My suggestions to improve FFXIV

Preface
I want to direct this primarily to the devs, with the hope that someone from the NA Square team could pass it to the JP team, so that these suggestions could actually have a chance to make it into the game. Hopefully some of these suggestions seem doable, or others want them as I do. I'm skeptical that the JP devs will ever see any of this though, and I am going to prematurely assume that some of my ideas either cannot be done, or will be unpopular, due to the fact that a lot of the game is already built around it's current principals, while others are based off older school MMO principals, that many hated during 1.0 or XI. -- Yes, Im one of those in the minority that thought 1.0 was cooler, and I fully recognize that many of you do not like it, you can tear me a new asshole if you want to, I anticipate this. I think there was some elements that 1.0 had that were good things, and could be transferred over to our current version.

I also heard that there is talk of a major graphical overhaul that is possibly on the horizon, and I felt that, if that is true, it would be a good time to add additions into the game. So anyway, here's my list. Feel free to discuss them, tear them apart, and maybe if I'm lucky, maybe a dev will see it, and think it's a good idea.

Graphical or Aesthetic Suggestions
These suggestions are things that could be added into the game in an effort to make it more immersive or feel better. They don't affect core gameplay, and are merely there for looks, due to that, it's probably the part of my suggestions that will be least debated.

Mount Improvements
In XI, the animations for getting on or off a chocobo clearly had more time and effort put into them. When you have your companion chocobo deployed with you, I'd like to see my character hop onto the mount after I have selected the mount option, instead of the current process of you and your chocobo disappearing, and reappearing as mounted. An example of this is another MMO Archeage, your mounts would follow you around, and you could run up and just hop onto them, or even call them over and hop on. I have included a video showcasing what such an animation could look like below. I feel this addition would do more to get you even more immersed in the world.
>> https://youtu.be/Apb_WGd0__c?t=79 <<
(I've fast forwarded the video to the part I'd like to showcase, please be advised, it's a much longer video, and the rest of the video has no relevance to my point.)

Also, calling a chocobo should have some more animations as well. Currently you blow a whistle, then wait for a little meter to charge, before appearing on the top of a chocobo. I feel like this meter could be replaced with a chocobo riding in from off screen and your character hopping on the saddle, instead of just standing there after blowing the whistle. Again, because this would be more immersive, and the opposite happening for dismounting. In XI, when you would get off your chocobo, it would ride off until it was out of view, here's a video showcasing this sequence below.
>> https://youtu.be/dCG8_bMu4yA?t=220 <<

My last suggestion for mounts; Why do we have to get off mounts to speak to NPCs? I feel this is kinda silly and interrupts gameplay flow. Is there a technical or balance reason for this that I am not privy to? I'd really like to see that done away with.

Small aesthetic additions and polish

Logging in and out of the game
I like the cool teleporting effect that occurs when using the Aethernet to travel from place to place. I feel like that same effect could occur when logging into, or out of the game. Sure, Its ultimately pointless, but I think it’d make me feel more connected to the world, like I was transported from the real world, into the game world when logging in. You could even include a message to nearby players that says something like “Tifa Lockhart has appeared in our realm” instead of “Tifa Lockhart has logged in”. This is just to add some more immersion.

User Interface is sorta boring
I want to say I thought 1.0’s interface was more appealing to look at it, it’s font, sounds, buttons, even the title screens and general theme of it looked better. The traditional blue and white final fantasy text boxes were great. I’d like to see those elements come back without having the horribly clunky menus and counter intuitiveness that 1.0 had. To clarify; Just that look and feel, and not it’s problems. The current user interface is just sorta...bland and boring, it doesn't feel like a Final Fantasy game. XI and 1.0’s UI and sounds had an aesthetic that was just better, and more inspired. Atleast... in my opinion. I think we should keep the current interface, just reskin it to be more like 1.0’s.
https://keep.google.com/u/1/media/v2...io/aac&sz=1000

More Interface ranting
This is related to the user interface, but the scrolling text is another thing I’d like to bring back. XI, and 1.0 had text that slowly moved upwards when text was entered in chat. This looks more polished, and is easier on the eyes to follow. I feel this should return.

Sounds
In XI and 1.0 player’s footsteps changed depending on what they were wearing, and what they were stepping on. This is a petty request, but I’d like to see that return. Yes. I'm aware its in the game, but its only to an extent. If you listen closely to this video, you can see how footfalls change depending on the ground you’re stepping on. Snow crunches, dirt crumbles, grass sounds soft.
>> https://youtu.be/J5lV0t5t3E0?t=1903 <<
(I've fast forwarded the video to the part I'd like to showcase, please be advised, it's a much longer video, and the rest of the video has no relevance to my point.)

Animations
The animations in 1.0 were more fluid, more expressive, just overall -- better. I’d really like to see these make a return with a graphical overhaul. I think we can all agree to this.
>> https://youtu.be/8yx6GAnC9K4?t=542 <<
(I've fast forwarded the video to the part I'd like to showcase, please be advised, it's a much longer video, and the rest of the video has no relevance to my point.)

Battle effects and animations
In the current game, animations are overly flashy, with blinding effects to them. When fighting a boss or participating in PVP, you can hardly tell what in the seven hells is going on. I am aware you can turn them off in the menus, which I often do, but there’s something that’s nice, simple, fluid, and flows better with the 1.0 battle animations. I can actually tell what's going on, and what I'm hitting. -- This is probably going to be a very subjective opinion. I am very well aware that people playing current XIV do not want to go back to those animations, as they found them slow, and less impactful. I'm also aware that the current generation of gamers enjoy these flashy effects and overly done animations. I think the problems stemmed from 1.0’s combat system, rather than the animations and effects. Maybe I'm just old, but I think there's just something nice and subtle about them that appeals to me more, plus it helps that I can actually tell what's going on, rather than flailing around like a superhero with sparkly effects flying off my blade that take up half the screen.

Before I get a bunch of angry comments about how noone wants the old combat back, Im not saying to bring back the old clunky slow combat. Hear me out, take another look at the combat here, forget the combat system for a moment, and study just the animations and effects when attacking only. Don't they look alot better with less chaos flying all over the screen? Maybe if they were a little faster and edited to be a bit more impactful, would they be better? I think so. I'm curious of your opinions.
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JF4QMVTuSA <<

Seasons
I love the immersive weather in XIV currently. You know what would be neat? Seasons. It’d be so cool to see it snow in one part of hydaelyn, while it's summer time in another part, that change in real seasonal time, and put up relevant decorations in the towns to fit that season.

Day and Night
Back in the day, WoW used to have day and night that matched real time. I’d like to see the day and night actually last to a real time of day and night. Why? Because it’s immersive and makes you feel like you’re living in a living breathing world.Also, you could do cool stuff like making undead mobs harder at night, or certain world bosses appearing during certain day times. -- I recognize that there is potential game problems with that, like some players not having time to do certain content with jobs or kids, or that a player who can only play during night time, may grow tired of seeing night in game. I’d still like to see this regardless, as WoW has been doing it for years and it’s just something that people have gotten used to. This is also a change that affects gameplay, and I'll get into that subject deeper in my suggestions.

Environmental noise and background fluff
1.0 used to have birds and airships flying around in the air, creatures on the ground, just general stuff that made the world feel more like a world. I’d like to see this make a return. For immersion sake. Can you tell I like my world immersive yet?
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Mp...B1VgRd91zulpF-

Graphical enhancements
1.0’s graphics were debatably better. We can all agree. They were more colorful, crisp and vibrant. They just were. When 2.0 they were toned down to be more optimized. For good too, because I read a single plant in 1.0 had more polys than a human character and even lowered framerates. Now I'm not advocating that we bring back such poor design choices like that, but with a graphical overhaul possibly on the horizon, and Square no longer having to ensure the game has to run on PS3 anymore, plus computers being more powerful now, we can finally have some better graphics we were meant to have, optimized a lot better this time around, no?
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3q...-354OVflgXI1CV


Cosmetics with glasses and hats
I feel like glamorous should be split up into 2 parts, Lower head and upper head, so things like glasses or masks could be worn in conjunction with a hat. This may be a challenge for the dev team, but with a potential graphical overhaul on the horizon...why not go for it while they in there correcting things to begin with?

Monster stuff
Back in FFXI, when there was a large monster walking near, their foot falls would shake and rumble the screen. I want to see that back...It was just plain cool and made the big enemies scarier, and theres really no good reason not to have it. Here a small sample of a monster stomping about
>> https://youtu.be/p6A4LaFX7K4?t=483 <<



Gameplay Suggestions
The following are things my suggestions that could greatly affect gameplay, and where probably the most contention from fans may come into play. I suspect there will be people who hate or love these ideas. Probably hate, but hear me out.

We need more open world group content
I feel like this game is more of a single player JRPG, rather than a MMORPG, this deeply bothers me. While I don't want to remove any of the story elements or take anything away from this game, as I feel it’s a great game, I really just would like to see some content that involves me partying up with people, making friends and going on adventures for hours. I played with my mate, and we kept having to stop, and run off in different directions to go complete instanced content only meant for one person. This deeply annoyed us. I don't mind instanced content, but there should be an equal amount of group content, and Im not just talking about instances like raids and such. I mean more open world activities for parties, like Eureka, and treasure hunts and fates. Easily some of my favorite content, this segways into my next point...

Dangerous World
The world needs to be dangerous again. I normally just run past tons of enemies that give up chase quickly and hardly even threaten me at all. I can whip like 4 - 6 high level dragon enemies with hardly even thinking or trying. Not even some of the bounty board hunt “notorious monsters” are anything but a damage sponge. I want to feel challenged, with dangerous monsters that will give chase and actually pose a threat. I want to have to ask for help from other players to take some of them down to get past them, I love interacting with the community to tackle stuff...ya know….LIKE A MMO. Other than savage raids, the game is just too easy.

Back in FFXI, the monsters had multiple ways of detecting you, some of them could see you, others could hear you, and something that was super cool, was that they could smell you. Monsters could lock onto your trail and ambush you later when you think you are safe. Some monsters in FFXIV 1.0 had traits, and would run away in fear, making you have to give chase and possibly aggro some of his friends. Some monsters were social and would attack you if you attack it’s friends.

I’d love to see super dangerous boss type monsters that roam freely and threaten people more often than we do. I loved Notorious monsters in FFXI. Notorious mobs are important and help. Here's a video detailing their importance.
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsDv5TcMRfc <<

Yes, I realize that elements like this may just come off as plain annoying to some players, but to me...these things just immerse me in the world, and make me feel like I am accomplishing something, going on a satisfying adventure through a dangerous world, going through failure, makes me feel awesome when I actually pull stuff off. Being one of the people that found the way to slay that epic dragon in a MMORPG back in the day made you a hero.

PVP
PVP is fine mostly. I just wish it was given more love. I’d like an open world combat zone where PVP or even a castle siege or territory war scenario could be played in some persistent ongoing war., rather than just some battlegrounds. I know, I know...Almost noone in the community wants this, because PVP is generally toxic. However I think I may have come up with a solution; ESO has a zone called Cyrodiil where players could do this, and it was completely optional. Players didn't have to quest in there, or go in there if they didn't want to. This same idea could be applied to FFXIV. There's plenty of uncovered map to make such a zone, and we could make this a completely optional zone, so PVP nuts could go bonkers in there all day without disturbing the PVE players one bit.

If I had to complain about one other thing with PVP, it would be the fact that I hate how all the gear is scaled to be equal, if I get a super awesome death sword, I’d like to be able to use that to destroy people. But I have come to terms with the fact that this game is not really set up for PVP and that this was the only way to ensure balanced PVP happens. I’d prefer it wasn't that way and a different solution could be found, but I'm not super fussed over it.

Bigger zones
In FFXIV 1.0 we had a massive non-instanced world. Current FFXIV feels so tiny, like even smaller than much older MMOs do. If I had to pick any one of my suggestions, it would be this one. Square, Please, PLEASE; Make FFXIV big again. My jaw was on the floor when I logged into 1.0 and saw how expansive the zones and world were. I loved how you could get lost adventuring around, and that there was even non-instanced dungeons and caves you could explore, filled with enemies, scattered around the maps. When this was taken away in 2.0, my heart sunk. -- I know. It was an optimization nightmare back then, and it had to be toned down, but I feel alot of those problems were issues from having to ensure the game, at the time, ran on the PS3. (not to mention, the game was using not very optimized models and assets.) Please bring this back. It’s just so cool. I feel with proper optimization we have now, that a larger scale world is much more possible. I love exploration, I love huge open worlds, Im sure others do, and this doesn’t really break too much of the games core features ...so why not give it another shot? Just look at how cool this is! It’s impressive, you have to admit.
>> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yx6GAnC9K4&t=542s <<

I know that there may be a few complaints with this, some people don't want to spend hours trying to trek somewhere, but with the aethernet teleportation points, and chocobos, I think it’d work out really well! Also, if Square is still worried about optimization, we can still have instanced towns, I just want the adventuring world zones to be large and expansive again with exploration in mind and open world events in mind, like in the video above.

Non-linear dungeons
I think only the story dungeons make sense to play linearly, as they are relevant to the MSQs, and the hero of light stuff, but...can we have some more dungeons that parties can tackle that aren't on a rail as well? I really like the concept of the Heaven on High and Palace of the Dead dungeons, more rogue-like stuff, with randomized enemies, and treasures to be found. With my previous point about expanding the world to be massive, I could envision having some dungeons that just sit out in the open that people can run into and spend time inside getting cool loot, cosmetics, and EXP from. I remember in Ragnarok Online, dungeons were open, you just ran inside, nothing was on a rail, there was no structure, enemies roamed randomly and dropped loot if you were lucky. There were hard and you never knew what you were in for.
>> https://youtu.be/l_TEB9T9Tdc?t=47 <<

Attributes, Stats, Skills, Customization
What happened to the character customization? You used to be able to select your stats, mix some classes together to create interesting skill trees, and customize your characters with elemental resistances or endowments to tackle enemies quicker. Why is that gone? It's like the devs only want you to play a certain way, and fuck you if you want to go off that rail. Everytime I pick up FFXIV, it’s become more and more restricted, and we’re forced more into a mold. I hate that. FFXI was a sandbox and let you try all sorts of stuff just to see what worked. Maybe Im old school, but I prefer being in complete control of my character.

Squads and NPC allies
I HATE the concept of these NPC party members. I hated the Trusts in FFXI too. I think this does nothing but make the game even more anti-social. The founding principal of any Final Fantasy game is the party dynamic. I feel we should be stepping towards more content that forms bonds and people to come together to tackle together and actually interact with one another. I hardly see anyone in dungeons say anything other than “hey” these days. I can see the use for these NPCs if someone doesn't have alot of friends, time, or a guild, but ...uhg….this is such a bad concept for a MMORPG.

Conclusion.

I know my ideas may not be necessary. Some are just merely aesthetic, while others aren’t important in the slightest. I also recognize my ideas are not popular with alot of people. However. I feel what I have suggested doesn't interrupt what we have with FFXIV currently, and can merely be added onto the game. We can appeal to both types of gamers. Why cater to one or the other, when you can cater to both? Clearly there is a market for this older school stuff. People still play and pay for FFXI. WoW Classic is a big success. Even the concept of Eureka was to pay tribute to the concepts XI had, Some people hated it, others love Eureka. I feel more of the open world should work like Eureka personally. Newer kick starter MMOs, like Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen, are vowing to bring back to social aspects and difficulty to the MMORPG genre. I'm personally tired of playing games that hand things to me on a silver platter and lock me into decisions. I’d love to see some of these elements I suggested make it into the game.

Early in 2.0’s development, they publicly said “Never back down, Always aim to amaze”
I'm sure that if Square put some of these suggestions in, it would appeal to even more people. The old school crowd that enjoys them, and the new crowd that enjoys FFXIV the way it is, as most of these suggestions don’t interfere too much with the current game. Merely add upon it. I did my best to sit and think of these suggestions carefully, mostly to ensure these ideas, if implemented, don't interfere with the game that we have currently too much, if at all, so as not to disturb the crowd that loves it.
https://i.imgur.com/px8A2G2.png

You can bypass text limit by editing the first post.

Thanks so much!

you are... nitpicking over some really minute things in this game o.o

an animation when you log off? really?

i'll edit this later to add more stuff once i have more time.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Mount Improvements
In XI, the animations for getting on or off a chocobo clearly had more time and effort put into them. When you have your companion chocobo deployed with you, I'd like to see my character hop onto the mount after I have selected the mount option, instead of the current process of you and your chocobo disappearing, and reappearing as mounted.

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You are technically doing something while the bar is filling up. You're whistling. Now if you mean a different animation... I don't really care.
How would having an animation interact with getting off though? there's no cast time for getting off your mount. No delay. As much as I dislike the hyper efficient people I feel having an animation to get off would impact people's efficiency. It's more from a time management kind of thing. those 2 seconds add up. If you have limited time to play or you're rushing to get to a gathering node on time that dismounting animation will be seen as an incovenience more than anything by others.

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In XI, when you would get off your chocobo, it would ride off until it was out of view,

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Same thing happens in XIV. It just fades a bit earlier.

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My last suggestion for mounts; Why do we have to get off mounts to speak to NPCs? I feel this is kinda silly and interrupts gameplay flow.

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I think they were working on this? I think it was mentioned before, but regardless if you weren't forced to dismount people with fat mounts would be covering the NPCs. I find annoying that I have to dismount but I can live with it because the alternative is so much worse. I take this minor incovenience on myself over causing trouble to others and since this is the internet I can tell you people will sit their fat mounts on the NPCs if they can.

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Logging in and out of the game
I like the cool teleporting effect that occurs when using the Aethernet to travel from place to place.

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I log in and out at the inn more often than not. I like the idea that my character gets some rest while i'm not there better than disappearing into the void. Also if you look at other people when they log out i think you do see the aethernet animation.

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More Interface ranting
This is related to the user interface, but the scrolling text is another thing I’d like to bring back. XI, and 1.0 had text that slowly moved upwards when text was entered in chat. This looks more polished, and is easier on the eyes to follow. I feel this should return.

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I can get behind that.

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Sounds
In XI and 1.0 player’s footsteps changed depending on what they were wearing, and what they were stepping on. This is a petty request, but I’d like to see that return.

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Okay... I think this would be in the backburner for ages since there are other things that are more important than this. It depends on how it's done. I have games where I hate walking over certain surfaces because the sound effect is so obnoxious. This is a double edged sword.

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Animations
The animations in 1.0 were more fluid, more expressive, just overall -- better.

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I don't know... I didn't really like what I saw in that video but i could be because the combat is so slow. I don't mean speed is quality mind you. I don't see much difference other than currently it's flashier. I personally find it more annoying that the awesome animations we have is more often than not hidden by a diahorrea of christmas lights. Go sit on gpose and turn the christmas lights off. The animations are pretty neat more often than not. Basically this:

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Battle effects and animations
In the current game, animations are overly flashy, with blinding effects to them.

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Day and Night
Back in the day, WoW used to have day and night that matched real time. I’d like to see the day and night actually last to a real time of day and night. (...)Also, you could do cool stuff like making undead mobs harder at night,

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No. I don't unerstand how is it less immersive to play a game where days fly by faster than real life? The day-night cycle is still there. it just moves faster.
Regarding the mobs, Black Desert has that for every monster. I don't find it immersive at all. More of an annoyance since they also give more exp so if you are a slave to efficiency you will grind at night. However it's not like we kill overworld mobs for experience here anyway so I don't really see the point of this.

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Environmental noise and background fluff
1.0 used to have birds and airships flying around in the air, creatures on the ground, just general stuff that made the world feel more like a world.

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We at least kept some of the birds, but funnily enough you will notice them more in dungeons and raids.

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1.0’s graphics were debatably better. We can all agree. They were more colorful, crisp and vibrant. They just were. When 2.0 they were toned down to be more optimized.

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You either pick optimization or epic graphics. You can't have both. Not everyone has a recent laptop. How would that affect people who play on older laptops? If you were a business would you be willing to sacrifice accessibility for prettier graphics? I can tell you that accessibility gives you more money. pretty graphics probably won't. I think they did a great job at finding a middle ground and I feel the game is probably one of the best optimized games out there. The graphics aren't rubbish and it's not making my laptop scream at me.

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Cosmetics with glasses and hats
I feel like glamorous should be split up into 2 parts, Lower head and upper head, so things like glasses or masks could be worn in conjunction with a hat

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That would be neat but I feel it would be so much work for the devs when there are other things tht are more important. Also i'm pretty sure the Viera and Hrothgar would be pissed off if they prioritized this over enabling them to wear more hats.

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Monster stuff
Back in FFXI, when there was a large monster walking near, their foot falls would shake and rumble the screen.

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Eh... it would be a cool touch at first but i wouldn't be surprised if people found it annoying after a while. How big would they qualify to trigger that? Because the overworld ones aren't that big (and thank goodness because i'm getting really fed up of fighting sky scrappers)

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We need more open world group content
I feel like this game is more of a single player JRPG, rather than a MMORPG, this deeply bothers me.

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I wouldn't mind if they tried again... just no more eureka please. On the other hand i don't know how they would deviate from Eureka.

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Dangerous World
The world needs to be dangerous again. I normally just run past tons of enemies that give up chase quickly and hardly even threaten me at all.

“notorious monsters” are anything but a damage sponge

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i don't know... we are the warrior of light... it's a shame that things aren't threatening but at the same time we are a "god" slayer. I don't think a squirrel has much chance against that.

About notorious monsters I wish they had a bit more mechanics to them. they are indeed sponges hich is kinda sad.

With that said there's a fate I have yet to finish because they will all aggro you, you need people but because it is old content no one wants to do it. That basically means I have no chance of ever doing that fate since it requires more than a couple of people and I can't gather that many people to help me. This type of things can potentially lock you out of stuff you want to do.

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PVP
PVP is fine mostly

I just wish it was given more love.

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PvP and fine shouldn't be used in the same sentence imo and yes it definetely needs more love. I actually enjoy it despite its severe shortcomings.

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If I had to complain about one other thing with PVP, it would be the fact that I hate how all the gear is scaled to be equal, if I get a super awesome death sword, I’d like to be able to use that to destroy people.

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This depends on your type of mentality when it comes to pvp. Do you want to win because you outgear people or because you've outskilled them? I fall on the second one so I don't care if everyone has the same stats regardless of gear. If you rule out gear it becomes a match of skill and strategy. Some people like that, others don't.

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Bigger zones
In FFXIV 1.0 we had a massive non-instanced world. Current FFXIV feels so tiny, like even smaller than much older MMOs do. If I had to pick any one of my suggestions, it would be this one. Square, Please, PLEASE; Make FFXIV big again.

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I don't know... As someone who is playing Tales of Berseria the moment the areas became huge they became annoying. They paced it incredibly well and shortly i started hitting those areas they did give you something for you to travel faster but it still feels sooooooo slooooow. I would like to play the game not spend most of my time going from point A to B. Also i'm not keeping my faith up that they will be able to fill up those massive areas with stuff unless they pump a massive ammount of time and resources into it... which then I will consume in 30 minutes that is if i even pay attention to it...
With that said I wish Diadem did cave exploring better. It was just tunnel with a couple of monsters and no awesome things to discover... =_=

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Non-linear dungeons
I think only the story dungeons make sense to play linearly, as they are relevant to the MSQs, and the hero of light stuff, but...can we have some more dungeons that parties can tackle that aren't on a rail as well?

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Here we go again xD
No. The dungeons are the way they are due to feedback. You still have non-linear dungeons in FFXIV. They are the most hated ones. On top of that how many people have taken toto-rak's other route? I can probably count on one hand how often I took the other route and that's because I was the tank and I made them take a different route. People will find the most efficient route and that will become the only route. That is how gamers operate. The majority of gamers prize efficiency which in turn it becomes very annoying because we can get to this extreme where only the absolute best is viable when in fact you can get stuff done with less efficient means. They just won't accept it and then you have other people blocking you from doing what you want to do because you can't do it without them. Great. This will not foster positive things within the community.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

I really like the concept of the Heaven on High and Palace of the Dead dungeons, more rogue-like stuff, with randomized enemies, and treasures to be found. With my previous point about expanding the world to be massive, I could envision having some dungeons that just sit out in the open that people can run into and spend time inside getting cool loot, cosmetics, and EXP from. I remember in Ragnarok Online, dungeons were open, you just ran inside, nothing was on a rail, there was no structure, enemies roamed randomly and dropped loot if you were lucky. There were hard and you never knew what you were in for.

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So tell me... how are you creating a randomized dungeon if it's in an open zone without a loading time? You can't have both at the same time. You will need a loading screen for the game to generate a randomized area.

Oh yes Ragnarok Online. You could also teleport around the map with a specific card or stack of items. This also brings the Sphinx to mind where you literally only have 1 path to reach the next level because... mazes. You teleported in on point A and the deeper level of th dungeon was on point B. It was on a rail. You just had the freedom to not go in and just roam that level but if you wanted to go to the next level you needed to go to point B. You didn't have alternatives to point B more often than not.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Attributes, Stats, Skills, Customization
What happened to the character customization? You used to be able to select your stats, mix some classes together to create interesting skill trees, and customize your characters with elemental resistances or endowments to tackle enemies quicker. Why is that gone? It's like the devs only want you to play a certain way, and fuck you if you want to go off that rail. Everytime I pick up FFXIV, it’s become more and more restricted, and we’re forced more into a mold. I hate that. FFXI was a sandbox and let you try all sorts of stuff just to see what worked. Maybe Im old school, but I prefer being in complete control of my character.

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I do wonder if you're wearing nostalgia glasses here. Yes you could make your own builds... yes you could do your own skill tree but the community itself would shun you if you didn't have "the right build". You couldn't kill the valkyrie without certain skills in Ragnarok online.
Sure hindsight Sage was fun but you would get destroyed in harder content because you don't have the required skill to survive / help the party survive so people wouldn't want you and if you wanted to get the right skills? you had to start a new character.
FFXI was pretty much the same. People demanded certain jobs to do certain content and if you wanted to progress you needed other people so how can you progress when others shun you because you decided to "have fun" which in their perspective is the same as "wasting their time" because you're not efficient?

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Squads and NPC allies
I HATE the concept of these NPC party members.

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I don't mind them. I don't use them but i see how they are useful. People are different. There are a lot of people with mental health issues that play games. yes socializing would help them but it's a double edge sword and the internet has its share of bad apples that could potentially hurt them a lot.
NPC party member provide people a judgement free environment where you can do your thing at your own pace, get some confidence and then go out there into the world. Some people will only cling to the NPCS and treat the game as a single player game and that kinda makes me sad but it's their journey. I'm not here to shove them into things they feel they are not ready for and they like this game so wo am i to judge. I personally only use the duty finder. Even over my friends. Who knows what's around the corner?

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Conclusion.
I feel what I have suggested doesn't interrupt what we have with FFXIV currently, and can merely be added onto the game. We can appeal to both types of gamers. Why cater to one or the other, when you can cater to both?

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Because there is a finite amount of time and resources and choices have to be made. You can't have the cake and eat it too.

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Originally Posted by Schan

you are... nitpicking over some really minute things in this game o.o

an animation when you log off? really?

i'll edit this later to add more stuff once i have more time.

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I know, I know. It's very silly and minor. I acknowledge this. I am just sharing some ideas on how to add some more polish to things Im very passionate over. I do not want this to come off as "FFXIV is bad and we should just make everything like 1.0 again." and I don't want this to come off as "complaints", but rather, suggestions and potential ideas. Im very grateful to have what we have. I think it's fantastic.

To clarify what I was speaking about with logging in and out. I included a clip of another MMORPG, I fast forwarded it to the spot I wanted to showcase, in the left side of the screen, you can see a player appearing in a glow of blue light with a little sound effect. That player was logging into the game. I always thought that was neat. We already have animations for teleporting around the world in XIV, the devs could simply add that effect to logging in and out, without having to come up with new assets. But yes. It's not needed in the slightest.
>> https://youtu.be/s_H4xcnxbo0?t=617 <<

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

I’d like to see the day and night actually last to a real time of day and night.

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That would hinder gathering.

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Originally Posted by linay

That would hinder gathering.

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Thats a good point! Thanks for pointing that out to me.
If such a day and night system were implemented, they could adjust stuff, but for a aesthetic addition? probably not worth it.

I did a quick skim and from what I did see it was 'make it more like FF11 and 1.0'

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Originally Posted by Ruinfeild

I did a quick skim and from what I did see it was 'make it more like FF11 and 1.0'

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more of, "hey, FFXIV 1.0 actually did had some good things about it, can we take some of the good stuff and give it to 14?"
There is a market for it and alot of people that want these things. I mean, there's a 1.0 private server in the works for a reason, and people who still play and enjoy XI. If we can have content that will satisfy both sides of the opinion, rather than one or the other, isn't that better?

Most of these suggestions are just aesthetics. Some are good but not really necessary.

For the combat animations, I don't think the more fluid animations of 1.0 will work with the current combat system because it functions with a 2.5 second GCD, so they have to be pretty fast or else we'll suffer clunky animation locks. It can be less flashy but I think most people prefer the flashiness of the combat.

I kind of agree with the zones. If you ignore 1.0's copy-pasted terrain/settlements and barren-ness, the world was more relevant...mostly because you level up via leves or behests than instanced dungeons like it is now. It had a sense of danger and there's a sense of adventure and discovery about it. Even the monsters have a unique AI that made them react differently instead of bule = neutral, red = hostile like it is today. Although I like how ARR areas look more than any other version, I wish they were more expansive and relevant.

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Originally Posted by dinnertime

Most of these suggestions are just aesthetics. Some are good but not really necessary.

For the combat animations, I don't think the more fluid animations of 1.0 will work with the current combat system because it functions with a 2.5 second GCD, so they have to be pretty fast or else we'll suffer clunky animation locks. It can be less flashy but I think most people prefer the flashiness of the combat.

I kind of agree with the zones. If you ignore 1.0's copy-pasted terrain/settlements and barren-ness, the world was more relevant...mostly because you level up via leves or behests than instanced dungeons like it is now. It had a sense of danger and there's a sense of adventure and discovery about it. Even the monsters have a unique AI that made them react differently instead of bule = neutral, red = hostile like it is today. Although I like how ARR areas look more than any other version, I wish they were more expansive and relevant.

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Yes, I read an article about how some of the environments were a bit copy and pasted, but when I played, nothing stood out that bothered me. Also reusing assets is a stable of practically every game. I do remember reading about how guild wars 2 was boasting that they crafted every single zone to be completely unique, and how they didnt reuse much of anything at all. Anyway, Yes! You get my point exactly, I feel the zones should be larger, dangerous, and bring back that element of exploration. What we have now was a product of trying to overly optimize the game to ensure it could run on the PS3 at the time. Thats not a factor anymore, and computers are way more powerful. I see no reason to not bring such a feature back if a massive graphical overhaul were to happen.

Many of your suggestions were dropped not only out of revamp requirements but because many people didn't like them. You point this out as well. Your post could viciously be condensed down to "these are the things I miss about 1.0 and FFXI" and while I can appreciate there are aspects of those games that were fun for you, lots of them are very much not fun for the predominately "casual" playerbase that populates (and funds) FFXIV.

For one particular point day and night affect gathering and Vista logs. If I wish to complete these I shouldn't have to ruin my actual personal schedule to play a game.

There are logging in and out animations for your character if you do so in an inn room. Your character goes to sleep or wakes up depending on what is happening. Maybe it'd be nothing to implement , maybe not but I can imaging logins after patches and big server hiccups might be affected if 200 people in a city login in the same place, some people might instantly crash if their machines cannot handle it, loading in the city pop is pretty stressful already without immediately having to load the animation and effect as well.


From what I've experienced character customization really never works in MMO's. There are the accepted "builds" that are optimal and then there are the weirdos with the "fun" builds. You can still putter a bit with your materia slots but I'd say it seems the dev team have found more people just want to change playstyles with class rather than individual stats/skills.


Just a few things. Interesting suggestions overall, and I can agree that better graphical enhancements are always nice but most of what you've proposed are things I'll happily leave behind from an age of heavy time investment and dependence on others.

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Originally Posted by Krotoan

Many of your suggestions were dropped not only out of revamp requirements but because many people didn't like them. You point this out as well. Your post could viciously be condensed down to "these are the things I miss about 1.0 and FFXI" and while I can appreciate there are aspects of those games that were fun for you, lots of them are very much not fun for the predominately "casual" playerbase that populates (and funds) FFXIV.

For one particular point day and night affect gathering and Vista logs. If I wish to complete these I shouldn't have to ruin my actual personal schedule to play a game.

There are logging in and out animations for your character if you do so in an inn room. Your character goes to sleep or wakes up depending on what is happening. Maybe it'd be nothing to implement , maybe not but I can imaging logins after patches and big server hiccups might be affected if 200 people in a city login in the same place, some people might instantly crash if their machines cannot handle it, loading in the city pop is pretty stressful already without immediately having to load the animation and effect as well.


From what I've experienced character customization really never works in MMO's. There are the accepted "builds" that are optimal and then there are the weirdos with the "fun" builds. You can still putter a bit with your materia slots but I'd say it seems the dev team have found more people just want to change playstyles with class rather than individual stats/skills.


Just a few things. Interesting suggestions overall, and I can agree that better graphical enhancements are always nice but most of what you've proposed are things I'll happily leave behind from an age of heavy time investment and dependence on others.

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Mmhm. Thanks for your insight and feedback. 'Tis what I thought. Many of you are very happy with the game the way it is, which I can appreciate and respect. Hell I like it too. However I, and I know theres a great many others out there, that do enjoy the heavy time investments, rewarding difficult challenges, and dependence on others too. If not, wow classic wouldn't be doing so well right now. ( and I dont wanna get up my head in the clouds and sound arrogant either, but my original post is getting some thumb ups too, so apparently more people than I thought think these suggestions are good too.) Also, I want to raise the question, if a medium could be found for both crowds...why not take it? I tried to make suggestions that wouldn't disturb the gameplay you enjoy as much as possible, while giving us hardcore players some stuff to enjoy as well. I'll concede the day and night point to you, but some of these other suggestions, would you mind terribly if some of them made them in? I think they'd add more to the game and expand the audience. Lemme ask, would you enjoy the larger zones for example?

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Lemme ask, would you enjoy the larger zones for example?

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I don't feel they'd add anymore to the game for me. As it is now it takes a fair amount of time even with flying if I need to get from one side of the map to the other. Progression on the maps during initial exploration takes a significant chunk of the time since you are not only limited by ground mount speed but map geometry. ... I don't feel like the maps are "tiny" like you do . They feel appropriate and since I don't know what we would have to sacrifice to make them expansive (every change will have a price, the technology is not unlimited) I do not have a need for unnecessary additions.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Also, I want to raise the question, if a medium could be found for both crowds...why not take it? I tried to make suggestions that wouldn't disturb the gameplay you enjoy as much as possible, while giving us hardcore players some stuff to enjoy as well.

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I will raise a counter question: Why should the current playerbase compromise at all if they enjoy the game the way it is? Why spend developer resources (quite a limited commodity it seems) on content we will never play and features we don't want?

I like the idea of the mobs being unique and more dangerous ai. all of them kinda feel the same. Auto attack for a few seconds then do an aoe attack then return to Auto attacking. I've always liked those big dragon things when i first encountered them, you know the ones that act a bit random on who they attack and you have to read their body language to avoid the attacks?

They won't do a graphical overhaul if it is going to gate other players who play on other platforms. It's not all about the PC players, you have console players to consider. I am sure when a PS5 edition comes out they might consider doing a graphical overhaul, but they aren't going to abandon people who play on PS4/PS4 Pro which DO make up a significant portion of the player base.

This game isn't just for the PC elitists.

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Originally Posted by Krotoan

I don't feel they'd add anymore to the game for me. As it is now it takes a fair amount of time even with flying if I need to get from one side of the map to the other. Progression on the maps during initial exploration takes a significant chunk of the time since you are not only limited by ground mount speed but map geometry. ... I don't feel like the maps are "tiny" like you do . They feel appropriate and since I don't know what we would have to sacrifice to make them expansive (every change will have a price, the technology is not unlimited) I do not have a need for unnecessary additions.

I will raise a counter question: Why should the current playerbase compromise at all if they enjoy the game the way it is? Why spend developer resources (quite a limited commodity it seems) on content we will never play and features we don't want?

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Zones can be bigger and there can be more teleport points, for those that dont care to explore or adventure.

Because there are people, like me, who do enjoy those things. When more people play the game, theres more money. More money to add more content. Why does it matter to you if its added into the game if you dont care about it at all? Im shocked that some of you think your game is perfect.

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Originally Posted by TwiibieTwuu

I like the idea of the mobs being unique and more dangerous ai. all of them kinda feel the same. Auto attack for a few seconds then do an aoe attack then return to Auto attacking. I've always liked those big dragon things when i first encountered them, you know the ones that act a bit random on who they attack and you have to read their body language to avoid the attacks?

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Me too! I feel the exact same.

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Originally Posted by DynnDiablos

They won't do a graphical overhaul if it is going to gate other players who play on other platforms. It's not all about the PC players, you have console players to consider. I am sure when a PS5 edition comes out they might consider doing a graphical overhaul, but they aren't going to abandon people who play on PS4/PS4 Pro which DO make up a significant portion of the player base.

This game isn't just for the PC elitists.

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Thats true. However, the consoles are getting pretty dang powerful these days. I mean, they figured it out back in the day with XI on the xbox and PS2. Im not a technical person in anyway, so correct me if I am wrong, but if it was possible on the older platforms and PCs, why is it such a problem now?

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Originally Posted by DynnDiablos

This game isn't just for the PC elitists.

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Wait, gaming on pc makes you an elitist now, too?

A small thing I would like to see is a change in the combat stance of the different races. One thing that kinda annoyed me with the rogue/ninja cutscenes were having two NPCs and the MC on screen all draw their weapons, and then stand in the complete same way. Looked so unnatural.

I understand the idea that everyone was trained the same way/style and would hold their weapon the same way, but it's a thing that I would love to see changed.
For example a Miqo'te ninja would have a stance based on their speed, a Lalafell would have a stance designed for their small size and lack of reach while a Roegadyn would be based more on strengh.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Zones can be bigger and there can be more teleport points, for those that dont care to explore or adventure.

Because there are people, like me, who do enjoy those things. When more people play the game, theres more money. More money to add more content. Why does it matter to you if its added into the game if you dont care about it at all? Im shocked that some of you think your game is perfect.

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I apologize if I gave the impression I thought the game is perfect. there are hundreds of improvements I would like for the game. I too would like a graphical improvements as well as inventory expansion and expanded capacity for housing so that all can participate, but while more people does equal more money, changing the game or spending development time (once again a very limited resource which has been cited time and time again by the devs) on something we don't want would cost us content that could expand the things we like. This isn't an unlimited well we are drawing from. If they make something for a certain crowd beyond the usual scheduled updates, it means something else wasn't made for another crowd. In a perfect world where their budget, staff, and resources increased dynamically with the income of the game I would be all for anything to draw in all the players possible, but that's not how to online persistent games work in the world. They have to concentrate their efforts on the largest crowd they can and please them as much as they can. I have no animosity for "hardcore" gamers (used to be one.. now i have responsibilities), I just don't want the things they do and would prefer to have the kind of content we have been getting.


I Played 1.0 for quite a while trying to convince myself it was what I wanted but after all my friends left and I found I was simply grinding because I paid for it.. I stopped. I also Played FFXI for quite a while, but once I realized I was actually unhappy with what my "gaming" had become: hours of partyfinding, then hours of grinding the same mobs to level along with needless XP loss for mistakes made by other party members and overly dangerous areas surrounding leveling areas and objectives, I stopped immediately.

The developers themselves have specifically said the problems they're encountering now aren't a matter of "throwing money at it". They need resources like committed and talented workers who are ready to be in it for the long haul. They also need the permission from their uppers to acquire these people. YES I would love it if this happens and sure once they have a huge team pumping out all the content we can possibly stomach then yeah.. make stuff for outlying groups, but right now there is no reason for the currently barely satisfied customer base of FFXIV to say "sure.. make stuff we'll never use".

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Thats true. However, the consoles are getting pretty dang powerful these days. I mean, they figured it out back in the day with XI on the xbox and PS2. Im not a technical person in anyway, so correct me if I am wrong, but if it was possible on the older platforms and PCs, why is it such a problem now?

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Because they need to keep the game playable for people who use the bare minimum hardware requirements. Just because the higher end PCs and PS5's can handle it, doesn't mean they're willing to alienate the people using lower end old PS4s and cheaper PCs.
It has been suggested to make the graphic overhaul optional like a texture pack but that's again a huge development investment which won't benefit all players. So while Yoshi-p and his team have expressed interest in it in the past, they're careful to say they're unable to fit it into their current schedule.

There's quite a long discussion about adding more "endgame" content here:
http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...d-Game-Content

if you have some time you can read through a lot of peoples opinions on "additional" content. ... as well as some weird arguments for no reason.

I would love to see more in depth to pvp. Something like castle siege or stuff like that would be awesome. With real prices, like pvp gear for teams who mantain a castle weekly.

I understand resources and devs are not coming from a bottomless well. It sounds like it all relies on getting more money to higher more devs to produce such content. I will reiterate, if -some- effort was spent to bring back some of the hard core players they alienated, like me, and I know entire discords of 1.0 and XI fans, there'd be more money coming to them so that they would expand to produce content for both sides of the opinion. I myself, would be subscribing way more than I have been if the game had some more content for oldschool/hardcore players. There is a reason MMOs are considered "Trash" and "Dead" these days. Theres currently a push for classic or old school servers. Just a few months ago, there was a boom in XI streaming, showing the game and its principals are not dead. Even Square attempted to put more 11 inspired content in the game with Eureka. One of my favorite additions to the game. I was watching a very popular XIV and XI streamer the other day, Mr. Happy, who was talking about adding more dangerous lands and eureka style content to the game. Even these casual players are starting to sound like they are getting tired of the same concepts being done over and over. You seem to imply that noone would enjoy such content. Again, Not to sound stuck up, but look at the thumbs ups my original post is getting. There IS a market for this stuff. People are willing to throw more money at Square for this. Not just my ideas, but in general.

My point was; Lets not disturb what you guys are enjoying, let's find some ways to add more content other people are craving currently to the game. Im not arguing to add the lengthy grind sessions, or the removal of the party finder from XIV. I just want more content where players have to team up and tackle stuff that isn't the same old instance raid boss fight over and over again.I'd like to see a larger world to explore, more party quests and content. Like fates, open world bosses, non-linear dungeons, deep dungeons, etc. I wanna play WITH people, not a mostly solo MMO. Not take out what is in the game already, just give us more options.

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Originally Posted by Clouse_Cleyra

I would love to see more in depth to pvp. Something like castle siege or stuff like that would be awesome. With real prices, like pvp gear for teams who mantain a castle weekly.

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Same here! I dont want to disturb the PVE players either, so having it take place in it's own area would be ideal. Like ESO does.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

We need more open world group content
Dangerous World
Non-linear dungeons

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These are the reasons why I liked Eureka and BA. And add to that no flying in the zone, which encourages exploration (I know some would say if you don’t like flying then don’t fly. But when you’re racing against 100s of players for a hunt, then you have no other option other than to fly from one hunt to another). I could remember every corner in all Eureka maps, but not the open world maps.

I also understand that there is a significant number of players that like linear dungeon designs, which is why I understand why the devs are making them. That’s why I look forward more to Eureka like content that they will make and hope for more BA style dungeons.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Bigger zones

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SHB maps and the Crystarium are excellent. It seems like finally getting rid of PS3 and 32bit support is paying off.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

I understand resources and devs are not coming from a bottomless well. It sounds like it all relies on getting more money to higher more devs to produce such content. I will reiterate, if -some- effort was spent to bring back some of the hard core players they alienated, like me, and I know entire discords of 1.0 and XI fans, there'd be more money coming to them so that they would expand to produce content for both sides of the opinion. I myself, would be subscribing way more than I have been if the game had some more content for oldschool/hardcore players

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This is not the case. FFXIV is one of the most profitable things Squeenix does right now, but the budget for the devs seems to have varied very little. More money incoming has been shown to influence development rates little to none. Before any talk of extra content beyond the current cycle is even considerable, they need to fulfill at least the previous expansions rate and volume of content for it's current users, which they are barely able to do. It is highly unlikely they will splurge on the resources needed to support MORE content before having more income. Just saying that people might come if they make stuff for them means very little to an SE exec.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

. There is a reason MMOs are considered "Trash" and "Dead" these days.

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I've not heard this. In fact even WoW is doing well, without counting the classic wow fad. By it's previous standards it may not have the lions share of the pie anymore but WoW is by no means anything but one of Blizzards biggest moneymakers. People who say MMO's are trash or dead are probably just getting older and realizing they don't have the time to spend on that kind of stuff anymore.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Theres currently a push for classic or old school servers.

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Because people have nostalgia stained glasses. I have friends who are playing who swear up and down they're enjoying it.. however when I sit in their Discords it's just constant complaints and the only reason it's fun is their friends are there to suffer with them. It's hilarious to me that Blizzard has managed to squeeze so much more money out of people by releasing old content again and nobody's called them on it. It's the same jazz that happened last time. It isn't changing, it isn't even that much better, they've even made sure to put in the old bugs and issues to make it feel right.. however people are paying to sit and fight over trash mobs in the overworld because hey "was fun the first time right? or why else did I pay so much money for so long". WoW is fun for a certain type of player, I played for 6 years in fact.. you couldn't pay me to go back now, I realized I was only playing for my friends and my smarter friends have moved on.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Just a few months ago, there was a boom in XI streaming, showing the game and its principals are not dead. Even Square attempted to put more 11 inspired content in the game with Eureka. One of my favorite additions to the game. I was watching a very popular XIV and XI streamer the other day, Mr. Happy, who was talking about adding more dangerous lands and eureka style content to the game.

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Great.. NO. Eureka was a disaster. It's dead content now and it was a horrendous grind that embodied everything I hated about FFXI and why I left. The only reason I even tried to play through it was they locked the relic in it and by forum evidence this was usually the only reason a LOT of people did it. Yes there were people who enjoyed it and extolled how it was this grand throwback to XI with "dangerous" lands and rewards for grouping up and how the community in there was so strong. The content was so crazily repetitive and group necessary that people got bored and HAD to talk to each other to amuse themselves. There was nothing else to do between fates. I hear Baldesion Arsenal was great but I never got to it because it now takes HOURS of investment just to grab a couple levels in progression, something I left FFXI for. I don't have time, I don't need progress threatened by some random monster aggroing me while I try to complete an objective or a fate. You can't even really party with friends unless they're within 1-2 levels unless you want to be a glorified babysitter or a giant burden. FFXI is still very much alive and it has players, but I left that game and don't need it smushed into the game I like now at the cost of other content I might actually enjoy. While I can appreciate you liked that content please understand it represents MANY things I left FFXI for.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Even these casual players are starting to sound like they are getting tired of the same concepts being done over and over. You seem to imply that noone would enjoy such content.

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Never said that. I'm sure some would. However SE would do better to cater to it's large playerbase that it already has.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Again, Not to sound stuck up, but look at the thumbs ups my original post is getting. There IS a market for this stuff. People are willing to throw more money at Square for this. Not just my ideas, but in general.

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Sure a few people liked your post, not to sound arrogant but: 10 people does not make a compelling argument. Sure there's a market for it, they play FFXI and other old school grindy MMO's, games like BDO or EVE would be dead without those kinds of players. Again: why should we , the established and mostly content playerbase of FFXIV support the introduction of what is ALREADY PRESENT IN OTHER GAMES while we have so much of what we are provided and enjoy?

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

My point was; Lets not disturb what you guys are enjoying, let's find some ways to add more content other people are craving currently to the game. Im not arguing to add the lengthy grind sessions, or the removal of the party finder from XIV. I just want more content where players have to team up and tackle stuff that isn't the same old instance raid boss fight over and over again.I'd like to see a larger world to explore, more party quests and content. Like fates, open world bosses, non-linear dungeons, deep dungeons, etc. I wanna play WITH people, not a mostly solo MMO. Not take out what is in the game already, just give us more options.

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And my point is we have established over and over that FFXIV's dev team does not simply add on content. They have a limited pie and making one share bigger makes the other smaller. I will always oppose introducing content I have left other games for.

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Originally Posted by RoyalBeef

Wait, gaming on pc makes you an elitist now, too?

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Not at all, but many who do have that mentality and think the game should cater strictly to them and no one else.

I agree with a few of these. I would like to see more critters and birds in FFXIV that aren't things that you can kill.
More love into PvP is desperately needed, they only get the bare minimum of crumbs each expansion, and it's depressing.
I like both PvP and PvE, and would rather not pay a full sub to another game just for PvP.
I would also like seasons in Ishguard, I don't get where they are growing food there. Plant life does not grow well in winter :V

My own minor wish is a range of options for stances with the weapon drawn. I haaate the way Conj/BLM sprint with staves, and the way GNB runs normally looks so stiff and awkward. Plus, I would love the option to hold the gunblade the way Squall or Lightning does (Or even the way Seifer or Laguna does). This "On the shoulder" thing just isn't doing it for me.

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Originally Posted by Krotoan

This is not the case. FFXIV is one of the most profitable things Squeenix does right now, but the budget for the devs seems to have varied very little. More money incoming has been shown to influence development rates little to none. Before any talk of extra content beyond the current cycle is even considerable, they need to fulfill at least the previous expansions rate and volume of content for it's current users, which they are barely able to do. It is highly unlikely they will splurge on the resources needed to support MORE content before having more income. Just saying that people might come if they make stuff for them means very little to an SE exec.



I've not heard this. In fact even WoW is doing well, without counting the classic wow fad. By it's previous standards it may not have the lions share of the pie anymore but WoW is by no means anything but one of Blizzards biggest moneymakers. People who say MMO's are trash or dead are probably just getting older and realizing they don't have the time to spend on that kind of stuff anymore.

Because people have nostalgia stained glasses. I have friends who are playing who swear up and down they're enjoying it.. however when I sit in their Discords it's just constant complaints and the only reason it's fun is their friends are there to suffer with them. It's hilarious to me that Blizzard has managed to squeeze so much more money out of people by releasing old content again and nobody's called them on it. It's the same jazz that happened last time. It isn't changing, it isn't even that much better, they've even made sure to put in the old bugs and issues to make it feel right.. however people are paying to sit and fight over trash mobs in the overworld because hey "was fun the first time right? or why else did I pay so much money for so long". WoW is fun for a certain type of player, I played for 6 years in fact.. you couldn't pay me to go back now, I realized I was only playing for my friends and my smarter friends have moved on.


Great.. NO. Eureka was a disaster. It's dead content now and it was a horrendous grind that embodied everything I hated about FFXI and why I left. The only reason I even tried to play through it was they locked the relic in it and by forum evidence this was usually the only reason a LOT of people did it. Yes there were people who enjoyed it and extolled how it was this grand throwback to XI with "dangerous" lands and rewards for grouping up and how the community in there was so strong. The content was so crazily repetitive and group necessary that people got bored and HAD to talk to each other to amuse themselves. There was nothing else to do between fates. I hear Baldesion Arsenal was great but I never got to it because it now takes HOURS of investment just to grab a couple levels in progression, something I left FFXI for. I don't have time, I don't need progress threatened by some random monster aggroing me while I try to complete an objective or a fate. You can't even really party with friends unless they're within 1-2 levels unless you want to be a glorified babysitter or a giant burden. FFXI is still very much alive and it has players, but I left that game and don't need it smushed into the game I like now at the cost of other content I might actually enjoy. While I can appreciate you liked that content please understand it represents MANY things I left FFXI for.



Never said that. I'm sure some would. However SE would do better to cater to it's large playerbase that it already has.



Sure a few people liked your post, not to sound arrogant but: 10 people does not make a compelling argument. Sure there's a market for it, they play FFXI and other old school grindy MMO's, games like BDO or EVE would be dead without those kinds of players. Again: why should we , the established and mostly content playerbase of FFXIV support the introduction of what is ALREADY PRESENT IN OTHER GAMES while we have so much of what we are provided and enjoy?




And my point is we have established over and over that FFXIV's dev team does not simply add on content. They have a limited pie and making one share bigger makes the other smaller. I will always oppose introducing content I have left other games for.

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Hmmm. I cant say you are wrong. This is clearly a matter of opinions here for us both. We will just to agree to disagree. I think the game should cater to ALL, not just what casual gamers find fun. I also sort of find it kind of dismissive to claim that anyone enjoying Classic WoW, or other old school MMOs, are just enjoying it because of nostalgia. Noone would force you to enjoy the content I suggested, I was asking to make it optional stuff or offer ways to get around it if it isnt enjoyed, like more aethernet points if the larger world was included. I personally wish the MMO genre would return to its roots and stop being so catered to casual players, alienating the people that made the genre what it was. I blame WoW for this, but thats a different topic. Us older gamers have to play much older games and dont get to enjoy the games with the fancier graphics that much cause they are just too easy or arent enjoyable for us. We're kinda shoved into a corner. I also find it just baffling that you'd actively oppose adding anything to your game that you may not enjoy, but others clearly do. Anyway, you've been very polite and pleasant to debate with, Thanks for giving your opinions!

Hi there. I'm glad to see you're open to criticism and other thoughts. I'd like to share mine on your ideas, if you don't mind.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Mount Improvements

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Devil's advocate: animations in FFXIV often have animation locks or stuff like that. I feel like instead of increasing the number of animations for mounting and dismounting, we don't do that. This sounds like a weird thing, but when I need to mount to get quickly to a node for gathering, or quickly to a hunt/fate having to wait for an animation could slow me down. Now, it's not much, but it still slows me down enough to complain.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Logging in and out of the game

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Always log in and out of an Inn then. Or, request they add that to housing somehow where if you have a bed installed it does the animation for logging in/out.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

User Interface is sorta boring
More Interface ranting

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While I agree, I don't think this needs much priority. As long as we get these UI skins I'll be fine with them so far. Honestly, I don't really see a reason to do a UI overhaul, but if that fabled graphical overhaul is real then maybe we can hope for something slightly better.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Battle effects and animations

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As much as this sounds weird, I'd actually say it would feel weird if this wasn't here given this is the series where: One game had fights on the moon in medieval times, another had you face mad clown god, another a man with 6 arms who constantly said nonsense fight you while holding a weapon in each hand, 12/13 knights going ham on a single opponent, a planet being used as a weapon in an attack, a giant robot who shot lasers at the enemy then blew up the place, a chain demon's lower-half going "ORA ORA ORA" on an enemy, and a summon from 12 where the tiniest summon launches a laser into the sun and causes a super nova. At least... I think that's what that animation is in the last one...

yeah honestly, It'd feel weird if the game didn't feature those given this imo. And I actually think many animations in this game carry a lot of impact because of that.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Seasons

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That... would be neat as long as they don't tie gathering items to that.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Graphical enhancements
1.0’s graphics were debatably better. We can all agree.

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Debatable better, we can all agree. Sorry, just like... Contradictions are funny to me. Honestly, I didn't want to say anything else, I feel like you mention the possible graphical overhaul then get a little redundant talking about how we need to improve the visuals is all.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Cosmetics with glasses and hats

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I feel like this is a "spaghetti code" reason right here.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Monster stuff

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If they brought that in, I hope they;d have the option to turn that off. That sounds nauseating.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

We need more open world group content

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Maybe it's because I just don't play that many online games and most of my favorite and most played games are JRPGs but I'm split on this. I'd like it, I also don't particularly care for the idea. I'm fine with it the way it is, but I'm also a little upset there's not much to do outside of the city-states

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Dangerous World

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The world doesn't "need" to be dangerous again. At least, I don't think it needs to be since right now we don't really have a reason to be out into it. I also think this can be rolled into your above point to be concise. Also, XIV does have that "some could see you, hear you," kind of thing, it's just that outside of Eureka and POTD you don't have much reason to abide to these aggro kinds. Also, I don't like the ambush idea I feel like that's an old MMO idea that wouldn't work today but that's just me.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

PVP

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HARD disagree with almost everything here. I think PVP is not fine and has a lot of minor problems. One of my biggest ones is that you can't use what you've learned in the main game to PVP, you have to learn a whole new system and way of your classes working. In STB I played next to none of the classes I liked in STB to play in dungeons, raid, and etc. My most played class in STB PVP was Machinist, which just goes to show you how little the skill learned outside applied to the main game back then. Once I figured out WAR again I went back to PVP to do Seal Rock... and only Seal Rock. IMO, it's the only game mode that I really enjoy and the rest get minor excitement to groans out of me. It's the one where team work most matters and knowing/predicting your enemies movements gives a nice feel of tactics.

As for gear and open world PVP one of the reasons I don't do many MMOs is how many have overworld PVP and that worries me I'll end up just a low level being killed by someone just cuz. The gear used to not be a thing in HW and you used to have to equip gear for PVP... but next to nobody actually did that unless you liked The Feast and did that a lot. But most just used what they equipped at the time and didn't care, so how is this any different than when gear did matter?

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Bigger zones

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I don't dislike the idea of bigger zones because of what you said. I dislike them because that means more zone, but less stuff in the zone. Here, let's quickly look at the zones for ARR vs. HW (the worst of the open expansion zone design philosophy, imo). Go into an ARR zone, let's say... Upper LaNocea. One side of it has a bunch of ruins, a path filled with Kobolds on one side and a cool overlook to the other side down the other path, a thin line of water, hot baths to help people get better from illness, and a narrow way into that side with a fate that spawns where the Mamool'Ja try to block your path and make travel difficult for merchants. That's just one side, the other has just as much.

However, notice how all of that is in a small place making it feel smaller, but also like there's more world building in that small area. Contrast that with Western Highlands. The place is so barren and spread out that I can't think of too many landmarks. I know Dusk Vigil's there. I know there's a set of bones somewhere. A statue. And the most interesting thing I can think of is the ship frozen in the ice. But, it just makes the place seem more boring, less to do, less going on.

What I'm putting forth is for a compromise between these two ideas. Make it dense with things to remember, but make it not bigger but smaller than SHB's zones. If I needed one more thing to put my reason into why is imagine how many treasure maps in the game you can get that are hard to tell at a glance and require lots of time and detail attention to find between ARR and HW +.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Non-linear dungeons

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People will still find ways to make it so that it's just as linear as it is now by finding the optimal way through. What I'd prefer are dungeons that feel non-linear but are linear more like Haukke Manor. But that's just my idea.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Attributes, Stats, Skills, Customization

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Many people feel the way you do. However, the same thing can be said as the reason above for dungeons. People will optimize. However, unlike the previous, if you don't fit into that perfect mold you won't go anywhere in the game without being criticized by those people who want a fast run.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Squads and NPC allies

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Devil's Advocate: My sister plays this game and doesn't learn mechanics well being told them then told to execute and does better when watching others do it right. So, Trusts and stuff work better for her for her first time through dungeons since it helps teach her without feeling as stressful as me shouting at her, and less like she did nothing by me carrying her through the dungeon. This works for her and I so I don't have to feel guilty for yelling at her stuff and all of that. Plus, if it keeps people out who don't want to participate in group content I don't see how this hurts. (especially since trusts/squadrons are nowhere near as good as 90% of players)


I tried not to go with the ones other people had and avoided arguments I'd already seen as to keep my post somewhat short... it didn't help lol.

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Originally Posted by NessaWyvern

I agree with a few of these. I would like to see more critters and birds in FFXIV that aren't things that you can kill.
More love into PvP is desperately needed, they only get the bare minimum of crumbs each expansion, and it's depressing.
I like both PvP and PvE, and would rather not pay a full sub to another game just for PvP.
I would also like seasons in Ishguard, I don't get where they are growing food there. Plant life does not grow well in winter :V

My own minor wish is a range of options for stances with the weapon drawn. I haaate the way Conj/BLM sprint with staves, and the way GNB runs normally looks so stiff and awkward. Plus, I would love the option to hold the gunblade the way Squall or Lightning does (Or even the way Seifer or Laguna does). This "On the shoulder" thing just isn't doing it for me.

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I dont see why they dont add a few different battle stances for holding your weapons that you can swap between, like they do with the idle stances and the drawn idle stances. I agree.

i almost agree with everything you said, im a huge sucker for open-world, immersion, challenge and aesthetic and MORE social interaction

also
i want them to add speech bubbles ingame while talking

i want them to add auto-emote "Converse" when you type ingame for more immersion or at least give us the option to toggle it off

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Hmmm. I cant say you are wrong. This is clearly a matter of opinions here for us both. We will just to agree to disagree.

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Sure.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

I think the game should cater to ALL, not just what casual gamers find fun. I also sort of find it kind of dismissive to claim that anyone enjoying Classic WoW, or other old school MMOs, are just enjoying it because of nostalgia.

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I won't argue that it would be NICE for it to cater to all and for the game to grow huge and all encompassing with funding and resources to pump out tons of content for all playerbases... but based on past history with these developers and their company.. it seems unlikely. And it may be a little dismissive, but I'm basing it on my observations of forums and actual friends who play the game. I recognize patterns of gameplay I used to be locked in myself and apply that experience to my current observations. Maybe I'm wrong though, it's possible they're actually enjoying the experience, but the fun things happening don't seem to be in game, they seem to be enjoying the company.

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Originally Posted by MelnaMilos

Noone would force you to enjoy the content I suggested, I was asking to make it optional stuff or offer ways to get around it if it isnt enjoyed, like more aethernet points if the larger world was included. I personally wish the MMO genre would return to its roots and stop being so catered to casual players, alienating the people that made the genre what it was. I blame WoW for this, but thats a different topic. Us older gamers have to play much older games and dont get to enjoy the games with the fancier graphics that much cause they are just too easy or arent enjoyable for us. We're kinda shoved into a corner. I also find it just baffling that you'd actively oppose adding anything to your game that you may not enjoy, but others clearly do. Anyway, you've been very polite and pleasant to debate with, Thanks for giving your opinions!

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It's not that I have to play it, it's that I would be sacrificing content because of it. I don't know how to explain that any better so I may just drop this but currently if we get Raid A and Feature A one patch we won't be getting Raid B AND C AND Feature B next patch. If the content changes we miss out on something. Like we would get Raid B and New Area A instead of Feature B. For the people waiting or targeted for Feature B that sucks. It's what has happened since launch. There is only so much content they will put out per patch and per expansion.


I am an older gamer as well too and honestly I do not miss the days of heavy time investment and difficulty as a way of making things "last". I started my gaming days with trade wars on a BBS but now have realized that time is really the only real currency I have to spend and if I'm doing drudgery I am not spending it wisely. I should simply be able to pick up a game and have fun, and while I understand that "fun" is incredibly subjective I have narrowed what I find fun down and FFXIV currently ticks a lot of those boxes. There are many options out there for those who still find a grind and harsh penalties "fun" but I, with no malice to them, hope they do not bring it into this game.

I'm glad you took it as a polite debate, others on this forum do not appreciate my particular approach. May you find what you are seeking.

I agree with what is said. I strongly agree particularly with your suggestions about more of an open world and more options for pvp. The world is not scary and seems small and linear. I hope things change in future updates/expansions.

Well, you're waiting for a bar to charge up anyway, it might as well be an animation of you getting on and off the chocobo, rather than just standing there doing nothing. That was my point.

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Originally Posted by Schan

i'll edit this later to add more stuff once i have more time.

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It's done and it's an essay.