[suggestion] Level/Class restricted equipment and individual look
I'm looking with concern at the hints to the introduction of level/class restrictions on equipment in Final Fantasy XIV.
I fully understand the need to make classes feel more specialized (not that I personally feel that need, considering that roles look quite defined to me, you won't tank high level mobs as a caster, you won't deal humongous damage as a gladiator, you won't main heal as a melee/tank, no matter the fact that you can equip another class' abilities, they still aren't nearly as effective as when equipped as the main class), but I am quite worried about some of the consequences of adding level/class requirements for current equipment for the following reasons:
1: Freedom of choice on individual look.
One of the worst flaws of most MMORPG in wich there are level and class restrictions on equipment is that every single character in the same class/level range wear pretty much exactly the same cookie-cutter outfit. I find this "army of clones" effect absolutely jarring, and that's the main reason why I enjoy the current freedom in Final Fantasy XIV, which is basically unique in the MMORPG market. I've never seen, in any other MMOPRPG, such a wide variety of looks when walking around a city, since people in FFXIV fully express themselves with the freedom they have been given. I find the sight refreshing and unique, and I doubt we should encourage it's loss.
2: Equipment clutter.
Inventory slots in Final Fantasy are limited. No matter the fact that we have retainers. Skill up a couple crafting classes and you'll be starting to see every available slot fill up fast. We already saw that in Final Fantasy XI, especially during the first years, where people had to create multiple mules in order to fit all the class and level related equipment.
If all equipment becomes class/level restricted in Final Fantasy XIV people that level multiple classes will find themselves struggling to fit all the sets of equipment, and having to go back to the retainer everytime they have to change class (defeating the purpose of the armory system that allows to change class conveniently just switching weapons).
It would be extremely inconvenient and bothersome.
Since by now I doubt that Square Enix could be persuaded to completely scrap the idea of applying class/level restrictions to pieces of equipment, I would at least suggest to make that change just partial. Let us keep the current "generic" equipment as unrestricted and release further specialized class/level-restricted sets.
having a wide variety of generic equipment on the side of specifc restricted pieces and sets would fullfill a double purpose:
1: It would allow more customization and mix and matching, with people being able to create their own look by mixing some class spcific pieces with generic ones, at least partly keeping the lovely variety in looks that we are experiencing now.
2: It would mitigate equipment clutter. Instead of having to bear the inconvenience of hauling around (and finding space for) a set of equipment of the appropriate level for every class we're skilling up, we would be able to hold specific equipment for our main/favourite class/classes, while we could carry generic equipment for other classes for leveling purposes, radically diminishing the number of inventory slots needed.
As a final related note, I would encourage the development team to apply a bit more resistance to the pressure coming from the polls. I understand the need to make the game more streamlined and playable, but a vast majority of the players come from WoW, and many of them would want FFXIV to be more familiar to the WoW playstyle. While this is partly advisable in terms of ease to play and accessibility, I personally think that Final Fantasy XIV has many unique features that shouldn't be lost (character versatility is one of those), this despite the fact that the majority would (probably without giving it much thought) pressure for the game to be flattened to the standard.
The majority wanting something doesn't necessarily mean that such "something" is advisable or good for the game (sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. The opinion of the userbase needs to be filtered by the developers. Full fledged democracy never worked well in game development, and especially in environments difficult to balance like MMORPGs). If I want to play WoW, I'll play WoW. I have no need for a WoW with the Final Fantasy name.
note to the moderators: I erroneously posted this on the discussion section on the forum as well, unfortunately the forum structure is a bit confusing and suggests that this is the forum for the feedback on the site/forum only, while reading the sticky posts I realized that this is for suggestions in general on the game as well. Sorry for the mistake. Feel free to merge/move/delete the threads as necessary and appropriate. Thank you.