Community Imbalance: The Linkshell
Dear Dev Team,
Myself and several friends have noticed a common occurrence in FFXIV. The fast paced creation and dissolving of Linkshell communities.
First off I would like to lay some ground work for my complaint.
The Guild
In various other MMOs a Guild is a community built accomplishment. The members of that Guild have various ways to contribute to their Guild: Guild Bank, Guild Perks, Guild Events, etc. Probably one of the most important aspects of other MMO guild systems is that they encourage a group to grow and thrive and create a dependable environment where like minded players know they can get help and also assist other Guild members through various aspects of the Guild system.
The Linkshell
Final Fantasy MMOs have adapted a Guild system where accomplishments are not shared through group achievements; Players have no desire to be committed to a single Linkshell because they can leech from the members of multiple Linkshells.
FFXI had a decent Guild system. Linkshells required a actual linkpearl which took up inventory space. Only one linkpearl could be active at any given time which created a sense of actual substance to the Linkshell that linkpearl represented.
FFXIV has a horrible Guild system. The guilds are open ended and promote players taking advantage of each other without regard to any sort of personal regard or attachment to the Linkshells they are in. Not only are FFXIV players liken to social butterflies, but they also have grown to adapt the me, myself, and I mentality that is inherent in FFXIV's social structure.
Why? Because they have no hook or REASON to devote themselves to any particular Linkshell.
Cliques
In the absence of a defined environment FFXIV players have created their own form of social mechanics. Complex and unbalanced social cliques exist within every server. Players start grouping with like minded players or anyone who can best advance them personally. These cliches may be viewed by some as perfectly fine but the fact still remains that grouping and the social dynamics throughout every server need more. A player needs to feel as if he or she has a hand in the development and achievements of his or her Guild/Linkshell.
The Short of it all (tl;dr):
FFXIV's Grouping and Social atmosphere will always be subpar unless FFXIV's Social Mechanics are enhanced to offer Players a content rich grouping experience where Linkshell members can contribute to the the growth and well being of their Linkshell. This will strengthen the communities In-Game and allow players to have a steady Linkshell which consistently progresses and grows.
Having Multiple Linkshells always active; without limits; and without goals or achievements could very well decline the FFXIV populace by discouraging proper grouping instead of increasing the populace through purposed gameplay and Linkshell based incentives.