Did patch 1.18 make the game more appealing to new customers and potential customers?

Not a thread to worship or bash the game just a simple question. Is the game more appealing to brand new people and people who may be in the market to play an MMO?

If so/if not why

Few of my friends are installing the game to see. Like many, they initially didn't want to bother with it because of reviews, but now that the patch went live they're checking it out.

From information they were wary of it because it seemed like another solo MMO, but now that group play seems to be the thing they're really interested.

Is still to soon, i would not recommend the game to anyone just yet.
Its building up in the right direction but its still to generic /unpolished.

It will get there if they stay on the same track as 1.18.

They are going to get in game. Leve to 10 or 15, and then ask you "What do we do now?". You can tell them to behest, or grind. They will quit after trying behest, and finding out they can only do it once an hour. Maybe they will grind, but I doubt they will do that for more than 10 minutes.

It certainly has proven to spark interest in those who had none before. That's something. But as far as keeping people, I don't think it's quite there yet. As stated before, keep on this path and I'm sure they will get to that point.

It still needs work. AA isn't too bad, but still feels awkward to fight, and they need to tweek a few things here and there.

I would say it is impossible to say. We aren't new and our opinions are going to be biased no matter how hard we try not to be. And since SE isn't exactly advertizing this patch to the population at large, we may never know if this patch is or is not appealing to new/potential customers.

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Originally Posted by Corrderio

It still needs work. AA isn't too bad, but still feels awkward to fight, and they need to tweek a few things here and there.

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Yeah I'm finding it a bit difficult to adjust but since new players haven't tried the old system it should probably go smoother for them.

This is not a miracle patch, but it is a very solid step in the right direction.

This will bring back alot of the lost FF players who are keeping an eye on it, for those outside the fanboy arena it will take a few more update of this magnitude to get them in.

Impossible to say? you mean impossible to stay?

What do you expect them to do mate? Solo grind?

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Originally Posted by alexi14

Impossible to say? you mean impossible to stay?

What do you expect them to do mate? Solo grind?

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What?

/10char

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Originally Posted by alexi14

Impossible to say? you mean impossible to stay?

What do you expect them to do mate? Solo grind?

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There is more then just ranking up DoW/DoM to this game.

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Originally Posted by alexi14

Impossible to say? you mean impossible to stay?

What do you expect them to do mate? Solo grind?

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They are expected to group up and play it like a mmo.

If they refuse to group up and pull in 20-30k /hr it is of their own choice.

I would say it made the game less appealing. Before you could choose to do a lot more. If you had cure you could solo almost any job to 50 by grinding, could solo behests (since most are DEAD), etc.
Now with the MP costs so high this isn't possible.

SE has basically tried to force group play on underpopulated servers with a horrible party search method and people who don't want to party. Worst idea ever.

Behests and leves are now useless for the most part

on the other hand however, if you want to be a gatherer or a DoH, this patch is win lol

Since sidequests give skill points now, I think it'll be easier for new players to ease into the game. Just the traveling issue needs to be resolved. I hope 1.19 comes soon. >.<

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Originally Posted by Azurymber

I would say it made the game less appealing. Before you could choose to do a lot more. If you had cure you could solo almost any job to 50 by grinding, could solo behests (since most are DEAD), etc.
Now with the MP costs so high this isn't possible.

SE has basically tried to force group play on underpopulated servers with a horrible party search method and people who don't want to party. Worst idea ever.

Behests and leves are now useless for the most part

on the other hand however, if you want to be a gatherer or a DoH, this patch is win lol

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I didn't know solo MMO was appealing. My bad.

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Originally Posted by Xatsh

They are expected to group up and play it like a mmo.

If they refuse to group up and pull in 20-30k /hr it is of their own choice.

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I would honestly LOVE to pull in 20-30k an hour group grinding. To bad it's next to impossible to get a group unless you have a LS with a bunch of people the same rank as you who WANT to to do it. If you find a LS rank 25-30 who loves group grinding, you let me know mate.

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Originally Posted by alexi14

I would honestly LOVE to pull in 20-30k an hour group grinding. To bad it's next to impossible to get a group unless you have a LS with a bunch of people the same rank as you who WANT to to do it. If you find a LS rank 25-30 who loves group grinding, you let me know mate.

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That is the issue the community has to change to be able to do it outside Linkshells. But that cannot be blamed on SE honestly it is there, there is a party seek feature now. If people refuse to use it and group up it is the players fault at this point and it is thier choice to get very subpar sp.

There are active linkshells on every server, most my linkshell's members have not soloed since rank 30 and we have around 36 active members most with 1-2 50s.

Every night we have group that where doing leves or grind partys from around 8pm-1am est. Now that leves are out it will be dungeons and Grind partys.

I would NEVER in good conscience recommend this game to anyone.

But I dunno. Maybe it made the game more appealing, who knows? Stranger things have happened.

What does the general populace have to say:

http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/07...es-patch-1-18/

I've been thinking about it, and I really think that if SE wants to attract the highest possible audience for the game come PS3 launch, then they should focus on the following 3 items:

Company content for both Grand and Player-run companies.
Crafting as a very relevant practice.
The Armory System as being very flexible.

For Companies, they're really going to have to make good on their promise of Company-owned housing and ships, as well as adding elaborate content for both public and private companies in order to foster a larger sense of community and purpose.

For crafting, they're going to have to get that group-crafting mechanic down as well as crafting materials and items for said private companies, and really try to make the crafters as relevant as possible without being too much of a detriment to the combat classes.

The Armory system NEEDS to retain its flexibility more than ever, as that was probably the biggest selling point for a lot of people in the first place. The whole 1 to 1 class/job thing can't last too long, as that pretty much goes against the idea of the system in my eyes. Do whatever balancing needs to be done, but the most important theme in this game as evidenced by Yoshi-P's thoughts is "flexibility" and "being able to play your way", and the Armory System is probably the most important element to that strategy.

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Originally Posted by Malakhim

The Armory system NEEDS to retain its flexibility more than ever, as that was probably the biggest selling point for a lot of people in the first place. The whole 1 to 1 class/job thing can't last too long, as that pretty much goes against the idea of the system in my eyes. Do whatever balancing needs to be done, but the most important theme in this game as evidenced by Yoshi-P's thoughts is "flexibility" and "being able to play your way", and the Armory System is probably the most important element to that strategy.

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Yes, you always read reviews about this. Everyone always praises it.

The only people who don't are those who were not able to make the specific role they wanted with the class-system. To accommodate these peopl, all that SE needed to do was help facilitate people to make their own roles and play the way they wanted (but this does not mean imposing specific jobs onto the players = awful idea, Yoshi!!!).

And I agree on all your points. Player run companies are something the game needs to emphasise that this is a multiplayer game. FF MMOs have always been about playing with others, so they should try to deepen that connection instead of running from it in favour of solo-content.

(Although I think there should be both solo and group content).

This game is still by todays standards sub par for new players. I hope it improves someday in that way.

I think most negative comments against patch are because the unfamiliar mechanics.

The new battle system is awesome and this is just the beginning!

Soon we will have great stuff like overdrives and limitbreaks :)

Everyone needs to adapt and have faith. SE has an awesome future awaiting us :)

My favorite aspect of patch is how fun mages are to play now! You have to be more mindful of everything you do :)

Awesome patch SE: thanks for making the game more exciting!

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Originally Posted by Azurymber

I would say it made the game less appealing. Before you could choose to do a lot more. If you had cure you could solo almost any job to 50 by grinding, could solo behests (since most are DEAD), etc.
Now with the MP costs so high this isn't possible.

SE has basically tried to force group play on underpopulated servers with a horrible party search method and people who don't want to party. Worst idea ever.

Behests and leves are now useless for the most part

on the other hand however, if you want to be a gatherer or a DoH, this patch is win lol

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they already tried *massively SOLO online role playing game* (mSorpg) and it failed. now the only logical repair route is to make it an mMorpg.

player who had went back to FFXI while I waited for improvements it has brought me back and I am going to continue playing it.. I'm now having fun.. just hit 17 ARC and having a blast.. Lots of quests to do now, main story line, looking forward to Grand Companies, and doing the dungeons.. All in all I have a lot to look forward to, the game plays a MILLION times better than when i tested it at beta/launch and I'm really enjoying the changes Yoshi-P has made to the game.

So my answer is YES.

Hey all, I am new although i played OB but hadn't played since till i saw i could buy the CE for 25$.

I went with a LNC starting in Limsa Lominsa about 3 days ago. so 2 days without patch and one with. And at rank 15 I feel like I am hitting a wall because i got my RanK 9 weapon, and did the behest for the camp just outside Uldah (the lowest rank one while i was rank 12 level 10 or 9.

Patch 1.18: After doing alright for the first part of it some level 20+ enemies appeared in tandem and were just completely undefeatable. And leve scaling is doing the same thing. Solo one star really means solo now. But with all the decrease in SP now im leveling pretty slow. Not the end of the world but, new players get screwed just from the fact there arent many of us (understatement) so now one crafts fairly priced gear or is around to party with.

So I'm mixed on the 1.18 patch. I like where the game is heading but i feel like without people making new chars or a bigger influx of new people, it will never be fun for a new players.

In Short:
The learning curve is steep, which isnt a dealbreaker, but the systems have changed so much there are many confusing guides on the internet. There is not really anyone to party with around my level that i ever see. And its intimidating to really want to seek out a LS when you know your missing so much knowledge on the game. Plus going to Uldah and still not finding any equipment i can afford beyond my weapon is disheartinging. Before they said you can make it to lvl 20 with the starter armor but with the boost in enemy difficulty during leves and i think behests(was it that crazy in the rank 5 behest before 1.18?) i think it might be more of a chellenge unless you really really just grind on monsters.

I guess i just need some more guidance after people get used to the patch or something.

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Originally Posted by SomnusXIII

Hey all, I am new although i played OB but hadn't played since till i saw i could buy the CE for 25$.

I went with a LNC starting in Limsa Lominsa about 3 days ago. so 2 days without patch and one with. And at rank 15 I feel like I am hitting a wall because i got my RanK 9 weapon, and did the behest for the camp just outside Uldah (the lowest rank one while i was rank 12 level 10 or 9.

Patch 1.18: After doing alright for the first part of it some level 20+ enemies appeared in tandem and were just completely undefeatable. And leve scaling is doing the same thing. Solo one star really means solo now. But with all the decrease in SP now im leveling pretty slow. Not the end of the world but, new players get screwed just from the fact there arent many of us (understatement) so now one crafts fairly priced gear or is around to party with.

So I'm mixed on the 1.18 patch. I like where the game is heading but i feel like without people making new chars or a bigger influx of new people, it will never be fun for a new players.

In Short:
The learning curve is steep, which isnt a dealbreaker, but the systems have changed so much there are many confusing guides on the internet. There is not really anyone to party with around my level that i ever see. And its intimidating to really want to seek out a LS when you know your missing so much knowledge on the game. Plus going to Uldah and still not finding any equipment i can afford beyond my weapon is disheartinging. Before they said you can make it to lvl 20 with the starter armor but with the boost in enemy difficulty during leves and i think behests(was it that crazy in the rank 5 behest before 1.18?) i think it might be more of a chellenge unless you really really just grind on monsters.

I guess i just need some more guidance after people get used to the patch or something.

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Uhm I think you may have chosen a rather dead server, did you look at the chocobo count when you decided?

Well i just linked with my open beta char name which auto put me there, I'm not super attached to my server so i guess i can try another.

I'm sorry to say this patch doesn't make the game more appealing to new players in any way whatsoever. The pros will only be consider pros by people who've already been putting up with this game from the start. And now that leveling has become considerably more difficult and unclear, the game is more inaccessible than ever.

No average gamer right in his mind will play FF14 with the current interface...

Content isn't enough anymore, it's only one of the various requirements. And anyway, we still don't have enough content.

It just make FFXI fanboys get excite

attract to new players? NO

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Originally Posted by Xatsh

They are expected to group up and play it like a mmo.

If they refuse to group up and pull in 20-30k /hr it is of their own choice.

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Where do you get 20-30k per hour at Rank 33-44 if I may be so bold?

i think of potential costumers and new players as those looking for specific things that are generally offered in most MMOs.

the action bar system is almost nothing like any other MMO. think of it as a modern version of Diablo II's "action bar".
mages are not used for direct damage dealing, theyre for enfeebling bosses and buffing/curing the group.
there will not be a que system for dungeons.
the over all pace of battles is slower than most MMOs.
you get an experience reduction if you kill more than one monster at a time which is the opposite of other MMOs.
repairing to 100% is only done by crafters not by the NPC guy.
questing is not designed for solo players to gain levels which is the opposite of other MMOs.
so far the new dungeons are also not intended for groups to gain levels which is the opposite of other MMOs.

it seems in order to save the game they are taking a direct FFXI old approach of pick up group field grinding to appeal to already dedicated SE subscribers.

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Originally Posted by alexi14

Impossible to say? you mean impossible to stay?

What do you expect them to do mate? Solo grind?

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No, they are supposed to join all those parties which won't have healers cause they nerfed mages so much almost no one outside of a hardcore LS is going to want to play them.

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Originally Posted by Evangela_II

It just make FFXI fanboys get excite

attract to new players? NO

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No way. I love XI.

a) the boards there are actually civil and you can talk about things you would like changed without people hurling insults at you

b) the game has been moving in the exact polar opposite of this one - towards more flexibility in party set ups and greater ability to solo (if you want) partying made way more fun, painless exp (even outside of abyssea), more balancing of classes (vs the nerf bat), mages getting to actually have fun instead of sitting around waiting for mp

c) SO MUCH CONTENT! SO MANY GEAR OPTIONS! COOL LOOKING STUFF!

I'm sorry, but this game is like the polar opposite of the XI of today. So, if it is appealing to "XI fanboys" it is only to those who haven't played the game in at least two years/those who think masochism is the epitome of fun

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Originally Posted by LuxLex

...a) the boards there are actually civil and you can talk about things you would like changed without people hurling insults at you...

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Now I haven't been to the FFXI boards, but I know that this is impossible on the internet.

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Originally Posted by Malakhim

Now I haven't been to the FFXI boards, but I know that this is impossible on the internet.

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Well, there are a few people who don't understand civility, but after this snake pit everything looks civil. Rate up for you sir, for the excellent logic, however.

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Originally Posted by Malakhim

Now I haven't been to the FFXI boards, but I know that this is impossible on the internet.

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It is certainly false, anyone who goes to the FFXI boards can tell you that it is more of the same over there too.

I dunno, when I post about things I don't like and want changed people there don't tell me I should quit the game... and that game, unlike this one, could live with a few fewer players.

They might strongly disagree with me, or even say "urdoinitwrong" but no one tells me to leave the game/boards

1.18 is a step in the right direction for me. I like all the changes (being a CON), but one thing still annoys me as hell.
No ability/gear save function upon class swapping (yet).

Along with more and more content the dev team really needs to focus on that. Changing classes for a party invite could be fun, but at the moment it's nowhere near worth the hassle.

worse than that is the stat points, honestly. Especially for anyone playing mage. If you have to take points out of EVERYTHING to load up on mind you're going to be boned by the restat timer.