Usability Issue: Setting seek flag

Not technically a 'bug' on the ability to set the seek flag to indicate you wish to be found for partying, but a usability issue that is almost on par.

I've talked with several new players over the last week (some who have levelled up to 30), and NONE of them knew how to set their status to Seeking Party.

I was aware of this as they all indicated they did not know about the feature (let alone how to use it) and resorted to shouting (in camps, not cities) for parties.

It is understood that that feature is documented in patch notes and forums, however this is not sufficient for new players. There should not be an expectation that new players read these patch notes/forums in order to seek a party.

Therefore the usability issue is that being able to set your status as Seeking Party should be extremely obvious. For example:
Menu -> Party -> Seek Party

Presently, it is listed under 'Search' and only if you realize you can click your name (sometimes twice due to UI lag).

Anything that can be done to remed this would be greatly appreciated and beneficial to the entire player base.


Thank you.

Hello Asiaine,

I'll move your suggestion over to the gameplay area as this relates to feedback. Thank you.

-SQUARE ENIX MODERATOR

Yes this is a little unintuitive. I figured out how to do it once I saw my name area was clickable but it could be explained better, especially in the opening tutorials or something.

Its one of those things that they need to just break down and have a walkthough tutorial of at the beginingof the game in some form or fasion.

The OP is right on the money.

I was lucky enough to find it via search. It's not so obvious for new players. Best to make an easy, straightforward way of LFG (Seeking Party) instead of stumbling upon the fact that you can click your name in the Search menu.

I still don't understand why the old "Party" menu didn't get merged with the "Search" one. "Search" is fairly non-descriptive unless you know what you are looking for.

Yes please. I like where it is, but the party menu and options could use some re-vamp. :)

I wish you could use auto translator in the comment section for the searches. Would making looking for party during JP time much easier.

We're planning on implementing a party search tutorial quest in version 2.0. The whole concept for when you take your first steps into Eorzea will be different than how it is currently. Everything will be a tutorial quest and easy to follow guide so players can learn easier and quicker.

I also passed along all of your feedback on how to make the party search UI easier to find. Thank you!~

I actually didn't even know i could set my status to LFG until i read this thread XD

so Thank you OP lol

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rukkirii

Everything will be a tutorial quest and easy to follow guide so players can learn easier and quicker.

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Gustaberg Tour - The Sequel. :D

and another "we cant do things until 2.0" post....so glad i skipped out on this 10$ a month beta fee, XI has been pretty amusing as of late.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rukkirii

We're planning on implementing a party search tutorial quest in version 2.0. The whole concept for when you take your first steps into Eorzea will be different than how it is currently. Everything will be a tutorial quest and easy to follow guide so players can learn easier and quicker.

I also passed along all of your feedback on how to make the party search UI easier to find. Thank you!~

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Hi Rukkirii,

Excellent news!

It sounds like a small thing, but I think having a "Party Search Tutorial Quest" when 2.0 launches will help educate and let new players on PS3 and PC and returning players know that there *is* a system in place to use to form Parties and look for Parties, etc. :)

Thanks~

wow, i have almost 2 level 50's and i didnt know you could set your flag :-P

There's a tutorial on it on the Lodestone now.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Estellios

There's a tutorial on it on the Lodestone now.

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Hi Estellios, please kindly share the link if possible as i am not very good with the search options. Thank you.

Hi, managed to found the useful link :
Quote from Whispering Wind (Balmung)
To put your party flag up, go to search. You will see your name at the top, click it, then select (where it says online status) seeking party, then choose which job you want to use for the party (archer, conjurer, etc...). You will see it change colors from green to a golden yellow color. Hope this helps. Many people I know use the search function. Good luck.
**
http://lodestone.finalfantasyxiv.com...csearch01.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rukkirii

We're planning on implementing a party search tutorial quest in version 2.0. The whole concept for when you take your first steps into Eorzea will be different than how it is currently. Everything will be a tutorial quest and easy to follow guide so players can learn easier and quicker.

I also passed along all of your feedback on how to make the party search UI easier to find. Thank you!~

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This sounds encouraging, almost makes me wants to start from lvl 1 again ..

Howdy!

Just wanted to follow up a bit in regards to party search features that are being worked on.

Currently we are aware of the inconvenience caused by the fact that there is no “Leveling” category for the party objective when seeking, but there are other things that are currently being prioritized and we won’t be able to address this in the current version.

In version 2.0 we will be introducing the content finder, which will extend beyond the borders of your World and it will be possible to easily form the party necessary to meet your needs by setting the objective to leveling, instanced raids, and so on.

We are planning to have the below features in version 2.0 for you to use based on your goal:

• Content finder
This is for players who don’t mind who joins and would like to make a party for leveling, participation in content, or other specific objectives.

• Player search
This is for players who want to be the leader and form a party as well as players who do not want to form parties with players they do not know.

With these two systems, those players who want to level or take on some raids can make a party easily with the content finder, while those players who want to lead and create a party to their preferences can use the player search to invite people.

That is great news Camate, thank you. ^^

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Camate

Howdy!

Just wanted to follow up a bit in regards to party search features that are being worked on.

Currently we are aware of the inconvenience caused by the fact that there is no “Leveling” category for the party objective when seeking, but there are other things that are currently being prioritized and we won’t be able to address this in the current version.

In version 2.0 we will be introducing the content finder, which will extend beyond the borders of your World and it will be possible to easily form the party necessary to meet your needs by setting the objective to leveling, instanced raids, and so on.

We are planning to have the below features in version 2.0 for you to use based on your goal:

• Content finder
This is for players who don’t mind who joins and would like to make a party for leveling, participation in content, or other specific objectives.

• Player search
This is for players who want to be the leader and form a party as well as players who do not want to form parties with players they do not know.

With these two systems, those players who want to level or take on some raids can make a party easily with the content finder, while those players who want to lead and create a party to their preferences can use the player search to invite people.

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I'm fairly curious, since 2.0 will have an entirely new UI. Will all current players be required to do the opening tutorials as well? Unless things are exactly the same (and i'm assuming they aren't) it will be beneficial.

I'd just like to clarify one thing...

It will not be possible to use the content finder to form open-world experience point parties and such, pulling people from other worlds. It will be possible to indicate the objective "Leveling" but it will take place only in certain areas such as instanced raids.

As such, you would say "I want to Level, In Darkhold". Guess it would be kind of ok but there is only 2 level ranges, 25 and 45... so.. it seems a bit useless. Though I am going to assume there will be more Raids coming 2.0 with more level ranges?

Not to mention, the raids dont currently go on par with the levelling EXP of say strongholds due to level differences. So you get over double EXP there, why would anyone use Raids? Will the EXP be made on par or is SE going to yet again waste its development resources on stuff that will not be used (woo waste of time ftw!)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by viion

As such, you would say "I want to Level, In Darkhold". Guess it would be kind of ok but there is only 2 level ranges, 25 and 45... so.. it seems a bit useless. Though I am going to assume there will be more Raids coming 2.0 with more level ranges?

Not to mention, the raids dont currently go on par with the levelling EXP of say strongholds due to level differences. So you get over double EXP there, why would anyone use Raids? Will the EXP be made on par or is SE going to yet again waste its development resources on stuff that will not be used (woo waste of time ftw!)

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They could enforce level capping on instances, they already mentioned that level sync is coming at some point, level cap would be the next likely step (even if its optional).

I think dungeon XP parties is a good idea, obviously they need to put the time and effort into it to make it work though, something like Moblin Maze Mongers from 11 would be a great way to have random dungeons and objectives for XP purposes.

The exp in the raids is insanely high. All the ants during the princess fight could be exploited for xp/spirit bond/100k mob achievement if you let the guard heal the princess. Need good mages to manage mp though

This is exactly how I thought it would be when I read it...sounds good.