone can obtain the same items. Coupled with the Armoury System, this ensures that anyone can obtain the same items if they so desire.
Due to this, if we were to set item recipes that can be completely made only through materials gathered by Disciples of the Land classes, there would not be any balance between the supply and demand since anyone can make them, and it would do nothing for the market.
If we were to try and solve this problem and make it so there are recipes that can be made through Disciples of the Land classes alone, we would have to prepare items that cannot be gathered by some as well as different system, and this creates another problem that interferes with a positive aspect of FFXIV.
However, we added these recipes so that everyone would use the newly implemented desynthesis system and to fit the difficulty level of Master Recipe II books, but the items that can be obtained via desynthesis have become more useful than those that can be gathered, so we will continue to make adjustments to restore balance as we consider the expansion.
Quote:
0:34:10
Q: Obtaining the higher-tier equipment for Disciples of the Hand is extremely difficult. Will the difficulty be adjusted in the future? I’d like recipes and elements that are a bit easier to get into.
A: In regards to the difficulty of the Master Recipe II books, it is not all bad and I think there are also good aspects to it. Playing as a Disciple of the Hand class means that instead of only using a set order of actions each time, you have to carefully select actions depending on the situation and increase your chances.
However, we’re aware that the amount of gil needed and the difficulty of the steps prior for obtaining equipment so that you can challenge Master Recipe II books is leaning more towards the higher difficulty.
As a future plan for Disciples of the Hand, in the Patch 2.x series we will not be increasing the difficulty any higher, and we’ll be making adjustments that will make it easier to obtain the required equipment to challenge recipes in the Master Recipe II books. Additionally we’ll make it easier to obtain the equipment and items that are below this level. In regards to the Master Recipe II books that have been set as the current highest difficulty recipes, we would like to maintain this difficulty level for now due to the fact that if we were to ease them it would take away from the players who put in a lot of hard work to acquire them.
Just as I mentioned for the previous question, we wanted players to try out desynthesis but put too much emphasis on desynthesis items which created conditions where desynthesis became a must. We’ll be restoring balance so that glamour equipment and other casual-type items can be made through recipes that are easier to get into.
In regards to feedback mentioning that desynthesis is a necessity, the definition of “necessity” is difficult. The items that can be obtained through desynthesis are all basically tradeable, which means you can obtain them from the market, so we can’t really say that it is a necessity.
For the people who sell all of the items they obtain from desynthesis in the market, this has become a system where they are able to efficiently use unneeded items, but due to the fact that the demand for these items is high and the price has not fallen much, desynthesis has become a necessity for the people who feel it would be advantageous to desynth themselves.
Since we included too many desynthesis items for useful recipes, we would like to reverse this trend.
Quote:
0:38:00
Q: Mythology equipment drops in dungeons with an item level restriction and it’s difficult for players who just hit level 50 to get gear at this level. Do you have any plans of easing the difficulty for obtaining equipment at this level?
A: The development team is currently keeping a close watch on this problem.
We’ve designed FFXIV so that as we progress through patches the item levels will increase, and we’ve planned for characters who reached level 50 to aim for item level 90 equipment.
However, with elements such as delivery quests and desynthesis, the demand for equipment that drops inside dungeons has not decreased and Greed and Pass are hardly selected right now. As a result, the difficulty of obtaining equipment has become higher than we anticipated, so we would like to make adjustments as soon as possible.
Quote:
0:39:15
Q: There are a lot of recipes that were added in Patch 2.4 that require Mastercraft Demimateria. Do you have any plans of increasing the ways that this can be obtained?
A: Since these have been added to too many recipes at the moment, we will take this into consideration for the next set of recipes we add. We’ll be making adjustments in Patch 2.45 to reduce of the market prices, but since it would affect the economy I can’t talk about the details at the moment.
Quote:
0:40:05
Q: The prices of the items that can be purchased with Ixali oaknots are expensive, and it seems like it makes everyone lean towards accepting beast tribe quests from the Ixali more. Do you have any plans for easing the exchange rate, separating the quest offers for this tribe, or making any other kind of adjustments?
A: We’re currently keeping track of the prices and the amount of items in distribution on all Worlds. While I can’t make any affirmations that we will be making adjustments right away, we’re aware that Xelphatol spring water is hard to come by and we are planning to change the exchange rate and make it easier to obtain. Ehcatl sealant is also another item we have been keeping tabs on, but its price is in the midst of fluctuation, so we’d like to monitor this a bit more and then look into whether adjustments are necessary.
Quote:
0:41:15
Q: How’s the progress on add-ons and DirectX 11 support coming along?
A: We’ve finished implementing the basic system for add-ons. Currently we’re in the process of organizing the various types of features for add-ons known as API, and once this has been completed we are thinking about releasing it. However, since add-ons are tools, there is a possibility they will be modified and there maybe problems that arise such as cases where viruses are included in them. In order to protect everyone and ourselves from this possibility, we need to check on the legal-side of things. This is a first-time thing for Square Enix and as such we need some time for it. Due to this, I can’t mention an official release date, but we’re progressing with the development and we’ll be sure to keep you posted.
In regards to DirextX11, we’ve decided on a release date. We’re planning to release this at the same time as the expansion, which schedule for spring 2015.
We’re thinking of showing off a video comparing DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 at the Fan Festival in Tokyo.
Additionally, we’re currently preparing a benchmark that includes a lot of things to get you all pumped up for the expansion, and there will be both a DirectX 9 version and a DirectX 11 version. Everyone will be able to compare the two on their PCs before the expansion is released.
Furthermore, we’re also progressing with development of the Mac version, and this is scheduled for a release in late March or April 2015.
Quote:
0:45:55
Q: Can you please add a special inventory for fishing bait and lures?
A: I previously talked about inventory, and due to the fact that everyone’s character data is so large, the amount of data transmitted through the servers would increase if we were to increase the amount of saved data for a single character. We’ve constructed an optimal server environment by making adjustments up to the smallest of bits, and if we were to increase the amount of data transmitted we expect that there would be an increase in the amount of lag, server crashes, and loading time when changing areas, so addressing this is extremely difficult.
However, something that we can do is to reduce the types of fishing bait and lures that are used in the fishing spots added in the expansion, increase the maximum number of retainers you can hire and improve the user-friendliness of retainers with macros and item searching features so that it will be easier to handle a large amount of items.
Quote:
0:48:10
Q: Can you add a larger variety of hairstyles, facial hair, face paint, and other options?
A: Just as I mentioned previously in regards to hairstyles, there are a lot of aspect we need to adjust such as how they mesh with head and body equipment, and we are doing our best to add them at our current pace.
We previously added new face paint, but since the feedback on this was quite low, we have been prioritizing hairstyles and other requests that have a higher demand.
In regards to facial hair, the amount of aspects that can be customized for a character are decided based on the amount of data transmitted, and if we were to increase the aspects we would have to eliminate something else.
While slightly different from the actual request, we’ve prepared fake moustaches for the Starlight Celebration event. Moving forward we will be thinking of various ways to make it so you can express the individuality of your character.
Also, one of the larger requests we’ve been receiving is for an afro hairstyle, and we’re in the midst of making this.
Quote:
0:50:40
Q: Can you ease up on the class and job restrictions for glamours to expand their use further?
A: We’re gradually easing restrictions, but since FFXIV’s setting strives to be a real fantasy role-playing game, there is a possibility that players who are new will become confused, so we’d like to maintain certain rules for glamours such that you cannot be a mage that is wearing heavy armor.
I’m not saying that this rule will still hold true 10 years down the road, but currently the upcoming expansion will have a dark fantasy setting and we’d like to preserve that aspect of the lore.
However, we received a lot of feedback asking to make it possible for males to wear skirts to expand the use of glamours.
The game is being development by a large amount of people, and if we don’t have easy to understand rules in place things will likely become a mess, so I’ve given the order to separate glamours for role and class, but if there are a large volume of requests for something in particular, there is a fair chance it will be addressed. We’d like to expand the ways you can glamour yourselves bit by bit.
Quote:
0:52:55
Q: With a new race being added in the expansion, do you have plans to increase the options for the current races when creating a character?
A: Just as I mentioned for the question about facial hair, it’s difficult to increase the options and we will be looking into other ways to allow you to express character individuality
Quote:
0:53:25
Q: Will you still be implementing the Free Company alliance feature you mentioned in the past?
A: We’re currently arranging the programs related to Free Companies to prepare for Free Company crafting as content that will be added in the expansion and beyond.
Once this work has been completed we plan on addressing this with the content that we’re planning to add.
Quote:
0:54:15
Q: Large size houses feel empty. Can you increase the cap on the amount of furnishings we can place?
A: We’ve been using all our energy to increase the amount of land, so we haven’t been able to touch this aspect of housing. However, with the new wards that were added, I feel that we’ve just about fulfilled the demands.
We’ll continue to add more land, but we’d like to improve the utility of each house.
However, the team that is in charge of housing, known as the Live Team, is also in charge of Free Company elements and the Gold Saucer, and they’re currently devoting all their energy to Free Company crafting and the Gold Saucer. We expect that they will be able to address this afterwards, but they will need a bit of time.
Quote:
0:55:35
Q: Will you be implementing housing areas in Ishgard as well?
A: Ishgard is a land where there is still an intense war going on between humans and dragons, so it’s not really the time to build houses there.
I’ve been talking about whether we can add this sometime after the expansion, but we wouldn’t be doing this at the same time as the expansion and as I can’t make any promises in regards to the timeframe, for those of you who are wondering if there will be new housing areas in the expansion, I urge you to look into housing in the current three city-states.
Quote:
0:57:00
Q: I’d like to suggest a kettle as furnishing to boost the live feeling. Do you have any plans to add the kettle that is being made by Gerolt to support his livelihood?
A: This was an interesting question we saw beforehand and on a rare occasion asked the development team to answer it before the show. It seems like they are already making this, and we received the following comment from the lore team:
"As you may know, Gerolt repairs kettles to pay off his debts at the bar. He enjoyed this so much that now he's on a mission to make the "Ultimate Kettle." But, it's no easy task to forge the Ultimate Kettle suitable for this legendary weaponsmith. We have rumors of it making its way to implementation, but given that it's the Ultimate Kettle tinged with soulglaze, it's like not going to easily obtained… We hope you look forward to it!"
Quote:
0:59:30
Q: I’m thinking about buying a PlayStation 4 next year, but the upgrade campaign ends this year. Do you plan on extending this as a marketing strategy for the New Year?
A: Those of you who had been playing on PlayStation 3 and then purchased a PlayStation 4 can upgrade to the PlayStation 4 version of the game for free until December 31, 2014; however, there has been a lot of requests to extend this since many are planning to buy a PlayStation 4 at the beginning of the New Year, so we will be extending this service to March 31, 2015.
For those of you who are PlayStation Plus members, you’ll be able to participate in the Free Trial for both the PlayStation 3 and 4 from December 11, and this will open up to everyone on December 24.
Quote:
1:02:05
Q: Will we still be able to play Patch 2.x content when the expansion comes out even if we do not purchase it? I’m new to online games, so could you tell me more about what an expansion entails?
A: FINAL FANTASY XIV: Heavensward is a new expansion pack that will add onto FINAL FANTASY XIV. You can purchase the expansion for several thousand yen, and by installing it you’ll be able to enjoy new jobs, a new race, a lot of new maps, new dungeons, and various other content. You can imagine that a whole new FINAL FANTASY XIV will be added on. We’ll have both a standard edition and a collectors’ edition for the expansion.
In regards to the question, even after the expansion is implemented you will still be able to play the content from FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn, so please do not worry about that. Also, even if you don’t install the expansion, you’ll still be able to see elements of the expansion on your screen for the players that have it installed. You’ll be able to see it, but in order to actually play it you’ll need the expansion.
Recently I’ve been asked quite often if the 2.x storyline will be concluding. Think of it like television series. The FINAL FANTASY XIV: A Realm Reborn arc will be concluding and a new story arc with start that involves the Dragonsong War. The main scenario characters as well as brand-new characters will make an appearance. In Patch 2.5 the Realm Reborn storyline will be concluding and a new adventure will begin in the expansion.