How do you manage staying fully active in the game with a full time job?

I do a few roulletes each day and I also run a FC but I don’t even know what to do with that anymore, now that I’m working full time I feel like I have even less time to play now and there’s other games I want to play too, is it possible to work 8 hours day plus drive 45 minutes both ways and still have a lot of time for this game and other games or am I just trying to push myself too hard? It just starting to feel like a burden logging in somedays and I don’t want to do a disservice to my FC either

You probably should think really hard about what your priorities are. If you don't want to do a certain thin, then don't.

And I'm not even gonna touch the "being a traitor to my FC thing" because thats something else.

Forgive the last part I didn’t mean to come off that way I just meant in the sense that I don’t want my FC to go downhill if I’m not on as often.

I work 40 hours a week and my schedule is M-F, 7-3. I have plenty of time to game it seems.

It’s easy if you’re single or have an understanding partner.

I work 10 hours a day, 6 days a week. I am married and have a small child. My wife and I are both gamers. When I play, I usually have my daughter with me and she watches me play. I play a few hours a day. I’m not hardcore, but a total casual. I just quest, level up or a raid here and there. I’ve played almost everyday except when on vacation or have something more important to do.

My daughter grew up watching me play this game. She knows the music, the characters and really likes to look at all the different monsters I defeat in the game. She asks me questions about the game or tells me to go towards a monster she wants to see.

I AFK a lot to tend to her or if something needs to be handled. I don’t take this game seriously, so I can drop out at any given moment if necessary. I do manage to work, live my life and game with no issue. I only play this game as others don’t interest me at the moment.

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Originally Posted by DynnDiablos

I work 40 hours a week and my schedule is M-F, 7-3. I have plenty of time to game it seems.

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Aye it’s not that I don’t have time to game it just feels like it’s either other games or this one to be fully active, I guess I’m just trying to find a happy medium. Of course it could just be I’m over thinking things and I should just keep doing what I’m doing and logging on for roulletes and weekly stuff like Copied Factory and Custom Deliveries.

Luckily for you, this game is extremely casual. I could see it differently if you had a static or something similar with a hard set schedule. If you don't you can play when you want, or play when you need to. You can use discord or the like while running a guild, while not even being in the game, so even if you play other games you can still be active as a leader of the guild.

I play this mostly on the weekends and play other games throughout the rest of the week. Sometimes I'll do a little daily stuff on here during the week too. I don't really do Savage or Extremes much like I used to, though, because I don't want to spend a lot of my limited time learning them even though I'd like to do them, and I don't have a static. I've mainly been focusing on leveling all my jobs and gearing alt jobs these days, and I just had to accept that there's no real rush to it so I don't feel like I have to play every day.

I work 40 hours from 8-4 and even with me being tired out I still manage to make some time to work with a static and get my dailies in.

However for a while that came at the cost of putting all my time into the game. Now with stuff like Pokemon i'm pretty much doing less dailies but still getting raiding in with the static.

Then do other things when you want to.
If you want you can tell your FC your busy nowadays and there's always something like discord to keep chatting up with them.

It's a game and a hobby. Don't feel like you're stuck needing you play this game. If you're tired from work, rest up a little, log on if you want and do what you wanna do.

It's about managing your time more than anything. For example... maybe you could get into game in the early morning before work. If you have to get to work at 8:30 and leave your house by 8, then maybe set the alarm for 6 so you can get an hour or hour and a half worth of gaming in while you have breakfast before you have to run get ready and go.

If you have kids and/or a S/O, then spend time with them immediately after work and log into game a couple of hours later if it's not a date night or something. You should be able to get a couple of hours in no problem that way. And hey, if your S/O plays you can always play together! If you have to go fix dinner, then do something non-combat or beast tribes or something so it's not an issue if you afk for a while. Maybe also consider saving bigger and more time consuming things like 24 mans or savage/extremes for the weekend when you should have a little more flex on your time.

For me, other than finding a static that can function around my schedule, I don't really have any problems doing most content that way.

As for your FC... I haven't found any FCs so far that have fits over their leader's life changing. I'm sure they exist, but if your FC mates know you then they shouldn't have a problem with the general reduction in hours. And if they do, they can talk to you about it individually. Presumably you have officers of some variety as well, so they can deal with the little things and bring things you absolutely should know about to your attention. In my FC we have a discord chat channel just for the officers where we talk about ideas, problems, events, etc. and it works pretty well.

Don't feel like you're letting them down just because you can't game 10 or 12 hours a day anymore. IRL responsibility trumps game every time, and if they're good FC mates they'll understand that and work with you.

I work full time, 9 to 5:30. My commute is 45 mins to an hour each way, I cook my own meals, run an FC and still play the game and other games too. It’s an RP FC I run and the stuff we run works with my time, but most of the content I do in the week is casual, but it’s good for catching up on dailies and socialising with FC members. But I’m also single without kids and don’t have other commitments to draw me away and to me it’s something I can wind down with after a day’s work.

It’s not detrimental to my FC, especially as I already worked full time when I started playing, so it had to work around that from the start. I just can’t dedicate stupid hours into statics like I did in SWTOR and FFXI when I didn’t have a full time job.

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Originally Posted by SerLuke

I do a few roulletes each day and I also run a FC but I don’t even know what to do with that anymore, now that I’m working full time I feel like I have even less time to play now and there’s other games I want to play too, is it possible to work 8 hours day plus drive 45 minutes both ways and still have a lot of time for this game and other games or am I just trying to push myself too hard? It just starting to feel like a burden logging in somedays and I don’t want to do a disservice to my FC either

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You dont have to be on every single day for hours. If you have a proper officer core and youre on for a little bit most days and keep things rolling in your FC, youll be fine. As a point, Lets say you get off at 6 PM, and are able to be online by 7 PM after traffic. Play for a few hours (2 hours) then log for the night and do an hour or two of another game that youre interested in. Log in 3-4 days during the 'weekdays' and put a good solid block of time in on a 'weekend' day and youll find its not so much a burden. Coordinate wtih your officers too to make sure stuff is happening and people are taken care of.

Its also mindset. If you feel like its a burden, than youll treat it as such. Remember, youre logging on to hang with people and do some fun nonsense, not collect a paycheck or manage a business. Go in to relax and have a bit of social fun with your fc.

That depends entirely on what you consider "fully active." For some people that's logging in every day and doing all the things. For others it's logging in 2-3 times a week and doing nothing but roulettes and crafting. There's no right or wrong answer here. Just play how and when you want.

All I know is, this game is hard to play when you're married. I strongly prefer to do anything that requires a ton of time (like MSQ roulette -.-) when I am home alone, because when I'm not, my attention becomes divided, I'm not gonna curveball my marriage over this game, nope.

Also I had a full time job for all the years FFXI been out, and it was easy because I didn't go anywhere when I got off of work. 11-7(nightshift) and play during the day til about 4pm.

Helluuuuuu

I lose 55 hours a week to work/lunch/commute, but still play two characters pretty effectively I think? I'm more than happy, anyway.

Mostly I get on one and set up retainers and do 9~12 beast tribe quests while I queue for EX. Then I get on my main main and do retainers, gardening, and mess around with various projects until FC mates log in and we do roulettes. Usually leaves me with a few hours to do whatever afterwords, but by then I'm pretty tired and usually just wander around looking at houses or do some gathering.

I try to save raids and projects for weekends when I can dedicate more time and energy to them. I'm not sure what other tasks you might need to fit in running an FC though; I run the submarines for ours, and do roulettes every night and maps on Sunday with them but otherwise not much to manage since we don't actively recruit or anything.

The problem I have is that I like this game so much I don't make time for other hobbies. I still haven't finished FE3H, and I haven't drawn at home in months.

To me, it sounds like the OP is less concerned about the game itself, and more concerned about the repercussions of spending less time online as an FC leader.

Ultimately, it's going to depend on your FC. From my experience, the FC leader isn't any more important to have online than any other FC rando, so long as other people have permissions to put FC buffs up. I'm sure that varies wildly from FC to FC though, so I doubt anyone here can give you any advice better than your own judgement.

Don't run yourself ragged about any perceived in-game obligations. Your FC members are perfectly capable of entertaining themselves.

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Originally Posted by Raldo

To me, it sounds like the OP is less concerned about the game itself, and more concerned about the repercussions of spending less time online as an FC leader.

Ultimately, it's going to depend on your FC. From my experience, the FC leader isn't any more important to have online than any other FC rando, so long as other people have permissions to put FC buffs up. I'm sure that varies wildly from FC to FC though, so I doubt anyone here can give you any advice better than your own judgement.

Don't run yourself ragged about any perceived in-game obligations. Your FC members are perfectly capable of entertaining themselves.

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I think on this note, a fair concern and I think if they haven't already, it's definitely worth having other people you can rely on in your FC, like officers and a second in command. I run mine with a 2nd in command and 4 officers. Though being around all the time isn't necessary as rightly said, people will take care of themselves. Plus people can get me on Discord if I'm really needed, I have the app on my phone. Plus I have people I can trust to help manage things, heck, even without the full time job, I recommend it, because the spreading of responsibilities is healthy to an FC, plus people who want to see the FC to do well will also want to help and feel a part of how it's run. Plus they can be eyes and ears. If you already have them OP, then they'll no doubt be happy to help spread any duties you might not be able to accommodate for.

Well I did just have a talk with some of the more active members via Discord text chat they were actually happy with the way things are with a nice chill drama free environment where they can login and people are friendly and willing to help if need be so... I guess I might have been worrying a bit too much, sure the chat might be a bit quite at sometimes but o guess that might just be part of our FC identity and that’s okay!

I work a full time job, go to the gym 3-4 days a week, and also do a little side hustling with a financial advisory gig and still put in at least 10 hours a week towards game progression. Granted, most of those 10 hours are on the weekend xD

I'm not married and have no kids, which is like 80% of adulting, so that kind of helps. Though sleep deprivation is not uncommon for me. All good. Just gimme a donut and some Starbucks!

My advice is to stop looking at the various things to do as obligations and start looking at them as options. At the end of the day, it's a game and it's about what brings you joy.

I suggest you stop doing roulette everyday, it's obviously make you feel like it's a chore. Only do when you feel like to.

Ultimately the game shouldn't feel like a chore. If you absolutely must log on each day to play and your finances permit, consider hiring a maid and personal chef to aid in freeing up time that you'd otherwise spend on cleaning and cooking. I did just that and it means that when I get home from university I have a lot of free time in the evenings to study, play games and indulge in outings with friends.

I play solo. That way I can always get up and walk away to do whatever I need to do. Which is why I love trusts so much. I've been able to max all combat job due to it. And I've almost maxed all craftersbthanks to ishgard.

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Originally Posted by SerLuke

I do a few roulletes each day and I also run a FC but I don’t even know what to do with that anymore, now that I’m working full time I feel like I have even less time to play now and there’s other games I want to play too, is it possible to work 8 hours day plus drive 45 minutes both ways and still have a lot of time for this game and other games or am I just trying to push myself too hard? It just starting to feel like a burden logging in somedays and I don’t want to do a disservice to my FC either

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almost identical but i drive around 80 minutes from home to office. when you feel a burden loging in you should take a break, play other games or do something else. burn out is normal in gaming.

and if you concerned about your FC just make a discord where you still can interact with your members without loging in.

I work something like 60 hours some weeks.
I still have enough time to do the things I want to do. Time management is a useful skill, both in real life and in an MMO!

I play while on the job. It's easy when you're the CTO.

One word, Solo.

This is why I am glad many MMO are moving towards progression via solo. Video games should be a stress reliever, not a stress inducer. I like to casually log on & do things, not frantically search for a group, get into arguments, or feel like an mmo is full-time job after I came from a job. Let the streamers full-time job this mmo.

I used to be the guy who did all the group content in an mmo, hated every ounce of it. I did it, because I wanted to be the best. Went back to those other mmo like FFXI with a new mind-set, who cares about having the best gear when it comes out. I am actually enjoying the game more than I ever did back in the early 2000s.

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Originally Posted by He-Saiyan

One word, Solo.

This is why I am glad many MMO are moving towards progression via solo.

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MMO. Solo.

https://media0.giphy.com/media/2H67VmB5UEBmU/giphy.gif

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

MMO. Solo.

[think]

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A solo RPG with a communal social aspect is not a terrible thing.

Making one game cater to both people who want multiplayer dungeons and people who want solo dungeons is not a terrible thing.

Happily single with a rewarding career. I game because I don't have obligations outside of work. I have a roommate who also games so that helps too.
But then, I'm 46 and I've already laid the groundwork for where I am now. I spent almost a decade in the military. I have three Associate's Degrees in electronics. I have the job experience. I've even been married. I've earned the right to come home and game all day.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

MMO. Solo.

https://media0.giphy.com/media/2H67VmB5UEBmU/giphy.gif

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Ill give 1/10, you can do better (or not).

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Originally Posted by SerLuke

Forgive the last part I didn’t mean to come off that way I just meant in the sense that I don’t want my FC to go downhill if I’m not on as often.

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I'm a bit sorry, but the only way the FC can keep alive when master is around only a couple hours a day and maybe not every day, is have members on same boat.

Or officers that can fully replace you while you are absent.

The FC I'm in today have officers and master playing mostly on evenings, but our recruitment info (and rules) states clearly that our playing hours are only evenings.

And that is working good: no one complains there is little/no activity in at 3am or 3pm.

Why would you want to stay "fully active"? Or how do you define "fully active"?

I am personally rotating my games. One day I raise my bloodpressue with League of Legends, one day I play Styx etc. Yesterday I did a full day on FFXIV. This helps to keep the game fresh and I - and everyone mature - should consider it healthy to not be online everyday. If you are offline every 2 days nobody will really notice. When your schedule gets tighter, you will enjoy things more. That's probably the reason why I would never do Atma farming or why I don't have a house with stressfull things like "watering the virtual plants daily, else..." or "Train the Chocoboy daily, else...".

FFXIV is like a menu. You don't need to order all at once in order to have a good time eating out.

Sincerely,
https://imgur.com/9mjol58.png

Priorities. I have 2 jobs.

When applying, since I'd already been playing XIV prior, I set up my schedule to never work Tuesdays (reset and patch day).

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Originally Posted by SerLuke

I do a few roulletes each day and I also run a FC but I don’t even know what to do with that anymore, now that I’m working full time I feel like I have even less time to play now and there’s other games I want to play too, is it possible to work 8 hours day plus drive 45 minutes both ways and still have a lot of time for this game and other games or am I just trying to push myself too hard? It just starting to feel like a burden logging in somedays and I don’t want to do a disservice to my FC either

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As long as you change your mindset and tell yourself that you do NOT NEED to clear everything, get every job max level, don't need all the mounts and weapons for jobs you wont even play... you will be fine.
Took me a while to go from hardcore to very casual but now it works out.

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Originally Posted by Iscah

A solo RPG with a communal social aspect is not a terrible thing.

Making one game cater to both people who want multiplayer dungeons and people who want solo dungeons is not a terrible thing.

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I ironically play almost exclusively solo, and don't even talk in dungeons (unless I get addressed) nor have I joined any linkshells for chat (the ones I am in are for hunting, and a collection of people who farm extremes) or even bothered with the new fellowship system. My FC has about 4 active players, who I almost never play with, so yeah I get people wanting to play it solo. However, I do not think it is a good thing for an MMOrpg to be designed more for solo play. An mmo should encourage group play, if anything to at least match it's genre namesake. This game does a very poor job doing so, and not always for the better.

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Originally Posted by SturmChurro

An mmo should encourage group play, if anything to at least match it's genre namesake. This game does a very poor job doing so, and not always for the better.

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Even in games that practically force you to get a group for something, you can still hivemind strategize your way to getting through what you need and moving on. Maybe its different in other p2p games, since XIV is the only one I've played. No one's obligated to help or try and talk to me, and without RNG, a game will always have the same results once you follow the formula. Thus eliminating any social aspect with an A to B mentality or a want to group up in a friendlier sense.

The last time I recall actually having to communicate to succeed was the Saint's Eve event dungeon. And I'm glad you could get all the rewards with 1 run (unlike last year) because I never wanted to suffer through that again.

Sadly I don't. Combined with my family, job, and pets most weeks if I'm lucky I manage to have enough time to cap tombstones and maybe a few additional roulette runs. I work as a university professor so I'm usually pretty busy. There are, however, times during the year (mainly during holidays and the summer months) where I have much more free time and can really enjoy the game.

Over the years I've just learned to appreciate the time I have.