Have the devs responded to Dawntrail reception?

suffice it to say this is the weakest and lowest point for FF14 (besides 1.0); Even with JP players not enjoying the expansion.

have the devs put out a statement or do you think they will at somepoint?

Not yet but I hope they will.

They won't lol.

What will they gain from a press release saying "Hey this game we're selling is butt!"

The writer is probably not loving his work life right now, and will probably be replaced for the next expansion. Or at least be put under stricter supervision.

But also, the expansion isn't horrible, the MSQ is horrible. The rest is entirely hitting FFXIV par, which is not very high, but seems to be popular. Some of the fights are above par.

The most comment on the reception we're likely to get is "The expansion made money."

But if the playerbase has any luck, they're taking the criticism to heart and are actually thinking about the future MSQ.

It doesn’t matter if the devs respond or not. It maybe best selling because it follows endwalker. People expected quality. The subs will drop drastically. I don’t plan to stay subbed. I couldn’t stomach Dawn Trails story and it took me 3 weeks to get to 100 due to taking breaks from the dull story. The content in the story wasn’t engaging enough, talk cutscene, touch, cutscene, look, cutscene. I have no desire for fates or crafting. Not looking forward to relic weapons because 6.0 weapons weren’t challenging. The new space planet zones will just be gathering and crafting which is disappointing.

I unsubbed after the end of 6.0, the story was the only thing keeping me playing. I’m enjoying Guild Wars 2 anyways since it provides story and open world fun. The combat is fast pace too.

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Originally Posted by koko-on-da-forumz

They won't lol.

What will they gain from a press release saying "Hey this game we're selling is butt!"

The writer is probably not loving his work life right now, and will probably be replaced for the next expansion. Or at least be put under stricter supervision.

But also, the expansion isn't horrible, the MSQ is horrible. The rest is entirely hitting FFXIV par, which is not very high, but seems to be popular. Some of the fights are above par.

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I also agree with this. The only part that's awful about this expansion is the MSQ. But dungeons/trials/raids have been a major improvement. And obviously the graphics.

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Originally Posted by Vydos

I also agree with this. The only part that's awful about this expansion is the MSQ. But dungeons/trials/raids have been a major improvement. And obviously the graphics.

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I've only seen the first 2 dungeons in the MSQ because I can only play for like an hour at a time before I am bored out of my mind; that said from what I did see I don't see any improvement to dungeons, its the same linear zerg to the boss

I doubt they will respond. Internally I'm sure they are going over all kinds of feedback and looking at metrics. They are probably paying attention to how many people stay subbed rather than how many copies dawntrail sold. I'll personally be unsubbing. Im already kinda bored of the available content.

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Originally Posted by pclarkson85

I've only seen the first 2 dungeons in the MSQ because I can only play for like an hour at a time before I am bored out of my mind; that said from what I did see I don't see any improvement to dungeons, its the same linear zerg to the boss

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Yeah, the design stayed the same.
But let's be honest. Exploring a dungeon is only fun the first time around, after that you'll speedrun them anyway.

Earlier today I've gone through Sastasha (Lvl 15) again and while the environmental storytelling is good, going through every room in every run again? No, thank you.

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Originally Posted by koko-on-da-forumz

They won't lol.

What will they gain from a press release saying "Hey this game we're selling is butt!"

The writer is probably not loving his work life right now, and will probably be replaced for the next expansion. Or at least be put under stricter supervision.

But also, the expansion isn't horrible, the MSQ is horrible. The rest is entirely hitting FFXIV par, which is not very high, but seems to be popular. Some of the fights are above par.

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MSQ: 0. I had to stop playing several times because the MSQ was making me angry at its quality.
Zone Design: 6. There's a nice variety, and the zones are pretty as usual. However, they're a little bit too large and empty for some reason. Mostly because of the next thing in the list.
Side Quests: 6. There are far too few of them this time around, and they give crap EXP, but they're actually mostly enjoyable. Every last one of them has much better writing than the MSQ.
Role Quests: 7. Good, cheesy stories, nowhere near the Blasphemies from EW, and that's fine. Whoever designed the Healer and Ranged fight, STOP. I don't need 20 popups telling me to Esuna in the healer fight, and whoever thought it was a good idea to make me hit a shield 500 times with nothing else going on needs to find a different position in the company.
Dungeons: 7. They're dungeons. They hit like a wet fart still, but I do enjoy some of the variations of mechanics, especially in the Expert dungeons.
Trials: 7. The first two were glorious, and I want more of those. The last one was awesome, right until it got completely ruined by "Speeen. Lissen to meh." 0/10 for that moment alone.
Raids: 10. I cannot remember the last time I had this much fun in even a Normal Mode raid as a healer. Which makes the next point in the list even more depressing.
Job Design: 4. Healers are still an absolute dumpster fire. They have also neutered tanks, and Black Mage, to cater to players who don't bother trying in the first place. Balance is all over the place, Dancer is an absolute travesty at 100. There are very few classes left that actually feel rewarding to play well.

So, yeah. Par for FF. An average score in the end.

I hope they say something, anything. It would be reassuring to know at least they're HEARING the feedback and doing something about it, like they did with the combat changes.
If they just pretend it's not there and then we get patch after patch of the same level of writing, I'm sure I won't be the only one slowing losing faith and interest in the game.

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Originally Posted by genuine_stranger

Yeah, the design stayed the same.
But let's be honest. Exploring a dungeon is only fun the first time around, after that you'll speedrun them anyway.

Earlier today I've gone through Sastasha (Lvl 15) again and while the environmental storytelling is good, going through every room in every run again? No, thank you.

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This is true, I guess it's inevitable for rerun content to become trivial like that but still I believe game design can overcome this and make replaying content fun. Look at games like Diablo or PoE; grinding can be a blast. Not hat I want FFXIV to be an ARPG number quest; I just think improvements can be made to make it fun beyond the first time.

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Originally Posted by chizLemons

I'm sure I won't be the only one slowing losing faith and interest in the game.

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If you're losing interest, log off.

I stayed in this game for way too long because my friends were here. Wasted time.

There are better hobbies out there, there are better games out there, there are better MMORPGs out there. Hopefully you can bring your friends with you, but if not, that's life.

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Originally Posted by LalafellDown

It doesn’t matter if the devs respond or not. It maybe best selling because it follows endwalker. People expected quality. The subs will drop drastically. I don’t plan to stay subbed. I couldn’t stomach Dawn Trails story and it took me 3 weeks to get to 100 due to taking breaks from the dull story. The content in the story wasn’t engaging enough, talk cutscene, touch, cutscene, look, cutscene. I have no desire for fates or crafting. Not looking forward to relic weapons because 6.0 weapons weren’t challenging. The new space planet zones will just be gathering and crafting which is disappointing.

I unsubbed after the end of 6.0, the story was the only thing keeping me playing. I’m enjoying Guild Wars 2 anyways since it provides story and open world fun. The combat is fast pace too.

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Bye can I have your gil

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Originally Posted by koko-on-da-forumz

If you're losing interest, log off.

I stayed in this game for way too long because my friends were here. Wasted time.

There are better hobbies out there, there are better games out there, there are better MMORPGs out there. Hopefully you can bring your friends with you, but if not, that's life.

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That...has nothing to do with what I just said.
In other words, I said "if they don't address it, I think people will lose interest". I'm just saying I would like the devs to say something, and that I feel it's important.
That's it. Nothing about logging off or looking for other games or my feelings for the hobby, on leaving the game. Don't assume things.

At the very best, they will talk about it when they will present the next expansion, saying something like "we heard the complain of some of the players".

But no developpers would talk badly of their own live service game.

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Originally Posted by koko-on-da-forumz

They won't lol.

What will they gain from a press release saying "Hey this game we're selling is butt!"

The writer is probably not loving his work life right now, and will probably be replaced for the next expansion. Or at least be put under stricter supervision.

But also, the expansion isn't horrible, the MSQ is horrible. The rest is entirely hitting FFXIV par, which is not very high, but seems to be popular. Some of the fights are above par.

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I'm going to agree with this as well. The Devs have no reason to make an article about how DT's had (comparatively) poor reception. They would be better served simply trying to course correct for the future, not unlike what they did--ironically--with ARR.

I'm still mystified as to what happened, though. The writer did the Bard and Black Mage role quests and those are both really friggin solid. I want to hold onto some optimism that the guy can fix things up in post--not even as a "Dawntrail Defender", but as a Black Mage main who holds this guy to better than that.

The rest *is* good, and hell, there were parts of the MSQ that I thought were alright, too. Someone else mentioned that the characters in MSQ felt kind of wooden and I agree with that. and Wuk Lamat (which the character concept is fine) is like a black hole with how much she makes other people and reality bend around her. Dialing that down would go a long way.

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Originally Posted by LalafellDown

It doesn’t matter if the devs respond or not. It maybe best selling because it follows endwalker. People expected quality. The subs will drop drastically. I don’t plan to stay subbed. I couldn’t stomach Dawn Trails story and it took me 3 weeks to get to 100 due to taking breaks from the dull story. The content in the story wasn’t engaging enough, talk cutscene, touch, cutscene, look, cutscene. I have no desire for fates or crafting. Not looking forward to relic weapons because 6.0 weapons weren’t challenging. The new space planet zones will just be gathering and crafting which is disappointing.

I unsubbed after the end of 6.0, the story was the only thing keeping me playing. I’m enjoying Guild Wars 2 anyways since it provides story and open world fun. The combat is fast pace too.

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Oooh, Have fun with the new GW2 expansion! Congratulations on the easier housing!

Probably too soon to expect this anyway really.

I mean, the MSQ may have received a mixed reception (mostly negative on the forums/social media) but the new Raids seem very popular.

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Originally Posted by Basteala

I'm going to agree with this as well. The Devs have no reason to make an article about how DT's had (comparatively) poor reception. They would be better served simply trying to course correct for the future, not unlike what they did--ironically--with ARR.

I'm still mystified as to what happened, though. The writer did the Bard and Black Mage role quests and those are both really friggin solid. I want to hold onto some optimism that the guy can fix things up in post--not even as a "Dawntrail Defender", but as a Black Mage main who holds this guy to better than that.

The rest *is* good, and hell, there were parts of the MSQ that I thought were alright, too. Someone else mentioned that the characters in MSQ felt kind of wooden and I agree with that. and Wuk Lamat (which the character concept is fine) is like a black hole with how much she makes other people and reality bend around her. Dialing that down would go a long way.

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Garfield will hopefully fade into the background like Lyse(she had 22% of all voiced dialogue and talking to her was the quest objective 147 fucking times), but I'm less optimistic about them fixing the issues with English VA direction. Yoshida said they went with a different recording studio for DT, which likely means a different director, and the VAs said that they weren't even told what scenes they were recording for.

Hmm...I mean we'll see in the patch quest of 7.1 to see what their response is to the feedback is

....if it starts with Speak with Wuk Lamat again....

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Originally Posted by Daralii

Garfield will hopefully fade into the background like Lyse(she had 22% of all voiced dialogue and talking to her was the quest objective 147 fucking times), but I'm less optimistic about them fixing the issues with English VA direction. Yoshida said they went with a different recording studio for DT, which likely means a different director, and the VAs said that they weren't even told what scenes they were recording for.

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That I didn't know. That's a big problem. Hopefully one that will get remedied in time but good lord.

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Originally Posted by pclarkson85

suffice it to say this is the weakest and lowest point for FF14 (besides 1.0); Even with JP players not enjoying the expansion.

have the devs put out a statement or do you think they will at somepoint?

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They don't care and won't attempt to revert or make changes because their current target are ERPS/Venues/Modbeast/Mare players etc. Even if the MSQ its worse than 2.0 their Mare players won't quit the game because those people aren't here for the "FFXIV experience".

Yoshida will probably make comments at the first live letter that happens post launch, but don't expect anything major in terms of specifics. He might bring up how people thought the early part of the MSQ needed fewer cutscenes and more action. He is not going to be like "Were gonna fire X, Y and Z and revamp everything."

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Originally Posted by Daralii

Yoshida said they went with a different recording studio for DT, which likely means a different director, and the VAs said that they weren't even told what scenes they were recording for.

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Where was this said - this is the first time I've heard this, do you have an article I can read?

Some of the reactions from streamers has been so funny. Some hated the first half and loved the second half of the story because FF9. (Preach's joy over the character of Otis was so genuine.) Others liked the more relaxed pace of the first half, and then didn't like the second half because it was too fanservice/sci-fi and they felt the tonal shift was too drastic.

I don't know any streamer who hasn't been without critiques. Some of them more fair than others. I think a lot of them genuinely need to take a break from the game, though, and go do other things. The GG team is on summer break and barely dipped their toe into DT - they won't even start playing MSQ in earnest until August.

In non streamer land, the pacing issues seem to be less of a problem for people who took MSQ slowly and stopped to smell the roses, or play other games, or do side content along the way, as the devs intended. Not everyone took time off from work to burn MSQ in 72 hours, after all.

The story isnt all that matters- if dawntrail delivers on content it will be fine
Though, the dt writer is getting replaced for sure and hopefully they realize we do NOT want more wuk lmao

I would expect them to only comment on the reception behind Wuk Lamat, rather than the story as a whole.

It is also not just the writers that need supervising in this instance. Multiple people will have had to quality check this, so this is on them as much as it is the writer.

Let's not forget that the MSQ is not the only iffy thing about DT. We also have the "trust in our aesthetics team" dye channels... So yeah i think SQE should address some concerns.

Hmm I didnt find the story that bad to be honest. My only gripe with the MSQ is there is less stuff breaking it up be it fighting mobs or instances, so you end of with cs after cs and none of them being on the short size.

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Originally Posted by Daralii

Yoshida said they went with a different recording studio for DT, which likely means a different director, and the VAs said that they weren't even told what scenes they were recording for.

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Yeah, I suspected this was the case. A lot of older characters sounded very off to me. In some scenes it was very obvious the VA wasn't given the proper context for the lines.

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Originally Posted by Fibby

Let's not forget that the MSQ is not the only iffy thing about DT. We also have the "trust in our aesthetics team" dye channels... So yeah i think SQE should address some concerns.

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What? Surely, being able to dye the thread on the buttons of a coat is exactly what people wanted. Right? Yeah, the dye channel update is a massive letdown and I'm incredibly disappointed by it. Not to mention 90% of my wardrobe hasn't been updated yet anyway.

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Originally Posted by Daralii

Garfield will hopefully fade into the background like Lyse(she had 22% of all voiced dialogue and talking to her was the quest objective 147 fucking times), but I'm less optimistic about them fixing the issues with English VA direction. Yoshida said they went with a different recording studio for DT, which likely means a different director, and the VAs said that they weren't even told what scenes they were recording for.

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Hopefully. Let's also hope they won't deal with that recording studio again, the drop in quality is shameful. Can't really recommend anyone to play in English after Dawntrail.

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Originally Posted by Masekase_Hurricane

Hmm I didnt find the story that bad to be honest. My only gripe with the MSQ is there is less stuff breaking it up be it fighting mobs or instances, so you end of with cs after cs and none of them being on the short size.

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I think the story is "mid" more than bad...but it's also hot on the heels of Shadowbringers and Endwalker which were incredibly well received.

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Originally Posted by Basteala

I think the story is "mid" more than bad...but it's also hot on the heels of Shadowbringers and Endwalker which were incredibly well received.

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True but that's the end of the story that started at ARR. It's like watching a film and comparing the middle where all the action is to the start there's no comparison.

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Originally Posted by Masekase_Hurricane

True but that's the end of the story that started at ARR. It's like watching a film and comparing the middle where all the action is to the start there's no comparison.

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But there's no real hook like there was in ARR. No ongoing political tension, the worldbuilding is as deep as a puddle, and no greater looming threats. There's just the hourglass, which brings us right back to Amaurot again.

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Originally Posted by Basteala

I think the story is "mid" more than bad...but it's also hot on the heels of Shadowbringers and Endwalker which were incredibly well received.

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Agreed.
I mean sure, the story has it's issues (what story doesn't) but I feel some people hate it to an unreasonable degree.

If there's one criticism in terms of "how does it go in the future" I say that it is too encapsulated. Almost like a one-and-done episode of a TV series.
Apart from the Key, all issues in Tural seem to be solved (for now).

There is going to be a Live Letter in August, maybe they will make a comment or they might just ignore it. Atleast JP players agree, that DT story is meh when you compare it to the previous 2 expansion.

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Originally Posted by Laerune

Atleast JP players agree, that DT story is meh when you compare it to the previous 2 expansion.

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Of course it is.
SHB and EW were the pay-off of 10 years of world building. No new origin story can compare with that.
It's basically WoW post Wrath, where you stopped caring about so much because the story you began in Warcraft III was concluded.

Wuk Lamat in 7.1
https://media.tenor.com/qyihXxpWs5UA...ns-poochie.gif